Regina Yacko
I want to book a time or get a permit to see the wave
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Hi Regina,
It is not possible to “book a time” to see The Wave, with one exception… more on that in a minute.
To get a hiking permit for The Wave, go to Recreation.gov four (4) months in advance of your desired hike date and submit an application for a Coyote Buttes North permit. You would be informed by email the first day of the subsequent month as to whether your application was successful.
Since chances are statistically poor that you’ll be chosen for a Wave permit in the advance lottery, you also have the opportunity to apply for a permit via an in-person lottery, held two (2) days prior to your desired hike date. To take part in this, you will need to be within a prescribed area (aka a “geofence”) of the towns of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. Applications are only accepted via smartphone, on the Recreation.gov app. If you are chosen, you would be informed by the evening of the day you applied, and would be required to attend a safety briefing the following morning. The next day, enjoy the hike.
In the likely event you are unsuccessful in obtaining a Wave permit via the advance (four months prior) or in-person (two days prior) lotteries, the only other option you would have for seeing the Wave is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting. Although theoretically you could book a particular departure time, air tour operators ask that you be prepared to get to the airport first thing in the morning so your flight is less likely to disturb hikers on the trail, who come here for peace and solitude this coveted hiking permit promises. At the present time, the majority of air tour operators at the Page airport fly over the Wave on a charter basis, but Antelope Air (fixed-wing airplane operator), advertises flights over The Wave as a regular feature of their tour offerings. For more information, visit https://antelopeair.com/air-tours-page-az/wave/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 23, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Abbey Grooms
Hello may I be added to this list for 2025 bookings?
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Hi Abbey,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us directly with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
We will be in touch soon,
Alley 🙂December 03, 2024 at 1:48 PM
Jenifer
Is there any way to speak with someone about booking, or is this the only form of communication?
My problem is we want to do upper and lower it looks like the lower only shows 1 left for many of the times. With not being from the area I see a lot of other sites to get the lower from but not sure who is legit to purchase from. I would like to still get the upper from you guys but not sure if there is recommendations for the lower since your sold out.
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Hi Jenifer,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
There are two companies who offer Lower Antelope Canyon tours:
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours www.antelopelowercanyon.com 928-640-1761
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours www.lowerantelope.com 928-645-6997
If you find that tours are sold out on either site, you might consider visiting one of several alternate slot canyons in the local area that are just as beautiful, but may still have availability on your desired date. These include but are not limited to:
– Antelope Canyon X, a very scenic two-part slot canyon bearing similarities to both Upper AND Lower https://bit.ly/Antelope-Canyon-X
– Waterholes Canyon, located approximately 8 miles South of Page, AZ https://waterholecanyonexperience.com/
– Antelope Valley Canyons, including Ligai Si Anii, Wind Pebble, Ram’s Head, and Deer Canyons, located in LeChee, AZ, approximately 30 minutes Southeast of Page, AZ https://antelopecanyon.az/antelope-canyon-valley-tours/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 03, 2024 at 1:47 PM
michael
Hello,I am interested in visiting Antelope Canyon on January 2nd. Could you please let me know the opening hours for that day?
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Hi Michael,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us directly with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
We will be in touch soon,
Alley 🙂November 27, 2024 at 2:54 PM
Meredith Webb
Hello there! I just decided to plan a trip last minute for the last week of December or first week of January of this year. We’d love to see slot canyons, national parks, and seeing anything relating to dinosaurs would be amazing. Our dates, locations, flights, etc. are flexible. Any tips for a week-ish long itinerary? Thank you so much in advance!
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Hi Meredith,
Total honesty here? You’re kind of late in planning for the Christmas-New Year’s holiday. Many hotels, tours, etc., have been booked up for that timeframe for months now, so don’t be surprised if you have to resort to “plan B” or even “plan C” to make things work. Another potential issue is weather. Christmas-New Year’s is wintertime, which means colder weather and the possibility of snow, especially in the higher elevations such as Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, etc. Heavy snowstorms can sometimes result in road closures as well. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks out, be prepared to pack warmer clothing, and shift plans on short notice should you get delayed or detoured by severe weather.
Using Las Vegas, NV, as your staging city, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Early flight to Las Vegas, drive to St. George, UT (~2.5 hours), with a stop at Valley of Fire State Park (stunning area!), optional hike to the Fire Wave, overnight in St. George, UT.
Day 2 – Visit Johnson Farm Dinosaur Discovery Site, where thousands of fossilized dinosaur prints are in an excellent state of preservation plus an excellent on-site museum. Drive on to Springdale, UT, (~45 minutes), check into hotel, utilize Zion Canyon Shuttle to access the main scenic area of Zion National Park. Possible hikes, time/desire/weather conditions permitting: Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, Scouts Lookout. Overnight in Springdale, UT (or Hurricane, UT, if Springdale is sold out and/or too pricey during the holidays).
Day 3 – Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park (~2 hours), sightseeing on the Scenic Loop Drive, optional hikes to Mossy Cave or the Bristlecone Loop, overnight in Bryce Canyon area (or Kanab, UT, if lodging in that area is already sold out).
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~2.5 hours), optional hike to Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, stop at Big Water Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum, where you can see some impressive displays of fossils and other geological discoveries from the local area. Overnight in Page, AZ (1st of 2)
Day 5 – Page, AZ: Tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, hike to the Shell Cave aka the Antelope Cavern aka the Wave Chamber (it hasn’t been officially named yet LOL), the Hanging Garden, the New Wave, 2nd night in Page **Note that reservations are required to visit Antelope Canyon and tours of the Upper and Lower branch may be sold out. If you find that to be the case, consider alternatives such as Antelope Canyon X, Waterholes Canyon, or the Antelope Valley Canyons by Ligai Si Anii Tours***
Day 6 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~2.5+ hours), optional detour to Moenkopi/Moenave Dinosaur Track Site near Tuba City, breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, stop at Grand Canyon overlooks between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village, overnight in Grand Canyon area
Day 7 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~5 hours), optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight in Las Vegas or fly home.
Custom Trip Map
A couple of pointers: drive times given are direct drive, meaning wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because all drives are very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. A good rule of thumb would be to pad drive time estimates by 25-40%, perhaps even doubling them. On the trip leg between Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon, for example, the section of the Desert View/East Rim Drive from Desert View Point to Grand Canyon Village alone could take you about 2.5 hours to fully explore as there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon in this area. They all offer differing perspectives and dominant features, so they’re all worth a stop.
Also, at the time of year you’re visiting, it’s very important to be aware of when the sun rises and sets. Driving in the dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, and even livestock animals. A collision with a large animal is not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In late December, sunrise occurs at approximately 7:40 am and sunset takes place at 5:20 pm Arizona/Utah time. Las Vegas will be one hour “behind”. Point being is to keep an eye on the time and make sure that you arrive at your destination for the evening well before nightfall.
Hope that helps! Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 27, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Abhishek
I am planning to visit Upper Antelope Canyon with my wife and 2 year old daughter on 23rd Dec. When I am trying to select the ticket, it says no children ages 0-5 years. Could you please confirm if my 2 year old daughter will be allowed for the tour and do I need to book the ticket for her as well ?
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Hi Abhishek,
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours is our preferred partner for Upper Antelope Canyon Tours. They have opted not to allow children under the age of 6 on their tours, as does Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours.
The good news is there are three (3) other companies in Page, AZ, that tour Upper Antelope Canyon and they welcome children of all ages.
For availability, please visit:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Tse Bighanilini Tours www.tsebighanilini.com 928-310-9458
For more information on visiting Antelope Canyon with kids, check out AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Antelope Canyon FAQ – Bringing Kids
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 25, 2024 at 5:29 PM
Karen
Is upper Antelope Canyon open on January 1 or January 2, 2025? Where can I buy the tickets because I can’t find them in the calendar dates.
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Hi Karen,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us directly with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
We will be in touch soon,
Alley 🙂November 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM
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From Chante V
Hello may I be added to this list as well? For 2025 bookings?
November 27, 2024 at 12:16 AM
Gerry
Hello. Are knee scooter allowed in the lower antelope? thanks.
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Hi Gerry,
Sorry, but that’s a hard no, not just in Lower, but in all of the Antelope Canyons.
Lower Antelope Canyon requires descending the equivalent of 5 flights of stairs to enter, and a similar incline for egress. Plus there’s also some light boulder scrambling and a few smaller ladders to manage once you are within the canyon. Watch this full walk-through video to see what I’m referring to.
Other branches of Antelope Canyon, such as Upper, may offer up flatter terrain, but mobility aids such as wheelchairs, strollers, scooters, etc., remain forbidden due to sand and other obstacles which may hinder operation of your device.
If a walking tour is out of the question, consider an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour on Lake Powell. For more information on these, contact Antelope Point Marina at 928-645-5900 or visit www.AntelopePointLakePowell.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 15, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Cassie Alongi
Hello! I was reading the comments and thought the tours were available now, but I see it is just November and December. Could you please place me on the list for booking. I am opening to a time. We just want to go. Can you please advise, do you have a rainy season in the winter and when is a less crowded time? I want to do both and I saw very detailed answers, so I will read through those so you don’t have to resend. Thank you for your help!
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Hi Cassie,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
If you’re wanting to visit when the weather is best, late September through early October feature mostly sunny conditions, not too warm with a very low likelihood of rain or snow.
Hope that helps! Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
We will be in touch soon,
Alley 🙂November 12, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Michelle Couture
Hello. We will be visiting sometime between Dec 21-29. Looking into a Lower canyon tour but wondering if we need to worry at all about snow and what time of day would be best that late in the year? Thank you.
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Hi Michelle,
December definitely has the possibility of wintry weather, most likely rain, but snow is known to occur.
Should weather render conditions in Lower Antelope Canyon dangerous in any way, your tour may be cancelled. Should that happen, you would be given the option of rescheduling your tour or receiving a refund of your tickets.
In any case, conditions will be cold at that time of year, so be prepared by packing a jacket, gloves, hat, and other warmer items of clothing. Dress in layers that you can easily take off and stash in a backpack if weather is fair.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 12, 2024 at 2:26 PM
Jenifer
Hello I’m trying to book the Upper and Lower for Dec this year however not sure what times to pick since it has you book them separate, and it also looks like it has you pay separate? Is there something I’m missing on booking this together?
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Hi Jenifer,
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked and paid for separately at this time.
The key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ. To compare side-by-side availability on your desired date, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 12, 2024 at 2:23 PM
Wil
Hi!
We are flying to AZ this month and thinking to book a tour with my family and a friend. My wife is 5 months pregnant. Is it possible or safe for her to join the tour?
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**The following SHOULD NOT be interpreted in any way as medical advice. Any questions or concerns about the feasibility of any of the activities mentioned during pregnancy should be discussed with a medical professional.**
Hi Wil!
Congratulations on your coming bundle of joy 🥰
Pregnant women are discouraged from touring Lower Antelope Canyon due to its physical requirements (equivalent of 5 flights of stairs for entry and egress, mild boulder scrambling, etc.)
Though Upper Antelope Canyon itself is a relatively easy walk, there is now a 1/2 mile long series of steps and walkways one must navigate from the exit of the canyon, over a ridge, and back to the tour vehicle parking area. Everyone must be able to manage this walk; no exceptions. Another aspect that could render this activity potentially unsafe for pregnant women is the rather bumpy ride from the Tribal Park entrance back to the canyon itself.
Women in the later stages of pregnancy are encouraged NOT to take part in this activity. The Antelope Canyon tour companies also go so far as to discourage pregnant women from participating, and reserve the right to forbid anyone from taking part in a tour if they feel it could jeopardize their safety.
I encourage you to discuss this matter with your OB/GYN. You might show them this video of the Upper Antelope Canyon walkway you would have to manage at the conclusion of the tour.
If you and your physician decide you must not take part in the Upper Antelope Canyon tour due to the physical requirements, you might consider approaching the task from another angle, and that’s taking a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Boat tours are offered by Antelope Point Marina. Though these do not involve any physical exertion, there is the issue of seasickness which can be exacerbated during pregnancy. If you wish to explore this option – again, with your doctor’s approval – try for a morning tour as that is when the waters of Lake Powell tend to be less choppy. For more information, click on the link above. FYI, there is a long, steep path from the parking lot to the boat ramp of Antelope Point Marina, but personnel in golf carts may be engaged to give you a ride there and back; gratuities are appreciated for this service.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if we can answer any other questions for you.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 12, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Judy
When is the best time to tour the canyons? My husband and I would like to come in spring. When will appointments be available to book? Very excited about seeing this in person I have seen many beautiful pictures!
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Hi Judy,
Thank you for visiting our site.
The good news is that there is no such thing as a bad time to tour the canyon! Spring in Northern Arizona is typically nice, but the occasional “last gasp” of winter weather does manage to sneak through from time to time. Personally, my favorite time of year is late September through early October. Temperatures are cooling, crowds are thinning, but all popular activities are still running.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations.
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2024 at 3:29 PM
Calvin Yukihiro
Can I get on a waiting list for March 2025 tours? Thanks
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Hi Calvin,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Mel Lee
anything in Jan 2025?? i am planning for Jan 5
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Hi Mel,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Nattalia Paterson
When will reservations for March/April 2025 be available for booking?
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Hi Nattalia,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 09, 2024 at 2:09 PM
Margaret Kallal
We are planning to visit Antelope Canyon the first week in May 2025. Can you notify me of when we can book our tour of the upper and lower canyon.
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Hi Margaret,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 09, 2024 at 2:09 PM
ANDY PLESTED
Hi
We are travelling from the UK in February and want to book the Antelope Canyon trail. Could you please let me know when this will be possible. I have seen from your other responses that this may be a few weeks.
Thank you
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Hi Andy,
Thank you for visiting our site.
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Talk to you soon,
Alley 🙂November 09, 2024 at 2:07 PM
Peggy Braman
Hello,
I am visiting from Vermont in February and would like to visit both canyons. Will there be openings available on or about the 15th of February?
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Hi Peggy,
Thank you for visiting our site. Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
As to whether you can tour both Upper and Lower, the key to making it work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
Hope that helps! We will be in touch soon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 07, 2024 at 4:12 PM
Eric
Hi! we plan to visit both Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon on 1/1/2025, can you notify me once the reservations can be made?
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Hi Eric,
Thank you for visiting our site. Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking very soon. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
As to whether you can tour both Upper and Lower, the key to making it work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
Hope that helps! We will be in touch soon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 07, 2024 at 4:10 PM
Vanessa
Hi! I am planning to visit Upper Antelope Canyon in early January 2025 with my toddler. Any idea when will the tickets be launched?
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Hi Vanessa,
Thank you for visiting our site!
Unfortunately, our preferred partner for Upper Antelope Canyon Tours – Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours – does not permit children younger than 6 to take part in their tours.
Fortunately, three of the five Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies do welcome people of all ages. One of them, Tse Bighanilini Tours, already has inventory for January through March open. To reserve your Upper Antelope Canyon Tour, visit https://www.tsebighanilini.com/antelope-canyon-tour/ or phone 928-310-9458 or email bybegay@tsebighanilini.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 05, 2024 at 2:28 PM
Jennifer
Hi! We are planning on visiting antelope canyon in January 2025. Is it possible to visit both the upper and lower canyon on the same day? Thanks!
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Hi Jennifer,
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking in a few weeks. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
As to whether you can tour both Upper and Lower depends on what dates in January you are planning to visit. Lower Antelope Canyon closes for two weeks’ time in January for annual maintenance and cleaning. In 2025, the closure dates will be Monday, January 13 through Sunday, January 26. Should your visit occur outside those dates, The key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
To compare side-by-side availability on your desired date, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 31, 2024 at 12:06 PM
Judy Horel
When do the reservations open to book in April 2025. Thanks
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Hi Judy,
Inventory for 2025 Antelope Canyon tours is expected to be available for booking in a few weeks. In the meantime, we will place your name on our priority contact list so you will be notified as soon as you can make reservations!
Feel free to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az with any questions you might have in the meantime.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 28, 2024 at 12:07 PM
Holly P
I would love to be put on a list when June 2025 reservations are able to be made!
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Hi Holly,
Consider it done 🙂
AlleyOctober 24, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Julie Bassett
Hi, how far in advance are we able to book tours to Antelope Canyon, both upper and lower?
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Hi Julie,
If you’re referring to how far in advance you can book tours for next year, tickets for 2025 will be made available for purchase in a few weeks’ time.
I will put your name on our priority contact list so you can be informed immediately when reservations can be made.
Thank you for visiting our site!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 21, 2024 at 10:57 PM
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From Meghan Holmes
Hi Alley,
Can you please add me to your priority contact list so I can be notified when reservations open for 2025?
Thanks so much!
MeghanNovember 05, 2024 at 3:55 AM
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From Paul Greenspan
Hi Alley: can you please put me on that same list? We will be a group of 6 adults looking to explore Upper and/or Lower Antelope Canyon on Wednesday May 14 or Thursday May 15. Thank you, paul
November 17, 2024 at 12:33 AM
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From Doria Rodrigue
Hello Alley. I would also like to have my name placed on the list as well please. Looking to visit January 11-14
Thank you kindly 🙂November 21, 2024 at 10:18 PM
Christine Shoop
Hi, I am brining my family for spring break and would like to book a tour through upper & lower canyon Sunday March 30th. Is it open on Sunday? When would I be able to book tickets for that time & what is the cost?
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Hi Christine,
The Antelope Canyons are open 7 days a week for tours, weather permitting.
Tickets for 2025 will be made available for purchase in a few weeks’ time. Prices will also be determined at that time.
I will put your name on our priority contact list so you can be informed immediately when reservations can be made.
Thank you for visiting our site!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Susan Clark
My 52-year old son & I (a fit 78-year old) would like to visit the wave, antelope canyon & horseshoe bend in the fall 2025. We can stay in the area for a week or 10 days to hike some 3-mile or under hikes. We will, of course, try for permits; but, if they are not available, can you suggest some hikes & similar scenery that do not require permits in that area. We have stayed in Page, rented a houseboat on Lake Powell. We are free to fly out anytime in the fall after August. Please advise an itinerary for us & also suggestions of where to make hotel reservations in the area. Thank so much.
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Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your inquiry. I do apologize for the delay in reply.
It sounds as though you know a lot about the area already, so that puts you at an advantage from the get!
If, as you say, you are “free to fly out anytime after August,” I would suggest scheduling your visit for mid-October. That time of year offers wonderful hiking weather, which you’ll definitely appreciate should you be successful in obtaining permits for The Wave.
In the likely event you strike out on Wave permits (gotta be honest, the odds are pretty slim, but there might still be a way for you to see it; more on that in a minute) and you are wanting to find some alternative hikes that feature similar scenery to The Wave without the permit requirement, here’s what I would suggest:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2: Drive to St. George, UT (~2.5 hours), detour through Valley of Fire State Park (stunning area!) to hike the easy Fire Wave Trail, overnight in St. George
Day 3: 2nd day/night in St. George, UT to hike Yant Flat aka the Candy Cliffs, ~1 hour drive from St. George, another area with beautiful Wave-like rock formations, but no permit required. Should you get done exploring that area early enough, you might also visit Snow Canyon State Park, Red Cliffs Reserve, Petroglyph Park, just to name a few. If either of you are into vintage airplanes, the Western Sky Warbird Museum is an unexpected pleasure!
Day 4: Drive to Zion National Park, ~1 hour from St. George, UT. Overnight at the Zion Lodge if you can get reservations; if not, then overnight in Springdale or Hurricane. Springdale is the hub for the Zion Canyon Shuttle, which you would be required to utilize if you do not stay in the park. Hike Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, the Grotto, or if you want something a little more challenging, try Scout’s Lookout or go a short ways into the Narrows (water levels permitting). 10 Best Hikes in Zion
Day 5: 2nd day/night in Zion, hit trails you may have missed on Day 1 there, or take a day trip to the Kolob Canyon section of the park.
Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours from Springdale), hike Mossy Cave, Bristlecone Loop Trails, or one of many other beautiful trails in the park; or take the scenic drive or free shuttle to various canyon viewpoints, overnight in Bryce Canyon area.
Day 7: Drive to Kanab, UT early (~1 hour from Bryce Canyon), take a guided tour of White Pocket. White Pocket is another one of those areas that’s amazingly beautiful and (knock on wood) doesn’t require permits to visit – YET. The hiking involved is not very difficult, it’s the drive to the trailhead that has left many visitors stranded with a very expensive tow and/or repair bill. Hiring a guide to White Pocket is strongly recommended. Overnight in Kanab, UT.
Day 8: Drive to Page, AZ, optional stop to hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos. Tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon (we will put your name on the 2025 priority contact list and notify you as soon as 2025 booking inventory opens up), overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 9: Fixed wing airplane flight over the Wave from the Page Municipal Airport. Afterwards, head to Grand Canyon South Rim, stopping at Horseshoe Bend on the way out of town (allow 60-90 minutes to park, walk to the rim, take photos, walk back to parking lot). Total drive time factoring in stops such as Horseshoe Bend, Cameron Trading Post, Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village: ~4.5-6 hours. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
Day 10: return to Las Vegas (~5 hour drive), fly home
Custom Trip Map
If you luck out on getting a Wave permit, then your itinerary would need to revolve and evolve around the day your are granted for the hike. The application for October hiking permits is the month of June. It is also possible to apply for a walk-in permit 2 days before your desired hike date, but you would have to physically be within a certain radius of Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ. For more information on Wave permits, visit our partner site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
As for where to book hotels, staying inside the parks is always most desirable, especially at Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon. However, these are always the first hotels to fill once inventory is made available for booking. Fortunately, there are gateway communities (small cities or towns located within close proximity to the park(s)) where you might find prices more reasonable, availability more flexible, and more amenities to your liking. For Zion, the gateway communities on the Western border of the park are Springdale and Hurricane. On the Eastern side, Kanab, UT, is a conveniently located not only for Zion, but Bryce Canyon. For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ, has over 2 dozen hotels in varying price points and amenity classes, from Motel 6 to Marriott and pretty much everything in between. Tusayan, AZ, is the closest gateway community to Grand Canyon South Rim (~7 miles from the park entrance) and has 5 hotels to choose from.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 16, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Jessica Wilson
Hello team, I will be 8 months pregnant at the time of the tour and am trying to book my babymoon event here. Is there any restrictions to allowing me to visit on this Upper Canyon tour? Thank you!
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**The following SHOULD NOT be interpreted in any way as medical advice. Any questions or concerns about the feasibility of any of the activities mentioned during pregnancy should be discussed with a medical professional.**
Hi Jessica!
Congratulations on your coming bundle of joy 🥰
Though Upper Antelope Canyon itself is a relatively easy walk, there is now a 1/2 mile long series of steps and walkways one must navigate from the exit of the canyon, over a ridge, and back to the tour vehicle parking area. Everyone must be able to manage this walk; no exceptions. Another aspect that could render this activity potentially unsafe for pregnant women is the rather bumpy ride from the Tribal Park entrance back to the canyon itself.
Women in the later stages of pregnancy are encouraged NOT to take part in this activity. The Antelope Canyon tour companies also go so far as to discourage pregnant women from participating, and reserve the right to forbid anyone from taking part in a tour if they feel it could jeopardize their safety.
I encourage you to discuss this matter with your OB/GYN. You might show them this video of the Upper Antelope Canyon walkway you would have to manage at the conclusion of the tour.
If you and your physician decide you must not take part in the Upper Antelope Canyon tour due to the physical requirements, you might consider approaching the task from another angle, and that’s taking a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Boat tours are offered by Antelope Point Marina. Though these do not involve any physical exertion, there is the issue of seasickness which can be exacerbated during pregnancy. If you wish to explore this option – again, with your doctor’s approval – try for a morning tour as that is when the waters of Lake Powell tend to be less choppy. For more information, click on the link above. FYI, there is a long, steep path from the parking lot to the boat ramp of Antelope Point Marina, but personnel in golf carts may be engaged to give you a ride there and back; gratuities are appreciated for this service.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if we can answer any other questions for you.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 11, 2024 at 5:20 PM
Zheng
May I know the price for the 5 year old kid? Thank you!
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Hi Zheng,
It depends on which branch of the Antelope Canyons you tour, and the tour company. It also matters whether you intend to tour this year, or in 2025.
Lower Antelope Canyon, for example, charges the same price for both adults and children over the age of 4. For pricing of Lower Antelope Canyon tours, click here
Our preferred partner for Upper Antelope Canyon tours does not permit children under 6, but three (3) of the five Upper Antelope Canyon tour providers do allow younger children and offer a small reduction in price. Ekis Antelope Canyon Tours
If you were to tour one of the alternate segments of Antelope Canyon, prices vary widely, as do their policies on admitting children. For more information, visit Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 07, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Lisa Laube
Hi. We are coming to Las Vegas in January and would like to book a tour but I see no availability in January. Is that right or when do you open up that month? Thanks
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Hi Lisa,
Antelope Canyon Tour inventory for 2025 is expected to be made available to the public in a few weeks’ time.
I will put your name on our Priority Contact List so you will be the first to know when you can make reservations for Antelope Canyon tours!
Anyone else who might be reading this and is interested in getting on the list may contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2024 at 12:17 PM
Cha David Chongyull
I made a mistake of paying fee by Korean credit card. So I want to pay by American credit card at the gate. Is it possible?
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Hi Cha David,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but payment at the gate is no longer allowed.
All Antelope Canyon Tour tickets must be paid for at the time of reservation. Even though your credit card is issued by a Korean bank, it should be OK for paying for your tickets. Check your statement to see if the charges were processed correctly. If you have any doubts, please contact the tour company you made your reservations with to discuss what options might be available.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 03, 2024 at 12:25 PM
Chris B Zimmer
I book my upper & lower tours back to back. Lower from 11:45 -1:15 Upper from 2:30 -4:10 on the same day.
Will I have enough time in between?
Thank you
Chris Zimmer
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Hi Chris,
If everything runs on time, that will give you 45 minutes to drive from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours for a 2:00 pm check-in. That should be OK.
If you wanted to play it extra safe, you could look into moving your Lower Antelope tour to an earlier time, or your Upper tour to a later time. At the present time, the only earlier time slot available for Lower Antelope on Monday, October 14, would be 7.45 am (7.00 am check-in). If you wanted to move your Upper tour, you would need to contact Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours at 928-645-5594 or by email at chieftsosie@yahoo.com
If you have any questions for me, please contact me at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2024 at 12:08 PM
_________________________________________
From Priscilla
How wide are the slots in lower canyon? Are they easy to walk through?
November 25, 2024 at 10:39 PM
Chris
Is the canyon still over crowded from tour groups? I have not been to antelope in years and I am shocked at the pics I see online of the crowds!
Is there any day or time that is not so crowded? I live in Scottsdale and can go anytime of the year.
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Hi Chris,
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are the most popular segments of Antelope Canyon for tourists, so they are busy during peak travel season (March through October). If you wish to avoid the crowds, your options are to a. visit during the off-season, which runs between November and February, with the exception of holiday periods, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King and Presidents’ Day; or b. visit one of the alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful as Upper and Lower Antelope, but less crowded. For more information on these, check out Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2024 at 12:05 PM
Tuhina
Hi, We will be traveling to lower antelope in mid Oct . What time of the day is the best for photographs and lights? We wont be able to do early morning because we have a 2 hour drive to reach the canyon. So anything between 11am – 3pm would be great. Please suggest what time slot tour should we buy for a great experience?
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Hi Tuhina,
Any time slot between 11 am and 3 pm would offer good lighting in Lower Antelope Canyon. Your tour guide will help with tips for photography throughout the tour. Our 11.45 am time slot is our most popular. We also have a block at 2.15 pm that is well-attended.
Whatever you decide, you must make reservations for a tour ASAP. Mid-October is a great time to be here, and it’s no secret any longer!
Click here to reserve a Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Charlie Jones
Hi Alley,
I am a teacher in Phoenix and would like to visit during my fall break, the first week of October (9/30-10/4). I am a female in my 50s in good shape and very adventurous, but I will visit alone. I would appreciate guidance on the best place to stay and book my tour to the lower canyon and possibly a horse ride near Horseshoe Bend. Can you help me with where I should stay and who I should book with? I’d genuinely appreciate your insight and guidance.
Thank you,
Charli Jones
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Hey Charlie,
Fall break is a great time to be here. And you’ll be happy to know that lots of ladies like yourself visit Page, AZ, solo and have a perfectly wonderful time!
If you’re in good shape, you should be able to handle Lower Antelope Canyon. To be certain, you might take a look at this full walk-through video of the canyon. Note that the people in the video are carrying purses, backpacks, etc., but that is no longer allowed. Also, disregard any pricing information; the video is a few years old. To check availability for both Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon, click here. Do make reservations soon, you are visiting at a very popular time of year.
For horseback riding in the area, visit Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides or Tower Butte Trail Rides.
As for where to stay, there are many choices available in the town of Page, AZ, the closest town to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. As for quality and price points, they run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between. Whatever you choose, you’ll be just minutes away by car from both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, as well as other popular attractions in the area.
If you need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az I’m happy to help answer any questions you might have, and if I can’t answer them, I’ll steer you to someone who can.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 18, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Terrie Rogers
Are you open in December
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Hi Terrie,
If you’re referring to the Antelope Canyons, yes, they are open year-round, even on the holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc.
The only instance in which they would not be open is if hazardous weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow or abnormally strong winds occurred.
If you have any other questions about Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or other attractions in the Southwest US, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 16, 2024 at 1:03 PM
Avi D.
Could you please provide your contact phone number in case we need to communicate with you.
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Hi Avi,
If you’re referring to the tour companies for booking information, there are five (5) companies that operate tours in Upper Antelope Canyon. Their contact information is as follows:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874
For Lower, there are two (2) tour companies:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours www.lowerantelope.com 928-645-6997
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours www.antelopelowercanyon.com 928-640-1761
If there was another issue you wished to address, please email us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2024 at 12:24 PM
Tenzin
Hi, I am planning to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Monument Valley in a day. Could you clarify whether the tour package includes all necessary permits, or does it only cover the tour itself? If not, what additional permits or requirements are needed for visiting these sites?
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Hi Tenzin,
Any package tour that goes to these sites typically includes all park entrance fees, which are Navajo Tribal Park for Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, and the City of Page, AZ, for Horseshoe Bend. Some companies may require that these fees be paid in cash on the day of the tour, but if so, that should be specified in any confirmation email or other literature you receive.
No additional “permits” or permissions are required, but tours should be booked well in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 05, 2024 at 10:38 PM
Susan
Hello, I am planning a trip to visit in January 2025 but I don’t see that 2025 dates are available yet. When will they open up?
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Hi Susan!
2025 inventory is expected to be made available to the public in November or December of this year.
Since many folks like yourself are anxious to book for next year, I have started a priority contact list so you can be notified immediately when seats are opened up. I would be happy to put your name on it. Feel free to email me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if interested.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 25, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Gail Duncan
I booked a Lower Canyon tour for Thursday, October 3 for 10:30. But checking driving times, I don’t think we’ll be able to get there on time. Can I change to the 11:30 tour?
–Gail Duncan
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Hi Gail,
I will respond to your inquiry directly. Please check your email shortly.
Thank you!
Alley 🙂August 20, 2024 at 8:38 PM
VP
Hi Alley,
Your responses are quite in detail, thank you for that.
I am planning a trip from Dec 18th (PHX) to Dec 22nd (LAS).
Reaching at Flagstaff by 6 pm. Dec 19th planning to cover South Rim.
On Dec 20th go to covering Lower Antelope and Horseshoe bend and stay at Page. –> Do you suggest any additional activities.
On Dec 21st morning leave for Las Vegas.
Please suggest how should I plan for Dec 19th to see South Rim if I am coming from and staying at Flagstaff. What all can be covered in South Rim.
Also, if you may help suggest what to do in Las Vegas with kids on Dec 21st and 22nd.
Thank You,
VP
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Hi VP,
Thank you for contacting us!
Using Flagstaff as a base for visiting Grand Canyon South Rim, I recommend taking the “long way in” to the park so you can get the most out of your sightseeing time. Proceed North on US89 to the town of Cameron, AZ. Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch, the breakfast Navajo Taco must be seen (and eaten) to be believed! Or save that time by pre-packing some provisions in your cooler the night prior or grabbing some fruit, pastries, etc., at your hotel breakfast bar. Even if you take me up on the latter option, at least stop at the Cameron Trading Post for a bathroom break/leg stretch or to top off your gas tank. It’s a historic place and something of a regional institution. From Cameron, proceed West on AZ64. Time/desire permitting, stops you might make before entering the park are the Little Colorado River Overlook and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands. Enter Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point and get your first look at the Grand Canyon “proper” from the Desert View Watchtower. Continuing West toward Grand Canyon Village (the main sightseeing and commerce area of the park), there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at, all with varying perspectives and dominant features. Stop at as many as you wish. When you get to Grand Canyon Village, park your vehicle wherever you find space available and utilize the Village Loop Shuttle to get to the hotels, restaurants, and retail shops in the area. Or, you can drive your vehicle out to the overlooks on the West Rim Drive, aka the Hermit’s Rest Road.
The key to making that plan work at the time of year you’re visiting is to be aware of when sunrise and sunset are. On December 19, sunrise takes place at around 7:30 am and sunset occurs just before 5:15 pm. Leaving the park via the South gate, the drive to Flag (that’s what we call it around here) takes approximately 90 minutes, which means you’ll want to be on the road out of the park at approximately 3:45 pm, 4:00 pm at the latest. The reason this is so important is because nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US. This is partly due to local roads being very dimly lit, but also the possibility of encountering deer, elk, livestock, and other animals which elevates your risk of a car accident. That’s definitely not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Another factor that could affect your travel plans is winter weather. It’s not uncommon for it to be snowing at that time of year, so much so that it could result in road closures. Although that’s relatively rare, you should still keep an eye on local road conditions when you get here. Visit www.az511.gov or download the app on your phone before you make your trip.
In Page, AZ, winter is off-season, which definitely has its advantages, but one drawback is that water-based activities will be on seasonal hiatus, so those are effectively ruled out. Still, you’ll find lots of scenic, family-friendly hikes you can take part in, time and inclination permitting. These include, but are not limited to the Big Lake Sand Cave (aka the Wave Chamber), the New Wave, the Hanging Gardens, the Page Rim View Trail, and the Red Mesa Rim Trail.
On the drive to Las Vegas from Page, stops you can make along the way are the Big Water Visitors Center and Dinosaur Museum, ~20 minutes West of Page on US89, the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, and Valley of Fire State Park (stunning area!).
As for kid-friendly activities in Las Vegas, you’ll find a surprisingly large number of them! The Downtown Container Park in the Arts District, the arcades at Excalibur and Circus Circus, rollercoasters at the STRAT, and the Bellagio Fountains, all are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Note that some attractions may also be on seasonal hiatus at the time of your visit. For more suggestions check out VisitLasVegas.com: 26 Things To Do With Kids in Las Vegas
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 21, 2024 at 12:10 PM
Trace
Would a guide need a permit as well?
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Hi Trace,
If you’re referring to The Wave, then no, your tour guide would not need a permit.
Representatives of authorized tour companies are automatically “grandfathered” into the permit quota. However, you and your hiking party would still need to secure Coyote Buttes North permits for yourselves.
For more information, visit our partner site, www.TheWaveAZ.com!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 20, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Rita Tracy
Hi,
How far in advance can you book tours for March 2025? I know it will be busy then and want to get our preferred times.
Thanks!
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Hey Rita,
We expect inventory for 2025 to be opened up for reservations in November or December of this year.
If you like, I can put your name on a contact request list and notify you when next year’s seats are available for booking.
In the meantime, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 19, 2024 at 4:42 PM
John Wuu
First time organizing a trip for 3 adults, got several questions.
When: Mid-October
Would want to join Lower canyon + Canyon X + Lake Powell tour
Which tour companies have all 3 tours above?
If not, which companies are recommended for the above itinerary?
Will 3 above in one day possible? (assuming we will be staying in hotel in Page the night before)
Thanks for your help in advance
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Hi John,
Mid-October is a great time to be here, and you should be able to visit Lower Antelope Canyon, Antelope Canyon X, and do a short boat tour on Lake Powell, however, doing all 3 activities may be pushing it in terms of time. Also, there is no single company that does all 3 of those exact tours, but there Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours does offer a “trilogy” tour that includes Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, plus an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour.
The specific Antelope Canyon tours you mention (Lower Antelope & Antelope X) are approximately 90 minutes in duration, but you also have to factor in advance check-in time of 30-45 minutes (per tour), transition time between meeting locations, and other logistics. Still, it’s not necessary to do more than one slot canyon tour in order to have a satisfying visit to Page, AZ. Another popular attraction you have not mentioned is Horseshoe Bend, which is a definite must. For Horseshoe Bend, you simply go at your leisure during regular operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. We recommend allowing 60-90 minutes to park your vehicle, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle.
For Lake Powell, you’ll want to keep any activity there on the shorter side, such as an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour, which typically lasts about 90 minutes.
The key to making this all work, especially if you’re driving to another location that same evening, is to know exactly when sunrise and sunset occur. In mid-October, the sun rises at ~6:30 am and sunset takes place just after 5:45 pm. If you’re driving to Flagstaff for the night, for example, that drive takes about 2.5-3 hours. This means you’ll want to be leaving Page, AZ, no later than 2.45 pm, 3:00 pm at the latest. The reason this is so important is because nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US. This is partly due to local roads being very dimly lit, but also the possibility of encountering deer, elk, livestock, and other animals elevates your risk of a car accident. That’s definitely not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temps are starting to dip down around freezing at that time of year), where help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions about Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or general trip planning, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 06, 2024 at 1:34 PM
James
trying to organize a tour for a group of 4 to 6 visiting the Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lower Antelope Canyon and Canyon X. Would it be too rush to do all of these in one day? Also would it be better to visit in late September or early October? thanks
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Hi James,
Late September and early October will be similar in terms of weather, so “six of one, half a dozen of another” on that.
As for touring Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Antelope Canyon X, and Horseshoe Bend, yes, that would probably be a little much for one day. Besides, it’s not necessary to do all that in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ.
The afore-mentioned Antelope Canyon tours are approximately 90 minutes in duration, but you also have to factor in advance check-in time of 30-45 minutes (per tour), transition time between meeting locations, and other logistics. For Horseshoe Bend, you simply go at your leisure during regular operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. We recommend allowing 60-90 minutes to park your vehicle, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle.
Considering the time you are planning to visit, and the fact that daylength is reducing, you would probably be OK to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the same day. The key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is required 30 minutes prior to departure and takes place at our preferred tour partner’s location, Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours requires that guests check-in 45 minutes prior to tour at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
To compare side-by-side availability on your desired date, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons
Hope that helps!
Please contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 05, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Mei
Hi
Do you offer hotel pick up and drop off from Page ?
Thanks
Mei
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Hi Mei,
The quick answer to that is “no.”
Antelope Canyon tours require that you meet at a designated location: either a storefront in the town of Page, AZ, or the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance on highway US98, approximately 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
Page, AZ, is a very small town, so there is no bus service, and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft have yet to make their way here with any degree of reliability. If you are unable to drive to the pick-up point, your best bet is Buggy Taxi, who can be reached at 928-645-6664. I’m unaware as to whether they accept reservations in advance, but it wouldn’t hurt to check on that.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 31, 2024 at 12:43 PM
Elaine
I have a group of 12 who want to visit Lower canyon. On the official site it says the timeslot I want is sold out. You are showing availability for August 21. If I book through you, do I just show up to Dixie’s or Ken’s and show them a confirmation from you?
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Hi Elaine,
I have replied to your inquiry via our company email, reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Thank you,
Alley 🙂July 24, 2024 at 12:15 PM
_________________________________________
From Kate Turan
Hi! I have the same question, wrote you an e-mail (company e-mail address). Thanks in advance for your reply!
July 28, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Hana Murray
Hello! I booked earlier today and didn’t receive a confirmation email. I may have typed in the wrong email address?
It is for Hana Murray on 14JUL for a party of 4 for 12:25pm
Im preparing for tomorrow and just wanted to make sure I have the tickets and
-
Hi Hana,
Apologies for not replying to your inquiry sooner.
I hope you were able to get the details of your tour sorted out with minimal difficulty.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 15, 2024 at 11:17 AM
Yuku Kano
Hello, My name is Yuki.I am planning a trip from Japan to the United States, and I am planning to book a tour of Antelope.I would like to join the tour at 8:15 AM on July 28th, but I saw on the reservation page that the maximum number of participants is 20.We are a group of 21 people who wish to participate.Therefore, I would like to book an additional spot for one more person. Is this possible? Or, is the limit strictly 20 people, making it difficult to accommodate more participants?I apologize for the sudden question. I would appreciate your response.
-
Hi Yuku,
Group size on Antelope Canyon tours is allowed to exceed 20 people.
Assuming you are trying to book Upper Antelope Canyon at 8.15 on July 28, only being able to book 20 means that time slot only has that many seats left.
You might look at another day or time slot to see if they can accommodate all 21 of you.
Another option would be to check with a different tour company. There are 5 tour companies that go to Upper Antelope Canyon. Our preferred partner is Tsosie’s Upper Antelope Canyon Tours, who can be reached by email at chieftsosie@yahoo.com or by phone at 928-645-5594.
Other companies that offer Upper Antelope Canyon tours are:
– Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com, tours@antelopecanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384, www.navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com, aacptreserve@gmail.com
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, www.tsebighanilini.com, bybegay@tsebighanilini.com
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 12, 2024 at 12:26 PM
_________________________________________
From Yuki Kano
Thank you for your response.
I understand that only reservations for 20 people can be accepted.
We have finalized our group to 20 people, so we have made the reservation.
Thank you for the information.July 13, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Gail Benshabat
Maybe I’m over-thinking this but I’ve been reading about flash floods, lightening, and other natural disasters online. Yes, I realize that the most tragic loss of lives happened in 1997. There have been a lot of changes as far as safety protocols since then. Do you offer tours to smaller canyons like Deer Canyon? I’ve heard that the experience and photography is just as amazing as any other canyons in the area. I haven’t booked anything yet. I’m (possibly) flying with Contour Airlines from Phoenix to Page in late Aug. and flying back the next day. I need to catch a flight home the next day. My time is limited because I’m at a conference in Phoenix that ends on Aug. 25th. I only have Mon., Aug. 26th to do one tour of one of the canyons. Any thoughts?
-
Hi Gail,
Your concerns about flash flooding are justified, especially considering that you’re traveling during Arizona’s monsoon season.
Since it is located below ground, Lower Antelope Canyon, as in the 1997 incident, tends to bear the brunt of most flash flood damage by virtue of gravity. In such instances, other slot canyons located above ground, such as Upper Antelope, Antelope Canyon X, Secret Antelope Canyon, etc., are able to remain open to tours.
In the event your tour is cancelled due to flash flooding or unsafe weather conditions, your tickets would be refunded.
Another way you can lessen the chance of encountering flash flood conditions is to take your tour in the morning. The majority of monsoon storm activity tends to occur in the afternoon.
Regarding Deer Canyon, that slot canyon is managed by Ligai Si’Anii Tours. It is more difficult in comparison to Lower Antelope, so be sure you are able to handle its physical challenges before committing to it. For more information, visit www.hikingslotcanyons.com or phone 928-640-2594.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly if we can be of further assistance at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 08, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Tuan Nguyen
Hello Alley,
We’re going to purchase 8:15 am Upper Antelope tour online. Where and when should we go for check-in?
-
Hi Tuan,
The 8.15 am Upper Antelope Canyon tour is conducted by Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tour.
They depart from their storefront in downtown Page, AZ, 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard. You will receive detailed instructions on the location and the time you are expected to check in (usually 45 minutes prior to departure) by email after booking the tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
“For more information on getting the most out of your vacation to Page, AZ, visit our partner site, www.HorseshoeBend.com!”July 05, 2024 at 12:12 PM
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Billy Wong
Hi,
I have a group of people in total 13 who like to go to the Upper and Lower Antelope on 22nd June. Since we will be staying in Clear Sky Resort on 21st and plan to drive to Upper Antelope. Do you think you can arrange a tour for my group in 13?
Regards,
Billy
-
Hi Billy,
It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from the Clear Sky Resort in Grand Canyon Junction, AZ, to Page, AZ.
The key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the CONCLUSION of one tour, and the CHECK-IN time for the other.
For example, the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 11.00 AM) would conclude at around 1.15 PM. That would give you approximately 45 minutes to travel to the 2.30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 2.00 PM. Another option would be to take the 10.20 AM Upper Antelope Cayon Tour (check-in 9.40-9.50 am), which would conclude at 11.50 AM, then take the 2.15 PM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 1.30 PM. The latter option gives you a bit more time between tours, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Both tours can be booked on our website, and side-by-side availability compared, here: AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Book Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
Due to the size of your group, and the fact that your vacation is in less than 2 weeks’ time, you should make reservations ASAP.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 05, 2024 at 11:27 AM
luca
Hi,
I’m planning to book the “Antelope Canyon Kayak + HIKE Tour” but I would like to know which canyon is included.
Is it the Lower one? in this case, is it possible to have the hike tour at 10:45 am to have the best sun light and then the kayak?
thanks
Luca
-
Hi Luca,
The Antelope Canyon Kayak & Hiking Tour covers the section of Antelope Canyon just below Lower Antelope, which funnels into Lake Powell. Since it is a package, the tour company determines what time your trip takes place.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2024 at 12:03 PM
Laura
Why are there time available on this site for certain tours and when you go to the tour site directly, those times aren’t available?
-
Hi Laura,
As an authorized affiliate reseller for Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Chief Tsosie’s Upper Antelope Canyon Tours, we are granted blocks of seats at select times of the day. Often times, when the tour company’s bookings for a certain time slot are sold out, you can still find seats with a company such as ours. Rest assured, though, you will still be served by a tour company licensed by the Navajo Tribe to offer tours into the Antelope Canyons.
Hope that helps. If you have any questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 31, 2024 at 12:05 PM
Jessica Yeomans
Good Morning,
Do you have any upper antelope canyon tours available this morning around 10am for 2 adults?
Thank you,
Jessica
-
Hi Jessica,
Please contact Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours at 928-645-5594.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 30, 2024 at 2:27 PM
WILLIAM G BUCHANAN
Would I be able to take the Upper Antelope tour at 8:15am and the Lower tour at 10:45am on the same day????
-
Hi William,
We wouldn’t advise that.
The key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the CONCLUSION of one tour, and the CHECK-IN time for the other.
The 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30-45 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 28, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Jessica
If we can purchase tickets online, why do we need tour guide?
-
Hi Jessica,
The Antelope Canyons are on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore, access to all of them requires an escorted tour. When you purchase tour tickets online, this includes the services of a Navajo guide.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Yatin Wadhwani
Hello, I have booked a tour for the lower antelope already for July. But I would like to cancel that and book a bundle. How can I do this? Is there a way to reach you guys buy email?
-
Hi Yatin,
During COVID, the “bundles” were suspended, and have remained so ever since. We are uncertain as to when they will be reinstated.
If you wish to book and Upper Antelope Canyon tour as well as Lower, you are welcome to do so via our website. Just be aware that the key to making that work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ.
To compare side-by-side availability on your desired date, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 22, 2024 at 11:53 AM
Dan Burghelea
My wife had a knee replacement surgery (two years ago) and a patella fracture a few month ago, but has recovered. We like to take the Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Is it possible or better asked, is it too dangerous?
-
Hi Dan,
If your wife is recovered from her knee replacement and fracture, she should do fine in Upper Antelope Canyon.
The canyon itself is only 100 yards long, but during COVID-19, a series of steps and walkways was installed from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. The latter element is now the hardest part of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour. To gauge whether it would be appropriate for the two of you, watch this video: “New Hike at Upper Antelope Canyon.”
If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 18, 2024 at 12:57 PM
A Hisir
Hi, I would love to book a tour with you for tomorrow as I just hot into Page. Problem is that my credit card got compromised and blocked and it has not been easy to see any parks without booking. Could I pay you cash for the tour as I saw on the booking site that there is 1 opening at 11:15 and 1 open for 11:45. Either time would work for me as I’M a72 year woman traveling alone . Please respond to my email if its possible. Thank you. Anna
-
Hi Anna,
I am so sorry that I missed your inquiry, and that your credit card was compromised.
I hope you were able to sort things out with getting on an Antelope Canyon tour, and other activities in the Page, AZ, area.
Thank you for visiting our site,
Alley 🙂May 18, 2024 at 12:45 PM
rizalina cinquegrani
Hello , I am interested to book for June 17 but I didn’t know which is better tge upper or lower and when is the best time
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Hi Rizaline,
You’ll be happy to know that both canyons are beautiful and there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit!
There are differences between the two that you should be aware of before you commit.
Upper Antelope is a 100 yard walk through the canyon, but there is ~a 1/2 mile network of steps and walkways one must navigate to get from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. The New Normal at Upper Antelope Canyon
Lower is a longer, more physically challenging walk, at ~600 yards in length, and a few sets of stairs and ladders required to descend into the canyon, which is below ground, and ascend out of it.
For Upper, mid-day time slots are most highly coveted as that’s when you can see the light beams, weather permitting. Both canyons tend to be best illuminated between 10:30 am and 1:30 PM.
To best get a sense of what both canyons are like, it would probably be helpful to watch a couple of videos:
Upper Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk-Through (note that the people in the video are carrying backpacks, which is no longer permitted)
Hope that helps! Whatever you decide, please book ASAP. June is peak season for Antelope Canyon and Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 18, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Christine Twilley
I need to cancel my reservation for May 12 2024 for 4pp at 2 or 2:30 pm Lower Antelope Canyon. Cannot seem to find the email. Please let me know what need to do to make this happen. It is under Chrisy (Christine) Twilley.
-
Hi Christine,
Check your email for cancellation/refund confirmation.
Thank you,
Alley 🙂May 10, 2024 at 11:21 AM
Vyom
Hello,
I have booked 3 tickets and want to shift it to slots that are available for the day before. Is it possible? I did pay for the protection fee.
Thank you!
-
Vyom,
Please contact us at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ to inquire about changing a reservation.
Thank you,
AlleyMay 06, 2024 at 6:32 PM
Ashley Lee
Hello,
Can you accommodate a group of 10+? When booking, I noticed the limit goes up to 5 people. Thank you!
-
Hi Ashley,
Groups of 10+ people can book via our site. If you’re only seeing 5 seats available for a specific tour date and departure time, that usually means there is no more than 5 seats available for that time slot. If you’re having trouble finding enough seats for your party, you might try contacting the tour companies directly.
Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 24, 2024 at 12:31 PM
Ana
HI Alley , is the lower antelope canyon good for a 4 year old?
I see there are stairs going down the canyon how do we go back up to the tour vehicle? We are taking a 3:45 pm m tour for the lower antelope canyon and a 7 am tour for the upper antelope canyon in a week and were wondering what should we be looking out for
Thanks a lot and appreciate all the help
-
Hey Ana,
Most but not all children 4 and up enjoy Lower Antelope Canyon without incident every day.
There are no tour vehicles involved in the Lower Antelope Canyon. It is all walking once you get checked in. You descend a few flights of stairs to enter the canyon, then climb back up a comparable number of stairs to exit the canyon. You would then walk back to the check-in area from the canyon. Do watch the video from start to finish, that’s the best way to gauge whether this would be an appropriate activity for your child.
For Upper Antelope, there is approximately a 1/2-mile network of steps and walkways you must navigate from the exit of the canyon over a ridge and back to the tour vehicle parking area. This video illustrates the walk, note that since that was filmed some shade canopies have been installed.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 23, 2024 at 5:37 PM
엔 텔롭 캐년 예약 | 어퍼 Vs 로어 앤텔로프 캐년, 어디로 갈까? (비교분석) | Upper Vs Lower Antelope Canyon, Which Should I Go First? 103 개의 자세한 답변 - Ro.taphoamini.com
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Francis Guevarra
Hi,
We are interested in making a reservation for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour. However, this website is not listed under the Lower Canyon tour operators under the official Navajo Nation Parks website. Is this company associated with either Ken or Dixie tour operators to fulfill the time slot that you guys have offered on the site?
Thank you
-
Hi Francis,
AntelopeCanyonAZ is an authorized affiliate/reseller of Lower Antelope Canyon Tours by Dixie Ellis.
When you book with us, your tour will ultimately be conducted by them.
It is entirely possible that they are sold out but our blocks of seats still show availability.
Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon Tours in general, we strongly advise booking with whoever you can find available seats with as soon as possible.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 29, 2024 at 8:21 PM
SUSAN B DELISO
Please clarify cancellation policy. I just booked 3 people on a Lover Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour and purchased additional trip protection for 6.50 per person. The trip protection said ” Trip Protection provides peace of mind for the unexpected need to cancel. With Trip Protection, you can cancel anytime at any reason for a full refund, less the cost of Trip Protection” But the reservation says cancellations made within 72 hours of tour departure incur a 100% cancellation fee. I am assuming that is without trip protection.
Please clarify – with trip protection can I cancel at any time (even within 72 hours) for a full refund.
-
Hi Susan,
Apologies for the lack of clarity re: the Trip Protection. That is a relatively new offering, so we’re still working out a few kinks, but rest assured that by purchasing that, you are protected from incurring a 100% cancellation fee if you have to cancel within the 72-hour penalty window. If you were to cancel within 72 hours of your trip date, the Trip Protection would entitle you to a full refund of your ticket price, minus the $6.50 per person. Should the tour company opt to cancel tours due to weather or other circumstances beyond anyone’s control, you would receive a 100% refund of your tickets.
I hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 28, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Heather P.
Hello,
We plan on coming June of 2024 and drive from Las Vegas, make a stop in Zion National Park, and then drive on to Page arriving in the evening to a hotel for a few days – is this reasonable and doable? Also, I was planning on bringing my Camelbak water backpack to the canyons – is that allowed? Is there a section on this website that goes over regulations like this?
-
Hi Heather!
The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ – wheels turning, no stops – takes approximately 4.5 hours. If you were to make a detour through Zion National Park, that would add another 90 minutes or so to your drive time, accounting for slower speed limits through the park, getting stuck behind an RV, etc. Visiting Zion as a “drive-by” on the way from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ, won’t give you much time for exploring, although there are some trails that can be accessed from highway UT-9 without using the Zion Canyon Shuttle. It would make for a better experience if you were to devote at least one night of your vacation to Zion. It’s likely too late to get lodging reservations inside the park, but you could still make it work either by staying in Springdale, UT – which is the hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle – or other nearby communities such as Hurricane, UT (~1/2 an hour from Springdale) or Kanab, UT (~1 hour from Springdale, on the Eastern side of the park). Depending on where you stayed, Page, AZ, would then be anywhere from a 2-2.5 hour drive from Springdale/Hurricane, or ~90 minutes from Kanab, UT.
As for Camelbaks, they are not allowed in the Antelope Canyons. New guidelines were issued last year prohibiting bags of all types. You are welcome to carry a water bottle and camera and/or cell phone, but all other items, such as car keys, credit cards, ID’s, cash, chapstick, etc., should be carried in pockets. Water bottles may be carried on a shoulder-strap or belt-clip style holder, but these may not have pockets or any compartments where contraband might be carried. When you book your Antelope Canyon tour, these policies will be outlined in your tour confirmation email.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2024 at 12:37 PM
Andy
Is it possible to book both upper and lower together? Ideally one ticket for both canyons to be visited in a straight?
If so how can I just do it? I didn’t see the options, just to book separately.
No purse/bag at all policy still apply?
Thanks
Andy
-
Hey Andy,
It is possible to book both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours for the same day, but they wouldn’t be on a single ticket since different segments of the canyons are managed by different companies.
To compare side-by-side availability on your desired date, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons
Please note that the key to making both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours work on the same day is having at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Check-in for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour takes place at Chief Tsosie’s storefront at 55 S. Lake Powell Boulevard in downtown Page, AZ. Map Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours check-in is at the Lower Antelope Canyon site itself, which is about 20 minutes Southeast of the town of Page, AZ. Map
The no purses/bags policy still applies to both tours.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Alley 🙂March 19, 2024 at 12:24 PM
_________________________________________
From David
VERY helpful reply — thank you!
April 12, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Jaye Querubin-Fernandez
Hello! I am trying to book for upper or lower antelope canyon but we have a toddler with us. It’s not allowing me to add a child. Is a toddler still allowed to go here? We really want to go but we have a toddler with us. We came from another country and just went to AZ for this place
-
Hi Jaye,
Our preferred tour partner for Upper Antelope Canyon (Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours) unfortunately does not allow children younger than 6.
Fortunately, there are 3 other Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies who do allow infants and younger children:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com,928-698-3384
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.tsebighanilini.com, 928-310-9458
Note that you will need to provide a car seat for your toddler in the tour vehicle that takes guests from the Tribal Park Entrance to the entrance of the canyon.
For more information on visiting Antelope Canyon with children, check out this article: Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids
For your information, if you wish to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day, the key to making it work is having at least a 60-90 minute buffer between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other. For example, the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping. Another option would be to take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and would conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
The above examples use Chief Tsosie’s departure times as that is our preferred tour partner, but Upper Antelope Canyon tours run every 15 minutes, so between the three companies that permit children, you’re sure to find one with a departure time that works for you. Just remember to leave at least 60-90 minutes between the time your first tour ends and check-in time for your second tour.
I hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Alley 🙂March 19, 2024 at 12:20 PM
Dafni
Hi Alley, I accidentally booked an Upper Canyon Tour for 8.15 this Saturday instead of Sunday, I mixed up the calendar. 🙁 Is there any chance I can change the dates? <3 Thank you, Dafni
-
Hello Dafni,
I apologize for not seeing your inquiry until this morning.
I hope you were able to get this matter resolved.
For future reference, and for others browsing this site, this forum is not to be used for making Antelope Canyon tour reservations, nor changing or cancelling existing reservations.
Thank you,
Alley 🙂March 18, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Laura Sophya Rios
hiii, im looking for a tour, we wanna go to antelope canyon, gran canyon, horse bend, the wave, lake powell and maybe sleep over flagstaff, could you help me please
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Hi Laura,
If you’re looking for an escorted tour that covers all that, you’re probably going to be disappointed in what little you find available.
First thing first: the Wave should be taken off the wish list. This landmark is situated in an area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument called Coyote Buttes, which is a specially protected area where the number of hikers admitted per day is limited. Those who wish to visit this area – via a 6-mile round-trip hike – must apply for a highly competitive permit process through Recreation.gov held 4 months in advance of one’s desired hike date. If you’re unsuccessful in that process, there is an in-person lottery for a handful of permits held 2 days prior to proposed hiking date. This is also conducted by Recreation.gov via a bespoke smartphone app, and limited to those who are physically within a prescribed radius of the towns of Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. For more information, visit our partner site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Long story short: no escorted tours include The Wave in their itineraries. Also, for optimal freedom and flexibility, it is best to rent a car and self-drive. Mass transit options in this part of the US are scant, and what little there is is bound to severely limit your options as to where you can go and what you can see. If an escorted/guided tour is the way you wish to go, check out offerings by Viator, Tauck Tours, Cosmos, Trafalgar, Caravan, and others. Best Travel Companies for Guided Tours
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 12, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Radka Landsmann
Hello, is it possible to cancel purchased tickets free of charge and if so, under what conditions and by what date before the tour. Thanks for your answer, have nice day, Radka
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Hi Radka,
It depends on which Antelope Canyon tour you reserve.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the penalty-free cancellation period is up to 72 hours prior to tour. If you cancel before then, you will receive a full refund of your ticket price.
For Upper, it’s much stricter, they impose a 100% penalty for cancelling, unless you purchase “cancellation insurance” for an extra $10/person. With the purchase of ticket refund protection, you are able to receive a refund of the purchase price of the ticket (minus applicable fees) up to 24 hours prior to your scheduled tour. Without the refund protection, there will be no refunds offered. All sales are final.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
You have a nice day, too!
Alley 🙂March 07, 2024 at 2:32 PM
Meta
We have two bookings for Friday March 8. We’ve received no email confirmations. I’ve been able to track down the upper canyon booking but not the lower canyon one. Please send me confirmation ASAP. I show the charges on my card.
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Hi Meta,
Your Lower Antelope Canyon tour confirmation has been sent to the email address you have provided.
Please check your spam folder if you do not see it in your primary email folder. If troubles persist, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Your reservation is confirmed for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour on Friday, March 8, 2:15 PM. Check-in is required at 1:30 PM sharp.
Thank you,
Alley 🙂March 06, 2024 at 2:38 PM
HIROSHI WAKAMATSU
Hello.
I made a reservation on the internet for April 1 at 10:20 am, is it done?
I have not received any confirmation email, so please let me know.
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Hi Hiroshi,
To verify that your reservation for your Upper Antelope Canyon tour was processed, please check your spam folder in your email account.
If a confirmation is not there, contact Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by phone at 928-645-5594 or email at chieftsosie@yahoo.com.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 04, 2024 at 1:19 PM
Emerson
Hi! Would choosing an 8:15 time slot for the upper Antelope Canyon tour and then an 11:45 lower Antelope Canyon tour time work out? Or is this timing in between too short?
Also do you suggest doing upper first and then lower or vice versa?
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Hi Emerson!
The 8:15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour would conclude at approximately 9:45 AM. Check-in for the 11:45 AM tour would be required at 11:00 AM. Therefore, you’d have approximately one hour and 15 minutes to make your way from one tour to another.
As for whether it’s preferable to tour Upper before Lower or vice versa, that depends on several factors. Time of year, for example: the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon can be seen from May through September during mid-day tours (11:00 am-1:00 pm); if you’re traveling in late fall through early spring, you won’t see these, so it doesn’t make much difference when you tour. Availability is another important consideration, especially if your trip is taking place during Spring Break, summertime, or Christmas/New Year’s holidays. In those instances, sometimes you have to just take what you can get!
The good news is there’s no such thing as a “bad” time to tour the Antelope Canyons 🙂
Hope that helps. Please feel free to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyFebruary 14, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Phong
Can I buy veteran discount ticket for my wife as well or is it just for me?
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Hi Phong,
The discount would just apply to the service member.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 07, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Lorence
Hi we will visiting the first week of June. Is it worth to combine a tour in the Antelope Canyon by kayak and hike?
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Hi Lorence,
Doing both an Antelope Canyon Kayak tour and an Antelope Canyon hiking tour would certainly give you a deeper appreciation of the beauty and complexity of Antelope Canyon!
A couple of suggestions: since June is one of the hotter months of the year, it is best to do any labor-intensive activities first thing in the morning. Therefore, you should do the kayak tour first, then the Antelope Canyon hiking tour later in the day.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to contact us directly if we can answer any other questions for you.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 06, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Seow Wei Chung
Hi,
is there a package for lower antelope canyon together with a lake powell cruise? Looking at 17th February
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Hi Seow,
Not at the time of year you’re traveling. Water-based activities such as Lake Powell Cruises are on seasonal hiatus due to the cold weather.
Sorry,
Alley 🙂February 05, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Ellen Rogers
Alley knows this town…trust her and follow really everything she says. I’m not joking. Recently worked with Alley planning my daughters 30th birthday trip to Page and I was a bit overwhelmed with all the possible tours and need to reserve. Alley’s a wealth of information and experience and timeliness. I started email directly to her and boom she’d return my emails within the hour. No kidding. Her suggestions were right on and I felt she really listened to my concerns and my need to get the most out of my visit. Thank you so much for answering all my questions and really just planning these three days for me, right down to remembering to have breakfast and where to go. Appreciate all your help!
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It was my pleasure, Ellen! Hope you have a wonderful trip 🙂
February 02, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Connie Ng
Hi Alley,
I am planning a visit to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, (visit antelope) San Francisco and LA(for a week or more) this coming June 2024. We’re planning to rent a car or ride a bus from one place to another, whatever is easier. Can you suggest an itinerary for us? I am totally helpless and no idea on how and where to start. Thank you so much!!!
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Hi Connie,
Well first of all, you should just plan on renting a car and self-driving. Mass transit in this part of the US is unreliable and inconvenient. It would slow you down and severely limit where you could go and what you could see and do.
To make the most of your timeframe, you should probably plan on flying into one airport and flying out of another, depending on whether one-way drop-off fees aren’t too cost-prohibitive.
One thing I must also clarify is that Antelope Canyon is not a part of Grand Canyon National Park. It is located near the town of Page, AZ, approximately 150 Northwest of the Grand Canyon.
You could do something like this:
Day 1: Fly to San Francisco, overnight in San Francisco
Day 2: Sightseeing in San Francisco (One Day Itinerary)
Day 3: Drive to Las Vegas (~9 hours), overnight in Las Vegas
Day 4: Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hours), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon (guided tour required), then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 6: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon, visit Grand Canyon Village Historic District, use free shuttles to visit overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, etc.
Day 7: Drive to Los Angeles (~9 hours), overnight in LA
Day 8: Sightseeing in LA (One Day In LA)
Day 9: Fly home
If flying into SFO and out of LAX doesn’t work, you could simply drive back to SFO, which is ~6 hours from LA, and fly home from there.
Custom Trip Map
I hope that helps! Please feel free to contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 28, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Stephanie
We will be visiting the first week of March 2024. We plan to tour both the Upper and Lower Canyons. Do you recommend the Upper Canyon tour first (10:20 tour) for the greatest chance at seeing the beam of light or is it too early in the year to see that anyway? If it doesn’t make much of a difference, we might opt to book the 10:45 Lower Canyon tour first as that will give us a little extra time to get there driving from Sedona. Thank you!
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Hi Stephanie,
Early March is too early to see the light beams in any of the Antelope Canyons. You would have to postpone your trip for May-September to experience that. At the time of year you’re visiting, mid-day still offers the best illumination in the canyons due to the position of the sun overhead. However, earlier morning or later afternoon tours feature colors of the canyon walls that are deeper and richer. Long story short, there’s no such thing as a “bad” time to tour Antelope Canyon.
If you wish to tour both Upper and Lower, the important thing is to allow enough time to transition between tours, which is why we advise having a minimum of one hour’s time between the conclusion of one tour and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 10.20 AM Upper Antelope Canyon Tour will conclude at around 11.50 AM. For the 2:15 PM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, you would need to check in at 1.30 PM at Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. 11.50 AM to 1.30 PM gives you ample time to grab lunch, freshen up at your hotel, then drive down to the Lower Antelope Canyon site ~10-15 minutes Southeast of Page, AZ. If you booked the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, that would conclude at approximately 12.15 pm, which would give you a little over 1 hour’s free time before you had to check in at 1:45 PM for the for the 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon tour. To check side-by-side availability for both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours, click here.
Another site you should also see while in the area is Horseshoe Bend. You can visit the public overlook anytime you wish during normal operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset (6:45 am to 6:20 pm in early March). Allot 60-90 minutes to park your vehicle, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your car. For more information on Horseshoe Bend, and other recommendations for sightseeing in the Page, AZ, area, visit our partner site (linked above).
It takes approximately 3 hours, one way, to drive from Sedona to Page, AZ. With daylength still on the short side, you should spend at least one night in Page, AZ, so you are not driving back to Sedona in the dark. Driving after sundown is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads that are very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, and livestock animals can elevate your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, a collision with a large animal is not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Whatever you decide, please book your Antelope Canyon tour(s) ASAP as early March falls within the Spring Break holiday for many schools, so popular activities will fill up.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 24, 2024 at 2:04 PM
Flaviana
Hello, I’m from Brazil and I’m planning a solo trip to Zion and Antelope Canyon in september/2024. Is there a reasonable way to go from Springdale to Antelope in a one-day trip (didn’t want to drive alone)? Couldn’t find any excursion departuring from Springdale so far…
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Hi Flaviana,
You will be hard-pressed to find an escorted tour from Springdale, UT, to Page, AZ, to visit Antelope Canyon.
You will have better luck finding an excursion out of Las Vegas, NV. You can chose from guided van tours (we recommend MaxTours) or air/ground combination tours.
As for driving from Springdale, UT, to Page, AZ, it’s not so difficult that you have to fear making the trip alone. All roads from one place to another are fully paved and well-traveled. The drive takes approximately 2 hours each way.
I hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have any other questions!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2024 at 2:26 PM
The 7 Best Slot Canyons in Arizona That Will Blow Your Mind
[…] the beginning, climb down a ladder, and maneuver under and around large boulders, the walk through Cathedral Canyon won’t be too difficult. You don’t have to have canyoneering experience, but you do have […]
엔 텔롭 캐년 예약 | 어퍼 Vs 로어 앤텔로프 캐년, 어디로 갈까? (비교분석) | Upper Vs Lower Antelope Canyon, Which Should I Go First? 191 개의 새로운 답변이 업데이트되었습니다. - Ar.taphoamini.com
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Tracey Sharp
Hi Alley – this is such a fantastic resource! Family of four (grown up kids) visiting from New Zealand, leaving New York on 1 Feb to fly to see GC et al. Currently we are thinking of flying into Phoenix, picking up a car and travelling to Sedona for 1 night. Then to GC for 1 night. Then to Page for 1 night. Springdale 1 night then to Las Vegas which we will fly out of. We could possibly do another night somewhere along this. We’re aware the weather might be tricky, and that daylight hours will be much shorter and will definitely heed your advice not to be out in the dark 🙂 Is this itinerary the best use of five days in the area? TIA 🙂
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Hey Tracey!
Thank you for your kind compliments 🙂
Your trip plan is doable as it stands, although a bit rushed. I know you’re coming from a long distance away and this may be your only chance to visit some of these sights! But with such a limited time to work with, plus the short daylight hours, weather, etc., I would recommend some slight modifications to your trip plan.
First off, I’d take Springdale/Zion off the agenda. 1 day is really not sufficient to do Zion justice; it’s a huge and beautiful park with many amazing hiking trails and scenic drives. You really need 2-3 days to fully explore and enjoy that park.
I would also recommend reversing your itinerary and placing Sedona last on the trip. Why? In addition to many wonderful places to visit, both indoor and outdoor, Sedona has a nice “chill” vibe which makes it the perfect place to relax and decompress from your vacation.
In light of those concerns, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Vegas.
Day 2: Drive to Page (~5 hours) — here you could go through Zion as a “drive-by” which is less than ideal, but you could at least say that you’ve seen it, which will add another couple of hours onto your drive time. Mid-late afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page.
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend on the way out of town, stop at Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch, visit Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village, overnight in Grand Canyon.
Day 4: Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, art galleries, wine tasting rooms, easy hiking trails (Fay Canyon, Bell Rock) weather permitting, overnight in Sedona
Day 5: 2nd night in Sedona, or drive to Phoenix (~2 hours) and fly home.
Again, if you’re already committed to your itinerary as you’ve stated it, you’ll be able to manage it, but IMO it will leave you wanting, especially where it comes to Zion and Sedona!
I hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 04, 2024 at 3:02 PM
Heather
The website says there are bundle deals, but I’m seeing no way to book it! I’d like to do both the upper & lower canyon tour. To buy each separately would cost $170 per person. But the website won’t even let me put both tours into the cart. How do I bundle?
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Hi Heather,
When COVID hit, we couldn’t book bundles any longer.
At present, they have yet to be reinstated. However, you can compare side-by-side availability and book both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours on this page.
When booking both Upper and Lower, the important thing is to be sure to allow enough time to transition between tours, which is why we advise having a minimum of one hour’s time between the conclusion of one tour and the check-in time for the other.
For example, the 10.20 AM Upper Antelope Canyon Tour will conclude at around 11.50 AM. For the 2:15 PM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, you would need to check in at 1.30 PM at Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. 11.50 AM to 1.30 PM gives you ample time to grab lunch, freshen up at your hotel, then drive down to the Lower Antelope Canyon site ~10-15 minutes Southeast of Page, AZ. If you booked the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, that would conclude at approximately 12.15 pm, which would give you a little over 1 hour’s free time before you had to check in at 1:45 PM for the for the 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon tour.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 27, 2023 at 1:46 PM
Ohsung Kwon
Hello! This was my first visit to Texas. We were planning to tour on December 25th, 26th, 27th. When I tried to make a reservation on the Antelope Canyon Tour website, it said that all reservations were completed. if. Is there no way?? I was really looking forward to it. I sincerely ask you to do so.
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Hi Ohsung,
All slots for Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours are sold out for the Christmas holiday.
You might consider looking into other slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful but less crowded. They may still have seats available.
The include but aren’t limited to:
– Antelope Canyon X
– Waterholes Canyon
– Ligai Si Anii Canyon
For more suggestions, visit Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
By the way, the Antelope Canyons are located in Arizona, not Texas.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 26, 2023 at 12:14 PM
Kristen Steffens
I’m going to be booking a lower canyon tour for January 26th for 4 people. There’s an additional person that may be visiting Arizona but hasn’t been confirmed to us yet. If I book a tour for 4 and we need to book another person at a later date and there aren’t any spots left on that tour, is it possible for you to add an extra person on that tour? We’d like to book very soon for the 4 of us but don’t want the 5th person left out if the tours are full when we know if the 5th person is coming or not.
Thanks for your help!
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Hey Kristen!
If there’s a possibility you will be a group of 5 instead of 4, what I would do is go ahead and book space for 5. Should your friend/loved one decide not to join you on the tour, you can cancel their space and receive a full refund for their ticket as long as you cancel at least 72 hours prior to your tour.
Long story short, it’s easier to reduce the number of people after the fact than it is to add them on last minute.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 29, 2023 at 10:26 PM
Gary
Is there an advantage to booking a Lower Antelope Canyon tour on your site vs Dixie’s or Ken’s tour sites directly?
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Hi Gary,
Whether you book through our site or direct with Dixie’s or Ken’s, you will enjoy virtually the exact same experience in Lower Antelope Canyon, right down to the footstep.
If you were to book with AntelopeCanyonAZ, you would be have an attentive, responsive customer service team ready to answer any questions you might have about Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, or other local attractions.
You can reach me personally at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Have fun!
Alley 🙂November 17, 2023 at 2:04 PM
Coni
Guten Tag
Dass ihr Einschränkungen machen müsst, verstehen wir.
Doch wie kann jemand Monate im Voraus den genauen Termin für einen Besuch festlegen, wenn er auf Reisen ist und nicht in den Ferien??
Es sollte eine Möglichkeit geben für Spontanbesuche, ungeplant.
Zudem sollte euer System täglich funktionieren….
Tat es NICHT.
Schade
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German translation by Google Translate
Lieber Coni,
Zum Schutz dieser einzigartigen und fragilen Landschaft gelten Beschränkungen für den Besuch von The Wave. Um Ihre Frage zu beantworten, wie man einen Urlaub plant, wenn man nicht weiß, ob man ihn besuchen kann, beginnt man damit, die vielen alternativen Orte der Gegend zu erkunden, wie White Pocket, West Clark Bench, Soap Creek, Cottonwood Canyon, die „Neue“ Welle, um nur einige zu nennen. Wenn Sie den starken Wunsch verspüren, die Welle zu sehen, aber keine Genehmigung erhalten, können Sie sie mit einem Starrflügler oder einem Hubschrauber überfliegen. Teuer? Ja. Aber für den Preis werden Sie zusätzlich zu The Wave eine herrliche Vielfalt an Landschaften sehen! Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf unserer Partnerseite www.TheWaveAZ.com: Sie haben also keine Genehmigung erhalten – was nun?
Vielen Dank für Ihre Anfrage.
German translation by Google TranslateOctober 25, 2023 at 12:36 PM
GG
Hello,
Are the videos on this site from a specific tour company? Or do they all use the same sets of stairs/ramps etc.? I am trying to book for someone with mobility issues.
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Hi GG,
Lower Antelope Canyon is managed by two separate tour companies, Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Ken’s Antelope Lower Canyon Tours. They tour the exact same canyon, with the stairs, ramps, etc. Due to the rugged terrain and infrastructure challenges of this particular canyon, we do not recommend it for individuals with mobility issues.
Guests who are physically challenged would be better off touring either Upper Antelope Canyon or Secret Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is only ~100 yards long and the trail through it is fairly flat, though it may be sandy depending on recent weather. The most difficult part may be what comes after the canyon tour: there is now a 1/2-mile long network of walkways leading from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. To gauge whether your traveling companion would be able to manage this walk, watch this video. Secret Antelope Canyon (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon) is a longer canyon, ~400m, but it has no stairs. There is ~a 1 mile walk from the tour vehicle parking area to the canyon, but once you get into the canyon itself, it’s pretty straightforward. Another possible plus to Secret Antelope Canyon is that your tour also includes a stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, only you go there via a private entrance, where the walk to the rim is only ~200 yards vs. 1.5 miles round-trip. Secret Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend tour video
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Alley 🙂October 22, 2023 at 12:59 PM
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[…] + 더 읽기 […]
Galit Itkin
I purchased the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour and paid extra for refund protection. Our trip to the US was cancelled but I can’t find an option for canceling this tour online. I sent an email but have not received a response. Please advise how I can cancel and receive my refund.
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Hi Galit,
So sorry you can’t make your visit to the US as planned.
The Upper Antelope Canyon Tour is managed by Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours.
If you’re not having any luck contacting them by email, they can be reached by phone at 928-645-5594.
Their website, www.AntelopeSlotCanyon.com also has a chat function, you might try utilizing that if calling is inconvenient.
Push comes to shove, you might reach out to your credit card company and explain the situation. They’re usually quite good about advocating for customers.
Good luck to you,
AlleyOctober 11, 2023 at 8:26 PM
Amy Nguyen
Hi, we have a group of 7 people. Do you offer a private tour for the upper and lower Canyon? Thank you
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Hi Amy,
At the present time, it is still necessary to book the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tours separately. Book Upper Antelope Canyon
The important thing is to be sure to allow enough time to transition between tours, which is why we advise having a minimum of one hour’s time between the conclusion of one tour and the check-in time for the other.
The 10.20 AM Upper Antelope Canyon Tour will conclude at around 11.50 AM. For the 2:15 PM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, you would need to check in at 1.30 PM at Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. 11.50 AM to 1.30 PM gives you ample time to grab lunch, freshen up at your hotel, then drive down to the Lower Antelope Canyon site ~10-15 minutes Southeast of Page, AZ. Click here to book your seats on the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 05, 2023 at 8:09 PM
Melnita
I’m looking to book upper canyon for Oct 8th or 9th, but I see all slots allow only 1 booking, I want to book for a party of 5. Is this because there are no slots available, or does the booking for each person have to be made individually? Thanks!
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Hi Melnita,
You do not have to book each tour participant separately. If you’re only seeing 1 seat available, that means the time slot is essentially sold out. October 8th and 9th are shaping up to be very busy days in Page, AZ. I wouldn’t be surprised if all Antelope Canyon tour companies are sold out, but be sure to check with all 5 licensed guide services before calling off the search.
– Tse Bighanilini Tours www.tsebighanilini.com 928-310-9458 (all ages)
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours www.navajotours.com 928-691-0244 (all ages)
– Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102 (all ages)
– Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928-645-5594 (6 YO and above only)
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874 (6 YO and above only)
Note that there are 5 companies offering Upper Antelope Canyon tours, but only 3 allow kids under the age of 6.
Should you find Upper Antelope Canyon sold out, a good alternative would be Secret Antelope Canyon, which includes a stop at Horseshoe Bend via a private overlook.
Hope that helps! If we can be of further assistance, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyOctober 05, 2023 at 8:07 PM
Andy Burke
Good day,
I want to book the Upper tour Oct 22 (with friends who have already registered) for the 10:20 time. I also want to book the Lower tour for that afternoon. Do you have a process to registar for both? Which Lower tour (time wise) should I book? Thank you, Andy
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Hey Andy,
At the present time, it is still necessary to book the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tours separately. Book Upper Antelope Canyon
The important thing is to be sure to allow enough time to transition between tours, which is why we advise having a minimum of one hour’s time between the conclusion of one tour and the check-in time for the other.
The 10.20 AM Upper Antelope Canyon Tour will conclude at around 11.50 AM. For the 2:15 PM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, you would need to check in at 1.30 PM at Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. 11.50 AM to 1.30 PM gives you ample time to grab lunch, freshen up at your hotel, then drive down to the Lower Antelope Canyon site ~10-15 minutes Southeast of Page, AZ. Click here to book your seats on the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2023 at 12:44 PM
mike machado
Hello, is mid March good to do the suggested tour ?
thanks 🙂
Mike
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Hi Mike,
Mid-March in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is kind of like that nursery rhyme about the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead: when it’s good, it’s very, very good, but when it’s bad, it’s horrid!
March is in the transitional period between winter and spring in the Grand Circle area. Depending on the whims of Mother Nature, you can have brisk, sunny days that are perfect for hiking and enjoying the outdoors, or you can run across a late-season snowstorm that puts the kibosh on your best-laid plans. Tours of the Antelope Canyons run year-round, weather permitting. Water-based activities, such as the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip and Lake Powell Boat Tours typically start running for the season in March, but if conditions are too windy or rainy that they might jeopardize passenger safety, they will be cancelled.
Long story short, if mid-March is the best time to visit the National Parks of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah according to your schedule, go for it! But be prepared for anything weather-wise. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel, and check forecasts for all planned destinations on your itinerary. Due to widely varying altitudes, conditions can be quite different from one place to another. For example, Page, AZ, which is 4,300′ above sea level might be sunny and pleasant on the day you travel through. Grand Canyon South Rim, which is 7,000′ ASL, or Bryce Canyon, which is 8,000′ ASL, could still have snow on the ground.
Hope that helps! Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 18, 2023 at 11:38 AM
Jessica
Hi! My husband is a bigger, taller guy but fit enough. He is concerned about the lower canyon due to his size. The video looks like it may be a challenge for him to get through. Are there many 6’5 320lb guys that participate? This is a once in a lifetime trip for us so he doesn’t want to miss out if it’s possible. Or would the upper be better suited? Thanks for any assistance!
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Hi Jessica,
People of your husband’s height and/or weight participate in the Lower Antelope Canyon tour every day without incident. But if you’ve watched the video and think it might be problematic for him, you should probably heed your instincts. Upper Antelope Canyon might be the better alternative, or you might consider touring one of the alternate segments of Antelope Canyon that are just as beautiful, less crowded, and easier to access. Antelope Canyon X is a very pretty two-part slot canyon that doesn’t have as narrow an entrance as Lower, but does require descending and ascending a somewhat steep boardwalk to enter and exit. Antelope Canyon X video Antelope Canyon X Tours
Another one worth considering is Waterhole Canyon. It’s similar to Lower in that it has some ladders to manage, but it’s not as tight a squeeze as some areas of Lower Antelope. Waterhole Canyon video A guided tour is required to visit this canyon as well, the sole company licensed by the Navajo Tribe to guide visitors to this area is Waterhole Canyon Experience.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 14, 2023 at 12:43 PM
Long Pham
Hi, what time of day is the best light when visiting Lower Canyon on November 4 ? Thanks.
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Hi Long,
Page, AZ, slot canyons are best illuminated toward mid-day, when the sun is at or close to directly overhead the topside opening. Peak time slots for Lower Antelope Canyon Tours are 10.45 am and 11.45 am. Book Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2023 at 12:31 PM
ian
Hi, we’re planning to visit Antelope Canyon the week of Thanksgiving 2023. I’m thinking about doing both lower and upper canyon tours, which means we’ll have to do the first one early in the morning, finish before lunch, then grab a quick lunch, and do the second tour. My question is which tour will be better to do first in the morning considering shorter daylight for the afternoon tour? And in November, how cold will it be inside the canyon? Thanks very much!
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Hi Ian,
There are several possibilities for enjoying both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon during Thanksgiving weekend. Best/worst lighting really doesn’t make much difference at that time of year since, as you’ve deduced, daylength is on the shorter side with sunrise occurring at ~7.10 am and sunset taking place at around 5.15 pm. You won’t see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon as that is strictly a late spring-early fall occurrence. Don’t worry, the canyons will still be beautiful, in fact the colors of the rock formations will be richer and deeper than they would during the summer months.
You could take the Upper Antelope Canyon tour at 8:15 pm (check-in 7:30 am), which would conclude at approximately 9.45 am. You could then take the Lower Antelope Canyon tour at 11.45 am (check-in 11:00 am) or 2:15 pm (check-in 1:30 pm). If you prefer to do it in reverse order, you could do the Lower Antelope Canyon tour at 10.45 am, which would wrap up at around 12:15 pm, then segue to the Upper Antelope Canyon tour at 2:30 pm (check-in 1:45 pm).
As for temperatures in the interior of the canyons, they tend to run ~5-10 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than the outside air temperature, which averages ~55-65 in November.
FYI, the above-referenced scenarios are all availability permitting, and seats book up fast for the Thanksgiving holiday. Make your reservations as soon as possible for Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tours!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2023 at 12:28 PM
Planning For: Arizona - The Checklist Travelers
[…] Antelope Canyon Tour: https://antelopecanyon.az/how-to-book-a-tour-for-antelope-canyon/ […]
Jerry
I have read about a required PERMIT to enter the canyon and various TOURS for the canyon. Do you need BOTH a permit to enter AND a separate booking for a tour OR are they BOTH the same thing? We are planning on a trip for 3 in early November 2023 but have not booked anything yet.
Thanks.
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Hi Jerry,
That’s a great question!
Your Antelope Canyon tour ticket includes your Navajo Tribal Park permit fee. Depending on the company you go with, it is usually paid up front, others may require that it be paid on entry.
Long story short though, you don’t need to obtain the two things (permit and tour) separately.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 08, 2023 at 1:33 PM
Can You Conquer Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in One Day? - Holding Hands Nature
[…] sell out quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. To ensure you get the chance to explore both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day, it’s best to book your tour well in advance, especially if you’re traveling […]
Martin
Hello,
We are from Australia and planning to visit the Antelope in December. What will be the road condition during winter time at Grand Canyon as I’m thinking to drive from Las Vegas. Would you suggest which part, Upper or Lower Anterlope, is the best for the Winter time? Do I have to get the entrance ticket for horseshoe? Thanks
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Hi Martin,
Thank you for your inquiry.
All roads from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, and from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, are fully-paved and well-traveled. As to what they’ll be like in December, that’s too soon to call, but with Grand Canyon South Rim being 7,000′ above sea level, snow can result in hazardous driving conditions, if not full-on closure of the roads leading in/out of the park. For updated road conditions throughout the state of Arizona, visit www.az511.com or download the app onto your smartphone when you get ready to travel to our area.
As for which segment of Antelope Canyon is best to visit in wintertime, they are all beautiful, but if any precipitation occurs, Lower Antelope Canyon tends to bear the brunt of the storm since it is below ground. Upper Antelope Canyon would probably be a safer bet, however, even it occasionally closes in the event of heavy snow or rain. Again, it’s too soon to tell what this winter will be like, so keep an eye on it as your trip date draws nearer.
To visit Horseshoe Bend does require a $10/vehicle parking fee for standard passenger vehicles. You simply purchase that upon entry to the parking lot, which is open from sunrise to sunset.
Whichever branch of Antelope Canyon you decide to tour, be sure to make advance reservations.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 04, 2023 at 12:24 PM
Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend - Liebe im Gepäck
[…] Canyon, einer der meist besuchten Canyons Nordamerikas. Er teilt sich auf in den Upper- und Lower Canyon, für den wir uns entschieden haben. Entstanden ist der Canyon durch den knapp 30 km langen Fluss […]
40 of the most beautiful places in the US – Dikla Akrat
[…] included an image of The Wave in their desktop wallpaper options in 2009, skyrocketing what was once a little-known local gem into a worldwide phenomenon. Visiting The Wave […]
Naw Nilar Lynn Myint
We are 4 girls group and not very good at hiking but we are physically fit. Do you think we can hike the wave in December?
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Hi there,
When you say you are physically fit, I assume that to mean you get regular and vigorous exercise. If you are up for walking 6+ miles in exposed, rugged desert terrain, you could probably make the hike to The Wave and back.
The main obstacle to doing this, however, is not your physical fitness – or lack thereof – frankly. It’s the highly competitive permit process for accessing Coyote Buttes North.
If you wish to hike to The Wave in December, you must apply for a permit in the month of August, which only has 3 days left in it. To submit your application, visit www.Recreation.gov: Coyote Buttes North Advance Permits
Since December is a cooler month, you might have more competition for permits in the advance lottery. Then again, some hikers may be scared off by the possibility of snow and other winter conditions. In any case, in the likely event you are not selected for an advance lottery permit, you do have a second chance of obtaining a Wave permit via the in-person lottery, held 2 days prior to your desired hiking date. For this, you must apply via Recreation.gov’s smartphone app (applications are not accepted via desktop or laptop), and physically be within a certain vicinity of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. Participation is monitored by “geofence” technology. If you are selected, you will be notifed that evening. The next morning, you will be expected to attend a safety briefing at one of two locations: the Kanab Center Gymnasium in Kanab, UT, or the Page-Lake Powell Hub in Page, AZ.
In the meantime, I strongly recommend reading up on the rigors of the hike to The Wave. There are plenty of YouTube videos on that subject, or visit our partner site, www.TheWaveAZ.com for more information.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 28, 2023 at 11:49 AM
Haley
Hi there! Would you be able to point me in the right direction for getting permission to do a non-commercial photoshoot in Antelope Canyon? There would be a group with us for a creative retreat taking photos, but they are not for commercial use.
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Hi Haley,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Please contact the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department at (928) 871-6647 or info@navajonationparks.org
For more information, please consult the Commercial Film/Photography page of their website.
Best of luck with your retreat,
Alley 🙂August 25, 2023 at 12:27 PM
benjaminsmith3002
Fly to Grand Canyon’s Marvel: Nearest Airport Unveiled!
Ready for an epic journey? Discover the closest airport to grand canyon and kickstart your adventure.
Get set to explore! Unveil the secrets of this natural wonder and make memories that will last a lifetime. From breathtaking vistas to practical travel tips, our blog has you covered. Don’t miss out on the adventure of a lifetime.
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Hi Benjamin,
Thank you for the link to your fine article, but I must point out that there’s an airport conspicuously absent from your list: Page Municipal Airport (PGA), which is 140 miles from Grand Canyon South Rim or 125 miles from Grand Canyon North Rim. Scheduled air service is provided by Contour Airlines from Phoenix-Sky Harbor year-round, and seasonally, from Denver, CO, and Las Vegas, NV. There is an AVIS rental car outlet on-field, plus scenic airplane and helicopter tours over Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon, and other nearby attractions can be chartered from this airport.
Also, there is no “Grand Canyon City” per se, there is Grand Canyon Village, the main commerce area inside the park at the South Rim, and Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, 7 miles from the Southern entrance to the park.
Otherwise, nice job, keep up the good work!
AlleyAugust 23, 2023 at 11:57 AM
eunae kim
can i change my tour time from 9.13 10:45 to 9.14 10:45?
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Hi Eunae,
Please direct this inquiry to reservations@antelopecanyon.az
This forum is not intended to be used for making or altering reservations.
Thank you,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2023 at 11:11 AM
Lisa Zimmerman
Hi,
I think I’m a little late in planning. Want to do North and South Rim, Zion and Bryce in 9-10 days mid October. Some hiking, mo more than 3 miles at a time. Thinking flying into Flagstaff and home via Vegas. Advi e on timeline and hotels.
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Hi Lisa,
You are correct in that you’re a little late in planning, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pull this off! You’ll just need to adjust expectations and make a few modifications.
First off, if your trip is planned for mid-October, you should probably hit Grand Canyon North Rim first. That’s because Grand Canyon North Rim visitor facilities close on October 15th. In light of that, I’d recommend flying into Las Vegas, NV, then out of Flagstaff, AZ.
Also, because in-park hotels, especially at the North Rim are likely to be booked up, I recommend using Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ, as your “home base” for 3-4 nights and making day trips to GC North Rim, Zion, and Bryce. You’ll need to keep an eye on the time since daylength is rapidly shortening at that time of year and you want to avoid driving at night if at all possible. Driving after sundown is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads that are very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, and livestock animals can elevate your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, a collision with a large animal is not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (nighttime temps are already dipping into the 30’s in some locations), where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In mid-October, sunrise in Kanab, UT, occurs at 7:35 am and sunset takes place around 7:00 pm UTAH time, which is 1 hour ahead of ARIZONA, which does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Taking all this into consideration, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas, NV, drive to Kanab, UT (1st choice, ~3.5 hours) or Page, AZ (2nd choice, ~4.5 hours), stay overnight
Day 2: Day trip to Grand Canyon North Rim, ~1.5 hour drive (one way) from Kanab, UT, spend the day sightseeing by car and hiking, drive back to Kanab by sunset **remember if you venture down the North Kaibab Trail that one hour down = two hours back up, be sure to carry food and water and wear appropriate shoes for hiking**
Day 3: Day trip to Zion; drive to the town of Springdale, UT (~1 hour drive one way from Kanab, UT), board free Zion Canyon Shuttle to main sightseeing area of the park (you can’t drive your own car in unless you’re staying at the Lodge), hike Riverside walk, Upper Emerald Pool, maybe part-way into the Narrows (here again, don’t go too far), maybe hit Pa’Rus Trail on the way back to Kanab, UT for 3rd night
Day 4: Day trip to Bryce, ~90 minute drive one way from Kanab, UT), drive the scenic rim drive, hike Navajo Loop or Queen’s Garden trails, lots to choose from (Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon), drive back to Kanab, UT.
Day 5: Drive to Page, AZ, ~1.5 hour from Kanab, UT, stop mid-way to hike Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, the New Wave, walk across the Glen Canyon Dam & Steel Arch Bridge, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 6: Take an early tour of Antelope Canyon (advance reservations required), visit Horseshoe Bend, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops at viewpoints, etc). Stop at Cameron Trading Post for late lunch/early dinner, overnight in Tusayan, AZ (7 miles outside the park), or Williams, AZ (~1 hour South of the park). Remember to be at your designated overnight location by sunset, which occurs at 6:00 PM local time. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
Day 7: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim for day hiking – park at Grand Canyon Village, take free shuttles to Rim Trail (easy, paved), Bright Angel Trail (inner canyon trail, 1 hour down = 2 hours up), or if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, drive to Grandview Point (~12 miles East of Grand Canyon Village) and go a short way down the Grandview Trail, which is considered a “wilderness” trail; it’s unmaintained, has no water or shade on it. Back to Tusayan or Williams for overnight.
Day 8: More hiking at Grand Canyon OR take day trip to Sedona (~90 minutes from Williams, AZ, ~2.5 hours from Tusayan); here again, LOTS of great trails to choose from, such as Bell Rock, Fay Canyon, Devil’s Bridge, etc. 12 Epic Hikes in Sedona Be sure to set aside time for some sightseeing in the immediate area of town, such as the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, numerous art galleries and shops. You might see about hotel availability in Sedona as this is a good-sized tourist town with a wide variety of lodging options.
Day 9: Drive to Flagstaff (30 minutes from Williams, 1 hour from Sedona, 1.5 hours from Tusayan), fly home.
Custom Trip Map
As you can see, I allotted a couple of days for Page, AZ, since a. you have to pass through there anyway, and b. the area has a lot to offer. If you find yourself with an extra day or two to spend, I’d recommend giving it to Sedona. You could easily spend 3-4 days there and feel as though you’d only “scratched the surface” of all there is to see and do in that area!
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 18, 2023 at 1:23 PM
John W Newbold
On Thursday, October 19, we will be driving from Monument Valley to Zion NP. Is it possible to book an Antelope Canyon boat tour for three adults in advance? If so, what is the approximate cost and what number should I call or what website should I visit?
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Hi John,
To book an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour, please visit www.AntelopePointLakePowell.com or phone 928-645-5900. Current rates for the 1-hour Antelope Canyon waterside boat tour are $50/adult. A longer tour (2 hours) to Navajo Canyon is $75/adult.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 18, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Jose
Hello couple of questions 1) what’s the difference between the express shuttle tour and the one with out it? 2) what are the best hours if I am wanting to do both tours on the same day? Thank you
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Hi Jose!
The Lower Antelope Canyon + Express Shuttle Tour includes round-trip transportation from downtown Page, AZ. On the basic hiking tour, you would drive yourself down to the canyon site, which is ~10 minutes from Page, AZ.
If you wish to do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tours on the same day, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time for photography as that’s when the chambers of the canyons are best illuminated. Obviously, one can’t be in two canyons at once. Fortunately, there’s no such thing as a bad time to go. The more important point is to take care to choose tours that give you enough time to transition from one to the other. We recommend leaving at least one hour’s time from the conclusion of your first tour to the check-in time for your next tour. If, for example, you were to take the 8:15 am Upper Antelope Canyon Tour (check in at 7:30 AM), that would conclude at approximately 9.45-10:00 AM. Check-in for the 11.45 am Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour (self-drive) would be required at 11.00 AM, which would leave one hour between tours to grab a snack or meal, freshen up, do some shopping, etc. Another example: you could do the 10.10 AM Lower Antelope Canyon + Express Shuttle, which would wrap up at around 1:00 PM. The next departure of Upper Antelope Canyon would take place at 2:30 PM, requiring check-in around 1.45 PM, which would be shaving it slightly close, but manageable if everything takes place on schedule (spoiler alert: they rarely do). If that’s too close for comfort for you, the next departure to Upper Antelope Canyon at 4:30 PM (check in 3.45 pm) would leave you plenty of time between tours to relax, have a bite to eat, take a dip in your hotel pool or Lake Powell, etc.
Hope that clarifies things! If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 11, 2023 at 3:29 PM
chen Ben Shabat
Hello,
I was wondering if this itinerary is good for the end of November?
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Hi Chen,
For the most part it is, but there are a few activities that will be on seasonal hiatus due to colder weather. Primarily, these are water-based activities such as the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip, Lake Powell Boat Tours, and Kayak Horseshoe Bend tours. Lake Powell Boat Tours may run if a sufficient number of people are interested, by prior arrangement, but this is never guaranteed.
Air tours also scale back, but again, will usually operate contingent on a certain number of people flying, by prior arrangement.
Antelope Canyon tours are offered year-round.
If you happen to be traveling on or around the US Thanksgiving holiday, be aware that is a very busy time of year, so all travel arrangements – hotels, guided tours, dinner reservations – should be made well in advance.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 07, 2023 at 11:57 AM
cristina
Hello!
I want to do a reservation for both Upper and Lower, i was thinking on going to the Lower Antelope Canyon + Express Shuttle at 6:40-9:30 am. Should i be able to go into the 10:20 am Upper? or should i reserve a later tour?
hope you can recommend what would be the best
thank you!!
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Hi Cristina!
That plan should work if all goes according to schedule.
The 6:40 am Lower Antelope Canyon + Express would return to downtown Page, AZ, at 9:30 am, if all goes according to schedule. You would then need to check in for the 10:20 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour at 9:35 am. So again, having that first tour operate without delays would be crucial in order to make your check-in for Upper Antelope Canyon on time.
To be on the safe side, we would advise leaving a bit more time between tours. Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon tours also offers a 12:25 pm departure, which would leave ample time between tours to grab a meal or snack, take a rest, or do some shopping.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 07, 2023 at 11:52 AM
Glenda Thompson
I have read that if parking is full, there is additional parking 1.6 miles away, and that a shuttle will take you from this point to the parking at horseshoe bend for $5 per person. Shuttle runs every 15 mins.
Is this service no longer available?
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Hi Glenda,
In the years before completion of the new expanded parking lot at Horseshoe Bend, this service was offered. Since the new parking lot opened, there has not been a need for it. Should visitation to Page, AZ, increase exponentially, it may resume running, but that has yet to happen.
That said, the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in order to avoid parking hassles and enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer crowds is just after sunrise.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 07, 2023 at 11:42 AM
ROchel
Hi, I’m getting confused with the time zone. Don’t want to miss my tour. Is there a number I can call to verify what time the tour is?
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Hi Rochel,
Page, AZ, and the Antelope Canyons operate on Mountain STANDARD Time year-round. This means we are on the same time as California and Nevada, but one hour “behind” Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado.
You may call Dixie Ellis’ Lower Antelope Canyon Tours at 928-640-1761 to verify the current local time.
Thank you,
Alley 🙂August 03, 2023 at 12:03 PM
Jean Ralston
Is a permit needed for the Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour 1.5 hrs; 73.00/adult?? I got to it from this link and am needing to book for mid to late September and it was allowing me to see the availability and times etc. So makes me wonder if that particular tour doesn’t need a permit??
Thank you
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Hi Jean,
The price of the Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour includes your $8/person Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee, aka your “permit.” Since you posted this inquiry on the page relating to The Wave, you should know that getting a “permit” to hike Page, AZ, slot canyons is nowhere near as convoluted or competitive as The Wave. Thank goodness, huh? LOL
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 01, 2023 at 11:36 AM
_________________________________________
From Alberta Jean Ralston
Thank you. That does clear things up a bit.
JeanAugust 04, 2023 at 11:01 AM
martha
Hi,
We are coming to Arizona for 1 week in August. Staying in Scottsdale first and then 4 nights in Flagstaff [coming with the kids so we don’t want to move around]. Hope to do day trips to Grand Canyon, Sedona and Page from Flagstaff. Few questions please. Which trip is my best bet for a Sunday [crowd-wise]? Also, about our Page itinerary- we hope to drive in from Flagstaff early in the day. Hoping to go to Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam & do a tour of Antelope Slot Canyon. Deciding between the Lower Canyon tour & Canyon X- which do you think the children enjoy more? They are all school age and up. And what order should we do those 3 activities?
Thank you so much for any help you can give me!
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Hi Martha,
First off you’ve chosen a good time of year to utilize the “hub and spoke” approach to your vacation, whereby you stay in one location and make day trips to the parks. In August, your days are still fairly long (~12 hours), which works in your favor because you want to avoid driving in the pre-dawn/post-sunset hours. This is due to local roads being very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, even livestock animals can ratchet up your risk of an auto accident. Believe me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive!
The drive times you’re looking at are as follows: ~1 hour one way to Sedona, ~90 minutes 1 way to Grand Canyon South Rim, and ~2.5 hours one way to Page, AZ. Note that these figures are direct drive times, meaning wheels turning/no stops. This rarely happens because all routes are very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures, a lot! To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to pad drive times by 25-30%. On the day when you go to the Grand Canyon, I’d recommend taking the “long way” in, via the East entrance of the park so you can stop at the Cameron Trading Post, the Little Colorado River Overlook, and the half-dozen+ Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. After you’re done sightseeing, then exit the park via the South gate near Tusayan, AZ. Trip map
As for which place would be best “crowd-wise” for a Sunday visit, during the summer months, you won’t find much difference between weekend vs. weekday, Saturday vs. Sunday, etc. 99% of stores, activities, etc., are open on Sundays during peak tourist season, so there again, differences are negligible.
RE: Antelope Canyon X vs Lower Antelope Canyon, children find both of them enjoyable, it’s hard to go wrong either way. You might look at videos of both tours to help you decide. Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Video: Antelope Canyon X & Grand Canyon (Antelope X portion between 1:30-6:34) Note that in the video of Lower Antelope Canyon, the people are wearing backpacks, which is no longer allowed. One thing that might be an important deciding factor between Lower vs. X is that Lower Antelope Canyon is usually more expensive than Antelope X. Whichever you decide on, make reservations ASAP as that is one of Page, AZ’s most popular activities. Because August temperatures are still quite warm, I would recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, early in the morning as that will offer the benefits of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The trail is completely exposed, so morning walks are much easier than later afternoon! Whichever Antelope Canyon tour you choose, you will be required to check in 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to departure, so be sure you plan accordingly for that. Guided tours of Glen Canyon Dam remain on hiatus, but you can always go to the Visitors Center and walk across the Steel Arch Bridge anytime.
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2023 at 1:08 PM
_________________________________________
From Martha
Thank you so much for your very helpful advice. We are looking forward to coming to AZ!
July 30, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Cynthia Stirns
Hi – Are there any spots for October 12 or 13? It looks like I needed to apply last month.
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Hi Cynthia,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. I was out of the office for a family visit!
You are correct that Wave permits for October were disbursed in June. October is a very popular time to hike The Wave, and it’s extremely competitive applying for permits at that time of year. Your only opportunity at this point to obtain a hiking permit for Coyote Buttes would be to take part in the in-person lottery which is held 2 days prior to your desired hiking date via a smartphone app managed by Recreation.gov You must physically be within a certain radius of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT, to apply for the permit. If chosen, you would take part in a safety briefing and orientation the following day, then take the hike the day after that.
For more information on hiking The Wave, including alternate sites, and other methods for seeing the Wave if you don’t get permits, please visit our partner site www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 17, 2023 at 1:25 PM
Robert Ackley
I have a 25 ft class C RV. I don’t tow a car and use the RV for local travel. I plan to book an upper canyon tour in October. Is there parking that would accommodate my RV? Thanks, Robert
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Hey Robert,
October is a great time to be here!
Our preferred tour partner is Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. Their storefront is located at 55 S. Lake Powell Blvd. Their parking lot has a limited number of spaces that would accommodate a 25′ RV. If you happen to find them full at the time of check-in for your tour, simply park your rig at the local Safeway store parking lot and take the short walk across the street to Chief Tsosie’s.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2023 at 11:32 AM
Dawn Nader
Hi Ally-
We are RVing the Month of August 2023. Planning to Drive from Eagle Nest / Angel Fire, NM to Antelope Canyon, AZ. What roads are popular routes to you?
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Hi Dawn!
According to Google Maps, the quickest route from Angel Fire, NM, to Page, AZ, would be to head West on Highway 68 through Taos, get on Highway 84 in Ohkay, then take Highway 96 to La Jara. From there, take US550 all the way to Farmington, NM, then hop on US64, which transitions to US160 at Teec Nos Pos, AZ. There, you might take the opportunity to hit the Four Corners National Monument. Continue West on US160 to just past Tsegi, AZ, then take Highway 98 Northwest, which will take you right to Page, AZ.
Custom Trip Map
The total drive time is given as ~8 hours, but you’ll no doubt take a bit longer being in an RV. If you wish to break up the drive, you might do that in Farmington, NM, or Shiprock, NM.
Hope that helps! If you have any questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2023 at 11:41 AM
Marnie Graves
Are group tour permits available for a group of 4 still for Sept 6 or 7 for the Wave ?
-
Hi Marnie,
September hiking permits for Coyote Buttes North and The Wave were issued in May via online lottery. Your only chance of obtaining Wave permits now would be to take part in the walk-in lottery two days prior to your desired hiking date. To do this, you must download the Recreation.gov app on your smartphone (walk-in lottery applications may not be submitted via laptop/desktop), and physically be within a prescribed “geofence” area around Page, AZ, and/or Kanab, UT.
For more information on hiking The Wave, and alternate areas to visit in the likely event you are unable to obtain permits, please visit our partner site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJuly 03, 2023 at 12:57 PM
ted
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Seems the most I can book for the 14th of August is 4 adults, there are 5 in my group??
-
Hi Ted,
Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az to clarify exactly which Antelope Canyon tour you’re trying to book.
If you’re referring to The Wave, as far as we know, up to 6 people may apply on a single advance lottery entry.
Thank you,
AlleyJune 26, 2023 at 12:16 PM
Telkom Jakarta
Can all family members register?
-
Hi Telkom,
Yes, as long as the primary and secondary permit holder are listed as different people on each application. Any obvious move to “game the system” may result in all entries being disqualified. Each person may apply only once per month.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 26, 2023 at 12:14 PM
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Alessia Cimmino
Hi! Is it possible to visit Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the same tour? I gave a look at tours available and could not find this option.
-
Hi Alessia,
There are no tours that include both Horseshoe Bend and Upper Antelope Canyon. Which is actually OK, because you don’t technically need a tour to visit Horseshoe Bend. You simply go there at your desired time during regular operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. For more information on Horseshoe Bend and other attractions in the Page, AZ, area, visit our partner site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
FYI, there is one tour option that takes guests to both a local slot canyon (though not Upper Antelope) and Horseshoe Bend, and that’s the Secret Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend Combo tour offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours. Secret Antelope is one of several alternative slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that offer plenty of scenic beauty with smaller groups, and like Upper Antelope, the walk through the canyon is fairly flat and easy. The tour also goes to Horseshoe Bend, only they access it via a private entrance on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, so the walk to the rim is shorter, only ~200 yards, vs. .7 miles (one way) at the public overlook. For more information on this tour option, visit www.HorseshoeBendTours.com
Thank you for your inquiry. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us directly at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 23, 2023 at 11:40 AM
Fuchsia
I am thinking of hiring a guide to hike the Wave. Does the guide I hire need a permit too? Will the guide also help me to obtain a permit?
-
Hi Fuchsia,
Representatives of tour operators licensed to guide hikers to The Wave DO NOT have to obtain a permit. They have automatically been “grandfathered” into the quota by the Bureau of Land Management.
As to whether they can help you obtain a permit, some companies will offer such a service, others do not. For more information on authorized guide services for The Wave and Coyote Buttes, visit our partner site TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJune 21, 2023 at 12:10 PM
Jen
Hello, I’ve read the article about the new normal for upper canyon, mentioning 20-30min walk under the sun to reach. How long is the walk to the stairs for lower canyon in the sun? I’m planning to bring my 5 and 11 year old who are both physically fit, just worried about the heat in mid July. Wondering if upper or lower would be less time under the sun to and from. Thank you!!
-
Hi Jen,
The walk to the entrance of Lower Antelope Canyon is about 8-10 minutes from the tour company’s office, and much of it is now shaded.
Once you descend into the canyon, the ambient temperature will cool down significantly due to the shade provided by the canyon walls.
That said, you should carry enough water with you for all members of your hiking party. Also, by taking your tour during the earlier morning hours, you can enjoy cooler temperatures. The earliest tours into Lower Antelope Canyon depart at around 7:00 AM.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJune 21, 2023 at 12:08 PM
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Alice
Hi to all,
I’m Alice and I would like to book a Upper Antelope Canyon tour at 12th of August 2023 at 12.25 but there is 1 ticket left. We are 2 Is it possible to add only one person? Pleaseeee We are I and my mom and we come from Italy
-
Hi Alice,
Sorry for the troubles you’re having with booking an Upper Antelope Canyon tour.
Unfortunately, the tour companies are strictly limited by the Navajo Tribal Parks & Recreation Department as to how many people they can accommodate at certain times of the day, so adding another seat onto your desired time slot is not an option. I would suggest booking whatever departure time you can find sufficient space on, and check all companies that tour Upper Antelope Canyon for availability.
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, www.tsebighanilini.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 30, 2023 at 12:17 PM
victoria y corson
ARE DOGS (LABRADOODLE, 35 LBS) ALLOWED IN UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON?
-
Hi Victoria,
No pets of any kind are allowed in the Antelope Canyons. If you are traveling with a pet, you’ll need to arrange to have them boarded whilst you’re on tour. Dog boarding is available in Page, AZ, at Page Pampered Pets, who can be reached at 928-640-6898, or the Page Animal Hospital, who can be reached at 928-645-2816.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 30, 2023 at 12:07 PM
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Stella price
I’ve seen contradictory rules about carrying fanny pack/backpacks; and some bring water in canyon or not?
-
Hi Stella,
Apologies for the conflicting information you are seeing.
The situation with bags, backpacks, etc., has always been somewhat fluid, and this tourist season is no exception.
Per our tour partners in both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, bags of any kind are no longer allowed. Items such as cash, credit cards, ID’s, chapstick, etc., must be carried in pockets. If there is a medical need, such as insulin or asthma inhalers, these may be carried in ziploc type bags as long as on-site personnel are notified upon check-in for your tour.
Water may be carried in any type of bottle, whether it’s a clear disposable type bottle or a refillable bottle such as a hydroflask. Canyon site personnel simply ask that you refrain from littering.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 25, 2023 at 11:42 AM
Maria
We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids (2,5)) and want to see upper antelope canyon
Do you have may 28-29 or 30th available ?
And is a 2 year old and a 5 year old ok?
-
Hi Maria,
To check availability for a specific date, you’ll need to call or go online to the specific Upper Antelope Canyon tour providers.
FYI, there are 5 tour companies that go to Upper Antelope, but only 3 of them allow children under the age of 6:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com, 928-698-3384
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, https://www.tsebighanilini.com, 928-310-9458
For more information on touring Antelope Canyon with younger children safely, check out “Bringing Kids To Antelope Canyon”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 15, 2023 at 11:51 AM
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Jim Dwyer
Three questions. Most importantly, have you reinstated the tour specifically for photographers, where, I assume, there are fewer people and they spend a bit longer time? And secondly, I’ve always admired pictures of shafts of light streaming into the canyon; what time is best to catch that shaft of light? Usually photographers most love sunrise and sunset. Does that apply to both upper and lower Antelope Canyon or, perhaps, not at all?
-
Hi Jim,
Three answers:
1. The photography tour for the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons has not been reinstated, and is not likely to be reinstated due to the explosion in popularity of both segments of the canyon, and the lack of time (and space) available for photographers to properly set up their shots. However, photography tours are given in some of the alternate segments of the Antelope Canyons, such as Antelope Canyon X. Antelope X is a very pretty two-part slot canyon where light beams may be seen during the summer, albeit not as “dramatic” or numerous as those in Upper. For more information, click here
2. The light beams are seen to their fullest effect during the mid-day hours when the sun is directly overhead. These are known as “prime time” tours, so you might encounter higher prices on them.
3. Sunrise and sunset in the Antelope Canyons can be beautiful, but maybe not for the reasons you’d think. Because the sun will be at an angled perspective to the canyons during these hours, the colors of the canyon walls will be deeper, richer, and more vivid. For sunrise and/or sunset in Page, AZ, the place to be is Horseshoe Bend. At sunrise, the Colorado River is in shadow, but at this time you can enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. At sunset, the overlook is busy, but many photographers choose to bear with the crowds for a chance to catch the “starburst” phenomenon as the sun dips over the horizon.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 12, 2023 at 12:52 PM
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Staci Marino
Hi…what would you suggest for a full day or 2 full day tour in July? Will it be too hot to enjoy? I’ve been to AZ once in the summer, Tucson and it was too hot not sure if it is dealable in this part of AZ???
-
Hi Staci,
Page, AZ, is also hot in July, with daytime highs frequently exceeding 105 F. Any labor-intensive activities such as hiking should be done in the early morning hours for optimal safety and comfort. If you prefer to avoid the heat, autumn — namely mid-September to late October — is a great time to be here. Temperatures are markedly cooler and crowds are thinning out what with most kids being back in school.
With one day to work with, you can visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon, maybe do a little easy hiking. If you can give us two days, simply add the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip or Kayak Horseshoe Bend to the mix and you’ll have a fun and memorable visit to Northern Arizona!
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyMay 10, 2023 at 1:06 PM
Bea
How do weekends work? Do Saturday and Sunday’s get drawn on Friday?
-
Hi Bea,
It depends on the time of year.
Most of the time, walk-in permits for hiking the Wave are issued 7 days a week.
If your desired hike date happens to fall on a holiday weekend such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter, permits for the weekend and the following Monday may be drawn on a Friday.
For more information, call the Page-Lake Powell Hub in Page, AZ, at (928) 608-5749 or the Kanab Visitors Center in Kanab, UT, at (435) 644-1300.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Olwyn
I’ve read about a trip leaving (and returning to) Page going to Secret Canyon and Horseshoe Bend for disabled people with limited mobility. I cant find how to book this trip
-
Hi Olwyn,
The Secret Antelope Canyon and Private Horseshoe Bend Overlook tour is operated by Horseshoe Bend Tours.
You can find more information on these activities at www.HorseshoeBendTours.com
If any of your party members have special needs due to a disability, we recommend contacting the tour company directly to discuss them. Horseshoe Bend Tours can be reached by phone at (435) 275-4594 or by email at info@horseshoebendtours.com
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 12:46 PM
Aurelio T David
I’m a disable veteran. Does my wife qualified for veteran discount?
-
Hi Aurelio,
Only the active or retired service person would qualify for the veteran’s discount.
Military ID must be presented and verified upon check-in.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 1:18 PM
Antonella Coronel
Hello,
I am Antonella and we are a group of 5 people looking to visit Antelope Canyon. We rented an RV for the very first time ever. We are all in good health and shape, would upper or lower be recommended for us?
Also, with a reservation and tickets from this website:
– Does it include parking for the RV?
– What if we arrive late, do we get moved to another time? We have never done this, so we don’t know if we will run into traffic at the entrance of Antelope Canyon or exit of our previous campground
– Do we need additional permits?
– Are there additional fees we need to consider besides the tickets we purchase on this site?
– Are allowed to bring food and drink with us during our walk?
-
Hi Antonella,
Seeing as though your party members are all relatively fit and healthy, you should have no problem managing Lower Antelope Canyon.
There is ample parking for RV’s both at the canyon site (if you book a self-drive) or near the Page, AZ, office of Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (if you book the Express + Shuttle).
When you make a reservation, you book a specific departure time, with advance check-in required 45 minutes prior. If you are late, the tour company may not be abble to move you to another departure, which would result in the forfeiture of your ticket price. Long story short: be on time! And note that Antelope Canyon tours operate on Mountain STANDARD Time year-round.
All Navajo Tribal Park Entry permits are included in your Antelope Canyon tour ticket price; there is no need to purchase additional permits for the Antelope Canyons. If you were to visit Horseshoe Bend, however, which is a separate site, you would have to pay a parking fee which is collected on-site. Ditto for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which encompasses the Lake Powell Resort and Antelope Point Marina Complexes. A National Park entrance fee is collected at the entrance gate for those locations.
In the Antelope Canyons, you are allowed to carry water, but no food or other beverages.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Smruti Kaplish
We have a 4th grade National Park Pass. Can we see Antelope Canyon using this pass?
-
Hi Smruti,
This is an excellent question, but unfortunately, the answer is no.
The 4th Graders’ National Park Pass is valid for National Parks. The Antelope Canyons are a Native American Tribal Park, which falls under a different jurisdictional heading than places such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, etc. You will still be required to pay the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance Fee, which you would pay when you book a guided tour (which is required to visit all branches of the Antelope Canyons).
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 12:34 PM
mirta riquelme
Hello do you Think can you please tell me if will be ok for a Blind person who walk slow to Access ? Do we have a limit in time to complete it ?
-
Hi Mirta,
All Antelope Canyon tours are limited to a certain time allotment due to the popularity of the canyons.
Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon specifically, it may be a bit much for a blind person to handle because of the stairs, ladders, mild boulder scrambling, etc.
You might want to inquire about Upper Antelope Canyon instead since it is shorter and a more straightforward walk-through.
I would recommend contacting the tour companies by phone to discuss your party’s particular needs. There are five companies operating guided tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, their contact information is as follows:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours 928-310-9458
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 08, 2023 at 12:31 PM
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Carol
Hi, I’m looking for an Upper Antelope Canyon day trip from SEDONA, who do you recommend?
This would be for Oct.
-
Hi Carol,
Several ground tour providers offer Antelope Canyon day trips from Sedona, but not necessarily to Upper Antelope Canyon.
Some of them will go to Lower Antelope Canyon instead of Upper, others may go to Antelope Canyon X or Secret Antelope Canyon, so be sure you read the “fine print” if the ladders in Lower would be a problem.
Great Venture Tours is a reputable company, they’ve been in business for decades now, as has Pink Adventures, a division of Pink Jeep Tours.
For more suggestions, visit Yelp: Best Antelope Canyon Tours from Sedona
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 28, 2023 at 11:49 AM
Lalit Patel
like upper and lower canyon tour we are 13 people , need help to book it for june 6th. 2023
-
Hi Lalit,
For a group that size, it would be best if you contacted the tour companies directly to make your arrangements.
There are several companies that operate in both segments of Antelope Canyon.
For Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, www.tsebighanilini.com
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
You did not specify whether there were young children in your party, but please note that Chief Tsosie’s and Adventurous Antelope Canyon do not permit children under the age of 8 on their tours.
Also, we strongly advise allowing at least one hour’s time between the conclusion of one tour and the beginning of the other. Check-in and departure times are strictly adhered to due to the popularity of the slot canyons and to prevent ‘bottlenecking.’
Hope that helps.
Please write in again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley KeosheyanApril 25, 2023 at 2:17 PM
G. Morales
Good afternoon. Is the military rate for both the service member and their spouse? Thanks!
-
Hi Gil,
First of all, thank you for your service.
I was always under the impression that the military rate only applied to the active duty or retired service person, but you might contact the tour company by phone to verify that.
For Upper Antelope Canyon, call 928-645-5594.
For Lower, call 928-640-1761.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 17, 2023 at 1:08 PM
_________________________________________
From Mei Suzuki
I booked upper antelope canyon for our trip in August, but I haven’t received any confirmation email yet….who should I contact to?
April 23, 2023 at 12:36 AM
Karla Palmanhani
Hi – I am looking for upper and lower tour. What are the combo tours?
-
Hi Karla,
At the present time, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked separately, but we have a convenient page from which you can do just that.
Be sure to allow sufficient time (60-90 minutes) between the conclusion of one tour and the start of the other. Check-in times are typically 45 minutes prior to the actual start time of the tour, and the tour companies are very strict about you being on time due to the popularity of the canyons.
For more information and to book your seats, visit Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 17, 2023 at 1:06 PM
Minh
Hello there!
What is your cancellation policy?
-
Hi Minh,
Most Antelope Canyon tours require cancellation at least 72 hours prior to the tour to qualify for a full refund.
Note that there are several companies that offer Antelope Canyon tours and policies may differ between them, up to and including a 100% no-refund policy, so do confirm that with your chosen tour company before paying for your tickets.
We advise purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case your all or part of your vacation must be cancelled.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 07, 2023 at 11:46 AM
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Joyceeee
Hi Alley
I am looking for a tour that provides hotel pick up and drop off.
For lower we will be 5 pax,
Upper 9 pax.
Thank you
-
Hi Joyce,
For Upper Antelope Canyon, our preferred provider (Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours) picks up and drops off at their office headquarters in downtown Page, AZ. It is centrally located to many hotels in that area. Note that this company does not permit children under 6 on their tours.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, we offer our exclusive Express Hotel Shuttle service, which picks up at 3 select hotels in Page, AZ: the Best Western Plus on Lake Powell Boulevard, the Baymont Inn, and Hampton Inn, both located off US89 just West of town. Express Pickup Location Map For more information, visit Lower Antelope Canyon Express Tour.
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az for further assistance.
Alley 🙂March 31, 2023 at 1:28 PM
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Julia
If I missed the lottery for June, is there any other way to get a permit for the wave
-
Hi Julia,
The only other alternative for obtaining a Wave permit would be to participate in the in-person lottery held 2 days before your desired hike date.
You would need to download Recreation.gov’s mobile app on your smartphone and follow the instructions for Coyote Buttes North. To apply for the in-person lottery, you must physically be within the prescribed “geofence” area, which includes the towns of Page, Greenhaven, Marble Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs, Jacob Lake, White Sage, Fredonia, Moccasin, and the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation in Arizona; as well as Big Water, Paria, Johnson Canyon, Kanab, Mt. Carmel, Orderville, Glendale, and East Zion in Utah. If you are successful at obtaining a permit in this manner, you would be required to attend a safety briefing in either Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT, the day prior to your hike.
Since the likelihood of your being successful at getting a Wave permit are statistically low, it would be wise to start making alternate plans for touring other sites that area just as scenic but don’t require a permit. The Alt Wave Adventure with Kanab Tour Company would be one possibility, as would White Pocket, Soap Creek, the New Wave, Wire Pass Canyon and/or Buckskin Gulch.
Should you really have your heart set on seeing The Wave at any price, you might consider chartering a plane or helicopter out of the Page Municipal Airport. Yes, this would be a pricey way to go, and neither aircraft would land at The Wave, but you would see a ton of incredible scenery in a relatively short amount of time. For more information, visit our partner site, TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 23, 2023 at 11:50 AM
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Jodi Slomsky
I want to know the price for 4 people to fly from Las Vegas to Antelope canyon for a 1 day tour.
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Hi Jodi,
The current rate for Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines’ Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Expedition is $649 per person plus taxes and fees.
Rates may vary depending on day of week, time of year, etc.
For more information, visit Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Expedition
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 21, 2023 at 12:38 PM
Isabel
Hi,
We are thinking about going begining of June with our almost two years old daughter. We have seen the video and think she can do it, (we will have to carry her at some point, but we think it’s fine). I have another question. Does any boat tour allowed kids?
Thanks a lot!
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Hi Isabel,
For their safety, kids have to be at least 3-4 years old to take part in Lake Powell Boat Tours or Horseshoe Bend Rafting.
Depending on how much the water level of Lake Powell rises this year, you could take your family down to someplace like Lone Rock Beach or Wahweap Swim Beach if you wanted to at least get in the water. That should be very refreshing in June, when days are quite hot. To access these areas requires payment of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee of $30/vehicle which is good for one week’s time. It is also possible to drive down close to the banks of the Colorado River at Lees Ferry (~1 hour from Page, AZ) and wade in the water, although it’s very cold!
Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please write me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 21, 2023 at 12:35 PM
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Sam
Hi Alley.
We are staying in Page and would like to visit Upper, Lower Canyon and also visit Horseshoe Bend.
We were thinking of splitting Lower Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on the day we arrive and Upper Canyon next day morning.
Is there a way for us to drive our self and purchase entrance fee and guided tour without local transportation or guided tour booking?
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Hey Sam,
Your trip plan is feasible, and you are welcome to self-drive to the Antelope Canyon entrances and take your Antelope Canyon tours from there.
However, a guided tour is 100% mandatory for both segments of the canyon since they are on Navajo Indian Land.
For Upper Antelope Canyon, there are 3 companies that depart directly from the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance on US98
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, www.tsebighanilini.com
For Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two companies that operate just down the road from Upper, tickets must be booked separately:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Guided tours must be booked in advance to avoid sold-out dates/times.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please e-mail me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
For more information on getting the most out of your visit to Page, Arizona, check out our partner site, www.HorseshoeBend.com!March 20, 2023 at 1:02 PM
Christina
I am looking to travel this year to camp and paddle board Antelope Canyon. Would love best advice on where to stay for accessing easily with paddle board and kayak. We also have a 4 wheel drive and tent. Any advice welcome.
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Hi Christina!
For paddleboarding in Antelope Canyon, the town of Page, Arizona offers the best selection of hotels, motels, and vacation rental homes. They vary in price points and amenity classes from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between, and are a 10-15 minute drive from Antelope Point Marina, where you’d put in to start your paddleboard adventure.
If you were wanting to camp, the Page-Lake Powell Campground is also conveniently located to Antelope Point Marina. Though they are primarily an RV park, they do have some tent sites. The Arrowhead Campground at Mystical Antelope Canyon also offers tent camping about 15-20 minutes away from Antelope Point Marina.
FYI, this is an activity that’s best done first thing in the morning. Later in the day, you’ll have to contend with pretty formidable chop from wakes generated by various watercraft, from SeaDoos to large tour boats. Not to mention daytime highs during the summer months can exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hope that helps! If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 15, 2023 at 1:00 PM
Kerry
Hello,
We are interested in your upper, lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on August 13th for four people in one day, but I only see the separate reservation for either upper or lower, but I saw “it can be one reservation for both upper and lower” on your website, could you send me the link for booking the tickets for both?
We hope lower antelope canyon could be in the morning and upper antelope canyon can be at noon, and the Horseband can be in the sunset, is there any one-day tour plan like that? Most importantly, pick us up from hotels in Las Vegas
Thank you and look forward to your reply!
Best,
Kerry
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Hi Kerry,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you are wanting to do an Antelope Canyon tour out of Las Vegas, you’ll only have time to do one of the canyons. It’s approximately a 5-hour drive, one way, from Las Vegas to Page, AZ. On our Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Expedition, for example, you get complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Las Vegas hotels, round-trip airplane flights from Boulder City, NV, to Page, AZ, a guided tour of Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and a light lunch.
If the prospect of flying doesn’t appeal, there are ground tours from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, offered by companies such as MaxTour, but again, they will only feature one of the Antelope Canyons due to time constraints.
To do what you’re proposing, you would need to self-drive to Page, AZ, book a hotel there, and spend at least one night.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 15, 2023 at 12:51 PM
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[…] is located five hours from major cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix, the natural splendor of Antelope Canyon more than makes up for the trip. Visitors can tour the Slot Canyon formation’s beautiful red […]
Michelle Weiner
I am traveling with 3 friends. We are planning on doing a tour of upper and lower antelope canyon on 5/2/2023 and would like information on booking a private tour of both. Is that a possibility and what would the cost be?
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Hi Michelle,
To book a private tour, it would be best if you called the tour companies directly.
For Upper Antelope Canyon, contact:
– Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours; Website: www.antelopecanyon.com; Phone: 928-645-9102
– Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours; Website: www.antelopeslotcanyon.com; Phone: 928-645-5594
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; Website: www.navajotours.com; Phone: 928-698-3384
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon PhotoTours; Website: www.navajoantelopecanyon.com; Phone: 928-380-1874
– Tse Bighanilini Tours; Website: www.tsebighanilini.com; Phone: (928) 310-9458
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Dixie Ellis; Website: www.antelopelowercanyon.com; Phone: 928-640-1761
– Ken’s Tours; Website: www.lowerantelope.com; Phone: 928-606-2168 and 928-640-0032
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2023 at 11:27 AM
Petty Wong
Hi, if I go to lower canyon, are we allow to bring backpack or purse? I saw some site said we are not allow to bring purse, bags Or backpack
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Hi Petty,
Due to recent events and safety precautions, Lower Antelope Canyon Tours is no longer permitting solid-colored bags, backpacks, hydration bags, fanny packs, waist pouches or purses in the canyon. Only clear or see-through bags are permitted on tours. If you need them, they are available for purchase at the Canyon and cost around $10.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2023 at 11:23 AM
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Satish Nukala
We are a party of 16 arriving on 3/15/23 (9 adults + 6 kids, 1 kid age 3) and are looking to book for the 10.40am tour. It appears there are only 4 tickets available when we try to book online. Is there a way you would be able to accommodate our party on 3/15 at 10.40am?
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Hi Satish,
For a party that size, I would recommend calling the tour company directly.
For Upper Antelope Canyon, tour providers are:
– Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours; Phone: 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; Phone: 928-698-3384
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon PhotoTours; Phone: 928-380-1874
– Tse Bighanilini Tours; Website: Phone: (928) 310-9458
For Lower Antelope Canyon, call:
– Dixie Ellis; Phone: 928-640-1761
– Ken’s Tours; Phone: 928-606-2168 and 928-640-0032
I do have to tell you that you might have a hard time booking your party at this late notice. This week is the Spring Break holiday, so many local area tours are full. Having a 3-year-old in tow will also limit which Antelope Canyon tours you can take part in. In the likely event you find the above tour companies to be completely booked up, you might consider touring Antelope Canyon X or Ligai Si Anii Canyon, which is just as beautiful as Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, and does permit kids.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2023 at 11:21 AM
Maria ocampo
Hello. I would like to get email confirmation for booking #153794613. My email address is
angelaocampo551963@gmail.com
Booking is for April 22 @11:45 am.
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Hi Maria,
A confirmation e-mail was generated by our reservation software a few moments ago.
If you do not receive it, please check your spam folder, or contact us again at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2023 at 11:09 AM
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[…] is located five hours from major cities like Las Vegas and Phoenix, the natural splendor of Antelope Canyon more than makes up for the trip. Visitors can tour the Slot Canyon formation’s beautiful red […]
Tonya Hansen
For the lower tour , do we just hike from our own vehicle? No riding in a shuttle or anything?
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Hi Tonya,
This is an excellent question. The answer is, you have a choice!
On the “classic” Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking tour, you self-drive to the Tribal Park, check in at your tour company’s office, then are escorted on foot to the entrance of the canyon. After the tour, you go back to your vehicle and head to whatever’s next on your agenda, such as Horseshoe Bend.
On the newly-launched Lower Antelope Canyon Express, you are picked up at one of 3 select hotels in Page, Arizona, and are driven to the canyon and back to your selected hotel after your tour. For round-trip shuttle transportation, you do pay a bit extra.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 02, 2023 at 1:58 PM
Yi
Hi Alley,
I booked a lower antelope canyon tour on April 12. However, I entered my email wrong. So I didn’t receive the confirmation email. I’m wondering if you help me to resend the confirmation email again? Sorry I couldn’t find other ways to get in contact with your company. My booking number end in 5405. My email: zoezhouyi@outlook.com Thank you!
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Hi Zoe,
Check your e-mail box for your new confirmation. If you do not find it there, check your spam folder. Sometimes Outlook’s junk mail filters can be a little too efficient 😉
Cheers,
AlleyMarch 01, 2023 at 1:59 PM
Elizabeth
I am starting from Phoenix and from there go to Grand Canyon and leave from Phoenix. I want to add Antelope canyon and was wondering what along the way we can do to break up the travel. We are moderate hikers, who live in MA and have not been hiking since early fall.
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Hi Elizabeth!
Hopefully, you’re not thinking of doing all this in one day, because that definitely won’t work.
You’ll need at least 3-4 days to pull this off and enjoy some quality time at your destination(s).
If you’re like most travelers who prefer to get the longer drives of a trip out of the way first, I would recommend something like this:
Day 1: Drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ (~5 hours), lunch in Flagstaff, AZ, or at the Cameron Trading Post, stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page **optional detour: Sunset Crater/Wupatki National Monuments just North of Flagstaff, will add another 90 minutes-2 hours to the trip**
Day 2: Tour Antelope Canyon first thing in the morning, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3-3.5+ hours factoring in stops at viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive), overnight at the Grand Canyon
Day 3: Drive back to Phoenix (~4 hours)
If you can spare an extra day or two for the trip, you should give that to Sedona, which is ~2.5 hours South of the Grand Canyon. Phoenix would then be ~a 2-hour drive from Sedona.
If you need further information or have other questions, please feel free to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 27, 2023 at 3:24 PM
Christina Shalaby
Hi Alley. Considering a family trip and hoping to cover Zion, Bryce, and Antelope Canyon (with a stop at Horseshoe Bend along the way). Dates of travel are Saturday, August 26-Friday, Sept. 1 (depart as early as possible) and we’ll be flying into/out of Vegas from the East Coast. The kids (14 and 13) enjoy hiking, but aren’t the type of kids who want to do it all day. We’ll also want to reward them with a full day of lazy pool time in Vegas on the back end of our trip. What’s your reaction to the following itinerary?
Day 1 (Sat): Arrive Vegas, drive to Zion, Easy hiking in Zion. Overnight in Zion, considering Under Canvas Glamping or Springfield Suites, Springfield
Day 2 (Sun): Hike Zion AM, drive to Bryce, Hike Bryce PM. Overnight in Bryce.
Day 3 (Mon): Hike Bryce AM and depart for Page, AZ. Stop to see Horseshoe Bend on the way. Sleep in Page, AZ
Day 4 (Tue): Antelope Canyon. Sleep in Page, AZ again.
Day 5 (Wed): Antelope Canyon. Depart for Vegas. Hang out in Vegas late afternoon and maybe a show in the evening.
Day 6 (Thurs): Spend the day poolside/relaxing in Vegas
Day 7 (Fri): Depart as early as possible
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Hi Christina!
Your trip plan looks pretty fun, and well-paced, but one place is somewhat conspicuously missing from your itinerary: the Grand Canyon. Have you guys been there before? If not, you should definitely make time for it, and the most logical place to do so would be between Page and Las Vegas. By dropping that 2nd night in Page, you could swing over to the South Rim, spend the night there, then head to Las Vegas on day 5 as you’ve planned. Another option would be to hang onto that 2nd night in Page, AZ, but make a day trip to the North Rim. It’s ~a 2.5 hour drive each way, but with an early start on the day and an eye on the clock towards the evening, it can be done. More on that in a minute.
At Zion, I’d recommend choosing your overnight accommodations in Springdale, UT. That’s the staging area for the Zion Canyon Shuttle, which goes to the main sightseeing area of the park, and its most popular hikes, such as the Narrows, Emerald Pools, Scout Lookout, etc. Under Canvas, which definitely looks like a nice place, is actually situated within easier access to the Kolob Canyons section of the park. That area is beautiful, too, but more remote and has less in the way of visitor facilities geared to families like yourselves.
On Day 3, where you propose to visit Horseshoe Bend en route to Page, AZ, that’s an OK plan, but I’d also recommend allotting time to take the easy and very scenic Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike. That’s between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ. The trailhead is at mile marker 19 on US89. I’d actually recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise instead. At the time of year you’re visiting, daytime high temperatures are still pretty hot in Page, and visiting the overlook at dawn affords a second benefit: smaller crowds. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise in Page, AZ, takes place just before 6:00 AM and sunset occurs at around 7:00 PM.
You had mentioned touring Antelope Canyon on both day 4 and day 5; it’s not 100% necessary to tour more than one slot canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ, so if you do end up dropping that 2nd day in Page in order to visit the Grand Canyon, you won’t be shortchanging yourself in any way. If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon and want to hang onto that second day in Page, you might consider partaking of a water-based activity such as the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip or Kayak Horseshoe Bend. Both take place on a completely smooth stretch of the Colorado River between the base of the Glen Canyon Dam and Lees Ferry. The raft trip is guided, so you would just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. The kayak trip is more DIY, but thousands of first-time kayakers have done this trip and had a blast!
Whatever you decide, as mentioned before, knowing when sunrise and particularly sunset occur will be very important for your safety and enjoyment of this trip. You want to make sure you’re at your final destination for the day by sundown. Driving after dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and livestock animals that can heighten your risk of an auto accident. Believe me, a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), where help will be a long time coming (not to mention VERY expensive) can be a major vacation buzzkill! If you were to take me up on the suggestion to visit Grand Canyon North Rim as a day trip, for example, you’d want to be “wheels up” out of the park by 4:30 PM at the latest. Another consideration: Utah will be operating on a different time zone, 1 hour “ahead” of Arizona, which means that sunrise in the Zion National Park area will occur at around 7:00 AM local time and sunset takes place just after 8:00 PM.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 27, 2023 at 3:17 PM
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Kristi
Are face masks really required on all of your tours? We are hiking outside right?
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Hi Kristi,
As of late January, the mask mandate has since been lifted on the Navajo Nation. Face masks are now optional in most business settings. And yes, you are mostly hiking outside on Antelope Canyon tours.
That said, should COVID-19 numbers on the Navajo Nation tick upward again, they do reserve the right to reinstate the mask requirement to protect themselves.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyFebruary 24, 2023 at 7:01 PM
Alice
Does your tour company pick up from Phoenix hotels to the canyons?
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Hi Alice!
Phoenix, AZ, visitors can enjoy day tours to Antelope Canyon, which are offered by a select group of companies, including:
Detours American West
Viatour
Arizona Luxury Tours
Please note that we are not affiliated with any of the above-referenced companies and encourage you to do your own “due diligence” by researching their history, customer reviews, and social media presence before committing your hard-earned $$$.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2023 at 2:52 PM
Sam
There are two options for the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour – one with the express shuttle and one without. Being unfamiliar with the area, I am not sure when someone would need to book the shuttle or not? I would prefer to book the less expensive option, but I am not finding readily available information about the express shuttle. Thank you!
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Hi Sam,
Thank you for your inquiry!
The express shuttle is designed for those visitors who would prefer to be picked up in the downtown Page, AZ, area and driven to the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance at Lower Antelope Canyon, then back after the tour.
If you are OK with driving yourself to Lower Antelope Canyon — it’s only ~10-15 minutes from Page — then by all means, book the less expensive option, which is the classic hiking tour.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 22, 2023 at 2:26 PM
Tris
Hi, i would like to bring my 5 years old kid and 1 infant. Can i check if i need to pay tour fee for both kids?
I plan to visit there in September’23.
Thanks and look forward to hearing from you
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Hi Tris,
With kids that young, we recommend you tour Upper Antelope Canyon. There are five (5) companies that tour Upper Antelope Canyon, but only 3 of them allow infants and younger children:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona; www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300; www.navajotours.com, 928-698-3384
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, https://www.tsebighanilini.com, 928-310-9458
You will need to pay for seats for both children, and bring a car seat for the little one.
For more information, read the article “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 21, 2023 at 12:15 AM
Isha
Hi! Are kids age 5yrs and above eligible for the hike in waves ?
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Hi Isha,
Children may accompany parents on the hike to The Wave, but you are responsible for judging whether they would be able to handle it without difficulty or injury. You would also need to include them on your permit application.
Bear in mind that the hike to The Wave is approximately 6 miles round-trip, and considered “moderate” in terms of difficulty. During the summer months, daytime high temperatures can get up above 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be uncomfortable for an adult, much less a child. You would need to ensure that you bring enough water for yourselves and for your kids, and you would need to pack out all waste, including the “bodily” kind!
Seeing as though The Wave might be too much for a 5 YO to handle, plus the odds of you getting a permit are low anyway, you might consider the New Wave Trail near Page, AZ. This is a much shorter and easier trail that leads to a small but interesting cluster of rock formations, some of which bear slight resemblance to The Wave.
For more information on The Wave, please visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 13, 2023 at 2:09 PM
Nick G
Is the permit you squire for the wave, the same permit for antelope canyon? Or do I have to apply for two separate permits?
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Hi Nick,
No, a Wave permit does not automatically carry over to Antelope Canyon.
For Antelope Canyon, you do not need a permit, per se, but you must go with a guided tour. For more information on what’s available, and the companies that offer them, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 13, 2023 at 2:01 PM
Angie
I’m sorry if this has been answered but I have looked everywhere for the answer and can’t find a clear one. If my husband and I both apply for a daily permit, is there any way we both can be chosen? It seems odd that we would both pay the application fee and only one of us should win. Do we apply as a group of 2? Or is that reserved for 4 or more (which is how it looks everywhere I’ve read)?
Thanks.
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Hi Angie,
Parties of two are welcome to apply for Wave permits, and you and your husband should apply for the lottery as one entry. Applying separately will be flagged as a duplicate entry, resulting in the forfeiture of both entries, and no refund of your application fee.
If you have further questions about the Wave lottery process, visit www.Recreation.gov: Coyote Buttes North Advance Lottery or phone the Page-Lake Powell Hub (one of the locations for the safety briefing) at (928) 608-5749.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 31, 2023 at 1:33 PM
-
We have a large family and I applied for a group of 6. My son is an adult and also going along. Can he apply for a permit also to increase our chances? My sister lives in another state and was going to apply for a group of 6 also. I wanted those to apply that could so that we have a greater chance of getting a permit for some of us. Does that make sense? I called the number and asked and they said I could only apply once but others in our group could apply but I wanted to double check. Didn’t want my application to be disqualified.
February 03, 2023 at 11:52 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Tisha,
According to www.Recreation.gov, “each individual may submit only one application per lottery; being an alternate permit holder or group member prevents one from applying for their own permit.” If your sister has a group of 6 individuals who are not included on your permit application, she is welcome to apply.
Good luck and in the likely event your family is not selected for a Wave hiking permit, please visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com for ideas of other areas to visit that are just as beautiful and don’t require a permit.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 06, 2023 at 1:56 PM
Sebastian Rülke
Hello, I would like to book an Upper Antelope Canyon tour for me and my partner between 06/13/23 and 06/15/23. Unfortunately, there is no online availability for June 2023 and I can’t call the given number on my phone due to my local network. Who can I contact?
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Hi Sebastian,
Sorry to hear you are having problems booking an Antelope Canyon tour. A cursory check of our preferred providers’ site does show no online availability for your travel dates. I would suggest checking with other tour companies, who are showing availability:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, http://www.antelopecanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 30, 2023 at 2:08 PM
Olena T
Hello! I registered for lottery twice by mistake. I really dont want to be disqualified. Is there any chance i can delete one application?
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Hi Olena,
Since both the advance and walk-in hiking permit lotteries for The Wave are administered by Recreation.gov, you must work with them to remedy the error. If you scroll to the bottom of the home page, on the bottom right hand side, you’ll find tabs for “Your Account” and “Your Reservations.” You could try to delete the duplicate application from either of those. You might also look on their “Help Center” page to see if you can find what you need there. If that doesn’t work, they do have a phone line that is staffed from 10:00 AM to Midnight Eastern Standard Time. That number is (877) 444-6777 or (606) 515-6777 if you’re calling from overseas.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 25, 2023 at 1:32 PM
Amy
Hello, is July 2023 all booked up for Upper Antelope Canyon Tours? Or have those dates just not been released yet? Thanks for your help.
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Hi Amy,
Not surprised to hear that summer tickets are selling out fast, but I checked several Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies and some still show availability for July 2023. You might try checking the following sites individually when you have a moment:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 24, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Vivek
Hello, where is the location of the cover photo?
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Hi Vivek,
If you are referring to the cover photo of the Camping & RV Options article, that was taken at Lone Rock Beach on Lake Powell. Lone Rock Beach is a popular spot for tent and RV camping, located just over the Arizona/Utah border near the small community of Greenehaven. It is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so a park entrance fee of $30/vehicle is required, in addition to your nightly camping fee.
Hope that answers your question adequately!
If not, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Alley 🙂January 16, 2023 at 3:40 PM
Lacey Pierce
Are pregnant women allowed to do the upper and lower tour?
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Hi Lacey,
Pregnant women should consider carefully whether an Antelope Canyon tour would pose a risk to themselves and their unborn baby.
You should probably take a pass on Lower Antelope Canyon, depending how far along in your pregnancy you are. The canyon itself is ~600 yards in length, and requires descending and ascending several flights of stairs to enter and exit. Check out this full video walk-through to see what we mean; you might even show it to your OB/GYN. Upper, while shorter in length, does involve a 2-mile 4WD ride from the Tribal Park Entrance on the highway to the mouth of the canyon. While brief, it can be quite bumpy, which again, might be risky for you and the baby. Another consideration, depending on the time of year you’re traveling, is weather. If you are visiting during the summer months, the canyon’s exterior can be quite hot. Physical exertion under these conditions is contraindicated for pregnant women.
Long story short, follow your doctor’s advice, and heed the tour company’s policies regarding pregnancy. If you are unable to visit Antelope Canyon this time around, plan on a return visit to Page, AZ, when you and your little one can enjoy everything the area has to offer together! Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 16, 2023 at 3:36 PM
Jawahar
hello
I am writing to ask about your cancellation policy.
Is there a refund if you cancel a tour due circumstances ?
if we have to cancel do we get a refund or do we have to rebook , if we have to re-book how long would our payment be valid for ?
I realise that many may have asked this question but I am not able to find any information about a cancellation policy on your sire
Thanks
Jawahar
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Hi Jawahar,
As long as you cancel your tour at least 72 hours prior to your actual tour date, you can get a full refund.
If you were to opt to re-book, your payment would be valid until you the day you actually take your tour.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 16, 2023 at 3:26 PM
Rene Garcia
Hello,
I want to book a upper level antelope tour but I need additional information. Where do I find this tour company when I arrive in Page? Where do I park my car? When try to book it doesn’t say who I am booking with?
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Hi Rene,
The tour company you will travel with when booking via our site is Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. They are located in downtown Page, AZ, across from the Mesa Theatre on Lake Powell Boulevard. Their tour vehicles are typically parked out front, which is where you can also park your vehicle. In the event parking is full at their office, there is a Safeway market a short distance down the street with ample parking.
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Alley 🙂January 09, 2023 at 5:32 PM
Michelle Drury
I am also trying to change reservation and the email listed bounces back. When I contact the Dixie tour company directly for the lower canyon, they say I need to contact the third party (you) that I booked it through. Is there a phone # to call someone? This is ridiculous that we are unable to contact anyone.
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Dear Michelle,
I am sorry for the difficulties you are experiencing.
Your inquiry and contact information has been forwarded to the site manager, who will get back to you as soon as possible with a solution.
Thank you for visiting our site,
AlleyJanuary 09, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Jadie
I emailed reservations@antelopecanyon.az to cancel a booking before the 72 hr deadline only to have the email bounce back. I am seeking a refund and to my surprise this is a third party so Dixie cannot refund me. How do I get a refund if I am unable to contact this third party company?
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Hi Jadie,
Apologies for the trouble you’re having, however, this forum is for informational purposes only. Reservations cannot be canceled or modified here.
I recommend you examine your original confirmation e-mail to verify the address it came from. If that doesn’t help, reach out to your credit card company. They will usually vouch for cardholders in situations like these.
I am sorry I could not be more helpful.
AlleyJanuary 05, 2023 at 2:22 PM
John Webb
Hi Alley and Happy 2023!
I am interested in photographing Upper Antelope Canyon.
It will be just me and a camera.
Hopefully…handheld I may get a pic or two good enough to sell.
I went to the Navajo website, on the permit it no longer lists Antelope Canyon!?
Any updates?
Thank You!!!
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Hi John,
Happy 2023 to you, too!
At the present time, commercial photography permits are not being issued for the Antelope Canyons, which are technically part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park lands. As to when they will resume, unfortunately, we have yet not been informed. I would recommend contacting the Navajo Tribal Parks & Recreation Department directly at (928) 871-6647 or info@navajonationparks.org
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 04, 2023 at 2:28 PM
Shogo Fukuda
I had an appointment for the Antelope Canyon X Tours with Honoka Yamaguchi for at 1:00pm. However, due to traffic and time difference, it is unlikely that they will be able to make it by 1:00pm. Is it possible to change the appointment time to 2:30pm or 3:00pm? Thanks.
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Hi Shogo,
This forum is for informational purposes only. It cannot be used to cancel or modify existing reservations. This must be done with the tour operator you booked with, who, in the case of Antelope Canyon X, is Taadidiin Tours. For same-day cancellations or changes, you should probably contact them by phone at (928) 660-8890.
Hopefully, you were able to change your reservations without incident.
AlleyJanuary 03, 2023 at 12:43 PM
Jennifer Cameron Blankenship
Hi! Wondering how possible it is to add Sedona and Arches National Park to this itinerary? Am I too late to plan for this spring break, April 2023? We have three boys, age 14, 11, and 3. Wondering if this trip would be too much for my three year old. He will be four in June.
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Hi Jennifer,
The best way to add Sedona and Arches to the itinerary referenced in this article is to extend your trip duration, ideally to 12-14 days.
Using Las Vegas, NV, as your staging city, you could do something like this:
– 2 days in Zion
– 1 day in Bryce
– 3 days in Moab, UT (for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks)
– 1 day in Monument Valley
– 2 days in Page (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend)
– 1 day at Grand Canyon South Rim
– 3 days in Sedona
Trip map
Or do it in reverse depending on hotel room availability, but I like to put Sedona last on the itinerary as its environment is more conducive to relaxing and chilling. It’s a nice place to decompress before heading back to reality.
You may encounter difficulty in obtaining accommodations at this late date for spring break, plus you do have a valid concern about whether your 3-year-old would be able to handle such a long trip. Only you can make that determination; in my many years in the tourism industry, I’ve seen some toddlers have a ball on long family, while others are ready to go home after only 3 days out. But again, you know your kid better than anyone else!
I do hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you have further questions.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂January 02, 2023 at 11:50 AM
Nadja Gandyra
Hello,
I got an email over a third party messenger and have to cancel my tour to do it on another day but my emails to the email adress for cancellations/ reservations don’t get through and I have no other means of contacting anyone here. Please someone reach out to me again, with an email adress I can reply to, so I can cancel and get my money refunded.
Best.
-
Hi Nadja,
Sorry for the troubles you are having. Without knowing which segment of Antelope Canyon you were scheduled to tour, or which tour company you were scheduled to travel with, it’s difficult to advise you.
Therefore, I will provide contact information for both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and all tour providers:
Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, (928) 310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 02, 2023 at 11:39 AM
Diane SHELTON
We are coming in the middle of May 23. Advice for the lower Antelope as far as best time to tour and weather (clothing).
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Hi Diane!
In mid-May, the best time to tour Lower Antelope Canyon for lighting is mid-day. That’s basically anytime between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Mind you, Lower Antelope Canyon does not get the light beams you have probably seen photos of. That’s strictly an Upper Antelope (and sometimes Antelope X and sometimes Secret Antelope) phenomenon. However, with the sun directly overhead of the slot, the inner chambers of the canyon will be most brightly illuminated.
Now, from an alternate prospective: daytime high temperatures in Page, AZ, are already getting very hot in mid-May. Temperatures around 100-105 degrees Fahrenheit are not unheard of. While the interiors of the slot canyons tend to remain comfortable, a short walk from the check-in desk to the canyon’s entrance is required. You may find this more enjoyable if you were to book your tour first thing in the morning when temperatures are cooler. The hours just after sunrise are also optimal for visiting Horseshoe Bend during the summer months. Not only can you enjoy cooler temperatures, but smaller crowds tend to be another “fringe benefit” to starting one’s day at the crack of dawn!
As for clothing, casual and comfortable are the way to go. While jackets are not likely to be required, a light long-sleeved shirt can come in handy as sun protection. A wide-brimmed hat and appropriate broken-in shoes for walking are a definite must.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please contact us directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck, safe travels, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Alley 🙂December 28, 2022 at 3:49 PM
Joseph
Hi
Can I share photo and video with face book and you tube when I visited at Antelope Canyon? or need to any permit?
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Hi Joseph,
Sharing your photos and video on social media does not require a permit, unless your accounts are monetized. The rule of thumb is as long as you’re not trying to make money off your images, you’re OK.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂December 23, 2022 at 11:48 PM
Praj
Is February a good time to visit with 5 yr old twins ?
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Hi Praj, and thanks for this great question!
While there’s no such thing as a “bad” time to visit Antelope Canyon, February is considered “off-season” for the Page, AZ, area. That time of year is winter, so expect the weather to be cold. Although most days are sunny and brisk, rain, sleet, or light snow can occur. Should precipitation be heavy, that may result in the closure of the Antelope Canyons for safety reasons. Naturally, it’s too soon to know what conditions will be like this far out, but start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you travel. That will give you the best idea of how to pack. Visit this website Grand Canyon East Planning for current weather predictions and travel planning information.
Most attractions and activities in the Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon East area will still be open, with the notable exception of water-based activities such as the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip or Kayak Horseshoe Bend. Should you wish to take part in one of these very popular family-friendly tours you may wish to postpone your visit until March or April.
Hope that helps! Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 01, 2022 at 11:19 AM
Mandy
Can you hike the canyons independently or are they only accessible through a guided tour? Will be there end of November for one night. Thanks in advance!
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Hi Mandy,
The Antelope Canyons are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land. A guided tour is 100% mandatory to visit them. Hiking the canyons independently is not an option. For more information, visit “How to Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 31, 2022 at 12:46 PM
Melanie
Hello,
I’ll be visiting in mid November and would like to do both upper and lower canyons. I’d like to seek your advice on the time to visit to get the best lighting.
I’m thinking about a lower canyon tour around 11 am and then an upper canyon tour around 2-2:30ish. Is this good or would you recommend visiting the upper in the morning instead?
Thank you so much,
Melanie
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Hey Melanie!
There’s no such thing as a “bad” time to tour the Antelope Canyons, but for optimal lighting, around mid-day is best. FYI, you won’t see the light beams that are advertised so heavily in Upper, November is too late in the season. If you were to tour either canyon earlier in the morning, you’ll see deeper, richer colors in the canyon walls, which contrasts beautifully with a clear blue sky on good weather days.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 31, 2022 at 12:45 PM
J
Hi Alley,
Does tour company pick us up at the hotel or do we need to rent cars at Page airport? Is it necessary to rent-a-car? Thank you.
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Hi J,
Antelope Canyon tour companies do not pick up at hotels. Depending on which segment of Antelope Canyon you tour, you would need to go to a tour company’s office in downtown Page, AZ, or to the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance on Highway 98, approximately 10 minutes Southeast of town.
As for the necessity of renting a car, it is strongly recommended that you have your own means of transportation in this part of the country. Page, AZ, itself is extremely remote and as such, has no buses, trains, or Ubers. The town’s sole taxi company is rated as hit-and-miss. There is an AVIS rental car outlet at the Page Municipal Airport as well as a jeep rental company in town.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 19, 2022 at 12:07 PM
Dave Rico
We are staying in Tucson the week of March 18-25, 2023 so its at least a 6 hour drive to get to Page. There are four of us, we would like to visit both canyons. I thought we could see one of them in the afternoon on a week day, stay overnight in Page, then see the other one the next morning before traveling back to Tucson. Based on this information do you think we can book both that week?
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Hi Dave!
You are correct that the drive from Tucson, AZ, to Page, AZ, takes approximately 6-6.5 hours one way. Your plan to visit one branch of the Antelope Canyons in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ, then tour a second branch the following morning should work fine, as long as the weather cooperates. Late March is in the transitional period between winter and spring; typical weather for that timeframe is sunny and brisk, but it’s also notorious for having a late-season snowstorm move through. Page, AZ, typically doesn’t experience much snow, but areas in the higher elevations, such as Flagstaff and Grand Canyon do. Naturally, it’s too soon to call, but start monitoring Grand Canyon East weather about two weeks before you travel to best gauge what to pack.
2023 inventory for Antelope Canyon tours should be made available sometime in November-December. At this time, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked separately. You will need to search through the websites of several different companies to find availability. Each tour will take between 90 minutes and 2 hours to complete taking into account advance check-in time, etc. Also, be sure to factor in a gap between the two tours in case you want to get lunch or just take a short breather.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the tour companies are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope, there are five tour companies to pick from:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours http://www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours https://www.tsebighanilini.com/ 928-310-9458
Roger Ekis and Chief Tsosie’s tours originate in downtown Page, AZ. Navajo Tours, Adventurous Antelope Canyon, and Tse Bighanilini start at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, near Lower Antelope Canyon.
Be sure to set aside some time to visit Horseshoe Bend, which is on the way into town and takes on average 60-90 minutes to park, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. For more information on this and other ways to best enjoy a one-day visit to Page, AZ, visit our companion site, www.HorseshoeBend.com and check out “24 Hours in Page, AZ.”
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 18, 2022 at 11:42 AM
sandy
Hi,
Planning for a canyon tour both upper and lower on Nov 5th for a group of 7 adults. Please advice the good time frames to view both the canyons and options on booking a combined tour ?
Thanks,
Sandy
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Hi Sandy,
At this time, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked separately.
You will need to search through the websites of several different companies to find availability. Each tour will take between 90 minutes and 2 hours to complete taking into account advance check-in time, etc. Also, be sure to factor in a gap between the two tours in case you want to get lunch or just take a short breather.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the tour companies are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope, there are five tour companies to pick from:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours http://www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours https://www.tsebighanilini.com/ 928-310-9458
Roger Ekis and Chief Tsosie’s tours originate in downtown Page, AZ. Navajo Tours, Adventurous Antelope Canyon, and Tse Bighanilini start at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, near Lower Antelope Canyon.
Thank you for visiting our site today.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 17, 2022 at 11:29 AM
arlene
hi
im at present living in UK
may i join this lottery?
many thankd
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Hi Arlene,
You certainly can enter the advance online lottery for Wave permits, which is held 4 months prior to your desired hike month. Therefore, if you wish to hike in April 2023, you would apply in December 2023; if May 2023 is when you wish to go, you would apply in January 2023, and so on, on www.Recreation.gov.
For the in-person lottery, held 2 days prior to your desired hike date, you would need to be within the prescribed geofence area, namely, in Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT, and a short radius around these two towns. You can only apply via your phone or connected mobile device (e.g. tablet), with GPS on. You cannot apply via a desktop or laptop computer.
For more information about hiking The Wave, and other activities to check out in the likely event your lottery entry is not successful, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels.
Alley 🙂October 14, 2022 at 11:47 AM
Filip Wasiak, PL
Dear Colleagues
Could you help me please to arrange a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon for our group of around 40 people in the early morning on Thursday 10/27/22 ?
What earlier time would this be possible?
We need an early hour as the group has already booked a flight over Lake Powell on this day, before noon ?
What price can you offer of such a trip?
With tourist greetings
Filip Wasiak
Tour manager, PL
mob. + 48 601 676 475
mail: fwasiak@2com.pl
-
Dear Filip,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site.
To book a tour for a large group, you would need to contact the Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies directly. There are two of them, their contact info is as follows:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours, phone: (928) 645-6997, e-mail: kens.tour.booking@outlook.com, website: www.lowerantelope.com
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours, phone: 928-640-1761, e-mail: book@lowercanyontours.com, website: www.antelopelowercanyon.com/
Good luck and safe travels to you all,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2022 at 11:31 AM
sandy
Hi Heather ,
I will be coming from Grand Canyon . Wonder if there’s a tour that goes to both Horseshoe bend and antelope canyon from Grand Canyon . If not what is your recommendation if I want to join a tour to Horseshoe bend and antelope canyon . Thanks
-
Hi Sandy,
The only tour that originates at Grand Canyon South Rim that would cover both attractions is the Scenic Airlines Canyon River Adventure tour (also known as Antelope Canyon with Rafting). This is a wonderful 12-hour program that starts with a sunrise airplane flight over the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, breaks for a light breakfast, then transitions to a 4×4 tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, followed by a half-day rafting trip through Glen Canyon. After the raft portion, you are then transported by motorcoach back to Grand Canyon South Rim.
The Canyon River Adventure is offered from early March through late October.
Otherwise, you can simply drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~150 miles) to visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 29, 2022 at 12:16 PM
Diana
Tips on what to wear in March? Thanks!
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Hey Diana,
Well… March weather in Arizona can be like that nursery rhyme about the little girl with the little curl right in the middle of her forehead: when it’s good, it’s very very good, but when it’s bad it’s horrid! Having spent 20+ years in Northern Arizona, I’ve experienced March days that were warm enough to wear shorts and enjoy an outdoor BBQ, and others when late-season blizzards brought everything to a halt for a couple of days (the latter is more likely to happen at higher elevations such as the Grand Canyon; Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are more likely to be rainy and dreary). Of course, it’s too soon to call at this point, but be prepared for anything! Light layers that you can easily peel off and stash in a backpack are usually the safest way to go, and you might want to pack a light jacket and some gloves in case Ol’ Man Winter decides to make one last stand before packing it in for the summer. For touring Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and other outdoor attractions, good sturdy closed-toed shoes are a must anytime of year.
Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. That will give you the best idea of what to expect! Page, AZ, East Canyon Weather
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 28, 2022 at 3:46 PM
TAMAR BEERY
HELLO, WIIL NOT BE ABLE TO ARRIVE TO OUR TRIP , UNFORTUNATELY MY FATHER DIED 26/9/2022, I WILL LEAVE BACK TO MY COUNTRY ISRAEL,
PLEASE CANCEL OUR RESARVASION 090399642, THANK YOU IF YOU CAN MAKE A REFOUND.
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Dear Tamar,
We are so sorry for your family’s loss.
Unfortunately, we cannot cancel or modify reservations from this site. You will need to contact the tour company you originally booked with to receive a refund. The company name should be listed on your credit card receipt.
Again, our deepest sympathies. We wish you a safe return to Israel. Hope you can come back to Arizona someday.
AlleySeptember 27, 2022 at 2:25 PM
Jessica Jensen
I was trying to book the upper and lower tour,
Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
So you’ve decided to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on your upcoming vacation to Northern Arizona. Great Let us help you find the tours that work for you!
When I click the booking info button it takes me to just the lower canyon. I tried to find a number to call, but there are none. How do I book for both of them?
Thanks
Jessica
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Hi Jessica,
Sorry for the trouble.
At this time, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked separately.
You will need to search through the websites of several different companies to find availability. Also, be sure to factor in a gap between the two tours in case you want to get lunch or just take a short breather.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the tour companies are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope, there are five tour companies to pick from:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours http://www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours https://www.tsebighanilini.com/ 928-310-9458
Roger Ekis and Chief Tsosie’s tours originate in downtown Page, AZ. Navajo Tours, Adventurous Antelope Canyon, and Tse Bighanilini start at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, near Lower Antelope Canyon.
Thank you for visiting our site today.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 26, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Corina
Is antelope canyon possible during thanksgiving break ?
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Hi Corina,
The Antelope Canyons are typically open during the Thanksgiving and Christmas break periods, with the possible exception of the actual holidays. Extreme weather, such as heavy snow or rain, may result in the closure of the canyons, but that is a rare occurrence.
Advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours are strongly recommended during the winter holidays as well as summertime.
Alley 🙂September 21, 2022 at 12:44 PM
Casey
Hi! I have a permit for a group of 4. I submitted 3 names as alternate permit holders. 2 of the alternate permit holders won’t be able to come. Can I still invite 2 other people to come with me?
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Hi Casey,
According to Recreation.gov, “Wave permits are non-transferable except for up to three specific people you list when applying for the lottery. These people are called “alternate permit holders”. If you win a permit and are stopped by a ranger on your hike to The Wave, either you or a listed alternate permit holder must be present with your group.” To me this implies that if you substitute 2 out of 3 people as your alternate permit holder, you should be OK as long as you and one of the original names on your alternate permit holder list are present.
However, to be absolutely sure about this, I strongly recommend that you read the information packet that you received with your permit, or contact the BLM at BLM at (435) 688-3200 or the Page-Lake Powell Hub at 928-608-9749.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleySeptember 19, 2022 at 1:23 PM
_________________________________________
From Casey
Thank you so much!
September 20, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Meg Jackson
When will dates for March 2023 be published?
-
Hi Meg,
Antelope Canyon tour inventory for 2023 will most likely be made available online in November or December of this year.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 19, 2022 at 1:16 PM
Vicki
We will be coming from Zion and want to go to both the upper and lower canyons. Is there one tour company that does back to back tours?
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Hi Vicki,
Unfortunately, there is no one company that conducts both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours. You will need to search through the websites of several different companies to find availability. Also, be sure to factor in a gap between the two tours in case you want to get lunch or just take a breather.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the tour companies are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope, there are five tour companies to pick from:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours www.navajotours.com 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours www.antelopecanyon.com 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours www.adventurousantelopecanyon.com 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours https://www.tsebighanilini.com/ 928-310-9458
Note that the drive from Zion National Park to Page, AZ, is approximately 2 hours each each way. If you’re visiting during Daylight Savings Time, Zion will be on Mountain Daylight Time, whereas Page will be on Mountain Standard Time, which means Zion is one hour “ahead” of Page.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleySeptember 19, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Carole Scully
My husband & I are visiting Page AZ (lower antelope canyon). we would like to do Horseshoe bend that same afternoon, but I have to be careful of high altitudes; should I be concerned? I was planning on Monument Valley also (sunrise tour but it looks like the distance from Page to there is 2 hrs, am I correct?
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Hi again Carole,
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is approximately 700′ above the Colorado River. There is a railed safety platform you can view it from if you’re concerned about the altitude, but the majority of the rim is unfenced. If you’re more concerned about the elevation above sea level, Page, AZ, is approximately 4,300′ ASL.
RE: Monument Valley, you are correct that the distance from Page, AZ, is approximately 2 hours. Another concern is the time zone: being on the Navajo Indian Reservation, Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, does not. This means that Monument Valley is one hour “ahead” of Page, which you’ll have to factor into your departure time. If you’re doing a sunrise tour, that’s going to mean a very early morning. You might reconsider that and reschedule for a later time, or arrange to spend the night prior in Monument Valley.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 14, 2022 at 12:23 PM
Carole Scully
We are traveling to Page this weekend sept 10 for a tour of lower Antelope canyon. We were going to go to Utah, Zion & Bryce , but because of eye issues with altitudes, we decided to cancel that. Concerns: I had hip replacement in Feb, but doing great, walking 5 m everyday, doing yoga, aerobics. How steep are the steps to the canyon; I usually walk with hiking poles because I feel more comfortable. Are poles allowed, backpacks??
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Hi Carole,
The steps in Lower Antelope Canyon are quite steep, but if you’re already walking 5m a day, it sounds like you should do fine. To guage for yourself, suggest watching this Full Walk-Through Video. Note that the participants are carrying backpacks, which is no longer allowed. You might contact your chosen Antelope Canyon tour company to explain your medical situation. Only they would be able to authorize an exception to the rule.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 06, 2022 at 4:19 PM
Heather Horton
We are scheduled to tour upper antelope canyon the middle of Sept. I heard that it might be worth it to do both upper and lower if we can fit it in. Would that be advised? If so, could you share the link to the tours for lower antelope canyon? We were told we needed to take a 1 hour break between, but if there are places to eat around there, we will take a 2 hour and have lunch.
(The upper is scheduled at 2:30pm)
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Hi Heather!
Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope will give you a better appreciation for the complexity of the Antelope Canyon eco-system, so if you have the time and inclination, go fo it. There are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps; prices are similar, too. They are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
I would recommend a longer break in between than 1 hour; 2 hours is better in case there’s any delay in your first tour starting, which can happen during busy operating times. Places to get lunch are a relatively short distance from the Antelope Canyons themselves. The primary ones are Antelope Point Marina, which is inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which means you’ll have to pay the $30/vehicle entrance fee. That’s good for one week, so you can reuse it to go to Wahweap Marina or Lone Rock Beach. Another place relatively close by is the Deli at Big Lake Trading Post, at the corner of US98 and Coppermine Road. They make pretty good sandwiches and Navajo tacos, but I’ve heard from some sources that their hours can be inconsistent. It is a convenience store, so if the deli is closed, you could always grab a soda and pre-packaged snacks such as chips, summer sausage, etc.
Should neither of those places appeal, you’ll find a decent restaurant selection in downtown Page, AZ. Another option would simply be to purchase an inexpensive cooler and stock it with food and drinks pre-purchased at the local Super Wal-Mart of Safeway stores.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 05, 2022 at 11:48 AM
Gianni
Hi,
Is it possible to book a tour and to visit in one day the upper, the lower and the Antelope Canyon X?
Thank you!
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Hi Gianni,
Theoretically, it would be possible to tour Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Antelope Canyon X in one day, but practically, I wouldn’t advise it. First off, it is not mandatory to tour more than one Page, AZ, slot canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit. Second, you’ll have to make separate tour bookings for each slot canyon through different companies, which can be inconvenient. Then there’s the issue of transitioning between the different canyons, and getting lunch sometime in between. I’d recommend touring two out of the 3 at most. I guarantee you’ll enjoy that sufficiently without feeling as though you’re just doing more of the “same old same old.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2022 at 1:30 PM
Licia
Hi there,
I would like to know if the Canyon is pet friendly?
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Hi Licia,
Sorry to report that the Antelope Canyons are not pet friendly. Service animals, though technically allowed with proper documentation, should probably not be brought due to the rugged nature of the terrain (especially in Lower Antelope) and the potential weather extremes.
Be prepared to board your pet in Page, AZ, during the tour at one of these quality facilities:
Pampered Pets of Page 928.640.6898
Paws & All Pet Grooming (928) 640-2574
Page Animal Hospital (928) 645-2816
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 30, 2022 at 5:11 PM
John
Hello,
Are there any tour companies that do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon the same day?
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Hi John,
Unfortunately, the companies that operate Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours are different, but there is a central page you can use to check availability for both tours: Book Upper Antelope Plus Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
We advise leaving at least a 2-hour gap between tours so you can grab lunch somewhere in Page, AZ, or at Antelope Point Marina.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 26, 2022 at 2:46 PM
Chelsea Sheehan
Hello,
Looking to book both an upper and lower trip for November 5th. I feel like I’m doing tons of research and trying to find a combination tour and the site here has me booking them separately? Is that correct? Do we need 2 hours in-between the upper and lower tours to take a break/lunch, etc? Do one around 8-10 and the other 12-2? Also looking at horseshoe bend, anything other than a helicopter tour? Looking for a boating option if available November 5th. We also have Nov 6th, about a half a day to do some sightseeing if anything else in the area you recommend? Thank you!
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Hi Chelsea,
Due to COVID, Antelope Canyon tour companies are running at reduced capacity, so it is necessary to book both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours separately. A 2-hour break between tours is good so you can grab lunch then transition to the next phase of your tour. RE: Horseshoe Bend, a helicopter flight is certainly a good way to see it, but you can just walk up to the overlook (on the ground) anytime during normal operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. In early November, sunrise in Page, AZ, takes place at around 6:50 am and sunset occurs around 5:30 pm. It’s a $10/vehicle parking fee.
Unfortunately, boat/water-based activities are going to be extremely limited at the time of year you’re visiting. The Half-Day Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip wraps for the season on October 31st. Ditto for the Kayak Horseshoe Bend Trip. About the only thing you might be able to arrange is a private charter through Lake Powell Resorts. That will be a pricey way to go, but if you have your heart set on doing a water-based activity, that will be about your only option. For more information on those, phone 928-645-1027.
As for what you may do instead, fortunately, there’s no shortage of easy and scenic hikes in the area you can enjoy. Trails near Page, AZ, include but aren’t limited to:
– The Page Rim View Trail
– The Hanging Garden Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– The New Wave
Depending on your plans and itinerary, you might use one of your free days to take a day trip down to Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry. Sites worth exploring in that area, which is about a 1-hour drive from Page, AZ, are:
– Lees Ferry & Lonely Dell Historic Site
– Navajo Bridge
– Blanche Russell House
– Cathedral Wash
– Lunch at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge
Even though the time of year you’re visiting is considered shoulder/off-season, you’ll still find plenty to see and do in Page, AZ. If you have anymore questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 23, 2022 at 12:56 PM
Aaron Copeland
Hi,
Can anyone recommend how one should dress for either canyon during August? Also are these canyons scalable for a 9 year old?
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Hi Aaron,
You’ll be happy to know that the Antelope Canyons are perfectly accessible to 9-year-olds! Most of the slot canyons around Page, AZ, are equipped with stairs or ladders in the steeper parts, so as long as your child is relatively fit, they can probably handle them.
As for how one should dress, since August weather is usually hot, most visitors opt for summer clothing. Appropriate shoes for walking are a definite must, as is sun protection such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, preferably one with a wide brim. The interior of the slot canyons is usually somewhat cooler than the exterior temperature; not so much as to need a jacket, but a light long-sleeved shirt may come in handy. Since no backpacks or purses are allowed in the slot canyons, extra clothing should be tied around the waist or shoulders.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 19, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Partha
Hi,
I would like to book reservation for upper antelope canyon tour through your website. Could you please provide name of your booking company and the name of the tour operator?
Thanks,
Partha
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Hi Partha,
There are actually 5 companies that operate Upper Antelope Canyon tours, we suggest booking with the one that has the availability that suits your schedule and budget!
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, 928-310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2022 at 8:22 PM
Erika
Hi,
I would like to make a reservation for 7 adults and a toddler for 17th September. Please let me know how I can reserve a spot for toddler?
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Hi Erika,
First, you’ll need to work with one of the companies that allow younger kids on their tours; not all of them do.
Also, we recommend you book Upper Antelope Canyon since it is shorter and doesn’t have any interior stairs or ladders. There is now a short series of walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area, but it is mostly downhill. The New Normal at Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon tour companies that allow infants and toddlers to take part:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, US98, Mile Marker 302, www.navajoantelopecanyon.com, 928-380-1874
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com, 928-698-3384
– Tse Bighanilini tours, US Highway 98 between MP 299 & 300, https://www.tsebighanilini.com 928-310-9458
For more information, check out Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2022 at 11:22 AM
Maura
Hi,
How far in advance can I book tours for April 2023?
Thanks
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Hi Maura,
Antelope Canyon tour companies typically open up seat inventory for the following year in November-December of the year prior. With COVID-19 and all its disruptions, however, that may change. I would recommend checking back later in the year with your preferred Antelope Canyon tour provider.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 17, 2022 at 12:20 PM
Frank
I registered and confirmed my permit yesterday and submitted a list of names of the party. Today, I find out that one person can’t go and someone else wants to go instead. I’m the permit holder. Does the names of the rest of party matter? Thanks, Frank
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Hi Frank,
Wave permits are non-transferable except for up to three specific people you list when applying for the lottery. These people are called “alternate permit holders”. If you win a permit and are stopped by a ranger on your hike to The Wave, either you or a listed alternate permit holder must be present with your group. If not, your group may be ticketed. Alternate permit holders must have an account on recreation.gov.
If the person who canceled was not an alternate permit holder, a different person should be able to take their place without issue. To be 100% certain, you might call the BLM Visitors Center in Kanab, UT, at (435) 644-1300.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJuly 17, 2022 at 12:17 PM
Melissa Sohrabi
Hello, Family of 4 (kids age 7 and 10) loving the detailed information on this site! We will be flying into Las Vegas the first week of October. Trying to stay budget friendly and wondering your recommendations: hotel/rental car vs RV rental. If we cut out Monument Valley would this trip be possible in 5 or 6 days? Lastly, any thoughts on adding Capital Reef to the itinerary
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Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your message, and your compliments!
If fuel prices remain on their current track, I would advise against an RV rental this time around. Those things are notorious gas guzzlers, and commercial RV parks (with electrical and sewer hook-ups) can be comparable in price to hotels in popular tourist areas. In October, you’d want access to power so you can enjoy heat at night in the higher altitude areas such as Bryce Canyon (8,000′ above sea level) and the Grand Canyon (7,000-8,000′ ASL). As for budget-friendly hotels, you may find those also hard to come by in the area you’re proposing to visit, especially during peak season, which October falls in. In general, though, look to independently owned properties instead of chain hotels, and be prepared to stay outside the park(s) instead of inside.
If you have your heart set on adding Capitol Reef to your itinerary, it can be done, but you’ll have to be prepared to do a LOT of driving, and make a few modifications to the itinerary proposed on this page. Here’s how it could work:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, NV, drive to Hurricane, UT (hotels there are more reasonably priced than Springdale), overnight in Hurricane
Day 2: Sightseeing in Zion National Park (you’ll have to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale to access the main sightseeing area of the park), explore the Riverside Walk, Emerald Pools, Canyon Overlook, and other easy hikes in Zion, 2nd night in Hurricane
Day 3: Drive to Capitol Reef National Park (~4 hour drive), hike Hickman Bridge and/or Cassidy Arch Trails, hit the Gifford Homestead in Fruita for a home-made pie, overnight in Torrey, Hanksville, or Caineville (no lodging in the park) One Day Itinerary in Capitol Reef
Day 4: Drive from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive) via Utah Scenic Byway 12 (stunning drive!), take shuttle from Bryce Canyon City to scenic overlooks in park, overnight in Bryce Canyon City, Panguitch, Hatch, or Kanab, UT.
Day 5: Drive to Page, AZ (~3 hours from Bryce Canyon area), optional hike to Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, take Antelope Canyon tour in the afternoon (advance reservations required), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 6: Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, then drive to Grand Canyon North Rim (~2.5 hours); visit Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, Point Imperial, overnight at Jacob Lake Inn or Kanab, UT.
Day 7: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4-5 hours depending on where you stayed the night before), fly home
Custom Trip Map
Hope that helps. Whatever you decide, make reservations ASAP for hotels and Antelope Canyon tours. Your trip is just around the corner!
If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 11, 2022 at 12:31 PM
ryan
just want to tell people who are interested in the lottery: me and my friends have been entering the lottery for 3 times paying $9 every time each month, and never got chosen. Now it just feels like throwing money every month in the fire. We decide to not participate any more because it’s not transparent what the winning chance is. Could be 1:10, or 1:1000.
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Hi Ryan,
Trust me, we feel your pain on this. I’ve personally entered the lottery several times and haven’t been successful.
One way you might consider seeing the Wave without all this hassle is to fly over it. Believe it or not, Coyote Buttes and the surrounding area is not a no-fly zone. You can charter a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter out of the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) by advance arrangement. Granted, this is a much pricier option than entering the lottery multiple times, but at least you’re paying for a sure thing. Plus you’d see a ton of other great scenery in addition to The Wave. If you split the cost between 3-4 people, that helps, too.
For more information on flying over the Wave, visit our companion site TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 05, 2022 at 11:24 AM
Nipa
Hello, we are coming to the 4th of July weekend do you have any openings for 2 adults. we are staying at Grand canyoyn.
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Hi Nipa,
Please check the following tour companies for availability:
Lower Antelope Canyon
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Upper Antelope Canyon
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse Bighanilini Tours, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/ (928) 310-9458
Be aware that it’s approximately a 3-hour drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 28, 2022 at 4:34 PM
Łukasz Supeł
Hi,
we booked a tour for 2 persons to the upper canyon on the 16th September, but forgot to print the vouchers.
Now the link is expired.
Can you send us a new link?
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Hi Lukasz,
You would need to contact the tour company you booked with in order to get your vouchers. This information should be on your credit card receipt.
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJune 22, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Wendy Meyer
Is there a shuttle from the campground to the Antelope Canyon, or is uber available?
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Hi Wendy,
No shuttle service is offered by any of the Antelope Canyon tour companies, and Uber and Lyft have yet to establish themselves with any reliability in the town of Page, AZ. The only taxi service I am aware of is Buggy Taxi, who can be reached at (928) 645-6664. Because they are the “only game in town” at present, it is best to arrange any transportation you require in advance, and as PageArizona.com suggests, “have patience and modest expectations.”
All that said, begs the question, how are you getting to Page, AZ, if you don’t have a car?
If you need further assistance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 21, 2022 at 11:09 AM
Maria Damen
Hi, we booked a tour for 4 persons to the upper canyon on the 28th off july but forgot to print the waivers. Now the link is expired. Can you send is a new link?
Maria Damen and Hoeblal family
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Hi Maria,
You would need to contact the tour company you booked with in order to get your vouchers. This information should be on your credit card receipt.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 15, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Eva
Hello I would like to do a music video very small independent project with five people involved who do I need to contact and how much will it cost
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Hey Eva,
I am not sure when your music video project will take place, but the Navajo Indian Tribe is not issuing any commercial photography or filming permits at this time. You would need one to film in the Antelope Canyons. This is due to COVID-19 and the fact that many facilities and tours are operating at 75% capacity. If your project can be rescheduled for a future date, you would need to fill out a commercial film permit application . A $100 processing fee will be charged for all applications that have all the required information for one (1) person/entity; a $25 additional processing fee that involves requests for additional documentation or revisions will apply. $200 Processing Fee for Weddings, Film Companies or Photography workshops that involve four (4) or more people.
$500 Processing Fee for all “After-the-Fact” requests for photography permits. (Permits should be acquired before photo is taken). $250 Land Usage Fee for all areas.
Unfortunately, we do not know when the Navajo Tribe will resume issuing commercial film permits. You might start considering alternate locations not situated on tribal lands for your music video project, or call 928-871-6647 for more information.
If you require further information please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 13, 2022 at 4:17 PM
Karen
Is it actually true that all these outdoor tours require masks? That’s a big NO for my family, so I want to confirm before we book. Thank you.
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Hi Karen,
Yes, it is true that Antelope Canyon tour companies require participants to wear masks for the entirety of the tour. The Navajo Nation, on whose tribal lands the Antelope Canyons are situated, was hit especially hard by COVID-19. They are within their legal rights to take whatever steps they feel necessary to mitigate possible exposure by visitors (such as operating at only 75% capacity), while still allowing access to these popular tours.
If this is a non-starter for your family, you’ll be glad to know that there are other slot canyons located nearby that are not subject to these requirements. One is Wire Pass Canyon, located about 1 hour away from Page, AZ. This is a fairly easy walk that does not require a guided tour to enjoy, only a day-use pass, which can be purchased via Recreation.gov. The only caveat would be to check conditions of the House Rock Valley Road before attempting to drive down this unpaved road, especially in a rental car. If recent weather has brought any moisture, that could render the road impassable.
Another option worth checking out is Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon near Kanab, UT. While a guided tour is technically not required to explore this lovely canyon, they come strongly recommended since the access road is very hard to navigate for those without 4WD experience and in standard passenger cars. Several reputable tour companies offer guided tours to Peek-A-Boo, the ones we are most familiar with are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, www.vermilioncliffs.net
Hope that helps! Please contact me directly if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 06, 2022 at 11:10 AM
_________________________________________
From Karen
Thank you very much for all of the additional tours, tips and links! I really appreciate it!
June 06, 2022 at 5:14 PM
Amit
Hey There, I have a 5 year old but when I am trying to book it says no children 0-5. I have see videos where even infants have gone there. Is it like only specific tour companies allow children younger than 5.
Also, we can either do upper or lower. Which one would you suggest? Also if I am getting a timeslot around 2:30 PM then which one would make more sense. Since I will be visiting in June end I need to consider crowds as well. Both the canyons are over crowded during this time?
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Hi Amit,
You have correctly deduced that a. infants and toddlers are allowed on Antelope Canyon tours and b. only specific tour companies allow children under the age of 5-6.
Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are beautiful, as to which one you tour, depends largely on the physical fitness levels of all members of your party. Whlle Upper Antelope Canyon is a relatively straightforward 100 yard walk through the canyon, afterward, you’ll need to navigate a 1/2-mile long network of steps and walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. Lower Antelope Canyon is below ground and more physical, requiring you to descend into the canyon via the equivalent of 3-4 flights of stairs, then a few smaller ladders in the canyon’s interior, then a 3-4 stair flight ascent back out of the canyon. Children your kids’ age tour Lower Antelope all the time and enjoy it; others require their parents to assist them on certain parts.
Both Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies allow children on their tours:
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours, www.antelopelowercanyon.com, 928-640-1761
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours, www.lowerantelope.com, 928-606-2168 or 928-660-2350
For Upper Antelope, tour companies that allow kids are:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com,928-698-3384
For more information, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ FAQ: Bringing Kids
As for which is better to tour at a 2:30 PM timeslot, that’s up to you. Both slot canyons are crowded at this time of year since it’s peak travel season, but to mitigate exposure to COVID-19, the tour companies are only operating at 75% capacity.
Hope that clarifies things for you! Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 06, 2022 at 10:59 AM
vivienne poole
hi looking for the best time to visit in april. apirl 9-11
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Hi Vivienne,
The Antelope Canyons are best illuminated during the mid-day hours, when the sun is directly overhead. At that time of day, you also have a better chance of seeing the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon (these do not occur in Lower Antelope). The only drawback is that these tours typically come with a higher price tag since they are considered “peak hours.” Honestly, though, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit. Earlier morning departures offer cooler temperatures and deeper, richer colors. Afternoons also have more dramatic light and shadow play on the canyon walls, and in April, outside temperatures are usually quite pleasant.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 26, 2022 at 12:13 PM
Sandra Vehabovic
hi, I was wondering if – Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com is still active operator because when I try to book there is no availability for any of the months. Unless I am doing something wrong.
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Hi Sandra,
You are not likely doing anything wrong. It is entirely possible they are sold out for the year. You might also try to contact them by phone.
If you read the article that you commented on, you’ll see that there are 5 Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footstep. Check availability and book with whoever has it.
Should you find that all Upper Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, you might consider touring one of the alternate segments of the canyon, such as Antelope Canyon X or Secret Antelope Canyon. For more information on these, check out Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 26, 2022 at 12:09 PM
Kara
I would appreciate your help with my itinerary. We will be flying into Las Vegas in early November and wanting to visit Grand Canyon, Zion, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend and then driving to Phoenix to stay for a few days before flying home. How many days would you recommend to see everything and what tours are a must that you recommend (we are active and enjoy hiking).
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Hey Kara!
Seeing as though you are active and enjoy hiking, I would recommend at least 3 days in Zion so you can hike Angel’s Landing (advance permit required), possibly the Narrows (weather permitting), and maybe take a day to visit Kolob Canyon or hike some of the other trails that strike your fancy. If you do not have reservations at Zion Lodge, you should plan on staying in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT. That would position you best to utilize the free Zion Park Shuttle system to access the main sightseeing areas of the park since you won’t be able to drive your own vehicle in.
You didn’t put Bryce Canyon on your wish list, but I definitely recommend trying to fit that in somehow. You’ll be right in the vicinity, so you might as well take advantage of the opportunity! One night there is sufficient to have a nice visit and hike some of the most popular trails.
For Page, AZ, 1-2 nights will give you ample time to visit Antelope Canyon (guided tour required), Horseshoe Bend, and other popular sights such as the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, Hanging Garden Trail, the New Wave & Radio Tower Rock, and the Rim View Trail.
For Grand Canyon, you’ll want to book at least 1 hotel night at the South Rim, 2 nights if you can swing it. Popular hiking trails there are the Bright Angel and South Kaibab. Should hotel availability or trip budget be a concern at this point, you can scoot by with just 1 night at the Grand Canyon and still have a good time. I know that sounds kind of crazy, but you actually end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, AZ. The shortest, most logical route from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon Village takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at, all with different perspectives and dominant features. Driving straight through, the trip from Page to GC is ~150 miles, 2.5 hours, but taking the opportunity to visit as many viewpoints as you wish, you can make a leisurely half-day drive of it easily. The trip down to Phoenix will then take ~4.5 hours.
The only park where a guided tour is a “must” is Antelope Canyon. In Zion, use of the park shuttle is free, but if you are open to a guided tour, there are several well-rated companies licensed to tour Zion National Park.
Bryce Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon are all self-touring. At Horseshoe Bend, you pay a one-time parking fee of $10/vehicle to the City of Page. At Bryce and Grand Canyon, the entrance fees are $30/vehicle (per park), which is good for one week’s time, or if you have a National Pass, that will work, too.
One last thing: November weather can be all over the place. That’s in the transitional period between autumn and winter. You might get the first glimpse of a wintry mix, which is usually wet, gray, and gloomy; or you could experience a brief window of “Indian summer.” Naturally, it’s too soon to predict, but start monitoring area weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. Check for each park separately, as weather can vary widely between them due to the altitude. Page, AZ, for example, is 4,500′ above sea level and has more of a high desert climate, whereas Bryce Canyon is 8,000′ ASL and is known to get snow as early as October. Grand Canyon South Rim is 7,000′ ASL, so cool and brisk will be the base weather pattern with the possibility of precipitation thrown in for good measure.
Hope that helps, I know it is a lot to process! If you need further assistance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 24, 2022 at 10:06 AM
Bruce & Cathy Custer
We plan to be in Kanab the first two weeks of November..will the temperature be resonable then for an Antelope canyon tour?
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Hi Bruce & Kathy!
Having lived in that area for 15 years, I can tell you this: the temperature might be reasonable, but then again, it might not.
Sorry to be vague, but weather the first two weeks of November can be all over the place since that is the transitional period between autumn and winter. You might get the first glimpse of a wintry mix, which is usually wet, gray, and gloomy; or you could experience a brief window of “Indian summer.” Naturally, it’s too soon to predict, but I can tell you that Antelope Canyon tours tend to operate most of the time. The only conditions that would result in cancellation would be heavy snowfall, extreme winds, or flash flood dangers. Should you book an Antelope Canyon tour that is cancelled due to weather, the tour company should give you the option to reschedule without penalty or receive a refund.
I recommend starting to monitor local weather about 2 weeks before you travel. That should give you the best idea of what to expect, and how to pack for it.
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2022 at 12:49 PM
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From Bruce & Cathy Custer
Thank you Alley..will be in Apache Junction for winter and may visit on the way home to Montana in April. Bruce
May 23, 2022 at 2:19 PM
Craig
Hello – what are the major differences between the upper and lower antelope canyon tours? I’ve done the lower which was amazing, how does the upper compare and is it better in your opinion?
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Hi Craig!
All of the Antelope Canyons are beautiful, you won’t go wrong with any of them.
If you’ve already toured Lower Antelope Canyon, however, you might find Upper to be a bit of a step down for several reasons. Mainly, it’s shorter: the canyon itself is only a 100-yard walk. Secondly, it’s flat: no stairs or boulders, just a flat dirt trail, which is good for some, not for all. While the rock formations are gorgeous, you are in and out of it rather quickly. Another consideration: you spend a considerable portion of your time getting to the canyon at the beginning of your tour, and getting out of it at the end. The mouth of Upper Antelope Canyon is ~a 2 mile drive down a dirt track from the highway; after walking through the canyon, you then have to navigate a 1/2-mile long network of steps and walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area.
Since you know yourself to be in shape to handle Lower Antelope Canyon, you might consider touring one of several alternate segments of Antelope Canyon that offer more in the way of physical activity along with scenic beauty. Waterholes Canyon, for example, is similar to Lower in that you have a few sets of stairs to climb. Antelope Canyon X is a lovely two-part slot canyon that is not quite as physical as Lower, but by no means an easy stroll. Cathedral Canyon might also appeal, it technically isn’t part of the Antelope Canyon drainage, but offers comparable scenery along with a few features unique to it. For more suggestions, visit Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2022 at 12:40 PM
Lynn
Hello, after I book a tour for upper canyon, do I still need to buy admission ticket? Where in Page would be to meet? Thanks!
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Hi Lynn,
Your tour price includes your admission ticket to Antelope Canyon. If you were to visit Horseshoe Bend, or the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell Resort, Antelope Point Marina, Lone Rock Beach), these require separate admission tickets, respectively, $10/car for Horseshoe Bend, and $30/vehicle (good for one week’s time) for Glen Canyon NRA.
As for where your Antelope Canyon tour meets, that depends on which company you book with. There are two companies that operate from the town of Page, AZ: Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours and Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours. Their offices are on Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ’s “main drag” and relatively easy to find. Three other companies, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, and Tse Bighanilini Tours, meet at the Tribal Park Entrance to Antelope Canyon on US98 Southeast of Page, AZ.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 16, 2022 at 11:53 AM
LJ
Was just told about Antelope Canyon!!
We have trip already planned for 5/24/22- 6/8/22. 16 days, incl travel/drive days
Going from LAS in this direction: Zion (2 days), Bryce (2), Arches (2), Canyonlands (2) Grand Canyon south rim (2). We now want to include Antelope Canyon. Would you suggest heading there after Canyonlands? (We could cut out Grand Canyon come bsvk to do full Grand Canyon next year).
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Hi LJ,
Your trip sounds pretty fun and glad to hear that Antelope Canyon has “pinged” on your travel radar!
You are correct in that putting Antelope Canyon between Moab, UT (Arches/Canyonlands) and Grand Canyon South Rim makes sense at this point. You wouldn’t necessarily have to cut out the Grand Canyon, or any other attraction on your itinerary for that matter, in order to accommodate Page, AZ (where Antelope Canyon is located). I would recommend reducing your Grand Canyon stay to one night. Not that the Grand Canyon isn’t beautiful, and worth your time, but the fact of the matter is you can scoot by with a one-night stay there and have a perfectly fulfilling visit. I know that sounds crazy, but here’s why: you’ll be doing a good chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon on the drive over from Page, AZ. The shortest route between Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon South Rim will take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park. Between Desert View Point, the park entrance, and Grand Canyon Village, the main commerce area of the South Rim, there are over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at, all with varying features and perspectives on the canyon. Although the distance between Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon South Rim is ~150 miles, and can be traveled in ~2.5 hours, don’t be surprised if it takes you more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. By taking advantage of all the photo opportunities available, you can make a nice half-day’s adventure going from Point A (Page, AZ) to Point B (Grand Canyon South Rim).
The drive from Moab, UT, to Page, AZ, will take you ~6 hours. Get an early start on the day so you can take an Antelope Canyon tour (a guided tour is required) sometime that afternoon. Should tours be sold out that day, you could look at doing your Antelope Canyon tour first thing the following morning, or touring one of several alternate slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful and usually less crowded. While in the area, also plan on visiting the Horseshoe Bend Overlook; if you manage to book an Antelope Canyon tour for the afternoon of your arrival, hit Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise the following morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. Other attractions you should plan on visiting while in Page, AZ, include:
The Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge & Hanging Gardens Trail
The “New” Wave & Radio Tower Rock
Page Rim View Trail & Grandview Park
The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook (aka the White House Overlook)
The Glen Canyon Conservancy
Lone Rock Beach (Glen Canyon NRA entrance fee or National Park Pass required)
…just to name a few 😉 24 Hours in Page, Arizona
If you need further assistance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 13, 2022 at 10:54 AM
Pam Bass
Hello,
My husband and I will be flying in and out of Phoenix. We will be flying into Phoenix on Wednesday afternoon 10/26/22 and will fly out sometime on Sunday 10/30/22. I would like to drive from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon and stop along the way to see the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Red Rock Crossing, Oak Creek Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canon Dam and the Cameron Trading Post. I have seen several day trips from Phoenix to the Antelope Canyon. Do you recommend the guided day trip or would you suggest we rent a car and drive ourselves and then hire a guide at Antelope Canyon? We could spend 1 or 2 nights along the way. Would appreciate any suggestions you might have to plan our trip.
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Hi Pam,
October is a great time to visit Northern Arizona! You would definitely have the most freedom and flexibility if you rent a car and self-drive. All routes are fully paved, well-traveled, and easy to follow.
One stop that is conspicuously absent from your itinerary, however, is the Grand Canyon. If you’ve already been there, great, if not, it should be prioritized over all the other attractions you have named.
Assuming that you have been to the Grand Canyon and that you’d prefer to get the longer drive of the tour out of the way, you could arrange your trip something like this:
Wednesday 10/26 – Fly to Phoenix, pick up rental vehicle, overnight in Phoenix
Thursday 10/27 – Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hours), stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch, visit Horseshoe Bend on way into town, overnight in Page
Friday 10/28 – Tour Antelope Canyon in the morning, visit Glen Canyon Dam, then drive to Sedona (~3 hours) via Oak Creek Canyon, overnight in Sedona
Saturday 10/29 – Hike Red Rock Crossing, visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Airport Mesa, etc., 2nd night in Sedona
Sunday 10/30 – Drive back to Phoenix (~2.5 hours), turn in rental car, fly home
Naturally, this itinerary can be reversed if hotel availability – or lack thereof – dictates doing so.
Another thing I need to point out is that you can’t “drive to Antelope Canyon and hire a guide” on the spot. Advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours are an absolute must! Why You Should Book In Advance
Lastly, see if you can possibly free up a third night to spend in Sedona. That’s a huge and beautiful area with so much to see and do; people report staying there for a week or more and still feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface,” so do give that some thought.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 10, 2022 at 11:46 AM
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From Reid
What if we wanted to include the South Rim in this itinerary and we spent a week in the area in late September or October? How would you fit this in with these destinations and any others? We would like to spend at least two nights in Sedona. We are having a hard time deciding where to book hotels and how long to stay at each. Any help is appreciated.
May 15, 2022 at 11:56 PM
greg
Hi,
My wife and I want to reserve a visit for the Antelope Canyon, but I am a bit confused because this website says that the tour will be done with Antelope Slope Canyon but the price here (95) is very different from the price on their website (120)
Could you tell me why this is the case ? and whether I would get the same tour booking from here.
Best regards,
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Hi Greg,
First off, it’s Antelope “Slot” Canyon, not Antelope “Slope” Canyon. Just FYI 😉
RE: the price discrepancies you’ve seen, there are several possible reasons for that. One, some tour companies websites publish the base tour price, NOT inclusive of taxes, surcharges, and other fees. Other companies prefer to “lay the cards on the table” and publish the all-inclusive price. Personally, I prefer that approach since it eliminates any unpleasant surprises upon arrival. Also, most Antelope Canyon tours have “peak” and “off-peak” times. “Peak” times are during the mid-day hours between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM when the interior lighting of the canyon is best, and you might see the light beams during the summer months. Off-peak times are earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon. Tour companies charge higher rates for peak hour departures. Another possible explanation is you might have stumbled across a third-party booking site, who typically build “service charges” into their pricing structures.
Without knowing which tour company’s website you actually visited, it’s a bit difficult to speculate. If you are more comfortable dealing directly with the Antelope Canyon tour companies, their contact information is as follows:
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 https://www.lowerantelope.com/
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, http://www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse’ Bighanilini Tours, 928-310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 09, 2022 at 12:11 PM
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From greg
Dear Alley,
Thank you for the information. If I book on this website (antelopecanyon.az), which company are we gonna make the tour with ?
Best regards,
GregMay 09, 2022 at 1:26 PM
maximo
Hi
We want to book both Upper and Lower Antylope tour.
There are two of us and we want to save the tour by the 22th June.
How can we do it?
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Hi Maximo,
At the present time, it’s not possible to book both an Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tour on the same ticket. COVID kinda messed that up. However, you can still book both tours, with as long or as short a gap in between as you wish, by checking the availability of all Antelope Canyon tour operators.
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 https://www.lowerantelope.com/
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, http://www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse’ Bighanilini Tours, 928-310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 09, 2022 at 11:58 AM
Sukh
Hi! I won the lottery for The Wave and I’m choosing to use a guide service. Do I still need to do the orientation? Also, do I have to pick up permit in person? Thanks.
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Hi Sukh,
Congratulations on getting a Wave permit! You’ll have a wonderful time, and hiring a guide will enable you to see and do so much more than going it alone.
To my understanding, you must still pick up your permit in person at either the Kanab Center Gymnasium or the Page-Lake Powell Tourism Hub. Going to the safety briefing is also strongly encouraged. To get the best and most up-to-date information, I would recommend talking with your chosen guide service as they are sometimes able to serve as proxies for those unable to be at the designated locations by the appointed timeframe.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 09, 2022 at 11:57 AM
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From Jodi Ryan
If I get selected for the permit and would like to hire a guide, how do you go about doing that? Do they need to be included in your permit count?
August 28, 2022 at 1:01 PM
Rebecca
It seems very unethical to rob people of their chance to see the wonders of the world by making them enter a lottery. What if you just never get chosen?
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Hi Rebecca,
We totally understand your frustration with this process, but some areas are so ecologically unique and fragile that they warrant strict protections. The Wave is one of these areas. There are many people, present and past company included, who have tried for years in vain to obtain a Wave permit; others are fortunate enough to land one on their first entry. It just depends on luck of the draw.
While there are no “tricks” or “hacks” to increase your chances of obtaining a Wave permit, odds are slightly better if you apply for one during either the dead of winter or the heat of summer. Granted, these seasons present certain hazards, which you must be fully prepared to face, but in general, there are fewer people competing for permits at these times of year.
Another option? Fly over The Wave. Believe it or not, Coyote Buttes is NOT a no-fly zone. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of the Page Municipal Airport (PGA), weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. No bones about it, this will be a pricey way to go. Also, touring aircraft will not land at The Wave, but in the course of 60-90 minutes time in the air, you will get to see a ton of incredible scenery in addition to the Wave! For more information on flying over The Wave, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 05, 2022 at 11:57 AM
Lina
Where can I book a boat tour?
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Hi Lina,
There are two boat tour operators on Lake Powell:
Antelope Point Marina
Lake Powell Resorts
I have provided links to the appropriate websites above.
Note that due to water levels of Lake Powell being extremely low, tours that may have been available in the past may not be operating this season.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2022 at 4:54 PM
Josephine
Hi – I just tried making af booking, and the money has been reserved, but I haven’t recived any confirmation? its says the peyment didnt go thru, but the money is reserved on my bank statement?
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Hi Josephine,
Sorry to pass the buck here, but you’ll need to contact the company that you actually booked your tour through. You might check your credit card and/or bank statement to see if you can find the name of the company there. If not, contact information for all Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies is as follows:Lower Antelope Canyon
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours 928-606-2168
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours 928-640-1761Upper Antelope Canyon
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours 928-310-9458Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 02, 2022 at 12:53 PM
Daeyoung
We are planning a trip to Upper Antelope Canyon on June 1st.
Can a pregnant woman who is 6 months pregnant also travel?
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Hi Daeyoung,
According to several Upper Antelope Canyon tour operators, pregnant women have taken this tour and enjoyed it. That said, any expectant mother should follow her doctor’s advice on activities that may involve rugged terrain (the ride to the canyon’s entrance is via a potentially bumpy 2-mile dirt track, but pregnant women may request to be seated up front with the driver to minimize impact), extreme climates (daytime high temperatures in June can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit), and walks of more than 1 mile. Although Upper Antelope Canyon itself is only 100 yards in length, there is now a network of steps and walkways all visitors must navigate from the canyon’s exit back to the tour vehicle parking area. The New Normal at Upper Antelope Canyon
Should your doctor give you the go-ahead to take part in this activity, the Antelope Canyon tour companies still reserve the right to cancel anyone’s seat should they determine that any component of the tour might jeopardize you and/or your baby’s safety.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 02, 2022 at 12:51 PM
marni
this looks like an amazing itinerary if you are taking a camper do you have recommendation on camp sites that follow this?
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Hi Marni,
Most of the places mentioned in this itinerary have campgrounds for both RV and tent campers. If you are traveling during the summer or winter months in a camper, we highly recommend choosing a place with electrical hook-ups as you’ll want access to reliable heat and/or AC.
At Grand Canyon South Rim, Trailer Village is the only in-park campground with full hook-ups. Mather Campground does accommodate RV’s, but does not have hook-ups. Just outside the park in the town of Tusayan, AZ, Grand Canyon Camper Village offers similar amenities to Trailer Village.
At Monument Valley, you’ll find tent and RV camping at Goulding’s Lodge, The View Lodge, and a KOA near Mexican Hat, UT.
In Page, AZ, you’ll find RV-compatible sites at the Page/Lake Powell Campground in town, or at the Wahweap Campground inside the Lake Powell Resort complex.
Zion National Park has 3 campgrounds within the park, but none with electrical or sewer hook-ups. For these, you’ll want to look at staying in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park. Or, if you want a good central location for exploring both Zion and Bryce, Kanab, UT, is a nice town with a decent selection of developed RV parks.
If you preferred to set up camp closer to Bryce Canyon, here again, you’ll find two campgrounds inside the park, but no water or electrical hook-ups. For these amenities, you’ll need to go out-of-park, to places such as Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon Pines, or Kodachrome Basin, for example.
Whatever you decide, be sure to reserve all campsites, lodging, and guided tours well in advance of your trip!
Hope that helps. If you need further guidance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 02, 2022 at 12:43 PM
Haleh Malek
I am a travel advisor, looking to plan a trip for my honeymooners to visit Antelope Canyon
This is the itinerary I was suggesting to them,
9/26-9/29 in Scottsdale
9/29-10/1 in Antelope Canyon
10/1-10/3 Sedona
10/3 Phoenix
10/4 fly home
Need to know what you can do for them during their time in Antelope canyon
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Hi Haleh,
That sounds like a pretty fun trip, but one stop is conspicuously absent from their itinerary: the Grand Canyon. If they have never been there, they should definitely prioritize it over everything else in Northern Arizona! The South Rim, which is recommended for most first-time visitors, is ~a 4-hour drive from Phoenix, AZ. If possible, they should stay inside the park, or in Tusayan, AZ, a small town a short distance outside the park gates. Grand Canyon hotels 1-2 nights is sufficient to have a pleasant visit to that area.
For Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ, is where they would need to stay. There are 50+ hotels in that area, both chain and independently owned properties. For a 1-2 night stay, must-do activities include an Antelope Canyon tour (a guided tour is mandatory), visiting the Horseshoe Bend Overlook (which can be done at their leisure), and maybe some kind of water-based activity, such as a kayak trip on Lake Powell or the Colorado River, a short boat tour on Lake Powell (water level permitting), or the Horseshoe Bend Float Trip.
Personally, I would not spend 3 days in Scottsdale. IMO, it’s just another big city, and essentially an extension of Phoenix, but that’s a matter of personal taste. I would devote the extra time to the Grand Canyon or Sedona.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. Please feel free to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck, safe travels, and happy nuptials to your clients,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2022 at 11:49 AM
Joanne
I will be in Las Vegas In July where does this tour meet?
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Hi Joanne,
Antelope Canyon tours originate from Page, AZ, which is ~a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas.
If the prospect of doing such a drive does not appeal, check out the Las Vegas Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Air & Ground Tour
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2022 at 11:32 AM
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From Joanne
I am planning on taking the shuttle and then doing the tour would you recommend that?
ThanksApril 25, 2022 at 12:25 PM
Alex Rofa
Hello,
Thanks in advance for your time!
I’m looking for a tour that offers lower AND upper on the same deal and also that’s not an 8 hr option, should be 4 hrs between both at the max, any options? Please contact me thru my email.
Thanks for all your kind help and best regards, ALEX =)
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Hey Alex,
At the present time, it’s not possible to book both an Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tour on the same ticket. COVID kinda messed that up. However, you can still book both tours, with as long or as short a gap in between as you wish, by checking the availability of all Antelope Canyon tour operators.
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tse’ Bighanilini Tours, 928-310-9458, https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 18, 2022 at 12:25 PM
Hope
I would like to add white water rafting to our trip. What would you recommend?
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Hi Hope!
Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but that may fall under the heading of “easier said than done.”
The only single-day white water rafting experience available in the Grand Canyon is Hualapai River Runners’ 1-Day White Water Raft Trip. This trip departs out of Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ, and the typical duration is 11-13 hours depending on how you’re taken off the river. More on that in a minute…
Because Peach Springs, AZ, is a fairly remote area, and the trip is quite long, we recommend staying overnight at the Hualapai Lodge, or somewhere nearby the night before the trip, and possibly the night you return. Aside from Hualapai Lodge, pickings are pretty slim in the immediate vicinity of Peach Springs, but you might find more of a selection in the towns of Seligman, AZ, ~45 minutes from Peach Springs, or Williams, AZ, which is ~1.5 hours from Peach Springs. I stayed in Williams when I took this trip and it worked out well.
Although the 1-Day Grand Canyon White Water Raft trip is not particularly strenuous, save possibly for a ladder-assisted hike into a travertine cave, it will take a lot out of you, especially if they have to resort to the “plan B” option for pulling you off the river. Normally, you are airlifted by helicopter from the pull-off point (Quartermaster Canyon) to the Western Rim of the Grand Canyon, then bussed back to Hualapai Lodge. In the event of high winds or other inclement weather, you will be motored down to an alternate pull-off point, typically South Cove on Lake Mead, then returned to Hualapai Lodge by bus. Should this happen (and it often does), that will add another 2+ hours to your trip time, when you’re already exhausted. That’s why we recommend staying in the Peach Springs area for 2 nights total to accommodate this trip.
Last but not least, the trip is expensive, upwards of $500+ per person (children must be at least 8 to take part). Plus, the tour company has an extremely strict cancellation policy: no refunds once you book. Therefore, you should purchase travel insurance if you want to take part in this trip. For more information, visit GrandCanyon.com: 1-Day Grand Canyon White Water Rafting Trip
Another way to possibly tick white water rafting off the bucket list would be to add Moab, UT, to your itinerary. White water rafting trips in that area do not go through the Grand Canyon, but they do take place on the Colorado River, specifically, Desolation Canyon, Cataract Canyon, and Westwater Canyon. Trip durations vary in length from 1 day to 5 days. A 1-day white water trip through Westwater Canyon runs ~10 hours and costs approximately $225+ per person. The minimum age for these trips is 12 YO. For more information on Moab, UT, area white water rafting trips, visit Moab Adventure Center. If you do opt to include Moab, UT, in your trip itinerary, be sure to allot 3-4 days so you can take part in white water rafting as well as visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point, and other local attractions.
This time around, it may be more practical for your family to take part in a float trip, which, as the name suggests is a rafting trip without rapids. The Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trip is a half-day excursion based out of Page, AZ, that children as young as 4 can take part in. For more information, visit our companion site, HorseshoeBend.com: See The Canyon From The River
Hope that helps. If you have further questions please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 15, 2022 at 12:17 PM
Massimo
Salutations
I booked and paid and waivers made.
Do I need to get tickets? What should I do?
Thanks
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Hi Massimo,
You should have received a confirmation of your tour by e-mail. Please print that out and bring it with you on the day of your tour.
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 13, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Massimo
Ho effettuato la prenotazione, ho pagato e effettuato i waivers.
Ora devo ricevere i biglietti?
Puoi dirmi come funziona ?
Grazie
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Ciao Massimo,
Dovresti aver ricevuto una conferma del tuo tour via e-mail. Per favore stampalo e portalo con te il giorno del tuo tour.
Se hai ulteriori domande, contattami direttamente all’indirizzohorseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Buona fortuna e viaggi sicuri,
vicolo 🙂
Text by Google TranslateApril 13, 2022 at 11:28 AM
Horas Toba
This article is very interesting. I also want to visit Arizona. if I go there, of course I will get a very interesting experience. There are also a few attractions in the area near where I live, but none compare to the Wave Arizona. I hope one day I can visit Arizona.
Robert Toba
Arizona is indeed very amazing, wish i can visit someday 🙂
Nancy Maness
Hi, I have taken several photos of Antelope Canyon as I live in Colorado. I was thinking of donating some photos of the Canyon to a non-profit organization. They, of course, will sell them at auction. Do I still need to get a permit? And, if I apply for a permit, does it matter that I am not a professional photographer? (I noticed that the application requests the name of my company).
Thanks
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Hi Nancy,
Boy, that’s a good question and I have had no luck getting an answer via the Navajo Parks & Recreation website.
I would recommend phoning them at (928) 871-6647 or contacting them by e-mail info@navajonationparks.org
Good luck and thanks for contacting us,
Alley 🙂April 11, 2022 at 2:09 PM
Lakshay
Hi,
I am planning to book a tour for May 2, 2022.
While I can find separate bookings for Upper and Lower Antelope canyons, I was wondering if there are options for a package of both upper and lower Antelope canyon tours. The site mentions a bundle deal, but I cannot find any link or specific instructions to book one. Can someone help me get this information?
Thanks
Lakshay
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Hi Lakshay,
The bundles have been temporarily discontinued due to COVID. The Antelope Canyon tour operators are running at only partial capacity to negate/prevent further spread of the virus.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 08, 2022 at 3:54 PM
Kymberly
Is the reservation/application fee of $9 a one time fee?
What I want to know is if I apply for the lottery and don’t get picked it say try again. So can I try the follow month under the same application request ?
I understand the application is non refundable & I understand additional fee for each person’s tickets, no problem.
However if I have to pay $9 every time just to throw my name in the hat and get nothing out of it it seems like legal extortion.
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Hey Kymberly,
According to Recreation.gov:“A non-refundable $9.00 lottery fee is required for each lottery application.”
I understand completely how frustrating it is to potentially spend a lot of money on a long-shot gamble. In the likely event you are not chosen for one of the few walk-in Wave hiking permits, you might consider another means to see it that doesn’t require a permit, but at least gives you some payoff for the money you’ll spend, and that’s to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. While touring aircraft won’t land at The Wave, and yes, air touring can be a pricey way to go, you’ll get to see a ton of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave that you might have missed by going on foot. For more information, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit, Now What?
Hope that helps. Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Alley 🙂April 07, 2022 at 1:01 PM
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From Maritza Sanchez
Hello,
If I’m picked for the lottery but can’t make it for some reason, would I be charged for the tickets anyway?
June 18, 2022 at 7:48 PM
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Yes, it’s $9 per every time you submit an application. I just got picked for the second time in about 3 years. First time I got picked (2019) was on my second try (when only 20 people a day we’re allowed). Just got picked again a couple days ago. I seem to have luck picking Mondays. It’s tough, I’ve heard people trying for nearly 10 years and finally got. Don’t give up hope it’s not impossible.
May 03, 2022 at 8:57 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Well done Kyle!
May 03, 2022 at 9:48 PM
Michele
We are on a tour and have a full day in Page. We will not have a car, obviously. how can we book a tour to Antelope Canyon with pick up from a Page hotel (Courtyard by Marriott?). Thank you
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Hey Michelle,
I am surprised that an escorted tour hasn’t included an Antelope Canyon tour, one of Page, AZ’s most popular attractions, in its itinerary!
Unfortunately, the Courtyard by Marriott property is located in an area referred to as “off the mesa,” which means if you attempted to walk to town, you’d have a steep uphill climb for most of the way. Lower Antelope Canyon tours stage from the canyon’s entrance on the highway, which is ~7 miles from the Courtyard by Marriott, not realistic walking distance. Uber and Lyft are not well-established in Page, AZ, so I wouldn’t assume you can count on that.
The only taxi service I am aware of in Page, AZ, is Buggy Taxi. They can be reached at (928) 645-6664. I would recommend contacting them in advance of your arrival to make arrangements for transport.
That said, there are a couple of Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies based in Page, AZ: Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours (928-645-9102) and Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours (928-645-5594). They may be able to pick you up at the hotel by advance arrangement, perhaps for an extra fee or gratuity, but I cannot promise that. Contact them at the phone numbers provided above to discuss that with them before booking.
Should the above measures prove fruitless, contact the Page/Lake Powell Hub, the local visitors center, at (928) 608-5749 to see what they suggest.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 06, 2022 at 11:33 AM
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From Mpowell
People need to do their homework. This is on the reservation and you have to go thru a Navajo tour company
June 22, 2022 at 9:40 PM
Carine chaix
Hello,
We are traveling in the area in April, 22 to 25.
Do you thing it is not too late to attempt the lottery today?
We are a group of 4.
And what is the new wave if we don’t get the chance to see the « real wave »?
Best regards from France!
Carine
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Hi Carine!
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Wave hiking permits were given out for your time period in the online lottery held in January. Your only other option will be to apply for the in-person lottery, which is held 2 days prior to your desired hiking date. The procedure from years past has changed to a smartphone app-based application process. You must download the BLM app, submit an application provided you’re within a certain radius of The Wave, then if you are successful at obtaining a permit, show up at either the Page/Lake Powell Tourism Hub or the Kanab Center Gymnasium the day prior to your hike for a mandatory safety briefing.
For more information on this, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ: Self Guided Permits
As to The “New” Wave, it is a small but interesting cluster of rock formations located near the Western flank of the Glen Canyon Dam. A permit is not required to visit, and the trail is relatively easy. You will find some formations resembling The Wave, and an interesting “bonus” in the form of Radio Tower Rock. Just be sure you’re not inadvertently parking in someone’s campsite as the trail is adjacent to the Beehive Campground. For more information, watch this video.
If your travels happen to be taking you to Las Vegas, another area you might check out is the Fire Wave in the stunning Valley of Fire State Park.
Best regards from Arizona – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 04, 2022 at 11:39 AM
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From Brad Pitcher
Hi Alley, can you clarify one thing about the safety briefing? Are all members of the party required to attend that or could it just be one person? Thanks
April 07, 2022 at 10:25 PM
tripti khandelwal
Hello,
We need the reservation for 4(2 kids and 2 adults) for 19th April 2022 for any slot but are not able to find it online anywhere.
We are coming from the east coast ,so I’m really looking forward to it.
Please help
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Hi Tripti,
For Lower Antelope Canyon tours visit:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon tours visit:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Tsé Bíghanílíní Tours 928-310-9458 https://www.tsebighanilini.com/
If you are uncertain about the differences between the two, check out Upper Vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Whatever you decide, make your reservations ASAP!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 30, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Julie Griffin
We are planning to tour both upper and lower canyons late Sept. How far in advance can I book this? Also what is the cancellation policy if we need to cancel? Thanks!
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Hi Julie!
Since September is a popular time of year to visit the Antelope Canyons, and tour operators are still running at limited capacity, you should make Antelope Canyon tour reservations ASAP. As for cancellation policies, most tour companies allow for refunds (full or partial) as long as you cancel 72+ hours prior to the date of your tour. However, policies may vary quite markedly between tour operators, so be sure you check this aspect out thoroughly before committing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 28, 2022 at 11:38 AM
Dimore Emma
Hi! I would like to book upper and lower, is it open? Any tour to get from the start gate?
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Hi Emma,
We are pleased to report that both Upper and Antelope Canyons are open for tourism.
If you would like to see both segments of the canyon, you must book two separate tours, one for Upper and one for Lower. For optimal convenience, it is best, as you suggest to book with companies that stage from the Tribal Park Entrance.
For Lower Antelope Canyon:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours 928-606-2168
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours 928-640-1761
For Upper Antelope Canyon
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours 928-380-1874
– Tse Bighanilini Tours 928-310-9458
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 25, 2022 at 12:47 PM
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From Eric Pearlstein
I have a reservation to tour Upper Antelope Canyon in October 2022. I will be departing Bryce Canyon that morning and the tour is scheduled for 10:20 but I need to be there 30 minutes earlier. Sunrise isn’t till 7:30; is it reasonable to leave Bryce 6:00 am? I am from the northeast and am not familiar with the roads.
Thank you for your advice!April 04, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Angela Jasmine Correa
Hello
At the wave is their a place to get wet .
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Hey Jasmine,
Not usually. If there was a rain or snowstorm in the days prior to your Wave hike, you might encounter some temporary pooling of water in troughs, pockets, and other rock formations with a natural concave shape. However, I would not recommend drinking this water, and using it to cool off with is also cautioned against due to the potential presence of disease-causing microbes. If your hike is occurring during the warmer months of the year, a cooling scarf or towel should definitely be included in your backpack!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Donna sievert
Do you need a permit to go into antelop canyon….I would like to visit but I am just a last min person…can I just show up and be allowed to go in…thank you
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Hi Donna,
The Antelope Canyons are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land. A guided tour is required to visit them, which should be reserved in advance. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon If you just “show up,” there is no guarantee whatsoever that you would be allowed access to Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 15, 2022 at 1:28 PM
Julia
Hi,
we are looking for a tour to both or either lower and upper Antilope canyon. We will bring our 2,5 year old. Is this a problem? I saw the video and I think it would be possible to put her in the baby carrier for the ladders if we pay attention to her head. She is small, so should still fit into that carrier.
A question is however what we do with the mask rule (if this is still the case in May) I don’t think that she would wear a mask – or if then not for two hours.
Thanks for a feedback on this! We are looking forward to visiting.
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Hey Julia,
It sounds like your toddler should be fine in both canyons. As for the mask issue, I understand that the Antelope Canyon tour companies are still requiring all guests to wear masks, regardless of age. To see if an exception could be made for your kiddo, call your chosen tour company to inquire.
Contact information as follows:
Lower Antelope Canyon
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours 928-606-2168
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours 928-640-1761
Upper Antelope Canyon
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours 928-380-1874
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours 928-645-5594
– Tse Bighanilini Tours 928-310-9458
If for some reason you learn that the mask mandate is not negotiable, you might consider visiting Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch on your own. A day pass is required, plus high clearance vehicles are recommended for driving down the House Rock Valley Road to the trailhead, but many families with younger children enjoy this area, like the family in this video. Note they also explore the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, which you might like as well!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2022 at 5:48 PM
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From Ivan
What great information! This was so helpful in many ways. Thanks for taking the time to give such detailed info.
May 15, 2022 at 2:51 PM
Rhian Bazzi
Hi,
I was planning on taking my engagement photoshoot in April at the Antelope Canyon with a freelance photographer. What do I need to do for permits? Is it required for a tour guide company?
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Hi Rhiann, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!
To take an engagement photo shoot in the Antelope Canyons requires permission from the Navajo Indian Tribe, on whose lands these canyons are situated. Since a guided tour is required to enter the Antelope Canyons, then you would need to coordinate with one of the tour guide companies to arrange this. Extra costs, on top of the regular tour fees, will most likely be involved.
If those requirements sound a bit inconvenient, that’s understandable. You might find it preferable to work with a local wedding/engagement planning service that can handle all the arrangements for you for a flat fee. There are several companies offering these services, but the one I’m most familiar with is Monumental Arizona Weddings (I know the owners personally). For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyonWeddings.com or phone 480-980-8121.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 08, 2022 at 3:29 PM
ruby rosalin
Hello we never been Antelope Canyon, we are planning to Visit May 23 to 24
could u please share me the tour package where i can purchase the ticket?
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Hi Ruby!
Please check out “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon” plus “Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 08, 2022 at 3:22 PM
Valeria
Hi! I am happy I stumbled with this page. We will be in AZ next week staying in Phoenix (got caught up in one of those time share visits, so it will be a short trip. We arrive the 15th at night and leave the 18 at night as well. I want to visit Horseshoe Bend and the Wave (or something similar), and the grand cayon. What do you suggest we do since it will be so few days. I appreciate your response!!
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Hi Valeria,
We’re glad you stumbled across us, too!
First, the bad news: The Wave isn’t going to happen. For one, you don’t have enough time for it (it’s a 6+ mile round-trip hike, pretty much a full day commitment, not including hotel stays before and afterward). Secondly, a permit is required to visit this area in the Coyote Buttes North Special Management Area, and the majority of these were dispensed via online lottery held back in November. For more information on properly planning a visit to The Wave, check out our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
In light of your time constraints and other factors, here’s what I’d recommend:
March 15th: Arrive in Phoenix, overnight at timeshare
March 16th: Drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ (~4.5 hours), visit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
March 17th: Tour Antelope Canyon in the morning, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Although the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is ~150 miles, plan to take at least 3-3.5 hours to make the trip. This factors in the numerous stops you’ll invariably make at the half-dozen+ Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon South Rim. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
March 18th: Drive back to Phoenix (~4.5 hours), optional stop at Montezuma Castle, or detour through Sedona, fly home
Hotel availability, plus Antelope Canyon tour availability (a guided tour is required to visit it) will be the lynchpin around which your trip planning should revolve, and evolve. For example, if you find available hotel rooms at the Grand Canyon on the first night and rooms/tour availability in Page, AZ, on the second night, then by all means, flip-flop the itinerary. Drive time-wise, it’s kind of a 6 of one/half a dozen of another proposition.
Trip map
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 08, 2022 at 3:20 PM
Bill Rutkoski
Hello Alley,
My wife an I are planning a trip to the canyon on Sept15th or 16th. The lower canyon looks more interesting. Would you agree? Also, when I look to book I keep getting different prices. It ranges from 50.00 to 95.00. Would you tell what the basic tour charge is? One other thing. Should we be cautious of rattlesnakes in the canyon. Thanks ahead of time for you help.
Best,
Bill
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Hi Bill,
The Lower Antelope Canyon, while just as beautiful as Upper, is definitely more physical. It involves descending a network of ladders equivalent to ~3 flights of stairs to enter, doing a little boulder scrambling in the interior (which is ~500 yards), the climbing out another network of ladders, also equivalent to ~3-4 flights of stairs, to exit. If you’re physically up to it, you’ll have a great time.
As to the difference in prices, the lower priced tour is a basic sightseeing tour, and higher priced is for a smaller group and a more personalized experience.
As for rattlesnakes, they are very seldom seen in the slot canyons. Even the slot canyon called “Rattlesnake Canyon” isn’t named for actual snakes, it refers to the serpentine shape of the canyon itself!
If you have further questions, please contact me at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 07, 2022 at 5:40 PM
Melissa
Hi,
HOw would I book the bundle tour with upper/lower and the boat ride?
Thank you.
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Hey Melissa,
Due to Navajo Nation tour operators running at limited capacity due to COVID-19, the bundle options are temporarily on hold.
You would have to book the tours separately.
Sorry,
AlleyMarch 04, 2022 at 2:50 PM
_________________________________________
From Ed Dyson
Hi Alley,
My wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas on 27 April and hope to make it to Antelope Canyon by 29-30 April.
Are tours open and how far in advance can we reserve?April 09, 2022 at 12:10 PM
JIN JEONG
I am planning a visit to upperAntelope Canyon.
So, Can I book on 28MAR2022 or 29Mar2022?
I can’t book from your website.
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Hi Jin,
Sorry to report that those dates are already showing sold out at Upper Antelope Canyon! I am not surprised to see this as those dates are during the Spring Break holiday.
For tips on how to handle this situation, visit “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out,” or consider touring one of the alternate segments of the Antelope Canyon drainage, such as Antelope Canyon X or Secret Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 04, 2022 at 2:49 PM
Davonna Attucks
Do we have to book a tour to see the antelope canyon
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Hi Davonna,
Yes, you absolutely must book a tour to visit Antelope Canyon! For more information, visit How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 26, 2022 at 5:37 PM
PatelI
Hi, we are a family of 4- kids are 13 and 9. We plan to fly into LV night 1. Next day we plan to visit Death Valley for a day trip. Day 3 we plan to drive via Hoover dam to Yavapai lodge where we will stay the night. Not sure if we should do antelope canyon and or horseshoe Bend that day or the next morning? We drive back to LV day 4. We will spend day 5 in LV before leaving early morning day 6. Please advise. Is Zion national park Squeezable?
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Hi Isha,
Unfortunately, you do not have enough time to do all that. I also get the sense that you’re not fully aware of where some of these places are in relation to the Grand Canyon. Please take a look at this trip map to see what we mean.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, where Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are located. You would need 60-90 minutes to explore Horseshoe Bend, then 2.5-3 hours to take a guided tour of Antelope Canyon. Then, you’re looking at another ~3 hour drive, to get to Grand Canyon South Rim from Page, AZ. That’s simply not enough time, or more specifically, daylight hours to work with. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that can ratchet up your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an area that’s pitch black, possibly cold (depending on what time of year you’re traveling), where cell phone services is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
If you wish to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, it is best to plan for an overnight stay in Page, AZ. As for “squeezing” Zion National Park into your itinerary, although doable, it’s not really desirable. It can be visited as a detour between Las Vegas, NV, and Page, AZ. It would add approximately 2 hours onto your drive time. I can pretty much guarantee that doing such a thing will leave you wanting. Zion National Park is a huge and beautiful area that truly deserves 3-4 days to fully explore and enjoy. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you might drop that day in Death Valley in order to make room for it.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 22, 2022 at 2:29 PM
Kat
Hi Alley,
Would loveee to get your opinion on this. We have 5 nights , flying into Vegas Sunday night and flying out of Vegas Friday morning. 2 adults and 3 kids (4-8 years old).
I was thinking of driving out to Springdale Tuesday and staying overnight, next morning wed around 7am visit Zion, then drive to Page before dark and stay there overnight. Next morning Thursday visit lower antelope around 10am and then right after visit horsebend ( do I need to make reservations ? Is it easy to park there any time of the day and visit ?) , and finally drive back to Vegas to sleep there Thursday night and head home Friday morning.
Are any of the places I mentioned not for young kids ?
Thanks so much for reading !
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Hi Kat!
Well, the first question that jumps out at me is have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? If not, you should prioritize it over everything else! Fortunately, it would be relatively easy to include in your trip itinerary.
I would recommend making the following modifications:
Sunday – fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Monday – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Tuesday – drive to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours factoring in stops), hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
Wednesday – tour Upper Antelope Canyon in the morning, then drive to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale
Thursday – sightseeing in Zion utilizing Zion Canyon Shuttle, drive to Las Vegas (~3 hours), overnight in Las Vegas
Friday – fly home
For Horseshoe Bend, reservations are not required, you simply go there at your leisure during normal operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. The trail from the parking lot to the rim is .7 miles one-way. Your 4 YO should be able to manage it, you might end up carrying them toward the end of the walk, depending on their endurance. Be aware that there are some limitations for young children touring Antelope Canyon. Would recommend you read our article “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids” Whatever you decide, be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour ASAP.
Hope that helps. If I can be of further assistance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 18, 2022 at 3:01 PM
Samantha
So glad I found this! I am planning a trip to the are for May 2022. I love this itinerary. I just saw that teh boat tours on Lake Powell to the rainbow bridge are not available and no details on when they might return. DO you have any insight into the reasoning? COVID precautions? Any other tours/tips/things to do during that chunk of time that you’d recommend? is there kayaking? (if thats even feasible to see the bridge)
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Hey Samantha,
Thanks for the compliments, I apologize for the delay in response to your inquiry.
You are correct that ARAMARK, the boat tour concessionaire, has yet to open seat inventory for the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. I do indeed have some insight into why. It’s because the water level at Lake Powell is at a historic low, making the launching of large tour boats potentially dangerous. If you have your heart set on seeing Rainbow Bridge – which I wouldn’t blame you a bit for! – you still have options. You could take a private chartered boat, also through ARAMARK, for a flat hourly rate, which includes a US Coast Guard Certified Captain and a box lunch. This option must be booked by phone at 928-645-1027. If boating on Lake Powell was a “must do,” but not necessarily going as far as Rainbow Bridge, you might look into booking a day with Lake Powell Experience. They offer day charters with some wakeboarding if that’s your thing. Another way to see Rainbow Bridge is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers flying. Air tour craft will not land at the bridge, but in the space of ~1/2 an hour, you’ll get a glimpse of Rainbow Bridge and a ton of other incredible scenery! Rainbow Bridge Air Tours
Kayaking is not feasible for getting to the bridge (unless you have the wherewithal to paddle 50+ miles uplake!), but if the prospect of kayaking appeals, check out Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours of Antelope Canyon’s waterside. Another cool option? Drive down to Lees Ferry, rent a kayak, get backhauled to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle the smooth and scenic 15-mile stretch of the Colorado River back to Lees Ferry. The paddle portion of the trip is unescorted, but first-time kayakers do it all the time and have a ball! There are several companies that provide this service, but the one I’m most familiar with is Kayak Horseshoe Bend (I know the owners personally).
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if I can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 14, 2022 at 6:40 PM
Elaine Ashton
Are visitors allowed to bring their dog? I could easily carry my small dog on my chest in her carrier.
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Hi Elaine,
If you’re referring to Antelope Canyon, sorry to report that dogs are not allowed per the Navajo Indian Tribe.
Pet boarding is provided by several businesses in Page, AZ, including:
– Pampered Pets, 928-640-6898
– Page Animal Hospital, 928-645-2816
– Paws & All Pet Grooming, 928-640-2574
I actually lived in Page, AZ, for 15 years and used Page Animal Hospital several times without issue.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 10, 2022 at 7:05 PM
Becky Griffey
If staying in Vegas is it possibly to drive and see both Upper and Lower Canyon and Horse show in 1 day?
Also how do you bundle all three?
Do you suggest early drive to horse shoe– (how much time do I allow to enjoy this?
It is my understanding it is a 5 hour drive from Vegas. So I assume a 5- 6am start on the road.
How do you know what tour company to use?
Who is best to bundle ?
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Hey Becky,
Hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but you might find your plan is not feasible depending on the time of year you’re proposing to do it.
You are correct that it takes about 5 hours, one-way, to travel from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ.
To visit Horseshoe Bend, including the time it takes to park your vehicle, pay the fee, walk to the rim, take photos, and walk back, will take about 90 minutes. Antelope Canyon tours run approximately 2-2.5 hours, per tour, factoring in advance check-in time, safety briefings, and the inevitable delays that occur later in the day. So, adding up 1.5 hours + 2.5 hours + 2.5 hours is =6.5 hours of activities. If your trip is coming up in the next few weeks, your days are still doing to be relatively short. In mid-March, for example, sunrise occurs at 6:30 AM and sunset occurs at 6:30 PM. That’s 12 hours of daylight on a day where you’re planning to eat up 10 hours of it in the car, then try to squeeze in 5-6 hours of touring. If you’re wondering what’s wrong with that, the main thing is that it will put you back on the road to Las Vegas after sunset. Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife can ratchet up your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! The stretch between Page, AZ, and St. George, UT, is particularly hazardous after dusk. Between St. George, UT, and Las Vegas, NV, isn’t too bad because you have several towns with associated “light domes” that illuminate that stretch of I-15 fairly well.
Still, if you really want to do all that, it would be best if you could free up at least one night to stay in Page, AZ. As for “bundling” both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, that is not possible to do right now. Due to COVID-19, the Antelope Canyon tour companies have had to reduce capacities on their tours in order to facilitate social distancing and reduce or negate possible exposure. At this time, both Lower & Upper Antelope Canyon tours must be booked separately. Don’t worry too much about which company to use. They are all licensed and well-rated. their tours are virtually identical right down to the footstep, and similarly comparable in price. Book with whoever has availability and be sure to allow enough time between tours to transition, maybe get lunch, etc.
Please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if I can be of further assistance!
Alley 🙂February 11, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Laurel Newson
Hello Are you booking for the boat tours in April at this time?
Thanks
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Hi Laurel,
It depends on which boat tour you’re interested in! If you would like to do a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon, these have resumed operating. Three tours are currently offered at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM, or 1:15 PM. For more information, visit AntelopeCanyonBoatTours.com or call 928-645-5900. If you were looking to do a longer tour, such as to Rainbow Bridge, these have unfortunately been suspended until further notice due to prohibitively low water levels. It is, however, possible to arrange for a private boat charter by calling 928-645-1027.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 07, 2022 at 6:12 PM
Joann Ballard
Hello,
I am going to be in the downtown Phoenix area within the next 2 weeks. How can i book a guided tour with transportation for two to Antelope Canyon? Please.
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Hi Joann,
At this time, Detours American West is the only company that offers a guided ground (by vehicle) tour from Phoenix to Page, AZ, for Antelope Canyon.
If you are open to traveling by air, you might consider Westwind Air Service who offers fixed-wing airplane tours out of the Deer Valley Airport ~20 minutes North of downtown Phoenix.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 03, 2022 at 3:38 PM
maya
Hi, We are looking forward to visit upper antelope canyon on second week of fab 2022. We are traveling with 4 years old so which company allowed kids. Can you please help me with that?
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Hi Maya,
There are 3 Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies that allow children to travel:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, US98, Mile Marker 302, www.navajoantelopecanyon.com, 928-380-1874
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com,928-698-3384
You will need a car seat for him or her during the ride to the Canyon’s entrance. There are no bathrooms at the Canyon, so if your child is very young or is not likely to be relaxed without a bathroom around, you may want to make preparations for his or her comfort. At the very least, make sure everyone has their bathroom needs taken care of prior to your tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 01, 2022 at 9:51 PM
Giulia
Hi there! I was wondering if there’s any cancellation policy with the Upper Antelope Canyon. Due to Covid life is so unpredictable….
Thank you!
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Hi Giulia,
The official policy of the Antelope Canyon tour companies is that “no refunds are available. Guests are able to reschedule their tour reservation 15 days prior to their tour date. Or, with the purchase of a $10 per ticket trip insurance, you are able to receive a refund of the purchase price of the ticket (minus applicable fees) up to 5 days prior to your scheduled tour. Without refund protection, there will be no refunds offered.”
That’s why we recommend purchasing travel insurance, either an “umbrella” policy (for the entire trip) or through the tour company itself.
Hope that helps,
AlleyJanuary 25, 2022 at 2:19 PM
Brittany
My husband and I are planning a visit to Antelope Canyon. We will likely do either the Upper or Lower Canyon, but not both. Would you recommend one over the other? We are planning to visit in late March/early April.
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Hey Brittany,
Well, the good news is, you won’t go wrong visiting either one, they’re both beautiful!
If you are both relatively fit and can handle descending and ascending a few ladders, try to book Lower Antelope. Even though it is busy, it is more of a hands-on (or feet-on as the case may be LOL), up close and personal experience. To gauge whether this would be an appropriate activity for you, take a look at this full video walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon. Note that the people on the tour are carrying backpacks, which is no longer allowed.
Whichever you decide, be sure to make reservations ASAP. You’re traveling during a timeframe that falls within the spring break holiday for many US schools, plus tour operators are running at partial capacity to facilitate social distancing.
Hope that helps! If you require further assistance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 13, 2022 at 5:34 PM
MJC
Hi there
We are a family of 5 (3 children aged 10, 8 and 5) and are flying in from the UK in August 2022. My current plan is to fly in to Las Vegas (via Hoover Dam) for 1 night then pick-up a rental car to drive to the Grand Canyon for 2 nights. I then plan to drive to Page for 1 night and would like to visit the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Please could you suggest how best to make this happen? Assuming we can leave GC area early (ish) we could get to Page for about midday. What could we do that afternoon? The next day we hope to fly out of Page/Flagstaff or another local airport (depends where we can drop the rental car) so it would be good to have a morning activity also. Do you have any suggestions for what might work? Any suggestions you may have would be very welcome!
Is Antelope Canyon open now? Are the kayak tours suitable for children? Do you know any good value car rental companies that will do a 1-way rental?
Many thanks for your help!
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Hi Mary Jo,
I would recommend dropping one night at the Grand Canyon and staying 2 nights in Page, AZ. I know that sounds crazy, but the fact is, you’d be doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page, AZ. The shortest route takes you along the East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, where you’ll find lots of other photo ops as well, such as Chief Yellowhorse’s Souvenir Stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, just to name a few. The distance from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is about 150 miles, but don’t be surprised if the drive takes you ~3.5-4 hours when you factor in all the stops.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of bad news: the kayak tours do not allow kids under 7. The good news is there is a water-based activity that does welcome kids 4 and up: the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip. This is a wonderful family-oriented raft trip that doesn’t traverse any rapids, but what it may lack in excitement if adequately compensates for in beautiful scenery and compelling history. You could then visit Horseshoe Bend anytime at your convenience before or after the raft trip. The Horseshoe Bend parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset, which in August, is 5:40 am and 7:20 pm respectively.
The Antelope Canyons are open now, and a guided tour is required to visit the landside segments of the canyon. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour ASAP as they are running at partial capacity to facilitate social distancing. Also, your options will be somewhat limited with a 5 YO in tow. Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon
RE: rental car companies that do 1-way rentals, they are out there. AVIS is the only operator out of the Page Municipal Airport, so I’d look there first. Contour Airlines is the sole air service provider in Page, AZ. They fly primarily to Phoenix but also offer seasonal service to/from Las Vegas.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you wish to contact me directly, you may do so at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley
http://canyonskywalk.comJanuary 10, 2022 at 6:20 PM
Kelly H.
How far in advance can we book through Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours? It appears they have tours available in February, but nothing in March on. We are looking to book for the beginning of April and we will have two small children on board. Thanks!
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Hey Kelly,
We recommend booking Antelope Canyon tours as far in advance as possible. It indeed looks as though Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours is only taking reservations through February. However, they are one of four Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies operating in Page, AZ.
You might also inquire with:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
If these tour companies’ slots are sold out for April, you might consider Antelope Canyon X, which is managed by Taadidiin Antelope Canyon X Tours https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/ (928) 660-8890
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 06, 2022 at 3:03 PM
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Goodmorning
There is any photography tours for lower or x canyon? Take a tripod on the ordinary tours?Thanks for attention.
September 14, 2022 at 12:17 AM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Stefano,
Neither Upper nor Lower Antelope Canyon offer photography tours any longer. The exploding popularity of these two canyons have made that impractical, and cost-prohibitive. Tripods are not allowed on sightseeing tours in either of the main segments of the canyon.
You can take a photography tour in Antelope Canyon X. These do allow for the use of tripods, and the time required to get the perfect exposure.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 14, 2022 at 12:25 PM
Travis
Hi Alley,
Lots of good info on here that I’m finding. I had a couple of questions.
1. My wife and I live in Phoenix, so we are somewhat flexible, but we’re hoping to visit the area in April-May-ish. Generally how far in advance does one need to book to have a good chance at getting tickets for both Antelope Canyons. I’d love to book now, but my job is such that I can’t plan so far in advance
2. Does your company lead the actual tours, or are you a company that just helps to book tours? The reason I’m asking is if you are booked up are there still other options. Just trying to get a feel for how it all works.
Thanks!
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Hi Travis,
Totally get having a job that doesn’t allow much leeway for advance planning. Unfortunately, with the Antelope Canyons tour operators running at partial capacity due to COVID-19, and people chomping at the bit to travel, you may find it difficult booking both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours on short-ish notice.
If you find that to be the case, I wouldn’t fret too much about it. You can have a perfectly fulfilling visit to Page, AZ, by touring one segment of the Antelope Canyons. If you do prefer to delve deeper into its complexity, you might accomplish this by touring one of the alternate drainages of the canyon, such as:
– Antelope Canyon X
– Secret Antelope Canyon
– Mystical Antelope Canyon
– Waterholes Canyon
– Owl Canyon
– Mountain Sheep Canyon
– Rattlesnake Canyon
– Ram’s Head Canyon
– Wind Pebble Canyon
– Ligai Si’Anii Canyon
For more information, check out Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.
As for who we are, we are not affiliated with any of the Antelope Canyon tour companies. Our site is owned and operated by Grand Circle Media, who administers several sites devoted to dispensing information on Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and other attractions in the surrounding area.
If you wish to contact me directly, you may do so at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley
http://canyonskywalk.comDecember 15, 2021 at 2:59 PM
Nitz
Hi,
We want to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Do we have to book a guided tour? Is it busy before Christmas?
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Hi Nitz,
Yes, a guided tour is required to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, and the Christmas holiday, and days leading up to it, are typically busy, so make those reservations ASAP!
Why You Should Book In Advance
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley Keosheyan
Staff Writer/Social Media Consultant
Grand Circle Media
http://canyonskywalk.comDecember 10, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Lora
Hello Alley!
I am planing to visit Antelope canyon, Horseshoe bend, Wave, Bryce canyon, Zion and Grand Canyon.
We are family of 5 – three kids (13,10, 8). I am thinking to fly to Las Vegas and go from there. The time line is March 21-25.
I am thinking to stay in Page and Springdale over night.
Do you think we can do it? And what kind of plan do we need?
Thank you so much!
Lora
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Hi Lora,
Well, I’ll get the bad news out of the way first: it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to get to visit The Wave. This landmark is located in a Special Management Area of the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs National Monument known as Coyote Buttes North. An advance permit is required to access this area, which is dispensed by an online lottery, held 4 months in advance of one’s proposed hiking date. The application period for permits for the month of March was November, so, if you have not applied for and won a permit in this manner, your likelihood of getting one through the virtual walk-up lottery are very low, especially for a party of 5. How To Get A Wave Permit
As for the rest of the attractions on your wish list, you should be able to visit those in the timeframe you specify, although you won’t be able to give certain parks such as Zion the time they deserve. Also, using Page, AZ, and Springdale, UT, as “base camps” from which to visit these attractions is not the best idea due to driving distances and short daylength.
For the Grand Canyon, you should plan on staying either inside the park at the South Rim, or Tusayan, AZ, ~7 miles outside the park. For Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend, you’ll need 1 night in Page, AZ. For Bryce Canyon and Zion, Kanab, UT, would be a better place to stay since it’s located between the two parks, whereas Springdale, UT, is on the Western border of the park.
As to what kind of plan you need, that largely depends on when and where you can find hotel availability.
A popular itinerary would go something like this:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2: Drive to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours from Grand Canyon if you stop at the viewpoints between GC Village and Desert View), visit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
Day 3: Tour Antelope Canyon in the AM (advance reservations required), drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), optional stop to hike Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, take scenic rim drive in Bryce, maybe hike part of the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop Trail in the park, overnight in Bryce Canyon area or Kanab, UT.
Day 4: Drive to Zion (~1 hour from Kanab, UT, or 2 hours from Bryce), take Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale to the main sightseeing areas in the park, hike Riverside Walk or Emerald Pools trails, overnight in Springdale or Kanab
Day 5: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4 hours from Kanab, ~3 hours from Springdale), optional stop at Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
Trip map
Again, hotel availability (or lack thereof) will ultimately tell the tale of which order you visit these attractions in. Be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if necessary. The main thing is DON’T think you can wing it, reservations are necessary for all hotels and guided tours! Remember also that you’re traveling during the Spring Break holiday for many schools, so it will be busy.
A couple of other things to keep in mind: although the calendar says “spring,” weather might still be more “winter” like. Best case scenario, expect days that are sunny but brisk, worst case, you could encounter a snowstorm. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Another thing: daylength. Knowing when sunrise and sunset occur is very important in this part of the U.S. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged due to local roads being very dimly lit and the possible presence of deer, elk, and even livestock animals that can elevate your risk of a collision. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise in Arizona occurs at 6:20 am and sunset takes place at 6:40 pm. Utah will be one hour ahead. Plan to be at your final destination for the day well before dark for optimal safety.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process! Please feel free to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
http://canyonskywalk.comDecember 07, 2021 at 5:27 PM
_________________________________________
From Lora
Alley, thank you so much for the great information!
Happy Holidays!
LoraDecember 08, 2021 at 1:01 PM
_________________________________________
From Taylor
Hi Alley. I have a few questions for you about our trip. Could I email you?
January 05, 2022 at 7:58 PM
Peggy Boekhout
Hi Alley,
I have read many many of your replies and have learned a lot. Because of you I booked a Horseshoe Bend/ Secret Canyon tour. Thank you. We have three nights in Page. I have been unable to find an open tour for four people to the Upper Antelope Canyon, probably because my dates are Nov 21, 22, 23. What do you suggest if we would like to spend a day on Lake Powell?
Yours, Peggy
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Hi Peggy,
If you’ve got the Horseshoe Bend & Secret Antelope Slot Canyon tour booked already, there’s no need to book an Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Because your travel dates are in the days leading up to Thanksgiving might have something to do with lack of seats, but Secret Antelope is very scenic, and less crowded than Upper. If you have your heart set on seeing Upper Antelope Canyon, which I wouldn’t blame you a bit for, then I’d recommend cancelling the Horseshoe Bend & Secret Tour; otherwise, you might get “slotted out.”
With three nights in Page, AZ, you can certainly accomplish a lot. If by “spending a day on Lake Powell,” you mean doing some kind of boat tour, these are being offered during the shoulder season as private charters, which must be booked by phone at 928.645.1027. Word of warning, it will be cold, so be sure you’re ready for that, as well as wind.
If being on the water isn’t necessary, you can still enjoy the views of Lake Powell from the shoreline, or further back if you don’t want to pay the $30/vehicle entrance fee for Glen Canyon. Inside the park, there’s a nice trail that extends from the Lake Powell Resort complex past a couple of beach areas. Or you could drive *almost* to the border of Utah and poke around the Lone Rock Beach area. If paying that entrance fee doesn’t appeal, you can get good views of Lake Powell from the Page Rim View Trail or Grandview Overlook Park.
Other activities you might enjoy include but certainly aren’t limited to:
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Gunfighter Canyon
– Wahweap Overlook
– Big Water Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum
– Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail
– Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch
– Alstrom Point Tour
Hope that helps! Please feel free to contact me personally at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://canyonskywalk.comNovember 09, 2021 at 5:40 PM
Sophie Lin
Does this site (https://antelopecanyon.az/) book Antelope Canyon with the 4 operators or does this site have its own guided tour? The reason I’m asking is that most of the 4 Antelope Canyon operators haven’t opened up for 2022 March or beyond booking yet. But this site already has availability for dates after February 2022.
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Hi Sophie,
This is a good question!
We are a privately owned site, but we work with the majority of the Antelope Canyon tour operators in Page, AZ. We are fortunate to have a good arrangement with them which enables us to offer seats before other sites do.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
http://canyonskywalk.comNovember 05, 2021 at 11:58 AM
Varun
Me and my family will be staying in Yavapai Lodge from Nov 28th to 30th . Kids are aged 9 and 5 years.
I want to see Upper Antelope Canyon , Lower Antelope Canyon and Horse shoe bend.
Can I drive myself from Yavapai lodge to Upper ,Lower Antelope canyons and Horse shoe bend.
Are they any guided tours from Yavapai lodge ?
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Hi Varun,
There are no guided tours from Grand Canyon South Rim that do what you’re wanting to accomplish.
You’ll need to self-drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, which is about a ~3.5 hour drive one way. If you’ve looked on Google maps and found a drive time figure of 2 hours and change, that’s “wheels turning, no stops,” which rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than your think! You should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to visit the more than half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, all with varying perspectives and features that make them worthwhile photo stops.
A guided tour is required to visit both Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope Canyon. Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon, I would consider carefully whether this would be an appropriate activity for your 5 year old. It’s not a super-hard hike, but there are several staircases and ladders that one must navigate to get down into the canyon, then ascend back out of it. To get a sense of what that looks like, watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Note that backpacks are no longer allowed in Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon (this video was made a few years ago). Also, there’s a new network of steps and walkways to navigate from the exit of Upper Antelope Canyon back to the vehicle parking area. Both Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon will take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours each to visit.
Horseshoe Bend can be visited at one’s leisure during normal operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. At the time of year you are visiting, sunrise takes place at 7:16 am and sunset occurs around 5:11 pm. Allot at least 60-90 minutes to park your vehicle, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle.
Since you don’t have much daylight to work with in late November, I do not recommend you attempt to visit the Antelope Canyons and/or Horseshoe Bend as a day trip from Yavapai Lodge. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit and the possible presence of deer, elk, and even livestock animals that can elevate your risk of a collision. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. It would be best if you were able to stay overnight at a hotel in Page, AZ, in order to accomplish everything on your wish list without risking a nighttime drive back to the South Rim.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 25, 2021 at 3:40 PM
GK
Are service dogs permitted on the Lower Antelope Canyon tour?
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Dear GK,
No, they are not. The terrain is far too rugged, plus there are several ladders that most animals (as in 99.999999%) are not able to navigate.
To see what we mean by this, take a look at this Full Walk Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Video
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 24, 2021 at 2:01 PM
DENISE OBERKFELL
I’m having trouble navigating the BLM website. We are traveling out there mid November and we are pulling our 37′ trailer. We’d prefer to camp on BLM property if possible. It sounds like there is definitely enough acreage to do so. However, I am needing to know what the regulations and restrictions are for primitive camping with a trailer. Could you offer any help? Thanks in advance!
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Hi Denise,
I understand that the BLM website has experienced some intermittent troubles, but to my knowledge, camping with a trailer is legal on BLM land. The thing to keep in mind, however — well, a few things, really — is that many sites where “boondocking” is permitted are situated down dirt roads, such as the House Rock Valley Road, which may be rendered impassable after recent rains or snow. At the time of year you’re traveling, your risk is higher for encountering precipitation. Also, BLM campgrounds typically have no electrical hook-ups, and don’t permit the use of generators. In November, nights are starting to get cold, and you’ll definitely appreciate access to reliable heat.
In light of those concerns, you might want to rethink this plan, and either a. make reservations at developed campgrounds or b. spring for hotels. For more information, you might call the local BLM office to speak with a live human being. Their # is 435-644-1300.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 13, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Corrie DeCamp
Thanks so much for the wonderful suggestions. We will likely do this itinerary the week after Thanksgiving (Nov 26-Dec 4, 2021), in and out of Las Vegas. I have a couple of questions:
1. Any road construction or current closures of which we need to be aware?
2. My husband is afraid of heights / sheer drop offs. I’ve read the advice for the 85 year old father and those with limited mobility, and I know he won’t be out walking on the glass bridge over the Grand Canyon! However, please let us know what else on this itinerary has visible, sheer drop offs within a few feet of the trail?
3. I plan the heck out of everything, while my husband prefers to “wing it” and be more “in the moment.” I believe we will be in low season (and I didn’t even know to try for the Wave permit), but are there any areas / activities safe to “wing it,” as he would like, so that not EVERYTHING is so planned?
Thanks so much for your expertise. We will definitely take your tour(s) at Antelope Canyon!
Corrie
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Hi Corrie,
Thank you for contacting us!
1. All roads you plan to travel should be open and passable, but to be safe, bookmark www.az511.com (for Arizona) and https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/current-conditions/road-conditions/ (for Utah). If you were to encounter any closures at all, it would most likely be due to weather.
2. RE: the “glass bridge over the canyon,” that is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, which is located in Grand Canyon West, not Grand Canyon National Park, so if the National Park is where you’re planning to go, that’s a non-starter. There are some sections of road in Zion and Bryce Canyon that hug a cliffside, but they are typically protected by guardrails. I would definitely recommend staying away from the Moki Dugway! The last part of the drive between the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ, also has a few precarious spots on US89 from Bitter Springs to Manson Mesa. There is a bypass route, US89T, that you can catch from The Gap that is more gradual, but still scenic. I don’t know if you were planning on going to Sedona, AZ, but 89A from Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon is very twisty and windy. If that does not appeal, simply go in the back way, via I-17 to US179. That will add some time to your trip, but you’d avoid a lot of teeth-gnashing and nail-biting. You might want to proceed with caution to Horseshoe Bend as well, because even though a platform with a safety rail was recently installed, most of the overlook is unfenced, and it’s a 700′ drop off to the river.
3. RE: planning vs. winging it, you have room for both. One thing I do need to point out is that even though November is considered off-season, Thanksgiving week gets busy. All hotels should be booked in advance. Ditto for guided tours, which you need to do for Antelope Canyon. Horseshoe Bend can be visited at your leisure, anytime during normal operating hours of the parking lot, which is sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week. During Thanksgiving week, sunrise occurs at around 7:20 AM, and sunset occurs shortly before 5:15 PM. Speaking of sunrise and sunset times, you’ll need to be aware of these, especially sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit and the possible presence of deer, elk, and even livestock animals that can elevate your risk of a collision. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. On your transitional days, you need to be sure you’re at your destination well before sundown.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you need further guidance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 11, 2021 at 7:04 PM
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From Corrie DeCamp
Thanks, Alley. This is great.
In addition to the roads (very helpful), are there any recommended easy to moderate trail hikes in Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Arches that do NOT have steep drop offs visible from the hiking trail?
Thanks!
CorrieOctober 16, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Kamal Boparai
Do I need win the permit lottery in order to utilize your tours? I’d also love to see the wave – is there an ideal tour you recommend?
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Hey Kamal,
A permit lottery is not held for Antelope Canyon tours, but you must make advance reservations for a tour. Winning the permit lottery is required, however, if you wish to hike The Wave. For more information on that, check out the article on this site regarding How To Get A Wave Permit. Since the likelihood of you winning a permit, statistically speaking, is extremely low, I would also recommend checking out our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com, particularly the article “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 05, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Anke McCown
What kind of temperatures can we expect in mid December? Is everything open now despite COVID19? Thanks so much for all this useful information!!
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Hey Anke,
Almost everything is open, with a few limitations. For example, Antelope Canyon tours are operating at partial capacity in order to facilitate social distancing, which means that making advance reservations is more imperative than ever! Boat tours won’t be running at the time of year you’re visiting (it’s too cold), which is normal. The Carl Hayden Visitors Center remains closed, but could reopen by the time you visit. For more information on the status of visitor facilities, activities, etc., in the various parks you wish to visit, go to NPS.gov and choose the “Find Your Park” option.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 05, 2021 at 2:56 PM
zharmagne galang carbonell
Hi there! I’m looking to take the 2 day tour on the weekend of oct 29- where is the best hotel to stay at ? And how much is the 2 day tour?
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Hi Zharmagne,
The trip plan described in this article is not an escorted tour, it is merely a suggested itinerary to get the most out of one’s visit.
If you prefer to go with an escorted tour, these are offered by companies such as Viator, primarily out of Las Vegas, NV. They may not follow this itinerary to the letter, but will come very close to doing so. If overnight hotel stays are involved, the tour company typically picks the hotel.
Otherwise, this itinerary is very easy to self-drive, using Las Vegas, NV, or Phoenix, AZ, as your fly-in/out point. Regarding which hotel you should stay in, Page, AZ, offers a decent selection of chain and independent hotels. About half a dozen new hotels were built over the past 2-3 years what with Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon increasing exponentially in popularity. For a fairly complete listing of Page, AZ, hotels, sortable by price and/or traveler ranking, visit TripAdvisor.com: Page, AZ, Hotels
Hope that helps! Please contact us at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2021 at 12:25 PM
Darlene
I am trying to book both the upper and lower antelope canyon trip during th same weekend I am there. Trying for October 2021 Can you help me
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Hey Darlene,
At the moment, the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle is not available for booking. This is most likely due to the Antelope Canyon tour operators running at limited capacity due to COVID.
You can still book the Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope Canyon tours separately. Be sure to allow enough time between tours so you do not risk being late and missing out on anything.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2021 at 1:35 PM
Steve Francis
When applying in the online lottery, do all of the names have to be listed, or just the primary applicant? If we receive a permit for 6 (we have a group of 10), can we substitute from other people in our group on “the day of” (depending on who is most excited), or are we locked in to what we wrote on the lottery application months before?
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Hi Steve,
According to Recreation.gov (the site where you apply for Wave permits):You may select a max of 3 other people to act as alternate permit holders on your trip. Please enter a valid email address for each of the intended holders. They will receive an email and will need to validate within 72 hours. See Alternate Permit Holders for more information.
Other group members’ names need not be submitted.
To confirm 100%, call (435) 644-1300
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2021 at 8:37 PM
Tammy Mahn
we are a group of 8 ppl. How do we best apply for permits for our little group?
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Hey Tammy,
According to Recreation.gov, who administer issuance of Wave permits via the online lottery, “Violators of group size may be cited if limit is exceeded. Joining with those on a separate permit to exceed 6 is prohibited.” You might have to have half your group apply for permits on one day, then the other half the following or prior day.
Since the likelihood is low anyway that any portion of your group will be successful in obtaining a Coyote Buttes North hiking permit, another way you might experience The Wave — which will be kind of pricey, but most find well worth the cost — would be to fly over it. Airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of the Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Mornings are the best time to fly for lack of wind, optimal lighting, and to ensure natural quiet during peak hiking times. For more information on flying over the Wave, and alternate areas you might visit, please go to our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit, Now What?
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 20, 2021 at 1:42 PM
Chaniya S
This is an amazing itinerary. Thank you! I would love to take my father with me but he’s 85 years old. Are there any easy trails that he can do?
And are there places where you can just sit, rest at a cafe while I go on a hike and come back?
Thanks so much!
Chaniya
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Hi Chaniya,
How sweet of you to want to have your father accompany you on this definitely amazing itinerary! You’ll be happy to know that many octogenarians successfully make the trip every year, and have no shortage of easy walking trails to enjoy in all the different parks. I would recommend visiting www.NPS.gov and doing a search on all the parks on your itinerary, then go to the “Plan Your Visit” section, and click on the “Hiking” tab.
As for “sitting at a cafe and wait while you go on a hike,” that may not be too practical as park restaurants see large numbers of people during peak season, and are not keen to have people taking up tables waiting on hiking parties. A better plan, should your father not join you on any activities, would be to have him hang out in the hotel room, or perhaps take in a ranger program at a local visitors center. In Zion, if you’re not staying at the Zion Lodge inside the park, you’ll have to utilize the Zion Canyon Shuttle to get around.
For Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope is the segment of the canyon that we used to recommend most for seniors, but during COVID-19, they installed a 1/2-mile long series of steps and catwalks out of the canyon and over a ridgeline back to the vehicle parking area. The walkway doesn’t have a lot of uphill, it’s mostly downhill, but it is completely exposed. If your Dad can’t handle long periods of exposure to the sun or hot, dry weather, you might want to do Secret Antelope Canyon instead. It’s another beautiful slot canyon, with no stairs, about a 450 meter walk all told. The slot canyon also goes by the name Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon or Secret Canyon on some sites.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook trail is a 1.4 mile walk, round-trip, and while it’s fairly flat, it can be hard to manage in the heat of summer, if that’s when you’re traveling. That’s an activity I’d recommend planning for just after sunrise to enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. If you decide that activity might be too much for your father to take on, you might consider flying over it in a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter. Horseshoe Bend air tours depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. Here again, mornings are the best time to fly for light and shadow play on the canyon walls and lack of wind.
One last thing: before committing to this trip, your Dad might want to have a sit-down with his physician. One over-arching concern throughout the itinerary is altitude, which can vary from 4,000 ASL (above sea level) in Page, AZ, to 8,000′ ASL. Individuals unaccustomed to this type of environment can experience symptoms such as headaches, nosebleeds, and breathing difficulties, more commonly known as altitude sickness.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 20, 2021 at 1:36 PM
Mita Vankawala
Hi, We are looking forward to visit upper antelope canyon on 24 Oct. we are 2 families. so total 4 adults and 4 kids. 2 kids are under 6 years old. There is any restriction for kids? is your company allowed kids? What is different visit between 12.30 to 1.30 and 2.30 to 3.30 visit. If we book slot 2.30 one still are we able to see beam light?
Please help make decision.
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Hi Mita,
Unfortunately, many Antelope Canyon tour operators forbid children younger than 6 from taking part.
The exceptions are, for Upper Antelope Canyon:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
For Lower Antelope Canyon, children are allowed, with parental discretion advised, with:
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours, (928) 640-1761, www.antelopelowercanyon.com
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/
In late October, you will not see the light beams at all, so simply book whichever tour has availability.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 14, 2021 at 9:02 PM
Stacy Beasley
Hello,
How and when should I hire a guide?
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Hi Stacy,
Since your comment was posted on the “How To Get A Wave Permit” article, I assume you are referring to hiring a guide to The Wave.
The answer to when, would be when you are notified of having successfully received a Coyote Buttes North hiking permit through the online lottery, which is held 4 months in advance. There are over a dozen authorized companies who can escort you to The Wave, or suggest alternate areas in the likely event you do not succeed at getting a hiking permit in the online lottery. For the complete list, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
If you are not successful at obtaining a Wave permit in the online lottery, your other option would be to try for a walk-in permit through the in-person lottery, which is held the day prior to when you wish to hike at the Kanab Center Gymnasium. If you are successful at obtaining a North Coyote Buttes hiking permit in this manner, you may have a harder time hiring a guide on such short notice. The good news is, you don’t necessarily need a guide to get to The Wave. If you get a permit, either via the online or in-person lottery, you will be issued a detailed map with directions to the Wire Pass Trailhead, and Coyote Buttes North.
Hope that helps. If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 13, 2021 at 4:46 PM
Jane
Hi there
I was wondering how busy and what are the chances of getting a ticket for 2 people to the wave for the walk in lottery on Thur 30th Sept and Fri 1st Oct are?
Regards
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Hi Jane,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your chances of getting a Wave permit aren’t great at that time of year, primarily because late September/early October are prime times to hike The Wave. This is due to cooler, mostly stable weather that tends to predominate in autumn.
Since the online lottery for September took place in May, your only chance at this point is to get a permit through the walk-in lottery, which takes place daily at the Kanab Center Gymnasium in Kanab, UT.
In the likely event you are unable to secure a hiking permit for North Coyote Buttes, you might consider flying over the area in a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter. These can be chartered out of the Page Municipal Airport in Page, AZ. Touring aircraft would not land at The Wave, but you would get to see a ton of incredible scenery in addition to The Wave in a relatively short time in the air. For more information, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit, Now What?
If the prospect and/or price tag of flying doesn’t appeal, you might consider hiking The New Wave and Radio Tower Rock Loop near Page, AZ. This small but interesting cluster of rock formations bears a slight resemblance to The Wave, is a relatively easy walk conveniently located near the Glen Canyon Dam, and best of all, doesn’t require a permit.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2021 at 6:47 PM
Steph
What will antelope canyon and horseshoe bend be like after Christmas? Is the weather to cold and will there be snow that ruins the look of everything?
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Hi Steph!
This is a really good question 😉
While weather in Page, AZ, after the Christmas holidays is typically cold, snow is relatively rare. Should it occur, however, it doesn’t “ruin the look of everything.” Quite the opposite, it provides a beautiful contrast to the landscape of Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon that few get to see! Just be prepared for colder weather by packing a jacket and gloves, make advance reservations for hotels and guided tours (the Xmas and New Year’s holidays are still busy), and enjoy.
Visiting Horseshoe Bend in Wintertime
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 25, 2021 at 11:28 AM
Carol Parsons
Hello, I am a travel agent and booked a tour for 6 adults for Sept. 11, 10:00am. Can you confirm please and send confirmation to me? Booked under Ralph Ford, email mrbill4d@gmail.com. I am putting together an itinerary for their trip and would like to include. Thank you!
Carol Parsons 316-788-9397 Branch office
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Hi Carole,
I wish I could assist you with this, but you need to get in touch with your chosen tour company for confirmation of your tour. Not knowing who you booked with, contact information is as follows:-
Upper Antelope Canyon
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, http://www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/-
Lower Antelope Canyon
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Be aware that Antelope Canyon tours are operating at limited capacity due to COVID-19, and due to a prolonged closures for the same reason, there a is a lot of pent-up demand for tours. Please be patient as there is bound to be a heavier than normal volume of reservation requests.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 24, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Simone
if i submit an application for say 3 people and it ends up just being me that goes…. will that open up extra slots for other people? I’m not sure if all in my party can go but i dont want to take away from other peoples chances…
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Hey Simone,
If you book 3 slots and end up cancelling two, that will open up the slots for other people. However, before booking (and paying for) any seats, you should be aware of your chosen tour company’s cancellation policy, specifically, whether you would be refunded for the seats you cancel, and how far in advance you would need to do so in order to avoid any penalties.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 24, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Kelly K.
I will be traveling with my 70 year old mother & would love for her to be able to experience Upper Antelope Canyon. She can walk but is handicapped (previous leg injury that limits her mobility). Are exceptions ever made to the one-direction flow of traffic, so that she could go back to the vehicle without the 3/4 mile walk up & down stairs & ramps, etc.? I know she could not do that but the canyon itself would be no problem. Thank you!
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Hey Kelly,
This is a really good question! Unfortunately, to my knowledge, the Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies are not allowing visitors to walk back through the canyon to get back to the tour vehicles. This is to negate or minimize possible exposure to COVID-19 (even though masks are required), and ease bottlenecking through the canyon. Allowing for more time to navigate the walkways may be an option, but the only way to know this for certain is to contact your tour company directly.
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
If you find out that the catwalks are unavoidable, there are other slot canyons in the area that do not require so much walking on the back end of the tour. These include, but aren’t limited to:
– Secret Antelope Canyon, aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, formerly Secret Canyon, actually a side drainage of Waterholes Canyon, Secret Antelope/Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon is a long, continuous slot with no ladders, approximately half a mile in length. Accessed via a 6-mile 4×4 track off US89 on Navajo Indian Land, and a 300-meter walk on a flat, sandy trail, you’ll explore this spectacular slot canyon with a group no larger than 25 guests, in a relaxed, unhurried manner, so you can take as many photos as you wish, without the next tour group breathing down your neck. Like all slot canyons on Navajo Indian Land, Secret Antelope Canyon is only accessible with a guided tour, and what’s cool about this tour is that you can easily piggy-back it with a visit to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, with exclusive access to a private entrance that reduces the walk to the rim to a mere 100 yards! Secret Antelope Canyon tours are offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours, 821 US Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040; phone (435) 275-4594. Children must be at least 6 years old to take part. You can also inquire about tours to Alstrom Point here.
– Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon: if your travels in the area will take you to Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon, you’re in luck! A tour of one of the Grand Circle’s most scenic, easiest, and least crowded slot canyons can be conveniently enjoyed in historic Kanab, UT, just one hour from Page, AZ. Red Canyon, also known as Peek-A-Boo Canyon, but not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Gulch that dovetails onto Spooky Gulch, features stunning orange sandstone walls reminiscent of Antelope Canyon, and unique geological formations you won’t find anywhere else. The walk through the slot canyon is approximately .7 miles, and is very easy; even a small rock jam midway through the canyon is a piece of cake for most hikers to get around. What isn’t easy is the access road to get there, so while it is possible to visit Red Canyon by yourself, we don’t recommend it, especially if you’re in a rental car. Fortunately, there are several reputable tour companies in Kanab, UT, who can get you to Red Canyon in comfort and safety. Like Upper Antelope Canyon tours, guided tours to Peek-A-Boo Canyon welcome people of all ages and fitness levels.
– Dreamland Safari Tours, 4350 E Mountain View Drive, Kanab, UT 84741 (435) 334-5893
– Kanab ATV Tour Company, 681 Chinle Drive, Kanab, Utah, 84741 (435) 644-5525
– TC Tours, 170 E 200 S, Kanab, UT 84741 (435) 668-5262
– Forever Adventure Tours, 78 E. Center Street, Kanab, UT 84741 (435) 644-5700
– Roads End Tours, 59 E 100 S, Kanab, UT 84741 (866) 656-6664
– Coral Cliff Tours & Townhomes, 848 Country Club Dr, Kanab, UT 84741 (435) 899-0697
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 20, 2021 at 2:23 PM
V
Hi there! Any recommendations for a tour of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend which leaves from Flagstaff?
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Hi V,
Yes, Grand Adventures offers an excellent Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Day Tour From Flagstaff. For more information, click on the link in the previous sentence.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 17, 2021 at 2:47 PM
-
Does the Upper Antelope Tour involve a lot of hiking? We are a group of senior citizens (75-82) with various disabilities but very anxious to do the tour.
December 13, 2021 at 5:56 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Cesar,
Upper Antelope Canyon does not involve a lot of hiking, but during the COVID-19 closure, the tour operators installed a network of steps and walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area. It’s approximately a .5 mile walk, mostly downhill, but some may have trouble with that. I recommend you watch this video. Note that the walkway is now covered for better comfort.
If this won’t do for your party, you might consider Secret Antelope Canyon. It is another beautiful slot canyon located in the same general area (Page, AZ), but does not require managing any stairs. For more information on Secret Antelope Canyon tours, visit www.HorseshoeBendTours.com
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley
http://canyonskywalk.comDecember 14, 2021 at 5:40 PM
CRB
Are there tours of any of the a lot canyons in March?
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Hi CRB,
Barring mitigating circumstances, such as a global pandemic, Antelope Canyon tours run year-round.
At this moment, they are running at reduced capacity, and requiring that all passengers wear masks or face coverings.
Also, be aware that touring Upper Antelope Canyon now requires that you traverse a half-mile long network of unshaded metal catwalks back to the touring vehicles, so it’s not necessarily the “easy” solution for families with young children or elderly visitors. The New Normal of Upper Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 16, 2021 at 1:25 PM
Anouk
Hello,
Is it possible to make a reservation before November 4 for the waves? We’d love to hear from you!
Kind regrets,
Anouk de Jong
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Hi Anouk,
It’s not so much a matter of making reservations, you must obtain a hiking permit for the Coyote Buttes North Area. A lottery is held on-line for the majority of permits 4 months in advance, so November’s permits were dispensed last month. An in-person lottery is held at the Kanab Center Gymnasium the day BEFORE one wishes to hike, every morning at 8:30 AM local time. So, you would want to be in Kanab, UT, the morning of November 3rd no later than 8:30 AM. For more information, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 04, 2021 at 8:21 AM
Nandita
Hi Alley –
We arrive in Page tomorrow, 8/2 and have a kayak/hike trip booked for Wednesday to see Antelope Canyon. When we first planned our trip that was the only way to see Antelope Canyon as it was closed otherwise. Now that it is open do you also suggest a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon? How does what we see on the kayak trip compare? Which tour company should we book through if we want to add on a lower canyon tour? What do you think about Buckskin Gulch, would it be better to see that rather than a second trip to Antelope Canyon? We leave early Friday and are open to ideas for what to see other than Horseshoe Bend! You’d given us some ideas in the spring but now that more is open let me know if you have other ideas. Thank you so much!!
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Hi Nandita,
So sorry I didn’t see your inquiry until now! Hopefully you had a wonderful time on the Antelope Canyon Kayak tour and that you found another activity to compliment your day without much trouble. Since the kayak tour actually covers the pre-slot portion of the Lower Antelope Canyon, I would have recommended you visit Wire Pass Canyon and/or Buckskin Gulch, or pursue an activity totally unrelated to slot canyons!
For instance, the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstool Hoodoos Trail is an easy and fun hike that leads to a beautiful and fascinating cluster of rock formations. The trailhead is located near mile marker 19 of US89, so if you were planning on visiting Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, you could easily make a two-fer out of it and the Toadstools as this young family did in this video. The “New” Wave is another pleasant and relatively easy hike, very close to Page, AZ, that you might enjoy. As the name suggests, some of the rock formations resemble The Wave in Coyote Buttes, but visiting this area doesn’t require a permit. Another very doable hike close by would by the Hanging Gardens Trail, which, if desired, could be complimented with a dip in Lake Powell at The Chains. One word of caution re: the Chains is that the water level of Lake Powell, as you’ve probably learned, is quite low, which means it would be a long hike down to the water, but more importantly, a long hike back up.
If you’re open to another tour, I highly recommend a 4×4 tour to Alstrom Point, Studhorse Mesa, Skylight Arch, or the Cottonwood Wash Narrows. For more information on these options, visit Big Orange Jeep Tours.
For a pleasant day trip, you might visit Lees Ferry and the Lonely Dell Ranch near Marble Canyon, ~1 hour’s drive from Page, AZ. A walk across Navajo Bridge may give you the opportunity to see some California Condors up close and personal, although with wildlife, that’s always kind of a crap shoot! Further up US89A, you’ll find an expansive balanced rock garden, including a house built into one! Time your visit so that you can enjoy breakfast or dinner at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge, one of the best-kept culinary secrets in Northern Arizona.
Whatever you decide, be sure to plan your more labor-intensive activities for the earlier morning hours to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
Hope that gives you some good ideas for how to spend the rest of your week!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 03, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Lacey
I am looking to plan a family vacation during g spring break. We always take family pictures at a beautiful destination to capture the memory!! Any recommendations on local photographers to use?
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Hi Lacey,
Boy, that’s a good question, unfortunately, the best photographer in Page, AZ, I was personally acquainted with passed away a few years ago 🙁
You might consider joining the Page, AZ, Community Billboard group on Facebook and posting an inquiry there. You could also contact the Page/Lake Powell Hub, the local visitors center, for referrals. Their phone # is (928) 608-5749. If you happen to talk to Gordon, tell him Alley said “hi” 🙂
Hope you find what you’re looking for. Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyAugust 02, 2021 at 3:28 PM
Joseph Yick
What is the cancel policy for the booking?
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Hey Joseph,
It depends on which tour you book and through which tour company, but standard is 72 hours prior to tour in order to qualify for a full refund.
Again, check with your tour company to be absolutely certain!
If you have further questions, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 02, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Sarah Finn
Your advice and knowledge about Arizona and the Nat’l park sites are invaluable. You are so detailed and practical and give people options for sightseeing at their level and stamina. So helpful… thanks.
Do you or know someone else who can do the same for us re: Zion and Bryce?
Regards. Sarsh
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Hi Sarah!
We appreciate your compliments, and this is a really great question re: practical guidance to the other parks.
For Zion, a site we refer to often is “Joe’s Guide To Zion National Park,” which you can access at CitrusMilo.com/ZionGuide
For Bryce, a blog called “Well-Planned Journey” has some good advice and practical tips, including suggestions for non-hikers on enjoying the park to the fullest.
My personal go-to site for information on National Parks, Monuments, State Parks, Historic and Cultural Sites, and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems in Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, however, is www.AmericanSouthwest.net Thanks to that site, I’m still learning about the Southwest US and getting turned on to new places to visit, even after living there for 25 years!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Georgy
Hey Alley,
Still trying to get some update on the bundle tour for upper and lower. We are looking at October 2021. Do you think I should try booking both on my own. Would so prefer to do it thru you. Any advice would be so appreciated.
Thanks,
Georgy
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Hey Georgy,
We’re still waiting on that ourselves. I will e-mail you privately as soon as we get the green light!
Alley 🙂July 26, 2021 at 12:49 PM
_________________________________________
From Georgy
Thanks so much Alley, I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Really appreciate your help!
Have you been loving all this rain!July 26, 2021 at 2:22 PM
Caroline
Hey there! Thanks for all the helpful information on this website. Is the green “Book Now!” button at the top of this website affiliated with the Carol Bigthumb’s Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours? I am interested in booking an Antelope Canyon tour for September, or maybe one of the alternatives like Rattlesnake, and I saw you mentioned in the blog that those canyons are accessed exclusively by Carol’s company. I just want to make sure I make my reservation in the right place! When I visited their website https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com just now it said their booking systems are down. But the booking system with your green button on this page seem to be active. Let me know! Thank you.
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Hi Caroline,
Right now, the only tours available for booking are Upper Antelope, Cathedral Canyon, some hummer rentals and air tours. If Navajo Antelope Canyon states their booking site is down, you’ll need to keep checking back with them.
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful,
Alley 🙂July 22, 2021 at 2:42 PM
Skip Harvey
Can I make a reservation for 31 people May 23 or 24, 2022 – upper antelope canyon
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Hi Skip,
With a group that size, your best bet is to book directly with one of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies:
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com, 928-645-5594
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, www.navajoantelopecanyon.com, 928-380-1874
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, www.navajotours.com, 928-310-9458
No need to quibble too much about who is best, they will all offer the same exact tour right down to the footstep, and very close in price.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 22, 2021 at 2:39 PM
Christine
Hi there! Have you been really crowded since you’ve opened again? Do you anticipate crowds in October 2021 also?
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Hey Hey Christine 😉
Page, AZ, has been busy, but not super-crowded like years past. We are doing our best to get the word out about the reopening of the Antelope Canyons, which, even in this day and age, takes time.
As for how it will be in October, that obviously remains to be seen. In general, though, October is a great time of year to be here! Temperatures are cooling, and even though it is still busy (usually, anyway), it’s typically not as crazy as the summer months since it’s mostly adults out traveling.
All that said, we still strongly advise making advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours. In order to reduce/negate possible exposure to COVID-19, all Antelope Canyon tour companies are operating at half capacity by Tribal Executive Order. Another thing to keep in mind if you were wanting to tour Upper Antelope Canyon with kids or seniors is that it’s no longer the easy-as-pie walk as it was in the past. There is now a network of steps and walkways you must navigate that goes over a ridge from the exit of the canyon back to the tour truck parking area. It’s a distance of about half a mile, and while it doesn’t involve a lot of uphill climbing, it’s completely exposed to the elements, which may be problematic for parents carrying an infant or toddler, or an elderly person unaccustomed to such conditions.
Hope that helps. Please contact us directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com if you have further questions.
Alley 🙂July 21, 2021 at 12:23 PM
Paige
Hi! I’m a photographer and interested in purchasing a photography pass. How do I go about doing that and what is included? Thanks.
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Hi Paige,
Due to COVID-19 and Antelope Canyon tours only operating at 50% capacity, photography tours have been temporarily suspended.
That said, you can still take good photos on a regular sightseeing tour. The majority of tour guides are very knowledgeable about which settings, angles, etc., are required to best capture Antelope Canyon, even from a simple camera phone!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 19, 2021 at 12:32 PM
Zach Smith
Hello, myself and three friends would like to spend a day seeing Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon and the boat ride (the Triple Crown package). We’re planning for Saturday, Sep. 4. I was originally planning to book this with you because it seemed easier and would guarantee we get from one tour to the next without being late.
My friends are concerned that the different tours on that day will book up fast. I can go now and book all three tours individually. What do you recommend? Do you think you’ll have the Triple Crown offered for that day, or should I go and secure the different tours myself. My friends will never forgive me if I mess this up.
Thanks!
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Hi Zach,
I am so sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry. The Antelope Canyon tour operators are doing their best to get things back up and running, and we have since learned that the Triple Crown will not be offered this season. We expect to have the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle available for booking online in a week or so. Meanwhile, you might look into booking the Antelope Canyon Boat Tour or an Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour separately.
Thank you for your patience. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 16, 2021 at 2:46 PM
Georgy Naimoli
Hi Alley,
So happy to see that Antelope Canyon has reopened. Do you have any idea when the package tours, Upper and Lower bundle, will resume? We are looking for dates in October 2021.
Thanks,
Georgy
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Hi Georgy,
We are working on getting the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon bundle back online as soon as possible! However, we have since heard that the “Triple Crown” won’t be offered this season due to issues with the boat tour component. I would recommend checking back to the above link in a few days time.
Thanks so much for your patience!
Alley 🙂July 16, 2021 at 2:43 PM
Beth Wampler
Does the military price for all people in party or just the veteran ?
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Just the one we served…for which we thank you!
July 11, 2021 at 2:48 PM
Reshma
Hi,
Planning to visit Antelope Canyon area for 2 days a night(after visiting Zion and Bryce). We would love to see Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend etc… With Antelope Canyon closed. Is Kayak the only way to see the Upper/Lower Canyon or there is no way to see them. Someone suggested Boat ride, I am assuming its a ride on Lake Powell and one cant see the Canyon.
What can I expect during our trip during July 6 through 7 and how do we plan it best. Really appreciate all your suggestions and guidance.
Thanks
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Hi Reshma,
The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons remain closed and we’ve received no indication of when they might reopen. The best alternative available right now is to kayak into the waterside from Antelope Point Marina (the tour described in the article you commented on), which includes some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the lower canyon, on Federal and not Tribal land.
You are correct in that Lake Powell Boat Tours will not go into Antelope Canyon, but it is possible to charter a boat, with a US Coast Guard Certified captain as your guide, for a set hourly rate. This service is offered from both Antelope Point Marina and Lake Powell Resort. This service may not be booked online, you must reserve by phone if interested. The phone number for Lake Powell Resort is 928-645-1027, for Antelope Point Marina, call 928-645-5900 x5053.
As for what you an “expect,” it’s going to be HOT! Be sure that you schedule all hiking and any other labor-intensive activities for as early in the morning as possible. Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, wide brimmed hats, light clothing, and appropriate footwear, preferably closed-toed for walking in hot sand.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 23, 2021 at 12:46 PM
Paul Bistre
Hi.
If we are a family of 4. Do I need to submit 4 online lottery applications?
Cheers
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Hi Paul,
No, you just submit one application for a party of 4 🙂
AlleyJune 14, 2021 at 2:54 PM
Sunny
Hi Alley,
I’m recycled from pre-COVID (thanks for your Q&A from back then!!!!! And hope all your loved ones made it thru the pandemic alright) – we were planning this trip for 2020 spring amd well, now here we are, trying to reactivate. I’ve followed your recent posts and are aware that the tribal lands are still closed, but we’ve got to plan for air tickets and work vacation allowance /approval to deal with so we can’t afford to decide last minute, so we’re gonna bet that it will reopen for mid August.
We are a family of 4- kids 12 yo and 9 but we aren’t too outdoorsy- we enjoy scenery and photography. Here’s our tentative itinerary for mis august :
Day 1 arrive at Las Vegas
Day 2 LV
Day 3 LV
Day 4 Drive out of LV ; Hoover Dam (short stop), geology museum (hopefully make it here before 3pm), overnight stay at Grand Canyon. Hotel: GC
Day 5: Sunrise; short hike; visit other GC village view points, Desert Rim Drive, drive to Monument Valley (probably 6 hours drive?) Stay at Monument Valley
Day 6: Monument Valley guided tour. Other activities? Drive to Page (3h drive). Stay at Page (night #1)
Day 7: Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon – overnight at Page Hotel: Page (nigiht #2)
Day 8: dawn – visit horseshoe bend, – float tour? Drive to Zion National Park (2h?) stay: Zion (outskirts)
Day 9: morning: tour Zion, leave Zion – after lunch drive to Las Vegas (scenic stops- drive time 3h + stops – return car at Vegas and stay 1 night? or not? What time would we get to Vegas by car?
Day 10 fly home from las vegas
A couple of questions:
1. do you think we are spending enough time in GC village? We won’t do any long hikes – maybe half of the south kalbab trail? But the kids would love the museum. I think we would be better off staying 2 nights in GC but there isn’t vacancy, day 5 seems too ambitious time-wise?
2. Should we go GC-monument valley-page, or GC-page-monument valley? Does it matter?
3. Can you please suggest a super easy hike or non hiking activities in Zion? Looks like it will just be a half day there for us on day 9.
Really crossing our fingers that the tribal lands and tours will reopen by then…
Many thanks!
Sunny
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Hey Sunny,
I am so sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to your inquiry. For some reason I didn’t get an alert about it, which is weird, but… better late than never!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, although teetering on the brink of being overplanned. Naturally, we are crossing fingers and toes that the Antelope Canyons and other Navajo Tribal Parks will reopen by the time you get here. If they don’t, you’ll have to look at alternatives, which there is no shortage of, thankfully.
Staying 2 nights at the Grand Canyon would certainly give you more time to enjoy it, especially in light of your itinerary, but as you’ve already seen, that may not be possible. One question: have you thought about dropping a night in Las Vegas, NV, and coming over on Day 4? Las Vegas, NV, really doesn’t have much to offer for kids, so IMO, you guys wouldn’t be missing much. It will take you ~5 hours to drive from Las Vegas, NV, to GC, longer if you factor in a stop at Hoover Dam. The drive to Monument Valley typically takes ~3.5 hours, wheels turning, no stops, but that rarely happens because the drive is very scenic, especially between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. There are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints in that 26-mile stretch of road, all with different features and perspectives, so a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will take place on the drive East. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it ends up taking more along the lines of 5-6 hours. I would strongly recommend going from GC to Monument Valley, then Page, AZ, and not GC-Page-MV. The latter route will involve a lot of backtracking, which is best avoided whilst on vacation.
If you’re looking for an easy hike to occupy your morning before heading back to Las Vegas, NV, the Lower Emerald Pool can be done in less than 1 hour (note that you’ll have to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle for that if you’re not staying inside the park). Or you may visit the fascinating ghost town of Grafton near Springdale, UT. The drive from Springdale, UT, back to Las Vegas, NV, will then take ~3-4 hours.
One last observation I can make is to resist the temptation to have every. single. minute. of your vacation planned. Vacations should be about exploring, certainly, but they should also include some good old-fashioned chill time. In my experience, the most memorable vacation memories come from places, people, views, even insights into your own character, that you discover for yourself.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 15, 2021 at 12:38 PM
_________________________________________
From Sunny
Hi Alley,
Thank you very much again for your always-helpful comments!!!
Everything we’ve read seems to scream that this itinerary is very popular, and advises wanna be travellers to book rather than drop by and hope for availability – and since we aren’t 1-2 ppl, as a family of 4 it would be even harder to hope for last minute availability especially if travel restrictions does lift, and everyone going on a frenzy, hence the over-planning. But then I tend to be an over-planner even before the pandemic LOL!!!
Super reassuring that you highly recommend GC-MV-Page (vs GC Page MV). The GC accommodations is the bottleneck that made us not able to add a night before or after the one night that we managed to get, and everything else sort of just fell in place around it. We adults have been to LV numerous times so we just plan to lounge in the hotel pool for one of the days LOL (we’ve been stuck in the cold and wet northern latitudes for way too long now) and the kids might just find a fake Venice, fake Paris, and fake new york interesting enough, especially after being stuck in the same scenery for 18 months. I haven’t booked the MV hotel room yet as it’s cancellation with a penalty… nothing is certain – if GC hotel opens up so maybe we just stay GC 2 nights and skip the overnight at MV (going straight from GC to Page).
Zion we’ve left more open ended – it will be end of our trip. I want to book horseback riding for 4 (our youngest would have just turned 9 – she’s not small but is on the lightweight side, skinny but strong legs as she’s a figure skater…. none of us has any horseriding experience though) – but i’m getting some anxiety-induced vetoes by 2 of the other 3 family members 🙁 Emerald Pool sounds lovely enough!Best,
SunnyJune 19, 2021 at 5:22 PM
Valerie
Hi there–
My family and I (5 of us 2 adults, 17, 16 and 11 Year Old) are headed to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon for the day from Monument Valley. Any suggestions on what to do in that short amount of time? I understand the antelope canyon tours are still closed…. but it doesn’t seem like Monument Valley is? Is that correct?
We would also like to see Horseshoe bend. I”m not exactly sure what it all entails. Weare from Jersey.:)
Thanks for your help.
Valerie
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Hi Valerie,
Technically, Monument Valley is closed. Even though hotel properties like The View and Goulding’s Lodge have gotten clearance to stay open, they are still offering limited services, including running tours on modified routes. The backcountry of Monument Valley remains off-limits. It is still possible to drive through on US163 from Bluff to Kayenta, which still offers good views.
It takes ~2.5 hours, each way, to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. Remember that Monument Valley is on Mountain Daylight Time but Page is on Mountain Standard Time. You should then allot 90 minutes to 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, including parking, walking to the rim, taking photos, then walking back to your vehicle. While the Antelope Canyons remain closed, there are other attractions you can still visit, such as:
– Page Rim View Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– Grand View Overlook Park
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Gunfighter Canyon
– Wahweap Overlook
– Wahweap Swim Beach and/or Lone Rock Beach (located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which requires a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time)
If you need further guidance upon arrival in Page, AZ, stop by the Page/Lake Powell Hub. Ask for Gordon, and if you see him, tell him Alley says “hi!”
Good luck and safe travels 🙂June 10, 2021 at 3:32 PM
SHILPA
Hey planing to visit wave on 15 or 16 july.hpw can I apply for lottery?
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Hi Shilpa,
I’m afraid the online lottery period for July Wave permits has already passed (it was held in March). Your only hope at this point is to take part in the walk-in lottery, which is held at the Kanab Center Gymnasium, the day prior to when you wish to hike. In the very likely event you are unable to secure Wave hiking permits in this manner, another option would be to charter an airplane or helicopter over Coyote Buttes. While neither aircraft would be able to land in the area, and this service would be pricey, you would get to see a ton of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 07, 2021 at 1:20 PM
Melissa
Hello Alley! My husband and I will be arriving in Phoenix on July 3rd and heading back home on June 8th. Each flight to and from is 5 hours (we are coming from Miami, FL). After reading a few of your responses, I realize that I may have unrealistic expectations on how much we can do with the little time we have. We arrive at 10:15 am on the 3rd and will need to rent a car. My hope was to take this kayak tour and see Antelope Canyon that way since there is no certainty that the on foot tours will have reopened by then. Regardless the early morning kayak tour sounds way more magical and serene! This will be my first trip to the Southwest, so the Grand Canyon is a must do as well. I also really want to spend time in Sedona and visit Devil’s bridge and Cathedral Rock. The flight home on the 8th takes off at 1:25 PM. Am I expecting too much? If so can you please suggest a realistic itinerary – even if it means scratching something off my list? Many thanks! This is a very long overdue bucket list trip away from the kids and I want it to be just perfect! Lastly , I know it’s going to be really hot mid-day and that you suggest doing physical activities in the early morning, but what would you suggest doing during that time given the little time we have?
Really appreciate any guidance and tips!
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Hey Melissa,
I don’t see why you couldn’t pull off a good trip in the timeframe you have. I am going to suggest some minor modifications, but the kicker is going to be availability (or lack thereof) for tours and hotels, seeing as though you’re traveling during one of the busiest weekends of the year. Here’s how I’d recommend doing it:
July 3rd: Arrive in Phoenix, rent car, drive straight to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive), overnight in Page
July 4th: AM Antelope Canyon Kayak tour, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5 hour drive) stopping at Horseshoe Bend on the way, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
***Note that the article you commented on promotes Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak tours, but they are not the only such provider in town. Should they be sold out, check availability with:
– Lake Powell Paddleboards & Kayaks (928) 645-4017 www.lakepowellpaddleboards.com
– Lake Powell Adventure Co. (928) 660-9683 www.lakepowelladventure.com
– Kayak Lake Powell (928) 660-0778 www.kayakpowell.com
– WazSUP Kayak Rental (602) 233-2847 https://wazsupkayaks.com/
– Lake Powell Rentals & Retail (928) 614-8573 http://www.lakepowellvacations.com/
– Paddle Lake Powell (928) 660-2182 http://paddlelakepowell.com/
Watch 4th of July fireworks at Lake Powell National Golf Course, 2nd night in Page, AZ
July 5th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, stopping at viewpoints along East Rim/Desert View Drive (~3.5 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
July 6th: from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hour drive), maybe hike to Bell Rock for sunset, overnight in Sedona
July 7th: Instead of Devil’s Bridge or Cathedral Rock, hike West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon — there’s a nice cool river running through it! — or take the kids to Slide Rock State Park. Maybe take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona ***please note that most popular Sedona hikes require a Red Rock Pass which you can purchase at the parking lots for $5. If you want to avoid the $5 fee, then make sure you bring your America The Beautiful Pass on your trip and hang it in your car***
July 8th: Drive back to PHX (~2.5 hours from Sedona), fly home
Trip map
All that said, the part of your inquiry that concerns me most is your desire for this trip to be “just perfect.” Speaking as a fellow perfectionist, and having traveled in recent months (aka during and post-COVID), I can tell you that most vacations are not perfect under ideal conditions, and you may encounter some hiccups on yours. If you don’t have anything reserved, you could very well have a rough go of it. Rental cars are especially in short supply since many companies sold off the bulk of their fleets during the pandemic. Since you’re traveling over 4th of July weekend, you may find prices jacked up quite a bit compared to non-holiday periods. Eating in restaurants is also a bit of a cr@pshoot since many businesses are having difficulties hiring enough staff to cover peak season. Assuming your kids are school-age, I’m also assuming that summertime is your only available window for travel, so be ready to do your hikes, kayaking, etc., during the earlier hours of the morning, and be prepared to share your hikes and other activities with other people, and lots of them.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you need further guidance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 05, 2021 at 2:00 PM
Elisa
Hey! I would like to know if can we get the permit to visit The wave between the dates July 05-10 2021. we are 4 persons. Thank you
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Hi Elisa,
I’m afraid the online lottery period for July Wave permits has already passed (it was held in March). Your only hope at this point is to take part in the walk-in lottery, which is held at the Kanab Center Gymnasium, the day prior to when you wish to hike. In the very likely event you are unable to secure Wave hiking permits in this manner, another option would be to charter an airplane or helicopter over Coyote Buttes. While neither aircraft would be able to land in the area, and this service would be pricey, you would get to see a ton of amazing scenery in addition to Coyote Buttes. Chartering a flight over The Wave
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2021 at 8:52 PM
Elena Fradkin
Good morning, I am planning to book a group tour to national parks in late September – early October. We will have a free day in Page. I would like to visit Antelope Canyon (upper, lower and a boat tour). I understand it is still closed due to Covid. Any idea if it may reopen for visits in the fall? Or is it better to reschedule this trip for next year to be on the safe side? Would appreciate your advice. Thank you!
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Hi Elena,
Unfortunately, we don’t know when the Antelope Canyons might reopen. I know the Antelope Canyon tour operators are making a strong case with tribal leadership to allow business to resume, but it remains to be seen whether their pleas are being heard. To get the current the status of Antelope Canyon and other Navajo Nation Tribal Parks, we recommend monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website. You can also request placement on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the canyons reopen. The Navajo-Hopi Observer (local Native American newspaper) might be another good source to bookmark.
If you prefer not to cancel your trip, which I don’t blame you a bit for, the nearest “hikeable” slot canyon to Page, AZ, is Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, near Paria, UT, ~1 hour’s drive from Page, AZ. This a two-part slot canyon that is fairly family-friendly, and a tour is not required to go there. You need only pay a $6/person day use fee via Recreation.gov (not covered by the National Park Pass). A nice thing about it is that you can easily piggy-back a short hike into Wire Pass with an exploration of the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. The video linked above also shows that area, so do watch it all the way through. The only caveat about Wire Pass Canyon is that the trailhead is located down the House Rock Valley Road, an unpaved road that is passable to standard passenger vehicles most of the time, but if recent weather has been wet, it turns into red clay slip-n-slide, which will result in a lot of consternation and teeth-gnashing, and a VERY expensive tow bill.
I hope that helps! Please feel free to contact me directly if you need to bounce other ideas off me at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2021 at 4:03 PM
Ashleigh
Hi, I’m planning a trip to Arizona June 17 – 23. My original plan was to fly into Phoenix and stay the night. Then drive to Sedona and hike a bit before heading to Page to stay the night. I was hoping to see Antelope Canyon, but sadly I see that it’s still closed. Any advice on the kayak option? We also want to see Horseshoe bend then stay the night near grand Canyon. we haven’t booked anything yet. Do you have any tips on hitting these places considering the closures?
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Hi Ashleigh,
First of all, I don’t recommend visiting Sedona as a “drive-by” between Phoenix and Page. It’s a 2-hour drive from Phoenix to Sedona, then an additional 3-hours to Page, AZ. After spending the better part of a day hiking in the summer heat, a 3-hour drive is probably the last thing you’ll want to face! Besides, Sedona is a huge and beautiful area with a lot to see and do. You’ll want to at least give it 1-2 nights, 3-4 is even better. What’s more, I recommend placing it at the end of your trip so you can relax and chill before heading back to reality LOL
RE: hiking, kayaking, any labor-intensive activities, at the time of year you’re visiting, you want to schedule these kinds of activities as early as you possibly can to take advantage of cooler temperatures. At the time of year you’re visiting, daytime highs can (and do) get up over 100-110 degrees. Not exactly idea conditions for hiking, but with proper sun protection and plenty of water, it can be done.
Using Phoenix as your staging city, here’s what I’d recommend
June 17: Fly to Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
June 18: Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hours), visit Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page, AZ
June 19: Kayak Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
June 20: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3-3.5 hours from Page, AZ), stopping at viewpoints on East Rim/Desert View Drive en route to Grand Canyon Village, overnight at Grand Canyon
June 21: Drive to Sedona, AZ (~2.5 hours from GC South Rim), overnight in Sedona
June 22: Sightseeing in Sedona, AZ, possible activities: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hike West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, Bell Rock Trail, Fay Canyon, etc. Best hikes in Sedona, 2nd night in Sedona
June 23: Drive back to PHX (~2.5 hours from Sedona), fly home
Custom trip map
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels and guided tours ASAP. Your trip is just around the corner! If you need further guidance, feel free to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 01, 2021 at 1:10 PM
_________________________________________
From Ashleigh Ward
Wow, you’re super helpful! I really appreciate the recommendations! I guess I hadn’t fully thought it through. I did consider spending the night in Sedona… but then we were gonna fly out of Vegas after leaving the grand canyon south rim area. Your plan sounds way better tho! 🙌🏾
June 01, 2021 at 4:22 PM
Peter Bokulich
Is it still the case that the walk-in lottery on Friday morning gives the permits for Sat., Sun., and Mon.? Or is it now daily (for the following day) on weekends as well? We planning to try for a walk-in permit in a few weeks. Thanks!
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Hi Peter,
The walk-in lottery for the Wave is typically held 7 days a week over the summer months. If a weekend day falls on a holiday, such a July 4th being on a Sunday this year, they may hold the lottery on Friday for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at the Kanab Center Gymnasium. If you have any questions about that call (435) 644-1300.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 31, 2021 at 12:40 PM
Blake
Is there a notification system or page we can follow to know when the canyons are opened up again (and reservations can be made again)? How do you recommend staying up-to-date?
Thanks!
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Hi Blake!
To get the current the status of Antelope Canyon and other Navajo Nation Tribal Parks, we recommend monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website. You can also request placement on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the canyons reopen. The Navajo-Hopi Observer (local newspaper) might be another good source to bookmark.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 28, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Jan Broetsky
Hello,
Myself and 2 children, ages 11 and 13 would love to do this tour on 6/24. Do you have any availability?
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Hi Jan!
To inquire about availability for the Antelope Canyon Kayak/Hiking Tour, you must inquire directly with the concessionaire. The company referenced in this article is Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak, who can be reached at (928) 660-1836. Should they not have availability for your desired date, other companies offering similar (or identical) services are:
– Lake Powell Paddleboards & Kayaks (928) 645-4017 www.lakepowellpaddleboards.com
– Lake Powell Adventure Co. (928) 660-9683 www.lakepowelladventure.com
– Kayak Lake Powell (928) 660-0778 www.kayakpowell.com
– WazSUP Kayak Rental (602) 233-2847 https://wazsupkayaks.com/
– Lake Powell Rentals & Retail (928) 614-8573 http://www.lakepowellvacations.com/
– Paddle Lake Powell (928) 660-2182 http://paddlelakepowell.com/
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 26, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Meredith S
Taking an 11 day road trip starting in Phoenix and ending in Vegas. Hoping to stop at MANY of the parks along the way. I wanted to know which of these parks do you ABSOLUTELY recommend that we have a guided tour (we are pretty adept at directions and trails and looking to do easy to moderate hiking once we park our rental car):
Grand Canyon (1+ day)
Bryce Canyon (1 day)
Antelope (if open)/Vermillion Cliffs (1 day)
Zion (2 days)
We also bought the $80 park pass. Do we need other tickets to enter some of these sites? Or those in between?
What is the best place to find out when Antelope may open?
Thanks so much!
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Hey Meredith,
The good news is that the majority of parks you are wishing to visit are self-guiding, with a couple of notable — or one notable and one kinda-sorta — exception.
For the Antelope Canyons, a guided tour is 100% necessary. You may not enter these formations on your own, at least not the land side of them. More on that in a minute 😉 As you have deduced, the Antelope Canyons are unfortunately closed by Navajo Tribal Executive Order. We have no idea when they will reopen. The best place to monitor the current status is the official website of the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department. You may also request placement on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the canyons reopen.
If seeing a slot canyon remained high on your priority list, which we don’t blame you for one bit, a couple of alternatives are to kayak into the waterside of Antelope Canyon where it joins with Lake Powell. You beach your boat on the “pre-slot” portion of the Lower Canyon, where you can hike in a ways on land that is under Federal and not Tribal jurisdiction. Kayaking can be done by guided tour or rental and self-guide. Whatever you decide, this activity is best done first thing in the morning for lack of wind and smoother waters.
If you prefer to go on foot, the nearest “hikeable” slot canyon to Page, AZ, is Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, near Paria, UT, ~1 hour’s drive from Page, AZ. This a two-part slot canyon that is fairly family-friendly, and a tour is not required to go there. You need only pay a $6/person day use fee via Recreation.gov (not covered by the National Park Pass). A nice thing about it is that you can easily piggy-back a short hike into Wire Pass with an exploration of the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. The video linked above also shows that area, so do watch it all the way through. The only caveat about Wire Pass Canyon is that the trailhead is located down the House Rock Valley Road, an unpaved road that is passable to standard passenger vehicles most of the time, but if recent weather has been wet, it turns into red clay slip-n-slide, which will result in a lot of consternation and teeth-gnashing, and a VERY expensive tow bill.
Horseshoe Bend can be visited at your leisure anytime during regular operating hours of the parking lot, which are sunrise to sunset. There is a $10/vehicle parking fee, which is not covered by your National Park Pass.
In Zion National Park, if you are not staying at the Zion Lodge, you will be required to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle to access the main sightseeing area of the park. Due to COVID-19, and NPS’s desire to facilitate continued social distancing, shuttles are operating at reduced capacity, therefore, advance ticket purchase is required. These sell out fast, so be sure to get online and grab yours as soon as they are released through Recreation.gov If it sounds like a pain in the tookus, frankly it is. You might opt to go with a guided tour, or skip the Zion Canyon area altogether, which isn’t as bad as it sounds, there is plenty to see and do accessible via UT-9 on the Eastern side of the park (near Kanab, UT), or the Western end of the park (near Springdale, UT). Another option would be to day-trip from wherever you’re staying to the Kolob Canyon area of the park, which is gorgeous and tends to be a lot less crowded, probably because it has virtually no services.
I hope that helps, I know it’s a lot to process. If you need further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 26, 2021 at 4:24 PM
KIET
Hi Alley,
sorry. This is a repost from the previous when. I forgot to indicate when we are traveling.
Thank you so much for all the information you have shared. My family is planning a 10-day road trip in LATE JUNE (19-29) to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Page, and Grand Canyon. We have 2 days to spend in Page, Arizona. There will be 5 adults and 5 kids in the traveling party. Adults are in fairly good shape. No health issues. Kids range in age from 9 to 20. All good health. Any idea if Antelope Canyons will be opened by then? Can you please give me your best 2-day itinerary or recommendations while we’re in Page? Debating between Lower vs Upper Canyon tours vs both, boat tours?
Thanks so much!
KH
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Hey Kiet,
Unfortunately, we don’t know yet when or even if the Antelope Canyons will reopen for this season. The Navajo Tribe was hit really hard by COVID-19 from the jump and are erring on the far side of caution to protect their citizens, which we don’t blame them for.
We would advise monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website for status updates, or request to be placed on our priority e-mail notification list to get the heads up the minute the canyons reopen. Should they reopen to tourists by the time you visit, Lower Antelope would probably be fine for your traveling party given that everyone is in relatively good health. The key, due to the size of your party, will be making Antelope Canyon tour reservations as soon as you get the word that they have reopened. The tour operators expect to be operating at reduced capacity in order to facilitate continued social distancing.
In the meantime, do consider kayaking into the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal land, or hiking one of several alternate slot canyons which are not located on Navajo land. The nearest one to Page, AZ, is Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. As you can see from this video, young families can easily enjoy a hike into this photogenic two-part slot, and piggy-back that onto an exploration of the Paria Rimrock/Toadstool Hoodoos area. The only caveat re: Wire Pass and Buckskin is that the trailhead is located down the House Rock Valley Road, which is unpaved. While it is passable for 2WD vehicles most of the time, if recent weather has brought any precipitation, you’ll want to give it a miss, unless you relish the idea of getting your vehicle stuck in the mud and being on the hook for a super-expensive tow bill *sarcasm*
Hope that helps. If you need further guidance, please write me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 24, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Russell & Carol Brown
Our large Party of 10 secured cabins om for the north rim lodging( two nights)for a rim to rim hike on October 2. We were hoping to experience the lower canyon with our drive on sept 30 staying in page.
There is a waiting list, please Russell Brown for the lower antelope Canyon tour, we’d be happy to accommodate if numbers too large or another time for a summer pre hike training in late august or early September. I can secure with a credit card if necessary.
Best reached is carol Brown (wife) 4802298522.
Or place me on a newsletter for updates.
Thank you.
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Russell & Carol,
Congratulations on securing cabin reservations for Grand Canyon North Rim!
Your name has been placed on a priority e-mail waiting list to be notified of when the Antelope Canyons reopen. Please note that does not constitute a reservation for an Antelope Canyon tour. If you wish to make a reservation, or be placed on a waiting list with a Lower Antelope Canyon tour company, please contact:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Rocky
How far in advance do you need to book a site? Is it at all possible to just show up and there would be something available?
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Hey Rocky,
With Page, AZ, being a popular vacation spot, and people chomping at the bit to get out and travel again due to COVID-19, we would strongly advise booking a campsite in advance. Most take reservations up to 6 months ahead, but 1-2 months out is usually sufficient leadtime to get a reservation.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2021 at 3:51 PM
Sara
Hello, does anyone know if Antelope canyon currently open for tours in June/july 2021?
Thank you
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Hi Sara,
We don’t know yet. We would advise monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website for status updates, or request to be placed on our priority e-mail notification list to get the heads up the minute the canyons reopen.
In the meantime, consider kayaking into the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal land, or hiking one of several alternate slot canyons which are not located on Navajo land. The nearest one to Page, AZ, is Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2021 at 3:50 PM
Mumax
Hi there,
I will be arriving to Flagstaff with my husband May 23rd and would love to visit the antelope canyon although per your previous comments I see its closed. We are considering on doing the kayak and we are planning to spend a night at the canyon so we can see more of it in two days (May 24th & 25th). We would like to do some hiking too. I would like some recommendations on how to get the best canyon experience in two days and suggestions on what to wear the days we’ll be there due to the weather.
I appreciate any help.
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Dear Mumax,
At this point in time, if you haven’t made hotel reservations, you’re going to have a rough time finding availability at Grand Canyon South Rim especially. Sorry to be blunt, but that’s the way things are. Start by seeing where you can find a place to stay, one night in Page, AZ, and one night at Grand Canyon South Rim. If at all possible try to hit Page, AZ (~2.5 hours drive from Flagstaff) first so you can hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, then take the Antelope Canyon kayak tour first thing the next morning. Drive down to Grand Canyon South Rim, taking advantage of the opportunity to stop at the half-dozen+ named Grand Canyon viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. Although the drive from Page, AZ to GC is only ~140 miles, it’s not unusual to take 3.5-4 hours to make the trip because the drive is very scenic.
As indicated before, Grand Canyon Village hotels are likely to be sold out, so you’ll probably have better luck in Tusayan 7 miles outside the park, or Williams, 60 miles South of the park. You might even have to go as far as Flagstaff, AZ, that night. Flag (that’s what we call it around here) is ~90 minutes from the park. Regardless of where you end up staying, be sure you do all driving during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the tendency for deer, elk, and other wildlife to wander about after sundown. You don’t want to risk a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (IF you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. At the time of your visit, sunrise occurs at 5:11 am and sunset takes place at 7:34 pm.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 19, 2021 at 5:39 PM
Karla
If 4 of us want to go, can each person apply individually for a permit for a group of 4? Or do you need to list the other people in your group by name, with only 1 permit application allowed with the same name on it?
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Hi Karla,
This is a really good question, unfortunately, the answer is “no.” Such actions are considered as attempts to “game the system,” which would result in the disqualification of all entries.
The good news is that the permit quota has been increased, with applying for the online lottery giving you the best chance.
Still, statistically, the odds are not in your favor for getting a permit for The Wave, so it’s best to start thinking of “Plan B’s,” the most popular being White Pocket. While this area doesn’t require a permit to visit, a guided tour is strongly recommended, since the access road is very sandy and quite hazardous to those inexperienced at 4×4/off-road driving. There are several companies offering tours to White Pocket, but the ones we’re most familiar with are Paria Outpost & Outfitters and Dreamland Safari Tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Lindsey
Does this tour allow you to get out of your kayak and walk around the canyon?
Thanks for your insight in advance!
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Hey Lindsey!
Yes, you can walk into the pre-slot portion of the lower canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal land. If you’re expecting to see the same scenery as you would in one of the walking tours, it is not the same, but judging by the number of sold out dates for this tour last year, people didn’t mind it one bit.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2021 at 4:41 PM
Kandarp Shah
Hi Alley
Reading all your posts and am impressed with the amount of Knowledge and Guidance you have provided.
I am planning to take a 5 – 7 day trip to Arizona and was wondering what will be my best Itinerary to explore due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Was planning on seeing Grand Canyon, Zion Park, Sedona, and any other place that you can suggest.
Planning to take the trip from May31st to June 5th 2021.
Thanks
Kansha
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Hi Kansha!
Unfortunately a key piece of information is missing from your inquiry: where you’re flying into/out of. That, along with hotel availability, tends to be the key determining factor in how your itinerary shakes out and what else you might be able to see and do.
Hopefully you have the freedom to make your trip as long as 7-8 days. 5 days really isn’t a lot when you consider all the opportunities available out here, COVID-19 restrictions notwithstanding!
If you are flying into/out of Vegas, as most visitors to this area tend to do, you could do something like this:
2 days in Sedona
1 day at Grand Canyon South Rim
1 day at Page, AZ (for Horseshoe Bend and kayaking Antelope Canyon)
1 day at Bryce
2 days at Zion
Map
If hotel availability, or lack thereof, necessitates it, you might also flip-flop the above itinerary. Sedona, AZ, makes for a nice place to chill and decompress before heading back to reality! LOL
If you need further guidance, please contact me directly at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2021 at 4:40 PM
Daina
I would love to see the Wave or Antelope Canyon, but cannot walk too far. What do you recommend? Note, I can walk some, a couple miles but not much more.
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Hi Daina,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news re: The Wave, it’s a 6+ mile round-trip hike that’s moderately difficult. It doesn’t sound like a good fit for you. Also, there’s the matter of getting a Wave permit, which is quite difficult on the best of days. One possible saving grace here, is that it is possible to charter a plane or a helicopter over The Wave. These are most readily available (by advance reservation) out of Page, Arizona. While neither aircraft would land at The Wave, you’d still see a ton of incredible scenery in addition to The Wave in a matter of minutes instead of hours. For more information, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com and check out “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
Upper Antelope Canyon or Secret Antelope Canyon would be more feasible for you, unfortunately, these are both closed due to COVID-19 and the closure of the Navajo Indian Reservation to tourists.
An alternative you might consider is Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, ~1 hour from Page, AZ. Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which typically contains deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights, but a makeshift ladder has recently been placed in this area. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 04, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Jules
So if I apply for the lottery and would like a guide, should I I include the guide in the lottery permit count? For example, if my group is 2, but I’m thinking of hiring a guide, should I make my group 3 when applying? Thanks!
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Hey Jules,
This is an excellent question! The answer is, no, you do not need to apply for a Wave permit for your guide, just for the folks in your hiking party. The guides are already factored in by the BLM on any given day.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 04, 2021 at 5:47 PM
Joe
Are pets allowed? We will be taking our 2 dogs(60lbs each) with us with a travel trailer & would love be able to take them!
Thanks
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Hey Joe!
If you’re referring to the Antelope Canyons (walking tours), unfortunately, pets are not allowed. Dogs are welcome at Horseshoe Bend as long as they are leashed at all times and their owners pick up after them. They can also be brought into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as long as they stay on paved trails. However, they are not allowed in any hotels rooms or in any restaurants. They are also not allowed on any tour vehicles or boats. If you are visiting during the summer months, I would recommend investing in some protective booties to protect your dogs’ paws from potentially hot sand or asphalt.
If you need to board your pets at any time while you’re in Page, AZ, this service is available at Pampered Pets of Page, AZ, or the Page Animal Hospital.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2021 at 6:49 PM
Stacey
Thank you so much for all this! I was overwhelmed planning until I came upon your blog. What are your thoughts on swapping places on the itinerary Page and Zion specifically? I know it’s not convenient but I can get the half day horseshoe bend tour if I modify 🙂 Thank you for your help!
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Hi Stacey,
Backtracking on one’s itinerary isn’t ideal, but if doing so affords you the opportunity to take the Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip (I assume that’s the trip you’re referring to?), go for it! You might contact Wilderness River Adventures from time to time to see if they have any cancellations for your preferred day. If not, don’t sweat it. It’s a very scenic drive, and doing it twice may turn you onto sites you may have missed the first time around.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2021 at 6:42 PM
Caitlin
The booking links for the kayak tour don’t work. Is there a phone number I can call or another link?
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Caitlin,
So sorry about the booking link! We’ll see about getting that fixed ASAP.
Meanwhile, Hidden Canyon Kayak’s phone number is (928) 660-1836, their website is www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 26, 2021 at 1:26 PM
Ernest
Hi Alley – do you guys have a number you can be reached at? My family will in Page in early July and it’d be great if I could discuss various activity options over the phone. Thanks!
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Hey Ernest,
I don’t do phone consultations, but am happy to share ideas with you via e-mail! Write me at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
🙂 AlleyApril 26, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Tara
I’m reading everywhere that upper and lower Antelope Canyon is closed. I’m looking to visit next weekend. Can you confirm if tours are open or not?
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Hi Tara,
So sorry to report that the Antelope Canyons remain closed. Alternatives you may wish to consider are:
– Kayak tours of the waterside of Antelope Canyon that also include some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the lower canyon, which is in Federal and not Tribal land
– hiking in Wire Pass Canyon and/or Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, which can be done with or without a guide; note that the trailhead to these canyons is located down the unpaved House Rock Valley Road, which can be rendered impassable after rain or snow events
– guided tour of Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT; while a guided tour is not required by law, they are very strongly recommended due to the main access road being very sandy and difficult to navigate for those without prior 4WD experience. For a list of tour guides, visit our companion site www.TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
Good luck and safe travels.
Also, apologies for the delay in response to your question. We were hoping to get good news this week re: the Antelope Canyons, which unfortunately didn’t materialize.
Alley 🙂April 20, 2021 at 3:13 PM
J
Hi! My family of four (two girls, age 7 and 5) would love for any chance to visit Antelope Canyon. We are planning to visit towards the end of June and came across this private kayak tour. Would you recommend for kids their age? And if so, what time would be ideal? We will be coming from Flagstaff. Thank you!
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Hi Jenn,
Kayak tours may be enjoyed by kids as young as 5! Both kids would be required to travel in a tandem kayak with an adult, and first thing in the morning is the best time to take part in this activity for lack of wind and minimal chop from larger boat traffic. Trying to do this as a day trip out of Flagstaff, AZ, however is less than ideal. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Page, AZ, so you’d need to get a super-early start out of Flag (that’s what we call it around here), or better yet, spend the night prior at a hotel in Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 15, 2021 at 10:58 PM
JP
Alley,
Thanks for all of your tips and the wealth of information you have shared! Someone has suggested renting e-bikes at Zion National Park as a fun family activity. The places I have looked online all have age restrictions of over 12 or over 14. The person who suggested this as an activity said she saw child sized ebikes being used at the park last week. Do you happen to have a recommendation of a reputable company that services Zion National Park and will rent to 10 year olds?
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Hey JP,
Yes, e-bikes are definitely a great family activity at Zion! Just about every company I was able to find, however, had a 12-14 year age limit. However, one company that rents kids bikes indicated that “exceptions could be made (to the age limit) on a case by case basis.” Also, they specify a certain height range for their kids bikes, in this case, 4’5″-5′. For more information, visit Zion Canyon Bike Rentals at ZionAdventures.com or you might try phoning them at 435.772.1001
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 09, 2021 at 10:43 PM
Jackie muno
Hello I am wonderful if you have an idea when the lower antelope canyon will open back up for tours? I am coming down that way in June and would love to visit.
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Hey Jackie,
I am wonderful, glad you are, too!
Unfortunately, we do not know whether the Antelope Canyons will be open for walking tours by June. You might consider doing a kayak tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon on Lake Powell, which includes some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the Lower canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal Land.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 08, 2021 at 6:37 PM
Maha
Hey Alley,
What do you think of our itinerary for the week of May. Also, does the hidden canyon kayak tour offer a hike onto the antelope canyon at all?
May 21 – Zion National Park
Angels Landing
The Narrows (Maybe)
Canyon overlook trail
May 22 – Bryce Canyon National Park
May 23 – drive to Page
May 24 – Page, AZ
Kayaking at Lake Powell into Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend at sunset
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Hi Maha,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I think you’ll regret not giving more time to Zion. Most folks need another day to attempt the Narrows after doing Angel’s Landing. Also, I should let you know that to do either hike requires the use of the Zion Canyon Shuttle, which you’ll need to purchase advance tickets for.
The Hidden Canyon Kayak tour does offer some hiking into the pre-slot portion of Lower Antelope Canyon, water level permitting.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels and guided tours well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 08, 2021 at 6:35 PM
Maribel Gonzalez
Hi we are traveling to Page Az/Lake Powell area (our frost time) May 6-May 9th. What would be your top recommendations to do? We have 11 in our group ages 14-50. We want to do some hiking and water activities. What is the best way to experience lake Powell, antelope canyon …. ? Sorry so many questions. Thank you!
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Hi Maribel,
If hiking and water-based activities are a priority for your upcoming vacation, a great way to accomplish both objectives is the Hidden Canyon Kayak Tour. Meeting at Antelope Point Marina, you would paddle into the waterside of Antelope Canyon (the land side is currently closed), then hike into the ‘pre-slot’ portion of the canyon on the shoreline of Lake Powell, which is Federal and not Tribal land. While the scenery in this part of the canyon isn’t the “picture postcard” slot canyon scenery yo might be expecting, it’s still beautiful, and judging from the number of sold out dates last season, lots of other people thought so too!
While in the area, you should definitely visit Horseshoe Bend, as well as:
– Page Rim View Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– Grand View Overlook Park
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Gunfighter Canyon
– Wahweap Overlook
– Wahweap Swim Beach and/or Lone Rock Beach (located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which requires a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time)
If you have the time and/or inclination to venture a short distance over the border of Utah, other good stops are:
– Big Water Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum
– Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 29, 2021 at 4:41 PM
Jeff
The ad for the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon has a misspelling – Antelpe
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Oh wow, thanks man! We’ll see about getting that fixed. Thank you kindly 🙂
March 26, 2021 at 4:36 PM
Jeff Robertson
Hello are Antelope Canyon reservations being taken for July in the event it opens up? If it doesn’t open do you get a full refund?
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Hey Jeff,
Reservations for walking tours of Antelope Canyon are not being taken yet due to the continued closure of Navajo Indian Tribal Lands to outsiders. They won’t start selling tickets until they get the clear green light from Tribal Leadership that they can resume running tours. I would recommend monitoring the official website of the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department periodically. In the meantime, I would count on moving any “Plan B” options to “Plan A” status. A popular option last year was kayak tours into the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which include some hiking into the “pre-slot” portion of the Lower Canyon which is on Federal and not Tribal land. While the scenery isn’t the “classic” slot canyon views depicted in postcards of Antelope Canyon, judging by the number of sold out days last year, people didn’t seem to mind a bit! There are several companies offering this tour, but the one we’re most familiar with is the Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2021 at 5:55 PM
jerri brown
Hi Alley,
I had a vacation booked for last September, following your itinerary, for my husband and me and two grown children, however had to cancel due to covid. We are going to try and do it again this september 25th (flying into Las Vegas), and leaving out of Las Vegas on October 2.
I have read some of your other e-mails and see that Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley are closed, along with road closures you also mention. And by September, we have no idea if these areas will be open, but being that you have to book everything so early, its hard to know how to plan.
I do have a reservation for a hotel room in the grand canyon for sep 26, as you stated that should be done first. And was just not sure what the itinerary should be, and if you could suggest how to go about the rest of the week with these closures.
I’m really hoping that things will be open by then, but so hard when having to book everything early.
Thanks so much!!!
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Hi Jerri,
I’m so sorry it took so long to reply to your question, it kinda got buried… one of the drawbacks, albeit rare, to this format.
Anyway… late September/early October is a great time to be here, and we are crossing fingers and toes that these closures will be lifted by then!
That said, I would not count on being able to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley.. in the traditional sense anyway. But there are still ways you can see them.
A popular alternative to the land-side tours of Antelope Canyons last year, that is continuing to see good traction this year, is to take a kayak tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina, which include some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the Lower Canyon on the shoreline of Lake Powell, which is on Federal and not Tribal land.
Should Monument Valley remain off-limits at the time of your visit, a way you can still tick it off your wish list is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and usually first thing in the morning for better light and lack of wind. Monument Valley Air Tours out of Page, AZ, last approximately 90 minutes and will show you a good chunk of Lake Powell as well!
In light of those concerns, I would recommend spending at least 2 nights in Page, AZ. Any extra time you might end up with should be given to Zion. That’s a big and gorgeous park with lots to see and do.
Hope that helps. Again, sorry for the late reply, it wasn’t intentional at all.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 18, 2021 at 4:04 PM
Liliana
Hi Alley, I’m amazed with all your suggestions and deep knowledge about the area. We can feel the passion. Now we’re so excited to plan our summer trip. We have our National Parks Pass, not sure if all this parks are included.
We’re traveling with kids (11 and 8 years old), then we are looking to organize an available trip that all of us enjoy. We’ll start walking again soon to be ready for this. We are planning around 2 weeks, traveling from LA and finish in Las Vegas. Basically one week on your area.
We are planning to go to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion National Park and Valley of Fire State Park. Any special site / view points that we have to go?
We are not sure the places and sites to visit. If you can help us with a good plan / itinerary with kids, would be really helpful.
I loved this page.
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Hi Liliana,
Thank you for further clarification of your trip plans.
Your National Park Pass grants you entrance to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for one year’s time. Areas where it won’t work are State Parks, Native American Tribal Parks, and City-administered parks. Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ, is an example of a city park; even those with National Park Passes must pay the $10/standard passenger vehicle or $35/light commercial vehicle fee for admission to the parking lot. Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon (which are closed indefinitely due to COVID-19) are Native American Tribal Parks, so here again, your Park Pass wouldn’t work, but seeing as though they’re closed, it’s kind of a moot point. In Sedona, AZ, popular attractions such as Slide Rock State Park also require entrance fees (or you can get a Red Rock Pass)
During the summer months, you’ll need to plan on visiting any true-desert areas, such as the Valley of Fire State Park, just after sunrise if you want to enjoy any hiking or sightseeing. Otherwise, it will be too ghastly hot to even get out of your car.
If LA is your starting point, you should plan on breaking up the drive into two days, maybe with a stopover in Lake Havasu City, AZ (~5 hours from LAX), so the kids can enjoy some swimming? From there, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight in Grand Canyon
Day 2: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Here again, you’ll hit a COVID-19 closure: due to AZ64 East being inaccessible from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, you’ll have to detour down through Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 to Page, AZ, which is ~a 5-hour drive. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
Day 4: Take kayak tour into waterside of Antelope Canyon that include some hiking into the pre-slot areas of the lower canyon, which is on Federal Land OR take a self-guided hike to Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch; drive to Bryce Canyon that afternoon (~2.5 hours from Page, AZ), overnight in Bryce Canyon
Day 5: Drive to Zion National Park, sightseeing on the Zion Canyon Shuttle (advance ticket purchase may be required), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 6: 2nd day/night in Zion National Park, time/desire/physical fitness permitting, you might hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows on this day, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 7: Get an early start on the day, drive to Las Vegas (~3 hours), detour through Valley of Fire, end of vacay!
Custom trip map
If you find you have more time to spend, maybe give a 2nd night to Page, AZ, so you can explore that area further.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2021 at 5:53 PM
Liliana
we’re planning to visit parks during summer time. Do you think parks will be already open to public? What do you recommend?
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Hi Liliana,
Most National Parks and Monuments administered by the National Park Service are open to tourism, with restrictions that may vary from park to park due to COVID-19.
Areas that are likely to remain closed into the summer months are Navajo Indian Tribal Parks, such as the Antelope Canyons and Monument Valley. Should that be the case at the time you visit, alternatives for visiting these areas are:
– Kayak tours into waterside of Antelope Canyon that include some hiking into the pre-slot areas of the lower canyon, which is on Federal Land
– self-guided hikes to Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, or guided tours to Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT
If seeing Monument Valley was a high priority, an alternative to a car trip would be to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed wing airplanes depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. Scenic air tours take ~90 minutes and will show you a sizeable chunk of Lake Powell in addition to Monument Valley!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Carolyn Rogers
Hi Ms Keosheyan,
I sent an inquiry yesterday but now we’re wondering if end of March/beginning of April is too cold / windy in the Grand Canyon and surrounding area. We’re wondering if going in late May when our daughter is pretty much done with high school is better. We’ve heard summer is sooo hot 🙂 Anyway, any idea if Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley might open up by then? If so, then we’ll follow your recommended route to visit. If not, we’d love suggestions for a 9-night trip to the area. Thank you so much!
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Hey again, Carolyn!
You might indeed encounter more stable weather in late May, but you’ll also encounter more people, and all that that implies 😉
As for whether Monument Valley and/or Antelope Canyon might reopen by then, short answer is, we don’t know. The best site to monitor for the status of that is Navajo Parks & Recreation Department.
One option I didn’t mention when replying to your original inquiry is that if Monument Valley remains closed at the time of your visit, whenever that should happen to be, it is possible to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes depart daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling, out of the Page Municipal Airport. A scenic air tour over Monument Valley lasts approximately 90 minutes, and will show you a lot of amazing scenery, including a good sized chunk of Lake Powell.
Also: if that jeep tour I mentioned in reply to your previous inquiry does not appeal, there are still a number of good day hikes you can do in the Grand Canyon, but attempting to go from rim to river and back in one day’s time is strongly discouraged by the National Park Service. You might consider going as far as Cedar Ridge or even Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab Trail. Use of a shuttle is required to get to the trailhead, and that trail has no piped in water, so you’d need to carry your own. Grand Canyon day hikes
Good luck and have a wonderful time!
Alley 🙂March 11, 2021 at 3:27 PM
Carolyn Rogers
Hi Ms. Keosheyan,
We are going to visit the Grand Canyon area for our daughter’s high school grad trip (have to mark the event and what better way, right?). It’s been suggested we visit Zion National Park, Bryce, Page area, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, etc while there. We arrive in Las Vegas at 10am on March 26 and leave 10am on April 4. I’ve heard Antelope Canyon was closed but then restrictions are starting to be lifted in AZ. So, can you please tell us if these areas will still be closed in early April? We’d like to see some of the famous hotels while in Las Vegas, maybe the NY-NY roller coaster and a gondola ride at the Venetian (but not interested in casinos). We are totally into seeing the amazing sights having never visited the area and are in great shape so can hike for many (4+) hours. What itinerary would you suggest and would you suggest going down into the bottom of the Grand Canyon or save our hiking for cool trails we’ve heard of like “the narrows”?
Thank you so much!
Carolyn
Can you please suggest an itinerary. Thank you.
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Hey Carolyn,
Unfortunately, any predictions for the reopening of the Antelope Canyons and/or Monument Valley are premature at this time, so I would advise counting the Antelope Canyons out of the equation just to be on the safe side. The good news is there are other slot canyons that are just as beautiful, and not subject to the closure of the Navajo Indian Reservation.
Another expectation you’re going to have to temper is hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. This is definitely NOT a day hike, it should be done as an overnight camping trip, or with reservations at Phantom Ranch, both of which fill up months in advance. However, there might still be a way you can work bragging rights to having been to the canyon floor into your trip. More on that in a minute…
So, working with your arrival and departure times (which I SO appreciate you providing!), here’s what I’d recommend:
March 26th: Arrive in Las Vegas, drive to Williams, AZ (~3.5 hours), overnight in Williams
March 27th: Take the Inner Canyon Jeep Tour, which goes down the Diamond Creek Road on Native American Tribal Land, optional hike into Diamond Creek Narrows, 2nd night in Williams
March 28th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~1 hour each way from Williams), either overnight at the South Rim, or return to Williams
March 29th: Drive to Page, AZ — if you stay the night prior at the Grand Canyon, you’ll have to detour down through Flagstaff, AZ, then proceed North on US89 to Page, AZ, which is ~a 5-hour drive; if you overnight in Williams, AZ, the night prior, then the drive is more along the lines of ~3 hours. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page
March 30th: Take kayak tour into waterside of Antelope Canyon, which includes hiking into pre-slot portion of Lower Canyon on Federal Land, OR drive to Paria, UT ~45 minutes from Page, AZ, and hike Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch, 2nd night in Page, AZ OR drive to Bryce that afternoon (~2.5 hours from Page)
March 31st: Drive to Bryce Canyon if you didn’t do it the day before (~2.5 hours from Page, AZ), sightseeing/hiking in Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 1st: Drive to Zion National Park (~2 hours from Bryce), take Zion Canyon Shuttle to popular trails such as Weeping Rock, Upper Emerald Pools, etc. Overnight in Springdale, UT.
April 2nd: Hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows; the latter involves walking through water pretty much constantly, so you’ll need to rent a dry suit, poles, water shoes, etc. You can get these from a number of local outfitters. Overnight in Springdale, UT.
April 3rd: Drive to Las Vegas, NV (~3 hours from Springdale, UT), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park (stunning!), sightseeing in Las Vegas. Great way to see Las Vegas’ famous hotels? Fly over them in on a nighttime helicopter flight!
Trip map
Whatever you decide, be sure that you time all your drives so that you’re at your final destination for the day by nightfall. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could hike up your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive! At the time of your visit, sunrise takes place at around 6:15 AM, and sunset occurs approximately 6:45 PM. That’s Arizona/Mountain Standard Time. Utah will be one hour ahead of AZ.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Josef celnar
Would like to have permit to hike 1 day hike Wave trail 2 people maximum 6 miles round trip in time window 4.11.2021 to 4.13.2021
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Hi Josef,
This site does not administer the issuance of hiking permits for The Wave. In your case, the online lottery has already taken place, so you must see if you can have any luck at the walk-in lottery. This is held at the Kanab Center Gymnasium in Kanab, UT, the day PRIOR to when you wish to hike. For more information, visit the official KanabCenter.com/Wave Lottery
Because Wave permits are highly sought-after, and April is considered one of the peak times of year to hike it, I would strongly recommend looking to alternative areas around the Wave that you might visit. The most popular of these is White Pocket. We recommend going with a guided tour due to the difficult and rugged terrain on the access road there. There are several tour companies that go to this area, but the ones we are most familiar with are Paria Outpost, Dreamland Safari Tours, and Vermilion Adventures.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 05, 2021 at 10:43 PM
thoffmann
I have a family that will be going from the Grand Canyon, to Page staying one night, then to St George, UT. Looking to do Antelope, Horseshoe, and some other activities (as many of these as possible….. Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Coyote Buttes/Wave Canyon, Lone Rock, Alstrom Point, Grand Staircase _ Escalante National Monument). I have been told by a supplier that Antelope is closed at least through the end of March, is this true?
Whether or not Antelope can be done, what would you recommend to be able to see Horseshoe and as many of these as possible to maximize the 24-30ish hours there? And any specific route to minimize travel times? Which ones need hiking permits (if any) and where is the best place to get those if so?
Thank you so much!!
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Dear Mr./Ms. Hoffman,
Thank you for visiting our site!
Unfortunately, a couple of important pieces of information are missing from this inquiry:
1. when this family might be looking to travel
2. the makeup of the group – little kids? seniors?
Those bits of trivia notwithstanding, you’re going to have to trim down that wish list considerably, or set aside more time to accomplish it.
The most likely item you’ll have to eliminate is Coyote Buttes and The Wave. This unique and geologically fragile area only allows for a limited number of hikers per day, through a very competitive permit process. How To Get A Permit For The Wave If this family’s trip is coming up within the next 3 months, they might try their hand at the walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT, the day prior to when they wish to hike, but there again, statistically, the odds don’t run in their favor. They should start looking at “Plan B” options, the most popular of which being White Pocket. This is a stunning area, with easy hiking and ample photo ops, and unbelievably, doesn’t require a permit (yet!). The hard part is getting there. The access road is through some very deep sand. Inexperienced drivers in vehicles with lower clearance frequently get stuck out there, and the tow bills are VERY expensive. Best to go with a guided tour for optimal comfort and safety. Guided Tours to White Pocket & The Wave
Next item that is likely going to be a “no-can-do:” Rainbow Bridge. Rainbow Bridge is located 50+ miles uplake from Page, AZ on Lake Powell. There is no road access there. The only way to get there is by boat, and Lake Powell Boat Tours are currently suspended due to COVID-19. Should they be reinstated by the time your family visits, it’s going to be an all-day commitment, requiring a hike of ~2-3 miles round-trip from the boat dock to the Bridge. Should that not be feasible, another way to see Rainbow Bridge is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. Touring aircraft do not land at the Bridge, but an air tour is a wonderful way to get a sense for how big Lake Powell is, and the beauty of the surrounding areas.
Your supplier is correct that the Antelope Canyons are currently closed. The Navajo Tribe is optimistically (meaning crossing fingers and toes) hoping that they will reopen by April, but whether that happens remains to be seen. One way that Antelope Canyon can be accessed, legally and enjoyably, is by taking a kayak tour to the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina, then hiking into the transitional zone between the shoreline of Lake Powell and the slot canyons. This area is on Federal land, so it is still accessible.
Alstrom Point is accessible by private vehicle (4WD with adequate clearance advised) or by guided tour. Tours take roughly 4 hours. Whether you opt for self-driving or a guided tour to visit Alstrom Point, this activity is not recommended for pregnant women or parties with children under 6.
Driving from Page, AZ, to St. George, UT, will take you past the Western edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and here you have a wonderful opportunity to take a relatively easy but very scenic hike: to the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstool Hoodoos. The trailhead is at mile marker 19 on US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Should Antelope Slot Canyons remain closed and hiking a slot canyon remains high on the priority list, another opportunity you might pursue is Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT. This video depicts a young family doing both hikes, so be sure to watch the whole thing. Besides, the little guy doing the narrating is SO cute LOL YouTube Look Who’s Blogging Wire Pass Canyon & The Toadstool Hoodoos
Long story short, 2-3 days would be a more realistic timeframe to tick off all the items on your checklist that are accessible.
I hope this helps, I know it’s a lot to process. Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of further assistance at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Alley 🙂March 04, 2021 at 5:41 PM
Amod
Hi Alley,
We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Bryce from March 27th (arriving late night on March 26th to April 3rd and leaving midnight of April 3rd or morning of April 4th). We are planning to fly in and out of Las Vegas (coming from NJ). We really wanted to also visit Antelope Canyon (thankfully you told us that it is closed and the alternative Peek-a-boo) and Monument Valley. I was wondering if you suggest an itinerary. We are mostly interested in hiking (3-4 hours a day–we are in good physical shape) we also have not visited Las Vegas (but not the gambling or party type) and maybe we could also visit Sedona (since you suggested that it is nice).
Can you please suggest an itinerary. Thank you.
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Hi Amod,
Glad you got the news about the Antelope Canyons being closed. Unfortunately, I have to relay another piece of bad news: Monument Valley is also a Native American Tribal Park, and is also closed to outsiders 🙁 Best to take it off the table this time around, but there might still be a way for you to see it. More on that in a minute 😉
Since Monument Valley has been taken off the itinerary, that frees up time for you to explore and enjoy Sedona, AZ! In light of that, here’s what I’d recommend:
March 27th: Drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Sedona, AZ (~5 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
March 28th: 2nd day/night in Sedona; no shortage of hiking and sightseeing! For suggestions, check out VisitSedona.com
March 29th: Drive from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), hike paved Rim Trail, maybe go a short way down the Bright Angel Trail, overnight at Grand Canyon
March 30th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (this will be a 5-hour drive due to the necessity of detouring through Flagstaff, AZ, due to the COVID-19 closure of AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
March 31st: Take fixed-wing airplane flight over Monument Valley, drive to Kanab, UT (~70 minutes from Page, AZ), overnight in Kanab, UT
April 1st: Early AM tour of Red Canyon/Peek-A-Boo Canyon (several companies offer this, the one we’re most familiar with is Dreamland Safari Tours), then drive to Bryce Canyon (~90 minutes), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 2nd: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT ***Note that you’ll need to use the Zion Canyon Shuttle to access the main sightseeing area of the park, which may require advance purchase of tickets***
April 3rd: 2nd day/night at Zion OR drive back to Las Vegas in afternoon (~3-3.5 hour drive); if desired, detour through Valley of Fire State Park (gorgeous!) on the way back to Las Vegas
Trip map
If necessary, you could also do this itinerary in reverse if lodging availability (or lack thereof) dictated doing so. Lodging should be the first thing you get to sorting out, if you haven’t done so already.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.comFebruary 25, 2021 at 5:26 PM
_________________________________________
From Amod
Alley,
Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Yes, you are correct about lodging–we will plan accordingly.
February 25, 2021 at 6:39 PM
Carlyn Lawson
Hello Alley,
I love your site! Super helpful & I’m hoping to receive your advice on our family’s trip to AZ. We will fly into Phoenix- stop in Sedona; then stay in the Grand Canyon Village- after that we will drive up to stay at “Under Canvas” in Big Water, UT. (Grand staircase/Lake Powell)
Grand Canyon to Big Water is the part of our trip I’d like help with. Is it a good idea to stop at Page, AZ on our way to Big Water? I’m thinking we can stop and see Horseshoe Bend before checking into our camp. But would love advice on the best way to experience Lake Powell and nearby slot canyons- especially with COVID closures. We will be driving from Grand Canyon to Big Water on April 5 and leaving Big Water area April 7. So April 6 is our one full day
April 7 we drive to Las Vegas to fly home on April 8. Any suggestions for must do must see while at grand staircase area?? THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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Hi Carlyn,
Thank you so much for your compliments!
It is not only a good idea to stop in Page, AZ, on your way from Grand Canyon Village to Big Water, UT, you have to pass through there anyway. That makes Horseshoe Bend a convenient and Instagrammable stop on your tour. What’s not so convenient is the fact that you will have to make a rather long detour to get from “Point A” (Grand Canyon) to “Point B” (Big Water, UT): due to the COVID-19 related closure of AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron, AZ, you’ll have to drive all the way back to Flagstaff, AZ, then bounce back up North via US89. This has turned what would normally be ~a 3-3.5 hour drive into more of a 5+ hour drive. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news in that regard.
Speaking of COVID-19 closures, the Antelope Canyons fall under this umbrella as well since they are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land. They are optimistically hoping to reopen in mid-April, but this may be a little too late to help you. You should definitely consider some “Plan B” options. The most popular last year was the Kayak/Hiking Tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which occurs on Federal Land, therefore not affected by the Tribal Park closure. Another alternate activity you might enjoy is a jeep tour into the Cottonwood Wash Narrows. The drive to Las Vegas the next day would take ~5 hours.
Note that in April, nights might still get nippy, so bring a nice pair of warm pajamas for your stay at Under Canvas. You will be one of the first guests to stay at this one-of-a-kind glamping facility – hope you enjoy it, and that you might tell us how things went if you get a moment when you return home!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 22, 2021 at 6:15 PM
Jennifer Castaldo
Will Antelope Canyon be open in beginning of April 2021?
I finally got my husband to go with me to Vegas and I wanted to show him Antelope Canyon.
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Hi Jennifer,
The short answer to this question is, we don’t know.
The Antelope Canyons are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, so it is their call as to when these popular attractions might reopen. I recommend monitoring the official website of the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department for current information.
Should the Antelope Canyons remain closed at the time of your visit, I would recommend hiking either Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, or Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT. Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which is usually full of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. A makeshift ladder may sometimes be available. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road and hikers pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead or you can purchase a day pass online. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon: not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument! This family-friendly slot canyon is located between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. For those who would prefer to explore Peek-A-Boo in the safety and comfort of a guided tour, there are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Kayaking into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina, then hiking into the section of the canyon on the shoreline of Lake Powell, which is Federal and not Tribal land, was also a popular alternative last year. Although that part of Antelope Canyon doesn’t boast the classic slot canyon scenery of Lower or Upper Antelope, judging from the number of sold out dates last year, people didn’t mind it a bit. Early April would most likely be a nice time for kayaking, too, so definitely consider this activity should you need a “plan B” to salvage your trip. Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour
Lastly, bear in mind that it’s ~a 5-hour drive, one way from Las Vegas to Page, AZ. Due to the driving distance, and the fact that you should avoid driving at night if at all possible, we recommend spending at least one night in Page, AZ, to enjoy these and many other activities and attractions the town has to offer!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 16, 2021 at 4:00 PM
Bersujud
Hi! My husband and I are planning a trip at the end of February and are interested in the Antelope Canyon Kayak tour. With the weather and water being so cold, what do you recommend we wear to stay comfortable throughout the tour? Thanks!
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Hi Bersujud,
I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the kayak tour outfitters won’t resume operating until the first week of March this year. If you are able to delay your visit a few days, you would be able to take a tour as early as March 1st. As for what you should wear, light layers are generally recommended, but you might wish to invest in a dry suit for the unlikely event your kayak capsizes. Your kayak tour company would be the best place to consult for advice on clothing and other gear. Feel free to call them at (928) 660-1836.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 03, 2021 at 9:39 PM
Edgar De La Torre
Is the antelope canyon still closed due to covid?
What other activities can we do in the area?
Is it the same if I want to go to the grand canyon?
Thank you!
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Hi Edgar,
Unfortunately, the Antelope Canyons are still closed. If a slot canyon remains high on your to-do list, which we wouldn’t blame you a bit for, there are some alternatives.
Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which is usually full of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. A makeshift ladder may sometimes be available. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road and hikers pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon: not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this family-friendly slot canyon is located between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. For those who would prefer to explore Peek-A-Boo in the safety and comfort of a guided tour, there are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Grand Canyon National Park remains open to visitation, with some limits on available services. For a complete list, visit www.NPS.gov: Grand Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 02, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Jennifer Ortiz
Hi, is there a date for when Antelope Canyon will be reopened. I’m going to be in Sedona in May and have always wanted to visit.
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Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately, we don’t know. The Antelope Canyons are expected to remain closed through Spring, optimistically.
If seeing a slot canyon remains high on your priority list — which we wouldn’t blame you a bit for! — there are other options. Pumphouse Wash, from what I understand (I haven’t been there personally) is a beautiful canyon and a relatively easy hike, best of all, it’s on the outskirts of Sedona. You might have to trudge through a few pools, but in May, the cool water should be welcome.
If you’re planning on visiting the Page, AZ, area anyway, there are two other beautiful slot canyons a short drive away that you’d probably enjoy as well. Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch, and Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon.
Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. A makeshift ladder may sometimes be available. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon: not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this family-friendly slot canyon is located between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. If you want to try your hand at self-driving, go 7.5 miles past the Kanab, UT, city limit sign on US 89; turn onto BLM road #102 and follow it 4 miles in until you find the parking area. For those who would prefer to explore Peek-A-Boo in the safety and comfort of a guided tour, there are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, www.vermilioncliffs.net
Another option: kayaking into the waterside of Antelope Canyon with a rental kayak or guided tour from Antelope Point Marina. Depending on the water level of Lake Powell, you can probably hike into the extreme lower end of the slot canyon where it empties into the lake. This section of Antelope Canyon is on Federal and not Tribal Land. For more information, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak Tour
Sorry we couldn’t be more specific on what will be available come May. Hope you have a great time, regardless!
Alley 🙂February 01, 2021 at 6:14 PM
Brenda Mueller
We will be visiting in March. Are the kayak tours available then? When I do a mock registration, it appears so, but I wanted to make sure.
Thank you!
B
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Hey Brenda,
According to Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak (whose trip is featured in this article), their operating season is February 15th through October 31st. There could be some slight differences due to COVID-19, so if you want to inquire about that, you could give them a call at (928) 660-1836, or e-mail info@canyonkayak.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 20, 2021 at 5:26 PM
Kristen Campbell
I’m trying to plan a tour for next week. How long does it take to tour both upper and lower? Just lower? Is it open for tours?
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Hi Kristen,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Antelope Canyons are slated to remain closed until Spring of 2021, and that’s being optimistic.
A good “plan B” option is Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some striking and unique geological formations. Plus it’s accessible to all ages and fitness levels. While a guided tour is technically not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway due to the potentially hazardous terrain of the access road. Tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Tours of Peek-A-Boo Canyon last ~4 hours. Between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, another fun and relatively easy hike is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos. If something more rugged than Peek-A-Boo Canyon is more your speed, you might enjoy the hike through Wire Pass Canyon to Buckskin Gulch, which is mid-way between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on US89. For more information, including some recent footage of the trail, check out this video of the Wire Pass Trail to Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon plus the Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, Utah
Again, sorry to be a buzzkill.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂January 15, 2021 at 8:03 PM
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Hello, we are planning to visit the upper Canyon but We Will rent a car, so if we want to book With you where we have to go to take the tour
September 12, 2021 at 6:27 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Maria,
Our preferred Upper Antelope Canyon tour company, Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, departs out of a storefront in Page, AZ, located at 55 South Lake Powell Boulevard.
If you prefer to drive your rental car down to the canyon’s entrance on US98, the tour companies to book with are:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 13, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Gregory Hatch
Are there any special provisions for Arizona residents who are disabled vets?
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Hi Gregory,
Since your comment was posted on the article on how to get a permit for The Wave, I assume that you’re inquiring specifically about The Wave. If so, I must tell you that the hike to this area is a moderately difficult 6-mile round-trip walk, and the trail is inaccessible to wheelchairs. So if you are disabled in the sense of having limited mobility, then The Wave probably isn’t a realistic activity for you to consider, at least, not for hiking. You do have the option of flying over it in a fixed-wing airplane or helicopter. While a flight would not land at the Wave, and would probably be kind of pricey, it would show you a ton of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to by any means.
For more information on flying over The Wave, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com and read the article “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit; Now What?”
If for some reason, I failed to adequately answer your particular question, please write in again, or visit our other companion site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 13, 2021 at 7:43 PM
Yadira Maria
Hi!
Considering a trip with young children in May of 2021. But first, will the Canyon be open for touring then? … as this Covid 19 situation doesn’t seem to be coming to a halt anytime soon.
Thank you in advance for all the information.
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Hi Yadira,
The short answer re: Antelope Canyon is, we don’t know. “Officially,” the closure of the Antelope Canyons was slated to last through the end of 2020, but local tour companies are now saying that it could very well be extended into Spring 2021 or beyond.
We recommend you start looking to a “Plan B,” which, for most families is Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some striking and unique geological formations. Plus it’s accessible to all ages and fitness levels. While a guided tour is technically not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway due to the potentially hazardous terrain of the access road. Tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For updated information on the status of the Antelope Canyons and COVID-19 lockdowns, visit http://www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂January 08, 2021 at 5:45 PM
Kristina
Hi, having a hard time understanding tours. What we would like to do is a guided kayak tour, provided we can meet the tour at the lake and not use a bus system as well as see the upper and lower canyon. It looks like the guided kayak tour is through hidden canyon, where is that in respect to upper/lower canyon? If it helps I have very agile 6 and 8 year olds.
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Hi Kristina,
Apologies for taking so long to respond to your inquiry.
First of all, Hidden Canyon is the name of a kayak tour provider. It is one of several companies offering kayak tours into the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Depending on the level of Lake Powell, you can sometimes hike into the beginning of the slot canyon as long as you remain on Federal and not Tribal Land.
The segments of Antelope Canyon referred to as “Upper” and “Lower” are accessed via walking tours, which are closed at the moment due to COVID-19. I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but Antelope Canyon kayak tours are on seasonal hiatus right now and probably won’t resume operating until February or March, weather permitting. Kayak tours meet at Antelope Point Marina, ~5 miles Southeast of Page, AZ. Children 5 and up are welcome to participate in kayak tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂January 04, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Deb
Hi Alley,
We are looking at arriving in Page on Jan 10 and staying until the 13th, then going to the Grand Canyon on the 13th, stay in Sedona 13th through 16th. Do you know if The wave/vermillion cliffs, Horse shoe bend, marble canyon are accessible/open now? In the Sedona area… how about Devils Bridge, Bell rock loop trail, Boynton Canyon trail, Soldier Pass cave…? My daughter has researched these using the All Trails app and she said they are open. Thank you for your comments and advice in advance
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Hi Deb,
I’ll start with the kinda-bad news first: 99% probability that The Wave won’t be an option. This group of unique and fragile rock formations is in a restricted area, the Coyote Buttes North Special Management Area, and requires a permit to enter. Only 20 people per day are allowed to hike to The Wave; 10 places are given out by advance online lottery (which has already occurred), and another 10 are dispensed the day prior to when one wishes to hike at the Kanab, UT, Convention Center. How To Get A Wave Permit
Fortunately, you’ll find many other cool places to hike that don’t require a permit to visit. You might enjoy the hike through Wire Pass Canyon to Buckskin Gulch, which is mid-way between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on US89. For more information, including some recent footage of the trail, check out this video Wire Pass Trail to Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon | Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, Utah A guide or permit is not needed to explore this area, but be sure to inquire locally about recent conditions on the House Rock Valley Road, which is unpaved.
Horseshoe Bend in Page, AZ, will be open, barring super-bad weather or any other bizarre occurrence. As for the trails you mentioned in Sedona, AZ, I can’t find any indications that they are closed, but you might want to inquire at your hotel or local visitors center before heading out.
One thing that raises a “red flag” is that it looks like you’re planning to visit Grand Canyon South Rim as a “drive-by” between Page, AZ, and Sedona. I would advise against that. The drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim normally takes ~3 hours. At the present time, however, the Navajo Tribe has opted to close an integral component of that route, AZ64 from Cameron, AZ, to Desert View Point, due to COVID-19. This means that it is now necessary to drive all the way down to Flagstaff, AZ, from Page, on US89 then back up North to the Grand Canyon via US180/AZ64 or I40/AZ64. This has turned a 3-hour drive into more like a 5-hour drive. You would then be facing another ~3 hour drive to get to Sedona afterwards, at a time of year when you don’t have much daylight to work with. On January 10th, sunrise takes place at 7:40 AM and sunset occurs at around 5:30 PM. This is barely 10 hours of daylight, and you’re already proposing to eat up 8 hours of it driving.
If you’re thinking you’ll drive to Sedona after sunset, think again. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could elevate your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to risk in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. A better plan would be to spend the night at the Grand Canyon. This will require taking a night away from either Page, AZ, or Sedona, AZ. As much as I hate to say it, Page, AZ, would probably be the better place to reduce your time at. What with water-based activities being on seasonal hiatus, 2 days should be plenty of time to have a perfectly enjoyable visit. Sedona, on the other hand, you could spend 4-5 days and still feel as though you’d only scratched the surface of all the area has to offer!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂December 29, 2020 at 5:38 PM
Mary L Vandenberg
Will antelope canyon be open to tour in March 2021?
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Hi Mary,
The short answer is, we don’t know. “Officially,” the closure of the Antelope Canyons is slated to last through the end of 2020, but local rumor has it that it could very well be extended into Spring 2021.
We recommend you start looking to a “Plan B,” which, for most families is Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some striking and unique geological formations. Plus it’s accessible to all ages and fitness levels. While a guided tour is technically not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway due to the potentially hazardous terrain of the access road. Tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For updated information on the status of the Antelope Canyons and COVID-19 lockdowns, visit http://www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂December 13, 2020 at 9:41 PM
andrew jon Lamers
We will be visiting in the last week of December. Is there a way to get into the lower Antelope Canyon? I see your kayak tours do not run during this time. Can a person simply park and walk in or is there transportation needed across the river? Lastly, what is your status due to the Coronavirus and lockdowns?
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Hi Andrew,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Antelope Canyons will be closed to all access at the time of year you’re visiting. You cannot simply park and walk in at will. Since the land-side of Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyons, and its other drainages such as Antelope Canyon X, etc., are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, attempting to get there by any other means than a guided tour constitutes trespassing, and all that that implies.
If seeing a slot canyon remains high on your priority list — and we wouldn’t blame you at all if it did! — our best recommendation is to visit Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some unique formations such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is technically not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. The walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, but the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain to the vehicle. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For updated information on the status of the Antelope Canyons and COVID-19 lockdowns, visit www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 30, 2020 at 2:07 PM
Nay C
Hi Alley,
I’m very thankful I stumbled across this page. Your tips were very helpful in trying to narrow down what to do during our upcoming vacation.
We’re planning on being in Phoenix for Thanksgiving, and are extending our stay to visit Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon (we wanted to visit Antelope, but I figured out that it was closed. bummer).
We’re hoping to leave Phoenix early Saturday morning (Nov 28), head to Horseshoe and spend half a day there (from 10am to approx 4pm), drive to Flagstaff and spend the night there, then Sunday morning (Nov 29) head to the Grand Canyon. We would spend the whole day at the Canyon, spend the night, and spend half of Monday Nov 30 there (sunrise and lunch), and then head back to Phoenix.
I know the Canyon is a massive park, but will we be able to see anything in a day and a half? Does the itinerary seem doable, or do you have any other suggestions? If so, are there specific hikes and lodging places that you could recommend? Would it be better if we booked tours? Can we easily drive along those roads? How cold will it be by the end of November?
Sorry for all the questions but from what I’ve read so far, you’re an extremely well-versed resource!
Thanks,
Nay
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Hi Nay,
Your plan is OK, but still warrants a couple of minor “reality checks” IMO.
The drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ) takes approximately 5 hours. The trip from Horseshoe Bend to Flagstaff, AZ, takes ~2.5. So that’s ~8 hours you’re proposing to spend on the road on a day where you have only 10 hours of daylight to work with (sunrise occurs around 7:00 AM, sunset takes place just after 5:00 PM). You want to make sure you’re doing all driving during daylight hours, especially in Northern Arizona, where roads are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife could be moving about, which ratchets up your risk of an accident. Trust me, you don’t want to chance a collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty to non-exisent, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive!
A better plan would be to drive to Page, AZ, the 27th, and spend the night. Then spend the better part of next day sightseeing, drive to Flagstaff, AZ, on the 28th, then proceed with your plans at the Grand Canyon. As for what you’d be able to accomplish in a day and a half, quite a lot. When you arrive, park your vehicle in the Grand Canyon Village area and talk a walk along the easy, paved Grand Canyon Rim Trail. If you want, you could venture out along the Hermit’s Road and hit some of those overlooks, then hop on the free shuttle when you’ve had enough of walking. Another option would be to drive out the East Rim/Desert View Drive and explore some of those viewpoints, although you would only be able to get as far as Navajo Point; Desert View itself is closed due to COVID-19 unfortunately. Guided tours in the park have also been cancelled due to COVID-19, but you don’t really need one to get the most out of your visit. The Grand Canyon is one of the easier National Parks in the system to self-tour. As for where to stay, it is best to stay inside the park if at all possible, but those hotels may already be sold out. If that’s the case, look to Tusayan, AZ, 7 miles outside the park, or Williams, AZ, 1 hour South of the park. Grand Canyon South Rim hotels
As for weather, late November is typically cold, with snow a very real possibility in the higher elevations, such as the South Rim. Be prepared for winter conditions from sunny and brisk to out and out blizzard. Of course, it’s too soon to know for certain, but begin monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. That will give you the best idea of what to expect.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 09, 2020 at 2:50 PM
Tom murray
When will Antelope Canyon start excepting reservations for 2021?to.
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Hey Tom,
Hate to say it, but we’re not sure yet. If COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be sufficiently contained within the Navajo Indian Reservation by the end of this year, the closure could be extended further, but it’s too soon to call. My advice would be to put your name on our priority e-mail notification list to be informed the moment the closure is lifted, and start researching alternatives should the closure continue. For more information on the latter option, check out “Help! My Antelope Canyon Tour Got Cancelled.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 09, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Lena
Alley – You appear to be a true miracle worker in navigating travel during these unique times! I’m getting confused on planning options as we prepare for a one week early November stay. Arriving in Vegas on a Friday, staying one night and departing for Grand Canyon Hotel Sat-Mon. The plan was to head north and visit Page (?) on our way to a three night stay in Zion. But what do you suggest for the one night between GC and Zion (La Verkin)? I’m not sure what we will be able to see and how much time we should plan in the car with our middle grade children. Any insight you can provide would be most appreciated.
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Hi Lena and thanks for the compliments.
These are indeed trying times for travel in the American Southwest, but judging from the number of people we continue to see, folks are managing with a little creativity, and patience!
Under normal circumstances, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Zion takes ~5 hours. Due to a crucial component of the shortest travel route between the two destinations being closed — specifically, AZ64 from Desert View Point to Cameron — it is now necessary to drive from GC South Rim all the way back to Flagstaff, then on to Zion via US89. This turns a 5-hour drive into more like a 6.5-7 hour drive. In both cases, however, there’s one common factor: you have to pass through Page, AZ, anyway. Therefore, I’d recommend planning to stay there in between the Grand Canyon and Zion.
With the detour factored in, it will take ~4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Unfortunately, the Antelope Canyons are closed. Still, you can enjoy the hike to Horseshoe Bend, walk across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, enjoy panoramic views of Lake Powell and the surrounding terrain from the newly opened Grandview Overlook Park, maybe some sightseeing on the shoreline of Lake Powell at Wahweap Swim Beach or Lone Rock Beach. Note that the latter two areas are located inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which means you’d have to pay the $30 entrance fee, or you could use the National Park Pass if you have one.
The drive from Page, AZ, to La Verkin, UT, via Zion National Park would then take ~3 hours. Note that in Zion National Park, a shuttle system is required to access the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which is considered to be the “main” part of the park. Due to COVID-19, capacity on the shuttles has been reduced to facilitate social distancing. Therefore, advance purchase of tickets for the shuttle is required if you want to use it. For more information on this, visit Recreation.gov: Zion National Park Shuttle Tickets
BTW, if you still wanted to tour a slot canyon while you’re here, you might think about touring Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 14, 2020 at 3:53 PM
Linda
How do we go about booking antelope boat tour and also the upper antelope canyon around November 22-23?
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Hi Linda,
I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Navajo Indian Tribe has decided to close the Antelope Canyons for the remainder of 2020. 🙁 This means that the Upper Antelope Canyon tour and the boat tour are a no-go.
Fortunately, there are other slot canyon in the area that are just as beautiful, but not subject to the same restrictions as the Antelope Canyons. If your family includes small children, seniors, or anyone who cannot handle rugged terrain or long distances, Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT, would probably be enjoyable for you. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you prefer something more rough-and-tumble, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting to take their adventure to the next level. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which is usually filled with deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 12, 2020 at 3:03 PM
Sylvia
This is really a great itinerary. Do you have any suggestion of another option because we are flying to Phoenix (. Visit my sister in-law in Mesa, AZ at the end of the trip) We want to see Page, Grand Canyon, Sedona, Bryce and Zion. What do you suggest? We are planning to go there first week of November. Thanks.
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Hey Sylvia!
Using Phoenix as your staging city, you can still pull off this itinerary, with a couple of adjustments. One important consideration at the time of year you’re visiting is weather. While it will be relatively mild in Phoenix at that time of year, temperatures up North will be much colder, and you could even encounter snow at that time of year. That “risk” (if you want to call it that) is particularly high at the Grand Canyon, which is 7,000′ above sea level (ASL) and Bryce Canyon, which is 8,000′ ASL. Of course it’s too soon to know what will actually materialize, but start monitoring weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, in all the areas you wish to visit. That will give you the best idea of what to pack.
Recommend asking yourself this question: do you prefer to get the longer drives out of the way first, or are you OK with having that last on the itinerary? Since most prefer to save the easiest part of the trip for last, here’s what I would suggest:
Day 1 – Drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon (if it’s open, if not, more on an alternative in a minute…), overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 2 – Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours). **If Antelope Canyon remains closed at the time of your visit, tour Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT, on the way to Bryce** Overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 3 – Explore Bryce Canyon Rim Drive, then drive to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), spend 2 nights in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT. **Be aware that the Zion Canyon Shuttle is operating with stipulations due to COVID-19, namely, that you must have advance reservations for tickets.**
Day 4 – 2nd day/night in Zion
Day 5 – Drive from Zion to Grand Canyon South Rim via Lees Ferry/Marble Canyon (very scenic, negates some backtracking), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim **Normally this is a 5-6 hour drive, but could run as long as 7-8 hours depending on whether the Navajo Reservation reopens AZ64 from Cameron to Desert View at the time of your visit.**
Day 6 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, overnight in Sedona
Day 7 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, or drive back to Phoenix (~2 hour drive)
Trip map
If you’d rather have more “chill” time on the trip, I’d recommend dropping Bryce and maye even Zion from the itinerary and giving the extra days to Sedona. Trust me, you won’t regret that at all!
The big key is keeping an eye on the status of the Navajo Nation. They’ve been hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19 and as a result, wish to minimize contact with outsiders. AZ64 from Cameron to Desert View, a key component of the travel route to Grand Canyon South Rim from points North, has been closed for several months, necessitating a detour through Flagstaff, AZ, for tourists driving in from Page, Zion, Bryce, etc. For current information, visit www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 21, 2020 at 3:38 PM
Nikki
Hello,
I’m planning a trip for my family in late October to Page, AZ and was wondering if we’ll be able to visit Antelope Canyon?
Thanks!
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Hey Nikki,
The short answer is: we don’t know. Right now the Antelope Canyons are slated to be closed through at least September 30th. I would recommend placing your name on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the Antelope Canyons re-open.
In the event the closure is extended to coincide with the time of your visit, you should start thinking about some alternate plans for slot canyon touring. If your family includes small children, seniors, or anyone who cannot handle rugged terrain or long distances, Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT, would probably be enjoyable for you. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you prefer something more rough-and-tumble, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting to take their adventure to the next level. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps. Sorry we couldn’t offer more insight right now.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 18, 2020 at 3:45 PM
Kim
We will be flying into Phoenix on Fri Oct 23, and on the road north to Grand Canyon, Sedona and/or Antelope starting about 2pm. We would like to optimize time on this side excursion lasting until Sun evening (checking into hotel in Scottsdale on Sun around 10pm), and possibly adding Horseshoe Bend. Can you please provide your best ideas and towns to stay optimize our time, but not be rushed? Is it possible to “check it out” in just a little over 2 days?
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Hey Kim,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have 2 days, that’s not nearly enough time to fully enjoy the destinations you have named on your list. Sedona in particular is the kind of place where you need to spend 3-4 days minimum. Even so, people report having spent a week there and feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface.”
If you want to at least say that you’ve seen it, I’d recommend passing through it en route to Scottsdale on your return trip. More on that in a minute…
On your arrival day, you only have about 3.5 hours of daylight to work with after 2:00 PM, so I’d recommend going straight to Grand Canyon South Rim, which is a 4.5-5 hour drive. You need to do the majority of your driving during daylight hours in this part of the U.S. Roads are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), plus deer, elk, and other large animals tend to move around after dusk, which makes nighttime driving a dangerous proposition. Overnight at the Grand Canyon, then get up early the next morning and head to Page, AZ.
Normally, the drive to Page, AZ, takes ~3 hours. Due to COVID-19, an integral component of the driving route has been closed by the Navajo Indian Tribe, necessitating a detour back through Flagstaff, then on up US89 North. This means a 3-hour drive has turned into a 5-hour drive, hence, the recommendation for an early start. Another potential wrinkle: due to COVID-19, the Antelope Canyons are also closed. Whether they will open by the time you visit remains unknown. Should this be the case, you’ll still find plenty to occupy your time in Page, AZ, including Horseshoe Bend.
Spend Saturday night in Page, then head for Sedona, AZ, Sunday morning. Sunrise occurs shortly before 7:00 AM. The drive from Page, AZ, to Sedona, AZ, takes ~3 hours. If desired, and with an early enough start, you might take a backcountry jeep tour in Sedona before heading to Scottsdale, AZ, which is approximately a 2-hour drive from Sedona. Again, shoot for an earlier arrival time in Scottsdale earlier than 10:00 PM so you’re doing as little driving as possible after dark.
Naturally, the feasibility of all this depends on hotel availability. If need be, this itinerary can be reversed just as easily since Page, AZ, is also ~4-4.5 hours from Phoenix.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 16, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Alissa Fuentes
Hello, my family and I are going on our trip to the Grand Canyon. I mostly want to go to visit the horseshoe bend. We will be there from September 16th, 2020 to September 20, 2020. Any advice?
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Hi Alissa,
The most important thing to know is that Horseshoe Bend, while part of the Colorado River, is in a different area from Grand Canyon National Park. Horseshoe Bend: The Intimate Grand Canyon Experience Horseshoe Bend is located 5 miles South of the town of Page, Arizona. Normally, Page, AZ, is about a 3-hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim. However, due to COVID-19, an integral component of the normal route is closed to all traffic by executive order of the Navajo Indian Tribe. Therefore, a rather long detour is required through Flagstaff, AZ, to get from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, which effectively extends the drive to ~5 hours.
In light of this and other considerations, I would recommend shortening your stay at the Grand Canyon to 2 nights, then devote the other 1-2 nights of your trip to Page, AZ and the surrounding area. Horseshoe Bend is best visited just after sunrise to enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. Since the Antelope Canyons are closed, you might take the short drive up to Kanab, UT (~1 hour from Page, AZ) to tour Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you prefer something more rugged, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
For maximum enjoyment of Horseshoe Bend and nearby attractions, plan to overnight in Page, Arizona.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 14, 2020 at 3:43 PM
Colleen johnston
Is the upper canyon open for visitors in September
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Hi Colleen,
Sorry, but no 🙁 Per executive order of the Navajo Tribe, the closure of Navajo Nation Parks has been extended through September 30th. We strongly recommend you start looking at a “Plan B” for slot canyon touring. We recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT (~90 minutes from Page, AZ). With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For more suggestions, visit AntelopeCanyon.AZ: “Help! My Tour Got Cancelled”
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 07, 2020 at 2:05 PM
Jayne Shafer
I am still trying to get a refund for a tour I booked for July 2, 2020. Can you help me figure out how to get it?
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Hi Jayne,
So sorry you’re having issues with the refund of your cancelled Antelope Canyon tour. Unfortunately, this is a privately owned site, so we would not be able to intervene in this matter. Your best recourse is to find the name of the tour company you booked through and contact them directly. Companies operating Antelope Canyon tours are as follows:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
– Upper Antelope Canyon Tours – www.upperantelope.com service@mail.upperantelope.com (no phone #)
If for some reason you are unable to locate the name of the tour operator you booked with, then we would recommend talking to your credit card company. They are usually very good about going to bat for their customers in situations like these.
Hope that helps. Sorry again for the trouble,
Alley 🙂September 05, 2020 at 1:48 PM
Maribeth Goldsby
Hi — We would love to reserve the lower canyon and boat tour when it’s open again. can we be placed on a notification list? Also, Is there a nice RV park close by that we can look into?
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Hi Maribeth,
You absolutely can be placed on a priority e-mail list to be notified of when the Antelope Canyons reopen! Visit https://mailchi.mp/21ec890ff6aa/antelopecanyon
As for RV parks, there are two with hook-ups in the immediate vicinity of Antelope Canyon: Page/Lake Powell Campground and Wahweap RV Park. Page/Lake Powell RV Park is in the town of Page, AZ, itself, within easy access of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and other retail shops. Wahweap RV Park is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, meaning you have to pay a park entrance fee in addition to your RV park fee. It is also a bit isolated (20-30 minutes from Antelope Canyon), but by staying there, you would literally be minutes from the shores of Lake Powell. The Lake Powell Resort & Marina complex has several food and beverage and retail outlets on-site.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 01, 2020 at 11:59 AM
Debbie Deavours
Alley, this is such amazing info, the best I’ve found. I’m planning my first motorcoach trip from Alabama to the Grand Canyon for senior adults next fall. Would you mind telling me which of the routes you suggested would not be appropriate for a motorcoach? If not, I understand. None of the long hikes will work for my group, but there is so much on your itinerary that is doable for a large group. My problem is always over-planning. Some of my group want to do Tucson at the end as well. I’d appreciate any advise that you can give me. My plan is to drive in on I70 to Moab which will take 3 days, visit the parks, staying in as many lodges as I can, each for 2 nights and staying in Sedona and Tucson each a night and then heading back on I10 AND I40 to Alabama. We are use to long trips. We try to stop along the way to do fun things. The biggest complaint is moving every night, so I like to plan as many stops for 2 nights as I can while still seeing the area. Thanks for your info. I will slap myself on the hand if this is inappropriate. Debbie
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Hi Debbie,
Not inappropriate at all that you’ve reached out to us for guidance! We’d rather see people overplan than underplan any day of the week, especially with a large group.
In your situation, you’ll want to deal with the group sales departments of the hotels at the various parks you’ll be visiting. That way, you’ll be sure to get the best rates, and work with people who are used to coordinating arrangements for larger groups. Now would not be too soon to start making contacts as many parks, especially the Grand Canyon, book out months in advance.
Since there are no hotels in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the town of Moab, UT, will be your “base camp” from which to explore these areas. In light of that, you should plan on staying there at least 3-4 nights. Moab has ample choices of lodging, including chain and independently-owned hotels. Moab Utah lodging
From Moab, I imagine you’ll want to hit Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon en route to the Grand Canyon? If that’s the case, Capitol Reef is another National Park without hotels inside the park. The gateway comnmunities for it are Hanksville, Fruita, and Torrey. Capitol Reef Lodging Or you might just hit Capitol Reef as a “drive-by” on your way to Bryce. That would make for a long drive (~5 hours, not counting sightseeing in Capitol Reef), but those are pretty much a fact of life out here! In Bryce Canyon, there is lodging in-park, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was sold out already. It is managed by Forever Resorts, who manage lodging and other concessions in several National Parks. Because the the Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a historic property, guest rooms do not have TV’s, air conditioning (you don’t really need it up there because it’s 8,000′ ASL), or in-room wi-fi. If these are amenities your guests must have, then the gateway community of Bryce Canyon City would probably be the better place to stay. The Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn is popular for motorcoach groups, so do check it out.
For Zion National Park, it’s a similar situation to Bryce, there is a hotel in-park, but it’s old, and as such may not be as conducive to group travel as newer properties. Zion has two major gateway communities for lodging: Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, and Kanab, UT, on the Eastern border of the park. Push comes to shove, you could stay in Kanab, UT and use it as a “base camp” for sightseeing in both Bryce and Zion.
For Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell, the Lake Powell Resort & Marina is the sole in-park lodge in the downlake area of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It does host motorcoach groups, last I heard. The only disadvantage to staying there is it’s a bit isolated, about a 20 minute drive from the town of Page, AZ, where you’ll find the majority of restaurants, bars, shops, etc. However, Lake Powell Resort is quite large and self-contained; it has a number of restaurants, retail stores, etc. on-site, so pretty much everything you’d need would be on-site. Should you prefer to stay where there are more choices, then Page, AZ, would be where you’d want to look for lodging. If long hikes are out of the question for your group, you’d want to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. A guided tour is required, which must be booked in advance, especially for larger groups. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend may be an iffy proposition for some members of your group. While it is not a difficult walk, it is on the long-ish side at ~1.5 miles one-way. During the warmer months of the year, it’s best to hit it right at sunrise to enjoy cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. That’s something you could do on your way to Grand Canyon South Rim. At GC South Rim, there are 6 in-park hotels. The ones that host motorcoach groups most frequently are Maswik Lodge and Yavapai Lodge. Maswik Lodge is managed by Xanterra South Rim; Yavapai is managed by Delaware North Corporation. If you find in-park lodging to be sold out on your desired dates, Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option. Tusayan, AZ, hotels
Now, let’s talk about Sedona: 1 day is not nearly enough time to allot for that area. Sedona is a stunning town, with lots to see and do. People report spending 3-4 days there and still feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface” of all the area had to offer. Please consider spending more time there, you won’t regret doing so!
As for Tucson, it’s a beautiful town too with a fascinating history and a fair share of fun activities. I like the Sonoran Desert Museum and San Xavier del Bac Mission Church. It might still be pretty warm in Tucson, AZ, at the time of your visit, but going there will situate you perfectly to just hop on I-10 and head back to Alabama.
As for routes closed or not appropriate to bus traffic, I know of none where buses are expressly forbidden, but Scenic Byway 12 (between Capitol Reef and Bryce) might be one to avoid due to its narrow, twisty nature. Whatever you do, though, make sure that any and all driving is done during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. These and other factors can ratchet up your risk of an accident in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty to non-existent, and where help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2020 at 2:09 PM
Jordan
Hi
I am thinking of doing this trip as well. My itinerary would be as follows, at least this is what I am thinking. Would appreciate your thoughts on this.
I am coming from New Jersey and this would be a solo birthday trip.
9/8 – Arrive in Vegas
9/9 – Drive to Page early early in the AM. Do Antelope Canyon Tour & Horsebend.
9/10 – Drive back to Vegas – Relax and Chill
9/11 – Grand Canyon Tour
9/12 – Leave to go back home to Jersey
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Hi Jordan,
This is not a bad plan at all! The kicker, of course, will be whether the Antelope Canyons reopen in September! If they don’t, you’ll need to modify your plans a bit, but that won’t be as hard as it sounds.
A “plan B” itinerary, should the Antelope Canyons remain closed, would go something like this:
9/8 – Arrive in Vegas
9/9 – Drive to Page early early in the AM with stopover in Kanab, Utah, to tour Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon. Continue on to Page, AZ (~90 minutes from Kanab) and spend the night.
9/10 – Hit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, drive back to Vegas – Relax and Chill
9/11 – Grand Canyon Tour
9/12 – Leave to go back home to Jersey
If you are not familiar with Red/Peek-A-Boo Canyon, it is a slot canyon with twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, but not subject to the closure of Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. It’s a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Should the Antelope Canyons reopen next month — which we’re all crossing fingers and toes for! — you’ll need to book a guided tour ASAP. They are required to access Antelope Canyon. For more information, read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2020 at 1:13 PM
Mara Safra
Hi Alley!!
I would so appreciate help with my itinerary and would be happy to book tours thru you!
Land in Las Vegas 9/10 and drive to page for overnight.
Check into Amangiri 9/11 for 3 nights. During stay take excursions to antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, and lake Powell and hike and enjoy amangiri property.
Depart after lunch 9/14 and head to Grand Canyon south rim. ****Need suggestion for accommodation here in vicinity.
9/15 _ explore south rim and **** suggestion on exploration of Grand Canyon south rim area… we fly home on the 16. Should we stay 2 nights at the south rim? Or is there somewhere else we should go on our way back to Vegas?
Head back to Las Vegas and fly on late flight On 9/16 back home!
Thoughts? Suggestions?. We have a rental car.
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Hi Mara,
OMG that’s so cool that you get to stay at Amangiri! If you have a minute after your vacation, we would love to know how you liked it, so few of our visitors get to stay at that very exclusive and beautiful property.
Now, onto a bit of potentially bad news: as of right now, the Antelope Canyons are closed due to COVID-19 by order of the Navajo Tribal Council. They are scheduled to reopen on August 31st, but whether that actually will happen is unknown. Should the closure be extended through the dates of your stay, there are alternatives, namely, Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
The staff at Amangiri would probably be able to help you change your arrangements if need be.
Regarding accommodations at the South Rim, if you haven’t booked anything yet, you may have some issues with availability, or lack thereof. It’s always most convenient and desirable to stay inside the park, but those hotels tend to book up months in advance. Should that be the case, your next best alternative is Tusayan, AZ, just 7 miles outside the park gates. Should that area be booked up (and it’s entirely possible that it is), Williams or Flagstaff, AZ, 60 and 90 minutes from the park respectively, is where you’d need to look for accommodations. For more information, visit www.GrandCanyon.com: South Rim Hotels As for what to explore, since the Village Shuttles aren’t running, and some roads and facilities are closed, you’re going to be somewhat limited on that, mainly to the Grand Canyon Village area, and the East Rim/Desert View Drive up to Navajo Point. Grand Canyon National Park COVID-19 Operations Another consideration is that should the Navajo Nation closures be extended through the timeframe of your visit, the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim will be longer than usual. Due to a key component of the travel route being closed off, a detour through Flagstaff, AZ, is required to get to the South Rim, turning a trip that usually runs ~3 hours into more of a 4.5-5 hour drive. For this reason alone, you may indeed with to stay 2 nights at the South Rim, if you can find accommodations.
As for what else you might see on the drive back to Las Vegas, here again, that’s a long drive, ~5 hours, so most visitors prefer to bang it out as quickly as possible. Should you be of the opposite inclination, you might take advantage of the opportunity to visit Seligman, AZ, a Route 66 mainstay, and the real-life inspiration for the fictional town of “Radiator Springs” from the “Cars” movies. Kingman, AZ, ~90 minutes from Las Vegas, also has a neat Route 66 Museum. Hoover Dam would also be right on your way, but that might strictly be a “drive-by sighting” since all walkways and visitor facilities are closed at the present time.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 24, 2020 at 12:36 PM
karen
Hello I’m planning to go to antelope canyon next week and I wonder if its open or do I have to make an reservation, I was reading previous reviews and it says that I need to get a tour in order to go in? Is it true. I’m trying to find a phone number so I can call them and ask, we are not in area and will drive so many hours to go there so I want to be sure I can enjoy the canyon, thanks in advance
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Hi Karen,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news here, but per the Navajo Tribe, the Antelope Canyons are closed until further notice. Under normal circumstances, a guided tour is required to enter. There are several companies to choose from (How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon), but again, with the canyons closed, it’s kind of a moot point.
The good news is, there are alternatives that are not subject to the closure of Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. The one we most recommend is Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon, near Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 24, 2020 at 12:20 PM
Gracie
Are dogs allowed? I have a small yorkie that I have with me at all times for Support. She is an ESA dog and is always with me on her sling. It is attached to my shoulders and has her right in front of me. What tour is recommended? I want to do the Upper and I’m planning on being there For 1 hour. Is the Canyon open right now? Due to Covid. Thank you!
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Hi Gracie,
Unfortunately, the Antelope Canyons remain closed until further notice, so this is kind of a moot point. At any rate, animals are not allowed on Antelope Canyon tours under normal circumstances. This is due to the ruggedness of the terrain.
A popular alternative to the Antelope Canyons right now is Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon, near Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. While the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, www.vermilioncliffs.net
As to whether they accommodate service/support animals, I do not know, so please contact them directly to discuss that.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 24, 2020 at 12:16 PM
_________________________________________
From Gracie
Thank you so much Alley. Yes, that helps. You are awesome for all the info. Stay safe and thank you once more 🙂
August 28, 2020 at 3:28 PM
John D’Addona
My computer got hacked and I didn’t get a response for the reservation I sent on July 31 for a possible visit to the wave on November 1, 2 or 3. Can you please tell me if I was successful or not.3
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Hey John,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we are not affiliated with the agency that manages the online lottery for Wave hiking permits.
The agency that manages online permit requests is Recreation.gov https://www.recreation.gov/permits/274309
If for some reason you aren’t successful in obtaining a permit through the online lottery, you can always try your hand at the walk-in lottery, currently being held in the Kanab, UT, Public Gym. In the in-person lottery, you would apply the day prior to when you wish to hike.
Good luck and hope you get things sorted out,
AlleyAugust 21, 2020 at 4:21 PM
Terry Carter
Hello Alley, great detailed information. My husband and I have a 10 day trip planned September 3-13 driving from Little Rock to Sedona and back. In Page, AZ we plan to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, however, Antelope is closed due to Covid. Understanding it could open at anytime, what would be your suggestions, to add in place of Antelope Canyon, for hiking or white water rafting in Page since we will be there for two days?
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Hi Terry,
Thank you for visiting our site!
White water rafting is something you’re probably going to have to rule out this time around, assuming one day is all you have to spend for such an activity. White water rafting trips, which technically start at Lees Ferry (~1 hour from Page, AZ) are all multi-day.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the popular Horseshoe Bend Raft Trip (float trip, no rapids) has also been placed on hiatus until further notice. So what could you do as an alternative? Drive down to Lees Ferry, rent a kayak, take a backhaul boat to the base of the Glen Canyon Dam, and paddle the 15 miles through Glen Canyon back to Lees Ferry! You could also do this on a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP). For more information on this activity, visit www.KayakHorseshoeBend.com
As for other slot canyons you might visit should the Antelope Canyons remain closed by the time you get here, we recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon, or Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Kanab, UT. Peek-A-Boo (there’s another canyon of the same name near Escalante, UT, so don’t get the two mixed up!) is a family-friendly slot canyon located approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. Reputable companies in Kanab, UT, that cover Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. After paying a nominal self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which usually consists of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, another unpaved road that can be problematic for parties in rental cars. While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Here again, a guided tour, while not required, will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Other activities you might consider while in the area include, but aren’t limited to:
– A walk along the Page Rim View Trail
– A kayak tour of Lone Rock Canyon
– A scenic fixed wing airplane flight over Lake Powell or Monument Valley
– Hike the “New Wave” trail to Radio Tower Rock
– Shoot a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon Indoor Shooting Range
…just to name a few 😉
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyAugust 03, 2020 at 2:58 PM
John
Tried getting to Antelope Canyon, we had GPS the Antelope Canyon but only came upon 2 different touring companies. Is there a national park sign that says welcome to Antelope Canyon? If so where is the location entrance if you don’t mind me asking?
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Hi John,
Don’t mind you asking at all. There are more than 2 tour companies that manage the Antelope Canyons, but you might not be able to get there this time around. The entrance to the Antelope Canyons (main branches, Lower & Upper), is on US98, about 5 miles Southeast of the town of Page, AZ, West of the now defunct Navajo Generating Station. Map
At the moment, however, the canyons are closed due to COVID-19. They are expected to reopen on July 27th, but frankly, it’s doubtful that that will take place due to COVID-19 cases continuing to crop up.
Recommend you start thinking of a “Plan B” as far as slot canyon tours are concerned. We recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon (not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!), a family-friendly slot canyon located near Kanab, UT, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. Reputable companies in Kanab, UT, that cover Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. After paying a nominal self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which usually consists of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, another unpaved road that can be problematic for parties in rental cars. While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Here again, a guided tour, while not required, will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 20, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Harry Vine
Alley,
You seem to have so much great information. I was wondering if there might be any way I could contact you directly. I’ll be in Page 7/19-7/23 and am in some dire need of guidance due to all of the COVID closures. Any help you could provide would be so greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
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Hi Harry,
I appreciate the sentiment and vote of confidence, but would recommend that you receive the guidance you need from someone who is actually in Page, AZ: the local Chamber of Commerce can be reached at 928-645-2741. The Tourism Bureau might also be able to help, they can be contacted at 928-645-4310.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 14, 2020 at 10:31 AM
mitch burmeister
Is Antelope Canyons going to open July 23, 2020 and on? Just want to walk through lower Antelope Cyn, dont really need a guide, is this possible? Who do I call to make reservations or purchase pass??
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Hi Mitch,
We regret that we are not certain whether the Antelope Canyons will reopen to the public on the planned date of July 27th, 2020. The Navajo Tribe has been affected in disproportionately high numbers by COVID-19 and we totally support their desire to not risk further exposure to tour guides, drivers, or other support staff just so we can take a tour.
Speaking of tours, yes, they are 100% required, which means while the Antelope Canyons remain closed, nobody can go there. Fortunately, there are other slot canyons nearby that are still open for visitation. We recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon (not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!), a family-friendly slot canyon located near Kanab, UT, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. Reputable companies in Kanab, UT, that cover Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. After paying a nominal self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which usually consists of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, another unpaved road that can be problematic for parties in rental cars. While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Here again, a guided tour, while not required, will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 13, 2020 at 4:19 PM
_________________________________________
From Kimberly Eckley
GREAT information!! Thanks. Can you supply an update. We’d like to try (again) and come up there end of Oct early Nov. Maybe I could be on an “update list” or something>?
August 03, 2020 at 1:13 AM
Nancy Powers
Hi, I did not hear back about whether I was selected from the lottery which I applied for in June for October. I understand the lottery was July 1 so assume I did not make it.
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Hi Nancy,
You are correct that the June lottery for Wave permits was held July 1st. If you have not received an e-mail, it’s a safe assumption that your name was not chosen. However, if you wish to make absolutely sure of that, you might contact the BLM Office in Kanab, UT, at (435) 644-1300. You can also try your hand at the walk-in lottery, which will be held the day prior to when you wish to hike. Right now, due to COVID-19, the in-person Wave permit drawings are being held at an alternate location, Kanab Center Gymnasium, if I remember correctly. However, this could return to the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitors Center by October if the virus reaches some semblance of containment by then.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 13, 2020 at 4:13 PM
_________________________________________
From Abhinav Nigam
Hi Alley,
Is there a way to check on any “the wave” permit cancellations and availability to reserve a spot?
Thanks.November 03, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Ivette Calderon
Hi there! I wanted to ask if the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend are open now. I appreciate any information. Thanks in advance.
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Hello Ivette,
Horseshoe Bend is one of a few attractions in the Page, AZ, area that never closed. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
We wish we could say the same for the Antelope Canyons, but unfortunately, the Navajo Nation made the difficult decision to extend the closure of tribal parks on reservation lands through July 27th.
Should that coincide with the dates you plan to travel, you should start thinking of a “plan B” for a slot canyon tour.
We recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon (not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!), a family-friendly slot canyon located near Kanab, UT, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. Reputable companies in Kanab, UT, that cover Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. After paying a nominal self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which usually consists of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, another unpaved road that can be problematic for parties in rental cars. While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Here again, a guided tour, while not required, will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 06, 2020 at 1:54 PM
Kylie
Will you be posting the reopening somewhere specific? We are visiting Arizona the week you (crossing my fingers) could possibly be reopened. I subscribed to the email but want to be sure to know ASAP! Thanks!
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Hi Kylie,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but things are not looking promising for the reopening of the Antelope Canyons. What with new cases of COVID-19 cropping up in Arizona and elsewhere, and the Navajo Tribe being hit disproportionately hard, no one should be surprised if the closure of the Antelope Canyons is extended into August or beyond. Naturally, we’re keeping our fingers crossed, but we strongly advise that you start thinking in terms of a “plan B.”
We recommend Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon (not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!), a family-friendly slot canyon located near Kanab, UT, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. Reputable companies in Kanab, UT, that cover Peek-A-Boo are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. After paying a nominal self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead, the walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which usually consists of deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road, another unpaved road that can be problematic for parties in rental cars. While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Here again, a guided tour, while not required, will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 25, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Lauri Doxsey
We just followed your plan and had an amazing vacation! COVID forced us to make some changes in our original reservations , but we were able to follow the general plan and make some adjustments. We made many of the stops on the way from place to place and loved them! Thank you so much for putting this together🤗🤗
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Hi Lauri,
Wow, thank you so much for those lovely compliments! Glad you were able to make adjustments due to COVID-19 but that they did not negatively impact your visit. Hope you get a chance to return to the American Southwest when this dang bug has run its course and hit the attractions you might have missed.
Take care and have a wonderful summer,
Alley 🙂June 23, 2020 at 2:29 PM
_________________________________________
From Vincent Bartoloma
Alley – Thank you so much for all of this information ! All of this information inspired me to plan a trip several months ago. Unfortunately because of covid-19 I have had to push it back twice, and now as Lauri is pointing out I will have to make some changes. I replied to her previously since she had just been there, but can you give any information regarding the covid-19 shutdowns ? Will I be able to access Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon areas now that tours are not available ? I was also thinking of adding Escalante after Bryce, and before Zion. Anything you can tell me about that would be appreciated. Sorry for writing this reply again, I made some mistakes in my previous reply and wanted to correct them and couldn’t edit that reply.
September 14, 2020 at 1:05 PM
Koba Skelton
Hi Alley,
I am in Sedona for a week, and can’t find any slot canyons that I can get to without guides. Been to Peek a Boo , used our Atv’s to get there, any other slot canyon options out there you can point me too ? Thanks,
Koba
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Hi Koba,
Since you seem familiar with the area, I’m curious if you’ve ever been to Wire Pass Canyon and/or the Buckskin Gulch? If not, you should definitely make a plan to visit these slot canyons that offer plenty of adventure and beautiful scenery! Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. It is possible to walk around this obstacle, but an additional 60-90 minutes of walking might not be welcome when it’s blazing hot outside. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Now normally, I don’t recommend Blue Pools Wash to the average vacationer, but you might be up for the challenges this slot canyon presents, namely, a 45-50′ rappel and a few down/up-climbs. It does pass under a major highway, US89, so you’ll unfortunately find a fair amount of trash in the canyon, which you’re welcome to pick up (or not). It’s easy to find, just past Lone Rock Beach between Page, AZ, and Big Water, UT. For detailed instructions on accessing and exploring this slot canyon — which you do at your own risk — visit SummitPost.org Blue Pools Slot Canyon
Good luck and safe travels, and if you get a minute, do let us know where you went and how you got on!
Take care,
Alley 🙂June 22, 2020 at 2:22 PM
Angie
We plan to come through Arizona in mid-July. If the Upper Antelope Canyon has reopened for visitors, how much would it cost to just go through the upper canyon and not do a bundle package? Also, will we need to make reservations ahead of time and if so, how far out will we need to reserve?
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Hi Angie,
Assuming that the Antelope Canyons reopen by the time of your visit, Upper Antelope Canyon can be toured without committing to a “bundle.” How much it will cost will depend on a few key factors, namely, whether you want to visit during the mid-day “peak” hours, or earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, referred to as “off-peak.” Peak hour tours run ~$75/person plus taxes and fees, off-peak typically runs ~$60/person ++ You would need to make reservations as far in advance as you can, but all this may be a moot point. We have heard talk locally of the closure of the Antelope Canyons being extended through the summer. Though that has yet to be confirmed, I would start looking at “plan B” options.
Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon (not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!) is a family-friendly slot canyon is located between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain. If you want to try your hand at self-driving, go 7.5 miles past the Kanab, UT, city limit sign on US 89; turn onto BLM road #102 and follow it 4 miles in until you find the parking area. For those who would prefer to explore Peek-A-Boo in the safety and comfort of a guided tour, there are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, www.vermillioncliffs.net
If you’re up for something a little more adventurous, Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence with the Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
– Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
– Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
– Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 22, 2020 at 2:12 PM
Olivia
Will Antelope Canyon reopen for the 4th of July weekend?
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Hi Olivia,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but closure of Navajo Reservation lands to outsiders, and the Antelope Canyons was recently extended through July 5th 🙁
Now for the good news: there are other beautiful slot canyons near Page, AZ, that are not located on Indian Tribal lands and therefore, not bound by the closures that affect them!
Since I don’t know the makeup of your traveling party (Kids? Seniors? Neither? Everyone in good shape, or not so much?), I’ll err on the side of caution and recommend Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT (not to be confused with “another” Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Escalante, UT!). It’s a beatufiul slot canyon ~ 1 hour away from Page, AZ, and an easy hike. Although a guided tour is “technically” not required to visit Red Canyon, we strongly recommend that you use one as the drive to access the canyon is on a potentially hazardous unpaved road, which shouldn’t be attempted by parties in rental cars. Licensed tour companies that can help you out are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermillioncliffs.net
If everyone in your group is in relatively good shape and up for a somethign a little more adventurous, you might consider Wire Pass Canyon and/or Buckskin Gulch. These two slot canyons are located between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot (Wire Pass) is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch, which is an extremely long slot canyon that eventually joins with the Paria River. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence of Wire Pass and Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
Detours American West, 480-633-9013, www.detoursamericanwest.com
Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, www.paria.com
Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 11, 2020 at 2:17 PM
Tara Johansen
Hello!
We are planning to visit in July with our kids ages 10, 7, and 3. Is it possible to see both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in one day? Based on our kids’ ages, I think we would stick with the upper Canyon. Do you agree? Do we need a tour for both of these places? And are they both currently open to visit? Thank you for any information you can provide! I appreciate it!
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Hi Tara,
While it is possible in theory to visit both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day, in reality, it may not be.
Horseshoe Bend is one of a few attractions in the area that never closed during COVID-19. No tour is required. It is open between sunrise (~5:00 AM) and sunset (~8:00 PM). At the time of year you’re visiting, daytime high temperatures in Page, AZ, are extremely hot, and the overlook and trail have almost no shade. Therefore, we recommend visiting during the hours immediately after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. On average, people take 90 minutes to 2 hours to hike out to the rim, take photos, and hike back. Water and sun protection for all members of your party must be carried for your safety.
The Antelope Canyons are closed at this time due to the continued health risks posed by COVID-19 and the closure of Navajo Tribal Lands to outsiders. Even if they were to open by the time of your visit, you may have some issues finding a tour (yes, they are required) that will accommodate your 3-year-old. Read “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids” for more details on this.
Should the Antelope Canyons be closed at the time of your visit, there are other slot canyons in the area that are not impeded by reservation closures. The best one for your family would probably be Red Canyon, aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon, near Kanab, UT (not to be confused with “another” Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Escalante, UT!) It’s a beatufiul slot canyon ~ 1 hour away from Page, AZ, and an easy hike. Although a guided tour is “technically” not required to visit Red Canyon, we strongly recommend that you use one as the drive to access the canyon is on a potentially hazardous unpaved road, which shouldn’t be attempted by parties in rental cars. Licensed tour companies that can help you out are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, www.vermillioncliffs.net
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 11, 2020 at 2:07 PM
Vaughn LaTour
Dear Alley-
We would like to make the hike to the Waves next spring. If we book with a tour company, do we still need to apply for the park permits or does the tour companies include them with the tour?
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Hi Vaughn!
Great question 🙂
The answer is, yes, if you choose to go to The Waves with a tour company, you would still need to secure a hiking permit.
For more information on how to get a Wave permit, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyJune 08, 2020 at 2:32 PM
Justyna Jablonski
Hi
I have a trip planned to Grand Canyon at the end of June, and the upper and lower Antylope tour booked for June 27…. what is the chance that by than it will reopen… I don’t want to spend all that money to go to Arizona and not see all that I want it, I rather move my vaca there till next year….
Will I get refunded if I will cancel? I am health care worker and as of now, if I fly anywhere, I need to quarantine for 14 days after, so if that will not change- I cannot go on my vacation anyway…… I am so stress about it all….. Any ideas?
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Hi Justyna,
First off, thank you for everything you and your colleagues have been doing to help our communities through this difficult time. Totally understand the stress and frustration you must be experiencing — you guys more than anyone need a vaca!
Unfortunately, we have no insight as to whether the Antelope Canyons will reopen by the time you visit. The fact is that the Navajo Indian Reservation (where the Antelope Canyons are located) has been hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19; you may have heard about it on the news. They need time and space to heal when this is all said and done. Besides, a confined space like a slot canyon is the last place I’d want to be with a bunch of people I don’t know, and a dangerous virus potentially floating around!
As to whether you reshcedule your vacation is entirely up to you. If you are truly able to pick and choose when to travel, I’d suggest re-thinking your visit for mid-October. That’s a great time of year boasting nearly picture-perfect weather and thinning crowds.
If you do decide to go for it in June, and the Antelope Canyons remain closed, you’ll be glad to know that Horseshoe Bend remains open, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell) is implementing a “phased reopening” of facilities and activities. Also, there are other slot canyons in the area that you can visit, many of which are nowhere near as crowded as Antelope, therefore they don’t require a guided tour to visit, although you can certainly take advantage of one for safety and convenience. These include, but are not limited to:
– Wire Pass Canyon and/or the Buckskin Gulch: located down the House Rock Valley Road, turn-off between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on US89, nominal entrance fee collected at self-service kiosk at the trailhead. HRVR is unpaved, and may be rendered impassable after recent rain or snow. Those in rental cars are discouraged from attempting to drive on this road. Licensed guide services for this area include Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
– Red Canyon, aka Peek-a-Boo Canyon, between Kanab, UT and Mt. Carmel Junction, UT. An easy hike, but access via a 4WD road is required. Here again, if you’re in a rental car, you may wish to go to this area with a licensed guide service such as Dreamland Safari Tours.
– Labyrinth Canyon, one of Lake Powell’s “uplake” slot canyons, access is only available by full-day kayak tour or overnight kayak tour
– Cathedral Wash, near Lees Ferry, AZ
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 27, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Cheryl Frieday
Hi So much great info. Would love some suggestions. Hopefully we will be able to travel in October as we are flying into SLC on October 15 and departing LAS on October 21, 2020. Planning on arriving at 11:00 AM and driving to Moah, UT staying two nights will visit Arches and then depart for Canyonland. Spend one night in that area (looking for suggetions) then drive to Antelope Canyon, book a tour visit and spend the night. Once done will head to either Bryce or Zion??? What would you suggest. Will have 2 days left. Other things to see? Spend longer in one of the areas. We will depart at 5:10 on Wed 10/21. The plan would be to drive from final place to LAS (don’t need to spend the night in Vegas…. Love to hear your suggestions… Thanks so much.
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Hi Cheryl!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and you’ve chosen the best time of year to visit! Still, I’d recommend a few modifications tohelp you get the most out of it.
First off, since Arches and Canyonlands are situated so close together, you might as well stay a 3rd night in Moab, UT, for optimal convenience.
The trip to Page, AZ, the next day will take roughly 5-6 hours, but it’s a beautiful drive, so get an early start on the day! One stop we highly recommend is the Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park — it’s kind of like a “double” Horseshoe Bend, without the crowds. Since the drive will take you right through Monument Valley, plan to stop there, perhaps for lunch, and a stop at the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit inside the Kayenta, AZ, Burger King.
In Page, AZ, Antelope Canyon is a definite must, as is a visit to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Overlook. You might also consider combining your Antelope Canyon walking tour with a boat tour of its waterside. Book the two tours as a “bundle” for optimal convenience!
For the time you have leftover, I’d recommend giving that either to Grand Canyon South Rim or to Zion National Park. The Grand Canyon is an iconic destination that everyone should visit at least once! At the time of year you’re traveling, the South Rim is the only side that’s open. Las Vegas would then be ~4.5 hours away, longer if you stop at Hoover Dam before you get into town. Staying inside the park is most desirable, or Tusayan, AZ, just outside the park gates. Grand Canyon hotels
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon and take us up on the suggestion to visit Zion, it’s a huge area with a lot to see and do, and you’ll love it! If you stay in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, that will put you about 3-4 hours away from Las Vegas for the last leg of your trip. Time/desire permitting, you might get an early start on the day (beginning to see a pattern here? 😉 and visit the stunning Valley of Fire State Park on the way into town.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 18, 2020 at 2:58 PM
Christina WU
Hi Will the antelope canyon open during the memorial weekend?
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Hi Christina,
We are very sorry to have to inform you that the Antelope Canyons are expected to remain closed through Memorial Day weekend.
However, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook remains open, plus other parks and facilities in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will begin a phased reopening in the days ahead.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 13, 2020 at 4:14 PM
Marrakech
awesome! this is extremely helpful thank you !!!!
Karin Bernica
Hi ! We would love to visit Antelope Canyon next week May 4th..are you open ??
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Sorry Karin,
The Antelope Canyons remain closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Another mitigating factor is that these attractions are located on the Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, whose residents have been affected in disproportionately high numbers by the virus.
If you and the other members of your party are relatively fit, and have a vehicle with adequate suspension clearance to navigate the unpaved House Rock Valley Road, you might look into visiting the Buckskin Gulch or Wire Pass Canyon. These are located on BLM land, which remains accessible at one’s own risk.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 04, 2020 at 3:23 PM
A-L
We will be traveling to the area in mid-October as a day trip from Kanab, UT. What are crowds like at that time, especially for Antelope Canyon (does it still feel likes hordes of people at Disney)? Crowds of people being nudged along doesn’t exactly sound fun, but we don’t know if avoiding the summer would also avoid the crowds.
We will be a party of 9 (8 adults from 20-73 and 1 child, aged 6). The younger and most of the middle-aged adults are very fit and happy to assist others in the party, as needed, but nobody is interested in a slot canyon where assistance is constantly needed (Cardiac Canyon is definitely a no). I saw that Secret Canyon only allows groups up to 6-7. Are there other tours with similarly small requirements which would not allow our entire group to visit together?
Also, if we want to do a slot canyon, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and perhaps a boat tour, is there an order in which we should do them?
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Dear A-L:
Hope you don’t mind my addressing your inquiry in reverse order: there is no preferred “order” in which to visit Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and/or a boat tour. However, the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend for the sake of convenience tends to be just after sunrise. That way, you have fewer people to compete with for parking, and temperatures tend to be cooler. As for doing a slot canyon tour and Antelope Canyon boat tour, simply book where and when you can find space. Just be sure you have enough time in between tours to transit from one to the other.
If some members of your party may require “assistance” navigating stairs and ladders, you’ll probably want to avoid slot canyons such as Lower Antelope, Waterholes, and Cardiac, but you would probably be OK in Secret Antelope (formerly Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon) since it has no stairs. Since your party is larger than what their reservation system will allow you to book, I’d recommend contacting them by phone to see if they can accommodate your group. Their phone number is (435) 275-4594.
As for how busy it will be, October typically doesn’t sport crowds up to summertime levels, but this year may be a different story due to COVID-19. The Antelope Canyons, and nearby parks such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley are closed, which is forcing many people to postpone their vacations until later in the year. This could result in higher numbers of people traveling than usual at that time of year. What will actually happen obviously remains to be seen!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 20, 2020 at 1:01 PM
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From A-L
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply! It appears as though the Secret Canyon tour group size is now 25, so I guess there wouldn’t be a problem for a group of our size. I saw in the comments you mentioned the Ligai Sii Anii tour. How would the Secret Canyon compare to that one or the Wind Pebble Canyon tour offered by the same company? Also, have you seen the Peekaboo/Red Canyon slot outside of Kanab? How does it compare to the slot canyons around Page?
I’m sorry for the multitude of questions, but I appreciate you sharing your expertise!
A-L
April 22, 2020 at 2:07 AM
living
Thanks for finally talking about >Antelope Canyon FAQ:
Bringing Kids – Antelope Canyon <Liked it!
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Thank you!
March 26, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Christian Mateo
Is the park still open for the public even due to coronavirus issue?
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Hello Christian,
We are sad to have to inform you that the Antelope Canyons have been temporarily closed to visitors at the decision of the Navajo Tribe. We support this action 100% as a slot canyon is a confined space, and sharing it with other tourists, even for a short time, can increase the chances of you being exposed to COVID-19.
That said, there are alternatives that can save your vacation. For example, Antelope Point Marina remains open and it is still possible to take a boat tour into the water-side of Antelope Canyon, where the slot canyon joins Lake Powell. The scenery is beautiful and you will come away with a deeper understanding of the true complexity of Antelope Canyon. For more information, visit www.antelopecanyonboattours.com
Another possibility would be to check out of the area’s more remote and less frequently visited slot canyons like Wire Pass Canyon and/or the Buckskin Gulch. Keep in mind, though, that the terrain surrounding these two beautiufl slot canyons is very rugged. The access road to the trailhead, the House Rock Valley Road, is unpaved, and may be rendered impassable if recent weather has been wet. Furthermore, if you’re in a rental car, driving on the HRVR would constitute off-road driving, which would void your insurance. That would put you on the hook for any damage you sustain. Definitely do your homework before committing to this Antelope Canyon alternate plan.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 16, 2020 at 2:54 PM
Sarah
3/19 – 3/21 Planning a trip to Antelope Canyon with my teenager, flying in and out of Phoenix. We can either fly Wednesday night or Thursday morning into Phoenix and want to fly home Saturday.
Looking for great recommendations of an itinerary, not limited to Antelope Canyon.
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Hi Sarah,
Using Phoenix as your staging city, you can enjoy a wonderful weekend in Northern Arizona, not limited to just Antelope Canyon!
First off, I would recommend flying in on Wednesday. That will give you two full days for touring. If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, for example, you should definitely allot one of your days to it. The drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~5 hours. Spend the night at the park, if possible, or in Tusayan, 7-miles outside the park. Grand Canyon hotels
Then drive to Page, AZ, stopping at the over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, and taking a breakfast/brunch break at the world-famous Cameron Trading Post. Factoring in all the potential photo ops you’ll hit, you could easily spend half a day making a 150-mile drive. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, perhaps tour the Glen Canyon Dam also, then spend the night in Page, AZ.
The following morning, drive back to Phoenix (which is also ~5 hours from Page). Stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Time/inclination permitting, you might make a detour via the Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument Loop Drive, or swing through Sedona. In either case, that will extend your drive time by at least 2 hours, but the scenery alone makes it time well spent!
If Grand Canyon hotel and/or Antelope Canyon tour availability don’t cooperate with you hitting the Grand Canyon first, you can always flip-flop this itinerary around. Just make sure you do any and all driving during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife like to graze near the shoulders at night, which jacks up your risk of an accident. At the time of your visit, sunrise occurs shortly after 6:30 AM, and sunset takes place right around 6:30 PM.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 09, 2020 at 2:47 PM
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From sarah
awesome! this is extremely helpful
March 10, 2020 at 9:39 AM
Lola
Hi! My husband and I are looking to visit Antelope Canyon for a quick baby moon getaway. I have not found any information discouraging pregnant women from hiking either the upper or lower, but I wanted to make sure. Is one tour recommended for pregnant women? I will be 21 weeks at time of visit.
Thank you!
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Hi Lola,
Congratulations on your impending “bundle of joy!” For both your safety, and that of your unborn baby, Upper Antelope Canyon would be the safest bet to tour. At 100 yards in length, and flat the whole way through, the trail is a piece of cake to manage. The only aspect of touring Upper Antelope Canyon that should give you pause is the 2-mile 4WD ride down an unpaved track from the Tribal Park entrance on the highway to the mouth of the canyon. Fortunately, it’s relatively short, but you may prefer to ride up front with the guide to minimize the bumps. Or, you might simply choose to tour Upper Antelope Canyon with Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon tours, who have switched to custom off-road coaches for maximum passenger comfort.
As for Lower Antelope Canyon, both tour companies discourage pregnant women from touring this segment of the canyon due to the potentially strenuous nature of the walk. At ~500m in length, it’s longer, and requires you to navigate a series of stairs and ladders to descend into the canyon, and ascend back to the bedrock. To get a sense of what we mean, watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 09, 2020 at 2:34 PM
Cindy Haveman
I am a travel agent and have a multi-generational family of 9 ( 4 adults and 3 children aged 15,12 and 10) planning to visit over Easter. I hope availability will not be a problem.
Which airport do you suggest and where should they stay to get the best experience? They will have 5 or 6 days.
Do you know if there is a tour company that would book all tours/adventures or do I need to contact several ones ?
Many thanks, Cindy
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Hi Cindy,
You are right to be concerned about availability over Easter weekend as that is Spring Break holiday for many U.S. schools. Nevertheless, I think you still have time to put together a fun and memorable vacation for your clients.
Las Vegas and Phoenix are the most popular airports for visitors to the American Southwest to fly into. As to whether there is a company that will make all the necessary arrangements for you, they are out there, but they are mostly escorted tours with pre-set programs. What’s more, many of them don’t start operating until later in the year, and only on certain days of the month, not to mention very expensive. Your clients will have far more freedom and flexibility if they were to self-drive. Therefore, you will have a job ahead of you arranging flights, car rentals, hotels, and guided tours.
In light of the time they have, here’s what I suggest:
Day 1 – fly to Las Vegas, pick-up rental car, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon (in-park or Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park)
Day 2 – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
Day 3 – visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook just after sunrise (~6:00 AM), drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 4 – drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT
Day 5 – 2nd day/night in Zion
Day 6 – drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hours due to construction taking place along this route), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce some other ideas off us.
Take care,
Alley 🙂March 06, 2020 at 3:45 PM
Marquita
I am planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, we have an RV. Is there any transportation that brings you to Antelope Canyon? I would prefer not to drive the RV there if possible as I would like to stay in Page for 2 nights. Thanks for any advice.
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Hi Marquita,
This is a really good question! The answer is contingent on whether you prefer to tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon.
At Lower Antelope Canyon, you are required to drive to one of the tour companies’ headquarters on-site. Their parking lots are quite large and are able to accommodate RV’s.
If you prefer to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, two of the four tour companies that manage that section of the canyon have offices in Page, AZ: Carolene Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours and Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. In either case, you would still need to drive the RV to the departure location. Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours are located in a small strip mall, which has an adjacent parking area that can accommodate RV’s. For Chief Tsosie, you would need to park across the street at the local Safeway store.
If you were to stay at the Page/Lake Powell Campground, either company *MIGHT* be able or willing to pick you up there since it’s right on the way to Antelope Canyon. However, I cannot personally guaurantee this. I would recommend inquiring by phone about whether this is possible. For Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, call 928-645-9102. For Chief Tsosie, call 928-645-5594.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 05, 2020 at 3:45 PM
Linda
Hi Ally
We would like to take our grandson (12 years) for his spring break trip from Scottsdale to Las Vegas, leaving on a Sunday and arriving in Las Vegas on Friday. We are hoping to do Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and since it looks as though we need to head to Utah to make our way to Las Vegas, add Bryce Canyon. Can you give me an idea of number of days to spend at each destination. Should we stay our first night in either Sedona or Flagstaff? Also what tours do you recommend.
Thanks for any recommendations.
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Hi Linda,
How exciting for you and your grandson!
Departing out of Phoenix, and ending your vacation in Las Vegas, normally I’d recommend staying your first night in Sedona. Here’s the problem, though: Sedona is a stunning area with lots to see and do! You’ll wish you had more time there, along the lines of 3-4 nights minimum. Unfortunately, you don’t have that kind of time, so one night is better than nothing.
In light of that, here’s what I’d suggest:
Sunday: depart Phoenix for Sedona (~2.5 hour drive), Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour in afternoon, overnight in Sedona
Monday: depart Sedona for Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), see IMAX movie “Grand Canyon The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan, overnight at Grand Canyon
Tuesday: depart Grand Canyon South Rim for Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, overnight in Page, AZ
Wednesday: Visit Horseshoe Bend, depart for Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Thursday: Depart Bryce Canyon for Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT
Friday: Depart Zion for Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hour drive due to construction taking place on I-15), detour through Valley of Fire State Park prior to arrival in Las Vegas
As you can see, this itinerary has you packing up and driving every single day, which is less than ideal for obvious reasons. If you can possibly free up another couple of days, that would allow you to take things at a more relaxed pace. If you can manage this, give an extra day to Sedona and one to Zion.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 5:16 PM
Linda
Would like to stay in Page 2 nights first of April — are there any hotel/tour packages? Is it beneficial to take the aerial tour?
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Hi Linda!
Not aware of any Page, AZ, hotel/tour packages per se. Many local hotels will help you with tour and activity bookings upon arrival, but honestly, all hotels and guided tours should be booked well in advance of your trip. Antelope Canyon tours especially book up weeks, sometimes months ahead.
As to whether it’s beneficial to take an air tour, my answer is a resounding “yes,” and not just because I worked in the air tour industry for many years. Getting up above Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and the Glen Canyon Dam will give you a truer appreciation of the size and scope of these monuments by themselves and in relationship to one another. In the case of Rainbow Bridge, especially, once you see it from above, you’ll be amazed that this wondrous piece of nature was ever found in the first place! Over The Rainbow & Lake Powell Air Tour
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 4:52 PM
Sarah
Hi, great help to me in my planning- thinking of reversing things- do you think this might work? Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Sedona- stay there three days to relax and do some hikes, then drive to Page to see Antelope Canyon, stay one night and also see Horseshoe bend and boat tours? then drive to the grand canyon south rim for two days then drive back to phoenix and fly out. Not sure which hotel to get in Grand Canyon near south rim- none of us have ever seen a single national park so this would be a first trip but dont want to drive all day everyday, also need some down time?
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Hi Sarah,
This plan sounds perfectly fine to me! It’s great that you’re factoring in some downtime instead of rushing from place to place. It’s a matter largely of personal taste, but most travelers we talk to say they’d prefer to place their “chill time” at the end of their vacation instead of the beginning. If you agree, you might rearrange your itineary so that you hit Sedona last. That way, you’d get the longer drives of the trip out of the way first, and only have about a 2.5 hour drive to get back to Phoenix to fly home.
On the subject of long drives, they’re a fact of life in the American Southwest! The trip from Phoenix to Page, or Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim, will both be ~4.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since both drives are very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures often. Don’t be surprised if you take 20-30% longer than what Google maps says you will!
As to where you stay at the Grand Canyon, don’t fret too much about which place has the best reviews or the nicest rooms. Every Grand Canyon hotel has received both good and bad reviews. The main thing is to get something booked ASAP. If possible, stay inside the park. If all 6 hotels in Grand Canyon Village are full, then Tusayan, a small community 7 miles outside the park gates, is your next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels and Antelope Canyon tours well in advance of your trip!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 4:46 PM
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Great plan!
June 19, 2020 at 3:52 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Thank you, Jim!
June 20, 2020 at 12:52 PM
Tom
Can we just drive our own vehicle to the gate and pay to get in there?
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Hi Tom,
You can drive your own vehicle as far as the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance of Antelope Canyon. From there, however, you must go to the canyon with a guided tour. Antelope Canyon tours must be reserved in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 4:16 PM
Rachelle Leonardo
Hi Alley!
We will be visiting grand canyon in March and staying at a hotel Tusayan after visiting the park. The next day, we plan on a leisurely drive to Page. This To get to Page, do we have to go inside Grand Canyon Park and go through Desert view drive? If so, would you advise checking out early from the hotel so we could avoid the line to the entrance to the park? Is there no other route except through the park?
Than you for all your advice. It has helped us plan our trip.
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Hi Rachelle,
If you are staying in Tusayan, then you would have to re-enter the park in order to drive to Page, AZ, via the Desert View Drive, which is the shortest and most obvious course. In light of that, it would be a good idea to get an early start on the drive, just after sunrise if you can swing it, to avoid potential crowds at the entrance gate, and take advantage of the beautiful early morning light for photos.
Take care and have a wonderful trip. Let us know how it goes!
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 5:19 PM
Kelly
Hi there! Thank you for the great information on this website! We have a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teenagers-17 & 14). We really want to get a sample of Sedona, but I know based on all the other comments and research that it will not be enough time there. I am thinking of this touring plan based on your suggestions, but substituting Monument Valley for Sedona. Is this touring plan realistic or is it unwise to do miss Monument Valley? We are flying into Las Vegas late at night 6/3 and would stay at a hotel in Vegas that night and then we were thinking of doing the following itinerary:
Day 1 (6/4): Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, stay in Williams, AZ
Day 2 (6/5): Grand Canyon, Sedona, stay in Sedona
Day 3 (6/6): Sedona, drive to Page (Antelope/Horseshoe Bend), AZ, stay in Page
Day 4 (6/7): Page/Glen Canyon, stay in Page
Day 5 (6/8): Bryce Canyon (stay in Bryce/Tropic)
Day 6-7 (6/9-10): Bryce/ Zion National Park (stay in Springdale, UT)
Day 8 (6/11): Drive back to Las Vegas spend day there- see Mount Charleston/Red Rock Canyon; airport by 9 pm
We have a friend that lives on Mt. Charleston, so that is why we thought of visiting there and then we would be closer to the airport for departure. I appreciate your suggestions and input! Thanks so much!!
-Kelly
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Hey Kelly,
You are correct in that Sedona is an area that calls for a longer stay. Definitely plan a return trip when you can fly into Phoenix and go to Sedona and chill for awhile!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, nevertheless, I’d recommend making a couple of minor modifications for optimal convenience. First off, substituting Monument Valley for Sedona would be OK, as to whether you actually do it would be contingent on lodging availability at Monument Valley. There aren’t many hotels in that area to begin with, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is sold out. If you find that to be the case, there’s still a way you might work it in. More on that in a minute…
On 06/04, where you propose to stay in Williams, AZ, I’d recommend looking for a hotel at the Grand Canyon. That will situate you perfectly to see sunset and/or sunrise at the Grand Canyon, which shouldn’t be missed! Williams, AZ, is 1 hour away from Grand Canyon South Rim, and while that isn’t too terribly far, you’d probably end up driving there at night, which we don’t recommend due to the roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife. Any and all driving on this trip should be done during daylight hours for your safety. If you do switch hotels to something closer to the South Rim, that would only tack on an extra hour onto the drive to Sedona the next morning.
On 06/05, where you propose to visit Horseshoe Bend that afternoon, change that to first thing the next morning. Horseshoe Bend is very hot and crowded during the mid-day hours, especially at the time of year you’re visiting; a sunrise visit will allow you to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
If you find Monument Valley hotels sold out, you could do one of two things since you’re staying 2 days in Page, AZ:
1. visit Monument Valley as a day trip
2. take a fixed-wing airplane flight over it or
3. Visit Monument Valley, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Navajo National Monument with Dixie Ellis‘ Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
If you take us up on option #1, remember that Navajo Reservation time is one hour ahead of Page, AZ, time. Ditto for Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 03, 2020 at 4:14 PM
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From Kelly
Wow! Thanks so much the the great advice on our trip!! I will definitely look into those options!
KellyMarch 04, 2020 at 2:48 AM
Michele
Hi,
Do all the tours pick up from Vegas?
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Michele,
All of the tours referenced on this particular page originate in Page, Arizona, with one exception: the Antelope Canyon Expedition Tour, which is a fixed-wing airplane/ground tour combination. If you prefer a straight ground tour, you might look at MaxTour’s Las Vegas-Antelope Canyon day tour.
For more suggestions, including instructions on self-driving, check out “Visiting Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 27, 2020 at 2:37 PM
Michael Slaunwhite
Hi, thanks for the great advice !
I am going to be in Page on Thursday, March 12. I’m a family with 4 kids (they can all hike).
From a photography perspective, I am wondering if you can suggest best lighting, during the day, for each of the following:
Horseshoe Bend
Upper Antelope Canyon
Thanks,
Mike
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Hi Michael!
For best lighting, Antelope Canyon is best viewed at mid-day. That’s when the sun is directly overhead and illuminates the chambers of the canyon with the most sunlight.
For Horseshoe Bend, opinions are all over the place as to what time is best to visit! However, these days, most of us don’t have the luxury of hitting the overlook at the best time for photography; it’s more about convenience in finding a place to park. Just after sunrise is generally regarded as the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. On March 12th, sunrise occurs shortly after 6:30 AM; sunset takes place at around 6:30 AM.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 28, 2020 at 1:38 AM
Monique
Hi Alley! Thanks so much for providing such cool intel. I plan to hike around Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Grand Canyon, etc with a group of other 50 year olds. We’re pretty active, but not looking for difficult terrain. We like to hike, but would like to rent ATVs too at some point. I think the tipi idea sounds cool, for a night. The ranch talked about in comments sounds fun too. We’re planning a possible June trip. Any suggestions or itenerary would be cool. We’re from SD, and the cheapest way to arrive for us, I think, is to fly into Vegas, where we’ll rent a car. I’ve seen some of the Pinterest suggestions for hitting all the state parks, etc. but I love how you respond to questions with such practical logistical knowledge! We’ll be in the area for about 6 days. Thanks in advance!
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Hey Monique!
Thanks for your compliments 🙂
Using Las Vegas as your start/end point, with 6 days to work with, you could do something along the lines of our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary, but cut out Monument Valley. There might still be a way for you to see it, if desired… more on that in a minute.
If renting an ATV or UTV is on your wish list, one possible place to do this would be Page, AZ. Epic Adventure Rides offers both guided tours and straight rentals for one day or more. ATV & Jeep Adventures, based in the St. George, UT, area offers similar services in the Zion National Park area.
The order in which you hit the various attractions will be contingent on hotel availability on your route, particularly at Grand Canyon South Rim, and Antelope Canyon tour availability.
A “classic” National Park loop itinerary, using Las Vegas as your starting and ending point, would go something like this:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~4.5 hour drive, optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in the many stops you’ll make at viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, stop for breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post , afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3: Sunrise visit to Horseshoe Bend, ATV/UTV rental or tour in Page, AZ, 2nd night in Page
Day 4: Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), optional hike to Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 5: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale or Hurricane, UT Good hikes in Zion
Day 6: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hour drive due to road construction taking place on I-15 over the summer), overnight in Las Vegas, fly home next morning
In June, weather is going to be hot in most locations, so any “labor-intensive” activities should be done during the cooler morning hours for optimal safety and comfort.
If you find that hotel or tour availability is more conducive to flip-flopping the above itinerary, feel free to do so, you won’t miss a thing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 28, 2020 at 1:57 AM
Jennifer Blyth
Hi – Wow! What a great website. We are visiting in early April (my husband and 2 teenagers) and currently have the following planned and accommodations secured (2 nights Vegas, 2 nights Zion, 2 nights Grand Canyon, 3 nights Scottsdale). Open to adjusting itinerary but we are trying to have some relaxation at the front and back end and maximize our time in between visiting parks, trails, etc.
Friday – Arrive in Vegas
Saturday – Enjoy Vegas
Sunday – Leave for Zion
Monday – Zion
Tuesday – Leave for Grand Canyon (South Rim) – Stop in Page?
Wednesday – Grand Canyon
Thursday – Grand Canyon and drive to Scottsdale
Friday – Enjoy Scottsdale
Saturday – Enjoy Scottsdale
Sunday – Depart Phoenix
Open to any input, suggestions, feedback.
Thanks you!!
Jen
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Hi Jen,
Your itinerary looks very well-paced, and it’s awesome that you’ve already got your accommodations secured.
Still, I’d recommend making one minor change: drop a night at Grand Canyon and give it to Page, AZ. Page, AZ, has many fun opportunities for families like yourselves: Antelope Canyon tours, Horseshoe Bend Overlook, the Horseshoe Bend Half-Day Float Trip, tours of the Glen Canyon Dam, just to name a few!
It takes approximately 2 hours to drive from Zion National Park to Page, AZ. In April, Utah will be one hour ahead of Arizona, so you’ll “gain” an hour traveling between the two states. In early April, the Horseshoe Bend Float Trip departs at 11:00 AM with 10:00 AM check-in. You could get an early start out of Zion (sunrise occurs at 7:00 AM local time), maybe stop at the Kanab Creek Bakery for breakfast, and still arrive in Page in plenty of time to check in for the float trip. The float trip would wrap up at ~3:30 PM. Afterward, you might go down to the Carl Hayden Visitors Center near the dam, or take a short hike, such as the Hanging Gardens Trail or the “New” Wave, then overnight in Page.
The next morning, hit Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise, then tour one of the Antelope Canyons (by advance reservation), then start making your way for Grand Canyon South Rim. Even though the drive from Page, AZ, to the South Rim is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, expect it to take longer, along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. That’s because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take photos more often than you realize. The Cameron Trading Post is a great place to stop for lunch; if not, then it’s a logical leg stretch/bathroom break location, and has an extensive souvenir shop.
Upon entering the park at Desert View Point, there are over half a dozen named overlooks of the Grand Canyon, each with differing features and perspectives of the canyon. Upon arrival at Grand Canyon Village, time and inclination permitting, you might hop on the free shuttle and hit the overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, or save this for the following morning before driving back to Scottsdale. Another activity you might enjoy before heading down to the Valley is the IMAX film presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan, just outside the park gates.
Now, this is just a matter of opinion, but if you want some quality “chill” time at the back end of your trip, I’d choose Sedona over Scottsdale in a New York minute. I’ve been to Phoenix/Scottsdale more times than I can count, and IMO, it’s just another big city, and all that that implies. Sedona, on the other hand is a stunning area, that’s very conducive to relaxation! It’s also only a 2-hour drive to Phoenix, so you don’t have too far to go at the end of your vacation. I realize it may be too late to change your hotel accommodations, but if you’re open to looking into it, I think you’ll see what I mean about Sedona. If not, then be sure to plan a return trip to Arizona when you can spend some time there.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 26, 2020 at 3:01 PM
Amber
Hi Alley!
I loved your break down of the Upper Canyon only tours that you gave to Andi on 2/17/20. If possible, would you please give info on Lower Canyon only tours that are offered? I appreciate your time! Thank you!
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Hi Amber,
There are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. They are:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.comKen’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours offers both “General” and “Deluxe” sightseeing tours in Lower Antelope Canyon.
Schedule for “General” sightseeing tours (maximum group size: 10)
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 7:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 5:00 PM
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 9:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes; last tour leaving at 3 PMSchedule for “Deluxe” sightseeing tours (maximum group size: 4)
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 8:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 4:30 PM
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 9:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 3:00 PMDixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours offers “General” sightseeing tours of Lower Antelope Canyon as follows:
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 7:45, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaves at 4:15
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 8:45 AM, leaving every 30 minutes until 2:45 PM when last tour departs2020 Pricing: General Sightseeing Tours:
Adults (13+) $40 + $8 per person Navajo Nation Park Permit Fee + tax
Children (4-12) $20 + $8 per person Navajo Nation Park Permit Fee + tax
Children under 4 are free, but space must be reserved for them; parental discretion advised for parties with small children in Lower Antelope CanyonDeluxe Sightseeing Tours (Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours only)
$80 per person (all ages) + $8 per person Navajo Park Permit Fee + tax
Younger children may participate provided that parents are aware of potential hazards in this rugged desert environment
All times are on Mountain Standard Time (the same as Page, Arizona)Hope that was the info you were looking for!
Alley 🙂February 25, 2020 at 5:29 PM
_________________________________________
From Amber
Perfect! Thank you so much!
February 27, 2020 at 4:03 PM
Nikki Doan
Hi, I would like more info on the bundle of upper and lower Antelope Canyon on 4/3/2020.
Thank you
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Hi Nikki,
To check availability for the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle, visit the appropriate link on AntelopeCanyon.AZ, then hit the button that says “book now.” You’ll be given several options for taking the Upper Antelope Canyon tour or Lower Antelope Canyon tour first, also whether to book the tours back-to-back or spaced further apart.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 25, 2020 at 5:23 PM
Marni
Are there any areas close to Antelope Canyon or along Lake Powell that allow for RV camping that are NOT RV parks or campgrounds? We prefer primitive camping but do have a trailer. I appreciate any input or advice!
Thank you!
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Hi Marni,
This is an excellent question!
If you’d prefer to avoid developed RV parks, there are a few options near Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell.
Boondocking is permitted in the parking lot of the local Super Wal-Mart. You might also try the Beehives Campground, aka the “New” Wave, a small first-come/first-serve campground a short distance from Page, AZ. Lone Rock Beach may also be a good option. Though the latter two campgrounds are considered “primitive,” they are not free: they cost $14/night. Lake Powell camping
Alstrom Point is another spot where camping is permitted; the views are amazing, and you’d probably have the place all to yourself. However, before you get too excited about it, know that this place is quite “off-the-beaten-path.” The roads there are largely unpaved, so a 4WD vehicle with good clearance is a must. Camping at Alstrom Point
Another local campground, quite newly opened, worth considering is Arrowhead Campground at Mystical Antelope Canyon. I’m not sure if they accomodate trailers, so you might phone or e-mail them to inquire, but here you can stay in a tipi or rented tent on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands.
Before you commit to any of these, however, I kinda wish I knew what time of year you’re visiting. There are certain times of the year where you’ll definitely want to have access to amenities such as heat or air conditioning. In the summer months, for example, daytime highs get up over 100 degrees on a regular basis, and your trailer will be nothing but a tin can sitting in the sun. If your vacation is planned for winter, early spring, or late fall, cool nights will be the norm, and reliable heat is sure to be appreciated.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 7:01 PM
Lynn
Hi Alley, we would be flying in and out of Phoenix. Do you think the following itinerary would work in terms of the logistics? What do we do if it is a rain day?
March 26 – arriving in Phoenix at 1430. Drive to Sedona. Is Flagstaff a reasonable place to stay over for a couple nights? Hotel in Sedona is quite expensive
March 27 – Sedona (assuming staying over at Flagstaff)
March 28 – Sedona. Then drive to Page by 1500h. Staying over at Page
March 29 – Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon. Is there time for Lake Powell before driving to Bryce Canyon? What is the latest time we should leave Page?
March 30 – Bryce Canyon. Staying over at Bryce Canyon
March 31 – leave early for Grand Canyon South Rim. I am not sure if we can find reasonable accommodation at Grand Canyon
April 1 – Grand Canyon, then drive to Scottsdale in the afternoon. Overnight at Scottsdale
April 2 – return flight.
I would be very much interested in knowing what you think. Thank you.
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Hi Lynn!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. Nevertheless, I’d recommend making a couple of minor adjustments for maximum enjoyment and efficient use of your time.
RE: using Flagstaff, AZ, as a “base camp” for visiting Sedona, it’s OK, it’s ~1 hour drive each way. The main thing to remember is to keep a close watch on the time. You don’t want to do any of that drive in the dark, especially the section through Oak Creek Canyon. Roads in Northern Arizona in general are very dimly lit, a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Oak Creek Canyon in particular is very twisty and narrow, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife can increase your chances of having an accident. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, with cell service that’s spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at around 6:15 AM, and sunset takes place at about 6:45 PM.
On March 28th, where you propose leaving Sedona for Page by 3:00 PM, I’d suggest leaving a bit earlier. The trip from Sedona to Page, AZ, typically takes ~3 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. You shouldn’t count on doing that because the drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Just North of Flagstaff, you have the opportunity to take the Sunset Crater Volcano/Wupatki-Lomaki Ruins Loop Drive, which will add another 2 hours to your trip time if you do it. You should also take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Cameron Trading Post. That’s a good stop for a late lunch/early dinner, or at least for a leg stretch/bathroom break/souvenir shopping. There are also some good Chinle formation views North of Cameron; that’s the rock formation that gives the Painted Desert its name. So as you can see, a 3-hour drive can easily take the better part of a day! Again, just make sure you get to Page, AZ, by 7:00 PM at the absolute latest.
On March 29th, visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (6:15 AM), then tour Antelope Canyon. As for whether there is “time for Lake Powell,” you could get a glimpse of it by bundling your Antelope Canyon hiking tour with a 1-hour boat tour of the waterside , or take a short detour on the Lakeshore Scenic Drive on the way to Bryce Canyon. If you do the latter, you’d have to pay the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee of $25/vehicle. If you’d rather not do that for such a short visit, plan on stopping at the Carl Hayden Visitors Center at Glen Canyon Dam or the Wahweap Overlook on your way out of town. The drive to Bryce Canyon from Page, AZ, typically takes ~2.5 hours, but here again, can easily be extended with stops at the Big Water Visitors Center to view award-winning dinosaur displays, or to hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail . The important thing to remember at the time of your visit is that Utah will be on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time while Page, AZ, will remain on Mountain STANDARD Time. This means that Bryce will be one hour ahead of Page, therefore you will “lose” an hour traveling from Page to Bryce (where sunset will occur shortly before 8:00 PM), then “gain it back” traveling from Bryce to the Grand Canyon. The absolute latest you should plan on leaving Page, AZ, is 4:00 PM Page time, but you’d have to drive straight through in that instance. If you want to enjoy the stops mentioned, you might try leaving at about 2:00 PM.
For Grand Canyon South Rim, it is always most desirable to stay inside the park, but you may be too late to make reservations there. If you find that to be the case, Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park gates, is your next best option for lodging, followed by Williams and Flagstaff. However, since this day is going to entail a long drive (~5-6 hours), try to get as close to the park as possible. Grand Canyon hotels To avoid backtracking through Page, AZ, consider making the short detour through Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry (see map)see map, maybe stop at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge for lunch or take a walk to the historic Lonely Dell Ranch site near Lees Ferry.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 6:45 PM
Denise
Hi,
my boyfriend and I would love to see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon at our vacation in September. I have read that the best time to visit Upper Canyon is at 11.30 am and Lower at the early forenoon as well as early afternoon.
We would prefer to book the bundle “Upper and Lower Canyon tour” but I could not find the exact time when we would be visiting Upper and Lower Canyon at this tour. Of course, we would like to visit both Canyons at the best visiting times. Could you please send us the possible visiting times for this tour?
Thank you very much!
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Hi Denise,
The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon bundle tours should specify times for each tour.
You have read correctly that 11:30 AM is prime time for visiting Upper Antelope because that’s when you’re most likely to see the light beams, but in September, they may only extend part-way down the canyon walls and not all the way to the canyon floor. But, if you can find availability anytime between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, you’ll still enjoy good lighting in the canyon. The light beams don’t occur as often or as dramatically in Lower Antelope, so schedule that tour whenever you can find space, whether it’s before or after your tour of Upper. If you continue to have issues, visit www.AntelopeCanyonNOW.com to book your tours. Fair warning: since September is a popular time of year to visit, you may find peak tour times already booked. If so, book whatever time you can find still has availability then periodically check back for cancellations on peak departure times.
I hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 6:13 PM
Christiane Bobillier
Hello Alley,
Thank you for your web site which I found very well done and giving a lot of information. Specially about booking in advance!
We visited 35 years ago Grand Canyon North Rim (with hike down but not to the river!) Bryce Canyon and Zion. We were camping (not much money !) but it was easy to find accommodation. We even went on a rafting trip from Moab to Lake Powell.
Now we are retired and have 2 months (April, May, June?) to spend in the West and South.
On our list is: Death Valley (with some walks to see flowers, I like flowering in Spring), Grand Canyon South Rim, Antelope Canyon and lake Powell, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Petrified forest, Sedona? And other places around: what do you recommend? We would be most happy to see again Bryce and Zion.
Is it a good idea to go to Phoenix?
We like to walk in national parks.
As you can see we will not be in an hurry and like to stay a few nights at each place.
I hope to be able to stay if possible in the parks and perhaps modify the itinerary depending on the accommodation we can find. It would be nice to stay in the Grand Canon on the rim if I find something! But most important is to “follow” the flowering and not too hot weather, so we can hike.
We haven’t decide yet where we land. From Switzerland the best places (direct flight) are Los Angeles, San Francisco (and Las Vegas). We could take a car in one place and give it back in another. Even take an internal flight.
Thank you so much for your recommandations.
All the best, Christiane
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Hi Christiane,
That’s great that you’re able to return to the Southwest after 35 years! You’ll find that a lot of things have changed, both for good and for bad. Las Vegas especially is unrecognizable from what it used to be back in the ’80’s and 90’s.
If you’re wanting to follow wildflower blooms, April is unfortunately too late to see them in areas such as Death Valley. Locals are not expecting a “super bloom” like we had in 2019, but nevertheless, late February-early March tends to be when wildflower activity peaks in the lower deserts. In Phoenix and other areas of Southern Arizona, they’ve already had some blooms pop up. If that area gets more rain, wildflower season could be extended somewhat, but that can never be counted on. In higher altitude areas like Flagstaff, AZ, and Grand Canyon North Rim, the period just after the summer monsoons (late June through early August) can also yield some wildflower blooms with the infusion of water. You might also see some globemallow and other flowers around the Page, AZ, area in April or May. For updates on what’s blooming where, I’d recommend bookmarking DesertUSA.com’s Wildflower Update page
If your trip plans are already set for April through June, I’d recommend hitting Death Valley first since that’s bound to be the “hot spot” of your itinerary. Next hit Sedona, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon South Rim, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, and Page, AZ since those areas warm up fairly early. If you’ve never been to Moab, UT, you might consider adding it to your “wish list” as well. Zion and Bryce can be placed later in your itinerary since those areas remain fairly cool until around June. You might also think about visiting some areas of Colorado such as Durango, Ouray, and Grand Junction, or even going as far North as Wyoming/Montana to visit Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Glacier NP’s. With the time you have to work with, all kinds of possibilities are open to you!
As for where to fly into, I’d suggest flying into Las Vegas and maybe out of Salt Lake City or Denver if costs are relatively reasonable for doing so.
Feel free to write in again if you need to run more ideas by us.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 6:05 PM
Stuart
Hello- I’m seeing lots of great advice here, thanks!
I’m going to be there on Monday, March 2nd and would like to see all three of: Upper, Lower, Horseshoe Bend.
1. I’ve read a lot of reviews that talked about it being very crowded but those are mostly from October– should I expect crowds on Monday, 3-2?
2. I’ve heard about the “Golden Hour” which I believe is only for Upper– is that right?
3. Any suggestions on order to do all three in one day? I don’t want to start too early as my girlfriend is not really a “morning person!” 🙂
Thanks! Stuart
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Hey Stuart!
Thank you for your clear, concise and well-phrased inquiry.
Let’s get right to it 🙂
1. In March, the Antelope Canyons will be busy, but nowhere near as crowded as the summer months. Still, advance reservations are strongly recommended.
2. The “Golden Hour” reference is applied to both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons, when the light beams begin to penetrate all the way down to the canyon floor, mostly in Upper. Unfortunately, your visit is probably a little too early to experience this phenomenon. I wouldn’t sweat it. The Antelope Canyons are still beautiful!
3. The order in which you visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is a six-of-one/half-a-dozen-of-another proposition. Just book your tours at whatever time(s) fit your schedule, and where there’s still availability. For optimal convenience in the reservations process, book your Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours as a “bundle.” The first item on your agenda should be Horseshoe Bend, and as much as I hate to go against your girlfriend’s nature, it is best visited first thing in the morning. On March 2nd, the sun comes up just before 7:00 AM, which isn’t too bad. Once 10:00 AM rolls around, you’ll find the overlook very crowded with day trippers from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, etc., which makes parking more of a challenge.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 5:40 PM
David
Alley,
Very interesting and informative site, glad I stumbled across it. So here’s the same question, worded slightly different, that you’ve answered a hundred times already: I’ll be in Page in early June of this year. I definitely want to experience one or two slot canyons, but like everyone else I’m somewhat put off by the crowds at Upper and Lower Antelope. What I’m looking for ideally is something that is somewhat challenging as far as hiking/experience but also has the opportunity for some nice pictures. From reading your ‘post’ it seems like Upper and Lower are really the best spots for taking pictures, with the other canyons, while still nice, having less opportunity for great pictures. I’m by no means an expert photographer so I don’t need ideal conditions but I’d for sure like to get some spectacular shots if at all possible. I also consider myself (and my S.O.) relatively fit so the idea of doing a bit of scrambling in and around the canyons is also appealing – nothing major but enough to make it interesting. So with that in mind, do you have any specific recommendations for canyon(s) that combine better than average photography with some mild scrambling. We’re looking to probably do two tours max, ideally close enough to each other. Thanks so much for the info!
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Hi David!
In light of the fact that you are a. averse to crowds and b. relatively fit, I have a few suggestions:
1. Antelope Canyon X and/or Cardiac Canyon – Antelope X is kind of like Upper and Lower in that it consists of two slots, one fairly flat, the other a little more rugged. Cardiac Canyon, as the name suggests, will give you a work-out, but you’ll get some incredible photo ops in exchange for your exertion! For more information on these, visit www.AntelopeCanyon-X.com
2. Rattlesnake, Mountain Sheep, and Owl Canyons: a 5-hour tour to three alternate drainages of Antelope Canyon, Rattlesnake and Mountain Sheep will challenge you physically, while Owl is more of a straightforward hike. For more information on this tour, visit www.NavajoAntelopeCanyon.com
..and last but not least, an option not listed in this article:
3. Ram’s Head Canyon: a newly opened slot canyon on the Navajo Indian Reservation that require navigating stairs, ladders, and even cables in some instances; for more information, visit www.HikingSlotCanyons.com
Hope that helps! Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 5:09 PM
kerubina
Do you need to save money or time during your stay in Page, Arizona? Don’t worry — you can experience some of the most breathtaking sights that the American Southwest has to offer by visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in a single day. Here’s an itinerary to help you spend a day experiencing the very best of the Canyon and Horseshoe Bend so you can have one of the most exciting day trips imaginable.
Melinda
This is such a great resource. I have loved reading through what you have done. We have two families with 4 adults – 5 kids 11,11,9,8, 6.
We will be taking small RVs Sat. April 3 – 10. We are looking at this as our schedule. Not sure on great RV parks or how to book so would love some advice on that too.
Friday – arrive pick up RVs – stop at Hoover Damn on way to South Rim.
Sat. -Grand Canyon
Sun. Page, AZ 11:00 Antelope Canyon tour/ 2:00 Boat tour – fit in Horseshoe Bend
Mon./Tues – We wanted to try to fit in Monument/ Bryce /Buckskin Gultch / pariah Canyon/ Hickman Bridge or Captial Reef – not sure here whats doable and worth fitting in.
Wed/Thurs. – Moab ( we heard there is some sand dune buggies around here??) We will hike Angels and maybe do a bit of the Narrows
Fri – stop in Valley of the Fire on the way back to Vegas.
Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Melinda
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Hi Melinda, and thanks for your compliments!
First of all, if you’re traveling by RV, you’ll want to stay in developed RV parks wherever possible. Even in April, nighttime temperatures can get down around freezing, especially in higher altitude areas such as Grand Canyon South Rim. The only RV park with hook-ups inside the park at Grand Canyon is Trailer Village. If that area is booked up, Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan (7 miles from the park) is your next best option.
For Page, AZ, the Page/Lake Powell Campground is located most conveniently to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Toward the middle of your trip is where things get a little murky. Where you indicate you “wanted to try to fit in Monument/ Bryce /Buckskin Gultch / pariah Canyon/ Hickman Bridge or Captial Reef,” I can assure you that’s not happening. If you were to look at a map, you’d quickly realize that these attractions are located too far away from one another to squeeze into one day. You can spend the better part of a day exploring the Paria Canyon/Buckskin Gulch area and travel back to Page, AZ, the same day.
If you did have your heart set on visiting Moab, UT — which is a beautiful area, and April is a great time to go — then you could visit Monument Valley as a “drive-by” on your way there from Page, AZ. Plan on spending at least 3 days there to explore Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, and to take part in a UTV tour if you wish. For guidance on the full range of available activities in the Moab, UT, area, visit the Moab Adventure Center. Here again, you should plan on staying in an RV park with electrical hook-ups because Moab is already starting to get pretty warm in April. You may appreciate having access to reliable air conditioning during the day. Moab RV Parks
Where you indicate you wanted to hike Angel’s Landing and/or The Narrows, these are located in Zion National Park, not Moab, UT. If you hit Zion after Moab, this is where it would make the most sense to place Capitol Reef. Again, it would be just a “drive-by” en route from Moab to Zion, but Zion deserves at least 2 days of your time to explore and enjoy fully. For developed RV parks, look to the towns of Springdale, UT, or Hurricane, UT.
On the drive back to Las Vegas from Zion, keep in mind that there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could potentially tack another 30-60 minutes onto your drive time.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 20, 2020 at 4:44 PM
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Oh my word. I meant Zion, not Moab. I just love Moab, so I must of interchanged the two. 😊 After Page we are trying to figure out the best route to Zion while hitting some of those places I mentioned. We would definitely do the last two nights in Zion. I’m just confused on how long we shoujd stay in Page And what we should hit between there and Zion We like a little off the crowds. We are hoping in April it won’t be as crowded. Your knowledge is incredibly invaluable Abd I truly appreciate it.
Thank you.
MelindaFebruary 21, 2020 at 4:10 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey again, Melinda!
Thanks for the clarification, this definitely makes more sense.
As for how long you stay in Page, AZ, seeing as though you are traveling with family, I’d give it 2 days so you can take the kids on the Horseshoe Bend Smooth Water Raft Trip, as well as visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Seeing as though you’re not hitting Moab on the trip, this will pretty much be the only rafting opportunity you have, and even though it doesn’t go through any rapids, it’s still a fun trip.
Regarding the route you take to Zion, it’s pretty straightforward, take US89 from Page, AZ, to the Mt. Carmel Junction, then UT-9 from there to Springdale, UT, to park your RV, then get on the shuttles to explore the park. Along the way, you might stop at the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail at mile marker 19, between Page and Kanab, UT. Fun little hike to some interesting rock formations! The Big Water Visitors Center might also be a hit with the kids as it’s very dinosaur-centric.
Now for the kinda-sorta-bad news: April will be busy. That’s Spring Break for a lot of U.S. schools, so be prepared to share the road and attractions with other families like yourselves. Fortunately it won’t be as cray-cray (or as hot) as the summer months, but advance reservations for RV parks, guided tours, etc. are still a must.
Have a great day, and a wonderful vacation!
Alley 🙂February 24, 2020 at 5:18 PM
Andrea Morales
Hello Ally!
My siblings and I are arriving to Las Vegas on March 12th and plan on visiting Grand Canyon by driving there. We will be approximately there one week, March 12 – March 19, and we are flying back from Las Vegas so we would have to be back on the 7th day.
On Day 2 Driving to Zion and staying the night there.
On Day 3 we want to drive to Page, Arizona visit Antelope Canyon and visit Horse Shoe bend and spending the night in Page, AZ.
On Day 4 we want to drive to Monument Valley and spend the night there.
On Day 5 we want to drive to South Rim Grand Canyon and spend the night there.
On Day 6 we want to drive early to Sedona and spend the night there.
On Day 7 we want to drive back to Vegas.
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Hi Andrea!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. The only criticism — and it’s a minor one at that — is that you’re not giving either Zion or Sedona the time they deserve. Both areas are large, and boast an incredible amount of beautiful scenery and fun activities. 2-3 days minimum are recommended for both areas to enjoy and explore them fully. If you think you might be able to make it back to this area in the foreseeable future, I’d recommend dropping Sedona from your plans this time around and coming back when you can maybe fly into Phoenix (it’s closer) and spend 3-5 days sightseeing and chilling. If this trip will be a one-shot deal, then stick with your current plan and enjoy it.
Another consideration: if you haven’t made hotel reservations in Monument Valley yet, you might find that all lodging in the immediate vicinity is booked up. That area doesn’t have a lot to work with in the first place. If you find this to be the case, consider staying another night in Page, AZ, and visiting Monument Valley as a day trip. You would need to keep an eye on the clock and be aware that the Navajo Reservation’s time is one hour ahead of Page, and be sure to time your return drive so that you’re not doing any of it in the dark. If doing this by car is not desirable, you might consider flying over Monument Valley by fixed wing airplane out of Page, AZ.
Be sure that you make all lodging reservations and book your Antelope Canyon tours ASAP if you haven’t done so already.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 20, 2020 at 4:21 PM
Carola
What a beautiful site you have. You have good information.
We have booked our trip for October and are driving from Sedona to Page. We have 1 night there and drive through to the South Rim.
What time do we have to leave Sedona to visit Lower/upper Antelope Canyon? And the next day to see Horseshoe Bend and have enough time for Dessert view drive and Hermit Road at the South Rim. We’ll sleep in Tusayan that night.
Can we do this in a normal relaxed way.
Early departure from Sedona in the direction of Antelope Canyon and for example early the next day to visit the lower Antelope, continue to Horseshoe and then towards South Rim. Or do we have too little time then?
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Hi Carola,
Travel time from Sedona to Page, AZ, is approximately 3 hours. If you were to leave Sedona right at sunrise, which occurs at approximately 6:30 AM in October, you could reasonably expect to arrive in Page, AZ, at approximately 10:00 AM. Depending on the order in which you take your Antelope Canyon tours, you’ll need to check in anywhere from 30-60 minutes prior to your tour’s departure, so, to be on the safe side, I wouldn’t recommend scheduling anything earlier than 11:30 AM. For optimal convenience, book both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours as a “bundle.” If at all possible, try to do both tours the same afternoon.
Horseshoe Bend is best visited right at sunrise for ease of parking and fewer crowds, so here again, 6:30 AM is when you should plan to leave Page, AZ, the next morning. Allow 60-90 minutes to walk out to the overlook, take photos, then walk back to the parking lot. On the way to Tusayan, plan on stopping at the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch. Taking the drive at a relaxed pace, and stopping at the scenic overlooks between the Desert View Watchtower and Grand Canyon Village, you can reasonably expect the trip to take 3.5-4 hours. Wheels turning, no stops, the drive can take as little as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens for first time visitors since the route is very scenic and you will be stopping to take photos more often than you realize.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 19, 2020 at 5:24 PM
Claudia Huggins
We are 4 adults that would like to tour Upper and Lower Antelope canyons. We would like a 10:30 tour of upper. Can we also reserve a tour of lower after the upper is over? We will be driving to Page May 25 and leaving May 26. What do you suggest?
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Hi Claudia,
If you would like to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, we strongly recommend making advance reservations for both segments. Waiting until after you tour Upper Antelope to reserve a tour for Lower Antelope, you’ll most certainly encounter sold out tours and the inconveniences that come with them.
For optimal convenience, reserve your Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours as a “bundle.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 19, 2020 at 5:16 PM
Andi
Hi Alley,
Do you have single tour just for upper Canyon? We are group of 4. How much is for a person? Thank you.
Regards,
Andi
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Hi Andi,
You absolutely can book a tour for just Upper Antelope Canyon! As for prices, they vary according to the time of day you tour (mid-day, which is considered prime time, is more expensive than earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon) and which company you go with.
Tour companies that offer Upper Antelope Canyon tours are as follows:
1. Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
DEPARTURE TIMES: 7:00 am (March-September only), 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm
2020 PRICING: All tours except 11:30 AM Adults (age 8 and above): $54 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax, Children (ages 0-7): $44 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax
11:30 AM (peak hour) pricing: Adults (age 8 and above): $69 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax, Children (ages 0-7): $59 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax2. Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
DEPARTURE TIMES: 6:30 am (April-August only), 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm (April-August only)
2020 PRICING: 8:30 am & 3:00 pm departures: Adults (age 8 and above): $73 per person inclusive, Children (ages 6-12): $63 per person inclusive
10:30 am & 1:00 pm (peak hour) pricing: Adults (age 8 and above): $88 per person inclusive, Children (ages 6-12): $78 per person inclusive
6:30 am & 5:00 pm departures (April-August only): Adults (age 8 and above): $63 per person inclusive, Children (ages 6-12): $53 per person inclusive
Children under 6 not allowed3. Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
DEPARTURE TIMES: 7:30 am, 7:45 am, 9 am, 9:15am, 11 am, 11:15 am, 12 pm, 12:15 pm, 2 pm, 2:15pm, 4:14 pm, 4:30 pm
2020 PRICING (all tours): Adults (age 12 and above): $80 per person inclusive, Children (age 0-12): $60 per person inclusive4. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
2020 PRICING:
Off-peak hour tours: 8:15 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:30 PM: $77 per person
Peak-hour tours: 10:15 AM, 12:30 PM: $88 per personGood luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 17, 2020 at 5:11 PM
Megon Barry
Hi, i want to go to lower canyon for the day tomorrow. Can i buy tickets when i get there?
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Hi Megon,
You are welcome to try and purchase tickets upon arrival at Lower Antelope Canyon, but I would recommend booking your tour in advance of your arrival to avoid the inconvenience of sold-out departures.
AlleyFebruary 13, 2020 at 4:10 PM
Zaneta
Hey Alley !
I’m going with my friends to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon at the same day.
Can I please have few clues from you ?
Which park should I visit first?
What time of day is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon?
When it’s best time to get to the horseshoe bend to have the biggest chance to find a parking space (because I heard it is difficult)
Thank you for all the tips,
Best regards.
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Hi Zaneta!
The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend for ease of parking is just after sunrise. Between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM, the parking lot is very busy with day trippers coming from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, and other cities.
For Antelope Canyon, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to tour. With the sun directly overhead, the interior of canyon is nicely illumunated for photos. However, these tour times are very popular and tend to sell out months in advance. You’ll also pay a higher price for tickets. If you find that to be the case, don’t worry too much about it. Simply book a departure time that fits your schedule and budget. The canyon is beautiful, any time of day!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 13, 2020 at 4:08 PM
Linda B
We’re planning on bringing our RV to Paige in 2nd – 3rd wk of march. I wondered if we can overnite in one of the retail parking lots, or what? And what time needed for upper vs lower canyons. WE don’t have physical issues. Unless we’ld be bent over for half the tour??? What river tour do you recommend, plus how much time involved, an cost? And is there a chance snow storms could be an issue that time of year? Much thanks. Linda B
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Hi Linda,
Overnight RV parking is allowed in the Page, AZ, Super Wal-Mart according to AllStays.com Granted this will be dry camping; no sewer or electrical hook-ups, etc. At the time of year you’re visiting, however, you may want to spring for an RV park with hook-ups so you can have access to reliable heat. Nights are still getting down into the 40’s, and snowstorms are still a very real possibility as well. Page, AZ, typically gets only small amounts of snow that melt quickly, but still enough to make for a miserable night’s sleep in an unheated RV. Developed RV parks are available at the Page/Lake Powell Campground in Page, AZ, or the Wahweap Campground inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
As for what time needed for Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyons, at this point, take whatever time slot has available seats. You’re traveling over what is the Spring Break holiday for many U.S. schools, so don’t be surprised to find many tours are already full. If you wish to visit both Upper and Lower, be sure to book both tours as a “bundle” for optimal convenience. In Lower Antelope, you won’t be “bent over” for any part of the tour, so that’s not an issue 😉
As for a river tour, the only available option is a half-day trip, ~4.5 hours in length, departing at 11:00 AM in March. For more information, visit Wilderness River Adventures Horseshoe Bend Rafting Tour.
Good luck and safe travels!
AlleyFebruary 12, 2020 at 4:43 PM
Liz De Lano
Alley,
This is an amazing tour suggestion! We are planning a girls trip (myself and three other women), flying into Las Vegas April 16th, we’re planning to stay the night there and get up early Friday morning to make the trek towards Page. We have booked a tipi stay the first night in Page to really get the full experience of the piece of the vast openness.
If we leave early Friday morning and head over, do you have any suggestions on what and where to stop on our way so we really get the most out of our trip? We will have all day Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to explore, so any additional recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Liz.
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Hi Liz!
If I’m interpreting you correctly, you have one night’s lodging (tipi) reserved in Page, AZ, then the rest of your weekend is open? Your first priority should be to secure lodging for the rest of your trip. Mid-April coincides with the Spring Break holiday for many U.S. schools, so things will be busy.
On your travel day from Las Vegas, I’d recommend getting an early start and taking a short detour to Valley of Fire State Park. This is a stunning area, a relatively short drive out of Las Vegas, with rock formations that resemble the world-famous “Wave,” but don’t require a permit to visit! Stop for lunch in Kanab, Utah (the Rockin’ V Cafe is my personal favorite!), then look for the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trailhead near mile marker 19 on US89, mid-way between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ. This is a relatively easy but highly enjoyable little hike that will take you to more whimsical rock formations that look like they would be at home on another planet. Time/inclination permitting, you might also stop at the Big Water Visitors Center just before you cross the Utah/Arizona border. They have some award-winning dinosaur displays, including some that were excavated nearby. The drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ, takes ~4.5 hours to complete, wheels turning, no stops. But as you can see, you can easily extend that into a full day of sightseeing!
The following morning, plan to be up at the crack of dawn – again. You’ll quickly see that that’s how we roll in the American Southwest! Visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook just after sunrise to take advantage of thinner crowds and cooler temperatures. Then, take a tour of Antelope Canyon. This world-famous slot canyon is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, so advance reservations for a guided tour are an absolute must. There are several ways to go about it, including bundling your Antelope Canyon hiking tour with a boat tour of its waterside, where it joins with Lake Powell. Antelope Canyon Tour Bundles Spend a 2nd night in Page, and perhaps a 3rd, depending on what you decide to do next.
If you have not been to the Grand Canyon, here’s your perfect opportunity to make it off the bucket list: head to the South Rim after your visit to Page, AZ. Here again, Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but a more realistic figure is 3.5-4 when you factor in all the stops you’ll invariably end up making. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then head back to Las Vegas, which will take ~4.5-5 hours going direct, or you can extend the drive with stopovers at Route 66 mainstay Seligman, AZ (be sure to stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for a burger and a laugh), and/or Hoover Dam.
If you have already been to the Grand Canyon, or wish to save it for another trip, there are all sorts of places relatively close to Page, AZ, you can go to get the most out of your trip, including, but not limited to Monument Valley, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon. The key factor in determining where you actually go will be availability of lodging, or maybe lack thereof. Push comes to shove, however, you could simply base yourselves in Page, AZ, for all 4 days of your vacation and make day trips to the afore-mentioned areas. Monument Valley is a 2-hour drive (one way) from Page, Zion is ~90 minutes (OW), and Bryce is ~2.5 hours (OW).
As I had mentioned before, IMO, your first priority should be to get lodging booked for the remainder of your vacation if you haven’t done so already. April is the beginning of peak tourist season in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, and those who wing it may have to rough it! Bryce Canyon: Why Spontaneity Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 11, 2020 at 4:41 PM
lisa
We are coming at the end of Feb. If we are staying a page and not an experience hiker, don’t want to slow any group down, would it be the best that we explore ourselves. If you advise a tour is good, which tour would you recommend and we like boat cruise as well but we can do both. We also would like to go to Horseshoe bend. Any fishing trip advice. I like paddle board but would it be too cold? Is there entrance fee to Antelope and Horseshoe Bend? Sorry please disregard the previous message as I added more questions to this one. Thanks.
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Hi Lisa,
Unfortunately, exploring Antelope Canyon by yourself is not an option. Since this attraction is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, a guided tour is an absolute must. You don’t necessarily have to be an experienced hiker to tour Antelope Canyon. If you are in relatively good health and get at least some regular exercise, you should be fine in Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. If stairs, ladders, or steep inclines are non-starters, however, you should look to the local slots without stairs, such as Upper Antelope Canyon, Secret Antelope Canyon (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon), or Wind Pebble Canyon (partial tour). If you would like to do a short boat tour of Lake Powell, you can bundle these with Upper Antelope Canyon tours for optimal convenience in the reservations process.
As you’ve deduced, February is too cold for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).
The entrance fee for Horseshoe Bend is $10/standard passenger vehicle, or $35 for light commercial vehicles. As for Antelope Canyon, there is an $8/person Navajo Tribal Park Entrance Fee, but the actual tour price can vary quite widely depending on the time of year and time of day you travel, as well as which segment of the canyon you tour.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 10, 2020 at 5:55 PM
Lisa
I’m trying to decide between the Upper, Lower and “X” tours in Antelope Canyon. There will be 3 adults in our group (ages 58 to 66). Two are day hikers and one gets very little exercise. We are planning to drive from Sedona to Page on Sunday, Feb 23 and spend two nights. Hopefully, we’ll have a day and a half to enjoy the area. We’ll leave for Tucson on the 25th. Based on other comments, we’re adding Horseshoe Bend to our itinerary. Any advice/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Lisa,
The sedentary member of your party might have a hard time with Lower Antelope or Canyon X, so to be on the safe side, I’d recommend either Upper Antelope Canyon, Secret Antelope Canyon (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon), or a partial tour of Wind Pebble Canyon. None of these have any stairs or steep inclines.
Since you’re planning on spending a couple of nights, you might consider adding an Antelope Canyon boat tour to your activities. For optimal convenience, you can book this as a “bundle” with an Upper Antelope Canyon tour.
Plan on hittiing Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town, preferably first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds of day trippers.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 10, 2020 at 5:48 PM
_________________________________________
From Lisa
Thank you so very much for your helpful advice! 😊
February 22, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Ann
Hi Alley
We’re planning a trip to Grand Canyon national park and antelope Canyon
from Phoenix in April. We’ll stay in Williams for two nights to see the
Grand Canyon. We’re driving to Page for antelope Canyon on the 3rd day.
Do we need permit to visit horseshoe bend and lake Powell on the way to
Page? Since we’ve to take the tours for most of the day and drive to Sedona
where we’ve booked a hotel, I’m not sure if we have enough time to get there
before dark. Can we get a permit and find a guide right in the park or we’ve
to reserve tour in advance? Thanks Ann
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Hi Ann,
You absolutely must make reservations in advance for a tour of Antelope Canyon! You cannot simply “get a permit and find a guide right in the park.” Why You Should Book In Advance
For Horseshoe Bend, you can simply go when it’s convenient, anytime between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Theoretically, anyway… in reality, the hours between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM tend to be the most busy, so if you can, get an early start out of Williams, AZ, so you can try and avoid the crowds. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Williams to Page, AZ, wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is quite scenic and you’ll be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Sunrise occurs just before 6:00 AM in April, so you might try starting out of Williams at ~5:30 AM to get a jump on the day.
The trip back to Sedona, AZ, will also take approximately 3 hours, and this is a drive that you want to completely avoid doing in the dark. Sunset takes place at ~7:00 PM in April, so plan on leaving Page, AZ, by 4:00 PM at the latest.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 10, 2020 at 5:41 PM
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Hi Alley
Thanks for your useful tips. I’d like to know more about lower Antelope.
Are there many stairs and ladders to climb? I’ve bad knee and have hard
time to climb too many stairs. I’d like to visit lower Antelope if it’s not
too much strain on my knee. Thanks again.Ann
February 11, 2020 at 10:59 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi again, Ann,
With a bad knee, Lower Antelope would probably be a strain on you. I don’t know the exact number of ladders in there, but suffice it to say, there’s quite a few. I’d recommend you watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing to a tour.
In light of your physical limitations, I’d recommend you stick with Upper Antelope Canyon, or Secret Antelope Canyon. Secret Antelope, aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, is about 400 yards in length, but has no stairs. It is managed by Horseshoe Bend Tours in Page, AZ.
Whichever way you decide to go, it is essential to book your Page, AZ, slot canyon tour well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 12, 2020 at 4:47 PM
Susan
Hi,
Can you tell me how long the ladder is in Lower Antelope Canyon?
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Hi Susan,
There are actually several ladders in Lower Antelope Canyon of varying lengths and degrees of incline. To guage whether you would be able to handle them, I recommend watching this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. If you determine that the stairs and ladders are too much for your party to manage, and the prospect of touring Upper Antelope doesn’t appeal, consider alternatives such as Antelope Canyon X, Cathedral Canyon, Wind Pebble, or Secret Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 10, 2020 at 4:11 PM
jentess
Hello Ally. Your help is greatly appreciated by all. My family has this plan.
April 10-12
Leave Vegas at 7am.
2pm slot tour of Secret Canyon
6pm Sunset UTV tour in Page
Sleep in Page
Next day.. Catch sunrise at Horseshoe/ then drive to Grand Canyon
see the sights and then spend the night in Kingman
Drive back to Vegas
Questions:
— Is there any MUST see that we should hit, hate to go all that way and didn’t take the extra mile.
–I would love for my kids to experience a native american “dance” show. Do you have one that you recommend? I am hoping its not hokey but
entertaining and educational.
— Best place to eat in Page
— Best place to sleep in Page
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Hi jentess,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I’d still recommend making a couple of changes, namely, on day 2 where you propose to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim, then all the way to Kingman. While that looks doable on paper, in reality, not so much. For example, Google maps gives the drive time from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim as 2.5 hours. That’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping to take photos more often than you realize. A stop at the Cameron Trading Post for a Navajo taco meal comes highly recommended, which will tack another 60-90 minutes or so onto your trip time. Once you enter Grand Canyon National Park, there are over half a dozen named Grand viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village, all with differing perspectives and features. You’ll want to stop at most, if not all of them, I can pretty much guarantee! So, after all’s said and done, don’t be surprised if you end up spending the better part of the day just getting to Grand Canyon. Then you want to drive another 3 hours to get to Kingman? Doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation. For optimal safety and comfort for your family, I’d recommend overnighting at Grand Canyon South Rim, then making the drive to Las Vegas the next day when everyone’s fresh.
If you would like to see a Native American dance performance, you can enjoy this activity at the Navajo Village Heritage Center in Page, AZ. Options include just the dance performance, which is 20 minutes, or an hour-long educational tour of a replica of a traditional Navajo homesite, and a weaving demonstration.
Where the best place to stay in Page, AZ, is one of those “in the eye of the beholder” things, where one man’s Radisson is another man’s Roach Motel. According to Google, the Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell is the best-rated, seconded by the La Quinta and Hampton properties. These hotels are quite new, ranging from 1-4 years old. At this point in time, though, it might not be a matter of what’s best, but what’s available. Book whatever fits within your budget and don’t worry too much about it. At the end of the day, your hotel will be just a place to lay your head after a busy day of sightseeing!
Best places to eat, again, highly subjective, but according to TripAdvisor, the Birdhouse (fried chicken and waffle place) gets the highest rating, seconded by Big John’s Texas BBQ, then Fiesta Mexicana, and Slackers (burger and sandwich place). My personal favorites are the Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge and State 48 Tavern.
As for “must see sites” you should hit, that’s a loaded question! Sure, there’s a ton of places I’d recommend you see, but you just don’t have the time to visit them. Push comes to shove, you might get an earlier start out of Las Vegas and make a short detour through Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a stunning area that’s not too far out of your way, and April is a good time to visit. I hope you can plan a return trip to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah when you can spend 7-14 days really enjoying the scenery and culture out here.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 05, 2020 at 3:58 PM
Sagar
Hi Alley!
Great information, and really helpful.
Me and my wife are planning a trip to Vegas in April. And we thought let’s do Page as well.
So, how many days do we really really need in Page? Would 2 nights be good?
I have seen photos of Page .. Very artistic. We are not big hikers, and haven’t done much boating, etc.
So, if you could please give your suggestion so I can plan accordingly.
We want to make it a very memorable one! 🙂
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Hi Sagar!
Thank you for your nice comments.
With 2 days in Page, AZ, you should have a wonderful time, even if, as you say, you are not big hikers or experienced boaters!
The drive over from Las Vegas will take you anywhere from 4.5-6 hours depending on traffic in a construction zone through the Virgin River Gorge on I-15, and how often you stop to take photos (it’s a very scenic drive, especially the latter half). Due to the driving distance/time, you will probably want to take it easy that afternoon, have a nice dinner somewhere in town, then retire early.
The next morning, plan to visit Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people, then tour Upper Antelope Canyon. If you would like to get out on Lake Powell without navigating your own boat, consider bundling your Antelope Canyon hiking tour with a boat tour of its waterside!
On your departure day, you might also make an early morning of it and partake of some other activities such as a scenic flight over Monument Valley, an in-depth tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, stopping at the Big Water Visitors Center and Dinosaur Museum, or a simple walk to The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock.
As you can see, you’ll have no problem filling 2 days in Page, AZ, with fun and adventure! For more suggestions, check out this piece on our companion site, HorseshoeBend.com, “48 Hours in Page, Arizona”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 05, 2020 at 2:57 PM
_________________________________________
From JOHN MCGINTY
Planning on a trip to Page, AZ in October – will one day be sufficient to do both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon?
Thanks.June 18, 2020 at 2:18 AM
Candace
I’m driving over in my 36 ft RV. Where are the local RV parks?
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Hi Candace!
There are two RV parks with hook-ups in the immediate vicinity of Antelope Canyon: the Wahweap Campground and RV Park, located near Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the Page/Lake Powell Campground, located in the town of Page, AZ. Dry camping is also available at the Beehive Campground, just past Glen Canyon Dam on US89 going towards Kanab, UT, but it’s a small, first-come/first-served campground with only 6 sites.
For proximity to Antelope Canyon and other local sites like Horseshoe Bend, the Page/Lake Powell Campground is the best choice IMO.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 05, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Tricia
Hello there. We are visiting for the first time in June this year. Can you advise which of the 2 Antelope Canyons you would suggest for a first time visit and how do they differ? Can you walk these along or do you have to book onto a tour please?
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Hi Tricia,
Which branch of the Antelope Canyons you tour depends largely on your traveling party. If you have infants or toddlers, seniors, or anyone with mobility limitations with you, you’d want to stick to Upper Antelope Canyon since it is a relatively easy 100-yard out-and-back walk on a flat trail. If everyone in your group is relatively fit and OK with managing a few ladders, stairs, and small boulders in a ~500-600 yard walk, then you should have no problem touring Lower Antelope Canyon. You might wish to watch this full video walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon to get a sense of what it’s like. Note that the people in the video are wearing backpacks, which is no longer allowed.
Whichever you decide, a guided tour is required to visit Antelope Canyon, which must be booked in advance. How to book a tour for Antelope Canyon
While in Page, AZ, don’t forget to visit Horseshoe Bend as well!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 05, 2020 at 2:38 PM
Lillian
Hi Alley,
Thank you immensely for sharing your knowledge with us! My friends and I are planning on visiting Vegas in early May, and want to see how much of the national parks we can reasonably fit into our itinerary with the limited time we have. Would you be able to comment on the practicality of our schedule and various stays at the different sites?
Day 1: Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim [overnight at Tusayan]
Day 2: Grand Canyon to Page [overnight in Page]
Day 3: Page (Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon) to Zion [overnight in Springdale]
Day 4: Zion (Gateway to Narrows from Temple of Sinawawa) [overnight in Springdale]
Day 5: Zion (Upper Emerald Pools trail) to Las Vegas [evening flight out]
Thank you so much in advance, you are incredible! All the Best!
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Hi Lillian!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun and well-planned. Even if you didn’t change a thing, you’re bound to have a wonderful time!
If you can possibly free up another day, however, I’d recommend trying to fit Bryce Canyon into your plans. It’s a stunning park, and not too far out of your way; ~a 3 hour drive from Page, AZ, then ~2 hours to Zion. If you can’t allot another day to fit it in, you could drop a day at Zion in order to accommodate it, which I know is less than desirable. The biggest obstacle to including it in your itinerary at this point will be lodging. The sole in-park property is bound to be sold out, but you might be able to find a hotel room in the gateway communities of Bryce Canyon City, Panguitch, or Kanab, UT.
Another way to see Bryce Canyon (again, it’s amazingly beautiful!), without physically going there, would be to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes operated by Westwind Air Service depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, and flights over Bryce Canyon run approximately 90 minutes long.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 05, 2020 at 2:33 PM
#TAKE_THE_L!!!!!
what is the child price ?!?!
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Hello,
If you are referring to Antelope Canyon tours, it depends on whether you choose to tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.
The price for children age 4-12 to tour Lower Antelope Canyon is $28/each.
For Upper Antelope Canyon tours, there are only two companies that allow children 6 or younger to tour with them.
With Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, children ages 0-7 can tour at off-peak hours for $44 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax. Children’s peak hour prices (mid-day) are $59 + $8 Navajo Park Permit Fee + Tax
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours charges $60 each for children age 0-12 on all tours.
Hope that clarifies the issue better. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 03, 2020 at 4:34 PM
DR
I am seeking an option to tour UPPER Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend leaving from Sedona. I only am seeing options to do LOWER and Horseshoe Bend. Any options? Thanks!
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Hi DR,
Check out Great Ventures Tours. They offer departures from Flagstaff and Sedona to Upper Antelope Canyon.
If for some reason you are unable to locate a guided tour to Upper Antelope, know that you can self-drive from Sedona to Page, AZ, quite easily. It’s about a 3-4 hour drive each way, and a very scenic one at that! All roads are fully-paved, well-traveled, and easy to follow. Not sure when you are traveling, but you’ll need to know when sunrise and sunset occur and keep an eye on the clock so you’re not making any of the return trip to Sedona after dark. Better yet? Stay overnight in Page, AZ, and enjoy a more relaxed visit, where you can hit up Horseshoe Bend at the best time of day: just after sunrise!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 03, 2020 at 4:11 PM
Lucy
Hi, my husband and I are in Las Vegas the first week of March and would like to tour the upper canyon as we are seniors. Do you have recommendations of dependable tour companies that would transport us to and from LV for this adventure? Thanks in advance!
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Hi Lucy!
There are several Las Vegas tour companies that can get you to Upper Antelope Canyon and back if you don’t wish to drive. Grand Canyon Tours, aka GC Tours, has been around a long time, are well-reviewed, and offers a more personalized experience seeing as though they limit their group sizes to 7 people. The only drawback is that tours are only offered on certain days of the week, which may not be compatible with your schedule. If you find that to be the case, you can self-drive to Page, AZ, fairly easily. Yes, it’s about a 5-hour drive each way, but the roads are all paved, well-traveled, and easy to follow. If you do this, you should get an early start out of Las Vegas and keep an eye on the clock so you do the majority of the return drive in daylight. Better yet, stay overnight in Page, AZ, and enjoy a more relaxed visit where you also have time to see Horseshoe Bend.
For more information, check out “Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 03, 2020 at 4:02 PM
Komal
Hi, I am planning to come to antelope on 4th feb’20. Want to know whether I can book the tour guide tickets now and if so where should I look for the contact number?
Thank You
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Hi Komal,
You absolutely can book an Antelope Canyon tour now! Go to any of the booking links provided in this article, or if you prefer to book by phone, the contact information for the tour companies is as follows:
For Lower Antelope:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope:
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, 928-645-9102, www.antelopecanyon.com
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, 928-645-5594, www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, (928) 614-4919 or (928) 640-6808, https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 30, 2020 at 2:49 PM
Anna
Can I park my RV at upper antelope canyon or would i be better off getting a tour from page and parking my RV there somewhere! any recommendations would be great thanks
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Hi Anna,
Parking is somewhat limited at the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park entrance, so you would probably be better off getting a tour that departs from Page, AZ. There’s a Safeway store located within easy walking distance of both Page, AZ, area tour companies, or you might park your rig in the Dam Plaza parking lot as well.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 30, 2020 at 2:46 PM
Mariah Ramirez
hello! my best-friend and I are planning a trip for the weekend of April 24-25th. We are leaving California around 6 PM Friday night then hitting four corners Saturday morning, and plan on stopping at antelope canyon then finally horseshoe bend. If you have any advice for us that would be great! we should be leaving four corners around 11 maybe 12 the latest so we will be in Page around 2:30pm or 3. what do you recommend? any help will be great! thanks!
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Hi Mariah,
All due respect here, I don’t think you fully comprehend the distances you’re proposing to drive just for a quick weekend trip.
California to Four Corners, for example, may not be realistic. Depending on what part of California you’re traveling from, the trip could take anywhere from 11-16 hours. I would skip Four Corners this time around and bring your touring radius in a little tighter, maybe concentrate your sightseeing on Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon, or if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, you should go there before you go anywhere!
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need further guidance.
Alley 🙂January 30, 2020 at 2:44 PM
Sri
Our plan is to visit Las Vegas and GC landing on 29th Jan 10 AM at Vegas and returning back on 1st Feb 7PM
Day 1 (Jan 29): Land at Vegas and stay overnight
Day 2 (Jan 30): Hang around at Vegas overnight stay
Day 3 (Jan 31): Leave Vegas at 7 AM (Vegas time) to Antelope Canyon 1PM (AZ time). Visit Horseshoe bend and reach a hotel at South Rim
Day 4: (Feb 1): Visit GC and start back to Vegas at 12 PM. Reach airport and get the flight at 7:30 PM
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Hi Sri,
Sorry for the late reply.
Unfortunately, I cannot endorse this plan as it stands, mainly because of what you plan to do on Day 3.
It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, perhaps longer because of construction taking place in the Virgin River Gorge along I-15. That could tack another 30 minutes onto your drive time. Your Antelope Canyon tour will take anywhere from 2-2.5 hours, factoring in advance check-in time and logistics of getting to your tour company’s departure location. Visiting Horseshoe Bend takes on average 60-90 minutes, including parking, hiking out to the overlook, staying awhile to take photos, then hiking back. You’re then looking at another 3-3.5 hour drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s driving direct, no stopping. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take photos often.
Another reason why I don’t recommend this plan is because at this time of year, days are still quite short. Sunrise takes place at around 7:30 AM and sunset occurs at approximately 6:00 PM. That’s less than 11 hours of daylight on a day when you’re proposing to do over 8 hours of driving and approximately 4 hours of touring. As you can hopefully see, you would end up that doing part of the drive to the Grand Canyon in the dark, which is very dangerous around here due to roads that are very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could increase your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell phone reception is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention extremely expensive.
If you’re monitoring replies to your inquiry today, I would strongly recommend heading to Page, AZ, this afternoon and spending the night. Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise tomorrow morning, tour Antelope Canyon, then head to the South Rim when you can take your time and really enjoy the drive instead of racing against the clock to get to your hotel by dark.
Another observation, when you say “reach a hotel,” hopefully you’re not just planning to find a hotel room on the spot. Even at this time of year, advance reservations for hotels and tours are highly recommended. Without them, you could find yourself driving hours to the next town to find a room for the night.
Hope this helps. Let us know how you got on.
Take care,
Alley 🙂January 30, 2020 at 2:35 PM
_________________________________________
From Gokul Subhas
Hi Alley,
You had helped me finalize my itinerary during my trip to Page, Grand Canyons, Bryce, and Zion in Dec 2020. Unfortunately, I could not visit Antelope Canyon at that time since it was closed due to COVID. Also, I could not visit Monument Valley and Arches national park as I was flying from Phoenix. So this time I am coming to Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 14th at 10 am and leaving from Salt Lake City on Sunday, April 17th night at 9 pm. I wanted to visit Arches National Park, Monument Valley, and Antelope Canyon for sure. Can you help me plan the itinerary?
Also how to book tours for the Antelope Canyons? Should I be doing both the upper and lower canyon tours?
Are there any other places that are worth visiting on the way and would also be a nice break between long drives? I have already visited the Grand Canyons, Meteor Crater, Horse Shoe Bend, Bryce, and Zion last time.
Thanks
GokulMarch 14, 2022 at 2:32 AM
Carol moomaw
Good morning. We are interested in both the upper and lower canyons as well as canyon x. Our time frame is either early or middle May. What are the best times in May?
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Hi Carol,
First off, if you were to tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons, you might want to leave Antelope Canyon X out, or tour Antelope Canyon X and call it good. Antelope Canyon X actually consists of two slots, bearing a resemblance to both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. If you have more time to work with and are looking for another activity to fill your day, I’d recommend getting out on the water, either on a kayak, SUP (stand-up paddleboard), or a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon.
As for the best times to tour the Antelope Canyons, mid-day is generally regarded as prime time for lighting. In May, mid-day tours get those lovely light beams that the slot canyons are so famous for, but for prime time departures, be prepared to pay prime time prices. JS
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 27, 2020 at 5:39 PM
Gao
Alley,
Wondering if coming with a tour guide is required or suggested? We have limited time and it appears if you want to do both upper and lower that the times in between tours is kind of spaced especially since we like to get an early start and are in good walking/hiking health. Thanks!
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Hi Gao,
Antelope Canyon and its alternate slot canyons are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, therefore you absolutely must go with a guided tour. If you are interested in touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Slot Canyons, consider booking the tours as a bundle, where, availability permitting you can choose to take the tours back to back, or space them out so you can grab lunch in between.
If you are limited to doing just one of the Antelope Canyons due to time constraints or lack of availability, you should be able to handle Lower Antelope Canyon seeing as though you are all in good physical condition.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 27, 2020 at 5:33 PM
sam
Hi Ally, We are coming from Las Vegas and plan to go right to Antelope Canyon for a tour. Google says 4 hrs 30 min from Vegas – do you think that’s accurate? Just trying to see what time we should book our tour in April? And would you recommend Upper or Lower? We have 2 boys 11 and 15.
Thanks.
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Hi Sam,
That 4.5 hour drive time from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, reflects “wheels turning, no stops.” Best case scenario, that rarely happens, because the drive is quite interesting and you will want to stop to take pictures. Another consideration is a long-term construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Traffic is reduced to one lane in the work zone, which can tack another 30-60 minutes onto the drive. Therefore, a more accurate estimate is anywhere from 5-5.5 hours.
As for which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour, if everyone in your party is reasonably healthy and can handle a few stairs, ladders, and small boulders, you should be fine in Lower Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 27, 2020 at 5:30 PM
jerri brown
Thank you so much for you site, it is so informative. And for all the time you put into it.
My family is planning a trip to the grand canyon this year in September or October. I will be traveling with my husband and two grown children in their twenties.
I have been to the grand canyon as a child, but my husband and children have never been. I just wanted your thought on best time to travel there, September or October, and where is it best to fly into, Las Vegas or Phoenix?
We plan to spend seven days, what would you recommend as a must see, if we never make it back? I know the Grand Canyon for sure, and we would like to go white water rafting a day and maybe some easier trails.
I would love to have your suggestions on lodging along the way and any activities you would recommend, and any itinerary you think would work for us.
Thanks so so much.
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Hi Jerri, and thank you for visiting us!
September and October are both great for traveling in the American Southwest, so pick whatever time works for you and be prepared to enjoy it.
If you want to do Grand Canyon white water rafting, you should plan on flying into Las Vegas. The only single-day white water raft trip offered in the Grand Canyon is out of the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ, ~3 hours drive from Las Vegas. It’s a long day, anywhere from 10-12 hours, and starts early in the morning, so you would probably want to spend the night before and possibly the night after the trip in Peach Springs, AZ. Lodging-wise, there isn’t much to work with in the immediate vicinity. When I took the trip, we stayed in Williams, AZ, which is about 90 minutes away.
As for the rest of your vacation plans, it would be a bit rushed since the white water trip will essentially eat up 2 days of your week. If you were to use Williams, AZ, as your lodging base for the white water trip, you could hit Grand Canyon South Rim (1 hour North) en route to Page, AZ (~3.5 hours from GCSR), spend 1 night there to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Afterwards, hit Bryce Canyon for 1 night, Zion for 2, then fly home from Las Vegas.
In light of how “labor-intensive” the 1-day white water trip is, you might consider leaving it out this time around, but you can still experience rafting on the Colorado River. The Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip, out of Page, AZ, is a wonderful family-friendly activity. As the name suggests, it does not go through any rapids, but it’s by no means boring! What it may lack in thrills, it more than adequately compensates for in beautiful scenery and compelling history. If you take us up on that suggestion, you should spend 2 nights in Page, AZ, but that will free up another night which you might spend in Monument Valley, or Zion.
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce more ideas off us!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 27, 2020 at 5:25 PM
Susan
Any recommendations for 1st week of March? Want time to take pictures,. Mom cannot do a lot of extensive, athletic walking, but normal is OK.
Which tours recommended for a Mom and daughter trip.
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Hi Susan!
For light walking, Upper Antelope Canyon would be your best bet. It’s 100 yards out and back on a mostly flat trail. The most “exciting” part of the tour is the 2-mile 4WD ride from the highway to the entrance of the canyon.
If you find Upper Antelope Canyon tours sold out, a good alternative would be Secret Antelope Canyon, aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. It’s a longer canyon, ~450 yards, but again, mostly flat, no stairs. If you take us up on that suggestion, you might also add the Horseshoe Bend Overlook to your tour. The tour company goes there via a private entrance on Navajo Indian Land where the walk to the rim is only 200 yards, vs .6 miles at the public overlook. For more information, visit Horseshoe Bend Tours at www.horseshoebendtours.com
While in Page, AZ, you might also visit the Glen Canyon Conservancy/John Wesley Powell Museum and do a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam. For more suggestions, check out “24 Hours in Page, Arizona.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 27, 2020 at 4:54 PM
Shannon
Thanks for the detailed info – the best I’ve found and lot of questions answered!
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Thank you Shannon! Have a wonderful trip,
Alley 🙂January 22, 2020 at 4:04 PM
Mark Capanzana
Hi,
For lower Antelope Canyon, there is no need to ride a jeep or safari truck like the upper canyon? If this is the case, no need to bring a car seat? Is the transportation provided by tour companies a bus?
We are a family of 4 with a 1 year old and 4.5 year old. We are considering the lower canyon because from the videos it seems the gaps to walk-through are wider and baby-carriers are allowed. I intend to carry the 1 year old using a front-mounted carrier and the 4.5 year old can walk on her own. Would this be a good idea? I just feel that my elder daughter would get claustrophobic in the upper canyon as it seems tighter and darker than the lower canyon based on YT videos.
Thanks,
Mark
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Hi Mark,
FWIW, I haven’t heard of too many claustrophobia-induced freak-outs in Upper Antelope Canyon, but you know your own kid better than anyone! As long as you are aware of the physical challenges involved with Lower Antelope Canyon, your family would be welcome to tour it instead of Upper. For Lower Antelope Canyon, you simply drive up to the tour company’s office (there are two companies that tour Lower Antelope Canyon) and take a 8-10 minute walk to the entrance of the canyon. Therefore, no car seat would be required there.
Before you commit, you might watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. Note that in the video, people are carrying backpacks. This is no longer allowed.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2020 at 4:23 PM
Kate Porter
Hello Alley from sunny Australia!
I’m planning a trip to Antelope Canyon in mid April this year and I’m SO EXCITED! I intend on hiring a car from Las Vegas on Monday 13th after flying in from Melbourne and travelling to Antelope Canyon from there. Would you please be able to advise if it is worth staying one night out there (in nearby accommodation) and then waking up on the Tuesday and seeing the Canyon and Horseshoe Bend the following day before returning to Las Vegas that afternoon? I truly appreciate your thoughts.
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Hello Kate from not-so-sunny-at-the-moment Arizona!
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, the gateway community for Antelope Canyon, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. In reality, that rarely happens because the drive is quite interesting and you’ll find yourself stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Another consideration you have to factor in right now is that there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 in the Virgin River Gorge, which you’ll end up passing through. This can tack another 30-60 minutes onto your drive.
It takes approximately 2-2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon; that’s taking into account advance check-in time, etc. Whilst in Page, AZ, you should also take advantage of the chance to visit Horseshoe Bend. That takes approximately 60-90 minutes, including the time it takes to make the 1.2 mile round-trip walk, and spend some time taking photos. At some point, you probably would want to break for lunch somewhere. After 4-5 hours of sightseeing, you would then be facing another 4.5-5 hour drive back to Las Vegas? Not my idea of a vacation.
So, long story short, yes, I’d strongly recommend staying overnight in Page, AZ, hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the next morning, touring Antelope Canyon afterwards, then heading back to Vegas in the afternoon.
One last thing: be sure to make sure that you do the first half of the return drive (from Page, AZ, to St. George, UT) during daylight hours. The roads between Page, AZ, and St. George, UT, are very dimly lit, and the section of US89 around Kanab, UT, crosses a popular migratory route for deer and elk. You don’t want to risk a nighttime collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service may be spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. Between St. George, UT, and Las Vegas, NV, I-15 is fairly well lit, so it’s not as big a risk there. In mid-April, sunrise occurs at around 6:00 AM, sunset takes place at approximately 7:00 PM.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2020 at 4:18 PM
Daniel
Hi my family and I are are visiting Page next month and we want to do a tour, however we have a 15 month old son, i was curious which tour would be better, the upper or lower?
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Hi Daniel!
With a toddler in tow, it would be best to plan on touring Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope is an easy 100-yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail.
That’s not to say that younger children are forbidden from touring Lower Antelope Canyon, but parents should consider carefully whether this would be a safe and enjoyable activity considering the nature of the terrain and physical exertion required. To see what we mean, watch this “Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon.”
For more information, read “Antelope Canyon Q & A: Bringing Kids.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 20, 2020 at 6:40 PM
Chris
Hi, If you visit Antelope Canyon in late July, what time do you need to book your tour so that you can get pictures of the canyon walls all lit up and in shades of brown or purple?
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Hi Chris!
In July, book your tour anytime between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM to see those lovely light beams, but … be prepared to pay a higher price for tickets.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 20, 2020 at 6:37 PM
Harold F Trull Jr
I started to book a tour with the upper canyon and it says pregnant women are not allowed. I thought the lower canyon was the strenuous tour. Would you be able to explain the difference. My son is coming with me and carries a lot of weight. From what I read he would have trouble on the lower tour with the ladders but the upper tour distance looks ok. Just curious what the issues are on the upper tour. Thank you!
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Hi Harold,
That’s odd that you’re finding issues booking pregnant women on the Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Of the two main branches of Antelope Canyon, it is definitely the least strenuous. Upper Antelope Canyon features an easy 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail. Indeed, on www.AntelopeCanyon.com, they state that “we have had many pregnant ladies join our tour, and we do offer the option to sit in the cab of the truck with the driver. These are limited seats so be sure to tell us in advance. Please follow your doctor’s orders.”
Hope that helps. Please let us know if you continue to have trouble with that.
Alley 🙂January 20, 2020 at 6:36 PM
Santy
Hi Alley,
thanks alot!
fully agree and makes sense. BTW, i did check my own capability along with family and we realize our mistake 🙂
Now, we are not going to Canyon, instead staying in Page post Antelope and Horseshoe bend visit. may be sometime later for Canyons:)
i’ll be booking the tour as per your provided link.
thanks again!!
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Hi again, Santy!
That’s a good call. Be sure to plan a return visit to the Grand Canyon when you can give it the time it deserves, maybe fly into Phoenix and take advantage of the opportunity to visit Sedona, too.
Take care and have a wonderful trip,
Alley 🙂January 20, 2020 at 6:24 PM
Jessica Christie
Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours runs tours to Secret Antelope Canyon. They offer tours with 12 people or less – It is amazing! The website, which lists all availability and pricing, is www.horseshoebendtours.com.
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Jessica, do you live in page? I have family in page who I haven’t seen for many many years. My grandfather was a Christie.
February 16, 2020 at 6:41 PM
jordan
arizona is awesome
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It is indeed 🙂
January 20, 2020 at 6:23 PM
Clint West
We will be traveling from Las Vegas to Phoenix early March. We will be leaving Vegas early on a Wednesday and would like to visit Zion and Bryce before moving on to Page AZ to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. We plan to arrive in Phoenix sometime in the afternoon on Friday. Do you think we will have enough time to see all 4 attractions in 2 days? Also, is there anything else you would recommend we see on our travels from Vegas to Phoenix. We will be spending Friday to Monday in Phoenix before heading back to Las Vegas. We have already seen the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Sincerely appreciate your insight.
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Hi Clint and thank you for your inquiry.
So do I think you will have enough time to see all 4 attractions in 2 days? No. But if you can drop a day in Phoenix, you might be able to pull it off.
It takes approximately 4+ hours to drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 3-3.5 hours, but that’s driving direct with minimal stops. Another consideration is a construction project occurring on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. That can tack on an extra 30-60 minutes onto your drive time. You’ll then want to have at least the better part of a day, and maybe even part of the following day, to explore Zion. It’s a huge park that truly deserves 2-3 days to do it justice. With your limited timeframe, on your arrival day, use the free Zion Canyon Shuttle to visit the main points of interest on the Zion Canyon Drive. Stay overnight in Springdale, UT, then, the following morning, hit a few viewpionts on the Mt. Carmel Scenic drive between Springdale and the junction where it joins up with US89. Then head the rest of the way to Bryce Canyon. The drive should take you ~3 hours, factoring in a few stops, longer if you stop for lunch somewhere (I recommend the Thunderbird Restaurant, “Home of the Ho-Made Pie” [no, I’m not kidding] in Mt. Carmel Junction). Time permitting, you might drive the 38-mile Scenic Loop drive that afternoon, or the next morning.
After an overnight stay in the Bryce Canyon area, then head down to Page, AZ. It’s ~a 3-hour drive, which, like the others, can be extended if you take advantage of the numerous photo ops along the way. One thing to keep in mind about Bryce Canyon is that it’s 8,000′ above sea level, so heavy snows are not unheard of in early March. Be sure you pack warmer clothing just in case the weather turns.
Tour Antelope Canyon the afternoon you arrive from Bryce, stay overnight in Page, then hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the following morning on the drive down from Phoenix.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2020 at 6:20 PM
Heather
Hello. I am planning a stop at Antelope Canyon on March 27th. I will have a 5 year old with me so i’m leaning towards Upper because of this. We will be driving in from Cedar City and can leave early that morning. what time do you suggest a tour for? At the end of our tour or day we will then drive to Tusayan.
thanks!
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Hey Heather,
It’s good that you’re planning on touring Upper Antelope Canyon with a 5-year-old in tow. Just so you’re aware, only two out of the four Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies admit children under 6. They are as follows:
* Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
* Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com,928-698-3384
Also, I’d recommend reading “Antelope Canyon Q & A: Bringing Kids” before committing.
I’d also encourage you to modify the rest of your day’s plans in light of a few important concerns. For one, it takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Cedar City, UT, to Page, AZ. Sunrise in Cedar City, UT, occurs at ~7:15 AM, and you want to be sure to do any and all driving on this trip during daylight hours. Since Page, AZ, does not observe Daylight Savings Time, assuming you don’t make many stops on the drive over, you could arrive in Page, AZ, as early as 9:30 AM local time. Upper Antelope Canyon tours running between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM fall into the “peak hours” due to the lighting conditions and the higher likelihood of seeing the light beams the canyon is so famous for. For these reasons, these tours tend to book up quickly. Don’t be surprised to find that to be the case on your preferred travel date. You may have to settle for a later tour departure. If that ends up being the case, you won’t want to take on the 3.5-4 hour drive from Page, AZ, to Tusayan, AZ. I know that Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, minimal stops. That rarely materializes since the drive is very scenic, and you will find yourself stopping to take photos more often than you realize, especially on the section of the drive between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. It would be a shame to have to pass up a beautiful photo op because you’re racing against the clock to get to your next destination.
Another thing, too, is that it would be a shame to miss Horseshoe Bend while you’re in the Page, AZ, area. This world-famous incised meander of the Colorado River is an incredible sight to behold, but it will require another 2-2.5 hours of your day to go there, find a place to park, hike out to the overlook, take a few photos, and hike back.
Long story short, it would be better if you plan to spend the night in Page, AZ, after touring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then drive on to Tusayan the next morning when you’re rested.
BTW, if you wonder why we’re so dead-set against nighttime driving, it’s because roads in this part of the US are very dimly lit. That’s a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Indeed, I’d never seen as many stars as I did the first time I came to Arizona! Additionally, there are animals about that like to congregate near the highway shoulders, such as deer, elk, free range cattle, even wild horses, sheep, and goats. You don’t want to risk a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold (March is still considered winter around here), where cell phone service is spotty (if you can find any bars at all), and a tow truck will be a long time coming (and charge a fortune) with a child in tow.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2020 at 6:01 PM
Sooleen Kim
Hi Ally,
My name is Sooleen Kim, and I booked a tour for me and my family on the Upper Antelope Canyon on January 17th at 1:00 p.m.
I saw the tour voucher right after the payment but I was not able to download it nor print it out, so I took a screenshot of it.
Although I tried to access that page again today morning, it was not available.
Also, I read that the voucher will be sent to email, but I have not gotten it yet.
Please tell me what the problem is and send me the confirmation email with the voucher as soon as possible.
Thank you.
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Hi Sooleen,
I’m so sorry about the troubles with your Antelope Canyon tour booking. I hope you were able to sort things out regarding your confirmation.
The direct contact number for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour company that we contract with on AntelopeCanyonNow.com is 928-645-5594
Thank you,
AlleyJanuary 17, 2020 at 5:26 PM
kumar
1 . will my 13 month child will be permitted in upper antelope canyon ?
2. can i use the soft front carrying baby back pack ?
3. can i drive myself or booking a tour is the only way ?
thanks a lot
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Hi Kumar,
Thanks for your very clear, concise, and well-phrased inquiry!
1. Your 13-month-old is permitted to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, but the tour company we contract with on AntelopeCanyonNow.com does not allow children younger than 6. Fortunately, there are two other tour companies who permit younger children. Their contact information is as follows:
* Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
* Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com, 928-698-3384
Keep in mind that you will be required to provide a car seat for your baby on the 2-mile truck ride from AZ98 to the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon.
2. Yes, you may use a soft front mounted baby carrier. In fact, Ekis’ Antelope Canyon tours specifically recommends that type of carrier.
3. You cannot drive yourself to Antelope Canyon. You must book a guided tour; no exceptions.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2020 at 5:24 PM
Santy
Hi, We (me/wife and 10yr old) are planning to reach Antelope 3PM on 20th January. basically will travel from Vegas to Antelope and will try start in early morning as possible. I have two questions:
1. which one is best to see at this time and how to book this tour in advance to keep us reserved?
2. How is the drive from Vegas to Antelope (I15 North) during this time, is it snowy or normal ?
3. How is drive from Antelope to Grand canyon (US 89 i think) during this time, our plan is to go further on same day from Antelope to Grand canyon south rim and stay there.
Thanks for your quick help and recommendations.
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Hi Santy,
Thank you for your clear, concise inquiry!
1. Whether you tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon depends on your family and their physical fitness levels. If anyone in your party has any mobility or breathing problems, Upper Antelope would be the best choice for your tour. If everyone is relatively healthy and can handle a longer walk (~500m) with a few stairs, ladders, and small boulders, Lower Antelope should be fine for you! Before committing to Lower Antelope, you might want to watch this Full Walk-Through Video. To book a tour for Antelope Canyon, go to the link for your desired tour on this page “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon”
2. The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, is fully paved, but could be subject to winter conditions at the time of your visit. For Arizona road conditions, visit www.az511.com
3. Here’s where I need to say “STOP!” You should not attempt to drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ, then onto the Grand Canyon in the same day. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, possibly more depending on the status of a construction project on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Antelope Canyon tours then take anywhere from 2-2.5 hours, factoring in advance check-in time, etc. Whilst in Page, AZ, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, which will take another 2 hours or thereabouts. You’d then be looking at another 3.5-4 hours drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. I know that Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you will find yourself stopping often to take photos, especially on the portion of the drive between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. It would be a shame to have to pass up a photo opportunity because you’re racing against the clock to get to your next destination. The thing is, you don’t have enough daylight to pull all this off at the time of year you’re visiting. Sunrise occurs just after 7:30 AM; sunset takes place shortly after 5:30 PM. That’s approximately 10 hours of daylight, and that’s not much. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit, very twisty in spots, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that can ratchet up your risk of a collision.
A better plan would be to stay overnight in Page, AZ, after driving over from Las Vegas, then go on to Grand Canyon South Rim the next morning.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2020 at 5:15 PM
Mick
Is there an after hours contact we are booked on the tour 15 Jan 2020 which is tomorrow and our son is now sick. We are extremely upset to have to cancel but we are not into sharing germs and he is not well at all.
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Hi Mick,
So sorry to hear that your son is sick 🙁 I hope you were able to contact the tour company to sort things out.
AlleyJanuary 15, 2020 at 6:12 PM
Jane Wright
Hi I don’t think I can physically do a 5 mile hike so what other places would you suggest there that are interesting and beautiful! Thanks So much!
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Hi Jane,
If the hike to and from The Wave is too much, fortunately, there are many other interesting and beautiful places you can go nearby!
Our personal favorite is White Pocket. What little “hiking” there is is relatively easy. The hard part is getting out there without getting your vehicle stuck in deep sand. If you’re driving a rental car (which most people are when they visit), your contract also prohibits off-road driving. For these reasons, we strongly recommend going with a licensed guide service. Between the towns of Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, there are about a dozen such companies. One I’m personally familiar with is Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
Another method for seeing The Wave that doesn’t involve either a hike or jumping through the hoops of the permit lottery is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters can be chartered from the Page Municipal Airport or Kanab Municipal Airport. Yes, this will be pricey, but you’ll get to see a ton of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave that will make it an unforgettable experience! Fly over The Wave
If the afore-mentioned alternatives are neither feasible nor appealing for whatever reason, there is a place that looks a lot like The Wave that doesn’t require a permit to visit, and doesn’t involve a long or difficult hike. It’s called the “Fire Wave,” and it’s located in the Valley of Fire State Park just Northeast of Las Vegas, NV.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 15, 2020 at 6:12 PM
Xu Chunhu
My daughter’s birthday is August 28th,2007. We will travel to Antelope on January 24th,2020. Is her age 12 or 13 regarding ticket purchase?
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Dear Xu,
She would be 12 years old.
AlleyJanuary 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Mary
Are you still doing the Hidden Canyon kayak tours? If so, how can I register for the trip?
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Hi Mary,
The Hidden Canyon Kayak tour is offered between February 15th and October 31st. If your visit to Page, AZ, is occurring anytime before February 15th, you would unfortunately not be able to participate in this activity, but you might consider an Antelope Canyon boat tour, which runs year-round, weather permitting and contingent on a certain number of people traveling.
If you are traveling during Hidden Canyon Kayak’s operating season, you may register for a tour by visiting Hidden Canyon Kayak’s website, or phoning 928-660-1836.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM
Rosanna
Hi Alley,
Am planing a weekend trip from NY to Arizona January 25th to 27th. Am wondering if I can see Antelope Canyon (upper and lower level) and Grand Canyon maybe on my way back to Phoenix? I have not buy air ticket just yet, trying to figure it out how to take advantage of the short time to see the wonders. Will really appreciate your advice, Thank you!
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Hi Rosanna,
I would not advise trying to see the Grand Canyon as a quick “drive by” on your way from Page, AZ, to Phoenix, AZ, not after touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, and especially not at the time of year you’re visiting.
The drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is approximately 150 miles. Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping to take pictures, especially on the stretch of AZ64 heading West into Grand Canyon Village. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints between Desert View and the Village, which could easily extend the drive to 3.5-4 hours. Then, you’d be facing another 4.5 hour drive back to Phoenix from Grand Canyon South Rim? No thanks.
Another consideration that affects the feasibility of your plan, or lack thereof, is daylength: in January, it’s short, with sunrise occurring at 7:30 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:45 PM. Any driving in Northern Arizona should be done during daylight hours due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other animals that could ratchet up your risk of an auto accident. Trust me, that’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell phone service is spotty (if you can get a signal at all), and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive!
A better plan would be to stay overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then drive back to Phoenix the following day after a good night’s rest.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 13, 2020 at 4:58 PM
Nitsa
Hi Alley,
All the comments here are so helpful! I’m planning a trip for spring break for our family (2 adults, 2 kids: 10 and 8) in early April 5-10, 2020. We have only 5 nights. I was considering the following and I’d love your input:
Day 1: arrive in Vegas 10 am, drive to Zion and explore, stay in Springdale
Day 2: drive to Bryce, explore Bryce and some of Zion, stay in Springdale
Day 3: Drive to Page, Explore Horseshoe Bend and area, stay in Page
Day 4: Antelope Canyon tour, drive to South Rim, explore, drive all the way to Vegas: Stay in Vegas
( I think I need some help with day 3-4 and what tours to take or what to see; should we do both Upper and Lower canyons?)
Day 5: drive to Hoover Dam, explore Vegas
Day 6: explore Vegas, fly home at night.
Thank you, Nitsa
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Hi Nitsa!
Your plan looks good, until you get to day 4: there, you’re proposing to cram in too much driving into one day.
It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will want to stop frequently to take pictures, especially between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon along this portion of the trip, all with different distinguishing features and perspectives on the canyon. After that, you’re facing at a 4.5-hour drive from Grand Canyon Village to Las Vegas? No thanks.
A better plan would be to tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon on Day 3, hit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning on Day 4, stay overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then continue on to Las Vegas, stopping at Hoover Dam, on Day 5.
Trust me, your kids will thank you for not subjecting them to 9-10 hours in the car!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 09, 2020 at 7:39 PM
Dana Stark
Hi Alley, I just came across the article where you mention these other canyons. I like to avoid crowds too. Would you suggest skipping Antelope canyon all together and just going to some of these ones instead? It is the sun beams that I will see at Antelope but not at the others right? I am planning to be there around March 27th. Is it really busy then?
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Hi again, Dana!
Late March is Spring Break for some schools, so the Antelope Canyons will be busy. Not quite as crazy as summer, but you should still book your Antelope Canyon tour or alternate slot canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
As to whether you should skip Antelope Canyon altogether, the fact of the matter is that many Page, AZ, slot canyons are part of the same multi-faceted creek drainage that formed the main branches of Antelope Canyon. For example, if you should opt to tour Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Owl Canyon, Waterholes Canyon, Wind Pebble or Mystical Antelope Canyon, you would still be exploring Antelope Canyon, just a part of it that is maybe more remote or recently opened up to tourism (like Mystical Antelope Canyon or the Antelope Valley Slot Canyons).
If you choose to tour any of these other slot canyons, you will still have a wonderful time, but you won’t see those famous light beams in any of them.
Hope that helps!
Alley 🙂January 09, 2020 at 7:14 PM
Cindy Marlow
Hi Alley,
Thanks for all the useful information you provide on your site and apologize if I missed any information on the below you might have already posted.
I am planning a big family trip – 12 of us – to GC and stopping in Page on 5/21 overnight. We are planning to do the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons on 5/22 morning but looking to do another slot canyon on 5/21. We were thinking of doing the Waterhole Canyon 1 1/2 hour tour that is managed by Waterhole Canyon Experience or the Secret Canyon to try one that does not have the crowds and was wondering which one you recommend. We do have a few photogrpahers in our group too.
Thanks so much Cindy
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Hi Cindy, and no need to apologize for repetition. Lots of potential tourists to Page, AZ, have similar questions!
IMHO, if you’re already planning to do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, you might find touring another slot canyon to be somewhat redundant. I’d actually recommend doing something completely different that next day, such as an airplane flight over Rainbow Bridge, a 4WD tour to White Pocket or Alstrom Point, or a float trip through Glen Canyon.
If the above does not interest you and you still prefer to do a third slot canyon, either Waterholes or Secret Antelope Canyon would be perfectly enjoyable. Both companies keep group sizer on the smaller side. Secret Antelope (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon) does not have any chambers, it is one continuous slot that is ~450 yards in length. Waterholes is more similar to Lower in that you do have to do some climbing and simple boulder scrambling.
Hope that helps. I know it’s hard to choose!
Alley 🙂January 09, 2020 at 7:22 PM
Beazel
Thank you for sharing. My family and I have one full day to spend in Page at the end of March (a side trip during visits to Mt. Zion and Bryce). I was hoping to fit in tours of two canyons, one in the morning and one early-mid afternoon. My plan was to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons but the reports of overcrowding have me concerned. Our kids are 12 and 15 and we are frequent hikers of average health. Based on your descriptions I think we could handle everything except Cardiac Canyon. Two of us are photographers so we would greatly appreciate interesting photo ops but we are interested more in the experience than fabulous photography. My plan was to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons but the reports of overcrowding have me concerned. We generally try to avoid crowds but if these two are too spectacular to miss then we will put up with them. If someone only has time to visit two canyons which two would you recommend?
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Hi Beazel!
Your concerns about Cardiac Canyon are spot-on, this hike is quite difficult, and should only be attempted by those in very good shape.
As for whether you should bear the crowds of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon or tour one of the alternates, either way, you’d have a wonderful time. And the truth is, the creek drainage that formed Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons is actually a complex and multi-faceted eco-system that has many beautiful slot canyons. Upper and Lower just happen to be closest to the highway, which made them easier to open up to tourism. If you were to visit Antelope Canyon X, Mystical Antelope Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Owl Canyon, Wind Pebble or Ram’s Head Canyon, you would be exploring a slot canyon that was connected to the main branches of Antelope Canyon via the creek that intermittently flows through them.
For what it’s worth, late March is Spring Break for many schools in the US, so Page, AZ, will be busy. Whatever slot canyon you decide to tour, you should make reservations well in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 09, 2020 at 7:31 PM
Alejandro Palop
Hello, Navajo Tours and Adventours Antelope Canyon do not offer Photo Tours any more. Can you recomend a photo tour for june 2020, please? We are 8 photographers from Spain.
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Hello Alejandro,
We regret to have to inform you that photo tours have been discontinued by all Upper Antelope Canyon tour providers as of December 20, 2019. It was a difficult decision, but due to Antelope Canyon’s enormous popularity, it was simply not practical to continue doing tours that contributed to overcrowding in an already crowded (and small) space.
For photography, I would recommend you consider touring one (or more) of several alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded. These include, but are not limited to:
– Antelope Canyon X
– Cathedral Slot Canyon
– Secret Antelope Canyon (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon)
– Mystical Antelope Canyon
– Waterholes Canyon
– Wind Pebble Canyon
– Ram’s Head Canyon
– Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon (in Kanab, Utah)
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 08, 2020 at 5:45 PM
MB
Hello
For the upper antelope the tour companies online are charging $120+ for adults and kids also $100+
Your document attached above says $48 for adults and $28 for kids. Why such a big discrepancy.
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Hi MB,
First of all, that $48/adult $28/child price applies to Lower Antelope Canyon only.
For Upper Antelope Canyon, tour prices can vary widely depending on the time of year and time of day you tour.
Tour prices can (and do) rise in peak season, which is considered to be March through October, and also tend to get bumped up for peak hour departures, which are between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, when the world-famous light beams typically occur.
Another issue is that the Antelope Canyon tour companies are just now finalizing rates for the 2020 tourist season, which are forecasted to be higher than last year due to increased demand.
Not sure when you are planning to visit, but I’m guessing that you are looking for seats in spring, summer, or fall, during peak mid-day hours.
Sorry for the trouble.
AlleyJanuary 10, 2020 at 9:30 PM
Dana Stark
Hi, I am planning on exploring Antelope Canyon March 27th, 2020. Which tour time would you suggest for having the best chance to see the “sun beams’ at that time of year?
Thanks.
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Hi Dana,
The time of year you’re visiting tends to be the very beginning of “sun beam” season in Antelope Canyon. For the best chance of seeing them, I’d recommend scheduling your tour of Upper Antelope Canyon between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Light beams can be seen in Lower, but not as frequently or dramatically.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 08, 2020 at 4:44 PM
_________________________________________
From Dana Stark
Thank you, Alley. It looks like the only option to best fit the time you suggest is 10AM – 12Pm, is that correct? I am looking at booking the upper and lower package.
January 09, 2020 at 12:42 AM
dee mazuranic
MY GRAND DAUGHTER HAS A GYMNASTICS MEET IN AVENDALE ON A SATURDAY-SO WE ARE FLYING INTO VEGAS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND SPENDING THE NIGHT. ON THURSDAY MORNING HEADING TO SEE HOOVER DAM THEN HEADING TO AVENDALE TO SPEND THURSDAY & FRIDAY NITE AND LEAVE AROUND 1:00 P M ON SATURDAY WHEN THE MEET IS OVER.-THEN DRIVE TO THE GRAND CANYON AND SPEND SATURDAY NIGHT-HIKE THE GRAND CANYON ON SUNDAY MORNING AND DRIVE TO PAGEDALE TO SPEN SUNDAY NITE-MONDAY MORNING DO A 9;30 TOUR AT ANTELOPE CANYON THEN OFF TO HORSESHOE CANYON, HERE IS WHEN I GET CONCERNED; AFTER HORSE SHOE CANYON ON MONDAY WE ARE THINKING ABOUT TRYING TO SEE ZION BEFORE GETTING BACK INTO VEGAS SOMETIME TUESDAY AFTERNNOON. IS THIS EVEN DOABLE AND ARE WE MISSING OUT ON A BETTER SITE ?
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Hello Dee,
Not knowing when your visit is taking place prevents me from advising you with 100% accuracy. Assuming that your trip will be occurring within the next few weeks time, however, I can say that trying to include a visit to Zion on the way back to Las Vegas may not be practical, or enjoyable.
Your Antelope Canyon tour will last anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on which branch of the canyon you tour, as well as factoring in advance check-in time, and logistics of travel, parking, etc. Assuming that your tour ends between 11:00-11.30 AM, you’ll then need about 30 minutes to transit to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. If you don’t encounter much difficulty finding a place to park, you’d be able to start the walk to the overlook at around 12:00 noon. We advise allowing 60-90 minutes to fully explore and enjoy Horseshoe Bend, so that would put you back on the road between 1:00-1:30 PM. The drive back to Las Vegas from Page, AZ, takes between 5-6 hours, depending on traffic in a construction zone on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Returning to Las Vegas by way of Zion will tack another 90 minutes to 2 hours onto your trip time.
If your visit is taking place within the next few weeks, the main thing working against you is daylength. During the winter months, it’s very short, with sunrise in Page, AZ, occurring at about 7:30 PM and sunset in Las Vegas taking place at around 5:00 PM. Driving at night is something you want to avoid in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah due to roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other animals on the roads. Once you get to St. George, UT, you have a pretty good-sized light dome between there and Las Vegas, NV, but still, trying to see Zion as a “drive-by” between Page, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV, won’t make for a fulfilling visit. That park is huge and beautiful, with lots to see and do. You really need 2-3 days there to do it justice! Long story short, I would either save Zion for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves, or adjust your sightseeing schedule in Page, AZ, so you are visiting Horseshoe Bend right at sunrise, then proceeding to your Antelope Canyon tour, then hitting the road immediately afterward. That, too, is less than ideal, but would at least give you a bit more daylight to work with.
Instead of trying to squeeze a quickie visit to Zion in on the drive back from Page, AZ, you might do as I suggest above, hitting Horseshoe Bend first, then touring Antelope Canyon, then on the way back to Las Vegas, make the short detour through Valley of Fire State Park. That’s a stunning area, a short distance Northeast of Las Vegas, and is a neat place to be for sunset!
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year! And good luck to your granddaughter in her gymnastics meet 🙂
Take care,
AlleyJanuary 07, 2020 at 2:13 PM
Nikki Jones
Hi, we have been to Page before (20 years ago!) we hired a boat on Lake Powell and LOVED it but didn’t know about Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend then so we are keen to incorporate it into our summer 2020 tour. We are really stuck and confused about how to plan things, please can you help? We are planning to drive from Palm Springs to the Grand Canyon, have one night here then on to Page for 2 nights where we will take in Antelope Canyon etc and also hire a boat on the lake. Are there only organised tours of the Canyon or can we drive/walk ourselves? Then we need to get to Vegas where we would like to spend a couple of nights before heading back to LAX for our journey home to England. Should we incorporate Zion after Page? If so, will one night be enough? Thank you, Nikki.
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Hi Nikki,
Glad to hear that you’re planning a return visit to Page, AZ, to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. You’ll find that Page, AZ, has grown quite a bit!
Your trip looks quite well-planned as it is. You’ll find that the Grand Canyon is a very easy park to self-tour. On your arrival day, concentrate your sightseeing on Grand Canyon Village Historic District and the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. The latter area is closed to private vehicles during the summer months, but a free shuttle goes out to all the viewpoints along that 8-mile spur road that extends West of GC Village. If you wish, you can do a mix of walking along the easy, paved Rim Trail and riding the shuttles in between.
On your way to Page, AZ, you’ll do a big chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon because the most logical route takes you out the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, all with differing perspectives and distinguishing features. Don’t be surprised if this 2.5 hour drive ends up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. Consider stopping at the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast or brunch – the Navajo Tacos are delicious!
Plan to tour Antelope Canyon the afternoon you arrive, then hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the next morning before your Lake Powell boat rental or tour.
On your way back to Las Vegas, I definitely would recommend going through Zion, but you really should allow for 2-3 days to fully explore and enjoy it. It’s a beautiful and huge park with lots to see and do. If it’s not possible to set aside at least an overnight, you can certainly drive through there on your way from Page, AZ, to Las Vegas, NV. That will add anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours onto your drive time.
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂January 06, 2020 at 5:04 PM
Mary Helen
Hi Alley~
I’ve spent several hours scouring both sites and the links embedded and I am so excited (and a bit overwhelmed) to put a trip together for my husband and myself. We are planning to fly into Las Vegas on Friday, April 3 and fly home Saturday, April 11th, giving us 8 days to enjoy an amazing road trip. When we arrive at 8:00 am, April 3, we plan to get on the road right away and drive to Page but not certain if we should go to Zion/Bryce at the beginning of our trip or save it as a ‘possibility’ for the end? We fell in love with the Red Rock several years ago, and are hoping to explore the beauty of AZ on foot, water (if feasible early April) and by Air. I really like your suggestions in your post, “grand-canyon-beyond-ultimate-7-day-itinerary-northern-arizona-southern-utah.” but, Sedona was not part of that itinerary. Exploring Sedona is the motivation in planning this trip. However, once I began exploring road trips, the more excited (and confused) I became. I want to see it all, and would have the tendency to over-schedule our trip. When I discovered your posts, I felt like I struck gold; especially when I saw that you respond so quickly! I’ve learned through your posts, that much of what we do will be planned around our bookings for hotels and highly popular tours/experiences (Antelope Canyon etc) so, once I get your input, I will work on my bookings.
I have a partial plan…
My 1st inclination is to do the following:
Day 1: Arrive, get the car and make the drive to Glen Canyon – (we won’t need to stop at the Hoover Dam- visited on a previous trip)
See – Lower Antelope, Horseshoe Bend and then make our way to Monument Valley with an overnight at View Hotel (availability as I write this)
Day 2: Up early to see the sunrise, get something to eat and then head to GC: Explore here (Spider Rock?, some Route 66 stops on our way to Winslow AZ.
spend night in Holbrook or Winslow (some of this itinerary was found on houstonianmag.com)
This is where we become undecided and need advice. We do want to experience Flight over the Grand Canyon, if possible a flight over Sedona (if worth it)
In order to accommodate the $$ of some of the adventure, we are good to stay in places that are less expensive…
Do we go to Tombstone and head south toward the Saguaro, then back north to Sedona for a couple of days then off to Bryce/Zion and return to Las Vegas?
We leave mid-morning from Las Vegas on April 11th.
I hope I’ve included enough information for you to work with and hopefully it makes sense.
Thank you in advance for any ideas/suggestions you may have for an incredible trip!M
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Hi Mary Helen and thanks for your compliments! Glad our sites have helped you so far.
I know it’s hard to pick which destination to leave in and which one to leave out! That said, I’d tend to recommend leaving Tombstone off the table. I thought it was kind of neat and don’t regret visiting, but other visitors have found Tombstone overrated. Plus it’s awfully far out of your way compared to the other attractions on your wish list. I’d save it for another trip when you can maybe fly into Phoenix and concentrate on the sights in Southern Arizona/New Mexico.
Also, where you indicate you’d travel from Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon via Canyon de Chelly, ending up in Winslow, I’d scrap that, too. It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive to Canyon de Chelly (where Spider Rock is located), then another 4 hours to drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. After that, you’d be looking at another 2.5 hours to drive to Winslow, AZ.
That’s approximately 8 hours of driving required to pull all that off at a time of year when daylength is still relatively short: sunrise takes place at around 6:00 AM, sunset occurs shortly before 7:00 PM.
What I’d recommend you do instead is this:
Day 1, 04/03: Fly to Las Vegas, collect rental car, drive to Sedona (~4.5 hour drive), optional stop in Seligman, AZ, for Route 66 kitsch fix, stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for lunch with a side of laughs, overnight in Sedona
Day 2, 04/04: Explore Sedona: take airplane or helicopter tour first thing in AM (best time to fly), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, hike Cathedral Rock, wine tasting, shopping at Tlaquepaque — no shortage of fun to be had in Sedona! 2nd night in Sedona
Day 3, 04/05: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), sightseeing in Grand Canyon Village, Hermit’s West/West Rim Drive using free shuttles, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 4, 04/06: Early AM Grand Canyon air tour, then drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley (~3.5 hours), optional stops at Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, Navajo Code Talker Museum, overnight in Monument Valley
Day 5, 04/07: Morning backcountry tour of Monument Valley, drive to Page, AZ (~2.5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon in afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 6, 04/08: Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM, then drive to Bryce Canyon (~3.5 hours), optional stops at Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 7, 04/09: Drive to Springdale, UT (~2 hours), optional stops: Checkerboard Mesa, Canyon Overlook Trail, overnight in Springdale
Day 8, 04/10: More exploration in Zion and surrounding area: use free shuttles to explore Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 9, 04/11: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hours), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
You’ll notice that Canyon de Chelly has been left out of this itinerary. Not that it isn’t worthwhile, but Sedona and Zion really deserve at least 2 days each to do them justice. If you have your heart set on seeing Canyon de Chelly, it would be possible, with an early start, to drive from Monument Valley to Canyon de Chelly, then drive to Page, AZ for the night. If you find that there is no lodging available in Monument Valley by rearranging your itinerary as suggested, you could also visit it as a day tour out of Page, AZ. Again, an early AM start would be required, but at 2 hours each way, with an eye on the clock, it would be doable. Another option, since you’re open to air touring, would be to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart out of the Page, AZ, municipal airport daily; overflights run ~90 minutes and include a flyover of Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge, or, you could do a half-day air/ground combination tour. For more information, visit Westwind Air Service.
Hope that helps! Feel free to write in again if you wish to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂January 06, 2020 at 4:50 PM
Hsiaomei
Hello Alley
I saw that “deluxe” tour has 4 people in a group instead of 10 in “general”. If we book the triple crown package, would the canyon tours still deluxe in both the canyons? thanks.
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Hi Hsiaomei,
The “deluxe” Lower Antelope Canyon tour with the smaller group is not included in the Triple Crown package. The standard sightseer’s tour is what this package includes. If you prefer to do the “deluxe” Lower Antelope Canyon tour, you could simply book that tour by itself, then book the other two components of the Triple Crown (Upper Antelope and the Boat Tour) as a bundle. Just be sure to allow enough time between tours to transit to the different departure points.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 06, 2020 at 4:08 PM
Ridhika
Hi, I want to visit the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon (maybe even Horseshoe bend) around 20th May. I will be traveling to Las Vegas and was planning to take a bus to Flagstaff. I am open to staying somewhere else instead of Flagstaff although I am restricted by the fact that no one who is traveling with me knows how to drive.
I plan on spending not more than 2-3 days doing this. What would you recommend I do?
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Hi Ridhika,
Instead of taking a bus to Flagstaff, which will effectively add an extra day onto your trip that you may not have to spare, I’d recommend taking an escorted tour directly out of Las Vegas. There are several companies that offer Grand Canyon-Antelope Canyon-Horseshoe Bend guided tours. We recommend MaxTour because they keep group sizes smaller for a more personalized experience, while packing a lot of sightseeing into their 2-day Grand Canyon-Antelope Canyon tours. You might also check out Viator for more Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Antelope Canyon touring options.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 04, 2020 at 3:55 PM
Amanda Hostler
How long are the upper antelope and lower antelope tours individually? I see 90 min for upper above. Which would you recommend doing in mid- late January and how far in advance would you recommend booking the tour? Thank you.
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Hi Amanda,
90 minutes – 2 hours is the approximate timeframe for Upper Antelope Canyon Tours, 2-2.5 hours for Lower Antelope Canyon.
As to which one I’d recommend touring in mid- to late-January, that depends on you, your traveling party, and your individual fitness level. If everyone is relatively healthy and in reasonably good shape, you should be able to handle Lower Antelope Canyon. If anyone in your party has issues with stairs or ladders, or limited endurance, then Upper would be the better choice. Of course, if you’d like to experience both Upper and Lower Antelope, that is an option, too, and you should book the two tours as a bundle for optimal convenience.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂January 03, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Karen G
My husband and I are tying to plan a trip for June of 2020. We are hoping to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, take a canyon cruise on Lake Powell, and visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon; all in 5 days if possible. We are from NC and this would be the first time we’ve ever visited this area. Would it be best to rent a car or book guided tours? Where should we fly into? Where should we fly out of? Should we try to book a room at one place or several? Any suggestions, tips, or itineraries would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Karen, and Happy New Year!
5 days should be ample time to accomplish everything on your “wish list,” and include a few other surprises as well.
The best way to go about this is to self-drive. Escorted tours are out there, but you will be at the mercy of someone else’s planning, not yours. Fortunately, it’s easy to plan a wonderful vacation out here on a DIY basis.
As to where you should fly into/out of, Las Vegas is statistically the most popular airport for visitors to this area, seconded by Phoenix. You could also look into flying into Vegas and out of Phoenix (or vice versa) if the rental car drop-off fees aren’t too cost-prohibitive.
Whichever way you go, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix, drive to Page, AZ (~5-6 hours from Las Vegas [optional stop at Hoover Dam], slightly shorter from Phoenix), lunch at the Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 2: Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise (around 5:00 AM in June), take Lake Powell Boat Tour, second night in Page, AZ
Day 3: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops for photo ops), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 4: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, AZ (~3 hour drive), take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour or other activities, overnight in Sedona
Day 5: Spend 2nd day in Sedona or return to Las Vegas (~4.5 hour drive) or Phoenix (~2.5 hour drive) for flight home
If you can possibly free up another couple of days, you won’t find any shortage of places to occupy the extra time, including but not limited to, Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, and much more! Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in the American Southwest
Hope that helps. Feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance!
Good luck, and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 02, 2020 at 5:14 PM
Susan
Thank you Alley for your suggestions! I will check into Paria Rimrocks and Valley of Fire State Park. Your service is invaluable! ~Susan
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You are welcome Susan – have a great time!
January 03, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Nicki S
Wow, this has been incredibly resourceful. I have been attempting to make an itinerary for an upcoming trip in May 2020 with 6 friends and have become quite overwhelmed. I am not sure how much time is estimated for each adventure, or what can be expected.
5/2/20: Land in Vegas (0910)> hoover dam > drive to East Zion Resort (with a stop at Lins or Sol market for groceries)
5/3/20: Hike Zion National Park (Angels Landing) and the Narrows (break up over 2 days?)
5/4/20: East Zion Canyoneering tour (approx 4 hrs)
5/5/20: Bryce
5/6/20: The wave (if picked from lotto)
5/7/20: Antelope Canyon tour and Horseshoe bend (fit in lake powell paddleboarding, if possible)
5/8/20: Relax day (early flight)
5/9/20: East Zion Resort to Vegas (1140 flight)
Thank you for any guidance you can provide. We are STOKED for this adventure!
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Hey Nicki!
For someone “quite overwhelmed,” you have already planned for a spectacular trip! Still, I can offer a couple of “reality checks” that you will hopefully find helpful.
One thing that jumps out at me right away: Grand Canyon National Park is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. At the time of year you’re visiting, only the South Rim is open, so you’ll be limited to visiting that side instead of the North Rim. If you’ve never been there, I highly recommend modifying your itinerary so you can include it. The most logical place would be after visiting Hoover Dam since Hoover Dam is located Southeast of Las Vegas and you could easily continue on to the South Rim from there (~a 5-hour drive all totaled). If you did that, you’d want to rearrange your itinerary so you hit Page, AZ, after the Grand Canyon, then Bryce, then Zion.
RE: The Zion Narrows and Angel’s Landing, these two are tied for the rank of “grand-daddy of all Zion National Park hikes,” so doing both the same day probably won’t happen unless you guys are all in triathlon-level condition.
RE: The Wave, the online lottery process has already begun for May 2020, so be sure you submit your application ASAP. Since it’s statistically unlikely you’ll get picked to hike The Wave, you might want to start thinking about a “plan B.” We’re partial to White Pocket. It’s a stunning area that, at the present time anyway, does not require a permit to visit. The hike there isn’t too difficult either; what is difficult is the drive in. It traverses some areas of deep sand, so 4-wheel driving experience is a definite must, however, most rental car outlets forbid off-road driving, so you’d be better off going with a licensed guide service. There are about a dozen such companies in Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. I’m personally acquainted with the owners of Paria Outpost & Outfitters, located between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT on US89.
RE: Paddleboarding on Lake Powell, best to do this in the morning to take advantage of milder temperatures. Be sure you book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival!
One last thing: a construction project is underway on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. They were hoping to wrap it up by next spring, but it’s not looking good for that, so you’ll probably need to be aware of it when you get here. It could potentially tack another 30-60 minutes onto your drive time between Las Vegas and Zion and vice versa. There’s a Facebook group called “Pain In the Gorge” where people post real-time traffic updates through the construction zone, so you may wish to join it at some point before your vacation.
Good luck (especially in the Wave lottery!) and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 02, 2020 at 4:52 PM
Susan Pedrosa
Hi Alley,
Thank you! Your blogs are a terrific resource! I used your itinerary and Tauck’s GC itinerary to plan my October 2020 Grand Canyon trip.
I have already booked my hotels and I’m ready to book several tours. My husband and I are active retirees (ages 57 and 66). I want to see as much as there is in this part of the country without exhausting ourselves. I have scheduled a lot of optional hikes at different activity levels depending how we feel that day and down time to enjoy a glass of wine.
Here is my itinerary:
Wed – leave Las Vegas and drive to & tour Hoover Dam then continue to GC. (Kachina Lodge)
Thu – Hike Bright Angel Trial or Hike section of Rim Trail or Bike Greenway Trail. Use shuttlebus to explore other viewpoints. Catch Sunset (5:50ish) at Mohave or Pima Pt. (Kachina Lodge)
Fri – Sunrise (6:35ish) at Mather or Yaki Pt. Check out and drive towards Lake Powell. Hike Horseshoe Bend Trail along the way. Take Antelope Canyon Boat Tour @ 4:15. (Lake Powell Resort)
Sat – Lake Powell Flight (Rainbow Bridge & Horseshoe Bend) by Westwind @ 9am. Lower Antelope Canyon by Ken’s Tours @ 11:30. Lunch at Big John’s BBQ. Hike Glen Canyon Dam Overlook Trail or Page Rim View Trail or Hanging Garden Trail. (Lake Powell Resort)
Sun – Drive to Bryce Canyon (leave by 9am). 2hr Bryce Canyon Horseback ride @ 2pm. Use shuttle to visit Sunset, Sunrise and/or Inspiration viewpoints. (Lodge at Bryce Canyon)
Mon – Hike Navajo Trail or Sunset to Sunrise Pts rim trail. Drive to Zion Canyon and hike Emerald Pools Trail. (Zion Lodge)
Tue – Take 3 hr private jeep tour by Zion Jeep Tour @ 10 am. Drive back to Las Vegas.
I would love your thoughts and suggestions on our itinerary.
~Susan
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Hi Susan, and Happy New Year!
October is a great time to be here. Your trip is very well-planned and we definitely take our hats off to you for making your hotel (for in-park lodging at every stop, no less? Well done!) and tour reservations well in advance of your departure. Everybody should be following your example! Push comes to shove, I wouldn’t change a thing. That said, however, you are on the brink of overplanning your visit. In our actual experience, we’ve found that the most memorable moments of a vacation happen spontaneously, so if you happen to catch sunset at the Grand Canyon just out the back door of Kachina Lodge (glass of wine in hand, natch 😉 instead of Pima or Mojave Point, I’ll bet you’ll find it just as spectacular. RE: when you hit Horseshoe Bend, at the time of year you’re visiting, you might find that just after sunrise is a better option instead of early afternoon. The overlook is busiest (and hottest) between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, whereas at sunrise, you’ll be able to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. In October, sunrise occurs between 6:30-6:45 AM. For your Westwind flight, they’ll want you to check in at around 8:30 AM, which would give you ample time to enjoy sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, then make your way to the Page Municipal Airport. Be sure to allow ~45 minutes to travel from Lake Powell Resort to the Horseshoe Bend overlook (HBO for short), then ~30 minutes to get from HBO to the airport.
On the way from Page, AZ, to Bryce, a fun little hike you might enjoy is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos. I’d suggest lighting out of Page, AZ, a little earlier than 9:00 AM so you can take advantage of cooler temperatures for that, too.
In Zion, you might have to modify your hiking plans depending on what trails are open. Summer monsoons tend to do a number on the trails there, resulting in some being closed for the short or long-term depending on what damage might have occurred. If that’s the case when you arrive, don’t fret too much about it — Zion has plenty of beautiful hiking opportunities in varying degrees of difficulty! Just inquire at the lodge when you check in about any trail closures.
On the way back to Las Vegas, time/inclination permitting, you might take advantage of the opportunity to make the short detour through the stunning Valley of Fire State Park.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels, and if you happen to think of it, let us know how your trip went!
Alley 🙂January 02, 2020 at 4:30 PM
Stephanie S.
Hi Alley,
You’ve already helped me tremendously in planning my family’s trip to your neck of the woods in April. I’m now trying to figure out which slot canyon is better – Canyon X or Cathedral Canyon. (Specifically- is there one that is more spectacular than the other; ease of hiking in (I’m not in the shape I was in 20 years ago.)
I did Upper Antelope Canyon 20 years ago & it was spectacular then! Of course, that’s before it was a huge tourist attraction. I’d like to stay away from upper and lower antelope canyons, because of the crowds. Once again, I’d love any tips or suggestions you can offer! Thank you so much!
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Hi Stephanie!
So sorry it took me so long to respond to your inquiry. I was working over the New Year’s holiday!
I know what you mean about not being in as good of shape as I was 20 years ago. I’m also with you on Upper Antelope being too crowded these days and exploring an alternate slot canyon could certainly be a saver of your next vacation. As to whether you do Antelope X or Cathedral, both slot canyons have areas that require stairs or ladders to navigate, but Cathedral IMO is more interesting. It has some geological features unique to it and no other Page, AZ, slot canyon. According to a TripAdvisor reviewer, his “70 year old Mom managed just fine” in Cathedral Slot Canyon with the occasional assistance of the guide.
If you prefer to avoid having to use stairs, ladders, or too much “hands-on” assistance, you might check out Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, aka Secret Antelope Canyon. It’s a lovely slot canyon that’s longer than Upper Antelope (~500 yards), but like Upper Antelope, has no stairs.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 02, 2020 at 4:04 PM
Kate
Hi there,
May I ask when is your maintenance days for 2020, I heard is early January for lower antelope canyon?
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Hi Kate,
Lower Antelope Canyon typically does close for a few days a year (typically in winter) for maintenance, however, the dates for 2020 (or if they’re even going to do it) have yet to be announced. I would recommend monitoring the Facebook pages of the two Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters via the links provided: Dixie Ellis’ Tours & Ken’s Tours
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Lynn
Looking to visit Antelope Canyons preferably Upper corkscrew and lower Crack/Slot canyon and also see from boat. We will be staying in Peoria Az. Arriving 4/9/20 leaving 4/15/20. How do you suggest we see as much in day with our drive?
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Hi Lynn,
It takes approximately 5 hours — each way — to drive from the Phoenix areaa to Page, AZ. You wouldn’t be able to do the Upper, Lower, and Boat tour on a day-trip basis. In fact, you’d probably be lucky to tour one side of Antelope Canyon and maybe squeeze in a quick look-see at Horseshoe Bend. While you could certainly make a fulfilling day out of that, it would be far more comfortable and relaxing if you were to book a hotel room in Page, AZ. That way, you could visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (when it’s least crowded), and maybe take advantage of the extra time to enjoy the activities you weren’t able to do on your arrival day.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour and/or Page, AZ, lodging well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Laura
Hi,
I’m travelling from France to visit antelope Canyon but just realized that we absolutely need a guide to process the visit, and that There is no more on-line availability For tomorrow.
Is there a chance to get a guide tour as we arrive tomorrow very early in the morning? I’ve really dreamed about this canyon for a while and hope my mistake won’t let my plans get away….
Thanks a lot
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Hello Laura, and apologies for not catching your inquiry earlier.
You are certainly welcome to see if you can get on a cancellation upon arrival at Antelope Canyon today, but I would not count on that being possible. You may wish to consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons to Antelope that area just as beautiful and a lot less crowded.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you! Please let us know how you got on,
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 4:18 PM
Eve
Hi there Ally — Thanks for all of your great help!
Is the light still okay if you visit Lower Antelope in the afternoon in January? — like at 2:30 or 3pm?
Thanks! Eve
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Hi Eve!
The light in Antelope Canyon will be fine at that time of day, and the time of year you’re visiting. Not trying to be sarcastic or anything, but the tour companies wouldn’t offer those departure time if it were a case of “lights out, money blown.” 😉
One thing I must clarify, however, is that you won’t experience the light beams that you might have seen in media depictions of Antelope Canyon. That is strictly a late spring through early fall phenomenon.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Beth
Hi Alley,
In October 2018 it was my turn to chose the vacation so hubby and I spent 2 weeks hiking Utah’s 5 National Parks. I first saw Bryce as a young girl (68 now!) and fell in love. Both my parents were teachers so we camped every summer and visited National Parks across the states. These were the first parks hubby had ever been to and he was blown away. He is now hooked. And his 30 something son said a trip like this is on his bucket list so we are planning a trip for him this spring/summer. Your trip sounds great as it includes the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend as well as Zion and Bryce. I really want to go to the GC north rim but it doesn’t open till May 15th. Think we should time the trip to start 5/15 and go from there as I wouldn’t want it to get too hot? When I planned our 2018 trip I did it a year in advance so we could stay in the lodges at Bryce and Zion. Think I still have time to plan for this May? Any suggestions for how the itinerary should roll out to include the above plus Zion and Bryce in a 2 week trip? Thanks for your advice, Beth
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Hi Beth!
I don’t blame you a bit for wanting to visit the Grand Canyon’s cooler, quieter North Rim. However, your concerns about availability (or lack thereof) of lodging, not only there, but the other parks on your wish-list, is legitimate. There isn’t much to work with on the North Rim to begin with: there are only 3 hotels in the immediate vicinity of the park, vs. 12 for the South Rim. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised to find that in-park lodging and options nearby are already booked. The situation is similar for Bryce and Zion: only 1 small lodge inside both respective parks, which tend to book out 1 year in advance.
Fortunately, all is not lost. My first instinct is to suggest delaying your trip until late September or early October, with the North Rim falling sometime before October 15th as that’s the “official” closing day of all the visitor facilities there. That time of year typically offers cooling temperatures and thinning crowds (though it is still busy; advance reservations remain a must). Another advantage to traveling in that area in late September is that you would be able to catch the fall foliage at its peak on the North Rim, which is an amazing sight to behold! Assuming that moving the trip to later in the year is not possible, however, here’s what I would suggest:
Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2: Drive to Zion National Park (~3.5-4 hour drive, depending on progress of construction in Virgin River Gorge on I-15), explore Zion Canyon area utilizing free shuttle system, overnight in Kanab, UT
Day 3: Visit Grand Canyon North Rim as a day trip (~90 minute drive each way from Kanab), return to Kanab, UT to overnight
Day 4: Visit Bryce Canyon as a day trip (~90 minute drive each way from Kanab), OR overnight in Bryce Canyon area if lodging is available
Day 5: Drive to Page, AZ (~90 minutes from Kanab, 3 hours from Bryce), optional hike to Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos, tour Antelope Canyon in afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 6: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 7: Visit Monument Valley either as a day trip (~2 hour drive each way) from Page, take backcountry tour, overnight in Monument Valley or return to Page, AZ for a 3rd night
Day 8: Drive to Sedona, AZ (~3 hours from Page, AZ, 4.5 hours from Monument Valley), stop for breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, optional detour via Wupatki/Sunset Crater loop drive, overnight in Sedona
Day 9: Explore Sedona! Possible options include, but aren’t limited to: sunrise hot air balloon flights, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, Slide Rock State Park (weather permitting), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Airport Mesa Things to do in Sedona, 2nd night in Sedona
Day 10: Hitting attractions you might have missed on day 9, 3rd night in Sedona
Day 11: Day trip: possible options include, but aren’t limited to Jerome, AZ, ghost town-turned-artist mecca, scenic Verde Canyon Railway excursion, Montezuma Castle and Well, Tuzigoot, 4th night in Sedona
Day 12: “chill” day in Sedona or drive to Las Vegas (~4.5 hour drive from Sedona), optional stops at Seligman, AZ (Route 66 mainstay) and/or Hoover Dam — you could also opt to fly out of Phoenix, which is only ~2.5 hours from Sedona
If for some reason the prospect of going to Sedona doesn’t appeal, or you’ve already been there, another option would be to swing up to Moab, UT from Page, AZ (~a 6-hour drive), spend 3-4 days exploring Arches and Canyonlands, then head West to Capitol Reef, then fly out of SLC. As you can see, the possibilities are virtually endless! For more suggestions, check out this 14-day Grand Circle Itinerary on our companion site, Horseshoebend.com
Feel free to hit us up for more guidance if you need it! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 4:13 PM
Sonia Rico
Where would be the best place to stay coming from Los Angeles? Planning to visit in February 2020
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Hi Sonia,
If your objective is to visit Antelope Canyon and nearby sights such as Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and the Glen Canyon Dam, then the place to stay would be Page, Arizona. This small but picturesque community is located within minutes of the afore-mentioned sights, and a short drive (as in 2-3 hours [around here, that’s considered a short drive ;)]) away from other must-sees in the American Southwest such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Sedona, Flagstaff, and much more.
Page, AZ, hotels and lodging
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 30, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Antonio Lahoz
Hi Alley,
Planning on visiting southwest in April. Would like to visit Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Bryce and Zion. Coming from NJ. Was thinking of landing in Flagstaff, AZ to start the tour. Rent a car to drive the rest. Then fly back from Vegas to NJ. Or vice verse. But it seems it might be easier from Vegas. I believe Page,AZ is an option to land. Looking to trip out there from April 9-18. I would like to include Grand Canyon as well if possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Hi Antonio!
In general, Las Vegas, NV, and Phoenix, AZ, tend to be the most popular “staging cities” for an American Southwest vacation. While you are correct in that there are smaller commuter airports located closer to the main attractions you wish to see, flying into them may not be all that convenient, or cost-effective. In my years of experience helping tourists plan trips out here, I’ve found that people who do opt to fly into secondary airports such as Flagstaff, AZ, Page, AZ, or St. George, UT, end up in hindsight wishing they’d “bitten the bullet” and taken the longer drive out of the major airport. Here’s a video that explains things in further detail – the footage is a bit dated, but the core principles remain the same: GrandCanyon.com: Which Airport is the Closest to Grand Canyon National Park?
What you might look into doing is flying into Phoenix and out of Las Vegas (or vice versa). That would allow you to include Sedona in your trip plans, which is an incredibly scenic area that you would love!
Given your time frame, you could do something like this:
April 9: Land in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
April 10: Take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, spend rest of the day enjoying hiking, exploring, shopping, wine tasting, spend 2nd night in Sedona
April 11: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
April 12: Drive from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley (~4-5 hours factoring in possible stops on East Rim/Desert View Drive, Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, etc.), backcountry tour in afternoon, overnight in Monument Valley
April 13: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ (~2.5 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
April 14: First thing in AM, visit Horseshoe Bend, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, 2nd night in Page
April 15: Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), stop at Glen Canyon Dam, Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos en route if desired, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 16: Take Bryce Canyon scenic rim drive in AM, drive to Springdale, UT in PM, overnight in Springdale
April 17: Use free hop-on/hop-off shuttles to visit Zion Canyon area, 2nd night in Springdale
April 18: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hours depending on progress of construction on I-15), optional detour to Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
Before you commit to that plan, check rental car drop-off fees. Some outlets charge a pretty hefty price for dropping vehicles off in different cities from where you pick them up. If you find this to be the case, you could always fly in and out of Las Vegas and still include Sedona in your trip plan, you’d just be looking at a longer drive on the front end of your trip.
Start looking into lodging and Antelope Canyon tour availability right away. Don’t be surprised to find in-park lodging to be sold out already. You’ll probably find that to be the case in Monument Valley, where there aren’t many hotels to work with as it is. If you find that the area is already booked, you could simply visit Monument Valley as a day trip out of Page, AZ, and spend a 3rd night there. It’s ~4 hours round trip to drive from Page to Monument Valley, but with a well-planned day and an eye on the clock, it’s doable. Bear in mind that Monument Valley is in a different time zone than Page, AZ, at that time of year (they’re 1 hour ahead), and be sure that you avoid driving back to Page, AZ, after sunset. Once the sun goes down, it gets really dark, and deer, elk, free range sheep and cattle, and even wild horses tend to move about at night, which raises the risk of a collision. On Page, AZ, time, sunrise occurs just before 6:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 7:00 PM at the time of year you’re visiting; move that up 1 hour for MV time (7:00 AM and 8:00 PM respectively).
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 27, 2019 at 4:28 PM
_________________________________________
From Antonio Lahoz
First off Happy New Year and thank you very much for the information. Any experience with Yavapai Lodge? That’s the only one available for Grand Canyon.
January 09, 2020 at 11:56 PM
Stephanie
I am planning on visiting Antelope canyon the first week in January. Would you recommend seeing both upper and lower? I have no health concerns or physical limitations. Is one better than the other in January? You mentioned in another comment you won’t see the light beams in December. Is that true for Jan as well?
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Hi Stephanie!
Addressing your query in a somewhat backward fashion, you will not see the light beans in Antelope Canyon in January. The light beams occur during the timeframe between late spring and early autumn due to the position of the sun overhead. That doesn’t mean the canyons won’t be beautiful in January; they definitely will be! As to whether you tour both Upper and Lower, that’s strictly up to you. In the past, our advice kind of leaned against it due to the inconvenience of making reservations with two separate companies. Now, it is possible to “bundle” both tours in a single reservation, which was definitely a game-changer for all concerned! Upper + Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 24, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Tracy
I am wanting to visit Antelope Cannon and traveling from Scottsdale, is it possible to do this in one day? What would your suggestions be?
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Hi Tracy,
The feasibility of visiting Antelope Canyon as a day trip out of Scottsdale largely depends on when you were planning to do this. If your trip is planned for sometime in the next few days or weeks, I would advise against it. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Scottsdale, AZ, to Page, AZ (the town nearest to Antelope Canyon). Depending on which of the Antelope Canyons you visit, a guided tour (which is mandatory) can take anywhere from 2-4 hours, factoring in advance check-in time and any delays that may occur due to the inevitable “bottlenecking” as the day goes on. While in Page, AZ, you should take advantage of the opportunity to visit Horseshoe Bend, which takes 1-2 hours depending on availability of parking and how quickly you’re able to make the 1-mile+ round-trip walk to the overlook and back. So, after making a 5+ hour drive, you need 4-6 hours to do the most basic, essential sightseeing. Then, you’re facing a 5-hour drive back to Scottsdale? No thanks.
Another factor working against you during the winter months is daylength: it’s very short at this time of year with sunrise occurring at ~7:30 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:15 PM. You want to avoid driving at night in this part of the U.S. due to the fact(s) that roads are very dimly lit in Northern Arizona. This is a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky. Plus, deer, elk, and other animals tend to move about at night, sometimes congregating near the highway shoulders, which ratchets up your risk of a collision. Trust me, that’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, possibly freezing cold, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. A better plan would be to book a hotel in Page, AZ, so you can enjoy the sights at a more relaxed pace.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 23, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Kenny
Hi Alley,
My family and I plan to travel from San Jose to Grand Canyon. Our travel itinerary is, as follows:
Dec 30:
San Jose to Las Vegas (flight)
Stay overnight at Vegas
Dec 31:
Start driving from Vegas to GC South Rim
Stay overnight at Page, AZ
Jan 1:
Visit Antelope Canyon
Jan 2:
Drive back to Vegas
Jan 3:
Fly back to San Jose
*** Please advise any change in itinerary and additional places to visit
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Hi Kenny,
With your very limited timeframe, there really isn’t much more you can add to your already busy itinerary, but there are a couple of optoins, which I’ll explain in a bit. The main issue that needs to be addressed with your trip plan is on December 31st, where you propose to drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim, then on to Page, AZ: this won’t work. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, possibly longer if you add stops at Hoover Dam, Seligman, AZ (Route 66 mainstay), the Planes of Fame Museum in Valle, AZ, etc. It then takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive to Page, AZ, from Grand Canyon South Rim. I know that Google Maps gives the time estimate at 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you should take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities it presents, such as over half a dozen named overlooks of the Grand Canyon between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Another factor working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength: it’s very short, with sunrise occurring at 7:30 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:15 PM. With only 10 hours of daylight to work with, your present plan has most of it taken up with driving, and very little time for sightseeing. Another consideration: nighttime driving is something you want to avoid at all times, because area roads are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky) and can be populated by large animals such as deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses, which further escalates your risk of an accident. That’s not something you want to chance in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell phone service is spotty (if you can get any reception at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention EXTREMELY expensive.
Long story short, a better plan would be to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim on December 31st, then make the drive to Page, AZ, the following morning. Whilst in Page, AZ, be sure to visit Horseshoe Bend as well.
When you return to Las Vegas, you might take advantage of the opportunity to visit Valley of Fire State Park. That’s a stunning area, and a relatively short detour off I-15 just Northeast of Las Vegas.
Hopefully you have all your lodging and Antelope Canyon tours reserved; if you don’t, you may have a problem since you’re traveling during the New Year’s Holiday, which is a busy time for vacations.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 23, 2019 at 4:39 PM
Karolinne Aguiar
Hi,
Thank u so much there’s a lot of good information here. We are planing a dream vacation in April for 8 days and the idea is to see as much as we can, I have 2 kids (14,9). We are arriving in Las Vegas on a sat and planing to leave on a road trip early Monday morning, what do you think we should do there? We have to be back in Vegas on Sunday since we are flying back home.
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Hi Karolinne,
With kids in tow, I’d recommend modifying this itinerary a tad, namely dropping Monument Valley. Not that that area isn’t beautiful (it is!), but in my experience, it doesn’t seem to hold much appeal for children.
Contrary to what some say, there is plenty to do in Las Vegas for families, so you should have no trouble filling your weekend with fun. Check out “60 Things to do in Las Vegas with Kids” for ideas.
That said, here’s what I’d suggest:
Monday: drive from Las Vegas to Sedona, AZ (~4.5 hour drive) with optional stop at Hoover Dam en route. Overnight in Sedona
Tuesday: take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hiking in the afternoon, 2nd night in Sedona
Wednesday: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), see IMAX movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” before entering park, spend afternoon taking free shuttles out to Hermit’s Rest overlooks, overnight at Grand Canyon
Thursday: Drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), hit the overlooks on the East Rim/Desert View Drive, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Friday: visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip , 2nd night in Page
Saturday: drive to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), optional stops Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, overnight in Springdale, UT
Sunday: return to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hour drive), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
It’s now just occurring to me that this proposed itinerary has failed to include Bryce Canyon. If you wish to include it (which I strongly recommend), you would need to either a. drop a day somewhere, like Sedona or Page, b. leave Las Vegas a day earlier or c. delay your return home by another day.
Whatever you decide, keep in mind that April weather can be absolutely beautiful in one area, and pouring down rain or even snow in another. Be prepared by monitoring weather conditions about 2-3 weeks before you travel, and packing jackets, gloves, etc. just in case.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 23, 2019 at 4:21 PM
uma
We have coming from texas and have booked our upper canyon tour at 3 30 pm. We will be driving from Grand Canyon south rim. Will we have time to see horseshoe bend after our tour which ends at 5 pm. We plan to drive to Las vegas that day.
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Hi Uma,
The feasibility of this plan depends a lot on when you are traveling. If your vacation is in the next few days or weeks, for example, I would advise you to visit Horseshoe Bend before your Antelope Canyon tour because sunset occurs shortly after 5:00 PM.
In any case, however, I would advise against attempting to drive to Las Vegas at night, regardless of the time of year. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Another safety hazard is the possible presence of deer, elk, and other large animals such as free range cattle or even wild horses. You don’t want to chance a collision with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where cell service is spotty – if you can get any bars at all – and help will be a long time coming, not to mention extremel expensive. If possible, stay the night in Page, AZ, and make the trip back to Las Vegas when it’s light out.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂December 23, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Justin
Hi Alley–
Thanks for all this terrific info — very helpful indeed! I just applied for a permit for our visit in April, though I know our chances are slim. I subsequently saw on another website the following: “Each person in the group is allowed to apply separately provided they do not share an email address. For example, if there are four people in the group a total of four applications can be submitted.” Do you know if that’s actually true? Or would BLM view that essentially as illegitimately applying twice? Many thanks for the step-by-step breakdown of the process!
Justin
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Hi Justin,
Hmmmm…. what you refer to (“each person in the group is allowed to apply separately provided they do not share an email address”) sounds to me like an attempt to “game the system,” which, to my knowledge, the BLM frowns on.
If in doubt, leave it out!
In the meantime, you might start looking at some possible “Plan B’s” in the very likely event your party is not chosen to hike The Wave. April is a very competitive time to apply for Wave permits due to cooler temperatures being prevalent at that time of year. White Pocket would be a good choice. The area is just stunning, the hike is not difficult, but the drive in traverses some areas of deep sand. 4WD experience is a definite must, and off-road driving is prohibited by most rental car outlets. Going with a licensed tour company would be the better option to ensure that everybody makes it there and back in once piece. White Pocket Area Guide Services
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 21, 2019 at 5:57 PM
Morgan
I tried clicking on Book Now for the Hidden Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour but it didn’t take me anywhere? I’m looking to visit February 29th.
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Hi Morgan,
Sorry about the trouble. We will try to get that booking link fixed ASAP. In the meantime, you can book the Antelope Canyon Kayak tour directly with the tour company, Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours via their website: LakePowellHiddenCanyonKayak.com
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 21, 2019 at 5:49 PM
Anusha
Hi there,
We are 2 adult and one kid 2.5 year old. We are very much interested to tour Upper Antelope canyon on 23 December 2019.We are traveling form LA. And will be staying for 2 nights 22 dec and 23 dec in Page. I see there is no availability of tours with kids.
Is it possible we walk in on that day and we might be lucky to get any tickets. What will you suggest and when shall we check the ticket window , what time of the day.
Or possibly suggest any thing else adventure. We have horseshoe bend and lake Powell in the list too.
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Hi Anusha,
So sorry to hear that you’re having trouble finding availability for Antelope Canyon tours that allow kids, but frankly, I’m not surprised since your vacation takes place in the days leading up to the Christmas holiday.
That said, I would not recommend counting on being able get tickets on a walk-up basis. I would recommend contacting the two Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies that allow kids by phone and see about placing your family on a waiting list, or inquiring about possible cancellations. The companies I’m referring to are:
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Slot Canyon Tours, downtown Page, Arizona, www.antelopecanyon.com, 928-645-9102
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, US98, between Mile Markers 299 & 300, www.navajotours.com,928-698-3384
If you are already planning to visit Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend, that’s good, but that’s by no means all there is to do in Page, AZ. Other activities you might consider to fill your time, whether or not you manage to tour Antelope Canyon include touring the Glen Canyon Dam, visiting the Glen Canyon Conservancy and John Wesley Powell Museum, taking a short walk on the Page, AZ, Rim View Trail, or making a short jaunt up to Big Water, Utah, to visit the Grand Staircase Visitor Center and Dinosaur Museum.
If for some reason you don’t manage to tour Antelope Canyon, we hope you can schedule a return visit to Page, AZ, when the kids are older and you can enjoy everything the area has to offer, together!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂December 20, 2019 at 5:40 PM
Ashley
Hi Alley, your posts are hugely informational and detailed, thanks for all the work you put in! My boyfriend and I are looking at doing a trip in March – I was looking over the main itinerary on this page here and thought it seemed like a great path for us, but wanted to make sure it works given the time of year (I saw one of your reply’s to a fellow poster mentioning possible snow storms for their trip which was for April). We’ve got about 7-9 days (March 20-29 availability over spring break). I’m flying from over the boarder up in British Columbia, while he’s coming in from Missouri. I’m wondering where you think our best starting point would be and what itinerary you would suggest – we’re really just interested in the parks/scenery, not as much towns/cities – Grand Canyon, Zion, and Antelope Canyon are the top of our list at the moment. Big thank you in advance for your time and consideration!
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Hi Ashley,
You are right to be mildly concerned about the weather at the time of year you’re visiting. For that reason, you may want to modify this itinerary and use Phoenix, AZ, as your staging city. While Northern Arizona is still chilly, the weather in Phoenix is typically transitioning to “pleasantly balmy” in late March. Another advantage to flying into/out of Phoenix is that situates you perfectly to spend a few days in Sedona, AZ. I know you aren’t so much interested in cities and towns, per se, but all it takes is a few minutes to get out into the backcountry and leave civilization behind, if you want. Or, you might take advantage of some “chill time” after your vacation and enjoy some spa services, art galleries, window shopping, or just soaking in your hotel’s hot tub.
With that in mind, here’s what I’d suggest:
March 20th: fly to Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
March 21st: drive to Page, AZ (~5-6 hours depending on how often you stop for photos [it’s a very scenic drive]), overnight in Page
March 22nd: visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, drive to Springdale, UT (~2.5-3 hours from Page, AZ), overnight in Springdale
March 23rd: explore Zion National Park using free shuttle from Springdale **depending on recent weather, you may be limited in what hikes you can take, but there will be plenty to see and do!** Things To Do in Zion National Park in Winter
March 24th: 2nd day/night in Zion
March 25th: drive to Grand Canyon South Rim via Jacob Lake, Marble Canyon, and Lees Ferry: stop at Jacob Lake Inn to grab some cookies, enjoy lunch at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge, maybe take a hike to the Lonely Dell Ranch Site at Lees Ferry; approximate drive time, again, depending on number of stops, can range from 4-6 hours, so get an early start on the day, then overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
March 26th: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon
March 27th: Drive to Sedona (~3 hours), take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, overnight in Sedona
March 28th: 2nd day/night in Sedona, possible activities: hiking ranging from easy to difficult, wine tastings (as long as you’re over 21, naturally), vortex tours, day trips to Montezuma Castle & Well, Tuzigoot, Jerome Ghost Town, etc. For even more ideas, check out Visiting Sedona’s Red Rock Country in Winter or A Winter Pilgrimmage to Sedona
March 29th: Drive to Phoenix (~2-2.5 hours), fly home
Another way to pull this off would be to fly into or out of Phoenix and into/out of Las Vegas, but verify rental car drop off fees before you commit to that. They’re said to be quite high for dropping a vehicle anywhere other than where you picked it up from.
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂December 19, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Ramya
Hi,
We are from Texas and are planning to visit Antelope Canyon , a day before new year eve, for some photographs , is it a good time to travel?
What is the weather like?
Advance booking is recommended?
Please advice.
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Hi Ramya,
The New Year’s holiday can be a good time to travel, then again, it can be a horrible time to travel. Just ask the folks who were stranded by a blizzard at the Grand Canyon over Thanksgiving! It all depends on weather, which, best case scenario might be sunny and brisk, worst case, hammered by snow. Although Page, AZ, rarely gets significant amounts of snow, it can receive enough to throw a wrench into the best-laid travel plans.
Please do not interpret this as me discouraging you from visiting. That’s far from the case! I would advise keeping an eye on Page, AZ, weather starting about now, and making advance bookings for hotels and Antelope Canyon tours. The New Year’s holiday is typically a busy time of year for travelers.
Good luck, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 12, 2019 at 4:08 PM
Calator
Visiting Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas –
Thankfulness to my father who told me concerning this blog, this web site is genuinely awesome.
Lourdes
what’s the best time to visit lower and upper canyons on Feb. 22?
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Hi Lourdes,
Mid-day is generally regarded as prime time to visit the Antelope Canyons, which is between the hours of 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Departures that take place during peak hours are often more expensive than non-peak, so if a prime time tour is outside your budget, there is no such thing as a “bad” time to go. Simply book a tour when it works for you, time-wise and money-wise.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 07, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Rhetta Bearden
What a wonderful site you have!!!!!!!!!! I do thank you for all the time you have devoted to it.
I do have a question for Caroline. In June we will be spending 3 nights in Page and I was wondering which slot canyon she and her dad saw. My 83 year old husband
uses a cane.
Many thanks,
Rhetta
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Hi Rhetta!
Since Caroline has most likely already traveled, it’s doubtful that she’s still monitoring our posts.
However, if an individual in your party requires a cane to get around, I would recommend visiting either Upper Antelope Canyon or Secret Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope is a 100 yard out and back trail, Secret is longer (~450 yards), but has no stairs. Access to the mouth of both canyons requires a 4WD ride from the main highway on a sometimes bumpy dirt road. The 4WD trip for Upper is 2 miles, the one for Secret is 7-8 miles.
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 07, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Maggie
Hi, I hace submit my application but for a party of 4 now I would like to add more people (2 more) can I still do that?
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Maggie,
You would have to contact the BLM to see if that’s even possible. Their phone # is 435-644-1300. Or, the other two people might simply try to submit their own application for the lottery.
Good luck,
Alley 🙂December 04, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Pitikul Tangkananukulchai
Dear Sir/Madam,
My name is Pitikul Tangkananukulchai. I am from Thailand. I truely sorry that I have booked the wrong date on the booking tour. I actually will take a tour on 4 January 2020, but I did booked a ticket on 4 Dec 2019. I know that I couldn’t make a refund because its less than 72 hour. Therefore, can I just change a booking ticket from 4 Dec 2019 to 4 January 2020 instead?
Mt Tour Voucher Confirmation no. is 616644
Name: Pitikul Tangkananukulchai ( 2 tickets)
I would love to visit you, please kindly help to re-schedule my booking date?
Your help would be much appreciated.
Best Regards,
Pitikul T.
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Dear Mr. Tangkananukulchai,
I am really sorry, but we are not in a position to change or cancel any bookings as the Antelope Canyon tour company is a separate entity from us. You must contact the tour company directly, in this case, by phone at (928) 251-2424.
Again, I apologize for the inconvenience.
AlleyDecember 03, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Robert Hsu
Hi Alley,
I am planning a family trip (including 10 and 14 year olds) for late March 2020 with my home base in Scottsdale. I would like to visit Grand Canyon (including heli ride) and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend. I was thinking of spending 1 or 2 nights at El Tovar or other South Rim hotel… but need to figure out how to fit in Page and drive back to Scottsdale. Any tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert
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Hi Robert!
First of all, if you don’t already have reservations at El Tovar, you’re unlikely to get them at this point. The El Tovar is the South Rim’s most popular hotel, and with only 78 rooms, it books up as far as a year in advance. However, there are 5 other Grand Canyon South Rim hotels you might check out, and book ASAP.
As for visiting Antelope Canyon as a day trip from Grand Canyon South Rim or Scottsdale, AZ, I would advise against that at the time of year you’re visiting. For one thing, daylength is short at the time of year you’re visiting: sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM, sunset at around 6:30 PM. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ takes approximately 3.5-4 hours. I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s actually wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping frequently to take photos, not to mention the inevitable breaks for restroom visits or meals (the Cameron Trading Post is the perfect place for both). Touring one of the Antelope Canyons takes anywhere from 2-4 hours, depending on which branch of the canyon you tour (there are several to choose from). Whilst in Page, AZ, you should also take the opportunity to visit Horseshoe Bend, which can take anywhere from 60-90 minutes, and the Glen Canyon Dam, which can take 60-90 minutes as well. With only 12 hours of daylight to work with, you run the risk of driving back to your destination in the dark, which is strongly discouraged for several reasons: roads in Northern AZ are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about at night, ratcheting up the risk of an auto accident. Believe me, that’s something you don’t want to have happen in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty or non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
A better plan would be to spend one night at the Grand Canyon, another night at a hotel in Page, AZ then drive back to Scottsdale. As to the order in which you hit both places, that will depend upon Grand Canyon lodging availability, Antelope Canyon tour availability, and Page, AZ, hotel availability. However you do it, you’d be looking at a 4.5-5 hour drive from Scottsdale to and/or from Grand Canyon South Rim or Page, AZ.
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂December 03, 2019 at 3:16 PM
Sally Mihell
Hi Alley, I have been trying to book a bundle tour on January 16 2020 but the first 2 weeks in January don’t appear to be available? Do you know if tours are possible on this date?
Appreciate your help
Sally
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Hi Sally,
2020 tour seat inventory was opened only recently. I show that 2020 dates, including the first couple weeks of January, are available for booking.
Sorry for the trouble,
AlleyDecember 03, 2019 at 3:03 PM
_________________________________________
From Sally
Thanks Alley. I’ve just tried again to book the combo upper and lower tour but the 16 January shows as unavailable. The lower canyon tour on kens website is also unavailable for the first two weeks in January. However the upper tour looks available.
If we have driven from Zion that morning, given winter daylight hours, do you think we would be ok to book a late morning tour of the upper? I will try to add the lower Canyon later if the dates become available.December 03, 2019 at 7:41 PM
Anne
Hello, we are looking to visit the Canyon over 2 days and do some amateur photography, are there some more leisurely tours that would allow for this?
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Hi Anne,
So sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry. What with this past weekend being Thanksgiving, and having an out-of-town work obligation over the weekend, I’m in catch up mode, big time!
This is a great question, and to coin a phrase, there’s good news and bad news.
The bad news: photography tours have been discontinued in the main branches of Antelope Canyon, Upper and Lower.
The good news: there are many other slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful and a lot less crowded, which allow for tours to be conducted at a more leisurely pace for photography! For suggestions on which one you might tour, check out “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 03, 2019 at 2:59 PM
Francois Robert
Bonjour from Canada. We will be in your area on May 2nd, 2020. We will be leaving the Wahweap Campsite with our 29ft fifth wheel, on our way to Chinle. Will parking be an issue while we do our tour with you ? Thank you
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Good morning Francois, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. This past weekend was the US Thanksgiving holiday, and I was out of town on a previously arranged work obligation.
Regarding traveling with a 5th wheel, people visit this area with these and other types of trailers all the time, so you should be able to find a place to park your rig without too much fuss. To be on the safe side, though, I would recommend leaving your campsite well in advance of your tour. Most tour companies require that you check in 30-60 minutes prior to your tour’s actual departure. You should allow for 45 minutes to travel from the Wahweap Campground to Page, AZ, if your tour is leaving from there. Allow for ~60-70 minutes to travel to the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance on US98 if you are taking a tour that departs directly from there, or from Antelope Point Marina.
Please feel free to write in again if you require further clarification.
Good luck, safe travels, and best wishes for a Joyeux Noël!
Alley 🙂December 03, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Kathy Mckenzie
Wanting to hike the wave next year😊 When? It’s all in the hands of the permit🥴…. wish Me luck internet, I am even trying the luck of the Irish ☘️(No Irish)
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Hi Kathy,
We will certainly cross our fingers and toes for you in your quest to hike The Wave! In the very likely event that you are not chosen for a permit, you might start making alternate plans to see other cool places in the area that don’t require a permit, but are still hard enough to get to that a guide service comes highly recommended. White Pocket is one of our favorites! There are several licensed guide services in Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, that cover White Pocket and other scenic areas. We are personally acquainted with Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 03, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Rachelle Leonardo
Hi Alley. Than you for you very informative website. We will be visiting Grand canyon and Page in March, flying into Phoenix/mesa airport, arriving at 4:50 PM on March 14.. We have reservations in Best Western premier grand canyon squire Inn in Tusayan that night. This means we will be on the road driving by sunset. . Is this advisable to drive at night from the airport to Tusayan? What time do you think we should start our visit to GC the next day? is parking an issue at GC? We pplan to hit Mather Point first.
Thank you
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Hi Rachelle,
Driving at night is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possibility of deer, elk, and other wildlife being present. Sunset occurs at ~6:30 PM at the time of year you’re visiting and it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tusayan. Assuming your flight arrives on time, and you don’t experience any complications picking up your rental car, you would indeed be on the road around the time the sun goes down and, again, assuming no complications on the drive, arrive in Tusayan at 11:00-11:30 PM. Not to say that it can’t be done, but IMO a safer plan would be to spend the night in Phoenix and make the drive the following morning. Sunrise occurs at around 7:00 AM.
If you do decide to make the drive up the night of March 14th and begin your sightseeing the following day, it’s best if you were to hit the park entrance before 9:00 AM. Lines at the entrance gate tend to get backed up between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Parking can also be an issue, especially during the peak mid-day visitation hours. If you were to visit Mather Point first, you can no longer park at the overlook, but at the Canyon View Information Plaza directly across the street from it. You could simply leave your vehicle there and use the Village Loop and Hermit’s Rest Shuttles to get around the park. Or, you could concentrate your sightseeing on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where the majority of overlooks are open to private vehicles. If you are planning to travel to Page, AZ, to visit Antelope Canyon at any point on your vacation, you would have to drive that particular road out of the park anyway, in which case you should save your sightseeing of that section of the Grand Canyon for your travel day to Page. Hope that makes sense 🙂
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 27, 2019 at 3:14 PM
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From Rachelle L
Thanks for your input. What if we spend the night in Flagstaff instead of heading straight to Tusayan on march 14th? That means we arrive in Phoenix area by 4:50 pm then drive to flagstaff for a shorter drive time. Then we leave flagstaff on the 15th early morning and proceed to grand canyon. Check in at Best western tusayan for the night.
March 16 -travel to Page, see horseshoe bend
march 17- see antelope canyon
Will the antelope canyon marina be open by then?
Thanks againNovember 27, 2019 at 7:54 PM
Prasanna Basavapatna
Hi,
Your website so informative and super encouraging. Thank you very much. Made all my bookings based on your recommendations.
Day1: Upper Canyons, Canyon X and Horseshoe Bend
Day2: Waterhole Canyon Experience and drive to Grand Canyon.
Looking forward to the trip.
Happy Holidays!
Prasanna
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Hi Prasanna,
Glad our website helped you plan your trip! Hope all goes well and that you, too, have a Happy Holiday season!
Alley 🙂November 27, 2019 at 2:58 PM
Judy Aliberto
I would want a guide and how is the weather in November?
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Hi Judy,
Before you go about hiring a guide to take you to The Wave, first order of business is to get a hiking permit by following the instructions on this page.
As for November weather, right now, Northern Arizona is experiencing varying degrees of snow and winter weather. If you’re looking to visit The Wave next November, you could experience conditions ranging from sunny and brisk to blizzard-like conditions. Of course, it’s too soon to call for next year, but monitor this site for weather conditions in Page, AZ, the nearest gateway community.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Eddie
We are trying to book a tour for upper and lower canyon. I see other websites have already started booking and we could only get the upper booked. There is eight of us and I see your company provides an upper and lower combo. I see you responded to Heather “December is usually when they open seats for the following year, so check back in a couple weeks.” How are other places able to book for 2020 now? We would prefer to do the combo on July 19, 2020.
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Hey Eddie,
If you go directly to Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours‘ website, you can book the Upper + Lower Combination tour there. Sorry for the trouble.
AlleyNovember 25, 2019 at 12:34 PM
David Eikner
How strenuous is the lower canyon? Do the steps have handrails going down?
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Dear David,
Lower Antelope Canyon is moderately strenuous, but the stairs do have handrails. We advise watching this Full Video Walkthrough of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing to a tour. Please note that the people in the video are wearing backpacks, but this is no longer allowed.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 23, 2019 at 8:42 PM
Ada Huang
Hello there, we are from southern California and will be visiting antelope Canyon for a photography tour next week on Friday 11/29. What is the current weather look like? Could you let us know the appropriate attire to pack for this place? Thank you.
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Dear Ada,
Friday November 29th weather forecast for Page, AZ, is calling for a chance of rain and a high of 39 degrees (Fahrenheit). Bring jackets, gloves, and possibly an umbrella, but also continue monitoring the weather forecast via the above link as it could change between now and then!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 23, 2019 at 8:39 PM
_________________________________________
From Amber
Hi Alley – I had the same question as Ada. I just wanted to add – do you know if they’re going to let tours through if its raining? I was thinking of buying a ticket at the entrance.
thank you,
AmberNovember 26, 2019 at 10:32 PM
Julia
Hello Alley, many thanks for the informative page! Me and my BF are planning to visit the SW from the 30th of December(Leave from LV) until 4th of January(Back in LV). Would it be possible for you to suggest an itinerary along with suggested activities at each place keeping in mind that i personally have been to GC and Antelope Canyon and my BF has not? I already researched a bit about the things to do and was disappointed to know that a lot of activities like float tour of the Glen Canyon etc. will not be available during our visit.
Considering that our trip will be during(30 Dec-4 Jan) and that we might have much options in terms of activities, what is your take on visiting Bryce Canyon and Zion(Angels Landing Hiking might be off limits/closed during Winters).
Looking forward to your response
PS: Both of us are avid Hikers and walkers with experience in Hikings only during summer.
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Hi Julia,
Seeing as though your BF has not seen the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon, I would definitely prioritize those two attractions as they are considered “icons” of the American Southwest! You have also correctly deduced that hiking in Zion and Bryce may not be ideal given the possibility of winter trail conditions, so what I would suggest is maybe saving Bryce and Zion for another visit during a warmer time of year, and building Sedona, AZ, into your itinerary. It’s a beautiful area with lots of opportunities for hiking in varying degrees of difficulty, and indoor-oriented activities in the event weather puts a kink in any outdoor sightseeing plans.
With 5 days to work with, you could do something like this:
December 30th: Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5 hours), tour Glen Canyon Dam, overnight in Page **optional hike you might take en route, conditions permitting: Paria Rimrock/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, relatively easy, short but very scenic hike, trailhead located between mile marker 19 & 20 on US89 between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, hike the Beehives Trail aka the “New” Wave to Radio Tower Rock, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ
January 1st: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in multiple scenic viewpoint stops, and the Cameron Trading Post for lunch!), overnight at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan
January 2nd: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hours), stop at Walnut Canyon National Monument in Flagstaff, AZ, if desired, overnight in Sedona
January 3rd: Hiking and sightseeing in Sedona, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona
January 4th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours), fly home
The feasibility of all this will likely come down to availability for Antelope Canyon tours and Grand Canyon hotels. If necessary, you can also flip-flop this itinerary easily enough.
Hope that helps!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 22, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Mike McGrath
What is the narrowest it gets in both upper and lower Antelope Canyons?
Is ThanksGiving to Dec 2nd busy in the canyons?
What temp range can I expect at that time?
Do the tours stop long enough for you to take pix
Are there any spots difficult for an adult to comfortably pass thru?
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Hi Mike,
Thanks for your clear, concise and well-phrased inquiry! Let’s get right down to it:
1. The narrowest passages in both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons range from 3-4′ wide. If you are claustrophobic, you might get a sense of both canyons by watching videos on YouTube. There’s even one that gives a quick overview of both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon.
2. Yes, the timeframe from Thanksgiving to December 2nd is busy in the Antelope Canyons, definitely make advance reservations for Page, AZ, hotels and Antelope Canyon tours!
3. The temperature range typically runs from the mid-40’s to low 50’s, but can drop dramatically should a cold front or snowstorm move in. In any case, be ready to dress warmly.
Page, AZ, weather
4. Antelope Canyon tours typically allow some time to take pictures with your cell phone camera, but if you wanted to bring a camera and tripod type set-up, you should book a photography tour, which, we just learned are being discontinued effective January 1st, 2020.
5. Upper Antelope Canyon tours are accessible for most people, including those with mild mobility issues. Lower Antelope Canyon requires a bit more effort in the way of navigating some stairs, ladders, and stepping over a few boulders. If you were referring to whether the passages were too narrow, Lower Antelope Canyon requires descending into a smallish topside opening, but again, most people (even of larger size) are able to manage it.
Hope that answers all your questions adequately! If not, please feel free to write in again.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 22, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Rimi
Hello Alley,We (my husband and I) are visiting the south rim next week. Here’s what we want to do, please suggest if any changes are required.
Nov 22-23 , spending time in Vegas.
Nov 24th, Early morning driving to south rim, driving back to Page on the same day as booked hotel in Page.( please let us know if its safe to drive back to Page in the evening.)
Nov 25th – Booked lower Antelope (9.15 am to 10.15 am ) and upper Antelope (12.30 PM) slots. On the same day evening planning to go Horseshoe bend.
Nov 26th- Leaving early morning from Page to Vegas, on the way going to Hoover dam and late night flying back to Chicago.
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Hi Rimi,
Unfortunately I can’t endorse this plan, especially the part where you propose to drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim, then on to Page, AZ, in one day. The main reason I advise against this is because it’s a LOT of driving for one day: it takes ~5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim — by the way, that is where you should put your stop at Hoover Dam, not coming back from Page — and then another 3.5+ hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. I know that Google Maps gives the drive from Grand Canyon to Page as being ~2.5 hours, but in reality, it ends up being much longer because it’s a very scenic drive. It would be a shame not to take advantage of all those photo ops because you were racing against the clock to make it to your destination by nightfall.
Another factor working against you at this time of year is daylength: it’s rapidly shortening, and no, it’s not safe to do any driving in this part of the U.S. in the evening. Roads in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate decision to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky, plus deer and elk are migrating to winter grazing grounds at this time of year, which heightens your risk of an auto accident. So do ANY AND ALL driving during daylight hours. In Arizona and Utah, sunrise occurs shortly after 7:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 5:15 PM.
On November 24th, instead of driving to the South Rim then on to Page, I would advise driving directly to Page, AZ. On November 25th, visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, take your Antelope Canyon tour as scheduled, then drive on the Grand Canyon South Rim that afternoon. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, Williams, or Flagstaff, then, drive back to Las Vegas on November 26th, with a stop at Hoover Dam on that leg of the drive.
I hope you receive this in time since you are traveling in the next 24 hours!
Good luck and drive safe,
Alley 🙂November 21, 2019 at 4:51 PM
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From Rimi
Alley, really appreciate your quick response. I made changes to my itinerary as per your suggestions. I have booked a room in South rim on 25th night and on 26th we will visit South Rim early in the morning and start back to Vegas , as we have late the night flight back to Chicago.
I have one question in here, is it possible to put a stop at Hoover Dam when we start from Vegas and take the scenic road 66 and reach Page before it becomes dark.Thanks in advance.
November 21, 2019 at 6:48 PM
Katherine W.
Hi. My husband and I are traveling to the Grand canyon, lake Powell and Zion National Park. My husband Is wheelchair bound and can not take any steps, but can transfer well, as he has great upper body strength. Is there ANY way we could get into Antelope Canyon? Is this feasible? Thank you so much.
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Hi Katherine,
The “official” stance of Antelope Canyon tour operators is that the slot canyon is inaccessible to individuals in wheelchairs, but as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I was able to find one account of a wheelchair driver who was able to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, with the right equipment and the help of a friend. The biggest challenge will be the trail through it: it can be deep sand, which may render it impassable to a wheelchair.
My advice would be to read the story referenced in the link above, call the tour companies on the phone, ask that you be transported you to the canyon in a Suburban or other SUV-type vehicle and not a buckboard truck, and, as much as I hate to say it, be prepared to do something else in the event you can’t find a tour company willing to work with you. Since Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Indian Tribal land, ADA compliance is not mandatory for them.
Please let us know how you get on. We would be very interested to learn what ultimately takes place here!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 20, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Heather
When will 2020 booking open?
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Hi Heather,
We’ve tried to establish that and the best answser we can get from the tour companies is “soon.” 😛 December is usually when they open seats for the following year, so check back in a couple weeks.
Happy Holidays,
AlleyNovember 19, 2019 at 4:07 PM
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Photographic tours have been cancelled since 2020. All other antelope canyon tours are still available.
November 22, 2019 at 4:03 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Sean,
We just got that memo ourselves! We will of course be changing this page to reflect the changes.
Alley 🙂November 22, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Chang
Hi Alley
Much thanks for all the great info that you provide! We are a family of 4, with two kids 5 and 4. The kids are used to moderately challenging hikes. We are doing a version of the Grand Circle as follows:
12/15-12/16 Las Vegas
12/17 drive to Grand Canyon, overnight in park
12/18 drive to Page via Desert View Drive, Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page
12/19 Lower Antelope Canyon tour, drive to Bryce, overnight in Bryce
12/20 Morning in Bryce, drive to Zion, overnight in Zion
12/21 Morning in Zion, back to Las Vegas then on to LA
Based on all the reading so far, my specific questions for you are as follows:
(1) We would like to spend the morning at GC on 12/18 and drive out midday to Page, stopping at the recommended spots. Will that give us enough time to see Horseshoe Bend before sunset? I have read that it gets really popular at sunset and the parking lot may be full. Is that true even in December? Should we start the drive first thing in the morning instead to give us enough time?
(2) I have booked the lower AC tour at 10 AM but other spots are still available. I understand that we are not going to get the “light shafts” at this time of year and not really in the lower canyon anyway. And I am convinced that we do not need to do both upper and lower, esp. with our two kids. But I have read that all things considering, noon is still the best time for experiencing the canyon even in December and even for the lower canyon. So… should I change our tour to an even later time to get the best canyon experience possible OR as early as possible so we have more time to make it to Bryce (either to make a stop or two on the way or to spend more time once there)? We have only the canyon tour scheduled for the morning before we head out.
(3) What is your advice on the best way to spend a day in Zion with our two kids? We won’t be able to do Angel’s Landing or Narrows so we’ll have to make a return trip for those…
Of course, this all depends on snow. I think it would mean we would need to skip Bryce but the rest should be doable. Would you agree?
Thanks in advance for you thoughts!
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Hi Chang,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but you are correct to be concerned about potential difficulty of parking at Horseshoe Bend. The time of year you’re visiting is considered “shoulder season,” but Page, AZ, is fast becoming one of those towns that’s busy year-round. What’s more, sunset is an extremely popular time to visit the overlook. I’d recommend getting an earlier start on the drive out of Grand Canyon, then touring Antelope Canyon that afternoon. Then, hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the following morning, then be on yoru way to Bryce.
With a 4- and 5-year-old in tow, Upper Antelope Canyon is the safest bet for touring Antelope Canyon with kids. If you were to bump your tour to 12:00 Noon, that would wrap up sometime around 2:00 PM, but the one drawback to that is that you’d then be facing approximately a 3-hour drive to Bryce. Sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM, and you want to avoid driving after dark in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on area roads and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife. Another possible hazard is the possibility of snow, seeing as though Bryce is 8,000′ above sea level. Long story short, I’d recommend holding onto that 10:00 AM Antelope Canyon tour so you have adequate time to make it to Bryce by nightfall.
In Zion, there are plenty of easy but scenic hikes that younger kids can do. The Riverside Walk actually takes you to where the Narrows start, which is neat to see even from a distance. The Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools Trails are also worth considering, depending on you and your kids’ fitness levels. Hiking With Kids In Zion If you do decide to take Bryce off the agenda this time around, you might consider spending 2 days in Zion. Trust me, you won’t find any shortage of things to see and do!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 7:38 PM
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From Chang
Thanks and happy holidays to you as well!
November 19, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Josette Richard
Hi!
we will be arriving from Canada to Phoenix on November 29th (around noon) and will head out to Sedona until December 7th. We will be staying overnite in Phoenix on November 29th, leaving for Sedona on November 30th. It’s just me and my husband on this trip. Other than visiting Antelope Canyon (probably Lower Antelope Canyon tour), do you have any suggestions for activities around Sedona for the six days we’ll be there? We will be doing some hicking for sure. We have already been to the Grand Canyon South Rim on a previous trip. Here are some of the things we had in mind:
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Wineries?
Hiking
Votexes
Thanks in advance!
Josette
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Hi Josette!
With 6 days, using Sedona, AZ, as your “base of operations,” you can certainly accomplish quite a lot, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend visiting Antelope Canyon as a day trip at the time of year you’re visiting. The drive from Sedona, AZ, to Page, AZ, takes approximately 3 hours each way, driving direct. So that’s 6 hour of your day gone, right off the bat. It then takes 2.5-3.5 hours to tour Lower Antelope, factoring in advance check-in time required, plus the inevitable “bottlenecking” that will occur as the day goes on, seeing as though it’s the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. While in Page, AZ, you should also take the opportunity to visit Horseshoe Bend, which can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on how fast you can find parking, the hike out to the overlook, time to take pictures, then hike back to your car. So that’s another 4-5 hours for sightseeing and maybe lunch. Sunrise in late November occurs at about 7:15 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM in late November, which means you have approximately 10 hour of daylight to work with. As you can hopefully see, a day trip from Sedona do tour Antelope Canyon and see Horseshoe Bend is going to be cutting it fine to get you back to Sedona by nightfall. That’s one drive you don’t want to have to do after dusk because of lack of lighting on local roads and the tendency for deer, elk, and other wildlife to congregate around them, which ratchets up your risk of having an accident. If you’re not locked into your lodging reservations in Sedona, I’d recommend doing the trip to Page, AZ, with an overnight hotel stay. That way, you can take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way!
As for the rest of your time there, the activities you’ve already listed are great. Some other possibilities include, but certainly aren’t limited to shopping at Tlaquepaque, a Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, the Verde Canyon Scenic Railway, Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, a day trip to Jerome, AZ. Trust me, you won’t have any shortage of fun!
Feel free to write in again if you want to bounce any other ideas off us.
Until then, good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 7:24 PM
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From Josette
Thanks for the tips! Will certainly consider an overnight stay in Page.
😉
JosetteNovember 27, 2019 at 1:39 PM
Christine
Hi Alley, thank you for your wonderful post! I am planning a trip for my family of 5 (15, 12 and 9-yr old) to Las Vegas Dec 29-Jan 5. Can you give me some tips/feedback on my itineraries?
Dec 29 – easy day in Vegas, maybe a show
Dec 30 – renting a car for day trip to Valley of Fire and Hoover dam
Dec 31 and Jan 1 – Las Vegas either one or both days. We are flexible here; would like to hear your feedback on what is best options. We can either stay in Vegas or take leisurely drive to Antelope canyon after lunch on Jan 1.
Jan 1/2-4 – Antelope Canyon. We would like to do the upper/lower canyons and horseshoe bay. On the Jan 4th, we would like to head back to Vegas after lunch to avoid driving at night. If we were to stay near Antelope Canyons Jan 1-4, what else could we do?
Jan 4 – Las Vegas, dinner and turn in
Jan 5 – flying back home
Thank you 🙂
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Hi Christine and thank you for visiting today!
The time of year you’re visiting is early winter, which has its pros and cons. One factor that kind of falls in the “minus” column is that some activities in Page, AZ, are on seasonal hiatus, which means that a 3-4 night stay in this area would probably be a bit too much. However, you can also interpret that as a bit of good news, because with an extra 2 days to work with, you can visit other attractions, such as the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park.
Hoover Dam is located Southeast of Las Vegas, whereas Valley of Fire State Park (which is absolutely stunning!) is situated Northeast of the city. Therefore, it’s not absolutely necessary to set aside a whole day to visit those areas when, depending on your itinerary, you could hit them between Point A and Point B on one of your travel days. For example, you could do something like this:
December 29-30: Enjoy Las Vegas
December 31st: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park with stopover in Valley of Fire (~4.5-5 hour drive factoring in VOF detour and depending on traffic in a construction zone in the Virgin River Gorge), overnight in Springdale, UT.
January 1st: 2nd day/night in Zion, hike and explore the many scenic, family-friendly trails in the area
January 2nd: Drive to Page, AZ (~2.5 hours), optional hike en route: Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos; tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
January 3rd: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, visit Horseshoe Bend on the way, late breakfast/early lunch at the Cameron Trading Post, overnight at the Grand Canyon Drive time here can range from 2.5-4.5 hours due to numerous scenic viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village
January 4th: Drive back to Las Vegas w/stop at Hoover Dam (~5 hour drive), dinner and overnight in Las Vegas
January 5th: Fly home
If it happens that you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, or you’d prefer to save it for another trip, you might swap that out for a day or two in Sedona, AZ, which wouldn’t make a huge difference in your drive time going back to Las Vegas. It’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do!
It’s good that you’ve taken our advice about driving at night, it can definitely be dangerous, especially at the time of year you’re visiting! Speaking of that, you should be aware that snow is a very real possibility in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah in late December/early January, so be sure to start watching local weather about 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 7:06 PM
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From Christine
This is so great, Alley! Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions.
November 22, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Izzy
Hi Alley,
I stumbled across this site while looking for info on Antelope Canyon tours and found it immensely informative. Was hoping to run our Thanksgiving itinerary by you to see if there are any things to look out for, or extra driving time to factor in, as it’s quite packed. Also, my main question is regarding the weather and driving conditions during those dates (Nov 27 – Dec 1). Is it possible that there will be snow? We’ll have a small rental car (not 4×4). Would this pose problems? I don’t have much of an idea of the elevation and road conditions. Is traffic during Thanksgiving weekend extra bad?
Day 1- fly into Albuquerque, stay overnight
Day 2- drive to Santa Fe, stay overnight
Day 3 – drive to Monument Valley, stay at View Hotel. Hoping to do the 17-mile scenic loop drive, time permitting.
Day 4 – drive to Page, do Antelope tour at midday, check out Horseshoe bend, continue driving to Zion and sleep there (Zion lodge)
Day 5 – morning check out highlights in Zion, then drive to Las Vegas for a 7pm flight
Any insights would be very appreciated. We have the accommodation as well as Antelope tour already booked. So would appreciate driving and pacing tips! Thank you so much.
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Hi Izzy and thank you for visiting our site!
You are definitely taking a novel approach to your visit by flying into Albuquerque and out of Las Vegas. Like anything else in life, it has both pros and cons, so let’s start with the “cons.”
Right off the bat: your trip plan is rushed. If you can possibly carve out another 2-3 days, that would allow you to take things at a much more leisurely pace, which you wouldn’t regret in the least. But, I understand if plans have already been made and can’t be changed.
That said, going to Santa Fe, NM, that second day is going to make for a big swing out of your way. Although the drive from ABQ to SF is only 1 hour or so, the drive from Santa Fe to Monument Valley the following day is going to really long, in the neighborhood of 6 hours. No, that’s not a typo.
At the time of year you’re visiting, that wouldn’t leave you with much daylight to work with for sightseeing that same afternoon. In late November/early December, sunrise occurs at around 7:20 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM. It can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to travel the Monument Valley Scenic Loop Drive, which, by the way, you shouldn’t attempt in a rental car as it constitutes off-road driving, which could void your insurance policy and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. It is better (and safer) to go with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service. Monument Valley Guided Tours
My strong recommendation would be to take Santa Fe off the table, and instead go to either Gallup, NM, or Window Rock, AZ, that second night. That will reduce your drive time to Monument Valley considerably (to ~3 hours). That route would offer the “added bonus” of being able to pop into Canyon de Chelly National Monument, if desired. Although that might leave you wanting, here again, 1-2 days is better than a quickie “drive-by.”
Another option, if an interest in traditional Southwestern architecture was what attracted you to Santa Fe, would be to drive to Winslow, AZ, on Day 2. That would be ~a 4.5 hour drive from Albuquerque, but would allow you the opportunity to visit the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park, and either tour or stay at the beautiful and historic La Posada Hotel. You could even cap off your evening by “Standin’ On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona” for real! If you take us up on that suggestion, your drive to Monument Valley would again be reduced to just 3-3.5 hours, but wouldn’t take you by Canyon de Chelly at all.
Now, let’s get to day 4: you’re proposing to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ, which takes 2-2.5 hours. A tour of Antelope Canyon will take anywhere from 2.5-3 hours, factoring in advance time required to check in, and the possible “bottlenecking” that might occur as the day goes on and gets busier. Then, you’ll need anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, which includes time to find a place to park. You have to realize that your visit coincides with the Thanksgiving Holiday, so you can expect things to be busy! After doing all that, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. You’re going to be cutting it fine given the short daylength you’re contending with at that time of year, and the drive to Zion is best NOT done in the dark. Roads in the National Parks are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about in large numbers at that time of year as they migrate to warmer climates. However, that is REALLY cool that you’ve scored a room in Zion Lodge. So long story short, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend changing anything, but I would recommend that you get as early a start as possible out of Monument Valley that morning. Do most of your packing the night before, and maybe pick up a snack you can eat in the car instead of eating up the time by stopping to eat breakfast.
On Day 5, you’ll only have time to “scratch the surface” of Zion. It’s a huge and beautiful park that really deserves at least 2-3 days to explore and enjoy fully. Staying at the lodge though gives you the advantage of being close to the trails and so forth. Be aware that the drive to Las Vegas may take longer than you expect: there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could tack an extra 30-60 minutes onto the trip. I would strongly recommend hitting the road no later than 12:00 Noon Utah time, just so you’re assured of getting to your flight on time after contending with Las Vegas traffic, dropping off your rental car, checking in, etc. Keep in mind that Las Vegas is on Pacific Standard Time, which means you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Nevada.
As for the possibility of snow, it’s definitely something to be aware of. Current forecasts are not calling for it, but that could change in the days ahead. Start monitoring local weather now so you can be prepared by packing appropriate clothing. If on the off-chance you do get caught in an active snowstorm, your best option is to stay put, preferably somewhere warm that serves hot chocolate, and modify your plans if needed. Hotels and tour operators are usually quite sympathetic when visitors get delayed or detoured by weather.
We hope you make out OK, and would be very interested to know how you get on!
Until then, good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 6:40 PM
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From Izzy
Thank you so much, what thorough reply! Your tips are very useful, I was already considering skipping Santa Fe, so will definitely consider driving the other routes you suggested.
cheers!
November 19, 2019 at 10:28 PM
Lee Stewart
Hi, Alley, we are visiting Phoenix (Mesa area) between Dec 7 to 12, and we are planning a day trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I realize it is about 4.5 hours drive to Page, so if we start driving around 7 am, will that give us sufficient time to see Upper Antelope and Horseshoe Bend? Any suggestions? Must we make reservation? If so, is the reservation flexible, just in case we show up late due to traffic? Where do we drive to in order to find parking? Thanks.
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Hi Lee!
Unfortunately, the time of year you’re visiting has a very short daylength. Sunrise occurs at around 7:30 AM, sunset takes place at around 5:15 PM. That’s 10 hours of daylight, and a bare minimum of 10 hours of driving required for a day trip to Page, AZ. A tour of Upper Antelope Canyon takes 2-2.5 hours, factoring in advance check in time and the possibility for delays due to the inevitable “bottlenecking” that occurs as the day goes on. You would then need at least 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend. So that’s at least 4 hours of daylight that gets taken up with sightseeing. Although the urban light dome around Phoenix would probably illuminate the latter hour of your drive sufficiently, you’d still end up making a very late night of it, which poses its own set of hazards.
In answer to your other queries, yes, you must make a reservation for an Anelope Canyon tour, and no, the time is not flexible. As for where you’d park, that depends on which tour company you book with: Chief Tsosie’s and Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon tours operate out of offices in downtown Page, AZ; Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours and Navajo Antelope Canyon Tours depart from staging areas located on US98, just Southeast of Page, AZ.
Long story short, at the time of year you’re visiting, I do not recommend attempting to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip. With daylight hours at a premium, you won’t have enought time (or sunshine) to take advantage of the many photo opportunities that will no doubt pique your interest. It would be better, and safer, to stay overnight in Page, AZ, so you can take your time and enjoy the trip. Hopefully you’re not locked into your hotel reservations in Mesa, AZ, so you can do that.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 5:09 PM
Peter
Hi Alley,
I am planning to drive from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon next February. Between these two places, will there be snow on the road? It looks like I’ll be driving up Highway 15 from Vegas. Please advise. thank you.
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Hey Peter,
In February, snow is a very real possibility. Not so much in the area between Las Vegas and Mesquite, NV, but once you get up into the Virgin River Gorge, the terrain rises quite fast, so you could encounter snow between St. George, UT, and Page, AZ. Of course it’s too soon to call, so start monitoring local weather about 2-3 weeks before you travel. That will give you the best idea of what to expect. If at any point in your travels, you do encounter an active snowstorm, your safest plan is to wait it out, and resume your drive when the weather has cleared. Las Vegas weather Page, AZ, weather
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 16, 2019 at 5:42 PM
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From Peter
Thank you, Alley. We really want to avoid the snow at all possible. In February, would we avoid the snow if we drive from Phoenix up to Antelope Canyon? And then, heading back to Las Vegas from Phoenix.
November 17, 2019 at 12:21 AM
Tyler Houck
Good Morning!! I am trying to plan out my honeymoon and my wife and I would love to see some of the areas you listed above! We are going in late April of 2020. We would like to leave from vegas and do a short trip with possibly going to 1-2 national parks (Zion, Bryce Canon, etc..). What would be your most “must see” part of the area? I would rather drive somewhere and spend 2 days at each park than be on the road every day. Thank you for your help.
p.s. Was thinking about leaving Vegas and going to Zion for 2 days and then Bryce for 2 days. Would this be worth it? Or is there better stops. Not entirely interested in making the 1,100 mile round trip you have laid out in other comments.
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Hey Tyler, and congratulations on your upcoming and/or recent nuptials!
First thing that jumps out at me is that the Grand Canyon is not on your itinerary. If you or your wife have never been there, you should prioritize it over anything else in Northern Arizona or Southern Utah. Grand Canyon South Rim is about a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas. You can visit Hoover Dam en route if you wish. It’s definitely most desirable to stay overnight in the Grand Canyon itself, or Tusayan (7 miles outside the park), if Grand Canyon Village is sold out.
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, or plan on saving it for a separate trip, then your plan of doing 2 days each at Zion and Bryce is perfectly fine. However… Page, AZ, would make for a relatively easy stop between the two parks, and one you should strongly consider including so you can tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. Since Bryce Canyon is a relatively small park, square mileage-wise, you could scoot by with just staying for one night there and still accomplish a lot. So a revised itinerary could go something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2 – Drive to Bryce Canyon (~5 hours), sightseeing on scenic rim drive, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 3 – Drive to Page, AZ (~3 hours), maybe hike Paria Rimrocks/Toodstool Hoodoos trail en route, tour Antelope Canyon either that afternoon or following morning, overnight in Page
Day 4 – Drive to Zion National Park, visit Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town, swing down to Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area, stop at Navajo Bridge for possible California Condor sighting, visit Lonely Dell Ranch, have lunch at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge Restaurant, stop at Jacob Lake Inn to grab some home-made cookies at their bakery, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 5- 2nd day/night in Zion, maybe hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows (if it’s open), overnight in Springdale
Day 6 – Drive back to Las Vegas (3.5-5 hour drive depending on progress of construction project on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, fly home
So, all put together, that’s a little shy of 800 miles, but a lot of beautiful scenery!
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you wish to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 16, 2019 at 5:39 PM
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From Rich Valenti
Alley, your site is very informative, thank you. I was hoping to bounce our itinerary off you and get your thoughts. My wife, kids (ages 14,12,10) and I will be travelling to Vegas for a dance competition in late June / early July 2020. We would like to tour the canyons and national parks of the great South west. As I plan, my thinking was leaving Vegas on July 5 and taking 8-10 days to travel through many of the spots you recommend, including Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Lake Powell, South Rim of the Canyon, Famous route 66, Sedona and flying home from Phoenix (which I believe will get me the best flight options home to Charlotte NC). You mention Monument Valley as another option to visit (I wasn’t originally thinking about that) and that actually would get us closer to the four corners which my 10 year old son has mentioned he would like to visit one day. Perhaps that is a full day trip to hit both spots? What do you think? Would it be better if we wanted to visit Sedona that we loop back to Vegas to fly home from there? While my family likes to hike and explore, we do need some down time throughout our trip as well and was thinking in Lake Powell and Sedona were two spots where we can slow it down a bit and stay 2 nights at each area. Thank you for your time and assistance.
November 16, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Hareesh Viswanathan
Hi Alley,
I hope you are doing well ! This page has been greatly resourceful. I am planning to visit the canyons (first time) during the Thanksgiving weekend. Planning to land at SLC, Utah on Nov 28th morning around 11 AM local time and drive to Zion. After Zion, drive to Bryce, Antelope, Grand Canyon and then fly back from Las Vegas on Dec 3rd night.
I found your responses very very useful and would highly appreciate if you could suggest a good itinerary to cover all these places. Below mentioned my arrival and departure dates.
Nov 28th – Boston to SLC (Arrive at 11 AM Local Time)
Dec 3rd – Las Vegas to Boston (Depart at 10 PM Local Time)
Thanks in advance
Hareesh
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Hi Hareesh, I’m doing great, thanks for asking!
Unfortunately, you really don’t have a lot of time to work with, and your vacation is literally right around the corner. I do hope you have hotels reserved, because if you don’t, you may have a rough time finding lodging in the places you wish to visit. The Thanksgiving holiday is a popular time for people to travel.
Assuming your flight arrives in SLC on time, you’re facing a 4.5-hour drive to Zion, and a daylength that’s rapidly shortening. The sun goes down at ~5:30 PM in Zion at this time of year, and you want to avoid doing any driving at night if at all possible. The roads in smaller towns are very dimly lit, quite narrow, and could be populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife. Once you land and collect your rental car, do not waste any time getting on the road. If you stop for lunch, make it quick, maybe opt for a drive-through somewhere (there are plenty to be found on I-15 as you head out of town).
The drive to Bryce is a bit shorter, ~2.5 hours from Zion, and very scenic. The drive from Bryce to Page, AZ, is a bit longer, 3-3.5 hours. A good little hike you might take along the way is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, then hit Horseshoe Bend the following morning en route to the Grand Canyon. Be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post, very interesting place, and they serve good food if you’re hungry by that point. Even though Google maps gives the drive time from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim as 2.5 hours, 3.5-4 hours ends up being a more realistic figure as the drive is very scenic, and there are a lot of photo opportunities that will catch your eye, especially upon entering Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the canyon, all with differing perspectives and features, between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then the next day, you can take a leisurely trip back to Las Vegas since your flight doesn’t depart untl 10 PM. The drive normally takes ~5 hours, but you can easily extend that with a stops in Williams, Seligman, or Kingman, AZ, for their Route 66 connections, and/or Hoover Dam.
As you can see, this itinerary has you packing up and driving to a different place every day, which is less than ideal, so if you are able to carve out an extra day somewhere, that would give you at least a brief window to relax. Zion would be my first choice for where I’d allocate the extra day, seconded by Page.
One more thing: keep an eye on the weather. At the time of year you’re traveling, it will be cooler, and you could even encounter snow, especially in Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon South Rim. Utah weather Page, AZ, weather Grand Canyon weather
Hope you get on OK — let us know how it went!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 16, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Marie Heppner
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to the area from NY 12/29/19-1/3/20. We will fly in to Las Vegas and are open to flying home from Vegas or Phoenix (if that makes sense?). We definitely want to visit the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon and can’t decide whether we should do Utah or Sedona in the remaining days. From all the responses to previous posts, I see that the Antelope Canyon tour and lodging at the Grand Canyon should take precedence in booking. Any thoughts on how to plan and what to see in that limited time period? Any ideas for celebrating New Years Eve somewhere fun? I doubt we”ll be out this way again any time soon. Please also note that we both love taking photos, so the photographic aspects of the trip are very important to us. Thanks in advance!!!
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Hi Marie,
So assuming that 12/29 and 01/03 will be travel days, that gives you 4 full days to work with. That’s not a heck of a lot of time to work with, considering all there is to see here, but you could still accomplish quite a lot.
12/29 – Fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
12/30 – Drive to Page, AZ, w/detour through Valley of Fire State Park (~6 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page
12/31 – Visit Horseshoe Bend, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
01/01 – Drive to Sedona, AZ (~3 hour drive from South Rim), do Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, overnight in Sedona
01/02 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, possible activities: Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock Trail, Tlaquepaque, wine tasting Things To Do in Sedona
01/03 – Drive to Phoenix (~2.5 hours) or Las Vegas (~5 hours), fly home
Regarding New Year’s Eve, we tend to be a bit more low-key about marking the occasion in Northern Arizona. You won’t see things like fireworks or rowdy parties in the National Parks or surrounding areas. If you prefer your holiday celebration a bit more festive, you might reverse the above itinerary so that you’re someplace like Sedona or Flagstaff on New Year’s Eve. Then hit the Grand Canyon, then Page, AZ.
As for including any of the Utah National Parks, you could drive through Zion National Park between Page and Las Vegas, which would add another 90 minutes or so onto your drive time. If you wanted to include an overnight visit, that would require sacrificing Sedona IMO. Both places warrant at least 2 days to explore and enjoy fully. If you can possibly free up an extra day or two for your vacation, you might swing up to Bryce between Zion and Page. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll find no shortage of photo ops along the way!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 16, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Monique
Hi Alley, I am coming to the Page area in late December with my family (two adults, two children, ages 7&9). Which slot canyon do you recommend for children this age? We are traveling to Page for one night from Phoenix, via Sedona and GC and then on to Zion. We also plan to visit the Glen Canyon Dam in Page. Thanks for the advice. Monique
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Hi Monique,
Which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour depends on how active you and your children are on a regular basis. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail that is occasionally sandy. The walking portion of the tour is preceded and concluded by a 2-mile off-road ride from highway US98 to the mouth of the canyon and back. Lower Antelope is longer (~600 yards) and has a few stairs, ladders, and boulders to navigate. Children your kids’ age tour Lower Antelope Canyon without a problem every day, but to determine whether it would be manageable for your family, watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. Note that the people in the video are wearing backpacks, which is no longer allowed.
For more information, visit “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids”
Be sure to reserve your Antelope Canyon tour and all hotels along your route well in advance of your vacation.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2019 at 4:57 PM
_________________________________________
From Jody
Alley, my husband is 6’8” and large man. We really want see the “waves” of the rocks but aren’t sure which would be easiest for him to navigate through. Do you have any suggestions
November 13, 2019 at 6:40 PM
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From Monique S
Thanks so much Alley – this is helpful. Your site is such a nice resource. We are an active, fit family. The kids can definitely handle the climbing and walking. Which slot canyon would you recommend aside from Antelope Canyon? The tales of large crowds are turning me off. And, all of our hotels are already reserved. We plan to do a slot canyon tour in the afternoon, if that makes a difference. I just hope the weather cooperates 🙂
November 14, 2019 at 3:25 PM
Pearl
Hi Alley,
Wow this page has been incredibly resourceful. Thank you! We are flying into Vegas from San Francisco 11/16-11/19. Planning on driving to and staying one night in Page to optimize the amount we can see. My sister has a service dog with her. Will the Antelope Canyon tours accommodate service animals? We are driving to Page bright and early Sunday morning, arriving early afternoon. Hoping to see Antelope Canyon and some other interest points. What is the difference between Lower and Upper Canyon? Is Rainbow Bridge but boat available this time of the year? What other interest points can you recommend? Sunday Morning, we plan to visit Horseshoe Bend before the crowds around 7am and possibly stop at another attraction on the way back to Vegas? It is possible to stop at Zion on the drive back to Vegas?
Intinerary:
Sat – Vegas Evening Arrival
Sun – Drive to Page bright and early, see Antelope Canyon in the afternoon
Mon – Horseshoe Bend shortly after sunrise. Drive back to Vegas
Tues – early flight back to San Francisco
Hoping to squeeze in more interest points on Sunday and Monday but feeling so lost!
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Hi Pearl and thank you for visiting our site!
Service animals are allowed by some Antelope Canyon tour companies, but not others. You are more likely to be able to bring a service animal to Upper Antelope Canyon and not Lower Antelope or Antelope Canyon X. The reason for the prohibition on pets of any type in the latter areas is due to the ruggedness of the terrain, that some animals are not able to handle. Having a service dog accompany your party must be pre-approved by the tour outfitter, in which case, you would be best to conduct all your dealings by phone. The 4 tour companies that manage Upper Antelope Canyon are:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928.645.5594
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928.645.9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928.380.187
Upper Antelope Canyon is 100 yards in length, located above ground, and the walking part of the tour is preceded by a 2-mile off-road ride from highway US98 to the mouth of the canyon. Lower Antelope is ~600 yards long, below ground, and requires navigating a few stairs, ladders, and some simple bouldering. Again, this section of the canyon is off-limits to service animals due to the nature of the terrain. Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon
At the time of year you’re visiting, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is on off-season operational mode. It only goes out on Saturdays, and contingent on a certain number of passengers booking. There might be another way you might see it, however, and that’s to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers booked. Flights over Rainbow Bridge take approximately 30 minutes and will show you a ton of other beautiful scenery in addition to the bridge!
As for other points of interest you might see, you’re on a pretty short schedule as it is, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about trying to plan every single minute of your day. Some of the best moments on a vacation come about unexpectedly, and the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, is very scenic as it is. That said, a couple of additions you might make to your sightseeing plans are the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstool Hoodoos hike, located between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ, on US89. The Big Water Visitors Center is an interesting stop before you arrive in Page, AZ, and you might also take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, time permitting, after your Antelope Canyon tour.
If you want to stop in Zion National Park on your way back to Las Vegas, it’s easy enough to do, but I warn you: you will be left wanting. Zion is a stunning park, and a big one — you need at least 3-4 days to fully enjoy and explore that area. A quickie “drive-by” will only give you a tiny taste of what’s there. IMO, you should save it for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves. A better detour to make might be the Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a short distance Northeast of Las Vegas, and has beautiful scenery that can easily be enjoyed from the road, or with a couple of quick stops for some easy but scenic hiking. Be sure to bring water with you.
Also, be sure to reserve an Antelope Canyon tour and a hotel in Page, AZ, if you haven’t done so already.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 13, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Sang Jun
Hi Alley,
I am planning a family trip (3 adults, 1 kid, 2 senior) to Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon from Phoenix (in the week of Christmas)….pretty late…
I have two questions:
1. Is it ok to drive to both places in December?
2. If so, is it better to rent a full-size SUV rather than a minivan?
Thanks,
Sang Jun
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Hi Sang,
Two answer your two specific questions,
1. It is OK to drive to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in December. Both routes are fully-paved and well-traveled. The only thing that might render either drive unsafe is the occurrence of an active snowstorm. Should that take place during your travels, your safest option is to wait until the weather clears before driving on to your next destionation. Of course, it’s too soon to know what the weather will actually be like, but start monitoring it ~2-3 weeks before your trip. Remember that there is a significant difference in elevation that can and does affect local weather: Grand Canyon South Rim is ~7,000′ above sea level, and Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) is ~4,000′ ASL. Grand Canyon weather Page, AZ, weather Arizona Road Conditions
2. As to whether you rent a mini-van or SUV, that’s up to you. Since both routes are paved, it’s not 100% necessary to have 4WD, but then again, it does come in handy should the roads be wet or icy after a recent storm.
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour, Grand Canyon hotels and Page, AZ lodging, well in advance of your trip. The Christmas holiday is a very busy time of year, and you might find many hotels sold out already!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 13, 2019 at 4:23 PM
Matt Wilson
Hi Alley,
We are from Australia and travelling to the region in September 2020. We will have our own rental car and 3 kids (ages 13, 10 & 8), and are thinking about this as a possible itinerary:
Day 1: Drive Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (glamp in Valle)
Day 2: Grand Canyon South Rim in the morning (bicycle hire for an hour or so?), then drive to Page in afternoon, stay at Page overnight
Day 3: Antelope Canyon tour in morning, drive to Springdale in afternoon
Day 4: Hike in morning in Zion (any suggestions?), then either drive to Vegas that afternoon or next morning (stay in Springdale or LV that night)
Day 5: Depart from LV late morning
Is this too rushed? What are the must sees along the way?
Thanks so much for your help
Matt
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Hey Matt,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but if you can possibly arrange an extra day in Page, AZ, I’d highly recommend that so you can take the wonderful Glen Canyon Half-Day Family Float Trip. As the name suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but does offer a lot of beautiful scenery and fascinating history!
Also, an extra day for Zion is something you wouldn’t regret, either. There are plenty of good hikes to be had in Zion in varying degrees of difficulty, but the two that tie for the title of “Grand-Daddy of Them All” are Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. Mind you, Angel’s Landing is strenuous, and if you’re afraid of heights, forget it. The Narrows involves walking in water for several miles, so renting a wetsuit, water shoes, and trekking poles is highly recommended. If flash flood danger is elevated, this area may be off limits to you, but that’s too soon to call at this point.
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2019 at 6:46 PM
Christian
Good afternoon,
My name is Christian, online content creator and travel videoblogger. I’m from Spain but I live in Los Angeles, where I’m filming my new series of videos about California. With about 85,000 subscribers and about 9 million views in my YouTube channel, my audience love to plan their trips to United States watching my videos and asking me questions through Instagram and my blog (www.inexplorando.com) All my social networks are in Spanish so travellers can find information in their language.
At the end of November 2019, my family is coming to visit me for the first time in California and we are going to do a roadtrip all the way from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and we will go also to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. That’s exactly the same roadtrip that I did in 2014 during the very first videos of my channel, and my audience are asking to do it again with new camera, new stories and updated information. Many people told me that I had to go to Antelope Canyon so I’m planning to go this time for the the first time.
I would like to ask you if your tour company would be interested in a collaboration with me. I’m opened to suggestions but I’m sure that it would be a great addition to the roadtrip and many people would ask about it, so it could bring many leads to your company. My parents and I will be in your area on Dec.5-6.
Attached you can find some useful information:
Media kit: www.inexplorando.com/media
Portfolio: www.christiancorom.com
Paid campaigns and collaborations:
London for waynabox.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZGxJGO355s
Sea World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkAqo4cnTNc
Inside of the Statue of Liberty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8hJzKyOSRk
Please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any question or suggestion. Thank you so much.
Best regards,
CHRISTIANCÓROM
www.youtube.com/inexplorando
corom@inexplorando.com
www.inexplorando.com
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Hey Christian,
Wow, thank you for thinking of us for this, but our site is actually privately owned and not affiliated as a company with the Antelope Canyon tour outfitters. I would recommend you try and contact them individually to see if one of them would be interested in collaborating with you on your project.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two companies operating tours to that area. They are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon, there are 4 companies you might potentially work with:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928.645.5594
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928.645.9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928.380.187
You might also consider touching base with some of the companies that operate tours to alternate slot canyons to Antelope, as these are gaining on popularity with the increasing difficulty of getting reservations for the main branches of the canyon:
– Ta’adidi’in Tours/Antelope Canyon X/Cardiac Canyon http://www.antelopecanyon-x.com (928) 660-8890
– Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours and Alstrom Point Tours http://www.horseshoebendtours.com (435) 275-4594
– Ligai Si’Anii Tours/Antelope Valley Canyon Tours http://www.hikingslotcanyons.com (928) 640-2594
– Waterholes Canyon Experience https://waterholecanyonexperience.com/ (928) 660-2031
– Mystical Antelope Canyon Tours https://www.mysticalarrowhead.com/ (928) 640-3852
Hope that helps! Good luck with your project,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2019 at 6:39 PM
Jacque
Hi Alley,
My husband and I will be travelling and flying into Phoenix on Feb 23. Then to sedona on Feb 24-25, then grandcanyon Feb 26, then Page onf Feb 27-28, bryce on Feb 29 , zion on March 1, then drive to Las Vegas on March 2. You think this will work? We are from Asia and not used to snow roads/ ice, just worried the travel up to bryce be too icy?
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Hi Jacque,
You are right to be concerned about road conditions at the time of year you are visiting. That is wintertime, and any of the areas on your list could have rain, snow, or ice. Or it could just be sunny and brisk. Naturally it’s too soon to call, but start monitoring local weather about 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel. In any case, be prepared to dress warmly, even in a best case scenario with regard to weather.
If for some reason you have to cancel any of your hotel stays because of a road closure or severe weather, the lodging personnel are usually very understanding of those situations and should refund your payment or allow you to reschedule.
Otherwise, your itinerary looks very well paced, with one exception: Zion. It’s a huge and beautiful park that deserves at least 2-3 days time to explore and enjoy. If you possibly can carve out another day to travel, give it to Zion. You won’t regret it!
Be sure to reserve all lodging and Antelope Canyon tours well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 11, 2019 at 5:42 PM
Deepesh
Hi Alley,
I am planning a trip for last weekend in Dec this year and I know it is already late to plan this Trip. I am planning for flying from Texas to Vegas and then –
Day 1 – Fly from TX to Vegas and get Rental car, drive to Page and stay overnight
Day 2 – Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope then stay overnight
Day 3 – Horshoe Bend and then come back to Vegas, if possible visit Hoover Dam, Stay overnight
Day 4 – Explore Vegas and Stay over night
Day 5 – Fly back to Home
Thanks for your useful advice.
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Hi Deepesh!
Your itinerary is perfectly fine, and not too rushed. As for visiting Hoover Dam, you’d probably be better off doing that on day 4, but while in Page, AZ, be sure to stop by the Glen Canyon Dam, which is actually taller than Hoover and is a lot easier to tour.
Be sure to book all Page, AZ, lodging and Antelope Canyon tours in advance of your arrival.
One more thing: I notice the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, you should prioritize it over Antelope Canyon, crazy as that sounds! If for some reason you overlooked it, you could work it in between Las Vegas and Page, or vice versa, depending on where you can find Grand Canyon lodging availability.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 11, 2019 at 5:36 PM
Laura
Hi Alley.
I’ve enjoyed reading all of your amazingly helpful tips for other tourists to your area. We are planning a 2-week trip to Arizona/Utah for late August/early September 2020 and I would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on the driving distances. I get a sense of how long it might take, but know that you’ve got more inside info that could help us avoid making timing mistakes. Thanks for any feedback:
1) Arrive Vegas, spend night
2) Full day in Vegas doing kid-friendly things (Bellagio Fountains, Fall of Atlantis, Volcano show, High Roller Ferris Wheel, Cirque, etc.)
3) Day trip to Red Rock Canyon, 3rd and last night in Vegas
4) Hoover Dam, Kingman, Route 66 Museum and towns, night in Williams
5) Bearizona in AM, Walnut Canyon in PM, night in Flagstaff
6) Arrive Grand Canyon. We have 3 nights booked here
7) Mule trip to Phantom Ranch (already booked)
8) Return from mule trip, afternoon/night at canyon
9) Depart Grand Canyon. Drive to Wupatki and see it (45-min ranger hike?). Drive to Sunset Crater and visit. Then go to Winona for the night.
10) Meteor Crater. Then Petrified Forest (3 trails on my to do list if time allows), drive to Chinle (we have 2 nights booked here)
11) 9AM Canyon de Chelly jeep tour (pre-booked), afternoon driving around the overlooks, 2nd night in Chinle
12) Drive to 4 Corners (my husband and I have been before but our son hasn’t and he’s working on checking off states, so this is a must do). Drive to Bluff, CO for lunch (just to spend a little time in Colorado), then head to Monument Valley for an evening tour and night at the View Hotel (already booked)
13) Drive to Page. Morning tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. Lunch. Afternoon tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. Spend the night in Page.
14) Drive to Bryce and spend most of the day there. Drive to Dixie National Forest and stay at Duck Creek Village
15) Drive to Zion and spend the day. First of two nights at Springdale.
16) Second day at Zion. Either spend second night in Springdale or head towards Henderson.
17) Fly home from Vegas
A few of these days seem to have long drives, so I’m trying to see how realistic this is an itinerary. Thank you in advance for any tips or suggestions.
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Hey Laura, thanks for visiting, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Your trip looks pretty fun, and well-planned. Still, there are a couple of minor adjustments and reality checks I can offer up.
First off, totally sweet that you got a reservation for a mule ride to Phantom Ranch! You’ve scored the “holy grail” of all Grand Canyon tours and you’ll love it. Anything else that happens after that is all gravy. It’s good that you’re staying overnight at the canyon the day you come back from the mule ride too, because you won’t be in any mood to drive anywhere afterwards. All you’ll have the energy to do is find some cocktails and a good dinner and crash. I know, that’s how I felt after taking that trip!
You are correct in that many of your days will involve long drives. That’s kind of how we roll in the American Southwest. Towns and cities are very spread out, and you have to go through a whole lot of nowhere in order to get somewhere. The good news is, though, that these drives are very scenic and you’ll find yourself stopping and taking a lot of pictures.
On your 3rd day, since Red Rock Canyon is so close to Las Vegas (~30 minutes away), you might get a head start on the trip and drive to Williams that night. Your daylength is relatively long at that time of year, with sunrise occurring at about 6:15 AM and sunset taking place at around 7:00 PM. The main priority is not driving in the dark once you leave Las Vegas because roads in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very dimly lit, on purpose to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Plus deer, elk, free range cattle, and wild horses like to move about at night, often near the roadside, and you don’t want to get into an accident with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty (or flat-out nonexistent), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
On Day 5, instead of lodging in Flagstaff, you might as well head back to Williams there, too. Williams is only ~30 minutes from Flagstaff, and that’s one less day you have to pack up and move. Grand Canyon South Rim is then ~1 hour from Williams.
On Day 9, when you leave Grand Canyon for Wupatki/Sunset Crater, be sure to depart the park via the East Rim/Desert View Drive. There are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints along this route, not including the Tusayan Ruins & Museum. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. That has its own attractions you might visit, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stand, and the Cameron Trading Post (great place to stop for lunch!). Instead of overnighting in Winona, AZ (there’s not much there), you might drive on to Winslow, AZ, instead. There you can get your picture taken “Standin’ On The Corner” – yes, that corner! – and maybe have breakfast at the Turquoise Room at the La Posada Hotel the next morning. Time permitting, you might even hit Meteor Crater on the way there.
If not, it’s not much of a backtrack from Winslow to the Crater (~30 minutes), then you can get right back on I-40 and make decent time to Petrified Forest and then on to Chinle, AZ. BTW, if you don’t get to do all 3 trails in Petrified Forest, that’s OK. You want to avoid trying to plan every. single. minute. of your vacation; otherwise it becomes a death march rather than a holiday!
On Day 12, where you indicate you’ll “drive to Bluff, CO, for lunch just to spend a little time in Colorado,” first of all, there’s no city in Colorado named Bluff. There is one in Utah, however. There isn’t much in the way of restaurants near 4 Corners anyway, so you may indeed want to go on to Bluff, Utah, for lunch, or just grab a light snack that morning before you leave Chinle, AZ, and eat when you get to The View.
On the drive back to Vegas before you fly home, time and inclination permitting, if you’re up for one more cool place to check off your list, Valley of Fire State Park is a stunning area that’s an easy detour off I-15!
So hope all that helps. Feel free to write in again if we can be of further guidance!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 11, 2019 at 5:31 PM
JCN
Hi! I’m traveling with my husband in june, we’ll stay in page and maybe we can take one day to the wave (if we are that lucky, we have a flexible schedule). My question is, if I apply online and get the permits do i have to be there to sign something or can i just get the permits the same day of the planned trip?? Thanks!
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Hi JCN!
If you are successful in obtaining a spot to hike The Wave via the online lottery, the actual permit will be sent to you in the mail. If you try for a permit via the walk-in lottery, which occurs the day PRIOR to when you wish to hike, you would fill out the necessary paperwork then.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 08, 2019 at 8:06 PM
Ashlinn
Hi, we are hoping to do a day tour to antelope canyon sometime over the next few days from Las Vegas. Unfortunately Max Tours are booked out. Are there other companies or tours you would recommend?
Thank you
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Hi Ashlinn,
I’d recommend checking with Viator at this point. They have several options available out of different cities, including Las Vegas, such as this VIP package. Tours may only be offered on certain days of the week, and may be contingent on a certain number of people booking.
Viator Antelope Canyon Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 07, 2019 at 9:18 PM
Lori Dasko
Hi, this is a great resource. If I were to be lucky enough to get a permit for party of 2 through the online lottery and the other person couldn’t make it after all four months later, is there a process to substitute someone else’s name before hike day? I don’t want to risk getting caught if I go forward with the hike and the permit name doesn’t match. Thanks
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Hey Lori,
This is a great question!
Wave permits are issued under the name of the applicant. You are not required to provide the names of your party members at the time you apply for the lottery, so if someone drops out of your group in the interim between the lottery and your actual hike date, you’re welcome to invite whoever you wish to take their place.
Good luck – you’ll need it, as I’m sure you’re aware 😉
Safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 06, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Baron Travel
Thanks for these tips! I would love to get to Antelope Canyon – it really does look like one of the most amazing destinations on the globe. Pity to hear that despite needing a reservation the upper canyon is still completely overcrowded, but I guess you’re going to get that when the world hears of an attraction this beautiful. Hopefully the tourists don’t detract too much from the overall experience 🙂
Tony
Hello Alley, I hope all is well. I just booked a vacation that will have me in Page, AZ Tuesday late am (11/12) to Thursday am (11/14). I am looking to see Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell (Rainbow Bridge). I was hoping to be able to visit Lake Powell before checking in to the hotel and Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon as the sun sets. Would love to stargaze in and around the area of Page where the hotel is located (right off I89). I have read that Page is not all that safe at night. How concerned should I be and do you have any tips for tourist safety?
Additionally, I would love to be able to do Antelope Canyons on Wednesday, what is the best time to visit from a photography stand point? As far as upper and/or lower, would you recommend doing both and how far in advance do I have to reserve tour tickets?
Thank you, in advance, for your time and consideration.
Best,
Tony
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Hi Tony,
All is indeed well, thanks for asking!
To start with, Antelope Canyon tours should be the first reservations you make. As far as when to visit from a photography standpoint, most assert that as close to mid-day as possible is best for lighting in the interior of the canyon, but you won’t get those sunbeams that you see in so many photographs. That timeframe has passed, but honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad time to tour Antelope Canyon. If you wish to visit both Upper and Lower, look into bundling the two tours for optimal convenience in the reservations process.
As for seeing Rainbow Bridge by boat, here again, you may be past the point where that’s possible. You see, many water-based activities in the Page, AZ, area go on seasonal hiatus after October. As of now, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour only goes out on Saturdays, and contingent on a certain number of people booking, so you may have to cross it off your wish list this time around, or consider seeing it a different way: by flying over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily over Rainbow Bridge, Monument Valley, and other scenic landmarks, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers booking, which is usually 2-4. For more information on Rainbow Bridge air tours, which might also be customized to include a flyover of Horseshoe Bend, visit GrandCanyon.com: Over the Rainbow & Lake Powell Air Tour
As for how safe Page, AZ, is at night — or is not, as the case may be — no area of the country is crime-free, unfortunately. Simply take whatever precautions you would at home: be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables such as jewelry and large amounts of cash well-concealed (or better yet, leave them in your hotel safe), avoid walking in dimly lit areas at night (or carry a flashlight or headlamp), and don’t overindulge in alcohol or other intoxicants to the point that you’re oblivious to possible danger. If you prefer not to drive at night, there is a local resident who is offering rides through Lyft, so you might want to download the app. For more information, visit her Facebook page, Page Lake Powell Lyft
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 05, 2019 at 3:53 PM
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From Tony
Thank you for entertaining my questions. I really appreciate as well as the service you are providing to the tourist community.
November 05, 2019 at 11:06 PM
Debbie Reuter
Can my husband and I both apply for permits during the same month but with different group size?
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Hi Debbie,
I wouldn’t advise it. Since you assumedly have the same address, you’d probably get found out and forfeit both your applications. Better to just play by the rules, and start making alternate touring plans for the very likely scenario that your application is not chosen in the on-line or walk-in lottery. White Pocket or Sidestep Canyon are beautiful areas with unique rock formations that don’t require a permit, but advise hiring a local guide service with high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate their often-challenging access roads.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 05, 2019 at 3:23 PM
Alicia
Amazing information in your posts thank you! What are the best things to see around page and how to see them in December? I’d really love to see antelope canyon possibly by boat, kayak and hiking. We love slot canyons, it’s not for the pictures but the adventure/hike. I had thought of marble canyon too but only have a full day or two in page before going back to Sedona. With so much to do, I want to maximize the trip. I’d love your insider tips! Thanks!!
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Hi Alicia!
Although December is a good time to visit Northern Arizona, you must realize that many activities, particularly water-based ones, are going to be on seasonal hiatus. Kayak tours definitely fall under that heading; boat tours, while still running, are scaled back in the number of departures, and are usually contingent on a certain number of people booking.
That said, you should still be able to do an Antelope Canyon land-side tour (hiking) plus a waterside boat tour in December. For optimal convenience in the reservation process, consider “bundling” the two activities via AntelopeCanyonNow.com
As for seeing Marble Canyon, the best opportunity to visit that area would probably be as a detour on your way back to Sedona. Get an early start on the day and visit Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town. The drive to the Marble Canyon area takes approximately one hour; while there, visit the Navajo Bridge and look for the California Condors that like to roost in its support beams. The Lees Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch is a fascinating glimpse into the area’s early Anglo-American history. If you’re hungry, stop at the Cliff Dweller’s Lodge Restaurant for lunch. With a surprisingly sophisticatd menu for such a remote location, this place is one of Northern Arizona’s best kept culinary secrets! From the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area, the drive to Sedona will take approximately 3-4 hours.
Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that you get all driving done during daylight hours, especially the drive to Sedona. The last stretch of the trip through Oak Creek Canyon is very twisty, with some steep drop-offs. You definitely don’t want to tackle that road in the dark, or have a head-on encounter with a deer, elk, or other large animal in an area that’s very dimly lit, where cell service is spotty (or flat-out nonexistent), and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. In December, sunrise occurs at approximately 7:30 AM, and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 04, 2019 at 4:03 PM
Julie F
Hi Alley! What a GREAT website. I really appreciate your willingness to help out so many of us as we are planning the trip of a lifetime! Our family of 4 will be traveling to AZ for Spring Break this year – March 20-27. We’re planning to fly into Phoenix Friday morning and take the scenic drive to Page. We found a great place through vrbo to stay in Page Friday and Saturday nights.
Saturday we’re thinking of doing the half day Glen Canyon Float trip. And then Sunday doing the Antelope Canyon tours – upper and lower before driving onto the South Rim. We’re thinking of staying Sunday night at the Holiday Inn Express so we’ll be close to start on our hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon on Monday. We have reservations at the Phantom Ranch for Monday and Tuesday and will hike back out on Wednesday.
From there, we’re not sure where to go next? Perhaps Sedona or Flagstaff? We have 2 very active teenage boys that would enjoy biking, ATVs or else more hiking. Any ideas? We would stay there Wednesday and Thursday evening and fly home on Friday.
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Hey Julie!
Congrats on scoring those reservations for Phantom Ranch, and for 2 nights? SWEET!
As it stands, your itinerary is very well though-out and logical. As for where you go to cap off your trip, I’d recommend Sedona. For one, even though your family sounds very healthy and active, you’re bound to be pretty wiped out from your Grand Canyon hike. One advantage is that you’re doing it at a cooler time of the year; if you were doing it in June, then you’d really be whooped! Still, the hike will take a lot out of you, and being able to just relax and chill for two days afterward is bound to be welcome. Sedona, AZ, is the ideal place to do that! So if you and your spouse want to work out the aches with a massage or other spa services, it’s there. If you are ready for more action in the form of an ATV tour, hiking, or other high-intensity sightseing, it’s there, too. Afterwards, you only have a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix to catch your flight home.
At the time of year you’re visiting, the one thing that may put a kabosh on any plans you make is weather. Late March is in the transitional zone between winter and spring, so, best case scenario, it will be cold, and a snowstorm or two could decide to make an appearance even that late in the year. Snow and ice may be present on the top half of inner Grand Canyon trails, so you may wish to rent or bring instep crampons or other traction devices for safety on your Grand Canyon hike. What the weather will actually shake out like is too soon to call at this point, but start monitoring local weather 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel. You can use the site GrandCanyon.com to monitor Grand Canyon South Rim weather, as well as weather for the Antelope Canyon area.
Another thing: be sure that any and all driving is done during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the country tend to be very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Also, deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses like to roam at night, and their wanderings can and do take them near local highways, which ratchets up your risk of an accident. Not something you want to deal with in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time in coming, not to mention really expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at around 6:15 AM, and sunset takes place at about 6:45 PM.
RE: Holiday Inn Express at the South Rim, that’s a decent place to stay, about 20 minutes from Grand Canyon Village. But, staying inside the park is always most desirable for convenience of access to the Kaibab Trailhead Shuttle (which you’ll have to take if you’re planning to hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, as most do). Before you commit to the HIX, check hotel availability at Grand Canyon Village through Xanterra South Rim, or Delaware North Corp for Yavapai Lodge. In the likely event you find in-park lodging to be sold out already, you might go ahead and book the Holiday Inn Express, and keep checking back for cancellations in-park. HIX might charge you a fee for cancelling, so that legwork and associated cost might negate the convenience of staying inside the park. That’s, of course, your call to make (or not).
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 04, 2019 at 3:46 PM
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From Julie
Thanks SO much for the suggestions! Just a couple more questions – do you think we’ll have time to see both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and still drive to the South Rim in the same day? Or should we choose one tour? And if so which one?
Would you suggest we spend time around the rim of the Grand Canyon in addition to our hike down to the bottom?
And what about the day we’ll have down at the Phantom Ranch – any suggestions of a day hike?
Thanks!!
November 09, 2019 at 10:31 PM
Donna
Hello,
We will be in Las Vegas in January. Can we see Antelope Canyon and take a boat tour then? I’m not finding any times for that.
thank you in advance.
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Hi Donna,
2020 seat inventory for Antelope Canyon tours should be made available for booking later this month or early December. Check back then and you should be able to book your preferred Antelope Canyon tour.
Safe travels and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 03, 2019 at 10:02 PM
Marie Heppner
My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to the area from NY December 29, 2019 – January 3, 2020. We will fly in to Las Vegas and are open to flying home from Vegas or Phoenix (If that makes sense?). We definitely want to visit the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon and can’t decide whether we should also do Utah or Sedona in the remaining days. From all the responses to previous posts, I see that the Antelope Canyon tour and lodging at the Grand Canyon should take precedence in booking. Any thoughts on how to plan and what to see in that limited time period? Any ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve somewhere fun? I doubt we’ll be out this way again anytime soon. I will also note that we both love taking pictures, so the photographic aspects of the trip are very important to us. Thank you!!!
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Hi Marie, and thank you for visiting us.
Assuming that December 29th and January 3rd are going to be travel days, that gives you 4 full days to work with on this trip. That should be plenty of time to enjoy both the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. You might even be able to work Sedona into the plan, if they still have availability at area hotels. I’d recommend saving the Utah parks for another trip. For the Utah Mighty 5, a week to ten days, or more is recommended. Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More: 14 Day Itinerary in the Grand Circle
Regarding New Year’s Eve, you’ll most likely be in either the Grand Canyon or Page, AZ. Neither place will feature fireworks or anything of that nature, but a few of the hotels in Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan/GC Village South typically have some memorable, if slightly low-key New Year’s Eve celebrations. Ditto for Page, AZ. State 48 Tavern had a good NYE party last year from what I heard. No concrete plans have been made according to a cursory Google search, but honestly, I wouldn’t sweat it. Being out in nature’s fireworks IMO beats any man-made pyrotechnics hands down!
As you’ve correctly deduced, Grand Canyon hotels and Antelope Canyon tour availability will be the key drivers of how you plan your itinerary. Which area you hit first is a six-of-one/half-a-dozen of another proposition in terms of driving distance to where you fly out of. Whether you stay at the Grand Canyon or Page, AZ, it will be approximately a 5-hour drive to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Another option, if you really want to include Sedona in your plans, is to plan something like this:
December 29th: Fly into Las Vegas
December 30th: Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive, maybe slightly longer depending on traffic in Virgin River Gorge construction zone), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops in Navajo Reservation and along Grand Canyon’s East Rim Drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
January 1st: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3-hour drive), overnight in Sedona
January 2nd: Take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona
January 3rd: Drive from Sedona to Phoenix (~2.5 hour drive), fly home
Again, whether you hit the Grand Canyon first or Page first will depend on when/where you find hotel and tour availability. If Page, AZ, ends up being first on your itinerary, push comes to shove, you could visit Zion National Park as a “drive-by” between LAS and Page, which will tack another 90 minutes or so onto your trip. The downside to that is it will leave you wanting – Zion is a huge and beautiful park that really deserves 3 days minimum of your time! My recommendation: take the detour through the Valley of Fire State Park, a short distance Northeast of Las Vegas. Whether you hit Grand Canyon or Page first, the drive to Sedona would be ~3 hours. Whether you fly out of Phoenix or Las Vegas, I recommend putting Sedona last on the itinerary, as that area is highly conducive to just chilling out, which is a nice way to end a vacation! Phoenix would be closer airport to fly out of from there, but if need be, you could fly out of Las Vegas just as easily. The drive from Sedona to LAS would be longer, ~4.5 hours.
Sorry I’ve written this in kind of a “stream-of-consciousness” fashion. Hope it makes sense, and most importantly, that it helps!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂November 01, 2019 at 1:22 PM
belz bianes
Hello, how’s the weather in November, we are planning to be there on November 30th weekend to Antelope horseshoe blend upper and lower?
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Hi Belz!
November weather is typically cold, with occasional rain and snow occurring. Plan to bring jackets, gloves, etc, but dress in layers whilst out sightseeing that you can easily remove and stash in a backpack or duffel bag as you acclimate to the temperature. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel to know best what to expect. East Canyon Weather
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 31, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Yadira Rivera
Hi Alley! I am traveling with my family over the December holidays and we were planning to do Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower) in one day, but my mother has a knee injury and is also claustrophobic and we weren’t sure if Upper Antelope Canyon would be doable. Many thanks! Yadira
Dec. 26-28 – Las Vegas
Dec. 28 – Page, AZ (stay overnight)
Dec. 29 – Grand Canyon (stay overnight)
Dec. 30-Jan. 1 – Sedona, AZ (stay 2 nights)
Jan. 1-3 – Phoenix, AZ (stay 2 nights)
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Hi Yadira,
If your mom has a knee injury, she might want to take a pass on Lower Antelope Canyon, but if she is severely claustrophobic, Upper Antelope Canyon may be a challenge as well! To judge for yourself, I’d recommend watching one of the many videos on YouTube that show what it’s like to walk through Antelope Canyon. We also feature a Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk Through Video you might want to watch.
If you decide to rule out the walking tours of Upper or Lower Antelope, a way for your mom to tick this item off her to-do list without undue pain or anxiety would be to take a boat tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell. On this tour, the canyon walls are wider, but gradually narrow as the lake gives way to the shoreline, and no walking is required. Antelope Point Marina, where the tour departs from, has staff on-site that can transport you from the parking area down the hill to the tour boat dock.
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 3:59 PM
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From Jeslin Lee
Hi Alley,
I happened to chance upon this website while i’m planning my trip to Las Vegas with my family and friends. Not sure if this comments go to you. There is so much good information here, thank you. Now for our trip, we would like to visit as many places as possible in Vegas with our limited 3.5 day and would definitely looking forward to your your advise on a one day tour to Grand Canyon. We will be staying at Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village and this is our first Vegas trip after 24 years! This time with our children and friends. We would like to do a day trip to Grand Canyon, is it advisable for us to drive or take the one day tour? If time permits, we would like to visit Lower and upper antelope as well as horseshoe bend. Do you think it’s possible or we are too ambitious? How do i book the day tour if we drive? or if we take a day tour, will the coach pick us up at our hotel? I google the distance from our hotel to Canyon is about 4hrs drive. Looking forward to your advise and thank you so much for your time and advise in advance,Best Regards, Jeslin
November 03, 2019 at 9:09 AM
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Hi Alley! Hope all is well. I’ve been reading your posts this morning – so much helpful information! I am traveling with my husband and 6 year old over the New Years holiday (we just booked!), and hoping to get some advice from you so we plan our time appropriately.
Dec 27 – Land in Phoenix (noon)
Dec 3 – Depart Vegas (evening)Points of interest: Sedona, Grand Canyon (South Rim?), Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Zion, & Bryce. Not sure seeing all are doable with the time we have. Perhaps we eliminate Bryce, as the weather may not be ideal for that particular drive? Monument was a consideration, but looks to be too far out of the way. Open to your suggestions!
Considerations: Looking for kid-friendly/reasonably accessible sites. My son can handle 4 miles round trip max hikes. Also, worth mentioning, I’ve been to Sedona, so I can live with shortening time there I suppose (though my husband has not been).
How would you plan this itinerary? Are there particular hikes you recommend in Zion (or Bryce), etc. if those destinations stay on the list? What towns would you stay over night in? Assuming Page for AC/HB, but not sure about best Grand Canyon lodging, etc.
Lastly, I started looking at booking Antelope Canyon tours, but when I clicked on dates late in Dec linking from your site, I was getting errors – and dates for Jan were greyed out. Note sure if this means they are not available?
I think we are considering eliminating Zion as well, and saving Zion + Bryce for another trip. Perhaps we will instead see Petrified Forest/Meteor east of Flagstaff instead? Interested in hearing your thoughts, as I am still so unsure!
Thanks,
LaurenNovember 19, 2019 at 2:07 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Lauren,
The time of year you’re visiting is definitely winter, so there’s certainly no sin in taking Zion and Bryce off the agenda this time around. Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater are located at lower altitude, so you would be less likely to encounter snow in those areas, more likely a little rain and wind, worst case scenario.
Flying into Phoenix and out Las Vegas, a 6-day vacation could be planned like this:
December 27th: Land in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
December 28th: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, maybe some light hiking, 2nd night in Sedona
December 29th: Drive from Sedona, AZ, to Meteor Crater (~90 minute drive), Petrified Forest/Painted Desert (~90 minutes from Meteor Crater), overnight in Winslow, AZ (~1 hour from Petrified Forest – whether you stay there or not, be sure to check out the La Posada Hotel!)
December 30th: Drive from Winslow, AZ, to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive), lunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight in Page, AZ
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
January 1st: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~2.5-3 hour drive), optional detour to Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon to visit Lonely Dell Ranch will add another 90 minutes-2 hours to the trip, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
January 2nd: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim, tour Grand Canyon Village Historic District, visit overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive (that time of year you can drive out there in your own car)
January 3rd: Drive to Las Vegas (~5 hour drive), optional stop at Hoover Dam, fly home
As for booking 2020 Antelope Canyon tours, seat inventory should be opened up by mid-December.
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce any other ideas off us!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂November 19, 2019 at 8:04 PM
Dave
We’re planning to fly into Las Vegas in mid December, stay there for 3 nights, then drive to Page for 2 nights to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then drive down to Sedona for 2 nights and then onto Scottsdale for 3 nights and fly out Phoenix to go home. This is our first time in the Page and the surrounding areas. I’m into landscape photography and very excited to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I’m also interested in the Lower Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase NM. How can I fit that into our schedule? From the map, at first I thought it was close to Page. But actually it takes 3.5 hours drive then the hike takes 5 hours roundtrip. Any other place good for landscape photography close to Page?
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Hi Dave and thank you for visiting us!
Your itinerary looks very well-planned, and it’s probably a good call crossing Calf Creek Falls off the list. Not that it isn’t beautiful; it is, amazingly so, but as you can see, it’s a pretty big commitment, distance and time-wise. Plus it’s cold at the time of year you’re visiting, which is not a nice time to visit a gorgeous waterfall but not take a dip. Better to save it for another trip, perhaps a Utah Mighty 5 loop next October? 😉 The only way to make it work this time around would be to drop a day somewhere, IMO the best place to trim down would be Las Vegas or Phoenix.
If you decide against that, yet still want to go somewhere good for landscape photography that’s a bit “off the beaten path” but not such a big schlep out of your way, you might consider visiting Alstrom Point. This is a stunning spot, with a panoramic view of Lake Powell that only a small percentage of visitors get to experience! Fair warning, the road there can be rough, so if you’re in a rental car, you should go with a guide service. For more information on both self-drive and guided touring, visit our companion site, www.AlstromPoint.com Another good spot is White Pocket, in the Vermilion Cliffs/Paria Canyon Wilderness Area. Although a tour is not required to access this area, it’s still recommended since the access road is quite challenging, and easy for inexperienced drivers to get stuck on. Licensed tour guides have vehicles with the appropriate clearance and suspension systems to get you there, and back in one piece. There are several licensed tour companies in both Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, that go to this and other beautiful areas, but one I’m personally acquainted with is Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself — I notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, you must prioritize this park over everything else. You can easily hit it between Sedona and Page, AZ, but you should spend at least 1 night for maximum enjoyment. For more information on accommodations, visit GrandCanyon.com South Rim Hotels
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 3:52 PM
David
Hi!
My family is considering a trip during the Veterans Day weekend Nov 8-11, 2019 from San Diego, CA to Phoenix, Sedona and the natural wonders around Page, like some of the Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend. We have two boys 5 and 8 y/o. Do you think that it’s good idea to rent an RV for that trip? Is the area around Antelope Canyons an RV friendly? Which Canyon can you recommend and what is the best time of the day to schedule the visit having in mind the age of the kids (5,8) and the season as well? Is there a convenient RV site around Page? Actually, is it a good idea to travel with an RV to Phoenix, Sedona and Page this time of the year? By the way, we don’t have any experience with RV’s so far.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
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Hi David and thank you for visiting us!
This is a really excellent question; unfortunately, you may not find my answer to be so, but here goes…
The area around the Antelope Canyons is RV friendly — most of the time, anyway. If you have no experience with RV’s, I would not recommend November as the time to take your “maiden voyage.” Although you can rent an RV any time of year from most outlets like Cruise America, November is considered early winter in areas such as the Grand Canyon and even Page, AZ. As a result, you may have to drive a winterized RV, which means your water lines might be unusable. Another consideration, the RV itself notwithstanding, is that RV parks may be on seasonal closure, or may scale back on amenities. In November, with nighttime lows already dipping down into the 20’s, you definitely want to have access to reliable heat.
Long story short, I’d recommend springing for hotels or motels on this vacation for your family’s comfort. Page, AZ, Hotels If you decide to postpone this trip for the warmer months of the year, you’ll find several RV parks and campgrounds in the Page, AZ, area.
If you go ahead with your visit as planned, whether you stay in a motel or RV, you’ll need to consider your Antelope Canyon touring options with a 5-year-old in tow. Lower Antelope Canyon is ~600m long and requires navigating a few ladders and staircases, as well as climbing over some small boulders. Upper is more straightforward: a 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail, that occasionally has some deep sand. The most exciting part of that trip is the 2-mile 4WD ride from the highway to the mouth of the canyon. To judge for yourself whether you’d be able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon, I recommend watching this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Note that the people in the video are carrying backpacks, but this is no longer allowed.
As for when to schedule your tour, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time of day light-wise, but honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad time to go. Book a tour whenever you an find available space.
One thing I do notice is that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your “wish list.” Have you already been there? If not, I’d recommend prioritizing it over everything else, even Antelope Canyon, as much as I hate to say it. For help with planning a Grand Canyon vacation, including hotels, tours, and itineraries, an excellent site is GrandCanyon.com
Feel free to write in again if we can be of further assistance!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 3:36 PM
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From David
Thank you so much Alley! That was really helpful!
This is the first time I see as patient and responsive guides as you are. Most of the guys just say “see our previous comments”. So, keep it up! Keep on helping the tourists with your precious tips.
November 03, 2019 at 10:31 PM
Dorit Matek
Hi
I Attache our itinerary and I’ll be happy to know what do you think
we will be on may 2020
is there places that you think we must invite hotels in advance
1 Sedona- red rock , fossil creek, Schnebly Road
2 Sedona- Chapel of the Holy Cross , Hike the Sedona View Trail .4 green
3 Grand falls = Chocolate Falls , the Little Painted Desert County Park ,
View points over little colerado
4 Petrified Forest National Park and PAINTED DESERT
What is important for us is the painted desert , where do you think is the best area to see it?
5 Canyon de chelly- I am not sure? What do you think
6 Coal Mine Canyon
Ha Ho No Geh Canyon
Blue canyon
Should we do 3 of them?
7 Little Colorado River Gorge
Grand canyon
8 Grand canyon
9 monument valley it’s a little bit out from the route…what do you think is it worthwhile?
10 Antelope – which one?boat?
Page, horse shoe
Page Badlands- I read about it I don’t remember where and I DON’T FIND ON THE MAP
11-15 Kanab area- 4-5 days 3 of them oregnized tour
Is it too much for this area
Sidestep Canyon – I understand that we need a guide? Do you know somebody?
16-17 Zion- do we need 2 days?
18 bryce
19-20 Red canyon and start road no 12, what do you think ? do we need for that 2 days?
Can we do alone the burr trail?
Hole-In-The-Rock Road
21 Capitol reef
22 arches
23 moab
24 Flying to san fransisco
25 san fransisco
26-27 Road no 1
28 LA
END…….
what do you think? is there places you will skip or add
I would like to read your opinon
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Hi again, Dorit!
Wow, this is some itinerary. You have obviously spent a lot of time planning it, with the help of experts here and elsewhere (as you know, I’ve responded to some of your queries on Facebook 😉
To begin with, the time of year you’re visiting is going to be busy. You absolutely must book all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Trying to “wing it” (travel without reservations, booking hotels as you go) is a recipe for a ruined vacation in this part of the U.S. where some areas don’t have much lodging to begin with, and cities and towns are few and far between. Some attractions, such as Antelope Canyon, are very popular and also book up several months or weeks in advance. Antelope Canyon tour inventory typically opens up in November or December, so start checking availability at least by the Christmas holiday.
Otherwise, this is quite an impressive plan, but still, there are some points on your “wish list” that require a bit of a reality check. Starting with Grand/Chocolate Falls: I’m assuming that you’re going to be in a rental car on this vacation. If that is correct, one thing you need to know is that rental car outlets forbid driving on unpaved roads. Doing so could void your insurance and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. Also, May tends to be “past peak” for water flow from snow melt, so even if you did defy your rental car contract rules to go to Grand Falls, you might not see much water in it. Long story short, I’d recommend taking this place off the list. Instead, give that 3rd day to Sedona. Believe me, you won’t regret that! There is plenty to see and do in this stunning area.
Your itinerary, as it stands, also involves a bit of backtracking (driving the same route more than once) in some areas, which would not be an efficient use of your time. For example, on days 4-8, you’re swinging all the way out to Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly (yes, it is worth it!), Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon, then back to Grand Canyon South Rim, then up to Monument Valley (definitely worthwhile!). It would make more sense to hit Monument Valley after Canyon de Chelly, then Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon (with a hotel stay in Tuba City, AZ), then Grand Canyon South Rim, then Page, AZ (see map).
Regarding this section of your trip, there’s not much in the way of lodging in Monument Valley (Kayenta, AZ), Canyon de Chelly (Chinle, AZ), or Ha Ho Ne Gah/Blue/Coal Mine Canyon (Tuba City, AZ) areas. You might have to get a bit “creative” here and perhaps base yourself in one town, such as Tuba City or Kayenta, and make day trips to the areas you wish to visit. Another important fact: these areas are on Native American Tribal Lands (Navajo and Hopi), and as such, the possession, transport, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. As for whether you can/should tour Ha Ho Ne Gah, Blue, and Coal Mine Canyon, they are located relatively close to one another, so it would stand to reason that you could, but then again, I have not yet had the pleasure of exploring this area. Furthermore, a Hopi Indian guide is required to visit; for the rimside of Coal Mine Canyon, you also must have a Navajo Nation hiking permit to enter that area. Yes, it’s complicated. My advice would be to contact one of the Hopi Tribe authorized guide services and see what they are capable of arranging. These lovely people have called this area home for hundreds of years and even if you end up striking one or more of those locations off your list, they will take you to areas that are just as beautiful and memorable!
When you visit Page, AZ, prioritize touring one of the main branches of Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, or X) on foot. That’s where the “iconic” Antelope Canyon scenery can be found. Time/inclination permitting, you can then tour the waterside of Antelope Canyon by boat. For optimal convenience in the reservations process, consider “bundling” one of the Antelope Canyon land-side (walking) tours with a boat tour. Horseshoe Bend can be visited either on your way into town from Grand Canyon South Rim (parking permitting) or just after sunrise on your 2nd day there. At the time of year you’re visiting, I recommend spending at least 2 days in Page, AZ, so you can also do the wonderful Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. The so-called “Page Badlands,” also known as “The Moon” are actually located near the town of Big Water, Utah, so if you wish to see that area, you can do so on the drive between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Whilst there, also check out the Big Water Visitor Center for its award-winning dinosaur displays, and maybe hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail.
As for whether 4-5 days in Kanab is too much, that’s quite subjective. Goodness knows, you can find a lot to see and do in that area. Sidestep Canyon is a beautiful area, and Kanab is a good place to stay to see that. I do happen to know an excellent guide service for that area, Paria Outpost & Outfitters. They are one of several authorized guide services that cover Sidestep Canyon, but I happen to know the owners of that company personally. Tell them “Alley says ‘hi'” 😉
In my opinion, you should drop at least 1 of those days in Kanab, and give it to Zion. 2 days is most definitely good, 3 or 4 is even better! Use at one of those days to hike The Narrows, May is a good time for it. For Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah is actually a more practical place to stay as that is the central hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, which is mandatory to use if you’re not staying at the Zion Lodge, which books out over a year in advance.
For Utah Scenic Byway 12, two days is a good time frame to allot for this incredibly beautiful drive. If you wish to drive the Burr Trail, you can do it in your own vehicle, but I’d recommend sticking to the paved parts. It’s probably best if you stay off the Hole-in-the-Rock road, though, because it’s unpaved. Instead, take a guided tour from the town of Escalante, Utah, which would make a good place to stay to break up the drive between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.
Towards the end of your trip, where you indicate “flying to San Francisco” after visiting Moab, Utah, have you considered where you’d actually fly from? There is a small commuter airport in the town of Moab, Utah, but if I remember correctly, flights are only available to Denver, CO, which would take you quite a long distance out of your way. You’d probably be best off driving to Salt Lake City, ~3 hours from Moab, UT, and flying out of there.
As for placed I’d add or drop, I wouldn’t change a thing except for the areas I’ve specifically indicated. People visiting this post in the future are bound to be extremely jealous of you for having the time and the resources to take such an extensive trip through the American Southwest! Let us know if you discover anything we’ve left off the list — it can and does happen — and feel free to contact us again if we an be of further guidance.
Best wishes, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 2:42 PM
Jennifer Friedman
Would you recommend this as a family cubscout camping adventure and would March or April be an appropriate time to go?
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Hi Jennifer,
A trip to Page, AZ, would make for an excellent family Cub Scout camping adventure! There’s a lot to see and do here, as you’ve probably already seen.
As for the better time of year to go, April tends to offer more stable weather than March. March is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring and is notorious for having a late season snowstorm blow through. It can happen in April as well, but statistically, April (especially the latter half of the month) offers daytime highs that are pleasant (60’s-70’s), and brisk nighttime lows (40’s). The water temperature in Lake Powell is also a bit on the cool side at that time of year (~55-60 degrees F), but the scouts probably won’t be able to resist taking a dip.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 1:26 PM
Sarit
Thank you for this fantastic read. We are arriving during The Christmas Vacation and I was debating if Page should be on our places to visit or not. Please advise.
Also if we get a spot in Antelope Canyon would it be redundant to also hike Canyon X or any of the other hikes that you offer here? Should we worry about the weather?
Many thanks
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Hi Sarit, and thank you for your compliments!
I wish I knew where else you were planning to visit on your trip, as that would help me advise you better. Still, if you have sufficient time, Page, AZ, should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Ideally, you should have the ability to set aside at least one day and one night to experience it, instead of doing it as a “drive-by” between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas or a quickie day trip from Phoenix or Las Vegas.
As for your query re: other slot canyons to visit, Antelope Canyon X is part of the Antelope Creek drainage system, and does bear some resemblance to Lower Antelope Canyon. Therefore, I do think it would be slightly redundant for you to do that slot canyon in addition to Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. The alternate slot canyon that I’m partial to is Cathedral Slot Canyon (not to be confused with Cathedral Wash). In addition to “iconic” slot canyon scenery, it has some geological features that are unique to it and no other Page, AZ, slot canyon! For more information visit Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours: Cathedral Canyon
As to whether you should worry about the weather, I’ll put it this way: “White Christmases” are common in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Of course, it’s too soon to call at this point, but I’d recommend monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. That will give you the clearest idea of what to expect. In any case, it will be cold, so jackets, gloves, etc. should be packed, and layers worn when out and about sightseeing. Carry a backpack or duffel bag that you can easily stash unneeded clothing in as the day goes on and the body adjusts to the temperature.
Feel free to write in again if we an be of further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 1:19 PM
Heidi Morris
Hi Alley!
I just stumbled across this page and I am so happy I did. All the info you have given to people is incredible! I am going to be arriving in Mesa, AZ on Thursday 1/2/20. From there, I would like to travel with a friend by car to Page for a couple days/nights then drive back to Mesa to fly back out of AZ on 1/6/20. I am slowly getting through all the questions and comments from others, but I am basically completely open to ANYTHING because I just stumbled upon what looks like a beautiful city by searching “things to do in AZ.” Anything you think we CAN’T miss? Of course we want to do Horseshoe Bend and the Antelope Canyon (thinking the lower), but we want to get in as much as we can. Not sure on travel times from are from Mesa to Page and what else we can fit it. If you see this, let me know what else we for sure should do. We are up for anything and everything. Are there tons of hotels to stay in nearby? Something you suggest? Thanks in advance for your reply and for all the info that you provided everyone. You’re knowledge is incredible.
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Hi Heidi, and thank you for your compliments!
Given your flight dates, you have approximately 2.5 days to work with on this trip. Assuming that you’re not wanting to spend one of those days in Mesa, here’s what I’d recommend:
Thursday 1/2/20: Arrive in Mesa, overnight in that area
Friday 1/3/20: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim via Sedona, AZ (~2 hour drive from Mesa, then 3 hour drive to Grand Canyon, ~6-6.5 hour total drive factoring in stops ), have lunch in Sedona, overnight at Grand Canyon
Saturday 1/4/20: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, then other points of interest as desired upon exiting the park, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Sunday 1/5/20: Visit Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ, or drive back to Mesa (~5 hour drive)
Monday 1/6/20: fly home
The feasibility of the above itinerary will depend on two key factors: availability (or lack thereof) of Grand Canyon hotels, and availability (or lack thereof) of Antelope Canyon tours. If needed, you can flip-flop the above itinerary, hitting Page, AZ, first, then the Grand Canyon. You might also consider saving Sedona, AZ, for another trip when you can spend more time there. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do, and you really need 3-4 days minimum to do it justice rather than a quickie drive-by. You are visiting just after the New Year’s holiday which is a relatively busy time, too, so be sure to make all lodging and guided tour reservations ASAP.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the time of year you’re visiting is winter, so be prepared for anything weather-wise, up to and including snow. In the event any local roads are closed due to weather, your best bet is to just stay put and go with the flow. This may necessitate cancelling some plans, but hotels and tour companies tend to be very understanding of those situations and should give you a refund, if it comes to that.
Another important consideration: daylength. At that time of year, it’s short, with sunrise occurring at approximately 7:30 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:30 PM. Be sure to get any and all driving done during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the U.S. don’t have much in the way of supplemental lighting, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about after dusk, which hikes up your risk of having an accident. Definitely not a good vacation memory!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 1:11 PM
Dorit Matek
Hi
we are planing a trip to southwest in may 2020 starting in sedona throw painted desert , blue canyon, page, kanab area and so on to moab can you help us with a few questions, or you work only in antelope?
we made our programme but I want some expert will have a look on it
best regards
dorit
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Hello Dorit!
I would be happy to help with any questions you might have, that I’m able to answer with some degree of authority, anyway 😉
I lived in Page, AZ, for 15 years, Grand Canyon South Rim for 7, and have been to all the other areas you mention, with the exception of Blue Canyon, which looks amazing. I can tell you re: Blue Canyon that a Hopi Tribal Authorized Guide is required to visit that area. Anyway, feel free to write back at your convenience with your American Southwest trip planning questions.
Alley 🙂October 29, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Steve Smith
Alley – you are so very helpful on here! amazing! A friend and I are traveling out in March to run the Antelope Canyon 50 Mile Ultra. We will be flying into and out of Las Vegas. We will get to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend during the race. Here is our loose itinerary. Any suggestions you have would be so appreciated.
Wed – March 11 – arrive Las Vegas, spend the night
Sat – March 14 – race day in Page, nothing this day but the race
Tue – March 17 – depart Las Vegas first thing
I just started looking, I am thinking we take a loop route, counter clockwise. Perhaps seeing the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon South Rim. Then Page for the race. On the way out of Page, maybe Glen Canyon Dam, up to Zion on the way back to Vegas. We will of course be tired from the race but want to see as much as possible while in the area. This could also include just spending time in Page/Lake Powell area.
Any suggestions are appreciated!
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Hey Steve, thanks for your compliments and best of luck in the Antelope Canyon Ultra-Marathon!
Honestly, the order in which you visit the attractions you list will depend largely on hotel availability, or lack thereof. It might be more conducive for you to hit Zion and Bryce en route to Page, or do a Grand Canyon-Page-Zion-Bryce loop.
With that in mind, you could do something along the lines of:
March 11: Arrive in Las Vegas, overnight in Vegas
March 12: Drive to Zion (~4-4.5 hour drive to due construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), spend the day hiking and exploring, overnight in Kanab, UT
March 13: If desired, drive to Bryce Canyon (~90 minutes from Kanab), do some sightseeing, then on to Page, AZ (~3 hours from Bryce) to overnight
March 14: Race day, 2nd night in Page
March 15: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
March 16: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas, with stop at Hoover Dam (~5 hour drive), overnight in Vegas
March 17: Fly home
Again, hotel availability will be the key determining factor in how you put your itinerary together. Start checking on that ASAP, the time of your visit coincides with Spring Break for some schools, so it will be busy!
If needed, you could also do this:
March 11: Arrive in Las Vegas, overnight
March 12: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at South Rim
March 13: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page (~3.5-4 hours), overnight in Page
March 14: Race day, 2nd night in Page
March 15: Drive from Page, AZ, to Zion, overnight in Springdale, UT
March 16: Drive from Springdale to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hours), detour through Valley of Fire State Park, overnight in Las Vegas
March 17: Fly home
Whatever you decide, one important consideration is to do any and all driving during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the country are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), plus deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about at night, which ratchets up your risk of an accident. Daylength also tends to be on the short side in March: sunrise occurs about 6:30 AM, sunset at around 6:30 PM. Utah will be 1 hour ahead of Arizona since the former DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas the latter DOES NOT.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 24, 2019 at 12:52 PM
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From steve
Thank you so much for your insight! Very much appreciated!
October 25, 2019 at 6:47 PM
Jim Yu
Hi! Anybody can tell me if there is cell phone singal or internet sinnal available there in Antelope Canyon ? Thanks!
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Hi Jim,
This is an excellent question. The town of Page, AZ, Antelope Canyon’s nearest gateway community, does have cell phone and internet service. Verizon tends to be the most popular wireless service provider IIRC. As for the Antelope Canyon area, cell phone signal can get spotty once you’re down off the mesa, and within the canyon itself, it typically doesn’t reach since you are enveloped by high canyon walls.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Please check your e-mail for my personal reply to your other inquiry.October 21, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Hal Ambuter
Alley
We are so excited to be going to Antelope Canyon next weekend! We will be driving from Gallup, NM on Saturday morning and arriving in Page around lunch. and then staying all day on Sunday.
We were thinking of visiting either Upper or Lower Canyon on Saturday afternoon….And then on Sunday, visit the other Canyon, Lake Powell tour, and then Horsehoe Bend.
Sound like a good plan?
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Hi Hal and thank you for visiting!
Your plan sounds pretty fun, and realistic. As for “visiting Lake Powell,” remember that it’s huge; it actually straddles the border of two states, Arizona and Utah. Unfortunately, there’s no way to drive around it, but there are several points near Page, AZ, where you can get down to it if you wish. These are: Antelope Point Marina, Lake Powell Resort Marina, and Lone Rock Beach. In all cases, you would have to pay the $25/vehicle National Park Entrance Fee.
Another option would be to “bundle” either your Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon tour with a boat tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina.
For Horseshoe Bend, plan on hitting that just after sunrise, which occurs shortly before 7:00 AM at this time of year. That’s the timeframe when you’re likely to have fewer hassles with parking and fewer people to contend with.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 22, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Stephanie
Hi Alley,
Thank you for writing this article, and for taking the time to reply to everyone’s comments!
My family & I (kids are 11 & 13) will be traveling to Las Vegas in April (April 4 – 11)…..
I think your itinerary will work for us – except I’d like to skip the day at Lake Powell. Plus – I’m wondering with drive times factored in – is there enough time to see the sites we want to see each day? Would you mind taking a look at the rough plan I have so far?
Sat. Apr. 4 – Arrive in Las Vegas; see a Cirque show
Sun. Apr 5- Hoover Dam (maybe do the whole dam tour); drive to Grand Canyon; Stay in hotel at South Rim
Monday – Grand Canyon to Monument Valley (take guided tour of Monument Valley – maybe on horseback); stay in area
Tuesday – Page AZ – Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon; Horseshoe Bend; stay in area
Wed. – Bryce Canyon; stay in area
Thursday – Zion (my favorite park – not sure if daughters will love it as much – did Angels Landing years ago! Won’t do that hike with girls this trip); stay in area
Friday – Return to Vegas
Sat – fly home to East Coast
*We could add another day if we’re missing something, & fly home Sunday – but that makes for an exhausting week back to work & school*
Do we have enough time each day to do all this? I tend to pack too much stuff into everything I do, and while I love this approach to life – it doesn’t always work for my husband, and especially for kids! I do feel like much of the trip will be just scratching the surface of what there is to see/do in the area – but that’s ok. Hopefully the girls will fall in love with this area of the country, and will someday want to return! Any suggestions you have will be much appreciated!
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Hi Stephanie,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and it sounds like you have a realistic expectation of what you can and can’t accomplish this time around.
My only concern is that you’re having to pack up and drive to a new place every. single. day. A little downtime is sure to be welcome somewhere, and the most likely place where you can build this in is Monday April 6th, where you indicate wanting to visit Monument Valley.
For one, lodging in Monument Valley is scarce to begin with, so I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is sold out at this point. Another consideration is that, in my experience, kids aren’t that impressed with it. Don’t ask me why, but that’s just what I’ve observed 😉 If you do decide to take it off the table, what you could do is instead spend 2 nights in Page, AZ, and use your full day to take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, it does not go through any rapids, but is a wonderful family-oriented trip with lots of beautiful scenery and compelling history. If for some reason that does not appeal, and Monument Valley lodging availability doesn’t cooperate, you could visit it as a day trip out of Page, AZ. It’s a 2-hour drive each way, and you’d have to keep an eye on the clock so you’re not doing the return trip at night, plus there’s a time difference (Monument Valley is one hour ahead of Page), but a day visit is doable at that time of year. I know, I’ve done it. Another option: fly over it! Fixed-wing airplane flights over Monument Valley depart from the Page Municipal Airport, run ~90 minutes long, and show you a ton of beautiful scenery in addition to Monument Valley.
When you get ready to return to Las Vegas, plan on making a detour through Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a stunning area, with scenery similar to that of the Coyote Buttes area, and you don’t need a permit to visit. April is a great time to be there since the weather isn’t so hot.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make reservations for all lodging and guided tours (especially Antelope Canyon) well in advance of your trip.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 22, 2019 at 2:01 PM
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From Kim Lynch
Hi Alley,
Your suggestions look amazing! We are looking to do a 7 night RV trip in June. We would like to fly in and out of Vegas and our two must do’s are the Grand Canyon and Moab. Do you have any suggestions on how to best schedule those two locations with a few of the other state parks mixed in? I know we’d like to spend 2 days in Moab.Thanks so much in advance!!
November 03, 2019 at 11:50 AM
Babak Hosseini
Hello,
Is it too late to apply for December 2019? Is there any way to apply?
Thanks
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Hi Babak,
The online lottery for December Coyote Buttes North/Wave hiking permits took place in August. The only possibility now is to try your hand at the walk-in lottery, held daily at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab. During the winter months, weekend hiking permits are drawn on Fridays.
In the very likely event you are not chosen for a walk-in permit either, you might still be able to see The Wave and a ton of other amazing scenery by flying over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. For more information, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com and read “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
If flying is not an option, there are many other areas of the Vermilion Cliffs/Paria Canyon Wilderness Area that are just as beautiful, but don’t require a permit to visit. We are partial to White Pocket, but strongly recommend going with a licensed guide service since the road there is rather tricky to navigate.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 18, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Richard Bills
Alley, you seem to be the go to person for this part of the country. Appreciate all you do to help everyone. My fiancee and I are looking to plan our honeymoon for Spring Break 2020 (April 3 or 4 through April 11 or 12) as she’s a teacher, for roughly 8 days. I know the major spots we would like to hit are the following:
Moab / Bryce / Zion / Kanarraville Falls / Page / Monument Valley (optional if makes sense logistically)
We are coming from the East Coast, so would need to rent a vehicle. Most likely airports we would use are SLC and/or Las Vegas. I understand most of the permits and tours fill up quickly, so I’m trying to get everything planned as soon as possible.
Any recommendations on itinerary for this type of trip? I’ve tried to piece together bits from advice you offered others, but didn’t see anything that didn’t include spending a day or two at the Grand Canyon.
Thanks for your help!
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Hi Richard!
So first off, I’m assuming that you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon. If that is correct, then you should be able to make this itinerary work using either SLC or Las Vegas as a staging city. Which one you end up flying into will most likely come down to who’s got the better airfares, and most of the time, that’s Las Vegas. Another option? You could fly into Las Vegas and out of SLC, or vice versa. Before you commit to that, though, make sure that rental car drop-off fees aren’t too astronomical. Rental car outlets usually aren’t keen on one-way rentals, but to every rule, there are exceptions.
Secondly, the one destination that will probably have to come off the agenda as an overnight is Monument Valley. The reason for this is lodging, or lack thereof. There isn’t much to work with there in the first place, so I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is already sold out for Spring Break 2020. Seeing it shouldn’t be an issue, since it’s right on the way from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT. En route, you could also easily include a stop at Goosenecks State Park, but I’m getting ahead of myself 😉
So, assuming that Las Vegas will be where you fly into/out of, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5-6 hour drive [variance due to construction project taking place on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge]), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 2 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 3 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT via Monument Valley (~5-hour drive), overnight in Moab
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Arches/Canyonlands, 2nd night in Moab
Day 5 – Drive from Moab, UT, to Bryce Canyon via Capitol Reef (5-6 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 6 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Kanarra Falls (~2 hour drive); after hike, drive to Springdale, UT (~1 hour drive), for overnight
Day 7 – Explore Zion National Park, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 8 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hour drive [passing through construction zone mentioned above)
Depending on availability – or lack thereof – of lodging in some locations and/or Antelope Canyon tours, Kanarra Falls permits, etc. you can also flip-flop this itinerary. The only drawback to that would be that you’d have to do the longer drives of the trip on the back end, but then again, long drives are pretty much a given in this part of the U.S.!
If you were to use SLC as your staging city, your itinerary would look something like a “teardrop” shaped loop, with a couple of destinations rearranged for convenience:
Anyway, hope that helps. Please feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 17, 2019 at 1:13 PM
Bala
Hello Alley,
We are planning a one week visit to Phoenix (PHX), Flagstaff (FS), Antelope Canyon(AC, only upper Canyon)/Lake Powell/Horseshoe bend/ Grand Canyon (GC) south rim, GC Village back to Flagstaff , Sedona, and back to Phoenix during last week of Nov, 2019. How cold could it get in any of these areas? Do we need jackets. For someone in their mid fifties with BP issues, could lower antelope canyon pose a challenge or do we just limit ourselves to Upper AC? Is it cooler inside the lower AC slot canyon than on the outside? Since the AC could experience flash flood even if the weather is dry, how could we recognize warning signs? What is the optimal way to do this? Is AC and GC open on 28th Nov, 2019, Thanksgiving day? We were planning PHX (11/24)->Flagstaff (11/25)->AC/Lake Powell (11/26)->GC (11/27)->Flagstaff (11/28)-> Sedona/Phoenix (11/29)->Phoenix (11/30)-> Fly out (12/1). We plan on driving ourselves except for FS to AC which we have not decided if we want to do tour package or do it ourselves with a Navajo tour guide via Antelopecanyonnow.com. We have all the hotel bookings in place for all night stays on dates as shown in braces above, but with cancellation option for all hotel bookings, up to a day before the check-in dates.
Is my plan optimal and is it feasible? Thanks in advance.
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Hi Bala!
Your plan is OK, but the first thing that jumps out at me is that you’re packing up and driving someplace new every single day. IMO a vacation should have some “chill time” where you can kick back and relax. Sedona is the ideal place to build this in, and the way to accomplish it would be to take Flagstaff off the table. Not that it isn’t interesting and that you wouldn’t get to see it; you’d simply do so in between destinations. So here’s how I’d advise modifying your itinerary:
11/24 – Arrive in Phoenix and stay overnight
11/25 – Drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive), stop in Flagstaff, AZ, for lunch, overnight in Page, AZ
11/26 – Tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell , 2nd night in Page, AZ
11/27 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3-3.5 hour drive factoring in stops), stop for lunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight at Grand Canyon
11/28 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hour drive), stop at Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff if desired, overnight in Sedona
11/29 – 2nd day in Sedona, take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, overnight in Sedona
11/30 – Morning in Sedona, drive to Phoenix (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Phoenix
12/01 – Fly home
In answer to your other queries:
How cold could it get in any of these areas? It can get quite cold, and you could encounter snow, especially in areas like Grand Canyon South Rim and Flagstaff. Of course, it’s too soon to call, so start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you travel.
Do we need jackets? Yes, bring them, but be prepared to dress in layers that you can easily remove and stick in a backpack as you acclimate to the outside temperatures.
For someone in their mid fifties with BP issues, could lower antelope canyon pose a challenge or do we just limit ourselves to Upper AC? As someone in her mid-50’s with BP issues, I wouldn’t hesitate to tour Lower Antelope Canyon, but I live 7,000′ above sea level. Everyone is different. You might want to take a look at this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon to judge for yourself. Maybe let your physician see it if you’re unsure.
Is it cooler inside the lower AC slot canyon than on the outside? Yes, by ~10 degrees (F).
Since the AC could experience flash flood even if the weather is dry, how could we recognize warning signs? At the time of year you’re traveling, flash flooding is really not an issue. That’s more of a concern during the late summer/early fall months. In the event extreme weather is expected, your tour company reserves the right to cancel all tours, in which case they will make every effort to reschedule you. If that’s not possible, you’d get a refund.
BTW, with AntelopeCanyonNow.com, you’re still doing a tour. It’s not possible to go to Antelope Canyon on your own.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 15, 2019 at 2:56 PM
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From Rachel
Hi Alley – My family and I are planning a trip to see the Mighty 5 in Utah as well as Grand Staircase, Antelope & Horseshoe in AZ. As a preliminary itinerary, I was thinking of flying into Salt Lake City staying one night there and then on the 2nd morning driving to Moab. I have found a place we are interested in staying while there. Was going to you that as home base for the days we tour Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Would 3 days be enough to see those 3 parks? At some point, we’d make our way across and have our second home base set up in Zion and I was thinking from there we could also hit Bryce, Staircase and Page, AZ. I was thinking 3 more days on the west side. and then we’d plan to fly out of Vegas. So maybe 7 nights? Does this sound reasonable or so you have a better itinerary you can share? Thanks in advance for any advice!
October 29, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Lien Duong
Hi Alley,
I was not sure on going to Page, AZ however, after reading all your advises on your blog, I actually am very excited and looking forward to it. Thank you very much for taking your time in providing details information on Arizona.
My husband and I will be going to Page, AZ, and spend 1 night at Lake Powell Resort 10/17 to 10/18, we had visited the Lower Antelope Canyon in the past, so would like to visit the Upper antelope Canyon this time, however, the tours are sold out. so I have listed few places below as my alternative spots, but not sure in which order, hoping to take advantage of these places as many as I can!
Your recommendation is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Lien
Wed. 10/16 – afternoon, drive from Los Angeles, CA to Vegas and spend a night there.
Thurs 10/17 – depart from Vegas early morning to Page, AZ
Place to visit when I am in Page: Horseshoe Bend, Vermillion Cliffs, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tours, Catherdral slot canyon tour, or Canyon X
Friday 10/18 — depart from Page, AZ to St. George UT aprx. evening time (7pm) and spend a night there
Sat 10/19 depart from St. George UT to Zion for half day, then head home
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Hi Lien,
Glad you’ve decided to visit us in Page, AZ, on your upcoming vacation. October is a great time to visit the American Southwest!
Unfortunately, I have to start things off with a bit of bad news: you don’t have enough time to do the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, via the Vermilion Cliffs (which is a beautiful drive!) will take you anywhere from 6-7 hours minimum due to construction taking place on a section of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge.
That’s going to take the better part of a day right off the bat. The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is an 8-hour commitment as well, due to the water level of Lake Powell. There are two daily departures, one from 7:30 AM-3:30 PM, and another from 12:30 PM-7:30 PM, so as you can hopefully see, it just won’t be practical this time around. But there still might be a way to work it in… more on that in minute.
As for whether you tour Antelope Canyon X or Cathedral, you won’t go wrong with either one! Personally, I’m partial to Cathedral Slot Canyon, because it has both “classic” slot canyon scenery, and some formations you won’t find in any other Page, AZ, slot canyons.
Back on the subject of Rainbow Bridge: since the boat tour is pretty much out of the question, you might consider flying over it in a fixed wing airplane! In just 30 minutes time, you’ll not only get to see Rainbow Bridge, but a ton of other amazing scenery. Mornings are generally regarded as the best time to fly optimal light and lack of wind. For more information, check out the Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful time!
Alley 🙂October 15, 2019 at 2:37 PM
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From Adwoa
Hello Alley,
Is the construction still happening on I-15? we planned on driving in from Vegas at dawn straight to Antelope Canyon. Then drive back same day. I read your post on trying to avoid driving when it was dark so i know if there was still construction, this whole plan would be null lol.
Thanks in advanceNovember 05, 2019 at 1:28 PM
Vinesh
Hey Hi Alley,
Need your advice. When I and my friends Visited Arizona Last year Christmas, we missed Upper Antelope and Monument Valley due to snow. This Thanksgiving we are planning for Utah and also to cover what we miss in Arizona last year. (Nov 27th Evening to December 1st late night)
27th Evening we all start from Las Vegas Airport in Rental car. Figuring out what destination to hit 1st. I planned 1st to visit Antelope and then to Monument Valley and then National Parks in Utah. Upper Antelope was sold out for 28th of November. So my plan fails, please suggest where I can head 1st. Can you please provide plan as such we can visit antelope on December 1st and be able to go back to Las Vegas Airport.
Again we will be back to Las Vegas Airport early hours of December 2nd, late night of December 1st. (Most of our flights departs 6 AM, Monday, December 2nd.)
Planned in Utah: ( We do mostly sight seeing, will not do any kind of adventures like kayaking as such)
1. Dead Horse Point.
2. Arches National Park.
3. Canyonlands National Park.
4. Bryce Canyon National Park.
5. Zion National Park.
6. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
7. Bonneville Salt Flats.
8. Great Salt lake/ Salk lake city.
Appreciate your time and suggestions.
Thanks again and again.
Waiting for your response.
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Hi Vinesh,
Sorry to hear that you weren’t able to visit Antelope Canyon last year due to inclement weather. We hope it cooperates with you better this year!
I really wish you had a week or more to spend, because that’s the only way you’d be able to hit all the attractions on your wish list. Unfortunately, you only have 3 full days to work with, and as such, your itinerary will have to be trimmed back substantially. The areas near Salt Lake City (Bonneville Salt Flats, etc.), for example, are simply too far away to be practical. Ditto for Moab, UT (Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, etc.), so take them off the agenda as well.
As for the order in which you do the rest of it, that will depend on when you can find availability for Antelope Canyon tours. If you can get on an early morning tour on December 1st, here’s what you can do:
November 27th – Arrive in Las Vegas, stay overnight
November 28th – Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park (~4-4.5 hour drive due to construction project taking place on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), sightseeing in Zion, overnight in Kanab, UT
November 29th – Drive from Kanab, UT (~90 minute drive), to Bryce Canyon National Park, return to Kanab, UT, for 2nd overnight after sightseeing in Bryce
November 30th – Drive from Kanab, UT, to Monument Valley (~3 hour drive), return to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), for the night ***I propose this method because lodging in Monument Valley is most likely sold out, but keep an eye on the time so you are not doing any of the return trip to Page, AZ, in the dark. If this does not appeal, you could consider flying over Monument Valley out of Page, AZ, by fixed wing airplane***
December 1st – Tour Antelope Canyon, drive back to Las Vegas (~5-6 hour drive [see above reference to construction delays, which may apply on this leg of your trip as well]), overnight in Las Vegas
December 2nd – Fly home
Here’s wishing you safe travels and good weather,
Alley 🙂October 15, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Gwen Schreier
Hi Alley,
I am hoping you can give me some direction! My family consists of myself, husband and 3 sons (15, 13, 10). I would like to visit the Grand Canyon June 2020. Other areas of interest would be Bryce, Zion, Sedona and possibly a stop at Hoover Dam. What other areas are must sees? We will be flying from our home in PA. I am thinking flying to Las Vegas will be the most economical. I would like to finish up the trip by spending a day or 2 in Vegas. I like to include a lot of experiences and adventures on our vacations. Could you recommend a possible itinerary? Please include possible excursions: hiking (max. 5 miles), helicopter tours, jeep rides, train trip (with the staged hold up), rafting, boat rides, etc.
Thank you so much.
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Hi Gwen,
I hope you have more than 1 week to spend, because there’s a lot to see and do out here!
One thing I’d advise right off the bat is to skip the Grand Canyon Railway trip. Not that it isn’t fun, but it’s not a very efficient use of what’s bound to be limited time: for one, it takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to make a trip that would only take you 1 hour by car. Another consideration is that you don’t actually see the Grand Canyon from the train; you don’t see it until you get to the park and get off the train. Upon arriving in the park, you only get 3.5 hours to explore, and without a vehicle, you will be limited to sightseeing within Grand Canyon Village, which is only the “tip of the iceberg.” If your interest in the Grand Canyon Railway stems from a love for old trains, you might get an early start out of Sedona so you can stop in Williams to see it take off, or venture down to the Grand Canyon Railway depot down the hill from the El Tovar Hotel to watch it arrive. Or consider the Grand Canyon Railway Express tour from the South Rim, where you are driven to Williams, AZ, by bus in the morning, and take the train back to the park, arriving back in time for lunch. For more information on why the Grand Canyon Railway may not be the best way to go this time around, watch this video on GrandCanyon.com: Should We Take The Train or Drive?
With that out of the way, here’s what I would suggest, using Las Vegas as a staging city as you originally planned:
Day 1 – Arrive in Las Vegas, stay the night
Day 2 – Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~5 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
Day 3 – Take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona
Day 4 – Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, w/optional stop in Williams, AZ, to see GCRy depart (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon or Tusayan
Day 5 – Morning hike to Cedar Ridge (3 miles round trip), or Grand Canyon helicopter tour, then drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), brunch/lunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
Day 6 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Float Trip or Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, 2nd night in Page
Day 7 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon National Park (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), optional Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike en route, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 8 – Drive from Bryce to Zion National Park (~2-2.5 hour drive w/stops), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 9 – Hike The Narrows or Angel’s Landing, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 10 – Drive back to Las Vegas (3.5-4.5 hour drive depending on whether Virgin River Gorge construction project has been completed)
Day 11 – Las Vegas
Day 12 – Fly home
As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun to be had out here, and if you can spend more time, that’s even better! Check out this sample 14 Day Itinerary in Northern AZ & Southern UT on our companion site, HorseshoeBend.com
One thing to keep in mind is that the time of year you’re visiting is going to be hot, therefore, any vigorous activities should be done as early as possible to avoid the peak heat of mid-day. Also: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Be sure everyone in your party is carrying water, and drinking it, at all times.
First priority at this point is to book your lodging. In-park lodging especially tends to book out months in advance and might already be full. If you find that to be the case, look to the nearest gateway communities for your hotels. In November or December, 2020 seat inventory for Antelope Canyon tours will be opened up. That’s the 2nd most time-sensitive element of your itinerary.
Hope that helps. Feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance!
Alley 🙂October 15, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Brenda Soucy
Bonjour,
Comment dois-je faire pour réserver un tour dans lower antelope canyon et par la suite aller faire une excursion en kayak au lake powell? et quel est le prix par personne?
Merci
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Bonjour Brenda,
Pour réserver une visite de Lower Antelope Canyon, vous devez contacter l’une des deux agences de voyage de Lower Antelope Canyon, qui sont les suivantes:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours http://lowerantelope.com/ 928-606-2168
Dixie Ellis ’Antelope Lower Canyon Tours http://antelopelowercanyon.com 928-640-1761
Pour un tour en kayak du bord de l’eau du canyon Antelope, contactez:
Kayak caché dans le canyon http://www.lakepowellhiddencanyonkayak.com/ 928-660-1836 ou Kayak Lake Powell
https://www.kayakpowell.com/ 928-660-0778Traduction française par Google Translate
November 11, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Julie
Hi there Alley!
My girlfriends (group of 6 lovely ladies) and I are planning to visit Antelope canyon on October 26th. We are flying into Vegas and are driving to the Canyon. Do you have any recommendations for what tour to book? We are torn between the upper versus lower antelope canyon. We all love hiking and great views. And of course, we are looking to snap beautiful photos!
I appreciate any advice you have to offer.
Thanks!
Julie
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Hey Julie!
If you ladies enjoy hiking and great views, then Lower Antelope Canyon would be my recommendation. However, don’t be surprised to find that tours there are already sold out. The place is that popular! If you find that to be the case, consider one of several alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful but far less crowded. I’m partial to Cathedral Canyon because it has iconic slot canyon scenery and some unique rock formations that resemble Coyote Buttes.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 10, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Deneen
Hello Alley,
Thank you for such great information. I’m planning to run the Lake Powell Half Marathon this weekend and want to add a bit of sightseeing to my agenda. Flying into Vegas on Friday, 10/11, arrival 9:00 AM. Driving to Page, AZ. What sights should I consider on the drive? Also, trying to fit in Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Rainbow Bridge. I will only have Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon/evening. Driving back to Vegas early Sunday. Is it possible to a see all and any suggestions on order and/or tour options would be appreciated. Thank you! —Deneen
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Hi Deneen and good luck in the race this weekend!
Coming from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, you could do one of two things to make the most of the drive:
1. detour through Zion National Park, or
2. detour on US89A by the Vermilion Cliffs/Marble Canyon area
Either one will tack another 90 minutes-2 hours onto your drive time, but if you don’t expect to return to the area anytime soon, you should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the sights. Just be sure you’re at your final destination for the day before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to local roads that have very little ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife that could pose a safety hazard. Sunset this weekend will occur 6:00 PM Arizona time.
With the time you have, you should be able to see Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend without a problem, provided there are seats available on Antelope Canyon tours. Horseshoe Bend can be visited at your leisure, parking permitting, anytime between the hours of sunrise and sunset. A guided tour is required to visit Antelope Canyon and the majority of local slot canyons. At this late date, don’t be surprised if Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, in which case, you might look to one of many alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Unfortunately, Rainbow Bridge is where we run into a problem. It’s not possible to drive there as it’s 50+ miles uplake from Page, AZ, and there are no roads that go into that area. Hiking there is a multi-day commitment that requires a permit from the Navajo Tribe, something you don’t have time to arrange. The other option would be to take a boat tour, but that takes the better part of a day, which again, you don’t appear to have at your disposal. The only option you appear to have available would be to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, contingent on good weather and mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and less wind. Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 10, 2019 at 2:39 PM
Maddie
Hi – Me and a photographer are planning to take commercial pictures at the antelope canyon. We are traveling in from Germany and carry very small equipment with us – what is the best person / general email address I could write to in order to talk everything through in detail? I prefer emailing to calling as it is a couple of different matters I would need advice on and I can’t seem to be able to open this link you have directed people to before: navajonationparks.org/permits/commercial-film-photography/
Thank you very much!
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Hi Maddie,
Sorry about the troubles with that link. It appears that their site may be down temporarily.
E-mail addresses for Antelope Canyon tour outfitters (since you’ll ultimately be traveling with one) are as follows:
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours – chieftsosie@yahoo.com
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours – tours@antelopecanyon.com
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – phone 928-310-9458 or 928-691-0244 (sorry, couldn’t find an e-mail)
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours – aacptreserve@gmail.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 09, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Sarah
There is so much helpful information here! Thank you! We are planning a trip the week of April 4-11. We’re from Virginia and have never been out west, and while we want to see as much as we can, this is also a much needed vacation. We want to do some hiking and relaxing with our 14 and 10 year old and we want to avoid chilly temps. Ideally we would have a day or two at the end to relax and maybe splurge at a nicer resort type place. We aren’t much on crowds and just want to get a taste of the terrain, food, culture, and history. Would flying into Vegas and doing a loop from Zion to Bryce to Page to Grand Canyon to Sedona to Phoenix be doable? That still feels like a lot of moving around and probably going between many crowded tourist spots. If we wanted to make that a slower paced trip, what should we eliminate? Do you have any particular lodging recommendations? Is there a hidden gem somewhere near Phoenix/Sedona that would be ideal for 24 hours of pampering for a family? I feel like Sedona will be pretty but also crowded. We don’t need to see the “ultimate” sites as long as we can get a taste of it. New landscapes, easy to moderate hikes, a day or two of relaxing, and unplugging is what we are really going for. Obviously, I’m overwhelmed and your site seems to be the best source of detailed information I’ve found so far. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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Hey Sarah and thanks for visiting our site!
If you’re wanting to avoid chilly temps, you might have chosen the wrong time to visit. Early April is in the “transitional” zone between winter and spring, and is notorious for late season snowstorms coming in from out of nowhere, especially at higher altitudes such as Zion and the Grand Canyon. Temperatures in Page and Sedona are usually pleasantly brisk at that time, while Phoenix will be on the balmy side. Unfortunately, if you wish to avoid crowds, too, you’re visiting over the Spring Break holiday, so things will be busy.
That said, a loop from Vegas to Phoenix should be doable, assuming that April 4th and/or 11th aren’t travel days from/to home. Here’s what I’d recommend
April 4th – drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park (~4.5 hour drive), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park (add another 1-2 hours to the drive time), overnight in Springdale, UT
April 5th – sightseeing in Zion, using free park shuttle, 2nd night in Springdale
April 6th – drive from Springdale, UT, to Bryce (~2-2.5 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
April 7th – drive from Bryce to Page, AZ (~3 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
April 8th – take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, 2nd night in Page
April 9th – visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in photo stops, bathroom breaks, meals [Cameron Trading Post is highly recommended!], etc.), overnight at Grand Canyon
April 10th – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hour drive), overnight in Sedona or Village of Oak Creek
April 11th – fly home
If the prospect of Sedona doesn’t appeal for the “chill time” portion of your holiday, you might consider flip-flopping the above itinerary (fly into Phoenix/out of Las Vegas) and use St. George, Utah, as your final “unplug and relax” destination. Like Sedona, it is surrounded by beautiful scenery, and is about 2.5 hours from Las Vegas.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 09, 2019 at 2:59 PM
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From Sarah Brown
This is very helpful! Thank you so much! I had never heard of st. George. I’ll explore that a little bit and make some decisions. Thanks again!
October 09, 2019 at 10:57 PM
Sally Hawkins
Hi Alley,
Was looking for some advice for late November trip. We are plan to fly to Vegas late November.
Here’s the initial plan. (Very flexible)
Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas late evening. Overnight in Vegas.
Day 2: Stop by Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire (no tours), Leave around 3pm driving to Page, AZ. Stay overnight.
Day 3: Horseshoe Bend (no tour), Antelope Canyon (Upper Tour). Leave Page, AZ around 3pm to Grand Canyon South. Stay overnight in GC area.
Day 4: Spend all day at GC South (no tour). Stay overnight in GC area. Should I leave GC late afternoon to Sedona or is it best to stay overnight at GC area?
Day 5: Drive to Sedona. Walk around. Visit one of Vortex area. Any other ideas? I’m not looking for any hiking. Leave Sedona late afternoon to drive to Phoenix. Stay overnight in Phoenix.
Day 6: Fly out of Phoenix @5PM.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Sally and thank you for visiting our site!
If you were traveling during the summer months, I wouldn’t hesitate to say, “go for it.” However, you’re traveling during a time of year when daylength is rapidly shortening and in this part of the U.S., you want to be sure to do any and all driving during daylight hours. The reasons for this are because local roads are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), which tends to attract deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife. Trust me, you don’t want to hit a deer in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (if you manage to get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive!
Another important consideration, especially on that first day, is going to be a time difference: Nevada is on Pacific Time, and Arizona is on Mountain Time, which means you will “lose” an hour traveling from Las Vegas to Page. Sunrise in Las Vegas will occur at around 6:30 AM, and sunset in Page, AZ, will take place just after 5:00 PM (local time). This means you have less than 12 hours of daylight to work with. It will take approximately one hour to drive from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam; it will then take about 2 hours to drive from Hoover Dam to Valley of Fire State Park. If you restrict your activities there to a quick drive-by, and a couple of stops at points of interest near the road, you could scoot by with about a 2-hour visit. After that, you’re looking at at anywhere from a 4-5 hour drive from Valley of Fire to Page, AZ. The reason for the variance is because there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could hold you up anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Long story short, you should plan on leaving the Valley of Fire area no later than 12:00 noon if you want to make it to Page, AZ, by nightfall.
Similarly, you should also plan on leaving Page, AZ, earlier than 3:00 PM. Here, I’d also suggest 1:00 PM as “blast-off” time. The drive from the Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, is given on Google Maps, MapQuest, etc., as 2.5 hours; realistically, is more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures. Photo ops and points of interest on the drive South include, but are not limited to, the “Cut” Overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Chinle formation views (rock formation found in the Painted Desert), the Cameron Trading Post (great place to stop for a late lunch/early dinner!), the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon within the park boundaries… just to name a few. Because you’ll end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, you can scoot by with one night at the Grand Canyon, and you may indeed want to give that 2nd night at the South Rim to Sedona. Sedona is a stunning area, and you’ll definitely want to spend more time there than just a quickie drive by on the way to Phoenix! In fact, I’d even suggest taking that night you propose to spend in Phoenix and giving it to Sedona, too. Trust me, you won’t regret it! There’s plenty to see and do there. Plus it takes only 2-2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Phoenix, so with a 5:00 PM flight, you should be fine to drive over that morning.
At the time of year you’re visiting, keep in mind that most of the destinations on your itinerary will be cooling off, so pack a jacket, gloves, etc., just to be safe.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 09, 2019 at 2:34 PM
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Hi Alley,
I have been living in your site for a week now to come up with an itinerary for our trip on Nov 11-15 with my husband, mom and dad. I’d like to get your thoughts:
Nov 11 – Leave at 6am from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Sightseeing, helicopter tour (possible?), overnight
Nov 12 – More sightseeing til Lunch, drive to Page @ 1pm, Horseshoe bend sunset, overnight
Nov 13 – Lower and Upper Antelope + Lake Powell combo tour, overnight
Nov 14 – Drive to Zion NP, overnight
Nov 15 – Sunrise Hike @ Zion NP, drive back to Las Vegas after lunchMy mom and dad are coming from SEAsia and their only request is to see as much of the Grand Canyon as they can. I kind of want to spend more time in the South RIm but as I’ve read, the South Rim-Page drive has a lot of viewpoints that’s why i included Zion NP there. Would love for anymore suggestions from you. I’m finalizing everything so I can book the hotels and tours this weekend.
October 09, 2019 at 8:24 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Cha!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun and well-planned. If your folks are coming all the way from SE Asia, they should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to see as much as they can! Strange as it may sound, one night at the South Rim should be more than sufficient, because a good chunk of your sightseeing at the Grand Canyon will occur on the drive to Page, AZ. The route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, which has over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park, you’ll then be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, which has many points of interest as well! These include, but are not limited to, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (good stop for lunch), Chinle formation views (rock formations similar to the Painted Desert), the “Cut” Overlook, and, parking permitting, you can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town.
Where you indicate you might want to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour on your travel day from Las Vegas, I’d recommend doing that first thing in the morning on November 12th. Mornings in general are better times for flying due to light conditions (more shadow play on the canyon walls due to angle of the sun) and lack of wind. At the time of year you’re visiting, the first flights of the day go out at 9:00 AM.
Do make sure that you’re on the road from Grand Canyon Village to Page, AZ, no later than 1:00 PM since the drive can take as long as 4 hours due to the potential number of stops you might make. It’s important to get all driving done by nightfall in this part of the U.S. since area roads are very dimly lit, and nocturnal wildlife such as deer, elk, and even free range cattle and wild horses, like to congregate near them. A collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty to non-existent, and where help will be a long time coming (and very expensive) is an unnerving experience that we don’t want you to have! Sunrise takes place at ~7:00 AM, and sunset occurs at around 5:15 PM at the time of year you’re visiting.
For the Zion leg of your trip, Springdale, UT, would be the best place to stay since it’s on the Western border of the park, which places you well for the drive back to Las Vegas. On the return trip to Vegas, be prepared to encounter slight delays due to a long-term construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Hopefully you do not have anything time-sensitive scheduled for that evening. Due to the difference in time zones between Utah and Nevada, sunset in Las Vegas will occur at ~4:30 PM.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 10, 2019 at 2:10 PM
Stephanie
Hello,
We will be visiting from Australia and spending 5 days driving between Phoenix and Salt Lake City, late Dec, early Jan.
Hoping to show our kids (6 & 8) Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon on the way but absolutely lost as to where we should aim to stay to do this!
Any help much appreciated 🙂
Steph
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Hi Stephanie!
For visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, the town you want to stay in is Page, Arizona. It is situated just minutes from both attractions, and has a fine selection of traditional hotels and vacation rentals.
Hopefully, you’re planning on taking advantage of the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon as well!
One thing to be careful about at the time of year you’re visiting, however, is that it’s winter. Snow is a very real possibility in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, so hopefully your schedule has some “wiggle room” in case you find yourself delayed or detoured by inclement weather.
Remember also that the time of year you’re traveling is the Christmas/New Year’s holidays, so it will be busy. Be sure to book all lodging and Antelope Canyon tours ASAP.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Kat
Hi Alley,
We’ll be visiting Las Vegas and Arizona this month, october 21-25. Is it possible to visit grand canyon south rim, antelope, and horseshoe bend in one day? FYI, we’ll be driving from Vegas. Thanks for your help.
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Hi Kat,
The short answer to your question (“Is it possible to visit grand canyon south rim, antelope, and horseshoe bend in one day?”) – no.
The long answer to your question is it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes ~3 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, where it will take at least 4 hours to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. You’d then be facing a 5-6 hour drive from Page, AZ, back to Las Vegas. So that’s 13-14 hours of driving (factoring in restroom breaks, photo ops, meals, etc.), and 4-5 hours of touring, when you only have 11 hours of daylight to work with.
Sorry, but the math just doesn’t add up. You need to set aside at least 2 days to pull all that off; better yet 3 days/2 nights if you don’t want to feel as though you’re racing against the clock the whole time.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Tiffany
Hi Alley,
First off, this is a great site. The Q&As and advice on here is very helpful for trip planning.
My itinerary below is part of a larger 19 night/20 day road trip that ends in California. My husband and I are traveling with our 2 youngest (they will be 3 and 15) and my mother. We’re leaving the last of May (28 or 29) 2021.
3 nights Las Vegas
Day 1, late arrival, night 1
2 days/2 nights, open
3 nights Zion National Park
Day 1, after Hoover Dam Tour arrive at park, night 1
Day 2, park tour via vehicle, night 2
Day 3, hike the Narrow to Wall Street, night 3
1 night Lake Powell
Day 1, lake tour, night 1
2 nights South Rim Grand Canyon
Day 1, see Horseshoe Bend and tour Upper Antelope Canyon arrive at Grand Canyon, night 1
Day 2, tour Grand Canyon (non-hiking), night 2
1 night Phoenix
Day 1, see Sedona in route to Phoenix, night 1
Drive to California
Point: We want to avoid night driving and minimize outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
1. How is my itinerary? Is it too much fluff time? Am I overlooking any major must sees or stops?
2. Is it possible for us to be more efficient so that we can bank more time for California without rushing?
3. Our main reason for adding the Sedona /Phoenix portion is to avoid the longer drive through the desert. I’ve read that South Rim Grand Canyon to Los Angeles is a hard drive full of nothing. Is this true? My fear is that the long haul drive during the day will be too much for a 3 year old.
4. If we keep the Phoenix portion, we’re considering running the itinerary in reverse. Start in Phoenix, leaving Las Vegas going to California. Having the longer rest stop in Vegas may be better than having the 1 day in Phoenix. Will doing the itinerary in reverse have a big impact in terms of temperatures and crowds? Will there be a big difference in water levels in the Narrows? Me, my husband, and teen will be making the hike.
5. Lastly, since the Grand Canyon is now a Dark Skies Park, any suggestions on activities or locations?
Thanks,
Tiffany
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Hey Tiffany!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and I don’t think it has too much “fluff” time at all — we’d rather see folks take their Southwest vacations at a nice, relaxed pace instead of a daily race against the clock in an attempt to cram as many destinations as possible into their trip. It’s also great that you’re planning things well in advance.
Still, your plan warrants a couple of minor observations and reality checks.
On Day 1 of the Zion leg of your trip, going to Hoover Dam beforehand will add another 90 minutes onto a long-ish drive since it’s in the “wrong direction.”
I’d recommend doing Hoover Dam on one of your “open” days in Las Vegas, or, on the way back to Las Vegas if you opt to return there instead of Phoenix at the end of your trip. Instead, take the easy detour to the stunning Valley of Fire State Park on the way to Zion. Get an early start out of Las Vegas if you want to take us up on that as VOF does get hot during the day.
When you say “tour the park by vehicle” on day 2, keep in mind that you’ll only be allowed to drive into Zion Canyon in your own vehicle if you are staying at the Zion Lodge. Since you are planning so far ahead, you should be able to manage that, but keep in mind that the Zion Lodge books up one year in advance. Be ready to reserve a room first thing in the morning on May 1st, 2020! If you end up staying anywhere else, such as Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT, you’ll need to utilize the free park shuttle to access Zion Canyon.
If you want to include Sedona in your itinerary, that’s great, it’s a gorgeous area, but honestly, doing it as a “drive-by” between Grand Canyon South Rim and Phoenix won’t do it justice. You need at least 2-3 days to at least “scratch the surface.” You might want to trim a day off Las Vegas, and even 1 day off Grand Canyon South Rim in order to accommodate that. Crazy as that may sound, you can scoot by with 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim because a good chunk of your sightseeing will take place on the drive from (or to) Page, AZ.
If you opt to skip Phoenix and do a Las Vegas to Las Vegas loop instead, you might add Bryce Canyon to your itinerary. One day in this area is sufficient since it’s a small park, square mileage-wise. For more information on a “classic” American Southwest trip itinerary using Las Vegas as a staging city, check out our “Ultimate 7 Day Itinerary in Northern AZ & Southern UT”
You are correct in that the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Los Angeles is a “whole lot of nothing” that might be a little much for a 3-year-old to handle. If you do decide to flip-flop the itinerary, it will be “six of one/half a dozen of another” in terms of temperatures, crowds, water levels in the Narrows, etc. Bear in mind that you’re traveling during the Memorial Day holiday, so it will be busy everywhere.
Regarding Grand Canyon’s newly acquired status as a Dark Sky Park, star-gazing and astronomy programs may indeed be occurring, but it’s too soon to call this far out. Maybe check the Grand Canyon National Park events calendar a little closer to your trip date to see what’s going on. Check the other parks as well as they all take steps to preserve the natural quality of the night sky, even if they’re not yet “officially” recognized as Dark Sky Parks.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 2:57 PM
Kanchan Mohitey
Hi Alley,
Thanks you so much for all the detailed travel information you share with the people who post on this forum. You are awesome.
I am planning to drive from Las vega to Page on 6th December and want to go to Arizona further on 7th Dec staying 1 day in Page.
Travelling with family (older kids). Can you please suggest a suitable iternary that would I should plan so that will help me cover all the Page beautiful spots ( horseshoe-lower/upper canyon / etc) in the off season of Dec.
I hear that winter months the views of canyon are not at its best so please suitable suitable time for the tours as well.
Thank you in advance.
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Hi Kanchan,
Honestly, the manner in which you plan your itinerary will come down to availability of Antelope Canyon tours. Book a tour that fits your schedule, then plan the remainder of your activities around it. For Horseshoe Bend, just after sunrise is the best time to visit since the overlook tends to get crowded between 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and then again at sunset. In the winter months, it’s not so much that the views aren’t great (they still are), but some activities such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip and the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour are on seasonal hiatus. If you do a water-based activity, it’s best to keep it short for the sake of your family’s comfort due to colder weather. Antelope Canyon waterside tours from Antelope Point Marina are a good choice, which can be “bundled” with Antelope Canyon slot canyon tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 2:28 PM
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From Jessica
Hi Alley,
Can I run this itinerary by you!
May 17 – Scottsdale
May 18 – Prescott
May 19 – Grand Canyon
May 20 – Page (Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon)
May 21 – Zion National Park
May 22 – Lake Powell
May 23 – Sedona
May 24 – Leave from Phoenix AirportDoes that seem doable?
October 07, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Teresa
Hello ,
For 1 day max tour from Las Vegas to page, do you only offer to visit lower antelope canyon in this itinerary ? Or you also offer upper Antelope Canyon ? I would like to visit both upper and lower antelope canyon. I have looked at the bundle for upper and lower antelope canyon package, but I will have to drive from Las Vegas to page and the driving is a little bit too long as I am departing from Las Vegas around night and then drive all the way page will be very late. Any advise ?
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Hi Teresa,
MaxTours’ Las Vegas-Antelope Canyon Tour package only goes to one branch of Antelope Canyon. If you wish to visit both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, you will have no other option except to drive yourself. At 5 hours each way, I know it’s a long drive. If you have a problem with that, which I don’t blame you one bit for, you’ll need to rearrange your schedule so that you can stay overnight in Page, AZ. You won’t regret doing so as it will allow you to enjoy Antelope Canyon and everything else the area has to offer at a more relaxed pace, with more freedom and flexibility.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 2:11 PM
ANNA
Hello
Can I apply in October for December or it has to be only August? Thank you
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Hi Anna,
The online lottery process for December Wave permits takes place in August. On the rare occasions that permits are cancelled or returned prior to December, the BLM will post these on their calendar, but again, that doesn’t happen often. Your best bet will be to try your hand at the walk-in lottery at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab. Walk-in permits are issued the day before you wish to hike, so be sure to arrange lodging in Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ, for both the day you apply for the walk-in permit and the following day in case your party is chosen to hike The Wave.
In the very likely event that you are unable to hike The Wave, there might still be a way you can see it, and that is to fly over it. Airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. Neither aircraft will land in the Coyote Buttes area, and the trip will be pricey, but you’ll see a lot of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Linda
Hi Alley,
I’d like your input for a trip I am planning with my three teenagers (14, 14 and 18) in early April. It involves a fair amount of hiking, and lots of sightseeing. This is the plan so far:
– April 4 – arrive in Las Vegas mid-morning (9am), tour Hoover Dam, then on to the the west rim of the Grand Canyon, and finally lodge in Tusayan for 2 nights
– April 5 – hike Grand Canyon (Bright Angel Trail or Kaibab Trail)
– April 6 – drive to Page, see Horseshoe Bend, maybe Marble Canyon? (I figure on a lot of scenic stops along the way), lodge in Page
– April 7 – tour/hike Antelope Canyon (Lower, and maybe Upper?). see Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam, drive to Moab, lodge in Moab for 2 nights
– April 8 – Whitewater rafting in Westwater Canyon (fingers crossed)
– April 9 – Hikes in Arches and Canyonlands, then drive to Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase Escalante, finally lodging in Bryce Canyon
– April 10 – Hike in Bryce Canyon, drive to Zion, lodge one night
– April 11 – Hike in Zion, drive to Las Vegas, see the sights late afternoon, night, lodge in Las Vegas
– April 12 – flight home mid-day
I realize it’s ambitious, but is it possible? I figured that doing the drive after a day of hiking would be ok, as long as we can get to our destination before dark (hopefully). What are your suggestions? I have the lodging pretty well booked at this point. Thank you for all the input you can offer!
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Hi Linda, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. I was working over the weekend!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I’d still recommend making a couple of minor changes.
On your first travel day, for example, you propose to drive to Tusayan via Grand Canyon West. This is a lot of driving for one day’s time. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West. It would then take you another 4.5 hours or so to drive from GC West to Tusayan.
That’s at least 7-8 hours of driving (factoring in restroom breaks, the inevitable photo op, etc.) in one day. Another consideration at the time of year you’re traveling is daylength: in early April, it’s still relatively short. Sunrise occurs at ~6:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 7:00 PM. You’d need to time your trip so that you’re not doing any of the drive at night. Roads in this part of the U.S. tend to be very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies, plus deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to be wandering about after dusk. Believe me, you don’t want to get into a collision with a large mammal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty (or nonexistent), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In light of those concerns, I would recommend either skipping Grand Canyon West, or lodging that first night somewhere between Grand Canyon West and Tusayan, maybe Kingman, AZ, or Laughlin, NV.
On April 5, where you indicate you want to “hike Grand Canyon,” I hope you’re referring to a day hike, because attempting to hike rim to river and back in one day is strongly discouraged. Fortunately, there are many day hikes available in the Grand Canyon that will be fulfilling and fun for your family. If you opt for anything on the South Kaibab Trail, remember that the trailhead parking lot is closed to private vehicles and you will need to utilize a shuttle to get there, which is free of charge.
On April 6, plan on the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page taking at least 3.5-4 hours, longer if you detour to Marble Canyon. It’s a very scenic drive with lots of photo opportunities, especially between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. There over half a dozen named Grand Canyon Viewpoints along this route, not including the fascinating Tusayan Ruins & Museum. Plan on stopping at either the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch, or, if you do make the detour to Marble Canyon, you might grab a bagel or muffin for breakfast at your hotel, then save your appetite for the Cliff Dweller’s Restaurant. However you decide to go, again, keep an eye on the time so you’re at your hotel well before nightfall. If by chance you arrive in Page, AZ, around sunset, you might find the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend full already. If this takes place, plan on hitting it just after sunrise the following morning.
On April 7, where you propose to tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon before driving to Moab, UT, here again, you’ll need to make sure you’re on the road so that you’re settled into your hotel well before dusk. The drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT, will take you at least 5 hours, but don’t be surprised if you end up taking more like 7 because – surprise surprise LOL – it’s a beautiful drive that will take you through Monument Valley, and the Eastern flank of Bears Ears National Monument.
One factor working in your favor is the fact that Utah DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, where Arizona (most of it, anyway) does not. Even though you will “lose” an hour traveling from AZ to UT, sunset in Moab will occur at around 8:00 PM, which buys you a little time. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tours as soon as possible. Seat inventory for 2020 will open up in November or December, and the time of year you’re traveling is Spring Break, so demand for tickets will be high.
On April 9, where you indicate “hiking in Arches and Canyonlands,” chances are, you’ll only get to do one or the other. Both parks are huge, with lots of opportunities for exploration. Frankly, this area needs 4-5 days to fully explore and enjoy. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return trip before you leave the Moab, UT, city limits! Ditto for Capitol Reef and Grand Staircase, but seeing these areas on a “drive-by” basis is better than not seeing them at all. Here again, the drive time is given as 5 hours on Google maps, but plan for it to take longer.
This leg of the trip in particular (Utah Scenic Byway 12) is absolutely stunning, and you will be stopping to take photos often! One thing to remember about Bryce is that it’s 8,000′ above sea level, so it will be cooler up there, possibly even snowing. Pack jackets, gloves, etc., and be prepared to dress in heavier layers that you can easily remove and put back on if needed.
Zion National Park is another area that deserves more of your time, but at least you’ve given it one night, which is better than nothing at all. If you’ve booked lodging inside the park, that’s pretty sweet! On your way back to Las Vegas, plan on making a detour through Valley of Fire State Park. Gorgeous area, with rock formations a lot like “The Wave,” but you don’t need a permit to get in.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 07, 2019 at 2:01 PM
SUSAN A Thomas
Hi Alley,
I just visited your website and it was very interesting and informative I just need a few suggestions from you for the arizona trip we are planning this month october 20-27. we will I was thinking of driving to sedona after renting the car and spent 2 days in sedona. our itinary is as follows: please make changes if it is not doable.
Day 1 sunday : fly into phoenix and take rental car and drive to sedona
day2&3 monday and tuesday . spent 2 days in sedona
day 3. wednesday : drive to page and see antelope canyon and horse shoe bend
day 4. thursday :other attractions in page like, lake powell, monument valley etc
day 5 friday: zion and bryce canyon
day 6: saturday: arhes national park and drive to salt lake city.
day 7. fly out from salt lake city(flight is in the evening)
I like to get your thoght on this itinary and is it possible to follow this plan and also would like to know if we have any time to add any more places or have to take out places. we are not big hikers, most of it will be drive by. is it possible to do grand canyon on the way? I hope to get some feed back from you as soon as possible so I can make the hotel booking and book antelope canyon ticket. Thank you….
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Hey again, Susan!
Thank you SO much for further clarification on your itinerary and goals for your vacation. Unfortunately, I still have to tell you that your plan is not realistic. You’re going to have to whittle back your expectations a bit, unless you want to be packing up and driving every single day of your vacation.
For example, Bryce Canyon and Zion cannot be fully explored in one day. You need at least one day for each park. Kanab, UT, makes for a good central location to base yourself for this purpose. Also, the Moab, UT, area really requires at least 4-5 days to do justice to. Arches National Park only represents a small fraction of all there is to see and do there. There’s also Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Corona Arch, Hell’s Revenge, Castle Valley, ziplining, wine tasting… just to name a few! 25 Best Things To Do in Moab, UT So you’ll either need to take it off the table, or go into this trip knowing that you are only going to scratch the surface of Moab’s potential.
If you want to add the Grand Canyon to your itinerary, the most logical place to do it would be between Sedona and Page. It’s possible to do it as a “drive-by,” but not ideal. It takes ~3 hours to drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, then another 3.5-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. These are not Google maps figures, mind you, they’re more like “real life” figures, factoring in the many stops you’ll make along the way to take photos, grab a meal (Cameron Trading Post – Navajo tacos – yummo!), bathroom breaks, etc. To pull it off, you’ll need to keep an eye on the clock and be aware of when sunrise and sunset occur. You don’t want to do any driving after dark in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit, and populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife that pose a collision risk. Trust me, you don’t want to hit a deer in an area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty at best (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. In late October, sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, and sunset takes place at around 5:30 PM.
In light of those concerns, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 Sunday: fly into phoenix and take rental car and drive to sedona
Day 2 Monday: tour Sedona (Pink Jeep, hiking, etc.), spend 2nd night in Sedona
Day 3 Tuesday: drive from Sedona to Page, AZ, via the Grand Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend on way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4 Wednesday: tour Antelope Canyon in AM, drive to Moab, UT, via Monument Valley (~5.5 hour drive), overnight in Moab, UT — note I have you doing Monument Valley as “drive by” due to lack of lodging in the immediate area and possibility that all rooms are booked
Day 5 Thursday: tour as much of Arches/Canyonlands area as possible, drive to Kanab, UT (~5 hour drive), overnight in Kanab, UT
Day 6 Friday: Explore Zion National Park, 2nd night in Kanab, UT
Day 7 Saturday: Drive to Bryce (~90 minutes from Kanab), explore the area for a couple of hours, then drive to SLC (~5 hours) for flight home
If you were to take Moab off the table, that would free up more time to take a “quality over quantity” approach and enable you to take things at a more relaxed pace. But I understand if this trip is a “once in a lifetime” or at least a blue moon type of opportunity.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 04, 2019 at 3:04 PM
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From Kellie
Hi, Alley!
Wow! I am blown away by your knowledge of the area and would love your advice. I am looking to plan a similar trip, arriving in Phoenix late afternoon of Nov. 12 and departing late morning from Salt Lake City on Nov. 18. I’ve been to Sedona, so no need to spend time there. I also have the annual national parks pass that’s itching for a good workout before it expires. 🙂
What would your recommended itinerary be? Would like to walk/hike 3-8 miles each day (intermediate hiker; nothing too strenuous). I’ll likely be traveling solo, so safe travels by car/accommodations are hugely welcomed!
Thank you for your time and expertise!
October 21, 2019 at 2:27 PM
Sara
A group of 11-12 girls are going to Flagstaff for a bachelorette party. We are doing a day trip on Nov 23 to Antelope Canyon (already booked the tour), Horseshoe Bend, and then the Grand Canyon. We are looking for some type of transportation (van, bus, etc.), so we don’t have to drive ourselves. Do you have any advice/recommendations of companies? I already contacted great venture tours (but they don’t just do transportation) and northern Arizona limousine (but they are booked). Thank you!
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Hi Sara,
I recommend calling Groome Transportation. They offer shuttle service between Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon, but to my understanding, they also do group and corporate charters. Their website is www.GroomeTransportation.com, but in your case, I would recommend speaking with someone by phone. Their number is 928-350-8466.
You might also try National Park Express, but they’re based out of Las Vegas, and they do offer shuttle service to Page, AZ, but may not travel to Sedona. In any case, their # is 702-948-4190.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2019 at 2:28 PM
susan
Hi Alley, I was reading your trip planning and it looked awesome. I am planning a trip from oct 20 -oct 27 2019. we fly into phoenix early afternoon on 10/20 and planning to rent a car and drive to Sedona. I like to see Sedona, antelope canyon, horse shoe bend, Colorado river discovery float trip, grand canyon, page, zion, Bryce canyon,arches national park, monument valley. Navajo national monument etc. I don’t know which order I should plan the trip and how many days I need at each place. could you please advise on an itinerary?
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Good morning Susan!
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there’s no way you’re going to accomplish everything on your “wish list” with the limited time you have. First thing you’ll have to take off the table: Arches/Canyonlands. This area is simply too far out of the way to be realistic using Phoenix as your staging city, plus it requires at least 4-5 days to do justice to. Monument Valley may have to go as well, not so much because of the lack of time, but more due to the lack of lodging in that area; there’s not much to work with in the first place, and rooms are probably booked up already. Otherwise, you’ll be packing up and driving every single day of your trip, and that doesn’t sound like my idea of a vacation. You need some “chill time,” and Sedona is the most good place to get that. However, it’s another area that deserves 4-5 days time minimum to fully enjoy and explore, so don’t be surprised if after 2 days, you find yourself wishing you could stay longer! There might still be a way you can work Monument Valley in, even if you don’t go there; more on that in a minute….
One piece of information I wish I had is where you’re flying out of, as that would help me advise you most accurately. In all honesty, this trip would work a lot better if you were flying out of Las Vegas, but for now, I’ll assume you’re flying into and out of Phoenix. How you structure your itinerary will depend on 3 things: 1. whether you want to get the longer drives out of the way first 2. availability of Grand Canyon lodging and 3. availability of Grand Canyon tours. Assuming that you’ll hit Sedona first, here’s how you can make the rest of it work.
October 20th – Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2 hours), overnight in Sedona
October 21st – Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour, 2nd night in Sedona
October 22nd – Drive to Zion National Park (~6 hours, factoring in stops), overnight in Kanab, Utah
October 23rd – Drive to Bryce (~90 minutes from Kanab), hike and explore, 2nd night in Kanab, UT
October 24th – Drive to Page, AZ (~60 minute drive, remember that Kanab is 1 hour ahead of Page), check in 10:00 AM for Glen Canyon Float Trip, visit Horseshoe Bend afterward (parking permitting), overnight in Page, AZ
October 25th – Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM if unable to do say day before (sunrise is at 6:45 AM), tour Antelope Canyon, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight at South Rim
October 26th – Sightseeing at Grand Canyon in AM, drive back to Phoenix (~4.5 hour drive), overnight in Phoenix
October 27th – Fly home
Back to the subject of Monument Valley: if you really want to see it (which I don’t blame you one bit for!), a couple of ways you could go about it in the likely event you can’t find lodging in the area, you could visit as a day trip from Page, AZ. It’s a 2-hour drive each way, and you’d have to keep an eye on the time so that you’re not doing any of the return trip in the dark. There’s also a time difference to contend with since the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, but Page, AZ, does not, therefore, you’d “lose” an hour driving from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, then “gain” it on the drive back to Page. Another option: you could swing by Monument Valley on the drive between Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon, but if you did that, you’d be looking at a 2 hour drive from Page, AZ, to MV, then a 3.5 hour drive from MV to Grand Canyon South Rim. Day trips and “drive-by’s” are less than ideal, but with an eye on the clock and careful planning, they can be made to work. I know, I’ve done it 😉 The best solution to the problem of how to work Monument Valley IMO is to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes take ~90 minutes to fly over not only Monument Valley, but Rainbow Bridge, Lake Powell, and the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s a beautiful flight; I know, I’ve done that, too 😉 Mornings are the best time to fly for good light and less wind. For more information on Monument Valley air tours out of Page, AZ, visit Westwind Air Service Page/Lake Powell Air Tours
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 04, 2019 at 2:21 PM
Mandy Quek
Hi Alley! My husband and I are visiting Vegas for the first time from Asia. And we are planning to self drive from our place at the Vegas Strip, to the Horseshoe bend and the Lower Antelope Canyon (for a guided 1/5-2h tour). We are pretty confused with coming up with a good plan for sufficient time to be set aside for both places, taking into consideration the 4.5h drive back to the Strip in the evening before skies turn dark.
Could you please advise us on a good day’s tour itinerary? Looking to cover Horseshoe Bend and the Lower Antelope Canyon mainly.
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Hi Mandy!
Since Antelope Canyon is the only component of your day that requires a tour booking, you can essentially build the rest of your day around it. Horseshoe Bend can be visited at your leisure, in your own vehicle – parking permitting, of course. Allow approximately 90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend, which includes time to walk the .6 miles from the parking lot to the overlook, take photos and admire the view, then walk back to the parking lot.
One piece of information I wish I had was the time of year you’re visiting. That will have a direct effect on the “urgency” of getting back to the Strip before dark. If your trip is toward the end of this month, sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, and sunset takes place at around 5:30 PM. That’s not even 12 hours of daylight to work with, and an Antelope Canyon tour is going to take up 2-2.5 hours of your already limited time in Page, AZ. Another consideration is that there is a construction project occurring on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which could tack another 30-60 minutes onto the drive between Las Vegas and Page, going in either direction. If your visit is taking place sometime next year, in the spring or summer, you have more daylight hours to work with, but still, if you’re not locked into your Las Vegas hotel reservations that night, I would strongly consider staying overnight in Page, AZ, for optimal safety and comfort.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2019 at 1:43 PM
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From Gitesh Chopra
Hi Alley!
Wonderful and helpful article. Went through the comments and they were super helpful.
We are planning to go to Las Vegas from San Jose on friday, 8th November and come back on Tuesday, 12th November 2019.
We are planning to enjoy in Vegas for the weekend and leave early morning from Vegas on Monday 11th around 5 am to go to Page and directly reach the antelope Canyon tour. May be book a tour between 1 and 3 pm. After that we plan to rest and stay in page overnight.
12th morning we can see Horse Shoe Bend and Lake Powell and return to Vegas to catch a flight in the evening at 9:30 pm. Does this sound like a feasible plan, given the construction on the route, less lighting on the track and less than 12 hours of daylight in November?
Or should we change our plan? What would be your thoughts to optionally plan our tour in the current scenario and enjoy these beauties of nature?
Do you also suggest accommodating Grand Canyon in our trip or is this optimal already?October 05, 2019 at 5:24 AM
Sharron
HI Alley – I have a trip planned to fly in to Vegas 10/17-10/21 from NY…There’s a lot I want to do and I don’t mind driving ….here is my itinerary Day 1 Vegas Strip Day 2 Grand Canyon Southeast Rim, Skywalk and Hoover Dam; I was thinking about renting a car for the day and making it a day trip – What else can I visit? Lake Mead? The next day I was planning a tour from Vegas to Antelope Canyon returning to Vegas – then the final day just Vegas Strip…any suggestions?
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Hi Sharron!
Visiting both Grand Canyon South Rim and the Grand Canyon Skywalk as a day trip from Las Vegas is not realistic. I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but the Grand Canyon Skywalk is located at Grand Canyon West, a Native American Tribal Park that’s in a totally separate area from Grand Canyon South Rim, which is the National Park. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West; it would then take another 4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon West to Grand Canyon South Rim, then another 4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim back to Las Vegas.
Another thing working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength. In late October, it’s short: sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM, and sunset takes place at around 6:20 AM. You want to be sure to get most of your driving in the more rural areas done by nightfall, and as it stands, you’re proposing to do 12+ hours of driving at a time of year when you barely have that much daylight to work with. The math just doesn’t add up.
What you need to do is prioritize whether you want to see Grand Canyon National Park or the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and if it’s your first visit to the area, I’d recommend choosing the park. The drive from Las Vegas to GC South Rim is ~5 hours each way, and ditto for Las Vegas to Page. Therefore, instead of doing day trips to both the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend doing a loop from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), then back to Las Vegas, with overnight stays at the Grand Canyon and Page.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Leigh Whitfield
Wanted to get you thoughts on our possible itinerary for September 2020. I’ve checked places to stay & that is not an issue this far out. This will likely be our only trip to the Grand Canyon area so we prefer not to do a round trip.
Day 1: Morning flight to Phoenix & drive to Sedona
Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 3: Drive to Monument Valley – mid afternoon tour
Day 4: Possibly sunrise tour then drive to Page, Horseshoe Bend
Day 5: Antelope Canyon in the morning then drive to Grand Canyon North Rim
Day 6: Grand Canyon then drive to Bryce
Day 7: Bryce then drive to Zion
Day 8: Zion
Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas via Hoover Dam, evening show
Day 10: Fly out of Las Vegas
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Hey Leigh,
Your itinerary looks really fun! The only change I would propose making is try and squeeze out another day or two for Sedona. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do. Folks often report that after spending 4-5 days there, they still felt as though they’d only “scratched the surface.” The most logical place and manner to accommodate this would be to drop that day in Monument Valley and just drive straight to Page, AZ, from the Grand Canyon. If you did that, yet still really wanted to see Monument Valley — which I wouldn’t blame you one bit for! — one way to “have your cake and eat it too” would be to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed-wing airplanes take ~90 minutes to fly over not only Monument Valley, but Rainbow Bridge and a sizable chunk of Lake Powell. Mornings are the best time to fly for the most dramatic light and lack of wind. For more information on Monument Valley flights from Page, visit Westwind Air Service Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 3:47 PM
Calvin
Hi Alley,
This is Calvin, i’ve planned a trip to vegas 1st week of this November, is it possible to cover The wave trail and the antelope canyon in a day then stay for the night in Page, travel back to Vegas the next morning?
i’m thinking of going to the Grand canyon next day
Thank you
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Hey Calvin,
First thing’s first: 99.999999% probability that The Wave is not going to happen. This is a specially managed area due to its geological uniqueness and the relative fragility of the formations. Therefore, only a handful of hikers are allowed there daily on a permit system. The online Wave permit lottery took place in July; 10 more permits will be given out via walk-in lottery the day prior to when you wish to hike, and the first part of November is prime time to make this hike, so competition for those few permits will be fierce. Even if you luck out on getting a permit, you wouldn’t be able to squeeze in The Wave hike and an Antelope Canyon tour in one day. The Wave hike would take the better part of a day, so you’d want to have two full days for it, and an Antelope Canyon tour. One possible exception to all that: fly over The Wave out of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. In the course of a 2-hour flight, you’d not only see The Wave, but a ton of other amazing scenery. Yes, it would be pricey, but it would be unforgettable! Mornings are the best time to fly for light and lack of wind. For more information, check out this piece on our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit — Now What?
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news. BTW, if you’re staging out of Las Vegas, it would be most logical to go from Las Vegas – Page – Grand Canyon – Las Vegas, or reverse depending on availability of Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 3:40 PM
Moon
We are planning to visit Grand Canyon an las vegas in july.
Our plan is from los angles we will go to las vegas stay one night overthere. Next morning from Las Vegas to antelope canyon and horseshoes bend and will stay there for one night next morning from antelop canyon to grand canyon south after visiting the Grand Canyon south will back to los angles. We will make a road trip with rent a car. So this plan is possible. We are coming from dubai. First we will visit los angles after los angles will go to las vegas. From las vegas to antelop canyon thengrag canyon south then back to los angles will take our flight
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Hi Moon!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, although just a tiny bit rushed. Your current plan has you packing up and driving every single day of your visit. If possible, free up an extra day somewhere so you can relax and explore. Also, if I interpret you correctly, you intend to drive from Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon) to the Grand Canyon, then back to LA after visiting Grand Canyon? If so, this is not a good plan. It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. I know that Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. The drive from Grand Canyon to LA is then ~9 hours. Set aside 1 night to stay at the Grand Canyon, then drive back to LA the following day.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Aditya
Hi Alley,
I love Grand Canyon a lot, the last 2 times when I visited it was too hurry that I had to return back to Vegas the same day visiting only Horseshoe bend and Antelop for a very quick tour. But this time I want to utilize my time the best at Grand Canyon and my wife is visiting the first time (she is very exited and want to give the best experience) and a 7 month old.
Please guide me to plan my trip the best way, Arriving Nov 22nd night at Vegas and returning on Nov 30th morning from Vegas. Can start driving to Grand Canyon on 23rd morning. Want to spend 2 days/nights at Vegas at the end of the trip. Also, please let me know where to stay, eat (if any Indian/Asian restaurants available if not as well fine). Want to use boat tours once or twice (different tours if available). If any points closed during the season for weather etc also please let me know.
Thamks in advance!
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Hi Aditya,
Glad to hear that you can give the Grand Canyon and surrounding attractions the time they deserve on your upcoming trip!
With the timeframe you specify, also the requirement of spending the last two nights of your vacation in Las Vegas, you can accomplish quite a bit, but keep in mind with an infant in tow, that you’ll be somewhat limited on the activities you can realistically partake of. Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re traveling around the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., which is very busy to begin with. Don’t be surprised if you find that lodging at some attractions is sold out, so you need to be willing and able to reverse your itinerary if the situation warrants it.
The two key things to check availability for are: Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours. Regarding Antelope Canyon, you’ll be limited to touring Upper Antelope with a baby.
Assuming that you can find lodging and tours on your desired dates, you could do something like this:
November 23rd: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, optional stop at Hoover Dam (~5 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
November 24th: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon, sightseeing around Grand Canyon Village Historic District, Hermit’s Rest/West Rim overlooks using free shuttles
November 25th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops in the East Rim/Desert View Drive and in the Navajo Reservation), tour Upper Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, take boat tour of waterside of Antelope Canyon overnight in Page, AZ
November 26th: Visit Horseshoe Bend, drive from Page, AZ, to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
November 27th: 2nd day/night in Zion, Springdale, UT, lodging Family-friendly hiking in Zion
November 28th: Drive from Springdale, UT, to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hours factoring in possible delays due to a construction project in the Virgin River Gorge)
November 29th: Overnight in Las Vegas
November 30th: Fly home
One area I have not included in this itinerary is Bryce Canyon. Not that it isn’t beautiful, but at the time of year you’re visiting, it is very likely the area will have snow, making travel with an infant more challenging than it already is.
Regarding places where you can get Indian/Asian food, inside the parks like Grand Canyon, Zion, etc., won’t feature that type of dining. Flagstaff (~90 miles Southeast of Grand Canyon South Rim), has several fine Indian restaurants; my personal favorite is the Delhi Palace (I like Indian food, too ;). In Page, AZ (by Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) and Springdale, UT (near Zion), the closest you’ll probably be able to get is Thai food. In Las Vegas, you have your pick of over 20 Indian/Asian restaurants. If you are vegetarians, and are OK with dairy products, you shouldn’t have much of a problem accommodating your dietary preferences wherever you go. If you are vegan, you might have to get a bit more creative, and might want to invest in a small cooler so you can purchase your own food to be on the safe side.
Also, start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. Best case scenario, the weather will be cold; worst case, you could encounter snow. Be ready by packing jackets, gloves, etc. at the very least.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 2:36 PM
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From Aditya
Thanks a ton AlLey! That’s a very detailed plan and covers my dream Grand Canyon. Can we make a slight modification please, On Nov 23rd after visiting Hoover Dam can we drive towards North rim, as I listen that Hoover Dam to North Rim have beautiful views but the South Rim is dry.
October 03, 2019 at 6:34 PM
Vivian
Hi Alley,
I plan to visit Grand Canyon north and Antelope Canyon. Where do you suggest me to stay? What is the better driving route from North canyon to page?
Vivian
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Hi Vivian,
I wish I knew when you were planning to visit, as that has a direct effect on how I advise you. Also, be aware that Grand Canyon North Rim visitor services are only open between May 15th and October 15th, so this year’s season will be drawing to a close very soon.
If you are planning to come out to the North Rim in the next couple weeks, you’re likely to find all lodging in the immediate vicinity of the area sold out. If that’s the case, Kanab, UT, makes for a good place to stay and visit the park as a day trip. It takes approximately 90 minutes, one way, to drive from Kanab, UT, to Grand Canyon North Rim. If you go about it in this manner, it’s very important that you get any and all driving done during daylight hours. Roads in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very dimly lit, a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies. Another consideration is wildlife: deer, elk, and other animals are out and about 24/7, and tend to congregate near the roads to graze, ratcheting up your risk of an auto accident in an area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty at best (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Also, you’ll be dealing with a time zone difference: Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, whereas Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time. You’d “gain” an hour traveling from Kanab to the North Rim, then “lose” it on the return trip to Kanab.
Since Kanab, UT, is also a relatively short distance from Page, AZ (~1 hour drive), you could use it as a “base” from which to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend if need be.
Now, if your visit is in the future, say, for next year, the best place to stay would be inside the park if at all possible. Fair warning, though, Grand Canyon North Rim doesn’t have much lodging to work with in the first place (one hotel in the park, two within an hour’s drive), so don’t be surprised to find all North Rim lodging sold out for 2020 already!
As for the best driving route between Grand Canyon North Rim and Page, AZ, it’s a very scenic 2.5 hour drive that will take you through the Kaibab National Forest, the Vermillion Cliffs, Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry. The restaurant at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge makes a great stop for lunch or dinner and is one of Northern Arizona’s best-kept culinary secrets!
Please feel free to write in again if we can be of further guidance.
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 3:35 PM
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From Rona Burke
Hi Ally
I am planning a trip at the beginning of October 2020.
Itinerary so far, Fly into Phoenix and drive to Sedona, for 2 nights. Pink Jeep tour
Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, lodging in park booked, 1 night.
Drive to Page- Antelope Canyon. Lake Powell boat tour of canyon 1 night in Page
Drive to Horshoe Bend See Monument Valley 1 Night in Kenab
Drive to Bryce 1 Night booked
Drive to Zion 2 Nights booked
Drive to Las Vegas Stopping at Valley of Fire 2 nights then fly home.Would you rearrange any of these stops? My plan was to reduce the amount of driving each day by changing hotels. Since it will be dark fairly early we will relax at each stop in the evening. We have flexibility with our time but Zion was already booked out for the weekend dates, so I but itinerary around available reservations.
Your information is incredible, I appreciate any advice you can provide.
October 02, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Annick
Hi Alley,
I am planning a visit to Antelope Canyon early november. I have a full day but I can’t decide if we should go for Upper or Lower Canyon. Is there a way to do both in one day without being super rushed ? any tip would be greatly appreciated!
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Hi Annick,
Yes, you absolutely can tour Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon in one day! Book both tours as a “bundle,” and you will be given a choice of how much time you would like to have between tours, whether you prefer them back to back, or if you’d like to take things at a more leisurely pace. For more information, visit Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon Bundle
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 2:22 PM
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From Annick
Thanks Alley,
If we were to visit only one, which one would you suggest ? What are the main differences ? Is there one that is more spectacular than the other ?October 01, 2019 at 2:06 PM
Marta Gonzalez
Hi Alley,
we are planning a trip to Vegas and the parks nearby for Christmas and we dont know whether it is better to hire a car and organise it ourselves or to get a company to do it for us. On the one hand we like the freedom but, (we are 3 adults) but we dont know if it is very difficult to organise mainly around Christmas when some parks might not be open or not the best time to visit, so maybe a bit of inside knowledge wouldnt be a bad thing.
Could you recommend somenone?
Best,
Marta
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Hi Marta and thank you for your inquiry.
The good news is, all popular National Parks and Monuments in the Southwestern U.S. are open over the Christmas holiday. The bad news is you might encounter difficulty finding lodging or availability on tours since that is a very popular time of year to travel.
You have correctly deduced that self-driving is the best way to enjoy optimal freedom and flexibility, but without a place to stay, it won’t do you much good. If you find that you are unable to secure hotel or tour reservations, you might indeed consider going with an escorted tour. For ground tours (vehicle) out of Las Vegas we recommend MaxTour. If you’re open to doing an air/ground combination tour, Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines Las Vegas-Antelope Canyon Expedition can show you Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and a whole lot more in one day.
Whatever you decide, be prepared for winter weather, up to and including snow at that time of year. Pack jackets, gloves, etc. and be prepared to make alternate plans in the case of inclement weather. A day trip to Death Valley might be a nice alternative in that situation.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 2:20 PM
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From Shirley
Hi Alley,
Thank you for sharing! We are planning a family trip to Grand Canyon and beyond for 6 days around Christmas 2019. Below is my itinerary. I know I’m a bit ambitious but the kids really want to explore as many parks as possible. My husband thinks we should skip Canyonlands and Arches but I really want to keep them on the list if we can. Can you please comment on my plan and let me know if you think it’s feasible. Your suggestion would be greatly appreciated!
Day 1 Morning- drive about 3 hors from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South rim; explore in Grand Canyon in the afternoon, Overnight at Grand Canyon south rim.
Day 2 Early morning – explore more at Grand Canyon, then drive 2 hours to Antlope Canyon Upper and Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam; Late afternoon drive 3 hours to Monument Valley, overnight at Monument Valley
Day 3: Morning – explore at Monument Valley, Afternoon – drive 3 hours Canyonlands National Park, overnight at Moab
Day 4: Morning – drive 30 minutes to Arches National Park, late afternoon – drive 4 hours to Bryce National Park, overnight at Bryce
Day 5: Morning and early afternoon – explore at Bryce National Park, late afternoon- drive 1.5 hours to Zion National Park, overnight at Zion
Day 6: Morning and early afternoon – explore at Zion, late afternoon, drive 3 hours to Las VegasOctober 02, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Jess
Hi!
We are planning to visit December 5-10 for our babymoon and are flying into Phoenix. We were thinking of spending 1 night in Page, 1 night in Grand Canyon and the remaining nights in Sedona. Here are the things we want to see:
-Antelope Canyon
-Horseshoe Bend
-Grand Canyon
We were planning on driving straight to Page from Phoenix Airport but I’m not sure if this is the best way logistically. Can you please advise? 🙂
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Hi Jess and congratulations on your impending bundle of joy!
Honestly, the order in which you plan your trip will come down to two key components: Antelope Canyon tour availability and availability of Grand Canyon lodging.
I can certainly understand the appeal of getting the longer drive out of the way first, so if you can find lodging in Page, AZ, and slots on Antelope Canyon tours for that first leg of your trip, then rooms at a Grand Canyon hotel on that second night, you should be golden! However, be prepared to reverse the order in which you visit these two attractions should hotel or tour availability dictate doing so. If you were to have to visit the Grand Canyon first, then Page, then Sedona, it won’t make much of a difference in the drive times, since Phoenix to Page or Grand Canyon South Rim is ~4.5-5 hour drive in either case. If you were to have to do a Phoenix-Grand Canyon-Page-Sedona loop, you would end up doing some backtracking, but it won’t be significant enough to negatively impact your experience, IMO.
An important consideration at the time of year you’re visiting is to ensure that you’re doing all your driving during daylight hours. Days in December are short — sunrise occurs ~7:20 AM, sunset at around 5:15 PM — and local roads are minimally lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies. Another potential hazard is the tendency of deer, elk, and other wildlife to graze or migrate at night, which ratchets up your risk of a collision in an area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 1:45 PM
Nag
Hi Alley,
Need your help in planning 1 week trip starting 24th Nov to 30 Nov this year.
Out trip starts from 24th at Phoenix and ends on 30th or 1st Dec in Las vegas all bye drive.
Places of interest:
Page (Antelope canyon, Horse Shoe Bend, Lake Powell)
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas(2 nights min)
Death Valley
Could you please suggest how should we plan our trip.
Please note that we are group of 10 people and will be taking airbnb homes wherever we stay overnight.
Also, please let us know if we can include other place like Wave,Zion,Bryce.. etc
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Hi Nag,
First thing’s first: The Wave is not going to happen. This is a specially managed area in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs National Monument that is restricted to 20 hikers per day. Permits are issued via online lottery 4 months in advance, with whatever is left going out to people who apply for a walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT, the day prior to when they wish to hike. With a group your size, the probability of getting in via either means is slim to none. But, there might still be a way you can see it. More on that in a minute.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re traveling during the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., so don’t be surprised to find lodging (even Air BnB’s), tours, etc., to be booked up already. Be flexible with your plans, and be ready to accept the fact that you might have to drop a few items off your “wish list,” and one you’ll most likely have to sacrifice is Monument Valley. That area doesn’t have much lodging to work with in the first place, and what with it being so popular, hotels and vacation homes are often booked up a year in advance. However, there might still be a way for you to see that, too. More on that in a minute…
So, with the timeframe available to you, you could do something like this:
November 24th – land in Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
November 25th – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5-6 hour drive, factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, Williams, or Flagstaff. Grand Canyon lodging options
November 26th – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive, with stops including the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch), overnight in Page, AZ vacation home , visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon
November 27th – drive from Page, AZ, to Zion National Park (~3 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
November 28th – drive from Springdale, UT to Las Vegas, NV, w/detour through Valley of Fire State Park if desired (~5 hour drive), overnight in Las Vegas
November 29th – day trip to Death Valley National Monument (~2.5 hour drive each way), overnight in Vegas
November 30th – 3rd day/night in Las Vegas or fly home
A couple of things to bear in mind as you make your plans: you’re traveling during the early part of winter, so, best case scenario, you’ll encounter days that are sunny and brisk; worst case, you could run into a snowstorm. It’s too soon to call at this point, of course, but start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and plan on at least packing a jacket, gloves, etc. for each member of your party. Another factor potentially working “against” you at the time of year you’re traveling is daylength: it’s short, and you want to make sure you do any and all driving during daylight hours here. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged due to lack of ambient lighting on area roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, and other wildlife to congregate around them at night, ratcheting up the possibility of you having an accident. That’s something you DON’T want to have happen in an area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty (if you can get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. The week you’re traveling, sunrise in Arizona occurs at around 7:15 AM, and sunset takes place at approximately 5:15 PM. Move that up an hour for Las Vegas, since Nevada is in a different time zone.
Oh, RE: The Wave and Monument Valley – if you’re not able to get to either of these places in person, a way you might still be able to work them into your itinerary is to fly over them. Airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of the Page Municipal Airport by advance arrangement. Yes, it will be pricey, but you’ll get to see some amazing scenery you couldn’t get to by car or by foot! For more information, visit this article on our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com: So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 27, 2019 at 2:31 PM
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From Nag
Thanks for the detailed itinerary Alley!!
We will try to follow the trip as suggested. We are ok to skip Wave but we will see if we can include Monument Valley.
Thanks again for the detailed explanation.September 27, 2019 at 6:00 PM
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I would like to plan a trip to include rim to rim south to north, antelope canyon and harsh bend. Looking for tips on time of year and logistics.
September 28, 2019 at 5:26 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Peg!
Since Grand Canyon North Rim is only open between May 15th and October 15th, that will be the linchpin around which the rest of your trip planning revolves. In light of its abbreviated season, and the fact that there isn’t much lodging in that area to work with, you shouldn’t be surprised if all hotel rooms in that area are booked for the 2020 season already. Grand Canyon North Rim lodging Should you find that to be the case, there are alternatives, such as visiting the park as a day trip from places like Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ, or taking a scenic flight over it from the South Rim.
If you are able to pick and choose what time of year to visit, late September and early October is my personal favorite, a sentiment which is echoed by many longtime locals. Autumn offers the benefits of cooler temperatures, thinning crowds, and in some areas, beautiful autumn foliage to compliment your photos!
Las Vegas would be the best place to stage your trip from, as it is conveniently located to Grand Canyon North and South Rim, as well as Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), and other beautiful parks such as Bryce Canyon and Zion.
For suggestions on how to get the most out of a 1-week visit to the Grand Circle, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah”
Please feel free to write in again if we can be of further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 2:32 PM
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Hey! We are trying to fit these in while staying in Kannab Oct 14-18th. Trying to figure out the best way to plan our trip.
We land in Vegas at 7:30am on Monday, and fly out at 6pm on Friday.
Of course Zion and Bryce are places of interest, but want to fit these in as well. Don’t want to waste Monday and Friday, as there is still a lot of time to fit something in those days. Please help! 😊
September 29, 2019 at 7:42 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Jennifer!
You’ve picked a wonderful time to visit Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, and Kanab, UT, is a good “base camp” from which to explore the many attractions of the Grand Circle.
The main priority on your sightseeing days is going to be making sure you get any and all driving done during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies. Plus deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to be nocturnal, and Kanab, UT, is located on a migratory route which is very heavily trafficked at the time of year you’re visiting. Another consideration is that there will be a time difference between Nevada and Utah, and Utah and Arizona: Nevada is on Pacific Daylight Time, Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time, and Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time. You will “lose” an hour traveling between Las Vegas and Kanab, “gain” an hour traveling from Kanab to Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon, then “lose” it again traveling back to Kanab. The week you guys are here, sunrise in Kanab occurs at ~7:30 AM and sunset takes place at around 6:45 PM. Move that up an hour for Page, AZ.
In order to make the most of your time, I’d recommend visiting Zion on the way from Las Vegas to Kanab since your flight arrives early. It’s a relatively easy detour that wouldn’t add a lot of miles to your drive anyway. Stop in Springdale, UT, and utilize the Zion Canyon Shuttle System to get around the park. If desired, take a couple of easy but scenic hikes before making the remainder of the drive to Kanab, which is about 1 hour.
On October 15th, make a day trip to Grand Canyon North Rim. By coincidence, that is the seasonal “closing day” of the visitor services facilities. The drive from Kanab, UT, to Grand Canyon Lodge takes approximately 1.5 hours each way. Plan on stopping at the Jacob Lake Inn to pick up a bag (or two!) of delicious home-made cookies from their world-famous bakery! Again, be sure to time your return trip so that you’re not doing any of it in the dark. Trust me, I’ve seen my life flash before my eyes making nighttime runs from the North Rim back to Page with all the deer out there.
For your other full days, plan to visit Bryce Canyon (also a 1.5 hour one way drive from Kanab), and Page, AZ (~1 hour from Kanab and one hour “behind”), to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. A guided tour is required to visit Antelope Canyon, so be sure to make your reservations ASAP!
On your sightseeing day in Page, AZ, you might make a nice little “loop” out of the drive by going the direct route from Kanab, UT through Big Water in the morning, then returning to Kanab via Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry. At Lees Ferry, you can actually park your car just yards from the banks of the Colorado River and dip your feet in the very cold water. Also plan on having dinner at the Cliff Dweller’s Restaurant — it’s one of Northern Arizona’s best kept culinary secrets! The route will take you back through Jacob Lake in case you run out of cookies 😉
On your return day, get an early start out of Kanab, UT, and make a couple of short detours through Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, UT, and/or the Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas. These are both stunning areas that won’t take you too far off I-15.
Speaking of I-15, there is a construction project taking place in a section of the Virgin River Gorge that could tack some time onto your drive out of and back to Las Vegas. For real-time updates, or to post some of your own, you might join the Facebook group “Pain In The Gorge.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Russ
Yo Alley, we want to visit Antelope Canyon, Upper & Lower, the morning of Monday, May 25th, 2020. Yep that’s Memorial Day. Four Adults will overnight in Page, Sunday the 25th. So, what is the best tour to book? I saw one on the web that started early AM on the upper canyon, had a 45-min break, then did the lower Antelope mid-morning, finishing at noon. That website couldn’t book any trips beyond 12/31/2019.
Also, exactly where are upper & lower Antelope Canyons? Google maps of that area don’t seem to call-out Antelope Canyon. Thx, – Russ
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Yo Russ 😉
It’s definitely good that you’re planning your Northern Arizona vacation well in advance, especially if you’re traveling over the Memorial Day holiday! 2020 Antelope Canyon tour inventory will be made available in November-December of this year, so keep checking back.
As for where the Antelope Canyons are located, they are about 8 miles Southeast of the town of Page, Arizona.
If possible plan on staying at least 2 days here so you can enjoy one of our world-famous lake or river tours, such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, or a waterside boat tour of Antelope Canyon! Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2019 at 2:07 PM
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From Bernie
Dear Alley
We, 3 adults have this last minutes plan to visit Grand Canyon, Horsebend and Antelope Canyon. We will drive from Humble Texas on 30 Sept, Monday and would arrive in Grand Canyon on 01 October night.As is last minutes, I would appreciate it very much if I could seek your advise on what is the best way to visit. As i have 2 seniors who are not able to walk that much. i plan to take a plane tour to view the Grand Canyon in the morning on 02 October, wednesday follow by visiting Horsebend and Antelope Canyon in the afternoon. Do you think is viable?
Also, may i know where is the best town should i stay? I have check the lodging inside the GC and all are fully booked.
Thanks in advance for your help, thank you.
September 28, 2019 at 1:02 PM
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Oops, Staying in Page Sunday evening May 24th…!! Wish to tour Antelope Monday the 25th. Have res @ North Rim Monday evening. – Russ
JUST SAW UR Reply, Thank You…. – RussSeptember 27, 2019 at 4:43 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey again Russ!
Good job on scoring a reservation at Grand Canyon North Rim. Be sure to allow for plenty of time to make the drive from Page, AZ. Although Google maps gives the figure as roughly 2.5 hours, that’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures often, I guarantee it!
Consider having lunch at the restaurant at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge — it’s one of Northern Arizona’s best kept culinary secrets! Plan on stopping at the Jacob Lake Inn to grab a bag (or two!) of delicious home-made cookies from their world-famous bakery as well 🙂
Have fun and let us know how you get on,
Alley 🙂September 30, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Kim
Hi Alley,
My husband and I are flying into Las Vegas on Wed., Nov 6 (10am arrival) and will depart Sat. Nov. 9 (11:30pm). We’d like to see the Hoover Dam (quick stop/no tour) Sedona, Grand Canyon (South Rim), Antelope Canyon (via kayak tour) and Horseshoe Bend. From the quick searches I’ve done, it looks like the kayak tours end Oct. 31st 🙁 Perhaps a quick stop at Zion, if it’s not too out of the way–otherwise drive straight through and perhaps walk around the Vegas strip for a few hours. We aren’t accustomed to road trips and the long drive seem a bit daunting. Wondering if we should scale back and just do Sedona and Grand Canyon, but it seems a waste to backtrack the same road to Vegas? What are your thoughts?
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Hi Kim!
We’re all for taking a “quality over quantity” approach to a vacation, especially if you want to include Sedona in your trip plans. Sedona is a stunning area, and you’ll quickly find that even if you spent a week there, you’d merely scratch the surface of all there is to see and do! Still, with the time you have, you could enjoy a nice 2-day visit there, topped off with a night at the Grand Canyon, or vice versa depending on Grand Canyon lodging availability. As for the backtracking issue, I wouldn’t sweat it too much. It would give you an opportunity to catch things that you might have missed on the drive over, such as one of the last remaining intact sections of Historic Route 66. Long drives are how we roll in this part of the U.S., so, not much to be done about that!
Zion National Park is another area that warrants more time than a quick drive-by. It’s a huge park with lots of opportunities for hiking and sightseeing geared to people of all ages and physical fitness levels. At least an overnight is preferable to a look-see from a car window! Springdale, UT, a small community on the Western border of the park, would be where you’d want to stay as it is the central hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, which is mandatory to use for those not staying inside the park.
Another consideration at the time of year you’re traveling is weather. Early November is in the transitional zone between fall and winter. Weather will be cold, and worst case scenario, you could encounter snow. Being able to take your trip at a more relaxed pace definitely works in your favor in case you are delayed or detoured by inclement weather. Of course, it’s too soon to call, but you should start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
As you’ve also seen, many water-based activities at Lake Powell are on seasonal hiatus, like the kayak tour. However, shorter boat tours are still running, such as Antelope Canyon waterside boat tours from Antelope Point Marina. These can easily be “bundled” with land-side tours of Antelope Canyon, which makes the reservations process a lot more convenient than in was in years past.
If you do wish to visit Antelope Canyon and Zion this time around, the best way to go about that is to drop Sedona and do something like this:
November 6 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
November 7 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
November 8 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Zion National Park (~2.5-3 hour drive with stops), overnight in Springdale, UT
November 9 – Drive back to Las Vegas w/detour through Valley of Fire State Park if desired (it’s amazing!) (~5-6 hour drive), fly home
Yes, the above trip plan is rushed, but could work with careful planning, including advanced reservations at all lodging and for Antelope Canyon tours.
Which way would be best for you to go? IMO it comes down to asking yourself if you realistically think you might be able to return to the area in the foreseeable future. If the answer is “yes,” then I’d say take things slow this time around and enjoy some “chill” time in Sedona and a night at the Grand Canyon! If this trip is going to be a once in a lifetime (or at least a blue moon) thing, then make the most of the time you have.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2019 at 1:58 PM
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From Kim
Thank you so much Alley! Your advice and suggestions are incredibly helpful! We’ll likely follow your suggested itinerary and return in the near future (flying into Phoenix) to see Sedona at a more relaxed pace.
September 27, 2019 at 11:50 PM
Anissa
Dear Alley,
We are planning for a family trip in June 2020. We are in our fifties with three kids from 18-28 yo. Please comment on our plan. Wonder if we should change the plan to stay in Zion for 2 days and 1 day in Page. We don’t know if there are enough things to do and see in Page.
Day 1 Fly to LAS from LAX, overnight at LAS
Day 2 LAS to Zion – arrive in the afternoon, do The Narrows hike…
overnight at Springdale
Day 3 Zion to Bryce – do the Angel’s Landing hike in the morning (hope it’s not too difficult) then drive to Bryce
overnight at Ruby’s Inn Bryce
Day 4 Bryce to Page – boat trip or some activities before driving to hotel in Page
overnight at Page
Day 5 2nd day at Page – Lower Antelope tour in the morning and Upper Antelope or other slot canyon tour in the afternoon,
overnight at Page
Day 6 Page to Grand Canyon – go to Hoseshoe Bend just after sun rise before heading towards Grand Canyon
overnight booked at Maswik Lodge, the other in park lodges are full
Day 7 2nd day at Grand Canyon – plan to do a helicopter tour in the morning
overnight at Maswik Lodge
Day 8 Grand Canyon to Las Vega
Day 9 Fly back to LAX
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Hi Anissa, and kudos for planning your Grand Circle vacation well in advance.
In the summertime, activities in Page, AZ, and the surrounding parks are in full swing. IMO you won’t have any problem finding things to see and do on any leg of your trip! If you are wanting to free up a day to allocate to Zion, I’d recommend dropping at night at the Grand Canyon in order to do so. I know, that sounds totally crazy, but here’s the deal: you’ll end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, AZ. The route will naturally and logically take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at, as well as the Tusayan Ruins & Museum. Before you even get to that part, however, there are plenty of other photo ops to pique your interest on the Navajo Reservation, such as Chinle formation views, the Little Colorado River Overlook and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands. The Cameron Trading Post is a good place to stop for breakfast/brunch, too! So by the time you arrive at Maswik Lodge (which is a perfectly fine place to stay, you’re inside the park and that’s the important thing), you’ll have already seen a lot of the canyon. When you do the helicopter flight, you’ll see even more. With that in mind, you could scoot by with just one night at the Grand Canyon.
BTW, re: your time in Page, AZ, I’d recommend changing the order in which you do some of the activities, namely the “boat trip.” If you’re referring to the Glen Canyon Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour or other half-day+ water-based activities, these are best taken first thing in the morning so you can enjoy cooler temperatures. Daytime temps in June tend to get up above 100; not so comfortable for being on the water for hours at a time with little or no shade.
RE: Angel’s Landing, it is regarded as one of the most difficult hikes in Zion National Park. Definitely do your homework before committing to it, and if you should decide against it, no worries: there are plenty of awesome hikes available in Zion that won’t have you seeing your life flash before your eyes!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 25, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Regina
Hi.! We are going to Arizona in November. We arrive from monday de 25th and depart sat 30th. I need help in making our trip more efficient. We will stay in SEDONA. So, maybe monday do sedona and one of pink jeep tours. Any recomendation? We have 3 children from 6 to 10. Very active. Then on Tuesday we want to go to PAIGE and do Antelope,(buy tickets with kens..) lake power and HSHoe. Should we do this on our own or do you recommend by tour? In lake powel i read that the boat tours or rafting is nice….
I think we should sleep in Page… Then Wednesday, take advantage that day to got o Monument valley….which is closer, take the tour and then come back to sedona…. Does that make sense? This would take up most of the day? Is there more to see or to around that area?
Then we still have thursday and friday…. what would you recommend? Verde canyon railroad, chapel of the holly cross, maybe a helicopter tour?
If we wish to go to grand canyon should we sleep again in Paige? what else do you recommend?
Thanks!!
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Hi Regina,
Using Sedona as a “base camp” from which to explore the various attractions in Northern Arizona is less than ideal, especially at the time of year you’re traveling. Driving distances are long, anywhere from 90 minutes to 3 hours one way. In November, you’re bound to encounter cold weather, up to and including snow, and days that are very short: sunrise occurs at ~7:15 AM, sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM. You want to avoid nighttime driving at all costs in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other wildlife. A nighttime collision with one can be a very nerve-wracking experience, especially in an area you’re unfamiliar with, where it’s pitch black, cell phone service is spotty (if you can get service at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Therefore, it’s best to overnight in the areas you wish to visit. In Sedona, the Pink Jeep “Broken Arrow” Tour is considered a definite must, and for good reason, it’s a lot of fun, and the scenery is beautiful.
On Tuesday, when you go to Page, AZ (no “i” ;), remember it’s about a 3-hour drive from Sedona, but don’t be surprised if it takes longer. The drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping along the way to take pictures! The Cameron Trading Post is a good place to stop for brunch/lunch. Parking permitting, you can stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town (a tour is not required), or just after sunrise on the way out of town the following morning. BTW, the rafting and other water-based tours are on seasonal hiatus at that time of year. Some may operate with a certain number of passengers, but you would need another night in Page, AZ, to accommodate such a tour as they usually take up the better part of a day.
As for making a side trip to Monument Valley on the way back to Sedona, I wouldn’t recommend that. It takes 2 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley. It then takes at least 3.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Sedona. At a time of year when you only have 10 hours of daylight to work with, that’s cutting things a bit too close to dark for my taste. If you really want to see Monument Valley, which I don’t blame you for in the least, doing it as a day trip from Page, AZ, would give you more time to enjoy a tour and get back to your hotel by nightfall. Another way to go about it would be to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, and overflights of Monument Valley usually run about 90 minutes. They also swing over Rainbow Bridge, which is a definite bonus! For more information on Monument Valley air tours, visit Westwind Air Service. Mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and lack of wind.
RE: visiting the Grand Canyon, here again, go there and spend the night. It’s a 2.5-3 hour drive one way from Page or Sedona to the park, and you really should experience a sunset or sunrise on the canyon rim! If Grand Canyon park hotels are sold out, look to Tusayan, AZ, the gateway community 7 miles outside the park gate.
On your wrap-up days in Sedona, the area has plenty to offer for families like yourselves! The Verde Canyon Railroad would certainly be a good choice, as would a helicopter tour or a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross. For more suggestions, visit www.Sedona.net Family Vacation
One last thing: the time of year you’re visiting is the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. There will be lots of families out touring and taking advantage of a long weekend. If you don’t have lodging or tours reserved, strongly recommend you get on that ASAP.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 25, 2019 at 2:34 PM
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From Regina Cofino
Thanyou so very much!! We are traveling from Guatemala to do an Ironman competition that weekend so we are very excited! Thanks for all you tips.
One last question.
Do you recommend sleeping in Monument Valley, and then the next day drive to Grand Canyon? Or is it better to spend the day, drive back to Page or Sedona and the next day head to Grand Canyon?
Thank you!September 25, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Nathan
Hello,
Searching for some advice.
My wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas and Arizona from oct. 26th to nov 2nd
Current itinerary:
Day 1: drive to page, az
Day 2-3: explore page, az
Day 4: grand canyon south rim
Day 5: Hoover dam and on to Vegas
Day 6-7: Vegas
Day 8: fly home
Would you change anything about this??? Is this the most optimal path? Any suggestions with this path?
Tysm!!
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Hi Nathan!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and very logically planned. Hopefully you’ve made advance reservations for all lodging and Antelope Canyon tours.
If there’s anything I’d change, however, it would be to try and accommodate Zion National Park in there somehow. You’re practically going to be passing right by it on the way from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, anyway, and it’s a stunning area with lots of hiking and exploration available to people of all ages and physical fitness levels! Due to the park’s size, it’s best to plan for at least 2 days in the area, and the gateway community of Springdale, UT, has many good choices of chain and independent hotels to stay at. In order to manage it, I’d recommend dropping a day in Page, AZ, and one in Las Vegas, NV. If this is not possible for whatever reason, keep your current plan as is, but definitely plan on a future trip to Utah when you can tour Zion, Bryce, and the rest of Utah’s “Mighty 5!”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 25, 2019 at 2:03 PM
Bryan
Hello, WOW this site and the feedback provided is amazing!! I have really enjoyed learning so much from the comments and the posts. Very thorough and obviously a passion of yours. So thank you. I have read this page and I am at a cross roads however. When i try to research the canyons they all say they are amazing (which I have no doubt), and just as good as the famed Antelop upper and lower.
So here is our situation. We are only going to be in Page for one day, the downsid eof trying to hit the GC and LAS Vegas, etc. We will come into Page in the evening on a Saturday in mid Oct. planning to watch the sunset at Horsehoe bend. Is this at about 7pm? We would also love to see the beautiful night time skies I have seen in photos and any suggestions on a place that would be welcoming of us being there for an hour or so, but also away from the light polution of Page would be great. Also does Page have fun night time activites?
Since we have such limited time we will only be able to do one slot canyon on our visit. We are both active, outgoing, in our 30’s, and healthy. So We want something more than an easy stroll. I was originally thinking lower antelope, still on my list, but worried about the crowds. We would go in the morning which would help, but now I am seeing other options also. I would love to do the Cardiac Canyon, but we just do not have the time this trip. So, here is the question… We want to avoid tons of people, and have some adventure… but I dont want to miss the wonder Antelope is famed for. Are other canyons really equivalent in beauty, colors, and wonder, just not as marketed? Or are they really more similar to what I could see at Valley of Fire near Vegas? With only one chance to see this area, I dont want to miss the best(of course subject to opinion). Whether that is a alternate with less crowds, or not.
So we are considering: Antelope lower, Canyon X, Mystical Antelope/Arrowhead campground, Mountain Sheep canyon, and Cathedral Canyon.
Thank you so much,
Bryan
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Hi Bryan and thanks for your compliments!
Every slot canyon in the Page, AZ, area is beautiful, and it’s highly doubtful that you’ll be disappointed, whichever one you choose to tour! In your case, being that you are physically active and healthy, I would recommend either Antelope Canyon X or Cathedral Canyon. I’m personally partial to Cathedral because, being located in LeChee, it’s somewhat far removed from the “hubbub” of Page, AZ, and has some features that are unique to it. A few other slot canyons not listed in this article are Ligai Si’Anii, Ram’s Head, and Wind Pebble Canyons. These are also located near the LeChee area, were only opened to the public ~3 years ago, and offer everything from beginner to advanced level hiking. For more information, visit Ligai Si’Anii Antelope Valley Canyon Tours at www.HikingSlotCanyons.com
As for nightlife in Page, AZ, there are a few bars and cocktail lounges that offer live music and dancing. There’s also the Mesa Theatre, our local movie theatre that features first-run films, and are pretty quick about getting them in soon after release for such a small town.
As for watching sunset at Horseshoe Bend, actual sunset time is around 5:45 PM in mid-October (we don’t observe Daylight Savings Time in Arizona). However, you might want to re-think that plan and catch sunrise at Horseshoe Bend. Sunset is usually very crowded at the overlook and you might have trouble finding a place to park. At sunrise, you typically have thinner crowds, and cooler temperatures. Regarding getting away from the “light dome” of Page, there are places where you can do that, you just have to be careful that you’re not inadvertently trespassing on Navajo land. This is typically an issue in the areas South and East of the town. If you were to go across the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge and go to Lone Rock Beach, you could do some stargazing from there, although you wouldn’t by any means be alone; it’s a popular spot to camp.
Time/inclination permitting, you could proceed further Northwest on US89 to the town of Big Water, UT, ~15 miles from Page, AZ. There’s an unpaved road that goes by a patch of badlands and a place informally known as “The Moon.” To reach it, exit off of Hwy 89 in Big Water, UT, then turn onto Ethan Allen St. Drive for 1/3 mile, then turn right at the sign in between two large yellow warehouse buildings that says “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.” This is UT Highway 12, aka County Road NP 230. A mile after the turn you will come to Wahweap Creek crossing, under normal conditions the crossing is fine for any type of vehicle, but if there is water running through it, no go. The Moon turn off will be a left about 1/4 mile past the creek crossing. There is a wash about 100 yards of the road that requires a 4×4 to get through, the walk is 1.5 miles. Word of warning: be extremely careful venturing into this area! Stay on paved or semi-paved roads, or you could find yourself stuck in deep sand in an area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (or non-existent) and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. If you’d prefer to play things a little safer, you might consider going with a licensed tour outfitter to this area, and to Alstrom Point, a stunning viewpoint that’s estimated to only see a handful of visitors annually due to its remote location and challenging terrain! For more information, visit AlstromPoint.com: Ground Tours BTW, the full moon in October occurs on Sunday the 13th.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 25, 2019 at 1:53 PM
Dorothy Harting
Hi
We are traveling to the Grand Canyon and Beyond Area in September 2020. We already have a one night reservation at the El Tavor Hotel in the South Rim for Tuesday, 8 September. I believe air fare is typically less expensive on Saturday’s and Tuesday’s so I thought we should fly in on Saturday, 5 September and fly home on Friday or Saturday, 11 or 12 September. (as well as for work purpose so we can take off Monday>Friday) Some of the sites that we would like to see are the South Rim Grand Canyon, Lake Powell/Page Area, Zion and Bryce Canyons. Can you suggest an itinerary that makes sense to be able to accomplish these areas? I thought we could do:
Day 1: Saturday – Flight from Maryland>Las Vegas, then drive to Zion Canyon, spend the night in Springdale
Day 2: Sunday – View Zion Canyon, then drive to Bryce Canyon, spend the night outside of park
Day 3: Monday- Visit Bryce Canyon (maybe drive a portion of the way to Grand Canyon to spend the night so less driving the next day)
Day 4: Tuesday-drive to Grand Canyon, spend the night at El Tavor
Day 5: Wednesday-visit Grand Canyon, either spend the night outside of Grand Canyon or drive to Lake Powell/Page area & spend the night
Day 6: Thursday – visit Lake Powell area, spend the night
Day 7: Friday, either fly home or if more time is needed continue visit of Lake Powell
Day 8: Drive from Page/Lake Powell area to Las Vegas and fly home
This is the only itinerary that I could come up with since the Grand Canyon visit is not at the very beginning or end of the trip. If you also have any suggestions for stops to visit along the way to each of these, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much.
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Hey Dorothy!
Kudos on planning your Grand Circle vacation well in advance, and congratulations on scoring that reservation at El Tovar! As you’ve correctly deduced, you need to build your trip itinerary around that highly-coveted reservation, which may necessitate some backtracking. In order to minimize that, however, here’s how I’d recommend changing it:
Day 1: Saturday, flight from Maryland, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2: Sunday, get an early start, drive to Page, AZ. Make short detour through Valley of Fire State Park (stunning!), then, instead of traveling via Kanab, UT on US89, take US89A through Colorado City, Jacob Lake, and Marble Canyon, maybe stop for late lunch/early dinner at Cliff Dweller’s Restaurant (delicious!). Time/parking permitting, stop at Horseshoe Bend for sunset, overnight in Page, AZ. Factoring in stops, what’s listed as a 5-hour drive could take anywhere from 7-8 hours, but it’s very scenic and the time will go by quickly!
Day 3: Monday, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 4: Tuesday, drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Stop at Horseshoe Bend that morning if you couldn’t manage it in days previous. Stops to make include but aren’t limited to: The Cut overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Chinle formation views, the Cameron Trading Post (good breakfast/brunch stop), Little Colorado River Overlook, Desert View Point, Tusayan Ruins & Museum, other Grand Canyon overlooks. Overnight at El Tovar (make dinner reservations 6 months out!). Drive time factoring in stops: ~3.5-4 hours
Day 5: Wednesday, Drive to Bryce Canyon (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in that area. Potential stops: Big Water Visitor Center & Dinosaur Museum, Paria Rim Rocks & Toadstools Trail
Day 6: Thursday, take free shuttle around Bryce Canyon Rim Drive, then drive to Zion/Springdale (~2.5 hour drive) for overnight.
Day 7: Explore Zion National Park, lots of hiking available in varying lengths and degrees of difficulty! 2nd night in Springdale
Day 8: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3 hour drive), fly home
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 3:44 PM
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From Dorothy Harting
Hi Alley,
Thank you for the great suggested changes to optimize our itinerary and the many points of interest to visit along the way. We are really looking forward to this trip and always heard to make plans a year in advance so your input is very helpful in making the other reservations we will need to make. I can’t wait to see this beautiful part of our country. Thank you for all your help.
Dorothy
September 23, 2019 at 6:19 PM
Dee
Hello.
We are planning to visit Page Oct 8 to Oct 9. Have to head back to Phoenix Oct 9 after the Antelope Canyon home for a flight out on Oct 10 morning.
We really want to experience the traditional Tipi camp like adventure in the Navajoland. But i am only seeing few places have this and it’s through AirBnB only. Do you have any reasonable suggestions to reserve anywhere? I have looked into couple in Navajo Nation area but starting is same as a real hotel price! $150? Would have thought it’d significantly cheaper considering lack of a lot of “regular” things. Mainly real bed, water, electricity.
We also want to do the tour but I noticed some of the Tipi and Hogan accommodations have their own slot canyons. (Mystical Antelope Canyon) is the one that has tour with Tipi reservation. But tour is quite expensive rather then Lower Antelope Canyon.
What do you suggestion?
We also want to do the boat tour. We have to pack Antelope Canyon and boat tour in one day and head back to Phoenix hotel in evening.
Is this doable?
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Hi Dee,
The assumption that a Navajoland hogan/tipi stay is going to be less expensive than a traditional hotel due to lack of amenities is unfortunately not correct. Many hogan/tipi/glamping properties are on privately owned land on the Navajo reservation, and the owners can and do charge whatever they want, whether they’re off-grid or on. That said, another property worth considering is the Shash Dine Eco Retreat, about 20 miles South of Page, AZ. Slot Canyon tours are not included in their overnight rates, so be aware of that before you commit.
If saving money is a priority, you may wish to abandon the Navajo Air B & B idea and stay at one of the independently owned facilities on the “Street of Little Motels” in Page, AZ. These properties are in a residential area of the town and are typically not “bookable” through online reservations platforms; you have to go the “old-school” way and contact the properties directly. A huge plus, though, is that they’re actually converted apartments, and for about the same price as a traditional hotel/motel, you get a unit with separate living and sleeping quarters and a full kitchen where you can do your own cooking if you prefer.
As to whether you can do the Antelope Canyon and Boat Tour in one day then drive back to Phoenix that same evening, that depends on availability of tours. The main priority is to be sure that you time the drive back to Phoenix so that you’re not driving in the dark. Roads in Northern Arizona are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), plus large animals such as deer and elk tend to pose a collision risk, especially at the time of year you’re visiting when they’re migrating to their winter grazing areas. Since the drive from Page, AZ, to Phoenix, AZ, runs ~5 hours, that means you’d want to leave Page, AZ, by 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM at the latest. You would have some wiggle room since the latter part of your drive would put you in Phoenix’s artificial light dome, but still, best to be settled in for the day at or before dusk, especially in an unfamiliar area.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 3:20 PM
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Hi Alley, our family of 5 adults are planning on visiting the canyons Feb 24 – Mar 4, 2020 and are wondering how should we be dressed that time of the year. We are from the prairies in Canada and are fairly used to the cold weather but being in the mountains can be quite different. Please advise.
October 03, 2019 at 2:44 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Barbara,
The weather at the time of year you’re planning on visiting will be cold, with snow possible/likely in areas like the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, which are 7,000′ and 8,000′ above sea level. Then again, you might encounter a small “teaser” of spring weather where you feel comfortable in short sleeves and may even brave an outdoor picnic! Long story short ……. start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel, and be prepared to pack jackets and gloves regardless. When you’re out sightseeing, dress in layers that you can easily remove and stash in a backpack or duffel bag, then put back on as your comfort level dictates.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 03, 2019 at 3:30 PM
Muthu
Hi, I am visiting Las Vegas and Grand Canyon in the Last week of November. I am Arriving on November 27th Night on Las Vegas, and Departing on December 1st From Las Vegas. We want to visit Grand canyon North and South Rim, Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon, and also spend a day in vegas. If anyone could advise us what to expect and how to plan, since its a Thanksgiving Weekend, it would be really helpful.
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Hi Muthu!
First off, visiting the North Rim won’t be possible at the time of year you’re visiting. Visitor facilities there close on October 15th, and the road into the park is bound to be closed by the time you arrive since that side of the canyon gets heavier snowfall than the South. There might still be a way you can see it, though. More on that in a minute…
Given your arrival and departure dates, you have three full days to work with. How you arrange them will largely depend on two key factors: availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon, and availability of Antelope Canyon tours. Because you’re traveling over Thanksgiving weekend, don’t be surprised if you find both to be sold out already, or close to it!
That said, a “classic” Northern Arizona weekend itinerary would go something like this:
Day 1 (November 28th) – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with stop at Hoover Dam if desired. Drive time: 5-6 hours, overnight at the Grand Canyon, Tusayan, Williams, or Flagstaff, AZ.
Day 2 (November 29th) – Take helicopter flight over Grand Canyon North Rim in AM; then drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints on Desert View/East Rim drive, breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, Horseshoe Bend on way into town. Overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 3 (November 30th) – Tour Antelope Canyon, then drive to Las Vegas (5-6 hours), overnight in Las Vegas.
Day 4 (December 1st) – Fly home
You can also reverse the above-referenced itinerary if you find that lodging or tour availability is more conducive to doing so.
A couple of things to keep in mind: days are short – sunrise occurs at about 7:15 AM, sunset at around 5:15 PM. Any and all driving needs to be done in daylight hours due to roads being very dimly lit and the possible presence of large animals such as deer, elk, free range cattle, even wild horses nearby. You’re also visiting during the transitional period between fall and winter, so, best case scenario, it will be cold; worst case scenario, you could encounter snow. It’s too soon to call at this point, but start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel, and plan on packing jackets, gloves, etc., regardless.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 2:28 PM
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From Muthu
Hi Alley,
For now, in Page AZ, the weather seems to be pretty normal during the thanksgiving holidays. Is it still a better time to visit the Antelope Canyons?
We are planning to visit on Saturday the 30th.November 18, 2019 at 4:38 AM
Kaydee
Hi Alley,
Thank you for all the wondering information on this site. It is all very helpful and overwhelming at the same time. Please help us plan our itenirary. I’m planning a trip to Vegas with my family (with 2 kids age 13 and 6). I land in Vegas on Nov 23 morning (11am) and want to spend time in Grand Canyon from Nov 23 to Nov 25. How do you suggest we travel from vegas, where do we stay and what all can we cover in 2 days? I’m thrilled with the photos of Horseshoe Bend and would certainly like to cover that. Eagerly looking forward to hear your response. Thank you!
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Hi Kaydee,
How you travel from Las Vegas will largely depend on lodging availability at the Grand Canyon and availability of Antelope Canyon tours.
Assuming your flight to Las Vegas arrives on time and you don’t encounter any difficulties collecting your rental car, it will take you approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Spend the night at the Grand Canyon, then, the following morning, make your way to Page, AZ, to visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon. Parking permitting, you can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, then tour Antelope Canyon the following morning. Afterward, start the trip back to Las Vegas, which will run anywhere from 5-6 hours depending on traffic through a construction zone on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge.
The main thing working against you on that first day is daylength: in late November, it’s very short, with sunrise occurring at 7:15 am and sunset taking place at around 5:15 pm (Arizona time, which is 1 hour ahead of Las Vegas time). You’ll want to do everything possible to be sure that you arrive at the Grand Canyon before sunset so you can actually see sunset on the rim, and avoid doing the last half of that drive at night. Deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to be nocturnal, and they have a tendency to congregate around the roads to graze. That means high-tailing it out of Las Vegas as fast as possible, and only making stops that are absolutely necessary. Maybe grab an In-N-Out Burger in Kingman, AZ, about 2 hours outside of Las Vegas.
Another consideration you might have to take into account is weather: the time of year you’re visiting is within the transitional period between fall and winter in the American Southwest. Best case scenario, you’ll have days that are sunny but cool; worst case, you could encounter true-winter weather, including snow, especially at the Grand Canyon, which is 7,000′ above sea level. Of course, it’s too soon to call at this point, but I’d recommend monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and packing jackets, gloves, etc. regardless.
If all that rushing around doesn’t appeal to you, and you’d prefer to spend that first night in Las Vegas, then I’d recommend prioritizing the Grand Canyon, and saving the visit to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon for a future trip when you can take things at a more relaxed pace, and maybe spend a week or more exploring Northern Arizona and Southern Utah!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 2:14 PM
JESSIE
Hi!
Thank you soooooo much for all your comments and helping everyone plan their perfect vacation!
I will only be in Pheonix from October 7-10… Realistically I think I can only make the trip to go to one place. Would you recommend the grand canyon or horseshoe bend? If you could only view one. Thank you!
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Hey Jessie!
If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon before, I would definitely recommend prioritizing it first. I would also recommend setting aside at least one night to stay in a hotel there, since the drive from Phoenix is long, 5 hours each way. For information on Grand Canyon hotels, visit GrandCanyon.com, GrandCanyonLodges.com, or VisitGrandCanyon.com
If you can possibly set aside another day/night, you could include the trip to Page, AZ, which is ~a 3.5-4 hour drive (factoring in the many stops you’ll invariably make) from Grand Canyon South Rim. While in the area, be sure to make plans to tour Antelope Canyon as well. The drive back to Phoenix from Page, AZ, is also ~5 hours.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 1:23 PM
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From Cassandra
Hi Alley,
How do you recommend doing the Grand Canyon? What exactly do you recommend? We will have one day there in mid November. Please let me know! Thanks 🙂September 23, 2019 at 7:32 PM
lalana rochette
Hello,
My name is Lalana from Thailand.
I would like to book tours for me and my famliy in Sep 2020
(2 adults and 2 yr old daughter).
We would like to see:
Upper Antelop,
Lower Antelope
Canyon X,
Secret Canyon,
Water Holes,
Glen canyon dam overlook
My questions are:
1)Any of the above is banned for toddlers?
2)which locations you provide tours?
3)base on your answer of question 2, How many days should we stay in Page?
4) any tour companies can offer guides to aboved places with toddlers?
ps. i would like to go to as many spots possible with my 2 year old.
thanks alot!
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Hello Lalana, or sawatdee kah!
With a toddler in tow, you will be limited in the slot canyons that you are allowed to enter, which is 100% for your little one’s safety.
Upper Antelope tours are open to people of all ages (with the exception of Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours, which requires that children be at least 6), as is Lower Antelope Canyon. In the case of Upper Antelope Canyon, because a truck/bus ride is required to get to the entrance, you must provide a car seat for your child, and book a space designated for children 2 and under. However, with Lower Antelope, you’ll need to consider carefully whether your child will be able to handle it. Full Video Walk Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Backpack carriers are allowed, but this type of child carrier is actually preferred. Antelope Canyon X also allowed children 2 and under, with the same cautions given as with Lower Antelope, since the two are very similar. Strollers are not allowed in any Page, AZ, area slot canyons. Of the slot canyons you have listed, Secret Canyon (now known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon), and Waterholes Canyon do not allow children under the age of 6. More tips for visiting Antelope Canyon with kids
Antelope Canyon tour reservations should be made well in advance of your visit. Bookings for 2020 can be made in November-December of this year, when seat inventory for the following year is made available.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 23, 2019 at 1:17 PM
Eric
Hi,
Hi, we are a group of 3-4 and really keen on visiting a slot canyon in the Page area next mid-October 2020. We’d be grateful if you could answer the following questions:
-Could someone who has had a hip replacement 2 years ago manage the Lower Antelope Canyon?
-What is the length of the Lower Antelope Canyon compared to Secret Canyon (or Horseshoe Bend canyon)?
-How awe-inspiring is the Lower Antelope Canyon compared with the Secret Canyon?
-In mid-October period, how busy is visiting Lower Antelope Canyon? Would we expect to have to wait in line to descend the ladders into the Canyon?
-Can you recommend any multi-day tours leaving from Las Vegas that include the Lower Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Overlook?
Thanks very much,
Eric
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Hi Eric!
Thank you for your inquiry that is clear, concise, and to the point 🙂 We definitely commend you for making your American Southwest vacation plans well in advance. So, let’s get on with it!
1. People who have had knee and hip replacements tour Lower Antelope Canyon every day without problems. As to whether your party member could manage it, only he or she can decide that. I would recommend that they watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing. You’ll note that in the video, people are carrying backpacks. This is no longer allowed, FYI.
2. Lower Antelope Canyon is ~600m long; Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (formerly Secret Canyon) is ~450m
3. Both Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon are beautiful, but there’s no denying that they’re different. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon has no chambers, it is one continuous slot, but what it may lack in variety, it makes up for in ease of access. Since it has no stairs or ladders, most people in relatively good health with minor mobility challenges can handle it.
4. In mid-October, the Page, AZ, area will still be busy, but not as crazy as the summer months. It’s mostly adults out touring since most children are back in school. Still, “bottlenecking” does occur in the slot canyons as the day progresses. If you book a tour at mid-day, you can realistically expect a 5-10 minute wait before you begin your Antelope Canyon tour (not factoring in the requirement to check in 30-60 minutes in advance).
5. If you prefer to travel with an escorted tour, there are several companies out there offering a variety of trips to not only Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and other local attractions. Viator is one such company. We also recommend MaxTour. If you go this route, remember that you’ll be at the mercy of their scheduling, and there is usually very little “wiggle room” for tourists to do their own thing. Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very easy to explore on a self-drive basis, which will give you optimal freedom and flexibility!
For more suggestions on how to make the most of a 2-day visit to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and more, check out our Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 19, 2019 at 1:08 PM
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From Eric
Thanks Alley for all your suggestions, you’ve given us lots to think about!
EricSeptember 20, 2019 at 7:50 AM
Alex
Dear Alley,
would you be able to recommend any company that runs multisport-type tours around the national parks of Arizona, Utah and Nevada that would also include this amazingly looking kayak tour?
I’m struggling to find one and since I travel solo, I would really prefer to join a group of “like-minded individuals”:)
Thanks a lot!
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Hey Alex,
This is a great question!
While you might not find a multi-sport tour that includes this exact kayak tour, companies are out there that cater to, as you aptly put, “like-minded individuals.” These include, but are certainly not limited to, Escape Adventures, Backroads, and AOA Adventures.
While these tour companies offer the benefit of full-service planning, the biggest downside is that you’re at the mercy of their scheduling, which typically allows little to no opportunities to “do your own thing.” Many solo travelers have had very fulfilling trips to the American Southwest on a self-drive basis. Surely, you could be one of them! For more information and suggestions, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 18, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Chad Meyer
Hi Alley,
I’m so excited to share with you my family trip plans and to get your ever-so-knowledgeable review on it as it would be most helpful and greatly appreciated.
First of all, we plan to do this in April as this is when we get the most time off of work in the year apart from December. Secondly, you’ll note I’ve already taken into account your previous recommendations for times of certain tours.
The itinerary goes as such:
Day 1 – Santa Monica to Havasu Springs, Arizona – 1 Night stay
Drive: 4hrs35min – 290 miles from last destination
Stay: Havasu Springs Resort
Highlights: Joshua Tree N.P.
Sandal Trail – Navajo National Monument
Hoover Dam Lookout
London Bridge Visit
Seligman (Route 66) Visit
Tusayan for Imax film
Mr D’s Diner
Day 2 & 3 – Havasu Springs, Arizona to Grand Canyon Village – 2 Nights stay
Drive: 3hrs50min – 248 miles from last destination
Stay: 7 Mile Lodge
Highlights: Grand Canyon N.P.
Little Colorado River Outlook
Breakfast at Historic Cameron Trading Post
Havasu Falls
Moenkopi Dinosaur Track
Navajo National Monument hike to cliff dwellings
Lunch at Kayenta
Day 4 – Grand Canyon Village to Monument Valley, Arizona – 1 Night stay
Drive: 3hrs16min – 182 miles from last destination
Stay: Goulding’s Lodge
Highlights: Monument Valley N.P. (Afternoon)
Arches N.P. (Morning)
Day 5 & 6 – Monument Valley to Page, Arizona – 2 Nights stay
Drive: 2hrs15min – 131 miles from last destination
Stay: Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas
Highlights: Horseshoe Bend (Early Morning)
Antelope Canyon Tour (Lower Canyon)
Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge Tour (Morning)
Day 7 & 8 – Page to Bryce Canyon, UT – 2 Nights stay
Drive: 2hrs 37min – 149 miles
Stay: Air B&B – Panguitch and Duck Creek Village
Highlights: Zion N.P. – Angel’s Landing (Morning)
Bryce Canyon N.P. (River Rafting)
Day 9 – Bryce Canyon to Vegas, NV – 1 Night stay
Drive: 4hrs 11min – 262miles
Stay: Air B&B / hotel
Highlights: Vegas Strip
Show
Day 10 – Vegas to Santa Monica, CA
Drive: 4hrs 33min – 285miles
I have four burning questions to ask. Firstly, who would you recommend for the river rafting tour and is this even the right time of year for it? Secondly, which parks do we need a guided tour with us and where would you recommend we do this? Thirdly, I will be taking my camera with me to document this trip and to take photos, however, I see that I need a permit for certain places like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. Do I need it for anywhere else and where do I acquire this? Lastly, my brother has a US National Parks card but now we are in Navajo Parks territory so which parks will we need to purchase other permits for?
I eagerly anticipate your reply.
Chad from South Africa.
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Hi Chad, and thank you for visiting our site.
You’ve obviously spent a great deal of time planning your trip out, which is why it pains me to say that it’s in need of a serious reality check. It seems to me you haven’t looked at a map and gotten a sense of where things are really located, so some highlights of certain days need to be shifted either forward or back, or eliminated altogether. Havasu Falls, for example (which you’ve indicated wanting to see on day 2 and 3) — it’s not going to happen, friend. This is a very remote area, only accessible on foot, and permits for lodging and camping are booked out months in advance. You also need at least 3 days to do the area justice (you are required to commit to at least that many days to get a camping permit anyway). For more information, visit www.HavasupaiReservations.com and think about saving this very special place for a future visit.
So let’s get down to it: first of all, when you state you’ll be going to “Havasu Springs,” I think you’re actually referring to “Lake Havasu City,” unless you’re referring to the Havasu Springs Resort, which is located in Parker, AZ, a suburb of Lake Havasu City. In any case, your drive time estimate is slightly off. According to Google Maps, it’s more like a 5-hour drive, and that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive does have some scenic, cultural, and historic highlights that have already piqued your interest, so you should pad drive times by anywhere from 20-30% just to be on the safe side.
You’ve also got the sequence of a few trip highlights mixed up on different days. On Day 1, for example, your travels will take you by Joshua Tree National Park, which is worth a stop, but other attractions, such as Seligman, and Tusayan, are closer to Grand Canyon Village, and Navajo National Monument is located between Grand Canyon Village and Monument Valley. Getting back to your first day’s plan, at 90 minutes minimum (one way) from Parker, AZ, Mr. D’s Diner in Kingman, AZ, is too far out of the way to be realistic. Ditto for Hoover Dam, which is another 90 minutes minumum (again, one way) from Kingman, AZ. If you’re prepared to get a very early start out of Santa Monica, CA, and are open to re-arranging your itinerary a bit, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Drive from Santa Monica, CA, to Hoover Dam (~6.5 hour drive with brief stop near Mojave National Preserve)
Continue on to Mr. D’s Diner in Kingman for late lunch/early dinner (90 minute drive from Hoover Dam)
Drive to Havasu Springs Resort to stay overnight (90 minutes-2 hours from Hoover Dam)
Still, man, you’re looking at a LOT of driving, anywhere from 8-9 hours, at a time of year when you only have about 12.5 hours of daylight to work with. Personally, I’d recommend taking Hoover Dam and Mr. D’s off the table and just concentrate on getting to Havasu Springs, with a stopover at Joshua Tree. That will make for a shorter drive at a more relaxed pace.
On the drive to Grand Canyon Village for day 2 and 3 of your trip, here’s where you’d want to hit Seligman, AZ, then see the IMAX movie in Tusayan, AZ. Regarding Havasu Falls?
The Little Colorado River Outlook, Historic Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Track, Navajo National Monument and the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit would be the agenda for Day 4, when you drive from Grand Canyon Village to Monument Valley. That’s really cool that you got reservations at Goulding’s Lodge!
Unfortunately, Arches National Park needs to come off the agenda, too. For one thing, it’s a 3-hour drive, one way, bare minimum, from Goulding’s Lodge to Moab, UT, the gateway community for both Arches and Canyonlands. This is another area that requires at least 4-5 days to explore fully. That’s time that you just don’t have. Sorry 🙁
Monument Valley is an area where you should plan on doing a guided tour. There are a variety to choose from, including jeep tours, horseback riding, guided hikes, and photography tours. For more information, visit the Navajo Tribal Park authority’s website, where you can find a complete list of authorized Monument Valley tour companies. Regarding photography permits, unless you plan on selling your photos or using them to promote a product or generate some sort of profit for yourself, your tour price typically includes the right to take as many photos as you want. Your tour ticket will also include your Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee, so be sure to keep your receipt as you should be able to apply it to your Antelope Canyon tour ticket, too.
In Page, AZ, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour departs at 7:30 AM and can last anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on the level of Lake Powell. In any case, be prepared to take a 2-3 mile round-trip hike to see Rainbow Bridge, and not to plan any other activities for that day. Even though the weather in April is typically pleasant, being out on the water and in the sun for that length of time can zap your strength if you’re not used to boating, so, all you’re likely to want to do afterward is grab a good dinner and maybe a cocktail and go to bed. Fortunately, the Lake Powell Resort complex has all that on site. Horseshoe Bend is best visited just after sunrise, which you’re apparently already planning to do, which is good. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance, which you’ll be able to do in November-December of this year, when the tour companies open up seat inventory for 2020.
On Day 7 & 8 where you indicate you’d do “river rafting in Bryce Canyon N.P.,” here again, that’s not quite right. There are no river rafting trips offered in Bryce Canyon National Park itself. There are some offered in nearby Marysvale, UT, on the Sevier River, but they don’t start running until Memorial Day. Limited rafting opportunities have been available on the Virgin River near Zion National Park in the past, but recent low water levels have rendered that portion of the river “unraftable” of late. Of course, things could change by the time you arrive, but obviously it’s too soon to call. If you are wanting to include river rafting in your trip, a more reliable option would be the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip out of Page, AZ. It does not go through any rapids, but it does include a lot of beautiful scenery and compelling history. The downside is you’d probably have to give up the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour in order to accommodate it in your schedule. I know it’s a hard choice!
So… now to answer your “burning questions:”
1. See the above paragraph for advice re: river rafting
2. Antelope Canyon definitely requires a guided tour; for Monument Valley, it’s strongly recommended, but not 100% required
3. See the advice on Monument Valley for information on commercial photography permits (which I don’t think you’ll need)
4. You acquire your Navajo park permit when you purchase a guided tour in any Navajo Nation Tribal park
5. Your brother’s National Park Pass will cover you for all National Parks, Monuments, and U.S. Federal Fee areas on your trip
Oh, time permitting on the drive from Bryce to Vegas, try and make the easy detour to the stunning Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a beautiful area that you won’t regret making the time for!
I know that’s a lot to digest, and I get that you’re coming from a long way away and that this trip might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Still, we want you to remember it as a vacation and not a constant race against the clock to get to your next destination.
Feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2019 at 4:14 PM
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From Chad Meyer
Hi Alley,
It seems that my idea of where some of these places was a bit far off so having said that the first day we will travel from Santa Monica to Havasu Springs resort, AZ and will pass via the Joshua Tree N.P.
I think it’s best to drop Seligman and reserve more time for hiking in the Grand Canyon.
I will definitely follow the idea for the itinerary before arriving at Monument Valley.
I will sadly remove Arches N.P. as per your advice.
Everything else is noted and greatly appreciated. I actually forgot to ask you about the Valley of Fire so that’s a plus.
You are a star. Thanks for all your help.
September 17, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Gail Gimbel
Hello Alley,
We are coming from the Boston area to visit for the first time October 8-18, starting and ending in Vegas. The 7-day Itinerary looks great. Fortunately we will be able to add a second night in 2 places and wondered what you would suggest.
Also, which tour of Antelope Canyon would you suggest? We are in our 60’s, and energy can be a challenge due to my husband’s health issues. Although he’s in great shape due to cycling and and skiing, walking on uneven terrain can be tough, and a narrow trail with a sharp drop-off wouldn’t work.
Thank you so much in advance.
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Hi Gail!
October is a great time to be here, and that’s awesome that you have 10 days to work with instead of 7. As for where you allocate those extra days, it will be highly dependent on lodging availability. That said, I would recommend giving an extra day to the Grand Canyon and one to Zion. If you can’t get an extra hotel night at the Grand Canyon, then do an extra day at Bryce and one at Zion. Trust me, you won’t find any shortage of things to see and do at any of the parks!
As for which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour, it sounds as though Upper Antelope Canyon would be your best bet. The trail through the canyon is relatively flat and even, no sharp drop-offs anywhere. If you find that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out — which is entirely possible at this point in time — you might consider Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. At ~500 yards in length, it is significantly longer than Upper Antelope Canyon, however, like Upper Antelope Canyon, this slot canyon features no stairs. Another advantage to this alternate slot canyon is that tour groups are deliberately kept smaller, which most visitors tend to appreciate, but this does make the tour a bit pricier.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Mary
Hi, Thank you for all the helpful information. We were thinking of going to the Page area the week of Thanksgiving and among other things, checking out at least one of the the less crowded slot canyons and maybe a boat/float tour like Lake Powell or Antelope Canyon. It’s probably going to be cold and I read there’s no ‘light beams’ in the slots that time of year. We saw Horseshoe bend but did not do a float trip- I’m guessing it would be too cold for the half day trip. Should we just delay this trip to spring instead? I’ve been many times to the national parks in that area over the years so we were thinking of visiting some national monuments like Navajo and Canyon De Chelly. I wasn’t sure if it was worth going to the area Thanksgiving week due to the weather, although we would also re-visit GC, Zion, etc, if we did. Thank you.
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Hi Mary!
The Grand Circle of the American Southwest is absolutely worth visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday. There are definitely advantages to doing so, namely, cooler weather, especially in “true” desert areas such as Page, AZ, Navajo National Monument and Canyon de Chelly. Bear in mind, however, that late November typically falls in the “transitional” time frame between autumn and winter, and snowstorms are not unheard of in higher altitude areas such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. I wouldn’t let that discourage you from visiting at all. The rock formations, which are beautiful during the drier months of the year, are absolutely stunning with a layer of white “frosting” on them! In the rare instance that copious amounts of snow fall in the Page, AZ, area, slot canyon tours can be cancelled for safety reasons, but again, that’s pretty unusual.
You have correctly deduced that water-based activities may be on seasonal hiatus at the time of year you’re visiting. While tours like the Glen Canyon Float Trip “theoretically” run through the end of November, operation of the trip is usually contingent on good weather and a certain number of passengers booked. Antelope Canyon boat tours also operate on a similar basis during the shoulder season. Whichever one you take, it will be jacket weather and not swimming weather, so keep that in mind.
As for whether you should delay the trip to spring, weather does tend to be a bit warmer and more stable, although the possibility of a late-season rain or snowstorm is still there, especially in the early part of the season. Whenever you decide to travel, be sure to book all hotels and guided tours in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Magrid Wichers
I will be traveling to all of the location’s mentioned on a 11 day tour. Can you please forward article so I can print?
Thanks
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Hi Magrid,
Watch your e-mail for a printable copy of the article!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Ciara
Hi Alley,
We are making a trip to see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon in mid October. The light beam isn’t a big priority so we’re leaning more towards touring the lower canyon. However, we are going to have our 6 month old with us. I plan to wear her in a carrier, which she does great in and both me and my husband are active so the stairs shouldn’t be an issue. What are your thoughts? Also, I’m curious about the ride out to the canyon. Do they allow car seats or will we have to hold her on the ride?
Here’s the projected timeline:
Friday Oct. 11: drive to Page from Pheonix in morning, AC tour, view Horseshoe Bend, stay in Page overnight
Saturday: drive to South Rim and view Grand Canyon- possibly do a tour (I haven’t looked into this part too much yet), stay overnight in Tusayan
We need to be back to Pheonix by Sunday afternoon.
I know it’s not ideal for the Grand Canyon to be done in one day, but what would be the best thing we can do with our time there?
Thanks for your resources!!
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Hi Ciara,
You’ve actually planned your trip quite well and are making good use of an admittedly short time frame.
Folks do tour Lower Antelope Canyon with infants and toddlers, but for everyone’s safety, we tend to recommend Upper Antelope for families with younger kids. Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon
If you end up touring Lower Antelope, what you do there is check in at the visitor services kiosk, then walk to the canyon’s entrance (~10 minutes, no truck ride). If you opt to tour Upper, then you must provide a car seat on the vehicle for the ride to the canyon’s entrance.
Instead of visiting Horseshoe Bend at sunset, when it’s super-crowded and you might have trouble finding a place to park, I’d recommend popping in just after sunrise on the way out of town to the Grand Canyon. Early morning visits offer the dual benefits of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
As for visiting the Grand Canyon in one day’s time, in your case, you don’t need a tour. You’ll actually see quite a lot of it on the drive from Page, AZ, since the route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park. Here, there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at if you wish, so what is given as a 2.5 hour drive “on paper” can realistically take you 3.5-4 hours factoring in stops. Be sure to stop for breakfast/brunch at the Cameron Trading Post! Time permitting, you might use the free shuttles to tour the Grand Canyon Village Historic District and the viewpoints on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 16, 2019 at 1:24 PM
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From Ciara
This is super helpful! Thank you 🙂 I can’t wait for our trip up there!
September 19, 2019 at 5:01 PM
CoreyB
I will be in AZ for a few days the first weekend in Nov. we arrive in Phoenix late evening on 10/31 and depart at 430 pm on Monday 4. We are planning to stay in Phoenix and get up early on Friday. We have 3 full days. We definitely want to explore Sedona but also want to visit Page specifically to see Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. We love to hike. Any suggestions on where to spend the majority of our time or a possible itinerary to make the best use of our time? We want to plan an itinerary before we book lodging. We had considered popping in to GC, but realize that may be unrealistic this time around, based on time. Thanks in advance.
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Hi Corey,
Actually, your itinerary should revolve, and evolve around availability of Antelope Canyon tours and lodging, not the other way around.
With 3 full days to work with, I’d recommend spending 2 days in Sedona and 1 day in Page, AZ. Check availability of Antelope Canyon tours first, then Page, AZ, hotels and Sedona, AZ, hotels.
Most visitors prefer to get the longer drives of their trip out of the way first. If you feel the same way, try to hit Page, AZ, first since it’s ~a 5-hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona would then be a 3-hour drive from Page, AZ, then it would be a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix from Sedona. However, if availability of Antelope Canyon tours or hotels in Page or Sedona dictate doing it the other way around, c’est la vie.
If you’re prepared to save the Grand Canyon for another visit, you might consider flying into/out of Las Vegas and doing the “classic” loop that includes Grand Canyon South Rim, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion. Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 16, 2019 at 1:05 PM
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From Sarah Elizabeth
Hi Miah, you have great info! Like others, I’m planning a trip mid-Nov but have different facts: I’m going to Vegas for a meeting, but will have from arrival Sat night until Mon AM meeting to travel (ie, basically Sunday). From your prior comments, i’m thinking some possibilities are: fly in, drive to Page (& stay there), then tour Upper Antelope and hike Horseshoe Bend, then back to Vegas OR rent car, drive to Zion & stay & hike there, then back to Vegas Sun night. I’ll need to cover the Saturday night stay (where ever it is) & all Sunday expenses & I’m on a tight budget. BUT, YOLO & you know the area, so I’d like to do what you recommend, with you knowing my facts. Thanks!
September 16, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Leann
Hello, we are travelling to Page on Saturday Sept 21st. Since all of the prime time tours for Antelope Canyon are full for that day, is the light better at an 8:30am or 2pm tour? Thank you!
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Hi Leann,
The light in Antelope Canyon would be perfectly fine at either time. Pick the time slot that works for you and enjoy it, because in the time it takes to debate when the light is best, someone else could grab your seats!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 16, 2019 at 12:09 PM
miah
Hi Alley, this is really informative! I’ve a couple of questions if you could advice.
Planning for a trip towards the end of November, a 7 days trip to cover the following area:
– Zion, Bryce, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend, Grand Canyon
1. Is it feasible to cover within 7 days? Any proposals on the route
2. Antelope Canyon – based on your sharing above it seems like we would require a tour and after the tour can I cover Horseshoe bend in the same day?
3. Are there accommodations around these areas?
Appreciate it!
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Hi Miah,
Yes, 7 days is the perfect timeframe in which to cover all the attractions on your “wish list!” As for the route you take, it will most likely come down to a couple of key factors: availability of Grand Canyon hotels, and availability of Antelope Canyon tours. Start by checking those two elements, and let the rest of your trip planning revolve, and evolve around them.
That said, a “classic” 7-day vacation itinerary, using Las Vegas as a staging city, goes something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam if desired, drive time ~5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan.
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops at Grand Canyon viewpoints, and points of interest in the Navajo reservation. Stop at Cameron Trading Post for lunch, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 3 – Tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend (which can be done at your leisure in your own vehicle between the hours of sunrise and sunset), 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 4 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon; this is a 2.5 hour drive going direct, but like the drive between Grand Canyon and Page, can easily be stretched to a 3.5-4 hour drive if you take advantage of photo ops, such as the Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Trails hike, Moqui Cave, just to name a few. Overnight in Bryce Canyon area.
Day 5 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 6 – Explore Zion National Park area using the Zion Canyon shuttle system, lots of hiking available inside the park in varying degrees of difficulty 10 Great Hikes in Zion
Day 7 – 3rd night in Zion, or drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hour drive)
You might also consider flip-flopping the above-referenced itinerary if lodging availability (or lack thereof) is more conducive to doing so.
Traveling in November, bear in mind that you probably will come across weather conditions ranging from sunny and brisk in some areas, to the possibility of snow, particularly in Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, which are 7,000′ and 8,000′ above sea level, respectively. Be sure to pack a jacket, gloves, etc. just in case.
Also, be sure that any and all driving you do is during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move in most cases to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky). Remember that daylength will be short at the time of year you’re visiting: sunrise occurs at approximately 7:15 AM, sunset is shortly after 5:00 PM.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 16, 2019 at 11:58 AM
Judy Brislin
My sister and I are considering a trip in February 2020, possibly Feb 15-22. We could fly into Phoenix or Las Vegas, just not sure about the weather conditions that time of year. We would like to see Grand Canyon, and we are not necessarily hikers, altho we did average about ten miles/day last February walking around all the Disney and Universal parks in Orlando for a week!! As far as nature hiking, we are inexperienced and in our mid-60’s. We enjoy taking scenic photos, and we are open to jeep tours, etc. Is this a place we might enjoy for a February trip? I was somewhat thinking of flying into Phoenix, and staying in Sedona as our base and just doing day trips perhaps??
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Hi Judy,
To coin a phrase, there’s good news and bad news here: the good news is that you don’t have to be a hard-core hiker to have a fabulous time in Northern Arizona! The bad news is that in February, your plans might be kaboshed by winter weather, up to and including snow. But then again, the scenery is even more beautiful with a coat of “white frosting,” and the area tends to be less crowded, so there’s an upside there, too!~
That said, I wouldn’t recommend using Sedona as a “base camp” from which to explore the various attractions in the area. For one, it’s a 2.5-3 hour drive, each way, from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, and also to Page, AZ, home of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Another thing working against you at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength: it’s short. Sunrise occurs at around 7:15 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 6:00 PM. You want to be sure that any driving is done during daylight hours in this part of the U.S. due to lack of lighting on local roadways (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other nocturnal wildlife. The last part of the drive to Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon is very twisty, which can be crazy-scary at night — trust me, I’ve done that drive myself at night and won’t do it again!
A better plan would be to stay overnight near the attractions you wish to visit for optimal safety and comfort. With your timeframe, you could do something like this:
February 15 – fly into Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
February 16 – drive to Page, AZ (~5-6 hour drive factoring in stops), lunch in Flagstaff, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
February 17 – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Horseshoe Bend on way out of town, breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, enter the park at Desert View Point, visit Desert View Watchtower, stop at other Grand Canyon viewpoints as desired, overnight at Grand Canyon
February 18 – 2nd day at Grand Canyon: if hiking is not practical due to snow on trails, don’t worry, there’s plenty to see and do! Possible activities include driving the scenic Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive of the park, which is open to private vehicles during the winter months. Ranger programs are also occurring on a limited basis. Overnight at Grand Canyon
February 19 – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hours), if desired, visit the National Geographic Visitors Center in Tusayan and see the IMAX movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” or take a scenic airplane or helicopter flight over the canyon, overnight in Sedona
February 20 – 2nd day in Sedona, take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Airport Mesa, other easy but scenic hikes, etc., overnight in Sedona
February 21 – 3rd day in Sedona – possible spa day? Overnight in Sedona
February 22 – drive back to Phoenix (~2.5 hours), fly home
Of course, you can flip-flop this itinerary if you prefer to get your R&R on at the beginning of your trip instead of the end.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 13, 2019 at 2:03 PM
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From Judy Brislin
Great info! Thank you for taking the time to help us out with our trip planning! This is very helpful and I will study this itinerary carefully!
September 17, 2019 at 1:37 PM
Vita Akopyan
Hello,
We are planning a trip for February 2020 and it seems there will be some backtracking, but I don’t see a way to avoid it. Do you have any suggestions please? The flights into Phoenix and out of Vegas have already been booked.
Feb 15 at night arrive at Phoenix airport
16- triple crown tour Antelope
17-drive to Bryce canyon and maybe Zion
18, 19- grand canyon
20, 21 – las vegas
thank you so much
Vita
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Hi Vita,
You are correct in that your itinerary does involve some unnecessary backtracking. Also, where you indicate that on your third day you would “drive to Bryce and maybe Zion,” first of all, you can’t really do justice to those areas in a single day. You need at least one day for each park, but another consideration is that in February, Bryce may not be practical. At 8,000′ above sea level, it receives copious amounts of snow in February, so you may want to skip it this time around.
If your lodging and tours have not been booked yet, a more logical way to arrange your itinerary would be like this:
February 15 – at night arrive at Phoenix airport
February 16 – drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
February 17 – drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend
February 18 – Antelope Canyon Triple Crown Tour (the boat tour portion of the AC Triple Crown may not be available at the time of year you’re visiting due to weather), 2nd night in Page, AZ
February 19 – drive to Bryce Canyon (~2.5 hours from Page, AZ), overnight in Bryce Canyon City, Panguitch, Tropic or Kanab, UT
February 20 – drive to Zion National Park (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT
February 21 – drive to Las Vegas for flight home (~3.5 hours from Springdale)
If having 2 nights in Las Vegas is a non-negotiable element of your trip, then dropping Bryce from the itinerary would be the most logical way to accommodate that.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 13, 2019 at 1:17 PM
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From Vita
Wow! Thank you so much! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this, it makes much more sense and less driving.
September 14, 2019 at 9:57 PM
MADHU
Hi,
Am planning as below, let me know if its feasible.
Will be landing in Las Vegas on 21st Sep 8:00 AM.
Day1 – Sep 21st:- Las Vegas -> Hover Dam -> GC West Rim Skywalk -> Willams, AZ
Day2 – Sep 22nd:- Willams -> GC South Rim -> Horeshoebend -> Antelope Canyon -> Page,AZ
Day3 – Sep 23rd:- Page, AZ -> Las Vegas (to explore nightlife in Vegas)
Day4 – Sep 24th:- Back home flight at 5:00 PM
Thanks,
Madhu
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Hi Madhu,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. Hopefully you won’t experience any significant delays with your flight or collecting your rental car when you land in Las Vegas, because you’re looking at a long drive right from the get. The trip from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon Skywalk is approximately 2.5 hours; the drive to Williams, AZ, is approximately 3 hours. The latter half of the trip will take place when you’re tired and maybe experiencing some effects of jetlag. Another consideration is daylength; in September, it’s getting shorter, and you want to be sure to do any and all driving during daylight hours to avoid a collision with a deer, elk, or other nocturnal wildlife that tends to congregate on local roadways after dark. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at ~6:15 AM and sunset takes place at approximately 6:20 PM (Arizona time).
On your second day of traveling, try to get to the Grand Canyon park entrance before 8:00 AM (it takes ~1 hour to drive up from Williams). The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, will take ~3.5-4 hours. I know Google maps gives the timeframe as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you’ll be stopping to take pictures often. Highlights of the trip include, but are not limited to, over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints, including the Desert View Watchtower, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (a good stop for lunch), Chinle formation views, and the “Cut” overlook. Parking permitting, you could hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town; if not, plan to visit just after sunrise the following morning.
When you head back to Las Vegas, be aware that there’s a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could tack another 30-60 minutes onto your drive time (which is normally ~5 hours).
Be sure that you have advance reservations for all lodging on your trip, as well as for your Antelope Canyon tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 12, 2019 at 1:15 PM
Sunny
Hi Alley,
Really enjoyed reading the advice you generously dole out to everyone here. Most people seems to be traveling in the summer so I have some seasonally specific questions I hope you can help me with.
We have about 10 days off for vacation during early January next year, and we have 11 year old and 7 year old kids. They are hoping to spend a few days at Disneyland (!!!!….), and Antelope Canyon is on the adults’ bucket list. So we’re hoping to invest 5 to 6 days into that segment.
First…. what’s the weather like in Antelope Canyon in January – it’s desert climate I imagine so is it gonna be freezing cold? wet? (we don’t mind windy… just not wet and cold)… but we’re from Canada.
Our initial (very very rough and changeable) plans:
Day 1: Flight from home to Las Vegas. See LV and stay overnight at LV.
Day 2: Drive out of LV to see Hoover dam and then overnight stay at Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Scenic drive from GC to Page, AZ (is this where we see Horseshoe bend?) Overnight at Page, AZ
Day 4: Antelope Canyon (upper, lower and maybe the float boat tour… if available and suitable in January!) – overnight at Page AZ night#2
Day 5: drive back to Las Vegas.
– day tour at LV, then either stay one night LV or take evening flight to Orange County CA
Day 6 onwards – california
a few days later… fly home to Canada directly from California
we have some flexiblity to add a couple of days to this segment (before California) but we aren’t big outdoorsy people (although our kids COULD walk the lower canyon i think) – so we aren’t really super keen on driving a further 4 to 6 hours to get to another National park. Us adults have been to vegas so we don’t feel compelled to stay on the strip too many nights either. But i’m sure you can think of things and attractions (That are worth adding a couple of extra days) that I haven’t at all considered.
Many thanks in advance!
Sunny
Canada
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Hi Sunny!
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news, but January weather in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah can be the dreaded combo of cold, wet, and windy.. or it can just be sunny, brisk, and borderline pleasant. Heck, in 25 years living in the area, I’ve even experienced little “teasers” of spring weather in January where you can actually trot out your short sleeves and fire up the barbecue! Of course, it’s too soon to call, but I’d recommend starting to monitor Grand Canyon area weather 2-3 weeks before you travel and pack accordingly. Best case scenario, you should still plan on bringing jackets, gloves, etc.
Your assertion that Horseshoe Bend is located near Page, AZ, is correct, as is your concern about whether the Antelope Canyon boat tour will be running. Water-based activities such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip and Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour are usually on hiatus during the winter months, but since the Antelope Canyon boat tour is relatively short (60-70 minutes), it tends to run at least once a day as long as at least 4 passengers are booked and the weather isn’t absolutely horrible.
Otherwise, your itinerary looks pretty fun. The only suggestion I’d make is if it’s possible to free up another couple of days, do so so you can visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, or both. You’re going to be in the neighborhood, and they’re beautiful parks with lots of easy but scenic hiking. The only drawback to Bryce is it’s 8,000′ above sea level, so you’re likely to encounter snow there. Bryce has only one lodge inside the park which tends to be sold out all the time, but there are several small towns nearby where you might look for lodging. For Zion, the town of Springdale, UT, would be the best place to stay on the Western border of the park.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 10, 2019 at 3:26 PM
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From Sunny
Thank you very much, especially for the reality check!!!
We might defer the visit to March or June then…. if we were going we would need to book accommodations and air tickets months in advance, and to be there on weather isn’t a good investment of our previous time off from work and school.Great to know that our planned itinerary “works” – one more question, if we are going to keep it to the locations initially planned (but not Zion Park etc.), would it make more sense to return from Page to Vegas via the road we came from (along the south rim), or is it worthwhile to “complete the circle” so to speak and drive back through the “north” ??rim? And how long with that drive page to Las Vegas realistically take?
Thank you, again!
September 12, 2019 at 5:06 PM
Ralex
Hello. Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing. I am afraid of heights. Will this be an issue for me? Roughly how many stairs down and so forth? Thank you
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Hi Ralex,
Only you can decide whether you’d be able to handle the physical challenges of Lower Antelope Canyon. If you watched the entire video, and it didn’t freak you out too badly, I’d say go for it! Truthfully, acrophobia (the fear of heights) hasn’t been a problem for many people. The issue that has come up for more people is claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). There are some small chambers in both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, and once you’re on the tour, there’s no going back without express permission from your tour guide, and no refunds once you commit. Since Lower Antelope Canyon is ~600 yards long, vs. only 100 yards for Upper Antelope, Lower would obviously necessitate you enduring an uncomfortable situation for longer than you might like, which might make Upper the better option for you.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 10, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Priyanka
Hi, I’m planning to go to Vegas on October 7th and would like to plan a side trip before or after to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Zion and Grand Canyon. Maybe, Bryce too if time permits. I’ve been to Bryce and Zion about 12 years ago and Grand Canyon about 20 years ago. I’ve never visited Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
I have the following questions:
1) Can you please advice how many days I should spend in each place and in which nearby cities/towns should I spend the nights? What route should I take for this trip? From Vegas to Zion to GC and back from the south or the opposite direction, from Vegas to GC to Zion, etc.? I’m not much into long hikes but I can do short ones (less than an hour or two). Would love to see an itinerary that you propose.
2) Should I go to both the south and north rims of GC or just one is enough (which one)? I would like to go to the place where you can walk on some walkway that is sticking out of the Grand Canyon and it offers an amazing view. Is that at a visitor center? I went to GC about 20 years ago. So, it’s not like I haven’t seen it but would like to visit again since I’ll be in the vicinity.
3) For Antelope canyon, how are the views of upper canyon different from lower canyon? Do you recommend doing both? What about the boat tour — is that a must or can be skipped? Trying to understand what extra or different we see by doing a boat tour? Is it really wow to also see it by the boat. The triple crown tour (both and boat) and is only $30 more than upper-lower combined but it starts at 8am versus the others at 10am …so trying to see if it’s really worth seeing by boat?
4) Are there any other places in that area that I should visit besides the places I listed above?
5) How will the weather be to visit during Oct 2nd/3rd to 7th or Oct 10th to 14th/15th?
6) Are there any special type of clothing, shoes, etc. I need to bring to the trip? I heard there’s a place in Antelope Canyon (Narrows) where we have to walk in water and might need water shoes and a hiking pole/stick?
7) Is there anything else I need to know that I forgot to ask?
8) One more different question to explore an alternate option – there are some guided tours from Vegas to Antelope Canyon and Vegas to Grand Canyon and back. If I decide to not bother renting a car and checking in and out of different hotels in other cities and make Vegas my base, do you advice this? Will those separate day tours give enough time to see upper and lower canyon and GC after all the back and forth traveling?
Thank you very much in advance. I really appreciate your website and the help you are providing to everyone.
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Hi Priyanka and thank you for visiting!
Honestly, you are on the verge of overthinking this trip. I urge you to resist the urge to make it ‘perfect’ by planning every.single.second. of your days, and allow for some downtime and discovery. After all, that’s what vacations are all about, are they not?
So, in answer to your questions — not necessarily in the order asked — October weather is downright glorious — usually, anyway 😉 Occasional rainstorms may occur, but the typical pattern is for sunny days, pleasant temperatures and cool nights. Whether you visit early or mid-month won’t make much of a difference, so pick the time that works for you!
One significant piece of “misinformation” I need to clear up is re: the Narrows. This area is not in Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ, but in Zion National Park in Utah. Permits are required to hike a good majority of it, and yes, you should definitely have water shoes and hiking poles, which can be rented on-site. For more information about hiking the Narrows, visit Zion National Park: Plan Your Visit – The Narrows If you decide against this hike, not to worry: there are plenty of beautiful, scenic and easy hikes to be had in Zion!
Back to your actual itinerary: if you want to visit Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Bryce and Zion, you need 7 days. If you don’t have this much time, and you’ve already seen the Grand Canyon, I’d say drop this from your itinerary. If you can spare this much time, then go ahead and visit the Grand Canyon. If you’ve already been to the South Rim, then you might opt to visit the West Rim aka Grand Canyon West this time around. Located approximately 2.5 hours Southeast of Las Vegas, that’s the area you describe with the “walkway that is sticking out of the Grand Canyon and it offers an amazing view.” That is the Grand Canyon Skywalk, an innovative and controversial attraction that definitely wasn’t around 20 years ago. If you are interested in visiting Grand Canyon West, be sure you’re aware of the fees involved — they’re on the high side — and other experiences you might partake of whilst there. The other distinct disadvantage to Grand Canyon West is lodging, or lack thereof. There’s practically nothing, save for a small guest ranch, in the immediate vicinity. The nearest “proper” hotels you’ll find are in Kingman, AZ, about 90 minutes Southwest of Grand Canyon West.
RE: the differences between Upper and Lower Antelope, it’s not so much the views that are different, but the way in which you explore the canyons are different. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy, 100-yard out-and-back walk with a 2-mile buckboard truck ride included from the highway to the canyon’s entrance. With Lower, you walk down into the canyon via a series of ladders, then walk through the canyon for ~500 meters (punctuated by the occasional ladder or small boulder), then ascend back out to the road via another set of ladders. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Where you’ll see a palpable difference in the views are on the boat tour. This is where the creek that created Antelope Canyon drains into Lake Powell. By taking the boat tour, I believe you’ll get a better sense of the complexity of Antelope Canyon, and its important role in maintaining the watershed of this vital watershed.
As for whether you take a guided tour or self-drive, you will definitely have more freedom and flexibility by doing your own thing! While guided tours that hit some (not all) the attractions on your “wish list” are out there, you’ll be at the mercy of their schedules, which are typically quite rushed. You would probably have to take more than one tour to accomplish all your goals, as well. For example, Max Tour offers a 2-day tour to Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. ViaTour offers a 3-day package to Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, and Lake Powell But again, this is something you can accomplish on your own at a much more relaxed pace.
A typical itinerary would include 1 day at the Grand Canyon, 2 days in Page (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), 1 day in Bryce and 2-3 days in Zion.
That order can be reversed if Grand Canyon West lodging and/or Antelope Canyon tour availability dictate doing so. For overnight lodging locations, as indicated in previous paragraph, Kingman, AZ, is the most logical choice for Grand Canyon West, then Page, AZ, for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. For Bryce, Bryce Canyon City, Hatch, Panguitch or Tropic, UT, are the closest cities for Bryce Canyon lodging. For Zion, Springdale, UT, is highly recommended as that’s the hub of the mandatory but free Zion Park Shuttle system, and puts you relatively close to Las Vegas should Zion be the last stop on your tour. In the event lodging in both Springdale and the Bryce Canyon area are sold out, you could use Kanab, UT, as a “base” from which to visit both parks (Zion is ~45 minutes away, Bryce ~90 mins), but you’d still have to go to Springdale to catch the shuttle for Zion.
For more suggestions, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah!”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. In the “what you need to know but forgot to ask” category: there is a road construction project taking place along a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which you’ll have to pass through between Zion and Las Vegas (or vice versa). This could tack another 30-60 minutes onto your travel time, depending on traffic, so be sure you plan your trip with this in mind.September 10, 2019 at 3:02 PM
sara danforth
Hello, We are staying in Sedona for a few days in October. We’ve done Sedona and the South rim, but are taking our parents to see it again. We are planning to drive up to Antelope Canyon one day to see that and perhaps Horseshoe and Lake Powell. A friend just suggested doing Monument as well. Can we get Antelope and Monument done in one day from Sedona if we are good starting and ending the day early. This group moves pretty fast through parks. Appreciate the help!
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Hi Sara!
In October, I wouldn’t recommend a. doing Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip or b. trying to squeeze Monument Valley into the mix, either. The main reasons for this is are, primarily, the drive time from/to Sedona, and a rapidly shortening daylength.
It takes approximately 3 hours bare minimum to drive from Sedona to Page, AZ. That’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures. It would also be a shame not to take advantage of the opportunity to visit Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff. The two areas are connected by a convenient loop drive. The Cameron Trading Post makes for a perfect breakfast/brunch stop, and then there are more photo ops before you even get to Page.
Touring Antelope Canyon will take a minimum of 3 hours, factoring in advance check-in time, and other logistics. You then would need another 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend under ideal conditions, namely, whether or not you can find a parking space on your first try. You would then be looking at a 2-hour drive to Monument Valley, and then a 3.5 hour drive back to Sedona. If all that weren’t enough to contend with, you’d then be racing against the clock to try and make it back to Sedona before sunset: nighttime driving is something best avoided in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky) and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other large wildlife that pose a collision hazard. Those last few miles of the Oak Creek Canyon drive between Flagstaff and Sedona are very twisty and windy. I have personally driven it at night myself and would never do it again! In early October, sunrise occurs at around 6:30 AM and sunset takes place at roughly 6:00 PM. That gives you less than 12 hours of daylight in a situation where you have to do over 8 hours of driving. Sorry, but the math just doesn’t add up.
A better plan — and hopefully you’re not locked into your hotel reservations in Sedona — would be to set aside one night to stay in Page so you can take the drive up at a nice leisurely pace, tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, hit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise the following morning, and have enough daylight to visit Monument Valley and make it back to Sedona before it gets too dark.
If you are indeed committed to staying in Sedona the entire time you’re here, you might consider chartering an airplane and flying up to Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and maybe swing by Monument Valley on your way there or back. For more information on available air touring options, visit Sedona Air Tours or Westwind Air Service
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 10, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Bill Calin
I will be at Monument Valley on one day and Antelope Canyon on another taking still pictures. Don’t plan on selling anything but to be safe, I would like to purchase a permit. At monument valley I am staying at the motel and driving through and taking landscape shots, however at Antelope Canyon I am on a photo tour. My question is this: So that I get it right on the first submission, do I need a vehicle permit for Monument Valley or will my standard park entrance fee be enough, and for antelope canyon it is my understanding that my entrance fee was paid with my reservation so is my only fee for there the $50 fee. So, would I be correct in assuming to take just still photos, the $50 for each location is the correct fee? Thanks in advance
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Hi Bill,
First off, we do not recommend driving your own vehicle in Monument Valley, especially if it’s a rental car. The 17-mile scenic loop road is unpaved, and constitutes off-road driving. If you sustain any damage in a rental car, your insurance policy will be voided, and you will be on the hook for the repair bills. Splurging for a guided tour, while it may be more expensive, will definitely be safer, and will get you to areas of Monument Valley that would be off-limits to you otherwise! Click here for a complete list of Monument Valley Tour Guides licensed by the Navajo Tribal Park authority
Regarding commercial photography permits, per the Navajo Parks & Rec website, a $50 Processing Fee for applications that have all the required information for one person. $25 additional Processing Fee that involves photocopying for more than one person or requests for additional documentation or revisions. Additional fees apply depending on what kind of vehicle you’re driving may apply as well. For complete information on this, click on the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department’s Commercial Photography Permit Application.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 09, 2019 at 1:22 PM
Dana
Hi there,
I will be at Antelope Canyon in October. What kind of hiking shoes/boots do you recommend?
Thank you!
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Hi Dana,
In Upper Antelope Canyon, the trail is flat, but can be somewhat sandy. In Lower, you have to contend with stairs, ladders and a few small boulders. Whichever branch of Antelope Canyon, or alternate slot canyon you choose to tour, closed-toed shoes are a definite must. However, you needn’t go as far as purchasing hiking boots for the trip if you don’t wish to. Walking/running shoes or tennis shoes will be just fine.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂September 09, 2019 at 1:06 PM
_________________________________________
From Dana
Thank you so much!
September 13, 2019 at 12:07 AM
Elvin
Hi, I need your suggestion for vising Grand Canyon West Rim, Antelope Canyon and Horse Shoe Bend on 4 to 5 days. We will be arriving to Las Vegas. Suggestion for schedule and cities to sleep in, if we were to drive, will be appreciated…
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Hi Elvin,
If it is your first visit to the area, I recommend skipping Grand Canyon West Rim and instead planning on going to Grand Canyon South Rim. The South Rim (the National Park) has the vast, colorful “iconic” Grand Canyon views that you’re probably expecting to see. The West Rim? Not so much. What it has to offer are one-of-a-kind experiences not readily available in the National Park, such as the Grand Canyon Skywalk, helicopter flights to the canyon floor, etc. Another reason for recommending the South Rim over the West Rim is lodging: at the West Rim, lodging is quite scarce. The nearest town with “proper” hotels is Kingman, which is 1.5 hours away. In contrast, Grand Canyon South Rim has 6 hotels inside the park and 5 just outside.
For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Page, AZ, would be the place to stay since both attractions are just a short drive from that particular town. Visiting Antelope Canyon requires a guided tour, which must be reserved in advance. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
As for the order in which you visit these attractions, that will largely depend on availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon, and availability of Antelope Canyon tours. However, with 4-5 days to work with, you could visit Grand Canyon West one day, visit Grand Canyon South Rim the next, spend 2 days in Page, AZ, then return to Las Vegas. You could also do that in reverse if lodging or tour availability dictates.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 09, 2019 at 12:49 PM
Andy
Hi my name is Andy, i just wanted to know if we are allowed to bring a small foldable Selfie Stick to take pictures with your celphone for souveneir shots. Do i need to have a permit just to take pictures.
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Hi Andy,
At the moment, mono-pods and selfie sticks are allowed on general sightseeing tours of Antelope Canyon. Tripods are only allowed on tours designated as photography tours. If your photos are just going to be circulated amongst family and friends on social media and e-mail, and not sold to media outlets or art galleries for profit, then you do not need a commercial photography permit. Your tour reservation is your “permit.”
Hope that clears things up sufficiently.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 06, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Shea Dar
Hi,
I’m glad I came across this site and is hoping that someone can help me and my friends in planning our very short AZ trip. We would be going there from SoCal on Sept. 25 (night)- Sept. 27. Since we only have a very short time for the trip, we decided to only see three destinations such as the Antelope Canyon (lower rim), Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon. We already booked a hotel which is close to the Antelope canyon so it will save us time to get there, but we haven’t booked any package tour yet. I hear the Ken’s tour is the one where you go book for the Antelope Canyon tour, and that it only takes an hour to finish the trip and so we would maybe prefer that. For our second stop we’d like to see the Horseshoe bend since people say it will take just about 19 mins drive from the Antelope Canyon. Can we just go there without a tour package or do like a walk-in thing, hike and just take pictures during sunset? Lastly, we plan to see the Grand Canyon on our way back to Cali ( 27th ) probably the afternoon because our hotel check-out is at 3pm ( or maybe we can do an early check-out) . Do we need to get a tour package for that as well?
Do you advise us to see the Horseshoe bend first before Antelope Canyon or what will be the best itinerary for those three destinations? Is there a tour package that we can avail for those three destinations so our short trip will be smooth and more organized? Right now I feel like we are so lost and hoping and would greatly appreciate if you guys can help us out in this. Thanks in advance.
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Hi Shea,
Honestly, you’re on the verge of overthinking this. Page, AZ, is a very small town, therefore, you don’t need to overthink the sequence in which you visit the various attractions. They’re all close enough to one another, as you’ve already discovered, so that it won’t take you long to get from Antelope Canyon to Horseshoe Bend. However, it is advisable to visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise so you can enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people at the overlook. Sunrise occurs at ~6:15 AM at the time of year you’re visiting. It is not necessary to go with a tour, you can simply go there in your own vehicle, park in the lot, pay the $10/vehicle entrance fee and spend as much (or as little) time as you wish. Average time for most visitors to hike out to the rim, take pictures, and hike back is anywhere from 60-90 minutes.
You will probably need to check in 30-45 minutes prior to your Antelope Canyon tour, so time your activities accordingly. By the way, Ken’s is not the only tour operator that manages Lower Antelope Canyon. Dixie Ellis also runs tours to this area, which are virtually identical right down to the footstep, and the the dollar. Book with whoever has availability at a time that fits your schedule, if you haven’t done so already. Lower Antelope Canyon tours may only be an hour long “on paper,” but with advance check in time and the inevitable “bottlenecking” that occurs during the day, you should allow about 3 hours to experience this attraction.
Another thing I feel the need to point out is where you say that your hotel check-out is at 3:00 PM — I highly doubt that. I was in the hotel industry for 20 years, and check-in time is typically anywhere from 3:00-4:00 PM, check-out time is usually at 11:00 AM or 12:00 Noon. Of course, this can vary from place to place, but I’d recommend double-checking your information so you’re not going off an assumption that’s potentially way off-base.
Regarding the Grand Canyon, you don’t need to purchase a tour package for that. That’s a very easy park to self-tour. You simply pay the $35/vehicle entrance fee, then drive toward Grand Canyon Village via the East Rim/Desert View Drive. On this leg of the trip, you have the option of stopping off at over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, so don’t be surprised if you find the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim taking as long as 4 hours, vs. the 2.5 hour figure given on Google Maps. In light of that, instead of visiting the Grand Canyon as a “drive by” on your way back to California, I recommend spending the night somewhere nearby, perhaps Williams, AZ (60 miles South of Grand Canyon Village) or Kingman, AZ (~2.5 hours Southwest of GC Village). You want to avoid nighttime driving in sparsely populated areas out here because many roads are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky), plus deer, elk, free range cattle, and other wildlife can pose a safety hazard for drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 04, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Leslie Kim
We are planning to be in Zion from 11/1-3 this fall and would like to take a side trip to Antelope Canyon from there, preferably on Saturday the 2nd. I know we cannot enter the canyon without a guide, but during that time of year how feasible is it for us to drive out there and then join a tour group on the spot rather than booking in advance? It’s rather overwhelming trying to figure out which tour company to book, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to book a tour for both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon without having to book Horseshoe Bend as well (and even then it seems to be either one or the other) or having the tour originate from either Vegas or Flagstaff. Help!
Thank you,
Leslie
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Hi Leslie,
First off, I’m not sure where you got your information, but you can book both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours together. You do not have to book a tour to Horseshoe Bend, which you can visit at your convenience anytime between sunrise and sunset.
Now, let’s talk about the feasibility of your trip plan, or more specifically, lack thereof. Touring Antelope Canyon as a day trip from Zion is not realistic at the time of year you’re visiting. Depending on where you’re staying, the drive from Zion can take anywhere from an hour to 2.5 hours one way. Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is a 5-hour time commitment, bare minimum. Visiting Horseshoe Bend will take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on how easily you find a parking space, then factoring in walking out to the overlook and back.
The main thing working against you, however, is daylength: in November, it’s short, plus you have a time difference between Zion and Page that doesn’t help matters. Sunrise in Zion National Park occurs at ~8:00 AM, sunset in Page, AZ, takes place at ~5:30 PM. You need to make sure that you complete your driving for the day by sunset due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads, plus the tendency of deer, elk, and other large wildlife to move around at night. Trust me, you don’t want to risk a nighttime collision with a large animal in an area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty at best, and where a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive.
A better plan would be to overnight in Page, AZ, for everyone’s safety and comfort. Page, AZ, Lodging
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 02, 2019 at 3:21 PM
Alena
Hi Alley,
we are planing to visit Utah for a 6 days on September 14th. The trip starts from Salt Lake City on a rented car – the last stop is Las Vegas. I have aproximated guide for a couple of days, but I have no idea how to plan everything in the best way.
September 14th (rent a car)
Direction to (optional):
-Genealogy test.
-Mirror Lake Scenic Byway,
-Big Cottonwood Canyon Byway,
-Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway,
-Provo River Scenic Byway,
-Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway.
-Fruita
Stay: Nights 14 -16 (hotel)
September 15-16th
Things to do (optional):
-Canyonlands
-Dead Horse Point
-Arches Monument
-Goblin Valley
-Monument Valley
-Early departure.
Stay: 16?
September 17th
Things yo do:
-Horseshoe Bend
-Kayaking on Lake Powell
-Antelope Canyon (lower, upper)
Stay: 18?
September 18th
-Bryce Canyon
-Zion National Park
Stay: 19?
September 19th or 20th
-Grand Canyon
Stay: Las Vegas
Please HELP! Check the plan, Im really worried!
I appreciate any help you can provide! 😉
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Hi Alena,
Unfortunately, you should be worried, because you’re trying to cram too much sightseeing into a very limited time. You seriously need to look at a map and get a truer sense for the driving distances between the various places on your wish list. Your days are also overplanned. You simply don’t have enough time to do “every. single. thing.” on your wish list, and that’s OK. Often, the most memorable moments of a vacation are those that unfold in an unexpected and unplanned manner. Granted some elements, such as Antelope Canyon, absolutely require advance planning, but others, not so much. Another consideration: the order in which you’re planning to hit the parks will require too much backtracking. On September 18th where you propose to see Bryce and Zion is totally unrealistic. You’re in need of a major reality check, but it’s not too late to save your vacation.
On that first day, instead of spending the night in Fruita, I would strongly recommend starting the drive to Moab, UT. I have no idea how long a geneaology test would take, and if it is indeed optional, as you indicate, I’d skip it. The drive from SLC to Moab takes ~4 hours. It’s a very scenic drive, so you shouldn’t feel short-changed at all by skipping Mirror Lake, Cottonwood, Nebo and Provo Canyon. Plan on stopping in Helper, Utah, for lunch, then overnight in Moab, UT on the 14th and 15th. Explore Arches and Canyonlands on the 15th, then on the 16th, head to Bryce. Overnight there, then hit Zion on the 17th, overnight in Springdale, UT. On the 18th, hit Page, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend, then go to the Grand Canyon, overnight there, then end the trip in Las Vegas as planned. So a day-by-day breakdown would look like this:
September 14th: Drive from SLC to Moab, UT (~4 hours), overnight in Moab, UT
September 15th: Explore Arches/Canyonlands National Parks, spend 2nd night in Moab, UT
September 16th: Drive from Moab, UT, to Bryce (~5 hour drive), take Scenic Rim Drive in park, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
September 17th: Drive from Bryce to Zion National Park (~2 hours), take Zion Canyon Shuttle from Springdale, UT, overnight in Kanab, UT
September 18th: Drive to Page, AZ (~1 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
September 19th: Visit Horseshoe Bend on the way to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
September 20th: Drive to Las Vegas (~5 hours), optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight in Las Vegas or fly home
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to write in again if you need further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 02, 2019 at 2:57 PM
Delia Leon
Hi,
I am putting together a last minute road trip to the area and would love your input. I have checked availabilities and it looks like I will be able to make it happen if I book quickly but I am very confused as to what to do and when. We are traveling Sept 21-29 and will be arriving and departing from Vegas Airport.
Wish List:
Valley of Fire
Zion
Bryce
Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell Boat Tour
Horseshoe Bend
We are not avid hikers and are not very fit, but have always been curious about the area. That being said, what is worthwhile for us and the best use of our time? Also, it would be great if we could build in some SPA time into the schedule, maybe in Zion area (any suggestion of a SPA resort would be great). If we wanted to do anything else besides visiting canyons, is there anything in the area that we should not miss, exchange for something on wish list or add? For example, is a night at St. George worth it?
Any input is very much welcomed. I have read a lot of your responses and you are great so thanks in advance!
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Hi Delia,
Apologies for the delay in response to your itinerary. What with it being Labor Day weekend, I, like many Americans, was on vacation!
The good news is you don’t have to be an avid hiker or super-fit to enjoy this area. There is plenty to see and do that doesn’t require a lot of exertion on your part.
One thing that’s jumping out at me right away is the conspicuous absence of the Grand Canyon from your itinerary. If you’ve never been there, you really should set aside at least one day to visit Grand Canyon South Rim since you’ll be in the neighborhood anyway!
Secondly, if some spa time is a definite must for you, I’d assume that you’d want to put that at the end of your trip, correct? If so, where and when you get it will depend largely on how you schedule your vacation, which will revolve and evolve around availability of lodging. If Zion ends up being the last stop on your tour, then St. George, Utah would definitely be a good place to end your vacation on a chill note. If you have to reverse the itinerary, namely, visiting Zion first and Grand Canyon last, then Sedona, AZ, would be the place to go for some well deserved R&R.
In light of that, and assuming that September 21st and 29th will be travel days between your home and Las Vegas, here’s what I would suggest:
September 22nd: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim with optional stop at Hoover Dam. Approximate drive time, ~5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon
September 23rd: Drive from GC South Rim to Page, AZ. Approximate drive time: ~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops at Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, meal at Cameron Trading Post, visiting Horseshoe Bend on the way into town (parking permitting), overnight in Page, AZ
September 24th: Tour Antelope Canyon with Lake Powell Boat Tour in AM, drive to Bryce that afternoon, overnight in Bryce
September 25th: visit Sunrise Point, maybe take partial hike on the Queen’s Garden trail, drive to Zion that afternoon (~2 hours), overnight Springdale, UT.
September 26th: using the Zion Canyon shuttle, explore the park. There are many easy, scenic hikes available to you. Take as many — or as few — as you wish!
September 27th: Drive to St. George, UT (~1 hour from Springdale), enjoy spa services at one of several resorts in the area (sorry, haven’t been to any myself, so can’t vouch for any one in particular!) St. George, UT, Spa Resorts
September 28th: Drive back to Las Vegas with detour to Valley of Fire State Park (~3.5-4 hour drive due to construction on section of I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), overnight in Las Vegas
September 29th: fly home
The key components to check first are availability at Grand Canyon hotels and availability of Antelope Canyon tours.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 02, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Lori Thompson
I am planning to go on a tour of upper and lower antelope canyon, In the information it says no bags of any kind. can I carry my camera and trekking pole?
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Hi Lori,
Camera, yes (around your neck), trekking pole, no. In Antelope Canyon, you shouldn’t need a trekking pole anyway.
Have fun,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2019 at 10:11 PM
Rachel
Hi
Love your info
Hoping you can help me
I fly from Miami into Phoenix on Sunday September 8th. I land at 11 pm. I leave from Phoenix on Thursday Late evening. I rented a car already and made reservations for both upper and lower antelope canyon for Tuesday morning beginning at 11. I plan to visit horseshoe bend that same day after my antelope canyon tours.
I’m not sure where to stay each night?? . I also want to see lake Powell in Utah and the Grand Canyon. Is there anything else you suggest? Yuma imperial sand dunes? Which part of Grand Canyon? Zion in Utah? I’m overwhelmed because there’s so much I want to see! Thanks for your help.
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Hi Rachel,
Welcome to the hardest part of planning a vacation to the American Southwest: deciding what to leave in, what to leave out. With your limited time, I would advise against trying to include Bryce and Zion this time around, and instead concentrate your sightseeing within Northern AZ, which you’ll still enjoy tremendously! As for the Imperial Sand Dunes, those are way too far away to hit this time around.
Here’s what I’d recommend:
Monday, September 9th: Drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon, either inside the park or Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park Grand Canyon Hotels
Tuesday, September 10th: Get an early start (sunrise occurs at 6:05 AM), drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, drive time ~3.5 hours factoring in stops. Instead of touring both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, you might consider touring one branch of Antelope Canyon, then taking a short boat tour on Lake Powell. A good portion of Lake Powell is visible and accessible from Page, AZ, so no need to worry about getting to Utah to see it. Overnight in Page, AZ Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell Boat Tour Bundles
Wednesday, September 11th – Hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then drive from Page, AZ, to Sedona, AZ (~3 hour drive). Take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, Tlaquepaque, etc. Overnight in Sedona
Thursday, September 12th – More sightseeing in Sedona if desired, sunrise hot air balloon rides are fun, drive back to Phoenix (~2.5 hour drive)
You need to get on making lodging reservations if you haven’t done so already.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2019 at 10:25 PM
Janeth Sanchez
Hi!
I am in desperate need of guidance. I have never hit the road, but feeling spunky and full of adventure. I am confused by the time zones, and order of travel options.
These are the areas I would love to visit (not in any order of preference):
1. Antelope (upper)
2. Horseshow Bend
3. Grand Canyon (perhaps the orange bus line)
4. Sedona (Birthing Cave)
I have 4 full days. Arrive in Phoenix at 7am on 09/20/ departure time is 3pm on 09/23
Recommendation on a realistic route and places to stay? I have an booking in Cameron the night of the 20th.
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Hi Janeth,
A couple of concerns:
First off, I would recommend cancelling your booking in Cameron on the 20th. Not that that town isn’t fascinating, but staying there would necessitate backtracking in order to visit the Grand Canyon, then drive to Page to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
A better plan would be to stay either in Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan, 7 miles South of the park on the evening of the 20th (~a 5-hour drive from Phoenix). Then, the next morning, do your sightseeing utilizing the Blue and Red shuttle lines in Grand Canyon Village and on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive respectively. Drive to Page, AZ, that afternoon (09/21), which is ~a 3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops, including the Cameron Trading Post. stay overnight in Page, hit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise on 9/22, then tour Antelope Canyon sometime that afternoon.
Drive to Sedona (~3 hours) that afternoon, overnight in Sedona, then do the Birthing Cave hike the following morning before heading back to Phoenix for your return flight. The drive from Sedona to Phoenix takes ~2.5 hours.
Be sure that you reserve your Antelope Canyon tour in advance, as well as all lodging on your trip.
RE: the time zones, Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Saving Time, so we will be on Mountain Standard Time, the same time as California, Nevada, and the Pacific Daylight states at the time of your visit. The Navajo Reservation (which is also in Arizona) DOES observe DST, and Antelope Canyon is technically located on Navajo land. However, the tour operators run on Mountain Standard Time for the convenience of local visitors.
In all honesty, I think you should drop Sedona from your itinerary. Not that it isn’t beautiful; it is, amazingly so, but you really don’t have enough time to do the area justice. Many visitors report spending 4-5 days there and still feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface.” I can guarantee that a quick overnight there will leave you wanting more!
Also, be sure to complete all your driving each day before sunset. Nighttime driving is not safe in this part of the U.S. due to roads being very dimly lit, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other animals. Sunrise occurs at ~6:15 AM, sunset at around 6:15 PM.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 31, 2019 at 9:47 PM
Paula Puls, Ronnie Puls
I would like to apply for hiking the Wave for a group of two people=my husband and I for December 6, 2019. Paula Puls and Ronnie Puls. Thank you. How do I pay the $7.00 application fee?
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Hello Paula & Ronnie,
I’m sorry, but you cannot apply for a Wave hiking permit through this site. You must go to the Bureau of Land Management’s site, which you can access via this link. For your information, there are only two more days left to apply for December permits, so you must act quickly. Otherwise, you’ll need to try your luck at the walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT, the day before you wish to hike.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 29, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Robyn
Hi This is the most informative website I have come across. We have never toured a National Park and are not hard core hikers but would enjoy some easy to moderate hiking. We will be in Vegas for work in mid October and wanted take a few days to visit Zion, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and possibly Lake Powell. How would you recommend we do our itinerary and where would you recommend we stay? Would you recommend stopping at Valley of Fire on the way back to Vegas? I appreciate any insight you could give us. Thank you
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Hi Robyn, and thank you for your compliments!
October is a great time to visit the Grand Circle. The order in which you visit the various sites on your list honestly will come down to a couple of key elements: availability of Antelope Canyon tours, and lodging at the Grand Canyon. I do notice the latter is conspicuously absent from your itinerary, and it should definitely be included if you’re coming as far as Las Vegas!
For an example of a “classic” Grand Circle tour itinerary, check out our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah. You’ll notice it has you traveling from Las Vegas-Grand Canyon-Monument Valley-Page-Bryce-Zion. Depending on availability of lodging and/or tours, you could also reverse that itinerary as follows: Zion-Bryce-Page-Monument Valley-Grand Canyon.
If you have to “trim” a destination or two due to time constraints, Monument Valley should be the first to get dropped. Not that it isn’t beautiful, but lodging is very hard to find in that area, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everything has been sold out for several months already.
At Grand Canyon, stay inside the park if possible; if not, then Tusayan, just outside the park by 7 miles, is your next best option. For Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell, the town of Page, AZ, is most convenient. Bryce and Zion each have only one lodge within the National Park boundary, which tend to sell out months in advance, so here again, you’ll need to look at “gateway” communities – cities and towns located just outside the park border. For Bryce Canyon, Bryce Canyon City, Hatch, or Kanab, UT, are good choices, and relatively convenient. For Zion, the town of Springdale, UT, is the best choice because that’s where you have to go to get on the park shuttle, which is mandatory to use. If Springdale, UT, is sold out, Kanab, UT, is centrally located to both Bryce and Zion.
As for visiting the Valley of Fire, I absolutely recommend it! It’s a stunning area, and depending on your itinerary, you could visit it easily on the way back to Las Vegas from Zion, or on the way to Zion from Las Vegas if you have to “flip-flop” the itinerary recommended above.August 29, 2019 at 1:00 PM
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From Reya
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for giving such detailed information about the GC Trips. Really appreciate it.
My friends and I are planning to come down to Las Vegas on 1st Nov , stay there for two nights and head to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend on 3rd Nov.Planning to do both upper and lower part of the Antelope Canyon and head to horseshoe bend around 3ish pm the same day and then come back to South rim and rest one night there. We have booked our stay in South Rim in a lodge inside the park for 3rd Nov.
On 4th We are planning to trek on the South rim and head back to Vegas. We have to reach Vegas by 04:30 pm on 4th Nov as we have a bus from there to Los Angeles at 05:45 pm.
What do u suggest? Is this doable and What do I need to keep in mid before I begin my trip.
Would appreciate any insights and suggestionsAugust 29, 2019 at 5:05 PM
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From Lang Tran
Hi Alley,
I’m so happy to find this website and enjoy reading your posts which are really helpful. Thank you for your time helping the community!
Could I ask for your opinion on our plan to visit Arizona early next year?
1. Does the weather still okay for visiting Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon South Rim in beginning of January ?2. In case it’s a yes, do you think the below itinerary is doable?
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas early in the morning to Page – visit Antelope Canyon (Lower then Upper) – visit Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell – drive to Grand Canyon Village – stay for the night.
Day 2: Spend most of the day in South Rim – start driving from South Rim back to Las Vegas around 4pm.
Or should we stay a night in Page before driving to South Rim and make it a 3-day trip rather than 2-day?3. I understand that in order to visit Antelope Canyon and South Rim, we need to buy tour. Is that the same case when we visit Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell?
And should we book all tours in advance and then on the day, just drive to the place to meet the tour-guide? Is that how it works?Thank you so much, Alley!
August 30, 2019 at 2:45 PM
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From Robyn
Thank you Alley for your thorough response. I’ve ironed out some details of my trip to narrow down some of your advise. I don ‘t think I have time to do the GC. I will arrive in Vegas Thursday 10/17 @ 12:30a and only have about 4-5 days to explore a small amount of the area. I thought I would plan it like this;
10/17 Thursday–head towards Lake Powell. Hotel at Lake Powell? or stay in Page? Go see sunset at horseshoe bend, enjoy lake Powell
10/18 Friday-Horseshow bend and Slot Canyon Tour (3.5) late morning (? head back to Zion) or do you suggest another must see
10/19 Saturday–get up early Head to Zion (Springdale) stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes on the way. Mt caramel scenic highway. If we find parking hike Canyon Overlook Trail (Weeping Rock, Big Bend). Check into hotel in Springdale
10/20 Sunday–Zion–Hike the Narrows
10/21 Monday–Head back towards Vegas stop at Valley of Fire on the way
10/22 Tuesday relax in Vegas for a day
10/23 Wednesday Catch flight home to BostonDoes that at all seem reasonable for the limited time that I have? Do you ever suggest the GC in 5 days? I would appreciate any input on logistics or must see activities from you. Thank you
September 15, 2019 at 12:34 PM
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From Robyn
Hi Alley,
Thank your the response. I had left GC out because of our time constraints. I have a few more questions I’m hoping you don’t mind clarifying. I have worked more of the little details of time that we will have in the area. I arrive in Vegas 10/17 @ 12:30a. My husband is working. I will have 4-4.5 days to spend traveling the area
10/17 leave Vegas by 1p (earlier if he gets out of work) head towards Page Az. get there before sundown. Maybe see the sunset over Horseshoe bend
10/18 Visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend mid morning via horseshoebend slot canyon tour. ? head to Zion and stop at pink sand on the way or stay another night in Page
10/19 Explore Zion
10/20 Explore Zion
10/21 start heading back to Vegas and stop at Valley of Fire
10/22 Husband wants to spend 1 day in Vegas
10/23 Fly out
So my questions are–Do you think we should attempt the GC with the limited time we have? Should we stay in Springdale the whole time and just drive to Page for the day. I have a hotel in Springdale already for 4 days. Should we explore Lake Powell or is there some other site that you think would fit into this itinerary better. I want to get the Antelope Canyon tour booked ASAP. I appreciate your insight. I had written a few days back but I am thinking it did not get to you. So I apologize if this is a duplicate.September 18, 2019 at 8:48 PM
Rahim
Hi, if i cant get permit to the Wave woudl be alternative that has similar features?
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Hi Rahim,
This is a great question! There are indeed several alternate areas to The Wave that are just as beautiful, yet require no permit.
The Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, NV, has a feature called the “Fire Wave.” It is located an easy 1-hour drive Northeast of Las Vegas and has a nice loop drive through it.
Yant Flat, aka the Candy Cliffs, near St. George, UT, also boasts several “Wave-like” rock formations. It is a bit of a hike to get there, ~3.5 miles, and is considered moderately strenuous. AllTrails.com: Yant Flat
The “New” Wave near Page, AZ, aka the Beehives, is a short hike from US89 just across from the turnoff to the Lake Powell Resort complex
White Pocket — doesn’t look like The Wave per se, but is still a stunning area to visit, no permit required. However, the road into the area is very sandy, which is why we recommend going with a licensed guide for optimal safety and enjoyment. For a full list of licensed guide services, visit TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 27, 2019 at 1:49 PM
Giana
I am a photographer, and 2 of my clients would like to take their engagement photos at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I have a few questions:
1. Do I need to book a specific “photography tour” in order to do their photo shoot at Antelope Canyon, or will any tour be fine?
2. Do other canyons like Canyon X, Secret Canyon, & Rattlesnake Canyon offer photography tours? Or if we wanted to do their photo shoot in these canyons could we just book a normal tour?
3. Do I need to book a “tour” to take their photos at Horseshoe Bend?
4. Do I need to purchase a wedding permit even though this is not a wedding?
5. If I do need to purchase a wedding permit, will that permit cover us for both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend?
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Hi Giana,
For an engagement photo shoot, a photography tour is recommended so your photo shoot is not bombarded with other visitors.
As to whether Canyon X, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (formerly Secret Canyon) and Rattlesnake do photography tours, technically no, since group sizes are deliberately kept smaller.
If you wish to take photos at Horseshoe Bend, a special use permit from the National Park Service is usually required — which doesn’t cover Antelope Canyon — but you could also work with Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours on this area, too: they access the overlook via a private entrance on Navajo land.
If all this sounds like a bit of a pain, frankly, it is, which is why we recommend working with an experienced wedding and event planner in the local area who can take care of all those logistics for you. For more information, visit Monumental Arizona Weddings or call 480-980-8121.
Good luck and congratulations to your clients on their engagement and nuptials!
Alley 🙂August 27, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Kayla Carr
Hello!
This has been the most amazing website to come across and I have been reading through comments and getting great ideas but am hoping for some tips comments etc. on our itinerary. We will be travelling from November 16th-24th
Day1- leaving Phoenix and travelling to Sedona
Day 2- Sedona (any recommendations for the best way to spend a day here?)
Day 3- leave Sedona to North Rim
Day 4- north rim to horseshoe bend for sunrise, Canyon tour, lake Powell??
Day 5 – page area to Zion
Day 6- Zion (drive to Bryce at the end of the day to get a full day in at Bryce)
Day 7- Bryce national park
Day 8- scenic drive to las Vegas (fly out at 1pm)
1) Possibly any recommendations on camping, including wether staying in official campsites or free camping sites I have come across are a good idea?
2) if our route will be using our time most efficiently?
3) best canyon and itinerary for page to see the canyons, lake Powell and horseshoe bend.. we were thinking sunrise at horseshoe bend, canyon tour and then lake Powell near the end of the day.
4) we put our name in for the draw for the “wave” but we’re not chosen is this something we can still do?
5) monument valley- should we be including this in our itinerary somewhere?
Thank you! We look forward to any suggestions!
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Hi Kayla,
Thank you for visiting. We really appreciate your comments, which is why it pains me so to tell you that I can’t endorse your trip plans.
First off, the time of year you’re visiting is too cold for tent camping. Snow is a very real possibility in areas like the Grand Canyon and Bryce, which are 7,000′ and 8,000′ above sea level respectively. Even if it’s not snowing, best case scenario, it’s going to be cold. So unless you have sleeping bags that are rated to withstand VERY cold temperatures, you need to either stay in an RV in developed campgrounds with electrical hook-ups, or spring for a hotel room.
Another thing: your visit is timed for after visitor facilities at the North Rim close for the season. Although the campground may remain open, depending on weather, you would still be pretty much “on your own” for ensuring that you have enough food and water for your stay, and being prepared for adverse weather conditions that could necessitate a sudden road closure. That would put you in a real pickle. A better plan would be to go the South Rim, where visitor services are open year-round.
Visiting Sedona is wonderful, but I guarantee you that you will be left wanting. One day isn’t nearly enough time to do that area justice. People report spending 4-5 days there and still feeling as though they only “scratched the surface.” I can pretty much assure you that you’ll be planning a return trip once you get a look at the place! As for the best ways to spend a full day there, the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is regarded as a definite must, as is a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Bell Rock, and Airport Mesa, just to name a few. There’s no shortage of beauty and fun to be had in Sedona!
In light of those concerns, here’s what I would suggest:
Day 1 – Leave Phoenix for Sedona (~2 hour drive), maybe stop by Montezuma Castle on the way, overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Full day in Sedona, see above link for suggested activities, overnight in Sedona
Day 3 – Depart Sedona for Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), park vehicle inside the park or Tusayan, use free shuttles to explore Grand Canyon Village, overlooks on Hermit’s Rest Road, overnight in Grand Canyon
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops, breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight in Page
Day 5 – Sunrise visit to Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, possible boat tour on Lake Powell (water-based activities are usually on seasonal hiatus at that time of year, but may operate with a sufficient number of passengers booked), start drive to Bryce (~3 hours) no later than 2:00 PM so you make sure to get there by sunset (nighttime driving is strongly discouraged, especially during the fall and winter months when deer and elk are migrating), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 6 – Explore Bryce Canyon, drive to Springdale, UT (~2 hours) for overnight
Day 7 – Explore Zion National Park using free shuttle system from Springdale, overnight in Springdale
Day 8 – Drive back to Las Vegas, with possible detour to Valley of Fire State Park (~5-6 hour drive depending on progress of construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge and stops)
In answer to your other queries I may not have addressed thus far, if you were not chosen for The Wave lottery online, you might try for the walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT, the day prior to when you wish to hike. For more information on that process, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com, and read the section on “Applying In Person” on Self-Guided Permits Since it is statistically unlikely that you’d be chosen via the walk-in lottery, that’s why I suggested the detour through the Valley of Fire on your way back to Las Vegas. It’s a stunning area, with a few features that bear a resemblance to The Wave, but it does not require a permit to access.
Regarding Monument Valley, IMO, you don’t have enough time to include it without sacrificing one of your other destinations. One way you might still be able to work it in, however, is to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed wing airplanes take 90 minutes to fly over not only Monument Valley, but a big chunk of Lake Powell, including Rainbow Bridge. Here again, the time of year may reduce the number of departures, so a passenger minimum may apply, but it would certainly be worth checking out if you really want to see Monument Valley but can’t manage to drive there. For more information, visit Westwind Air Service Page AZ
Hope this helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 27, 2019 at 1:31 PM
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From Kayla Carr
Thank you so much for your response. I do have a couple questions still:
1) would you eliminate one of the other stops to spend more time in Sedona?
2) I am having a hard time deciding which slot canyon to visit. Is it worth going to more than one canyon? We were thinking of doing the lower canyon but have read up on secret canyon and canyon xThank you so much for your time and comments!!
August 29, 2019 at 7:36 PM
Kevin Babineaux
My wife and I will be visiting Arizona in October we will be visiting Albuquerque then on to Sedona and the Grand Canyon our last stretch will be through Paige. We have a tour through antelope Canyon and a float trip planned I would also like to drive Drive around and sightsee the lake . Then it will be heading back to Louisiana my plan was driving through Monument Valley then spending a night in touring the next day in canyon to Chely . I was wondering if you would recommend mesa Verde over Canyon de Chelly. Also if you can recommend A stop or two along the lake from Paige and a place to eat
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Hi Kevin,
First off, it’s not possible to “drive around” Lake Powell in its entirety, but there are places where you can access it and get a good view. The best views can be had from the scenic Lakeshore Drive, a short detour off US89 that ends at the Lake Powell Resort complex. There are several places to eat there, but my personal favorite is the Rainbow Room. It has a beautiful view of the lake, and the food’s quite good, too. If you prefer something a little more casual, you might drive as far as Lone Rock Beach and take a picnic lunch or grab a sandwich off a food truck that’s usually parked there, called Rig2Flip. Another place where there’s vehicular access to Lake Powell is Antelope Point Marina, which is actually on your way from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley. They have a sit-down and fast food restaurant, as well as a convenience store. Whichever you decide to visit, remember that both establishments are located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so a $30/vehicle entrance fee is required to access. It’s good for one week’s time, so hang onto the receipt.
As for whether you tour Canyon de Chelly or Mesa Verde, both parks are beautiful, and different; it’s the classic “apples to oranges” comparison, so if possible, visit both! But if saving time is a priority, Canyon de Chelly would be the shortest “detour” off the route between Page, AZ, and Louisiana.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 26, 2019 at 3:40 PM
Alexis
Hi Alley,
Thanks in advance for any insight!! I am planning a trip with my boyfriend for late October. We are staying in Flagstaff because of hotel points/free stay.
Day 1:
6:30 AM-9:00AM flight from New York to Phoenix
Drive to Flagstaff
Spend Day in Flagstaff
Sleep in Flagstaff
Day 2:
Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim
What is the best way to see the sites? Bike? Drive? Hike?
Drive back to Flagstaff
Sleep in Flagstaff
Day 3:
Drive to Page
9:45AM Antelope Canyon Tour
We would like to see Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell – what is the best routing for this or option? How much time do we need at each place?
Sleep in Flagstaff
Day 4:
Day in Flagstaff
Sleep in Flagstaff
Day 5:
Drive to Sedona
Devils Bridge Hike
Spend day in Sedona
Drive back to Flagstaff
Sleep in Flagstaff
Day 6
Drive to Phoenix
Flight home
Appreciate any suggestions or alterations. Thank you!
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Hi Alexis,
Using Flagstaff as a “base camp” from which to explore the various attractions is usually something we advise as a “last resort” measure when you can’t find lodging in the immediate vicinity, but then again, if your hotel points allow you to lodge for free, then Flagstaff it is!
On your Grand Canyon sightseeing day, take the drive to the Grand Canyon at a leisurely pace to make the most of your visit. Get as early a start as possible (sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM) and drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Cameron, AZ on US89. On the way, if you want, take the scenic loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument just North of Flag (that’s what we call it around here). That’s a fascinating area featuring a dormant volcano and a rather expansive and very well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan complex. That can potentially add another 90 minutes to 2 hours onto your trip, but you’d likely find it time well spent! Continuing North, maybe stop for breakfast or brunch at the Cameron Trading Post; if not a meal, then at least a bathroom break/leg stretch, etc. Turn West on AZ64 and enter the park via the East gate at Desert View Point, stopping at as many of the scenic overlooks along this section of the park as you wish (there are over half-a-dozen of them, not counting the Tusayan Ruins & Museum). Upon arriving at Grand Canyon Village, park your vehicle, then use the free shuttles to explore the Village Historic District, and the overlooks on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive. Begin the drive back to Flag at 4:00 PM at the latest so you are back in town by sunset, which is at 5:30 PM. If you leave a bit earlier, you might catch the IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan just outside the South gate of the park, where you’d exit.
On Day 3, when you go to Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon, the drive will realistically take about 2.5 hours, wheels turning, no stops. Take the route specified on the map below so you don’t get held up in traffic at Horseshoe Bend.
If you also wish to visit Lake Powell, you could take a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which is ~1 hour long. Plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town; allot ~90 minutes to make the hike out and back and spend some time at the overlook, then plan to start the trip back to Flagstaff at 3:00 PM at the latest so you’re not driving in the dark. As you’ve probably deduced, driving after nightfall in this part of the U.S. is strongly discouraged! Artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum on these roads, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Another consideration is wildlife; deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses tend to be nocturnal, which ratchets up your risk of a collision in areas where cell service may be spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
In Flagstaff, attractions you might enjoy include but aren’t limited to the Arboretum, the Lowell Observatory, Museum of Northern Arizona, the Riordan Mansion, Walnut Canyon National Monument, and the chairlift ride at Snow Bowl. Things To Do in Flagstaff, Arizona
Here’s where the word of warning comes in: you’re going to find that one day is nowhere near enough to enjoy what Sedona has to offer. I can pretty much guarantee that one look at the beauty of the area, and you’re to be planning a return trip! When you do, plan to spend at least 3 days to do it justice.
At the time of year you’re visiting, the weather is usually wonderful, but on the cool side, so plan on bringing a jacket and gloves. Flagstaff, especially, can get cold at night.
Depending on how early your flight is on day 6, you might consider driving to Phoenix after your sightseeing in Sedona just so you don’t get unexpectedly held up in rush hour traffic and risk missing your flight. The drive from Sedona to Phoenix is ~2.5 hours.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 26, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Andy Southworth
Alley,
Your insight and detailed responses are wonderful, and very helpful!
My family (wife and three boys, ages 9, 9, and 7) are taking our first trip out west in October. We fly into Vegas early on Monday, October 21st. We will rent a car and head to Zion that first day. We are only planning on being there one day – any suggestions on what we should do and/or where we should stay?
We will get up early the next morning and drive to Bryce Canyon. We have a hotel reserved that evening (Best Western Plus Ruby’s Inn), but we have not planned any activities. Any thoughts?
Our plan is to get up on Wednesday morning and head to Antelope Canyon. I would like to try to get on a tour that morning about 10:30 if possible. Do you recommend Upper or Lower, or does it not really matter? After the land tour, I would like to do a boat tour that afternoon. Do you think we should try to do Horseshoe Bend that evening (after the boat tour) or early the next morning?
From Antelope, we were planning on working our way back to Vegas, maybe stopping at the North Rim on the way there. Detouring to the North Rim does add an extra 2 1/2 – 3 hours on the drive to Vegas. Is it worth it, or is there something else you would recommend? If we do stop at the North Rim, it sounds like the Bright Angel Point Trail would be a good one for the kids.
As I mentioned above, it is our first trip out west, so we have no experience. If you have any thoughts or suggestions on how we might be able to improve our trip they would be much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Andy Southworth
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Hey Andy,
You’ve chosen a wonderful time to visit the American Southwest! October is typically marked by cooler temperatures and thinner crowds. It will still be busy, though, so all lodging and guided tours (especially Antelope Canyon) should be reserved ASAP.
For Zion, the best place to stay is Springdale, UT. This small town located on the Western border of the park is the hub for the Zion Park Shuttle System, and has a large variety of hotels and restaurants to choose from. If for some reason you can’t find accommodations in Springdale, UT, then Kanab, UT, is your next best option for lodging, but you’d end up having to go to Springdale, UT, anyway to get on the shuttle (it’s mandatory for those who do not have reservations at the Zion Park Lodge). Note that wherever you decide to stay, the drive will take longer than expected due to a long-term construction project taking place on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Navigating that typically tacks another 30-60 minutes onto your trip. As for what to do in Zion, there’s no shortage of hikes in various lengths and degrees of difficulty. The Narrows and Angel’s Landing tend to be regarded as the “holy grails” of hikes in this area, but they take the better part of a day, are strenuous (in the case of Angel’s Landing), and/or require a permit in some instances (The Narrows). Other beautiful walks include, but are certainly not limited to, the Riverside Walk, Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools, and the Canyon Overlook Trail. 10 Great Hikes in Zion
In Bryce, here again, lots of great hiking to do! The Rim Trail is a natural since you can do as little or as much of it as you want. Mossy Cave is cool, and less than a mile round-trip. There’s all kinds of possibilities for family-friendly hiking in Bryce. Other Bryce Canyon activities worth considering are horseback riding, ATV tours, mountain biking, and air tours. The staff at Ruby’s Inn can give you guidance on and make arrangements for the full array of guided tours, or you can book in advance if you prefer. Since Bryce Canyon is ~8,000′ above sea level, jackets will probably be required, so be sure to pack some.
For Antelope Canyon, if you can handle the physicality of Lower, I’d recommend that branch of the canyon. Your boys would probably find the stairs, ladders, and simple bouldering a lot of fun. Before you commit, you might watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Note that the people in this video are wearing backpacks, which is no longer allowed. If you do decide on Lower Antelope, you can “bundle” that with a boat tour for optimal convenience.
As for when to hit Horseshoe Bend, honestly, it depends on the parking situation. If you can find an open and legal parking spot that afternoon, go for it; otherwise, plan on hitting it just after sunrise the following morning.
When you indicate that you’d like to make a side trip to Grand Canyon North Rim en route from Page to Las Vegas, here’s where your plan requires a reality check. It takes ~5 hours to drive from Page to Las Vegas under ideal circumstances. Remember that construction zone you had to deal with on the drive to Zion? You’ll have to go through it again on the trip back to Las Vegas, so there’s another 30-60 minutes added on to the drive right there. While the detour to the North Rim is given as 2.5-3 hours on paper, that rarely happens as the drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures. Another consideration is that visitor facilities on the North Rim are only open between May 15th and October 15th. This means that even if the road into the park is open, there will be no place to grab a snack, restrooms that are normally open to the public will be closed, and depending on the whims of Mother Nature, an unexpected snowstorm could crop up. The biggest obstacle you’ll be running up against at the time of year you’re visiting, however, is daylength: it’s rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at ~ 7:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 5:30 PM. Driving in the dark should be avoided if at all possible due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the large number of wildlife in the area, such as deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. Believe me, you don’t want to have a vehicular encounter with one in an area where cell service is spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. Long story short: save the visit to the Grand Canyon for another trip, and plan on going to the South Rim. The South Rim is open year-round and offers more to see and do for families like yourselves. Instead, make a detour through the Valley of Fire State Park on your way back to Las Vegas. This is a stunning area with cool rock formations, similar to the Wave in Arizona, but doesn’t require a permit to visit.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 23, 2019 at 11:56 AM
Julie
Hi! First of all, I am impressed and thankful for how responsive you are to all of us with our repetitive questions! 🙂 Can you give me some feedback on a proposed schedule? We are visiting in mid-September and at this point plan to make Flagstaff our “base” for this leg of our road trip. The reason for Flagstaff is because lodging options are SO expensive/limited in the surrounding areas and Flagstaff is basically the only spot that has a hotel option in which we can cash in rewards-member points (aka, sleep for free!). With that said, here is what we are planning on at this point:
Day 1: Drive from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon and spend the day exploring. We will return to Flagstaff for the night.
Day 2: Drive from Flagstaff to Page for a 10 AM tour of Secret Canyon/Horseshoe Bend. (At the end of the tour we will begin to head towards Colorado to keep our road trip moving right along!)
My main question is: Is the drive from Flagstaff to Page by 10 AM feasible? Google maps says it is about 2 hours, but I’ve read things that say not to trust this time frame. We obviously expect to leave Flagstaff bright and early, but I’d hate to leave thinking we have plenty of time and then end up being late/missing our tour because of unexpected travel time. We also understand that it means we will enjoy the scenery from the car, and not stopping for lots of photo ops. We are OK with that!
Other question: Is driving after dark in these areas a bad idea? What is cell reception like around all these canyons? Our vehicle is reliable, but I’m the worrier in the group. 😛
Thank you!
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Hey Julie,
Using Flagstaff as a “base camp” from which to explore the various attractions is usually something we advise as a “last resort” measure when you can’t find lodging in the immediate vicinity, but then again, if your hotel points allow you to lodge for free, then Flagstaff it is!
The drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ, is actually more along the lines of 2.5 hours, and that’s wheels turning, no stops. To be on the safe side, I’d recommend grabbing a quick breakfast at your hotel (if they have it), or maybe some bagels and fruit you can munch on in the car, and hitting the road no later than 7:00 AM. Sunrise occurs at ~6:00 AM at that time of year, so you should have plenty of light by then. Be sure to take the route specified on this map so you don’t get held up by traffic at Horseshoe Bend, but do plan on visiting the overlook after your Antelope Canyon tour.Since you’ll be going direct to Page, AZ, by necessity on the day of your Antelope Canyon tour, I recommend taking your drive to the Grand Canyon at a more leisurely pace the day before to make the most of your visit. Again, get a fairly early start on the day and drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Cameron, AZ on US89. On the way, if you want, take the scenic loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument just North of Flag (that’s what we call it around here). That’s a fascinating area featuring a dormant volcano and a rather expansive and very well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan complex. Continuing North, maybe stop for breakfast or brunch at the Cameron Trading Post; if not a meal, then at least a bathroom break/leg stretch, etc. Turn West on AZ64 and enter the park via the East gate at Desert View Point, stopping at as many of the scenic overlooks along this section of the park as you wish (there are over half-a-dozen of them, not counting the Tusayan Ruins & Museum). Upon arriving at Grand Canyon Village, park your vehicle, then use the free shuttles to explore the Village Historic District, and the overlooks on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive. Begin the drive back to Flag at 5:00 PM at the latest so you are back in town by sunset, which is at 6:30 PM. If you leave a bit earlier, you might catch the IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan just outside the South gate of the park, where you’d exit.
Which brings me to the answer to your next question: YES, driving after dark in this part of the U.S. is strongly discouraged! Artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum on these roads, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Another consideration is wildlife; deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses tend to be nocturnal, which ratchets up your risk of a collision in areas where cell service may be spotty, and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 23, 2019 at 11:20 AM
_________________________________________
From Julie
Wonderful feedback! Thank you SO much! Can I just bring you along for every vacation I plan from now on?!? lol
August 23, 2019 at 1:11 PM
Alyssa
Thanks for this great info! I’ll be in Page in just 2 weeks and thanks to my anxiety over whether Antelope Canyon with the intense crowds is worth it, I still haven’t booked anything. I’m somewhat claustrophobic, do you think any of these tours you’ve described here would work for me? My concern about Antelope Canyon is feeling claustrophobia from all the people, but my concern with some of these is feeling it because they’re continuously narrow (aka they never open up).
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Hey Alyssa,
If you do suffer from extreme claustrophobia, touring Antelope Canyon may indeed be more trouble than it’s worth for you. You might consider touring Antelope Canyon X instead. That canyon actually consists of two main slots, which open up a bit in between, plus tour groups are deliberately kept smaller for a more personal tour experience.
Before deciding, I’d recommend using YouTube to get a preview of what the canyons are like. We have a Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk-Through Video on this site, for the others, simply go to the tour companies’ websites, or do a Google search for videos using the specific name of the alternate slot canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Todd Brunjes
Hi Alley,
we are planning trip sometime in july or august 2020.
Would like to add Sedona to your suggested plan …
Day 1 – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
Day 2 – Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Day 3 & 4 – Page/Lake Powell
Day 5 – Bryce Canyon
Day 6 & 7 – Zion National Park
what would you recommend? we can do up to 10 days
also we would like to do some mountain biking -> where would you recommend
Thank you
Todd
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Hey Todd!
If you can lengthen your trip to 10-12 days, you could easily work Sedona into your itinerary. The best place to do that would be between Las Vegas and Grand Canyon South Rim. Allow 3 days for that area as it’s absolutely stunning and there’s lots to see and do in Sedona!
So a revised trip plan, still using Las Vegas as your staging city, would go roughly like this:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~5 hour drive), stop at Hoover Dam if desired, overnight in Sedona
Day 2: Full day in Sedona, suggested activities: sunrise hot air balloon ride, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, Chapel of the Holy Cross, sunset on Airport Mesa, 2nd night in Sedona
Day 3: 3rd day in Sedona, possible activities: mountain biking, shopping at Tlaquepaque, wine tasting tour, day trip to Montezuma’s Castle/Well and/or Jerome, Verde Valley scenic railroad, 3rd night in Sedona
Day 4: Sedona to Grand Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Grand Canyon **you might also do some bike riding here with Bright Angel Bike Rental
Day 5: Grand Canyon to Monument Valley (~4.5 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight in Monument Valley
Day 6: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
Day 7: 2nd day/night in Page, AZ – possible activities: Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, you might also do some electric mountain biking on the Page Rim View Trail
Day 8: Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 9: Bryce Canyon to Zion/Springdale, UT (~2 hour drive), use Zion Park Shuttle to explore the park and take hikes as desired, overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 10: 2nd day/night in Zion
Day 11: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4 hour drive due to possible construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), fly home
Even though you’re planning your trip well in advance — which we definitely commend you for! — it’s not too early to start making hotel reservations. Monument Valley will be the hardest place to find a room since there’s not much to work with in that area to begin with. If for some reason you can’t find lodging in the immediate vicinity of Monument Valley, you might consider adding a 3rd night to Page, AZ, and visiting as a day trip. It is a 2-hour drive each way, but with days being long at the time of year you’re visiting, you should be able to pull it off.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 22, 2019 at 3:28 PM
Sonal
Hi
we are planning to visit Las vegas -> Grand Canyon west Rim (Day1) -> ANtelope Canyon (Day2) -> Las vegas (Day3). How far is antelope canyon from Grand Canyon west Rim?
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Hi Sonal,
It takes approximately 6 hours to drive from Grand Canyon West to Page, AZ, where Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located. In light of the fact that there is very little lodging in the immediate vicinity of Grand Canyon West, you’ll most likely be staying in Kingman, AZ, or Laughlin, NV, which will shorten that drive estimate, but just slightly.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2019 at 3:12 PM
Ana
Hi,
First of all your post and comments are really useful and I am glad I found this site on google before booking my flight and the hotels.
I am planning to go to Las Vegas from 23 November to 28 or 29 November then head to LA and San Francisco. I will spend 3 days in Las Vegas (I think it’s enough?). Then I will rent a car and I was wondering if I can visit on one day – 27 Nov – the Grand Canyon and maybe take the famous Route 66 on my way back to Las Vegas, another day – 28 Nov – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend – then go back to Las Vegas too. And the 3rd day, 29 Nov, on my way to LA I was thinking if I can stop to Death Valley and Sequoia National Park and find o hotel nearby for the night (if you can recommend a city in the area) and head to LA the next day.
Is the end of November a good time of the year to visit this area?
Thank you!
Ana
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Hey Ana, and thank you for your praises!
Instead of visiting the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon as day trips from Las Vegas, I’d recommend doing a loop itinerary and overnighting at the parks on your list. Two reasons why: the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon) are both a 5-hour drive — one way — from Las Vegas. Under ideal circumstances (i.e., when the weather is warmer and the days are longer), you’d still be racing against the clock to get back to Las Vegas by nightfall, but in late November, you’re dealing with rapidly shortening days (sunrise in Las Vegas is at 6:30 AM, sunset at 4:30 PM). Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to roads that are very dimly lit, and the possibility of colliding with a deer, elk, or other large animal. Compound this with very cold weather (possibly snowing), spotty (or non-existent) cell phone service, and help that will be a long time coming (not to mention very expensive), and it’s a risk you really shouldn’t take.
A better plan would be:
November 27: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with stop at Hoover Dam, via Old Route 66 (~6 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
November 28: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon. Overnight in Page, AZ.
November 29: Drive from Page, AZ, to Death Valley (~7 hour drive), overnight in Pahrump, NV
November 30: Drive to LA
Unless you can free up another day or two, I’d say drop Sequoia from the plan this time around, for one, the distance makes it unrealistic to hit as a day visit, and snow may block access to the park at the time of year you’re visiting.
As for whether the end of November is a good time to visit, any time of year is a good time for a trip to Las Vegas, but you will have to deal with cold weather and the possibility of snow. Start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel to get a better sense of how to pack.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2019 at 3:06 PM
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From Ana
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for your help and advices! 😊August 24, 2019 at 9:43 AM
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Hey I’m doing a day trip from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend next Thursday. Connect with me on ig @awholenewworldwithjazzy
August 22, 2019 at 4:56 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Have a great trip!
August 23, 2019 at 12:02 PM
Cassie
Hi Alley,
These itineraries are awesome. My husband and I will be traveling with our 2 boys (ages 11 and 15) in September and we have 1 week (Sat – Sat), flying into Phoenix and returning through Phoenix. We were hoping to drive through Sedona on Day 1 (we arrive early morning), spend the night in either Sedona or Flagstaff, then hit the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley/Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend, and Zion for the rest of the week. Is this doable, or are we nuts? I realize we are at the mercy of whatever hotel accommodations are available at this point, but last minute is how we roll. 😉 We aren’t trying to cram too much in, but want to hit the best spots if we can! Thank you so much!
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Hi Cassie,
You are correct in that availability — or lack thereof — of hotels in the area will be the primary determining factor as to whether your itinerary will work, and what order you will visit the various attractions on your wish list. Another consideration is whether you prefer to get the longer drives of the trip out of the way first, or if you’d rather save them for last.
With a week to work with, you should be able to hit most of the places you wish to see, but will probably need to trim back your expectations a bit. Also, when it comes to Sedona, you’re going to find that a quick overnight isn’t nearly long enough to do the place justice. You should try to free up at least another night, if not two. Believe me, lots of people stay out there for 4-5 days and still report feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface!” So with all that in mind, here is what you could feasibly do:
Day 1 – Fly to Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – 2nd day in Sedona, possible activities: sunrise hot air balloon ride, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, some easy but scenic hiking Things To Do In Sedona
Day 3 – Drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon (~3 hours), take shuttles around GC Village and to overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, stopping at Grand Canyon overlooks along East Rim/Desert View Drive, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting); drive time ~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops, tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend that morning if you were unable to do so that afternoon. Options for this day: day trip to Monument Valley (2-hour drive each way), Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, drive to Kanab (~90 minutes) to spend the night.
Day 6 – Drive to Springdale, UT (~1 hour from Kanab), catch Zion Park Shuttle to explore the park (lots of good easy hikes in that area), spend 2nd night in Kanab, UT.
Day 7 – Drive back to Phoenix (~6 hours from Kanab), fly home
The reason I suggest doing a day trip to Monument Valley on Day 5 is because at this point, you’re highly unlikely to find rooms available there (there’s not much to work with there). If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, you might consider taking a scenic flight over it from the Page, AZ, Municipal Airport. Fixed wing airplanes depart daily (weather permitting) and mornings are typically the best time to fly for light and lack of wind. Monument Valley Air Tours
Zion is another area where you’ll probably come away feeling as though you didn’t have enough time. Frankly, Zion is more convenient to visit using Las Vegas as a staging city, so, push comes to shove, you might save this park for another time when you can give it the time it deserves, and visit Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands, aka “Utah’s Mighty 5!”
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Jennie Youngquist
Hi, Can you tell me what months are the least busy for application for the Wave permits? Since I have a flexible schedule, does it help my chances to not specify a specific date on my permit request or is it required to put a date(s)? If I don’t get selected for a Wave permit, can I continue to apply for each subsequent month? When applying for the permit, are the names required at this time? I may not have the names of all the people in my party until the date is selected. I’m hoping I can complete the names at that time. Thanks!
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Hey Jennie,
We feel your pain on how frustrating the Wave Permit process can be!
Having a flexible schedule definitely works in your favor. The times of year that are least competitive for permit applications are when the weather is worst: July-August and January-February. That means being prepared for weather that’s really, really hot, or really, really, cold. Still, you won’t be alone in trying to work this strategy to your favor. If you are not chosen for the first month you apply, you are welcome to continue applying for subsequent months for as long as you want. You are required to submit 3 dates that you can hike at the time you apply, but you are not required to submit all the names of your hiking companions at that point in time.
Best of luck to you, and in the very likely event you are never selected to hike The Wave, you might consider flying over it. That will be pricey, no doubt about that, plus touring aircraft cannot land at The Wave, but in addition to The Wave, you’ll see a lot of amazing scenery you might not get a chance to otherwise! For more information, check out this article on our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
Take care and happy hiking!
Alley 🙂August 21, 2019 at 5:16 PM
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From John Colowich
Hi,
I appreciated= your great job to advise us the great tips.
I have one question about lower and upper Antelope Canyon tour.
I think I have read your comments, but could not locate one.
If we have to choose one between upper and lower, which one do you recommend?
I heard different tour company charges different amount for the same upper or lower Canyon tour, is it true?
Then, do you suggest which touring company is better for the money spent?Thank you again, John
August 23, 2019 at 4:55 PM
Dhruva
Hi,
I am planning to drive from Phoenix, AZ to Page on 08/31 morning, and return on 09/02 afternoon.
Can you please advise me a travel plan to visit all attractions in Page.
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Hi Dhruva!
First of all, you won’t hit “all” the attractions in Page, AZ. In order to do that, you’d need 3-5 days, but the timeframe you have is perfectly fine and you can still accomplish a lot and have a wonderful time.
Since Page, AZ, is a small town, the order in which you visit the attractions here depends largely on availability of tours, or in this case, lack thereof. The weekend you’re planning on visiting is Labor Day weekend, so don’t be surprised to find slots on many area tours to be sold out!
The drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ, “in theory” takes about 4.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures. 6-6.5 hours tends to be a more realistic figure when you factor in bathroom breaks, meal stops (the Cameron Trading Post is a great place for lunch), and the inevitable “oh wow, look at that!” moment. Still, if you get an early start on the trip, you could do your Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon. This element of your trip (Antelope Canyon tours) should be the first priority for booking, so check availability for that first anyway. If you find that tours of the main branches of Antelope Canyon are sold out, look to alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful, but far less crowded. If you wish to pair your Antelope Slot Canyon tour with a short boat tour of Lake Powell, consider “bundling” these activities for ease of convenience in the reservation process.
If you wished to do a longer water-based activity, such as the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, you’d want to set aside your full day in town for that. If you take us up on that suggestion, take the early morning departure of these trips to avoid the peak heat of the afternoon. Then, if you have energy to spare afterwards, you might visit the Glen Canyon Conservancy museum, take a short hike to the “New” Wave or the Hanging Gardens (carry plenty of water if you do this), do a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, or visit the Glen Canyon Conservancy Museum.
Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise on your way back to Phoenix; here again, this will enable you to enjoy cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.
For more suggestions on how to get the most out of your time in Page, AZ, check out our “Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ!”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 19, 2019 at 1:11 PM
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From Valeria
Hi,
I would like to book the triple crown tour, which includes upper,lower canyon and boat tour. But i can not find a customer service number. Can you please send me the number i can contact those guys? I have enormous amount of questions to ask about this tour and there is no information.August 21, 2019 at 9:42 PM
Kaleigh
My husband and I are planning a trip out to Arizona in February of 2020. I like to do my planning/reservations well in advance. Many of the sites to book tours to visit do not have availability posted yet for February. Do you know when these dates may be opened up for reservations? Should I call the company instead of inquire online?
Thanks in advance!!
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Hi Kaleigh,
Antelope Canyon tour companies will open up seat inventory for 2020 later this year, probably around October or November. Check back then, and if 2020 reservations aren’t possible to make by December, that would be the time to reach out by phone and see what’s going on.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 19, 2019 at 12:55 PM
Shirley
Hi I didn’t see anyone ask this question but I’m assuming only one application for permit per group is allowed? Meaning if there are 3 of us only one should apply for the group or can all 3 of us submit applications? Thank you!
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Hi Shirley,
Yes, you have interpreted the rules correctly 🙂 When you apply for a hiking permit, you have the option to submit several desired dates within the month you’re applying for, if that helps, but again, only one application per group allowed.
Since it is statistically unlikely that you will be granted a Wave permit, you might start thinking now about what alternative activities you might do. White Pocket is a popular choice, and as of yet doesn’t require a permit. We do recommend, however, going with a licensed guide service since the road there is awfully sandy and typically impassable in a standard rental car. Another option for those with unlimited determination to see The Wave, and a vacation budget to match, is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart out of the Page, AZ, Municipal Airport and can be chartered to fly over not only Coyote Buttes, but Rainbow Bridge, Cottonwood Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and many other scenic highlights in the area. Flights don’t land at The Wave, but would show you a ton of amazing scenery you may not have the time or inclination to visit on foot. For more information on chartering a flight over The Wave, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 15, 2019 at 12:52 PM
Liya Cheraux
Hi Ryan,
Loved reading your post, and truly amazed how much time you spent helping us. Thank you!
My question for you is different from what I’ve read here. My husband and I are touring through south Utah and Page in total 7 days. We will be trying to hike the Narrows in Zion, should we still book the Antelope Canyon tour? Since Page is our last stop (mainly for Horseshoe bend and Grand Canyon), I wonder if we would have seen enough canyons after all these days, and would find Antelope Canyon tour unnecessary. I’d love to hear your advice. Thank you.
Here is our 7-day itinerary (work in progress). We’ve booked all the accommodations so can’t change much.
9/14 : Drive from home to Zion
9/15 Day1: Zion (Zion night 1)
9/16 Day2: Zion (Zion night 3)
9/17 Day3: Bryce (Fruita Campsite night 1)
9/18 Day4:Capitol Reef (Fruita Campsite night 2)
9/19 Day5: Arches/Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point SP (Moab Yurt night)
9/20 Day6: Arches/Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point SP (Page night)
9/21 Day7: Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon (Vegas night)
9/22 : Drive from Vegas to home
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Hi Liya,
Thank you for your compliments! Ryan is out of the office, but I’m happy to help you.
This is an excellent question – it’s natural to wonder if you’d get “canyon’ed out” by the time you reached Page, AZ! I believe the answer is “no.” All the canyon landscapes you will experience on your tour (which definitely looks fun!) are different and beautiful in their own way, so, seeing Antelope Canyon IMO would make for a nice capper to your week’s exploration.
There are a couple of areas where I’d recommend some small reality checks and possibly making some changes:
On 09/20, where you say you’ll spend the night in Page, AZ, after exploring the Moab, UT, area, keep in mind that’s a long drive, ~5 hours. Plus, you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunity to go through Monument Valley, which will add more time to the trip. An important consideration at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength. It’s getting short, with sunrise in Moab, UT, occurring at ~7:00 AM and sunset in Page, AZ, at ~6:30 AM. Utah is also on a different time zone than Arizona, so UT is one hour “ahead.” No matter what you do, you need to time your trip so that you arrive in Page, AZ, well before sunset. Nighttime driving is best avoided in this part of the U.S. due to poor lighting on local roads and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes wild horses to pose a collision risk.
On 09/21 where you say you’ll visit the attractions in Page, AZ, then to go on to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, that is not realistic. It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to make the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. I know Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens, because the drive is very scenic, and you will be stopping to take pictures. There’s also the inevitable bathroom and meal stops to be made (the Cameron Trading Post is perfect for this!). It can take 2-3 hours alone stopping at all the Grand Canyon viewpoints between the park entrance at Desert View and Grand Canyon Village! It would then take ~4.5 hours minimum to make the drive back to Las Vegas. It would be better to overnight in the Grand Canyon area, then make the drive to Vegas the following morning when you’re rested.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 14, 2019 at 5:06 PM
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From Liya Cheraux
Thank you very much, Ally for your advice. I will book Antelope Canyon tour. Also, I will make sure we leave Moab early and Page early enough to avoid driving in dark. You’re right, safety is the most important! Truly appreciate your time and your help!
August 15, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Tracy
Hi Alley,
This is so helpful! Thanks so much!!! My family (myself, my husband and 2 daughters, ages 11 & 12) are planning a trip for late March 2020. Anything you would add or do differently if traveling with kids? What about the Petrified Forest, any good way to add that in? Thank you, Thank you!
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Hey Tracy, thank you for your compliments. Glad you like the itinerary!
Traveling with kids your daughters’ age, you should be able to do most activities suggested, but adjustments for weather are definitely warranted.
In Northern Arizona/Southern Utah, March falls into that transitional period between winter and spring, so, depending on the whims of Mother Nature, it could be snowing, especially at higher elevation parks such as the Grand Canyon (7,000′ ASL) or Bryce (8,000′ ASL). Best case scenario, it will be cold in the higher elevation areas, but pleasantly cool down lower, such as Page, AZ (4,500′ ASL) and Zion, which is at about the same elevation. Nevertheless, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the weather, and start monitoring it in the various locations you want to visit about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
If you wish to add Petrified Forest/Painted Desert to your itinerary — and March is a great time to do it! — I would suggest flying into Phoenix instead of Las Vegas. That would situate you perfectly to add Sedona to your itinerary, which is amazing! A nice one-week itinerary using Phoenix as a staging city could go something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Do Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour (weather permitting), 2nd night in Sedona
Day 3 – Drive to Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park (~3 hour drive), also visit Meteor Crater if desired, overnight in Holbrook, AZ, or Winslow, AZ
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive), have lunch at Cameron Trading Post, visit Horseshoe Bend on way into town (parking permitting), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise if you couldn’t get there the day before; tour Antelope Canyon, perhaps take a short boat tour on Lake Powell, spend 2nd night in Page.
Day 6 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 7 – Drive to Phoenix (~5 hour drive), fly home
Naturally, that itinerary can be flip-flopped depending on availability of Grand Canyon lodging and/or Antelope Canyon tours, of if you prefer to get the longer drives of the trip out of the way first. If you prefer to experience Bryce and Zion, you’d be better off flying into/out of Las Vegas. Dropping Monument Valley would be the best way to accommodate the Painted Desert if you went that route.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 14, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Orli
Hi
We plan to visit the antelop canyon on 20/12, is it possibel in this season?
Thanks
Orli
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Hi Orli!
If, by “20/12,” you’re referring to December 12th, then yes, visiting Antelope Canyon is possible! The canyons are open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving (last Thursday in November), Christmas Day (12/25), and New Year’s Day (01/01). Even though you’re visiting during a slower time of year, advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours are still strongly recommended.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 14, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Evy
Hi,
I read that visiting the Canyon is best during March-September and Oct-Feb Antelope Canyon is dimmer. I’m thinking of going Nov 9-11. Here is my idea: Nov 9 from PHX to Sedona staying overnight in Sedona. Nov 10 leaving Sedona at 8am to Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend and staying overnight in Page. Nov 11 tour Antelope Canyon and doing the boat tour. Which Canyon offer best lighting during the time frame. Or I can wait until April.
Or we can just do a day trip to Sedona and stay at William on Nov 9 and stay overnight in Page on Nov 11?
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Hi Evy,
There’s no such thing as a “bad” time to visit Antelope Canyon. You are correct in that “prime” time, when you are likely to see the famous light beams, is generally between March and September. For this, you’d need to time your tour for mid-day. However, if you don’t have your heart set on seeing the light shafts, October through February is a perfectly good time to visit, and it has a few compelling advantages such as cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Long story short, if you are able to visit in November, by all means do it! However, the way you’re proposing to do it is a bit flawed at present, especially in the first version of your itinerary.
It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim. That’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the drive is very scenic, and you’ll find yourself stopping to take photos, especially in Oak Creek Canyon, and the San Francisco peaks near Flagstaff. You should plan on at least 4 hours for sightseeing at Grand Canyon South Rim, particularly in the Grand Canyon Village area, then you’re facing another 3.5-4 hour drive to Page, AZ? Not my idea of a vacation! In November, one thing to keep in mind is the possibility of snow. It’s not common at that time of year, but in the event it does happen, you’ll definitely have to take things slower. Another important consideration is daylength: in November, it’s short. Sunrise occurs at ~7:00 AM, sunset at around 5:00 PM. You want to avoid driving at night if at all possible in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky), and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and other large animals to graze near them at night, ratcheting up the chance of you having an auto accident. It’s not something you want to have happen in an area where cell phone service is spotty (if you can get any bars) and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. It would be better to do a day trip from Sedona as you suggested, then stay in Williams that night. Better yet? Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon, or Tusayan just outside the park, so you can be on the canyon rim for sunset and/or sunrise.
As for which Page, AZ, slot canyon offers the best light during the month of November, they’re all beautiful! Just reserve a time slot that works for you. If you’re wanting to do the Antelope Canyon waterside boat tour as well, book it as a “bundle” with one of the slot canyon tours for optimal convenience.
If for some reason your November visit doesn’t materialize, April is a perfectly good time to visit. However, it falls in that “transitional” period between winter and spring, so a late season snowstorm is a very real possibility.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 14, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Timm Mackley
We followed this itinerary almost to the letter in July, 2019.
It was perfect! We were grateful for every one of the suggestions made here.
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Hey Timm,
Thank you so much for taking the time to report back on our itinerary! Glad it worked out well for you and your family. We hope you get a chance to come back to the area, and maybe try out our 14 Days In The Grand Circle trip plan.
Take care and have a wonderful rest of your summer, fall, and Holiday Season,
Alley 🙂August 13, 2019 at 1:55 PM
Sharon
Hi, wow so much information that helps make sense into how to plan each day. We are planning on arriving I Vegas on October 8th and would like to travel starting in Zion from October 10th for 7 days. I saw your plan starts from GC, would that be preferable?
My very rough plan:
10/10 Vegas – Zion
10/11 Zion
10/12 Bryce
10/13 Bryce-Paige
10/14 lake powell
10/15 lower antelope and shoe bend driving to south rim GC (can we fit something in GC here?)
10/16 GC and drive back to Vegas with Hoover dam on the way. (Is it too much?).
Is mid October recommended? Less crowded? or is the weather too unexpected?
I am concerned that things are too tight. Should we try and fit in another day and where? Or else how would you plan out the days if we plan on leaving Vegas to NY in the night of October 17th? Are there specific activities that we should not plan on (like a boat tour in lake Powell) or will that still be happening at that time?
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Hi Sharon,
Mid-October is a great time to be here, my favorite, in fact, so good decision there! Weather is usually pleasant and quite stable.. note, “usually.” It can actually vary widely from place to place, due to the difference in altitudes. Las Vegas, for example, is only 2000′ above sea level. Grand Canyon South Rim is ~7,000′, Page and Zion are between 4,500′-5,000′, and Bryce goes all the way up to 8,000.’ While snow is unlikely at that time of year, you might encounter an occasional rainstorm, and you’ll definitely want to pack at least a light jacket for cold nights. Of course, it’s too soon to tell how the weather will actually be right now, but start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Check it in all places you plan to visit. That will give you the best idea of how to pack.
As for whether you start your trip in Grand Canyon or Zion will depend largely on lodging availability in either place. If availability in Zion (Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT) is more conducive to beginning your trip there, then by all means, do so! And if you can free up an extra day, you won’t have any trouble finding things to see and do. I’d recommend giving it to Zion or the Grand Canyon if you’re able to swing it.
Since Springdale, UT, is the central departure point for the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, that is where you should try to obtain lodging for the Zion portion of your trip. If that area is booked up, then Kanab, UT, is your next best option. In fact, you could even use Kanab, UT, as a “base camp” from which to explore both Zion and Bryce. It takes ~1 hour to drive from Kanab to Springdale, then ~90 minutes to drive from Kanab to Bryce (figures are one-way). Devote at least 2 days to Zion, and 1 to Bryce.
The drive from Kanab, UT, to Page, AZ, takes ~1 hour. The two towns are on different time zones, so keep that in the back of your mind. Utah is 1 hour ahead of Arizona, so you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Kanab to Page, or “lose” it if you were to travel from Arizona to Utah. On your Bryce-Page transition day, you could tour Antelope Canyon the afternoon of your arrival, save that 2nd full day for a water-based activity such as the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour or the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, then hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise on the way down to the Grand Canyon. As for “fitting something at GC in” on the day you travel from Page to GC, the drive will naturally take you along the scenic East Rim/Desert View Drive of Grand Canyon National Park. There are over half-a-dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon along this route, all with different perspectives and features to marvel at! Prior to arriving at the Grand Canyon, you’ll be on Navajo land, which also has many beautiful features that will no doubt pique your curiosity. The Cameron Trading Post makes a good breakfast/brunch stop. The Navajo tacos there are legendary!
Whatever you decide, a couple things to keep in mind:
1. There is a major construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. This will affect your drive time between Las Vegas and Zion, typically tacking on an extra 30-60 minutes.
2. Everything — lodging, tours, reservations at fancier restaurants, etc. — should be booked in advance. Do not leave anything to chance!
3. You should plan on buying an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks (such as Valley of Fire, a short but stunning detour you should try to make on the drive from Las Vegas to Zion!), and Native American Tribal Parks (Antelope Canyon is one of these), but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Just pick it up at the first National Park you visit on your tour.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 12, 2019 at 2:20 PM
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From Sharon
Alley
Thank you so much, we have not yet booked our tickets flying in to Vegas so things may still move around. We may loose a day on the parks route so will have to figure things around.
If we book our flight out of Vegas on a red eye to NYC (11:45 pm) do you think on the last day we can start in GC travel a bit there and on the way and take the drive back to Vegas straight to the airport? Will that be too risky if we need to be there by 9pm?
ThanksAugust 12, 2019 at 6:09 PM
Gary Morgan
Question please. My wife and I are driving around the Utah Arizona area and we do not have a specific time where we are going to be at any one place. Is there a phone number we can call to see if there are any tours available the day before we drive to the Antelope Canyon area? Thank you
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Hi Gary,
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend doing that. Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are extremely popular vacation spots, and Antelope Canyon is a world-famous attraction. Tours (which are required) sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance, and those who “wing it” may find themselves out of luck! Naturally, there are alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, which might save the day should you find yourself coming up against sold-out tours in the main branches of Antelope Canyon, but even those are selling out ahead of time.
As with every rule, however, there is an exception, and that holds true in this case: if you are traveling during the winter months (December-February), that timeframe tends to be a little quieter due to the colder weather, so then, you might find less competition for seats on tours, hotel rooms, etc.
All that said, there unfortunately isn’t one single number to use to check for availability on Antelope Canyon tours. There are four companies who oversee Upper Antelope Canyon and two who manage Lower Antelope Canyon. You must call these companies individually to inquire about booking seats.
Lower Antelope:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Upper Antelope:
Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours, antelopeslotcanyon.com, 928.645.5594
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours, antelopecanyon.com, 928.645.9102
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours, navajoantelopecanyon.com, 928.380.187
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 12, 2019 at 1:53 PM
nicole
hello, we will be visiting the first week in October. I am interested in seeing as much as possible. Where is a good location to stay? Best place to book the tours? The reviews I’ve read for the tours online are hit and miss. some good, some bad. ideally we’d like to see anteloupe canyon, grand canyon and more! We will be in Las vegas for 2 days and have 2-3 days to see AC and the GC. Any suggestions on the best way to approach this?
Nicole
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Hi Nicole,
October is a great time to be here!
The best location to stay is as close as possible to the attractions you wish to see! For the Grand Canyon, that would be Grand Canyon Village, or Tusayan, aka GC Village South, 7 miles outside the park. For Antelope Canyon, Page, AZ, would be where you’d want to seek your lodging. As for how to plan your trip, honestly, it will depend on when you can find availability for Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours. Both Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, AZ, are ~a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas, so the order in which you visit them is really a “six of one/half-a-dozen of another” proposition. As for the Antelope Canyon tour reviews, I wouldn’t put too much stock in them. Every single tour company, restaurant, hotel, or other type of retail store here has received good and bad reviews. Besides, Antelope Canyon is such a popular attraction that in the time it takes for you to hem and haw over which tour company is best, you may find all the seats booked. If you think we’re kidding, think again. “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out” However, a viable method to avoid some of the pitfalls of Antelope Canyon tours — namely, how crowded they are — is to consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
So, all that said, a sample itinerary including Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, AZ, is:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, with optional stopover at Hoover Dam (~5-6 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, and points of interest in the Navajo Reservation (~3.5-4 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive back to Las Vegas (~5 hours), optional “drive-through” of Zion National Park, which will add another 90 minutes-2 hours onto your drive time. Be aware of a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which could tack another 30-60 minutes onto your trip.
If lodging availability is more conducive to flip-flopping that itinerary, then by all means, do so. If you have another day to spend, I’d recommend spending it in Page, AZ, so you can take part in a water-based activity, such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, or perhaps a kayak tour from Lone Rock.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 12, 2019 at 1:40 PM
Jennifer Ann
Hi! I can’t find my post from yesterday and I was going back to it to see my itinerary. Sorry to bother you.
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Hi Jennifer,
You posted your inquiry in the Ultimate 1-Day Itinerary section, so that’s where it has been answered 🙂
AlleyAugust 12, 2019 at 12:37 PM
MP
Hi, Alley. First, let me say you are an amazing source of information, and I found myself nodding at all the advice you gave to people, especially about packing so much into their itineraries. I used to travel to and from Page a lot years ago, and have so many great memories. I’d like to return, but I was shocked at how difficult it is to get to PGA by air. I’m wondering if I’m looking at the wrong airport or what I’m doing wrong. Is it really that expensive to fly into Page now, and should I fly into Phoenix and drive up instead? Thank you for your help!
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Hey MP,
Contour Airlines is now the Essential Air Service carrier between Page and Phoenix. They also offer service between Page and Las Vegas, as well as San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Oakland, CA, on a limited basis. Last I checked, their rates were pretty darn reasonable, starting at $49, varying all the way up to $129. PGA is the correct airport code for Page, AZ. From what I’m able to gather, Contour has yet to “ping” on the radar of search tools such as Google Flights and Scott’s Cheap Flights, so you’ll have to search for it separately. This may be because they have yet to arrange a downline agreement for baggage transfers, but I’m just guessing on that.
For more information, visit www.ContourAirlines.com
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂August 10, 2019 at 1:05 PM
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From MP
That’s fantastic news, and thank you for replying so quickly. Delta ran the “puddle jumper” service back in the day. I’d get on the 9pm and be in Page by 10pm. I hadn’t done a search in a while, mainly due to the astronomical prices I would get, but I just went to kayak.com and it does now list Contour and Frontier for flights from Phoenix to Page. Last year I flew into Denver and almost drove down to Page on a whim (but restrained myself). 🙂 Now I know I have options. Thanks again, Alley!
August 13, 2019 at 3:02 PM
Jennifer Ann
Hi!
What do you think of this plan?
Mid-October 2019
Fly to Phoenix from east coast and arrive at 12:45 pm
Stay in Phoenix and relax
Day 2:
Leave for Page by 6 am (we are early risers)
And take lower antelope Canyon tour at 1 which leaves us time before for a brief lunch
Go to horseshoe bend and also drive over state line in Utah as oldest daughter wants to visit all 50 states
Sleep in Page
Day 3:
Leave at 6 am and drive to Grand Canyon (which side?) and spend time there until about 3 or 4 pm when we would journey back to Phoenix before dark
Day 4
Spend it in Phoenix
Day 5
Board airplane at 6 am and get home at 4 pm
What do you think? Thanks in advance!!!!
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Hi Jennifer,
First off, October is a great time to be here, so I approve of that wholeheartedly! The rest of your trip plan? About 50-50.
Your plan for your arrival day is good, especially if you’re coming from the East Coast, you’ll be pretty whooped by the time you get to Phoenix, so spending the night there is a good idea so you can relax, wind down, etc.
Day 2 is OK as well, but you’ll need to make sure you get on the road by 6:00 AM, and plan on arriving in Page, AZ, no later than 12:00 Noon to get your bearings and check in for your Antelope Canyon tour. That means resisting most temptations to stop at various scenic overlooks and scenes that will invariably pique your curiosity. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, you should be able to make it without a problem, seeing as though the normal drive time — wheels up, no stops — is ~4.5 hours. That gives you a small cushion for bathroom breaks, snack stops, and the inevitable, “oh wow, look at that!” moment.
Day 3 is where things go a bit wrong. Let me back up a bit first: save the visit to Horseshoe Bend for on your way to the Grand Canyon. Early morning is actually a better time to be there than late afternoon, when the parking area is usually full, and the outside air temperature is quite warm. Sunrise occurs at about 6:30 AM that time of year, so “wheels up” at 6:00 AM should time things quite well. Other advantages to a sunrise visit are fewer people to contend with and cooler temperatures! Back to what I was getting at: the drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, on paper, is given as 2.5 hours. In reality, it ends up being more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours due to the fact that it’s a very scenic drive (a familiar refrain in these parts, for sure!) and you will find yourself stopping to take photos, especially along the section of the Desert View Drive between the East entrance of the park and Grand Canyon Village. The Cameron Trading Post, in the Navajo Reservation, is a good breakfast/brunch stop. Then let’s say you spend 3 hours or so exploring Grand Canyon Village, then you’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive back to Phoenix. That’s potentially 7-9 hours of driving in one day. Not my idea of a vacation. Plus you really should be somewhere on the canyon rim for sunset! Another concern is regarding nighttime driving; it’s something you want to avoid if at all possible due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads (a deliberate move in order to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses around them. A nighttime collision with a large animal in an area with spotty cell service, if you can get service at all, and where help will be a long time coming, and VERY expensive can ruin a vacation in a hot second. A better plan would be to spend the night at Grand Canyon South Rim on Day 3, then head down to Phoenix on Day 4 when you’re rested. If you take us up on that, you might return to Phoenix with a drive-by through Sedona, which will extend the trip, but the scenery is well worth the diversion! But then again, it might leave you wanting: Sedona is a place where you can spend 4-5 days and still feel as though you’d only scratched the surface, so, maybe a return trip to Arizona would be a better plan when you can do that area justice.
Hope that helps, and sorry for the delay in replying.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 12, 2019 at 12:59 PM
_________________________________________
From Jennifer Ann
Thank you so much for your guidance! I took your advice and made a reservation at the lodge at the Grand Canyon! One more question—should I book a later antelope canyon tour or stick with 1 pm? Thanks again!!
August 14, 2019 at 5:03 AM
David M
Hi Alley
Looking for some help in planning a trip from Las Vegas, touring most of the above places and then to depart from Phoenix. We arrive in Las Vegas on Friday Sep 20th at 12.45 PM. We leave from Phoenix on Saturday Sep 28th at 9.55 AM. We plan to rent a car in Vegas and drop it off in Phoenix. We would like to see Zion, Grand Canyon and Sedona. Rest everything is add on.
If we have time we do not mind staying on the evening of arrival on Friday in Vegas and start the trip in the morning on Saturday Sep 21 or we can start afternoon Sep 20th. We have not booked anything so far. I am hoping I can start booking them today once I get some in put from you.
Sep 20- ? Stay overnight in Vegas and leave on Sep 21st or Leave at 3 PM after getting the car towards Zion and stay in Zion?
Sep 21- Explore Zion – Stay overnight
Sep 22- Explore Zion and drive in the afternoon to Bryce, stay in Bryce. Or stay in Zion overnight?
Sep 23- Either drive to Bryce in the am or spend the day in Bryce [after having stayed the night before] and drive to Page in the evening, stay in Page?
Sep 24- Page and surrounding, stay in Page.
Sep 25- Drive to GC. Stay in GC.
Sep 26- Drive to Sedona, stay in Sedona.
Sep 27- Stay Sedona. Drive to Phoenix in the evening or early morning Sep 28 to catch the flight at 9.55?
Sep 28- Leave from Phoenix at 9.55 AM.
Thanks in advance.
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Hi David,
So sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Your plan looks pretty fun, whether or not it materializes the way you envision it will depend largely on availability of lodging – or lack thereof, maybe – in the various locations you wish to visit.
On your arrival day in Las Vegas, you might simply plan on spending the night there, especially if you’re traveling from the East Coast or overseas. You’re bound to be pretty whooped by the time you get to Vegas, and the logistics of collecting your luggage and sorting out your rental car is bound to take ~2 hours. You might feel a bit better making that drive when you’ve had a good night’s rest. The drive time from Las Vegas to Springdale, UT, where you have to go to catch the Zion Park Shuttle, normally takes ~3 hours, but these days, it’s taking 4-4.5 hours due to a long-term construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge (another compelling reason not to make that drive during the afternoon rush hour!). Get as early a start as possible on the trip; sunrise occurs about 6:30 AM. If possible, try to book your lodging in Springdale, UT, for convenience. If nothing is available in that area, try Kanab, UT, on the Eastern border of the park. In fact, you can use that area as a “base camp” for exploring Bryce Canyon, too, if lodging in the immediate area is sold out. The drive from Kanab to Springdale is ~1 hour; Kanab to Bryce is ~90 minutes, then Kanab to Page, AZ, is ~1 hour.
The main thing you want to avoid once you get out of Las Vegas and into Southern Utah and Northern Arizona is driving at night. Roads in this part of the U.S. are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky. Another possible hazard is deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses have a tendency to come out at night and graze on the shoulder, which ratchets up the chance of your having an accident. That can definitely put a damper on your vacation in an area where cell service is spotty (or non-existent) and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. So where you say “drive to Page, AZ, in the evening,” I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You want to be sure you’re at your final destination for each day, well before sunset, which in Page, AZ, occurs at ~6:15 PM; in Utah, that’s 7:15 PM since they are 1 hour ahead of Arizona.
In Page, AZ, Antelope Canyon tours are one of the most popular activities. Be sure you make reservations for these ASAP, along with all lodging on the various legs of your trip. Plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town just after sunrise. That’s the best time to be there for cooler temperatures and thinner crowds!
A word of warning about Sedona: it’s amazing. OK, that’s not really a “warning,” but a word of caution: one night’s stay will leave you wishing you had more time. People spend 4-5 days there and report feeling as though they’d only “scratched the surface,” so don’t be surprised if you find yourself planning a return trip, which isn’t such a bad thing 😉
Since your flight is at 10:00 AM, and you’ll probably need to check in at least 1 hour prior to departure, I’d recommend spending the night prior in Phoenix. The drive from Sedona, AZ, only takes ~2 hours, but then you hit Phoenix at rush hour, which may delay you at the worst possible time.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 12, 2019 at 1:26 PM
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From David
I have revised my trip based on some of the suggestions. Please advise if this will work.
[Fri] Sep 20: Arrive at Las Vegas at 1 PM. Collect rental car by 3 PM. If time permits drive to Hoover dam and then stay in Vegas or just simply stay in Vegas for the night based on when I get the rental car.
[Sat] Sep 21: Drive to Springdale UT. Start around 7 and reach Springdale by 12 PM [TIme change]. Perhaps try the Narrows in the afternoon. Rest in the evening in Springdale.
[Sun] Sep 22: “Angel Landing”, start at 6ish. Hopefully return by 1 PM. Then drive to Bryce. Drive time 3 hours. Arrive between 4-5 PM. Stay in Bryce.
[Mon] Sep 23: Morning sunrise and spend time in Bryce, then drive to Page at around 2-3 PM. Stay in Page. Drive time 4 Hours.
[Tue] Sep 24: Drive to Monument valley, return and stay in Page. [No hotels in MV]. 3 Hours each way.
[Wed] Sep 25: Leave page at 7 AM to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. Then drive to Grand Canyon. Stay in Tusayan. Drive time 3 Hrs.
[Thu] Sep 26: Explore Grand Canyon. Then drive to Sedona for the night. Drive time 3 Hrs.
[Fri] Sep 27: Explore Sedona – and leave to Phoenix at 5-6 PM. Stay in Phoenix. Drive time 2-3 hours.
[Sat] Sep 28: Return rental and arrive at airport at 8 AM, flight leaves at 9.55AM.
August 12, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Britney Levetan
Hello,
I am planning on meeting my family at Antelope Point Marina on August 17th but will be arriving late on the 16th and need a place to camp for the night. I will not be getting there until about 11 pm. What do you recommend for me to do since most camp grounds will be closed by this time?
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Britney,
You might see if you can find a space at the Beehive Campground, aka the “New” Wave. This is a free (for the moment), first-come/first-served camping area. To get there, you must cross the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge and on the left side of US89, look for a turn-off across from the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort. However, you may find this campground full by the time you arrive, and it is monitored by the National Park Service, who frown on “improvised” camping in this area. If that’s the case, just about the only other option would be the Page, AZ, Wal-Mart parking lot, but they don’t allow tent camping, just car and/or RV camping.
One thing I do wish to point out is that in August, nights are still quite warm in Page, AZ. The current weather forecast calls for daytime highs in the high 90’s/low 100’s, and overnight lows in the 70’s. Not that comfortable for camping of any stripe IMO. I would recommend springing for a hotel. You’ll have a much better night’s rest so you can be refreshed and ready for fun with your family the next morning! For the most reasonable rates, look to the independently-owned properties on the “Street of Little Motels,” which tend to offer lower prices than the chain hotels and motels.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 10, 2019 at 1:17 PM
Josh
Hi ,
We are starting from Barstow early morning around 7 , wanted to only do Mather point and yavakoi point in grand canyon by 7 p.m and the head to antelope canyon for night stay . Is it safe to drive from grand canyon to antelope lower canyon after 7-8.
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Hi Josh,
You want to avoid doing any driving in the dark in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possibility of encountering large animals such as deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. That can be quite a disconcerting experience in an area where cell service is spotty and a tow truck might be long in coming, not to mention very expensive!
It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, factoring in the numerous stops you’ll inevitably make. Since you’re driving all the way from Barstow that morning, which is ~a 6-hour drive, better (and safer) to spend the night at the Grand Canyon, then hit the road to Page, AZ, the next morning when you’re fresh and rested.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make all lodging reservations and Antelope Canyon tour reservations in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 09, 2019 at 5:23 PM
Jessica
Hello! Thank you for the time you put into making amazing experiences for others. I have 2 questions: Is it required to use a professional company for touring Antelope Canyon (either upper or lower) or can you simply do a self-guided tour and pay a smaller entrance fee? Secondly, are there any “must see” stops on the way fromm the south rim (Mather Campground) to Page, other than Horseshoe Bend? We were hoping to see Antelope Canyon but the tour rates are incredibly steep. Thank you for your time!
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Hey Jessica,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a guided tour is 100% required to visit Antelope Canyon. The days where you could “self-tour” have been over for going on 20 years. One way to save money on an Antelope Canyon tour, whether it’s Lower or Upper, is to tour at “off-peak” hours, namely, earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. The light is still good then, so you can still get beautiful pictures. Your guide will assist you in that. Another possibility would be to look into alternate slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful, but less crowded. Some tours are less expensive than Antelope Canyon, others not so much. Still worth looking into, though. Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
As for any “must-see” stops on the route from the Grand Canyon to Page, there’s a TON of them! Google maps lists the drive time as ~2.5 hours, but it’s not unrealistic for that time to actually shake out at more like 3.5-4 hours. Possible points of interest you might stop at include but aren’t limited to:
– Over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon between GC Village and Desert View Point
– The Tusayan ruins and museum
– The Little Colorado Overlook (on Navajo lands, after exiting the park)
– Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands
– The Cameron Trading Post (good breakfast/brunch stop)
– Chinle formation views
– The Gap Trading Post
– The “Cut” overlook
Regarding Horseshoe Bend, you might have better luck hitting that just after sunrise the following morning as parking tends to be quite a bear in the hours between later afternoon and sunset.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 08, 2019 at 12:31 PM
Anvi Shah
Hi Alley! Loved your website. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed itinerary.. It has been very helpful.
We are a group of 3 adults travelling this Sept. We land in Vegas on 21st morning, rent a car and head to GC south rim.
Below is the brief outline itinerary. Not sure if its doable. Please could you have a look and let me know.
Its our 1st time in the US and I really wanted to spend sometime in the Canyons, but never have enough time to do everything!!!
Day 1 – hoover dam & GC south rim, stay the night there
Day 2 – monument valley, antelope Canyon & horseshoe bend, stay the night at Page
Day 3 – glen Canyon – rafting & late evening Bryce Canyon, Stay the night at Bryce
Day 4 – bryce Canyon – ATV ride, explore some sites on our way back to Vegas. Reach Vegas by late evening.
Day 5 & 6 – 2 days and 1 night in Vegas, fly out to San jose on 26th night.
Unfortunately, our flights into and out of Vegas are booked so don’t t want to change that.
Will appreciate it if you could let me know your thoughts.
Many thanks.
Anvi
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Hi Anvi, thank you for visiting us!
Your itinerary looks OK, still warrants a couple small reality checks and one big one. More on the latter in a minute.
On Day 2, you are looking at a long drive: ~4-5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, factoring in stops, and another 2 hours to Page, AZ. If you have your heart set on touring Antelope Canyon that afternoon, you’ll need to either a. get a very early start out of the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, or b. drop Monument Valley from the itinerary. Not that it isn’t lovely – believe me, it is! It’s just a long way to get there and you have limited time as it is. Another thing you’re up against at the time of year you’re visiting is daylength that is rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at ~6:15 AM, sunset at around 6:30 PM. You want to avoid doing any driving in the dark in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the possibility of encountering large animals such as deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. That can be quite a disconcerting experience in an area where cell service is spotty and a tow truck might be long in coming, not to mention very expensive!
If you prefer not to drop Monument Valley, you might be better off doing all your Page, AZ, activities on Day 3 as follows:
– Just after sunrise: visit Horseshoe Bend
– Sometime that morning: tour Antelope Canyon
– 12:00 PM – Check in for the 1:00 PM Glen Canyon Float Trip
– Spend a 2nd night in Page, AZ
On Day 4, drive to Bryce, explore and stay the night in that area (if nothing is available, check out Kanab, UT)
Day 5, head back to Las Vegas via Zion National Park. This is where the “big” reality check comes in: you haven’t built any time at all in your itinerary for Zion, which is a real shame. It’s a beautiful park with a lot to see and do. It really deserves at least 3-4 days time to do it justice, but unfortunately, you don’t have that kind of time. 1 night, maybe 2 would be all you could squeeze in, and here again, this could be accomplished by dropping Monument Valley. However, there still might be a way you can work it in… more on that in a minute 😉
A revised itinerary, without changing your flights, would be as follows:
Day 1 – Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at the South Rim
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon
Day 3 – Hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise if you couldn’t manage it the day prior, take 90-minute scenic flight over Rainbow Bridge and Monument Valley first thing in the AM, do Glen Canyon Rafting Trip in afternoon, drive to Kanab, UT, to spend the night
Day 4 – Drive to Bryce, explore that area, then drive back to Kanab, UT for a second night
Day 5 – Drive to Springdale, UT, get on shuttle to explore Zion National Park, spend the night in Springdale
Day 6 – Drive back to Las Vegas, fly home
Whatever you decide, be sure to get your lodging and guided tours reserved ASAP. Good luck, I know it’s a hard choice.
Alley 🙂August 08, 2019 at 12:23 PM
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From Anvi Shah
Hi Alley, thank you for for taking the time and writing back to me.
The revised itinerary looks perfect.. Except that I don’t think we can manage to do Zion. We have booked the show ‘o’ for 25th evening and want to spend sometime in Vegas as well.
And since Zion anyways needs 3-4days, to do it justice, I’ll leave it for the next time.. Till then we’ll make do with the national parks back home in Kenya 😉
I was actually thinking about dropping Monument Valley after looking at the maps.. Great idea of taking the flight. Will check if its available.
Many thanks again!
Cheers.
AnviAugust 08, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Luis
Hi Alley.
Do you know if the route from Phoenix to Yuma is safe to travel? Paved?
I am planning on going in April. Phoenix to Yuma, back to Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Page (Antelope Canyon ….. MUST SEE in my book)
But a bit concerned about the Yuma travels. (VERY interested in seeing the Imperial Sand Dunes.)
Please advise if you can .
Thank you.
Luis
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Hi Luis!
The two primary routes from Phoenix to Yuma are 100% paved, in fact, they are comprised mostly of interstate highway.
I cannot personally vouch for the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, but from what I can gather looking at Google maps, that road is also paved.
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to reserve all hotels and guided tours (especially Antelope Canyon) well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 07, 2019 at 4:40 PM
_________________________________________
From Luis
Than you so much Alley for your response. Truly appreciated!
I am a bit OCD and therefore will have everything ready. Can’t hardly wait for this trip. Dreaming of Sedona, Antelope Canyon and all the beautiful places in Arizona…..Will be making reservations shortly for the Grand Canyon lodge and Antelope Canyon as I already seen it gets packed pretty soon.Again, thank you for the information and this awesome site.
You are AWESOME!Luis
August 07, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Vipula Manu
HI I am solo traveller and will be staying in Vegas
I would like to visit Antelope canyon & Horeshoe Bend, and acceptable to do it over 1 to 2 days from Vegas. (30-31st August)
Which tour companies would you recommend
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Hi Vipalu,
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located near the town of Page, AZ, so these two attractions can be visited in one day, which is what most tour companies do. In the article you responded to, we list several tour companies worth considering. One we recommend is MaxTour. They feature smaller groups for a more personalized experience. You can choose from a single-day tour to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, or a 2-day tour that covers the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend.
The above-referenced tours, by the way, are ground/coach tours. If the prospect of spending all that time on the road didn’t appeal, there is a combination air/ground tour offered by Scenic Airlines out of the Boulder City Airport. Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Expedition
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 06, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Julie
Hi, Alley! Your website has been so helpful in trying to plan our trip. Thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. I would like to get any advice or suggestions on our itinerary. We leave in two weeks. I am really excited and hoping we have jammed packed our trip with too much to do. There is just so much to see and explore. I wish we had a month to visit!
August 15th – Flying into Salt Lake City (evening)
August 16th – Exploring Salt Lake City (My son lives here so he has several places he wants us to visit. We will be making trips in the future to visit him to see more.)
August 17th – Leave for Bryce. Explore Bryce. Spend the evening near Bryce (still haven’t found a place so we may have to go on to Springdale)
August 18th – Leave for Zion. Explore Zion. We will be glamping at Zion Ponderosa Ranch.
August 19th – Leave for Page, AZ. Spend the day in Page. Explore Horseshoe Bend. Afternoon tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. Staying in Page
August 20th – Travel to Grand Canyon South Rim. Explore Canyon and Staying in Williams.
August 21st – Travel to Las Vegas. Stop at Hoover Dam.
August 22nd – Spend the day in Las Vegas. Show that evening.
August 23rd – Afternoon Flight home.
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Hey Julie!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun.
Not surprised that the Bryce area is full. I did a cursory check of hotels in that area myself for that date and came up with the same result. Keep checking back as cancellations do happen, but instead of schlepping all the way to Springdale that afternoon, you might see if you can get another night at Zion Ponderosa. That frees up another hour for sightseeing at Bryce, which you’ll probably appreciate after a 4+ hour drive from Salt Lake. You would end up having to go to Springdale the next morning to get on the Zion Park shuttle, though, so it’s 6 of one/half a dozen of another, but I would at least book something somewhere as a back-up plan so you’re not left hanging.
Hopefully you already have reservations in place for an Antelope Canyon tour. If not, book a tour ASAP.
I would recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise on your way out of town en route to Grand Canyon South Rim. That way, you can take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. If you try to visit the afternoon of your arrival, you’ll be jockeying for a parking space with hundreds of other people with the same idea as you. Not fun, IMO.
A couple of other things: be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks; Antelope Canyon falls in the latter category. Still, the card will pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take, plus it’d good for 1 year, so if/when you come back to SLC in the next few months, you can use it to hit Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and maybe Yellowstone and Grand Tetons as well.
Another thing: keep an eye on the time, and be sure that you’re at each day’s final destination by nightfall. You want to avoid driving at night in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies), and the strong possibility of deer, elk, and other large wildlife to be about. You don’t want to have a collision with one in an area where cell phone service is spotty and a tow truck may be a long time coming, not to mention really expensive. Sunrise in Utah takes place at ~6:45 AM; sunset occurs at around 8:30 AM. At the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ, the sun comes up at ~5:45 AM and goes down at about 7:15 PM.
Another thing (last one, I promise! LOL): time zones — they’re wonky. Nevada is on Pacific DAYLIGHT Time. Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time. Arizona, however, is on Mountain STANDARD Time (except for the Navajo reservation, which you don’t have to sweat too hard this time around). Therefore, you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Arizona, “lose” it for a short time traveling between Page and Grand Canyon South Rim (Navajo reservation), “regain” it as you enter Grand Canyon National Park, then remain on the same time as you wrap up your trip in Las Vegas.
Hope that all helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 05, 2019 at 3:00 PM
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From Julie Russell
Alley,
I just wanted to thank you for your advice on our itinerary. We had an awesome trip and I have to say your site helped very much in the planning process! The National Park pass was a great recommendation. We hope to go back within the year and maybe hit another couple of parks so we will be able to use it then as well. Also, I thought I would let you know that we did find a very nice Bed & Breakfast near Bryce. I highly recommend The Panguitch House. Our rooms were very private, clean and nicely decorated. Owner was very nice and served a great breakfast. Thanks again for all your insight to visiting this area. We hope to go back again in the future as there is so much more to visit and explore!September 01, 2019 at 12:34 AM
Barbara
Hi Alley, Great info! My husband and I will be in Page for just one night 9/6. Would love to do Antelope Canyon but am getting turned off by all of the comments of crowds. However my husband has some back issues so not sure the alternatives would work or be as dramatic. Considering the upper or lower canyon bundled with a boat tour as we would really like a boat tour of the Colorado River. We are coming from Bryce so looking at early afternoon times. Do you think early September will be as crowded as ‘Walmart on Black Friday’. Loved that description by the way! Option #2 is Secret Canyon with Horseshoe Bend but that means no boat tour and less dramatic views. Option #3 is Canyon X (love the lower price) and then separately a boat tour. But concerned about the in and out climb. We are seniors but in good shape except for the back issues. Would that one be too much driving between tours locations?
I appreciate your perspective. Thanks.
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Hi Barbara, and thanks for the compliment! Wish that comparison was actually my quote, but I borrowed it from someone who had already made the observation 😉
At the time of year you’re visiting, it will still be busy. It’s just after Labor Day, so you’ll encounter a few families getting that one last trip in before school, as well as ‘snowbirds’ and young couples.
If the stairs and ladders of Lower Antelope Canyon would be problematic for your husband, then Antelope Canyon X will be, too. It has a similar topography, as well as some stairs and ladders to navigate. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon has no stairs, but is a longer canyon (~500 yards), that doesn’t have any chambers per se, but is one long, continuous slot. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon would have actually been the “alternate” I would have proposed for you in light of the physical challenges going on. As for it not being as “dramatic” as Upper or Lower, some recent Google reviews would beg to differ! You might want to check them out. If you do opt to take that tour, you can still do the Antelope Canyon boat tour, time permitting, but you’d have to book it separately.
Before you completely rule out Lower Antelope Canyon, take a look at this Full Video Walk-through.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 05, 2019 at 1:45 PM
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From Caroline
Hey Alley,
i am coming with my father who is in his upper 70s in the beginning of October. I want him to see the coolest slot canyons he can see, but also know that he won’t be able to do a ton of walking/climbing etc. Is Secret Canyon the only real viable option? I did one years ago with the Hummer tours. I remember it being cool, but it definitely didn’t have any chambers. Possibly secret canyon? I would love him to be able to get the variety, but want to consider his limitations… Is secret canyon the only viable option?
Thanks for all the advice!
September 13, 2019 at 6:48 PM
Tom
Hello from Australia, my wife and I plan to drive from Las Vegas to Page to visit Antelope Canyon on October 26th 2019 for 3 nights and we would like to do the Upper, Lower and boat cruise of the canyons over two days.
Is there a package available to accomodate the above plan?
Given it will be the end of October what is the best time to view the canyons?
What will the temperatures be at that time of year?
Your advice very much appreciated.
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Hi Tom and “g’day” from Arizona!
There is a package that includes both Upper and Lower Antelope, plus the boat tour of the waterside, but at the present time, it’s designed to do all 3 tours in one day. If you’re wanting to do the 3 tours over the course of 2 days, you would need to book either two out of 3 tours as a package, then the stand-alone tour separately.
At the end of October, mid-day will still be regarded as optimal time for touring Lower and/or Upper Antelope Canyon, but don’t be surprised if you find those time slots already booked. Anytime there is available space is a good time to go. As for temperatures, “slightly balmy” to “comfortably brisk” is the usual temperature range for late October in Page, AZ, with a slight chance for precipitation thrown in for good measure. The interior of the slot canyons, however, tends to remain constantly cool, so a light jacket at the very least should be brought, whatever the circumstances. If your travels are taking you to some of the higher elevation parks in the vicinity, such as the Grand Canyon or Bryce, a few items of heavier clothing might come in handy during the early morning or evening hours. Start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel for a more accurate picture of what’s expected.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 05, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Ana
Thank you for your blog post!
After reading your post I got confused which canyon should we visit in late April.
We decided to visit lower antelope canyon, but now I am thinking it will be crowded there.
What’s your suggestion?
Thank you
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Hi Ana!
There’s no two ways about it: the Antelope Canyons — Upper and Lower — will be busy at the time of year you’re visiting. If you already have a reservation in place for Lower, I’d recommend hanging onto it. The tour companies do a great job of ensuring that your group won’t be nipping at the heels of the one in front of it, nor will the one behind you be too close for comfort. If this still doesn’t sound like fun, you might consider touring Antelope Canyon X. It bears enough of a resemblance to Lower that you will come away feeling as though you’ve had a comparable experience, but the group sizes are deliberately kept smaller — for a price, of course.
Good luck, I know it’s a hard choice. Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 05, 2019 at 1:28 PM
Lianna D
When I win permit is it only for me, or my husband can come along? Thanks
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Hi Lianna,
This is a very good question! When you apply for a Wave permit, either through the online lottery or the walk-in lottery, you must apply for all members of your party who wish to hike. So, if you and your husband want to hike, you must apply for two spaces. If anyone else wishes to join you, you must put their names down on your application. If you were to apply for a hiking permit in your name only, only you would be permitted to make the hike. Your husband would NOT be able to just “come along” with you. If he did so, both you and he would risk fines and/or jail time!
Hope that clarifies things.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 03, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Elizabeth
Hi I wish I had come across your website sooner before I started planning and booking for my trip in September. I would like to share with you a basic outline of my schedule.
Sept 12th. Land in Vegas. Visit seven magic mountains and visit the strip
Sept13th-17th. Stay in Washington Utah. On the way stop at Death Valley state park. Plan to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion national, sand hollow state park as well as yant flat and snow canyon.
17th-18th drive to orderville. Do rock climbing in a slot canyon and visit pink coral sands
18th-20th. Page Arizona.. paddle lake Powell, horseshoe bend and upper antelope. Also possibly thinking of going to the arches national park.
20-21at Las Vegas and fly out.
Does this seem reasonable?
Thank you
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Hi Elizabeth,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I can’t fully endorse this itinerary. It seems as though you haven’t looked at a map and familiarized yourself with where things are, not to mention the realistic driving distances between places.
On your arrival day, for example, you indicate you want to try and hit the Seven Magic Mountains art installation, but depending on when your flight arrives, and how long you have to wait to collect your rental car and check into your hotel, you might be too exhausted to even think about doing this by the time you’ve gotten your “Vegas legs.” If you are wanting to see this attraction, as well as visit Death Valley, I would recommend booking an extra night in Las Vegas in order to accomplish this. 7 Magic Mountains can be visited as a short “detour” en route to Death Valley.
I am not certain if you are committed to staying Washington, UT, on the next leg of your trip, but if you aren’t, I would recommend cancelling the last two nights at those accommodations and moving to either Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT. Washington is an OK place to use as a base from which to explore Sand Hollow, Yant Flat, and Snow Canyon, but it’s a bit far afield for Zion and Bryce if you’re doing day trips to those locations. The main concern is re: nighttime driving. You want to avoid it in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, and other wildlife. A collision with a large animal in an area where cell service is spotty and help will be a long time coming (and very expensive) is a sure way to ruin a vacation. If you wish, you could extend your stay in Kanab or Springdale to encompass slot canyon exploration and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
RE: Arches National Park, take it off the list. Again, it’s too far removed from the main points on your itinerary (~6 hours from Page), plus it’s an area that needs at least 3-4 days to fully enjoy and explore. Save it for another trip when you can give it the time it deserves.
So, all that said, a revised itinerary would look something like this:
09/12 – Arrive in Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
09/13 – Day trip to 7 Magic Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, 2nd night in Las Vegas
09/14 – Drive to Washington, UT (~3 hour drive taking into account construction taking place on I-5 through the Virgin River Gorge), visit Sand Hollow State Park, overnight in Washington
09/15 – Explore Yant Flat and Snow Canyon, 2nd night in Washington
09/16 – Drive to Springdale, UT (~1 hour from Washington) or Kanab, UT (~2 hours from Washington), get on Zion Canyon park shuttle to explore park, overnight in Springdale or Kanab
09/17 – Day trip to Bryce, overnight in Springdale or Kanab
09/18 – Day trip to local slot canyon and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, overnight in Springdale or Kanab
09/19 – Drive to Page, AZ (~2.5 hours from Springdale, 90 minutes from Kanab), do Antelope Canyon hiking tour and Lake Powell kayak tour, overnight in Page, AZ
09/20 – Visit Horseshoe Bend, drive back to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Veags
09/21 – Fly home
Another couple of things to keep in mind: time zones. Las Vegas is on Pacific Daylight Time, and Utah is on Mountain Daylight Time, BUT – Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time. This means that you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Las Vegas to Utah, “gain” the hour back traveling from Utah to Arizona, then stay on the same time as you drive from Arizona back to Las Vegas.
Hope that makes more sense. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 05, 2019 at 1:23 PM
Sukaina
Is it too late to apply for the wave permit for travel dates in Sept 2019?
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Hi Sukaina,
Yes, it is too late to apply for the online lottery for September – that took place in May. However, when you arrive in the area, you can apply for the walk-in lottery at the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab, Utah. You would apply for a permit the day PRIOR to when you wish to actually hike.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 03, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Bill Drain
We just did this itinerary in June. We flew into Vegas on Wednesday June 19th, then headed for the Grand Canyon the next morning. We finished up the following Thursday and flew home to Maryland. It was, in a word, fantastic. One of our best ever vacations. The only thing I would do differently is that I would’ve added a 2nd night at the Grand Canyon. By the time we stopped at Hoover Dam, we didn’t get there until 6pm on Thursday the 20th, and we have to be on our way to Monument Valley by 10am the following day. That said, now we just have an excuse to go back to the Grand Canyon in the not too distant future so we can spend more time checking it out. Anyway, thanks for posting, this was fantastic.
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Hey Bill,
Thank you for reporting back on our itinerary! Hope you get a chance to return to our area sooner rather than later 😉
Take care and have a wonderful summer,
Alley 🙂August 03, 2019 at 2:39 PM
ABU
Hi Alley
Thanx for the details of alternative stuff to do in while in PAGE.
I am planning to dive from Las vegas to page and stay a night in page on Aug/9. I’ve booked lower antelope for 1 PM afternoon schedule on Aug/09. i guess it will take 1 hr. After that i am planning to go Horse shoe bend my self without any tour. OK ? i wish to visit Canyon X or Secret Canyon will be time enough ? how much time it takes over all to do either of them.
I checked there is the last tour for Canyon X at 4 pm, will that be ok ? night i stay i sleep over then catch sun-rise at horse shoe again then head to South rim and continue to Las vegas.
how it seems the plan ? suggest me plz
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Hi Abu,
Your itinerary and thought process look OK, until you get to the part where you propose to “catch sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, head to the South Rim, then continue on to Las Vegas.” There are other areas where your perception of timing of certain tours is off, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Anyway, visiting Grand Canyon South Rim as a “drive by” between Page and Las Vegas is not a good plan. It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon Village. I know Google Maps gives the figure as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheel’s turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures — a LOT of pictures. You should also plan on stopping at the Cameron Trading Post for a meal – it’s an experience in itself! Then, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas takes approximately 5 hours. That does not give you much time at all to enjoy the Grand Canyon, especially at sunset. You want to avoid doing any driving in the dark in this part of the U.S. due to lack of artificial lighting on area roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, and other large nocturnal wildlife to be nearby. A better plan is to stay overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then do the drive to Las Vegas when you have had a good night’s rest.
RE: Lower Antelope Canyon – the typical tour time is anywhere from 60-90 minutes, but depending on how much “bottlenecking” has occurred by the time you get there, it could take anywhere from 2-3 hours. Still, you should be OK to visit Canyon X at 4:00 PM, if that’s what you really want to do, but frankly, I don’t think it’s necessary to visit more than 1 slot canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Indeed, you might find doing so “redundant,” since the scenery will be similar. You might reconsider and do a combination tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, plus a short boat tour on Lake Powell.
Horseshoe Bend may be visited without a tour guide or escort, parking permitting. Sunrise is the best time to visit for cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 01, 2019 at 4:16 PM
Willem
Hi Alley,
We are planning to visit the Antelope in april 2020.
Would you be so kind to look al these questions:
1. is your advise to visit both the upper and lower Antelope?
2. Is it possible to visit the lower Antelope without a guide?
3. is april also a month where it is necessary to book in advance?
Thanks
Willem
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Hi Willem,
Thank you for your inquiry that is clear, concise and to the point!
I will attempt to respond in kind:
1. While touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is not necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ, you are bound to feel as though it was time well spent. In years past, booking both tours was a hassle, as they are run by different tour companies. Now, it’s possible to book both tours in one step! Lower & Upper Antelope Canyon “Bundle”
2. It is NOT possible to visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon without a guide. Both slot canyons are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, therefore, you must have a tribal-authorized company guide you into the canyon.
3. April, and every other month of the year, is a time where it is necessary to book in advance. The Antelope Canyons are very popular attractions, and April coincides with the Spring Break holiday in the U.S., so many families will be traveling in this area!
Hope that helps! Wishing you good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 30, 2019 at 4:53 PM
Jeff
Hi Alley, first of all thank you for all the help you give to others on here. Secondly, I am planning a road trip (3 to 4 weeks) from Los Angeles and around Western US. Going through Vegas, Salt Lake City, Idaho, Mount Rushmore, Glacier National Park, then through Washington to Portland and back down from Northern Cali to LA. To begin our journey we plan on staying overnight in Vegas before making our way to see Zion, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, North Rim and possibly Marble Canyon and Bryce if needed.
Plan is to go this September (about 6 weeks from now)
My plan was to drive up to Zion during the day from Vegas and stay 2 nights around there (finding anything cheap hotel or motel wise on the fly). See Zion in the afternoon on first day, wake up early and hit up Zion the following day (my wife does not want to do any hikes so basically we will hit the shuttle for the day and taking in the views at the stops or flat land walking). Then the next day (Day #3) drive over to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend before staying the night in Page or closer to the North Rim. Day #4 check out the North Rim (and possibly Marble Canyon if it’s worth it on the way). Day #5 drive back into Utah on our way to Salt Lake City (maybe see Bryce at this time in between).
I am a professional photographer and have traveled the world the past 12 years, and wish to get the best photos I can without any hiking (or minimal distance that I could do myself without my wife for a short time). Does the time frame sound decent for this part of the trip to start or better to add a day somewhere. And what places are best to stay at on the fly (as I prefer not to pre-book too much so I can stay at a place longer or shorter if needed).
Thanks
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Hi Jeff!
First of all, at the time of year you’re visiting, you can’t do anything “on the fly.” September is peak travel season in this part of the U.S. and many hotels are likely to be already booked up. Hoping to book a hotel or motel room without reservations is a recipe for disaster, especially in an area where cities and towns are few and far between and you may have to drive hours to find a place to lay your head. Not my idea of a vacation. Book your accommodations NOW.
Speaking of which, Grand Canyon North Rim, Marble Canyon, and that area doesn’t have much to work with in the way of lodging. Page, AZ, on the other hand has quite a few hotels and vacation rental homes to choose from. You may have an easier time of it visiting Grand Canyon North Rim as a day trip out of Page, AZ (~2.5 hours drive each way), or Kanab, Utah (~90 minutes each way).
On Day #5 where you propose visiting Bryce Canyon on the way to Salt Lake City, I’d recommend re-thinking that. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Bryce to Salt Lake, and you want to avoid doing the first half of that drive in the dark. Even if you don’t do any hard-core hiking, sunset is a great time to be at Bryce Canyon. I’d hate to be racing against the clock to get to Salt Lake and miss that! Plan to stay overnight somewhere in the Bryce Canyon area, then getting an early start on the drive to SLC early the next morning.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 30, 2019 at 4:47 PM
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From Jeff
Thank you for your quick reply. So I guess I will have to bite the bullet (At least on the first week of my roadtrip) and pre-book hotels. That means will need to make sure how long I plan to stay at each place and have time to get back and forth from the hotel to these destinations each day effectively.
Other than that, Is Bryce Canyon or Marble Canyon redundant in any way since I will be doing the rest, or are each of those two can’t miss places? Just wondering if it’s something I can skip if need be.
Thanks again 🙂
July 30, 2019 at 6:29 PM
Tara Pianko
Hi Alley!! Your posts are AMAZING. I am so overwhelmed and was really hoping I could get your help and advice. My mom and I are planning a last minute trip to Vegas and are wanting to see the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and antelope canyon. We arrive on Monday 8/5, have an antelope canyon tour on 8/7 at 11:30 AM, and leave from Vegas on either 8/10 or 8/11. We really want to see all of the parks and also potentially the SkyWalk at the Grand Canyon. I just don’t know how to plan our trip efficiently with our antelope canyon tour on 8/7. Do you have any recommendations on an itinerary with our dates and wanting to get a taste of each place? Thank you SOOO much for being so helpful to all of us and allowing us to better see the beauty of the west!!
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Hi Tara and thank you for your compliments!
At the time of year you’re visiting, I’d recommend skipping the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pretty cool attraction, and there are other things you can do there that you can’t do anywhere else, but during the summer months, GC West is GHASTLY hot, as in 120 degrees in the shade hot. The South Rim, what with being 7,000′ above sea level, will be cooler, plus offer the iconic “picture postcard” views you’re expecting to see.
That said, the order in which you visit the different parks on your wish list will depend now on availability of lodging at Grand Canyon South Rim. Since you’ve already got your Antelope Canyon tour booked (at prime time, too — SWEET!), here’s what I’d recommend:
08/05 – Arrive in Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
08/06 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim with stop at Hoover Dam if desired. Approximate drive time, ~4.5-6 hours (latter with frequent stops), overnight at the Grand Canyon
08/07 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops at Grand Canyon viewpoints, the Cameron Trading Post and other points of interest along this very scenic drive, tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
08/08 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, head to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon
08/09 – Drive to Springdale, UT (~90 minutes from Bryce), take Zion Canyon Shuttle into park, overnight in Springdale, UT
08/10 – 2nd day in Zion, all kinds of easy scenic hikes to do, or hike Angel’s Landing if you prefer a challenge! 2nd night in Zion
08/11 – Drive from Springdale, UT, back to Las Vegas — this drive could take anywhere from 3.5-4.5 hours because of construction taking place in the Virgin River Gorge — fly home
Now, if you find that lodging at the Grand Canyon is not available on 08/06 but you can find availability on 08/09 or 08/10, you can flip flop this itinerary easily enough, but you’d end up sacrificing a day in Zion. Zion really deserves at least 2 days to explore and enjoy.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 30, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Vikki Ewert
Hi! I’d love your opinion on an itinerary that I’ve begun drafting for June 2020. We are coming from Ohio so will fly and rent a car. We are a family of 4 with 2 teens. We want to see as much as we can yet not be so pushed for time we can’t make impromptu changes or have any time to relax and rest from driving and hiking. We like to hike but easy to moderate day trails. We do NOT want to fly in and out of the same city and prefer to see as many different areas as we can. I sort of prefer not to sleep somewhere different EVERY night but unsure how else to approach. We are not campers.
What are your thoughts about this? Same order or reverse it? Too much for 8 days? Would leave Saturday and return the following Sunday.
Day 1- Phoenix to Sedona, stay over in Sedona
Day 2- Sedona, drive to South Rim and stay in Grand Canyon village or somewhere near on the way
Day 3- Grand Canyon, take Hwy 64 out after sunset and stay in upon entering Cameron on Hwy 89
Day 4- Drive to Monument Valley and then back to Page, AZ for the night (or do we skip Monument and go straight to Page?)
Day 5- Spend the day at Lake Powell, Glen Canyon NRA, stay in Kanab, UT
Day 6- See Grand Staircase NP, Drive to Bryce Canyon NP and spend the night there
Day 7- Drive to Zion NP, stay over
Day 8- Drive to Las Vegas and fly home
Feels like I’m trying to do too much but don’t know what to cut or where to trim. My husband can only take off one week. Would be fun to have a night in Vegas to relax and introduce our kids to the city that never sleeps.
Another idea pending airfares would be to fly into Flagstaff on Frontier and then to Sedona or skip Sedona entirely if able to start at Flagstaff. SUPER APPRECIATE your time and response when you are able to.
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Hi Vikki, we’re glad you found us!
So when you say at the end of your inquiry, “skip Sedona,” I take it you are traveling from the U.S. and are in a position to visit Sedona another time? If that is the case, you may indeed want to skip it regardless of where you fly into this time around. The reason I suggest this is because Sedona is the kind of place you can spend 4-5 days at and still feel as though you only “scratched the surface.”
I would also suggest not using Flagstaff, AZ, as your “staging city” simply because there are no direct flights into there, you always have to connect through Phoenix, no matter what. After all’s said and done, you’d probably find that you didn’t save any time going to Flagstaff, and you certainly won’t save any money. I’ll put it this way: most people who fly into Flagstaff report that they would have “bitten the bullet” and done the longer drive out of Phoenix or Vegas if they had it to do over again.
RE: Monument Valley, whether or not you visit it depends largely on lodging availability, or lack thereof. At this point in time, you may be looking at “lack thereof.” Monument Valley does not have that many lodging options to work with in the first place, and the better hotels, generally regarded as The View and Goulding’s, tend to sell out a year or more in advance. Alternate locations for lodging are also few and far between, namely Kayenta, AZ, and Tuba City, AZ. So, for practicality’s sake, you’ll probably end up dropping MV from the “wish list,” but there still might be a way to work it in. More on that in a minute…
So, with all that said, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 – Arrive in Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
Day 2 – Start early, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive, 6 with frequent stops [it’s a very scenic drive]), take free shuttles in afternoon to overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 3 – Early start (that’s how we roll around here!), drive to Page, AZ, stopping at overlooks along East Rim/Desert View Drive en route. Breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post. Stop at Horseshoe Bend Overlook on way into town (parking permitting), overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 4 – Morning fixed wing airplane tour over Monument Valley (~90 minutes), tour Antelope Canyon in afternoon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise if you couldn’t get there in days prior, drive to Bryce Canyon (~2.5-3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 6 – Drive to Springdale, UT, take Zion Canyon Shuttle to explore park, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 7 – 2nd day in Zion, lots of good hikes to do in varying degrees of difficulty, if you’re up for a challenge, try Angel’s Landing, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 8 – Drive to Las Vegas (~3.5-4.5 hours depending on whether Virgin River Gorge construction project is complete), fly home
Notice I didn’t build an overnight in Vegas into your itinerary. For one, summertime is not my favorite time of year there by a long shot. It gets SUPER hot there, and another consideration is that if your kids aren’t 21 yet, you’ll be somewhat limited on places they can go, not to mention there are Vegas “purists” who insist that their town is not a family destination and never should have been marketed that way. Take that information how you wish, but I’ll add my personal perspective here: I got married in Reno, NV (more years ago than we’re going to discuss LOL) and my then-teenage brother was constantly getting yelled at not to go here, not to go there, stay behind that line, etc. Frankly, a family trip to Las Vegas is a trip I’d save for when the kids are 21+ and for a cooler time of year so you can visit Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and maybe Death Valley.
Anyway, hope that helps. Wishing you good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 30, 2019 at 4:07 PM
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From Vikki
Thank you very much for your time!!
July 30, 2019 at 9:01 PM
Lisa Jefferies
hello
At last after doing lots of googling i came across your site which i have found extremely useful. We are a family of 4 (Mum, Dad and 2 adult children) looking to do a mini tour of USA next year. We arrive in Vegas in 21st July 2020 and plan to have a couple of nights there before doing a sightseeing self drive to Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and then Zion NP before heading back to Vegas. Can we fit in Horseshoe anything else on route? I did think doing it the opposite way around, but it seems you prefer this way. My question is would you recommend motor home/V hire or car hire and hotels? Also we ideally would like to do it over 4 nights / 5 days. Is this possible? We are not big hikers, but like a walk. Also we plan to do the arranged tours of the parks as opposed to doing it ourselves.
Any advice or suggestions greatly appreciated.
Once we have done this area we will be flying onto San Francisco, LA, New Orleans, Nashville and New York. Cant wait 🙂
Thanks
Lisa
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Hi Lisa,
It’s good that you’re planning your summer 2020 vacation well in advance. You’ll be glad you did, trust me!
First off, if you are serious about doing this in an RV, don’t expect to save all that much vs. conventional hotels. At the time of year you’re visiting, it’s HOT, and you will want to have access to reliable air conditioning. That means staying in developed RV parks with electrical hook-ups, which, unbelievably, can be just as expensive as regular hotels depending on where you stay. Just wanted to put that out there.
4 nights/5 days may sound like a lot of time, but it really isn’t. To see all the places on your “wish list,” and allow enough time to fully enjoy them, you really need 7-10 days. If this is not an option, you’ll need to sacrifice a destination or two to make it happen, and the destination that makes the most sense to drop is Monument Valley. Not that it isn’t beautiful (it is), but for one, there isn’t much there in the way of lodging, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s sold out already.
RE: Horseshoe Bend, yes, you can fit it in as well as Antelope Canyon. Both attractions are located in Page, Arizona, which you pretty much have to pass through anyway to get from Grand Canyon South Rim to Bryce and Zion.
As for doing “arranged tours,” vs. self-touring, there are some parks where this is feasible, if not required (Antelope Canyon falls into the latter category), but others where self-touring kind of comes naturally. Traveling from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, for example, the most logical route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at, as well as the Tusayan Ruins and Museum. Upon exiting the park, and entering the Navajo Reservation, there’s even more to see. Plan on getting an early start on that drive so you can enjoy breakfast/brunch at the Cameron Trading Post. The Navajo Tacos are awesome!
All that said, here’s what I recommend:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim with stopover at Hoover Dam. 5-6 hour drive. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. ~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops. Visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page.
Day 3 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon National Park, ~3.5 hour drive, take free shuttle around the scenic rim drive, overnight in Bryce Canyon.
Day 4 – Drive from Bryce to Springdale, UT, ~2.5 hour drive, take Zion Canyon Shuttle into park, overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 5 – Further exploration of Zion if desired, drive back to Las Vegas, ~3.5-4.5 hour drive depending on whether construction project in Virgin River Gorge is completed
If you still feel as though your vacation would somehow be incomplete without seeing Monument Valley, there’s still a way you might work it in without actually going there: fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily. Scenic air tours of Monument Valley are about 90 minutes in length, and morning is the best time to fly for better light and less wind.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 30, 2019 at 2:48 PM
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From Lisa Jefferies
Hi
Thanks for your response. We really feel MV is a must and so far there is availability in accommodation there. We are definitely rethinking the RV and feel car / hotel may be best. Thinking possibly Bryce and Zion same day with overnight at Zion or adding 1 extra night. So much to do and see, so little time!!! Thanks for your help really appreciate it.
LisaJuly 30, 2019 at 7:34 PM
Khagesh
Hi Alley
I am planning to visit Antelope/Page area from Phoenix during one of the weekends. But not able to think how should I plan the trip for two days so that I can cover everything in two days. What should I start from Phoenix to cover upper and lower antelope.
Thanks
KM
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Hi Khagesh!
The order in which you should plan your itinerary and your activities will depend largely on availability of Antelope Canyon tours. However, let me back up a bit: one stop I see is conspicuously absent from your plans is the Grand Canyon. Have you been there before? If not, I would strongly recommend setting aside at least one day to visit it, even if it means sacrificing one of the Antelope Canyon tours. Assuming that the omission of the Grand Canyon was accidental or inadvertent, you can still visit both Page and GC with two days to work with.
A sample itinerary would go something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, stopping at the half-dozen+ Grand Canyon viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, as well as points of interest in the Navajo Tribal Lands East of the park, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, etc. Drive time: ~3.5-4 hours, factoring in stops. Tour Lower Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 3 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive back to Phoenix (~4.5 hours)
If you’ve already visited the Grand Canyon and are able to devote the entire weekend to visiting Page, AZ, then I would recommend simply driving to Page, AZ, that first day, using the second day to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, then driving back to Phoenix on the 3rd day, with an early morning stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 29, 2019 at 12:58 PM
Cheryl Klassa
I’m just in the very beginning stages of planning a trip for just me and my husband. He will be in Scottsdale for business and I’m coming along because I’ve seen friends’ pictures of Antelope Canyon and want to see it myself. So we have the weekend plus Monday.
So far what I’m thinking is fly into Phoenix Friday night, hotel in Phoenix. Drive to Page, AZ on Saturday. Take our time – are there enough overlooks on the road to see the Grand Canyon that way? Overnight in Page. Antelope Sunday morning. Is there enough time to see Horseshoe Bend the same day? OH, there are tours that cover both, aren’t there! Probably overnight in Page. Drive back to Phoenix Monday.
Does that allow enough time? Or too much time? Is there any other must see that I’m missing? I have family outside of Phoenix that I’d like to see too. OH! This will be end of September, early October.
Thanks, Cheryl
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Hi Cheryl,
Glad to hear that you’re taking advantage of the opportunity to visit us during your husband’s conference! Plus you’ve chosen a great time to be here.
Since you express an interest in also seeing the Grand Canyon, that leads me to ask, have you been there before? If not, you might want to prioritize the Grand Canyon over Antelope Canyon. There are no Grand Canyon overlooks you can realistically see en route to Page, AZ, via the most direct route. Therefore, if you’ve never been, what you might want to do is this:
Friday: Fly to Phoenix, overnight in Phoenix
Saturday: Drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
Sunday: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
Monday: Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, drive back to Phoenix
In answer to your query about tours that hit both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, there are none. However, there is an “alternate” slot canyon, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, that offers the option of adding a stop at Horseshoe Bend. The tour company is Navajo owned and they go to Horseshoe Bend via private property on the reservation. For more information visit HorseshoeBendTours.com
As to whether you’ve allowed too little or too much time, or whether there are any other “must-see” places around here, that’s kind of a loaded question LOL If you were to free up another day somewhere, you certainly would have no problem finding ways to fill it. If you’ve never been to Sedona, you might want to see if there’s a possibility of working that in, as it’s a stunning area with lots to see and do!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Sue A
Hi Alley,
Wow – I am in Australia & have never been to America before, so trying to work out an itinerary around the Grand Canyon was so difficult ……. until I found your site. It is pretty much exactly what we plan to do now – so thankyou !!
I’ve listed below the slightly tweaked itinerary (we had 1 less day) & wondered if you could take a look, The main questions I have is finding accommodation to suit ( we are 2 adults & 3 kids 17/15/13). And also ideas on what we do to fill our jam packed days – we do not want to spoil things by over doing it, but def want to make the most of the amazing surrounds. We have 3 boys & we are all fit & active:
Day 1; Vegas to GC south Rim – Hoover Dam lookout, Mr D’s diner, Tusayan for Imax film, Check into Yapavai Lodge (If avail). Shuttle to GC view, possibly Bright Angels hike. Sunset
Day 2: Sunrise Desert View, Little Colorado River Outlook, B’fast at Historic Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur track, Najavo National Monument hike to cliff dwellings, Lunch at Kayenta. Arrive MV – Tribal Park Visitor Centre – Merrick Butte. Looking at The View Camproung in cabins
Day 3: Early guided tour of MV – either 4×4, Horse or Mule , Lunch & then drive to Page – afternoon Antelope Canyon Tour & Horseshoe Bend for sunset. Check in to Page – maybe Lake Powell Resort
Day 4: Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge boat tour. After lunch drive to Bryce Canyon via The New Wave, Paria Rimrocks Toadstools & Hoodoos. Check in at Bryce Canyon Lodge (if avail)
Day 5: Guided ATV tour of Bryce Canyon, then maybe a hop on, hop off tour & hikes. Late afternoon head to Zion – possibly Ponderosa Resort in Wagons
Day 6: Full day in Zion today – so hikes to Upper Emerald pool trail, or Riverside walk, Tubing on Virgin River, Horseriding ?? Not sure how much we can fit in here.
Day 7: Leave early to have almost a full day in Vegas.
Hopefully this looks doable – please let me know if it is not in a good order, or if I have included or missed out any highlights. And in particular, any info on accommodation would be much appreciated. It does not need to be anything too flash , as we will barley be in our rooms – most of our time will be out exploring the amazing sites. I know accomm books out fast, so will plan to get onto that asap.
Again, thanks so much for the brilliant info you have given already – & hey, if you ever plan a trip to Australia , I would happily return the favour 🙂
Thanks,
Sue
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Hey, Sue!
We’re glad you found us and that our advice has proven helpful so far.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. Still, I do have an immediate concern that you seem to be trying to schedule every. single. second. of your days out here. Believe me, I totally understand the desire to see as much as possible, especially coming from such a long way! But try to allow for some “downtime” in your schedule, and be open to letting some moments just happen. Oftentimes, those are the most memorable parts of a vacation 😉
With a family of two adults and three young adults, trying to cram everybody into one hotel room is probably less than desirable. A “family-style” room at Yavapai would be a good bet for the Grand Canyon, and hopefully it’s still available. In other areas, you might want to consider Air B&B’s or vacation rental homes, as well as conventional hotels. If you go the hotel/motel route, you’ll probably want to get two rooms for everyone’s comfort and sanity! LOL
A few items that call for a “reality check:”
On Day 1 where you say you might do a “Bright Angel trail hike,” by the time you drive over from Las Vegas, see IMAX, check into your hotel and ride the shuttles, you may be too knackered to even think about anything resembling a hike! The easy, paved rim trail may be more realistic at this point. If you are still feeling energetic enough to attempt a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail, going as far as the “first tunnel” will give you enough of a sense for how different the inner canyon feels from the rimside. Always remember when it comes to hiking below the rim that 1 hour down = 2 hours out and that food and water should be carried by each member of your party! You might also want to carry flashlights or headlamps if you find yourselves “burning daylight” as John Wayne used to say. Once the sun goes down, it gets really dark out here.
On Day 2, the “hike to the cliff dwellings at Navajo National Monument” probably won’t happen. For Keet Seel, an advance permit is required; for Betatakin, it’s first-come/first-serve, but those slots are usually snatched up pretty early in the morning. Another consideration, if you’re traveling in the summertime, is that these hikes are frequently getting cancelled due to extreme heat warnings. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t stop and visit Navajo National Monument, you definitely should, but you’ll probably want to stick to the Sandal Trail (no, don’t wear sandals!), which is a 1-mile paved trail where you can see the Betatakin Ruins from. After lunch in Kayenta, be sure to pop by the WWII Navajo Code Talkers’ exhibit in the local Burger King Restaurant!
On Day 3, where you indicate wanting to “visit Horseshoe Bend at sunset,” be aware that tons of people are going to have the same thing in mind, and you may have trouble finding a parking space. If that’s the case, you might try visiting the ‘Bend at sunrise the next morning.
On Day 4, I’m assuming that you’ll be taking the morning departure of the Rainbow Bridge boat tour, which wraps up at 2:30 PM, which leads me to the conclusion that you’re traveling during the summer months. Keep in mind that depending on the level of Lake Powell, which is higher than it has been in years past, a 2-3 mile round-trip hike could be required to get to Rainbow Bridge from the boat dock. Although the rest of the tour is not strenuous, don’t be surprised if afterward, you’re in no mood to do anything else but go back to a hotel room and crash, or at most, go find a meal and some cocktails! Around here, we refer to this state of mind as being “sun drunk.” Being on the water out in the sun can zap the energy out of you pretty quick, so here, you might consider spending a 2nd night in Page, then visit Bryce the following morning as a “day trip” before heading to Zion Ponderosa (a cool place, by the way!).
On Day 6, whether or not you do the tubing on will be highly dependent on the water level of the Virgin River. Sometimes it cooperates, other times it doesn’t, so you’ll want to check with the tour outfitters on this. Right now, for example, one of the river tubing companies states on their website that “tubing season has ended as of July 18th due to low water levels.” Horseback riding would probably be a safer bet, and you can do that right at Zion Ponderosa. If you do opt for a trail ride, as with all labor-intensive activities, try to do it in the morning when it’s cooler.
One more thing: no matter what you decide to do, keep an eye on the time, and be sure to time all your drives for daylight hours. You do not want to do any driving at night in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle and sometimes even wild horses to congregate around them. Also: remember that whilst Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Savings Time, Utah and the Navajo Reservation DO. Therefore, if you’re traveling between March and November, Las Vegas will be on the same time as the Grand Canyon; Monument Valley will be one hour “ahead” of the Grand Canyon; Page, AZ, will be one hour “behind” Monument Valley, then Utah will be one hour “ahead” of Page; finally, you’ll “regain” an hour traveling from Utah back to Las Vegas.
*whew* Hope that doesn’t leave your head spinning! Please don’t hesitate to hit us up again if you need further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2019 at 1:54 PM
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From Sue A
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for your reply – being that you do this all the time, I’m guessing you know how amazingly helpful it is to have someone with so much local knowledge, to help with finer details – particularly when I am on the other side of the world.
I really appreciate you advising on some changes to make the trip a little less hectic – you are right that I don’t want to over schedule , but don’t want to miss out either!!
So in saying that, I wondered if I could ask one more question – I have juggled our itinerary a bit further down & pinched an extra day for this part of the trip. So with an extra day/night, I am keen to know where you would spend it ? We are planning to be there in mid April.
Thanks again – your info has been invaluable..
Sue 🙂July 27, 2019 at 12:01 PM
Alison Wineberg
I wish I had found this page earlier! I would love feedback on an upcoming road trip with my family of 4. We are driving down through CO, camping along the way, with an overnight (possibly 2) in Page before continuing to the Grand Canyon for a day, then to Flagstaff and Sedona for several days before heading out of AZ through the eastern side of the state and into New Mexico. I am concerned about camping in Page in the August heat and am considering revising our plans. I would welcome any feedback or advice.
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Hi Alison and thank you for this excellent inquiry.
I assume you are tent camping, thus the concern about heat. Your concerns are certainly justified in Page, AZ, in August. Page, AZ, is about 4,300′ above sea level, and has a desert-like climate. Daytime highs in August to run into the 90’s-100’s, with overnight lows only dipping down into the 70’s. Another concern is monsoonal weather, which can bring sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon, which are often accompanied by high winds. Not too comfortable for sleeping in a tent IMO, so I’d definitely recommend springing for a hotel room during your travels here. A solid roof over your head and air conditioning are things you’ll be glad to have! Page, AZ, hotels run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between as far as price points and amenity classes go, so you’re bound to find something that suits your need and budget.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Jill Schnitzer
I have a large family group of 12 to 18 coming to Arizona in January.p I know I am going to try the lottery for the Wave. I am afraid one of the other families will also try and apply. I hate to tell them don’t. But again I don’t want to give up my chances of getting permits. What should we do?
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Hey Jill,
By visiting in January, your chances of winning the Wave lottery are *slightly* higher than they would be at other times of the year, but just slightly. Your best move is acknowledging that both families’ chances of obtaining a permit either through the on-line or walk-in lottery are going to be quite small to begin with. So, even if you were to advise your other family members against applying, statistically speaking, the more likely outcome is neither family getting chosen. On the off-chance that another family is chosen and yours is not, be happy for their good fortune, plan something fun for yourselves, and enjoy looking at each other’s photos over a good dinner and some cocktails.
If I were you — all of you — I’d start looking at alternate areas around The Wave that are just as beautiful (some assert even moreso!), but don’t require permits to explore. The “catch?” Many of these areas require traveling down roads that can be quite hazardous, and shouldn’t be attempted in a rental car. Working with a licensed local guide can ensure that a. you make the most of your day by traveling with someone who knows the area and b. that everyone makes it back to the hotel in one piece! For more information on local guides licensed to to go areas such as White Pocket, Alstrom Point, Sidestep Canyon, Soap Creek, and the Cockscomb, visit our companion site TheWaveAZ.com: Hiring A Guide
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 24, 2019 at 6:40 PM
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From Jill Schnitzer
Thank you so much for your suggestions.
August 13, 2019 at 11:36 PM
Tiffany
Hi, first and foremost, you are absolutely amazing for sharing your advice! In reading some of your post, I am worried that my itinerary might be a bit ambitious. It is just two adults… appreciate your time.
1. Barstow to Zion to Kanab
2. Kanab to N. Rim to Page
3. Antelope Canyon Upper and Lower to Tuba City.
4. Tuba City to Kingman
5. Kingman to Sky Walk to Hover Dam to Vegas.
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Hi Tiffany,
Your itinerary is certainly a busy one, and though feasible on paper, my immediate concern is regarding the lack of “downtime.” This is the sort of vacation people end up needing a vacation from! Zion, for example, is a huge park that really deserves at least 3 days time to explore and enjoy fully. Seeing it as a “drive by” from Barstow to Kanab will leave you wanting, that’s for sure.
It also doesn’t make much sense to overnight in Tuba City en route to Kingman, AZ. It doesn’t make much of a dent in the drive. If that is your goal, your best bet is to drive to Flagstaff, AZ, where there are more hotels to choose from. Another thing to keep in mind, is Tuba City is a Navajo reservation town, and as such, is dry. Consuming, possessing, or transporting alcohol is a no-no, so if you want to have a drink with dinner, or just buy a six-pack to take back to your hotel, Flagstaff, AZ, would be the better choice, and would put you closer to Kingman. The drive from Page, AZ, to Flagstaff is ~2.5 hours.
I’m getting a big ahead of myself, though: I’m not sure what time of year you are visiting, but if it’s during the summer or early fall, I would skip the Grand Canyon Skywalk. Though it is a neat view, Grand Canyon West is CRAZY hot during the spring, summer, and fall months. If you live in the Barstow, CA, area, you’re close enough to plan a future visit when temperatures are more comfortable, which is usually late October-early November.
By skipping the Skywalk, you can give an extra day to Zion, or, simply hit the South Rim, overnight there, then just head back to Las Vegas afterward.
So a revised itinerary would look something like this:
1. Drive from Barstow to Kanab, UT via Zion, overnight in Kanab* or Springdale, UT (~7 hour drive, due to construction taking place on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge)
2. 2nd day in Zion; possible hikes are Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock Trail, Watchman Trail, Canyon Overlook Trail, 2nd night in Kanab or Springdale, UT* *since you are required to use the Zion Park Shuttle system, which operates out of Springdale, UT, you may use this town as your ‘base’ for this leg of your trip
3. Drive from Kanab or Springdale to Grand Canyon North Rim (2-2.5 hours depending on lodging location the night before, then Page, AZ (2.5 hours from GC North Rim) for overnight
4. Tour Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, then drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5 hours from Page, AZ, factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
5. Drive back to Las Vegas (~5 hours)
Whatever you decide to do, be sure that you always keep an eye on the time. You should strive to get any and all driving completed by sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to the the lack of artificial lighting on area roads (a deliberate strategy to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), plus the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and other wildlife to be nocturnal. Trust us, you don’t want to risk a collision with a large animal in an area where cell phone service is spotty at best, non-existent at worst, and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention expensive. For sunrise and sunset times in the various cities you visit, consult www.sunrise-sunset.org
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 25, 2019 at 1:16 PM
Janet
Hello,
I’d like to attempt a day trip from Las Vegas on 3Aug, leaving at 1am, to visit the Grand Canyon for sunrise, drive through Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, and then a nice trail in Bryce and lastly Zion for sunset and a swim in one of the hidden pools. Crazy? We’re movers and shakers, so I’m fully expecting to have to move quickly. Can you recommend the best spots to drive to at each location to take in the best views as fast as possible?
Thanks for any advice you might be able to offer
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Dear Janet,
Nope, nope, nope… this is SO not happening! Even if you are “movers and shakers” as you say, you’re talking about WAY too much driving to pull off in a single day:
4.5 hours from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon
2.5 hours from the Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, plus at least 4-5 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
2.5 hours to drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon
90 minutes from Bryce to Zion
4.5 hours from Zion to Las Vegas
That’s 15-16 hours driving, wheels turning no stops, and not even factoring in the places you want to visit, and the logistics of checking in, getting your bearings, meals, restroom breaks, etc! You just don’t have enough hours in the day.
Another consideration is that nighttime driving is a dangerous proposition in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads (a deliberate choice to preserve the natural quality of the night sky) and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses near them.
Start your trip just after sunrise, which occurs at ~5:45 AM. If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, go there, enjoy it, and start your drive back to Las Vegas by 3:00 PM at the latest. If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, and/or are OK with sacrificing it this time around, then go to Page, AZ (also ~5 hour drive from Las Vegas), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon (advance reservations required), then head back to Las Vegas. Here, you could visit Zion as a “drive through” on the way back, but with it taking 4-6 hours minimum to hit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, you won’t have time for any hiking in Zion.
The trip you’re proposing to take requires at least a week to do properly. This time around, for your safety and comfort, you’ll need to pick one destination and make the best of it, or else try to free up another day or two to squeeze in more time elsewhere.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 24, 2019 at 4:59 PM
Beth
This is so unbelievably helpful! I’ve also read through many of the comments and wondered if you’d mind taking a look at our itinerary. At this point in planning the trip is kind of a hypothetical, but I want to prepared to be able to start booking campgrounds in the parks as soon I’m able. We’re looking to drive from Michigan to the GC in June of 2020! Crazy, I know. We are a family of 5, (two 10 year olds and one 7 year old at time of trip) and we’re planning to haul an ~17-20 ft. camper. We’re planning 4 days to get to Holbrook, AZ, via some stops along the old Rte. 66. My list includes the south rim, north rim, Page, Zion, Bryce, and up to Rocky (hopefully a stopover at Arches otw) to head back east to home. We have a little wiggle room over 2 weeks, and I know this list includes A LOT, but I’m not sure when/if we’ll make it back so I’d like to see as much as we can!
Days 1-4 Drive to Holbrook, AZ
– Petrified Forest
Day 5
Travel to S GC
Day 6
Explore S GC
Day 7
Travel to Page, AZ
Spend afternoon exploring
Day 8
Spend morning exploring
Travel N GC
Day 9
Explore N GC
Day 10
Travel to Zion
Explore in afternoon
Day 11
Zion
Day 12
Travel to Bryce
Explore
Day 13
Travel to Arches
Day 14 Travel to Rocky
Day 15
Rocky Mountain NP
Days 16-18
Travel back to MI
I’ve also considered staying in Kanab between Page, NGC, Zion and Bryce, but I don’t know whether I want to give up doing all the things at each of those that is suggested first thing in the morning. Just wondered what your thoughts may be. Thanks so much!
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Hi Beth,
First off, it’s good that you’re planning your 2020 vacation well in advance. You’ll definitely be glad you did!
Second, as I’m sure you’re aware, pulling a trailer, you’ll have to be a bit more conscious than the average visitor of what constitutes realistic travel times. A drive that may take someone a couple of hours in a Ford Taurus is more likely to take you 3 hours. Also, be aware that many roads around here are two-laners, so be especially careful about passing and making U-turns, if you do it at all. You might indeed want to use Kanab, UT, as a “base camp” for exploring Zion and Bryce, especially Zion since the Mt. Carmel Tunnel requires buses, motorhomes, and larger vehicles to have an escort, which is a pain.
Having a tow vehicle that can be unhooked and hooked back up as needed is definitely advantageous over a large motorhome in some ways for sightseeing, but at the time of year you’re traveling, you’ll definitely want to stay in developed RV parks with electrical hook-ups. Our area is HOT at that time of year, so having access to air conditioning is a convenience you’ll be eternally grateful for!
The one area where I have a bit of a problem with your itinerary is when you get to Arches. The Moab, Utah area is absolutely stunning and requires at least 3-4 days to fully enjoy. To accomplish this, as much as I hate to say it, I’d suggest dropping the North Rim from your itinerary. Yes, it is beautiful, but the South Rim definitely has more to offer in the way of visitor facilities, and square mileage of the Grand Canyon that is driveable. However, there still may be a way for you to work it in. More on that in a minute… Also, I suggest reducing your time at Grand Canyon South Rim to just one night since you’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page, AZ.
So a revised version of your itinerary would look something like this:
Days 1-4 Drive to Holbrook, AZ – Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, overnight in Holbrook, AZ, on Day 4
Day 5 – Travel to South GC (~3-4 hours from Holbrook), overnight at Grand Canyon (either Trailer Village inside the park or GC Camper Village in Tusayan)
Day 6 – Take morning helicopter flight over GC North Rim (see what I did there? LOL), then travel to Page, AZ (~4-5 hours factoring in stops), overnight in Page, AZ (Wahweap RV Park near Lake Powell or Page/Lake Powell Campground in Page [RV and Camping Options in Page])
Day 7 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 8 – Drive to Kanab, UT (~2 hours from Page, AZ), park RV for 3 nights (Kanab, UT, RV parks)
Day 9 – Day trip to Zion NP. Drive to Springdale, UT (~1 hour away), catch Zion Canyon Park Shuttle, hike in main visitor area of park. Possible hikes include Canyon Overlook Trail, Emerald Pools Trail, Riverside Walk, Watchman Trail
Day 10 – Day trip to Bryce, drive Scenic Loop Drive or do some light hiking (Top Hikes in Bryce Canyon)
Day 11 – Drive from Kanab, UT, to Moab, UT (~7 hour drive), park RV for 3 nights (Moab, UT RV Parks)
Day 12 – Explore Arches NP 2nd night in Moab
Day 13 – Explore Canyonlands NP 3rd night in Moab
Day 14 – Drive to Rocky Mountain National Park (~7 hours), park RV in Estes Park, CO for 2 nights
Day 15 – Explore Rocky Mountain National Park
Day 16-18 – Head back to Michigan
Hope this helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 24, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Linda Hoefele
Hi Alley,
I appreciate all your great advice. Antelope Canyon sounds fantastic, and I would love to incorporate it into a vacation I’m planning with my teenage children next April, over our spring break (April 4-12). We will be flying to Las Vegas, stopping at Hoover Dam, staying overnight in western Grand Canyon area. I wanted to book a whitewater rafting day trip around there, then continue on to the south rim of the G.C, staying in Tusayan, and then hike the Bright Angel trail for a day hike the next day. I figured we would then continue to Lake Powell, and see Antelope Canyon, before continuing on to Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and finally Zion, before returning to Las Vegas and hopefully taking in the sights there for a day before flying back home. It’s an ambitious itinerary, I agree, but I want to be able to show the kids so much before they head off to college. Do you have any suggestions for timing and logistics for this trip? Much appreciated!
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Hi Linda!
As you have rightfully deduced, your itinerary is ambitious, and as much as I hate to say, too ambitious.
If you count April 4th and April 12th as “travel days” into and out of Las Vegas, that gives you 7 full days to work with. Due to the remote location of the Hualapai Lodge and the length of the one-day Grand Canyon white water raft trip, that element of your trip will essentially eat up two nights right off the bat. You should plan on staying in Peach Springs, AZ, both the night prior to the trip and the night the trip returns for optimal safety and comfort.
With that in mind, you could do something like this:
April 4th: Travel to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
April 5th: Drive to Peach Springs, AZ (~3 hours) w/stop at Hoover Dam, overnight in Peach Springs (warning: there’s not much lodging to work with in that area, so advance reservations are a must!)
April 6th: One-Day Grand Canyon White Water Raft Trip, 2nd night in Peach Springs
April 7th: Drive from Peach Springs to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
April 8th: Take short hike on Bright Angel Trail, then drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page, AZ
April 9th: AM tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell (see “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon” for information on bundling these two experiences), drive to Bryce Canyon (~2.5 hours), overnight in Bryce
April 10th: Drive to Zion, overnight in Springdale, UT
April 11th: 2nd day to hike and explore in Zion, 2nd night in Springdale
April 12th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours due to construction project taking place in Virgin River Gorge), fly home
As you can (hopefully) see, Arches and Canyonlands has been dropped from the itinerary. Though they are beautiful parks, they are simply too far away to be feasible this time around. Unless — you were to take the one day white water trip off the table. But even then, Arches/Canyonlands deserves at least 3-4 days time to fully enjoy. So unless you can modify your trip plans to give that area the time it deserves, my suggestion would be to save it for another trip.
Good luck, I know it’s a really hard choice!
Alley 🙂July 24, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Jennifer Sanchez
Hi Alley, would you be able to share more information about engagement photoshoots at Antelope Canyon? Is there a special permit that is required? Does the photographer have to be an Arizona native? What is the price to shoot at AC? How much time is allotted for the shoot? Is there any restrictions such as just shooting in the Upper Canyon or Lower Canyon? At what time is it best to shoot at these places? Is there a particular day that is best to shoot engagement pictures? Are there any other locations that you suggest to do engagement shoots? Any and all information you can share is GREATLY appreciated.
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Hi Jennifer,
Naturally, you have a lot of questions about doing an engagement photo shoot in Antelope Canyon. Unfortunately, answers can be all over the place depending on what you have in mind, how many people will be in your group, how much $$ you want to spend, and other considerations. The good news is there’s a local company that specializes in coordinating engagement, elopement, and wedding photo shoots at Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Tower Butte, and other beautiful locations around Page, AZ. I strongly recommend working with them, as they’ll make life a lot easier for you and your party! For more information, visit AntelopeCanyonWeddings.com , phone 480-980-8121, or e-mail monumentalarizonaweddings@gmail.com
Good luck, safe travels, and congratulations from all of us at AntelopeCanyon.AZ!
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Jenifer
HI! Thank you so much all of this information you have provided has been so extremely helpful!! We are planning a trip from Vegas-Zion-Page-Williams. We have one night in Page and two nights in Williams; where we plan to take the Grand Canyon Railroad Tour. I fell in love with the Antelope Canyons, but have now been reading about the crowds. I stumbled across Secret Canyon (which somehow led me to your blog), but I found the tour that also includes the drive to Horseshoe Bend that I wanted to do as well. I also want to do a boat tour. So now, after reading your blog, I am debating two options; #1 Take the Secret Canyon Tour with the Horseshoe Bend add on, then do a boat tour after that OR #2 drive to Horseshoe Bend at sunrise on our own, take a tour of Canyon X and then the boat ride? We are a family of three, with a 10 1/2 year old and we are all relatively active and healthy. Originally, I was planning to do Horseshoe Bend, the Lower Canyon Tour and then the boat ride. Is all of this doable in one day PLUS a drive to Williams when we’re done? We are traveling late August. Thanks again very much!
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Hey Jenifer,
Talk about a hard choice, huh?
The good news is, you won’t go wrong, whichever you decide to do, but I’m going to suggest option #2, mainly because of the weather. In August, daytime highs can and often do ratchet up over 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This can result in the cancellation of slot canyon tours later in the afternoon, and seeing as though late August can also fall within Arizona’s monsoon season, that’s a “double whammy” in terms of risks to life and limb. Do as much of your sightseeing as possible in the cooler morning hours, starting with a visit to Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (which occurs at ~6:00 AM at the time of your visit), then a mid-morning tour of Antelope Canyon X, then a short boat tour, such as an Antelope Canyon waterside tour, which lasts 60-90 minutes.
You’re then looking at approximately a 3-hour drive to Williams, AZ, which is wheels turning, no stops. A dinner stop at the Cameron Trading Post for some Navajo tacos and taking advantage of the ample photo ops along the way can easily extend the drive time by another hour. Just be sure that you start the drive down from Page, AZ, in plenty of time so that you’re pulling into Williams before sunset. Nighttime driving is not a good idea in this part of the U.S. due to local roads being very dimly lit (and deliberately so to preserve the natural darkness of the night skies), and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and the occasional wild horse to graze near them after dusk. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunset occurs shortly before 7:00 PM.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 5:01 PM
Jennifer Sposito
hello,
We are staying in williams AZ. looking to see if we can do Antelope Canyon and then go to the south rim of the grand canyon all in one day. advice?
Thank you
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Hey Jennifer!
So, “can” you see Antelope Canyon then go to the South Rim in one day from Williams? Theoretically, yes, as long as you are traveling during the summer when days are long and you get an early start out of Williams.
“Should” you do it? In my opinion, no.
It will take you 3 hours, minimum, to drive from Williams, AZ, to Page, AZ. However, that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and you will find yourself stopping. Plus you definitely want to make time to stop at the Cameron Trading Post for some Navajo tacos! Another consideration is that Page, AZ, has a lot more to offer than Antelope Canyon. You should also take the time to visit Horseshoe Bend, maybe take a boat tour on Lake Powell (which you can “bundle” with your Antelope Canyon tour), maybe tour the Glen Canyon Dam, or visit the Navajo Village Heritage Center. You would then be facing a 2.5 hour drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, then a 1-hour drive to Williams. All this while keeping an eye on the time to ensure that you don’t do any part of the drive in the dark; nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads and the tendency for deer, elk, and other large wildlife to congregate near them after dusk.
Long story short, if possible, set aside separate days to visit the Grand Canyon and Page. You’ll have a much more comfortable experience by doing so.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 4:13 PM
Mei
Hi! your page is very informative. My husband and I are going to visit lower and upper antelope , horseshoe and Grand Canyon for two days this August 8-9th driving from Vegas. We are still confused of how to plan the trip. Planning to leave Vegas at 9am by car on the 8th. Any suggestions?
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Hi Mei!
Whether you visit the Grand Canyon or Page first really doesn’t matter. Either one is ~a 5 hour drive from Las Vegas, so it’s, as we say “six of one, half a dozen of another.” How you plan your trip will depend largely on availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon, and availability of Antelope Canyon tours — or lack thereof in either case! Start by seeing when you can book a hotel at Grand Canyon South Rim. Then check Antelope Canyon tours, as well as Page, AZ, hotels. Then let the rest of your trip planning evolve, and revolve around those 3 key elements.
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to come back again if you need further guidance.
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 4:05 PM
Alan
Hi there! This website is full of great information, so thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience here! I’m planning my first ever trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon in early November and am thinking of the following itinerary:
Day 1-3: Enjoy Vegas
Day 4: Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight there (perhaps a sunset view)
Day 5: Enjoy a Grand Canyon hiking day
Day 6: Drive to Antelope Canyon (see Horseshoe Bend along the way), tour both upper and lower canyon
Day 7: Drive to Sedona late afternoon
Day 8: Enjoy Sedona
Day 9: Drive to Phoenix
Day 10: Enjoy Phoenix
Day 11: Depart
Does this sound like a realistic itinerary? Am I missing anything along the way? Any “must-do” items in/near Antelope Canyon and Sedona?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
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Hi Alan, and thank you for your compliments!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and I especially like the fact that you’ve built some “chill time” into your vacation. In my profession, I often find folks trying to plan every single second of their vacation and not allowing for any down time.
As to whether you’re “missing” anything, that’s kind of a loaded question. For example, if you’re traveling as far as Page, AZ, you might be tempted to try and squeeze Bryce Canyon and/or Zion into your itinerary, but frankly, I’d leave things just the way you have them, with one exception: drop a day in Phoenix and give it to Sedona. Sedona has so much to offer that 3 days bare minimum are necessary to do it justice. While you won’t be able to do any swimming at Slide Rock State Park or Oak Creek, you can still enjoy hiking in those areas, with the proper clothing and shoes. Besides, IMO, Phoenix is just another big city, and I’m definitely of the “been there, done that” frame of mind!
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all lodging well in advance, and to make advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours. Also keep in mind that early November is usually a nice time to be here, but still falls in that transitional period between fall and winter. Keep an eye on the weather, starting about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 4:01 PM
_________________________________________
From Alan
Thank you, Alley, for your response and your advice! I’ll certainly factor that into the final itinerary. I’m looking forward to exploring your beautiful state!
If you have any tips on how to make the most of the Sedona experience (e.g., top things to do), I’d be all ears!
Alan
July 23, 2019 at 9:06 PM
Gwen Boston
Hi Alley Keosheyan, I must say you have such good advice. We are planing a trip to Las Vegas with a couple that wants to get married by Elvis in late January 2020. My question is we only have 3 full days to do so and we would love to see things beside the Vegas strip! I know the groom loves to look for minerals and gems and we all love the outdoors especially if there’s a beautiful night sky! We would like to do some hiking but nothing to strenuous, my knees do not cooperate like they use to!
Thank you
Gwen
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Hi Gwen, and thanks for your compliments!
In light of the fact that you guys are visiting in January, and one of your party members is a rock hound, you might consider going to Quartzsite, AZ, for the town’s HUGE annual gem and mineral show. It’s ~a 3.5 hour drive from Las Vegas. You could stop at Hoover Dam along the way if desired. Once you get to Quartzsite, there’s all kinds of hikes and other side trips you can take in that area, so you could easily spend your entire 3 days there and wish you had more time! However, if you wanted to hit some other sites like the Grand Canyon and Sedona, these would be too terribly far away. By that, we mean ~4-4.5 from Quartzsite to Sedona, ~3 hours from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, 4.5-5 hours from GCSR back to Las Vegas. Are you sure you can’t free up another week? LOL
Hope that helps you get started. Don’t hesitate to hit us up again for more guidance if you need it!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 3:54 PM
Cathy
HI,
I am hoping for some thoughts or insight on our itinerary trip coming up the week of August 5 and only have 6 days total. We are a family of 6 including 4 kids, 18, 15, and twin 8 year old girls, traveling from Florida to Arizona to visit my mother in law who lives in Cave Creek (40 minutes north of Phoenix) and plan to travel to the Grand Canyon and Page. We are limited on time and only have 4 days of traveling. Here is our tentative itinerary:
Tuesday AM: leave Cave Creek and drive to our Airbnb in Page. We planned to pretty much drive through and arrive mid afternoon to the Airbnb and settle in. We plan to go to Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon.
Wednesday: We have a Lower Antelope Canyon tour booked at 9:30AM. Then, we are debating on going to the Northern Rim afterwards and coming back to Page before dark. The Northern Rim was never part of the original plan but we’ve recently decided to try to make it happen.
Thursday: We are renting a boat on Lake Powell for the day. Morning until afternoon. Maybe go to the Glen Canyon Dam later on in the afternoon if we aren’t to worn out by then.
Friday AM: We are checking out of the Airbnb and eventually ending up in Cave Creek. We’ll be going to the Southern Rim and going in through the east entrance, stopping at different points along the way. From the Southern Rim, head to Slide Rock State Park and spend a little time there, then head to Cave Creek.
My question is, is this doable? Am I missing anything that should be done on our tight time frame?
Thanks! Looking forward to this exciting trip!
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Hi Cathy,
Unfortunately, I can’t endorse this plan. You’re trying to cram too much sightseeing in too short a time frame.
First order of business: drop the trip to the North Rim. It’s 2.5 hours, each way, from Page, AZ, to the North Rim, and after a 9:30 AM Antelope Canyon tour, you simply won’t have enough time to do it justice. Another consideration is daylength. Sunrise occurs at ~6:00 AM, sunset at about 7:30 PM at the time of year you’re visiting. Nighttime driving is something you want to avoid if at all possible, due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the possibility you might hit a deer, elk, free range cow, or even a wild horse. In a remote area like this, help will be hard to find due to spotty cell service, a long time coming since tow trucks will ultimately have to be sent out from Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT, which means that a tow back to civilization will come with a very high price tag. Although the North Rim is beautiful, I recommend saving it for another trip when you can give it the time it deserves, preferably by staying a night or two. Grand Canyon North Rim lodging tends to book up a year or more in advance, so planning ahead is crucial!
Since the Horseshoe Bend parking lot is extremely busy in the afternoon, I recommend visiting it right after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people, then proceed to your Antelope Canyon tour. A tour of the Glen Canyon dam would be a good way to round out the day.
On Thursday, instead of doing a boat rental, you might consider taking the Glen Canyon Float Trip instead. That’s a wonderful family activity, and someone else will be doing the work of driving the boat! As the name suggests, the trip doesn’t go through any rapids, but you get a lot of beautiful scenery, compelling history, and an opportunity to swim in the Colorado River. The AM trip (6:00 AM check-in/7:00 AM departure) is best at the time of year you’re visiting for cooler temperatures in the inner canyon.
On your final travel day, here again, you’re trying to squeeze too much into that day. Instead of going all the way in to Grand Canyon Village, which will be ~a 3.5-4 hour drive from Page, factoring in stops, I’d recommend doing a “pop-in” to Desert View Point. That will be a 2-hour drive from Page, AZ, then you’re looking at another 2-hour drive to Slide Rock State Park, then yet another 2-hour drive to Cave Creek.
I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds like too. much. driving. If I were you, I’d make a choice: Grand Canyon South Rim or Sedona, and if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that’s the place you should prioritize, and save Sedona for another trip. It’s a beautiful area that truly deserves 3-4 days, bare minimum, to fully enjoy.
Or, here’s another idea: forget about driving to the Grand Canyon altogether and take a fixed-wing airplane flight over it from the Page, AZ, Municipal Airport! Grand Canyon flight tours do not land on either side of the Grand Canyon, and yes, this type of activity does cost some serious money, but in just 90 minutes time, you’ll get a good view of both the North and South Rims, and a lot of other beautiful scenery. For more information, visit Westwind Air Service: Flights from Page/Lake Powell
Anyway, I hope that helps. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 3:02 PM
Kristin
Hi –
A group of us are planning to visit over Labor Day weekend this year. After reading through the comments it seems that the upper canyon is more crowded than the lower, which makes the lower more intriguing. What time of day would you suggest for upper and what time for lower? Depending on tour availability we may not have the flexibility to choose, but I’d like to know ideal times for both. Also, do you still see the light and get good pictures in the lower?
Thank you!
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Hi Kristin!
Unfortunately, Lower Antelope Canyon is rapidly catching up in popularity and traffic with Upper Antelope Canyon. Seeing as though your visit is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, you’re going to find that prime-time tours (mid-day) are mostly sold out. Book a tour at a time that has available seats and fits your schedule. Whether you tour Upper Antelope Canyon at 6:00 AM or Lower Antelope Canyon at 9:00 AM, no matter when you tour Antelope Canyon, you will have good light and be able to get good pictures. Your guide will give you guidance on how to make the most of the available light.
In the event you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful, but far less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Bev
Hi Alley, I am currently planning a trip with my husband and daughter for late March 21-March 31 and I am currently thinking of flying into Phoenix and driving to the South Rim for 2-3 days, then driving to Orderville for a few days to visit Bryce and Zion Parks, then driving to Page to do a few days in Antelope Canyon before driving to Las Vegas to fly home. From a driving stand point, I know it would be more efficient to do Page/Antelope before Orderville/Bryce/Zion, but I am trying to push Antelope as late as possible hoping that the chances of seeing the light beams will be better. Does this itinerary make sense, or am I adding to much driving time for an unlikely payoff?? Thank you! Bev
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Hi Bev and sorry for the delay in response to your question. I was actually on vacation myself!
As you have rightfully deduced, you are “adding too much driving time for an unlikely payoff” (well-said!) concerning Antelope Canyon. The light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon technically start to appear in late March, but at that time of year, they rarely reach all the way down to the canyon floor. At that point in time, they’re just starting to bounce off the upper walls of the canyon. Peak time for the light beam phenomenon is summertime, namely, June, July, and August. Another consideration is that tour prices for mid-day departures are higher than off-peak hours, light beams or no light beams, and competition is bound to be a bit more rigorous for those time slots. Long story short, don’t fixate on the light beams, and structure your itinerary so that you’re not backtracking. Whatever you decide, book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance.
Another observation: Sedona is absent from your itinerary. Unless you’ve been there before, it really deserves to be worked into your itinerary, and you should allow for at least 3 days there. It’s an absolutely stunning area, just 2.5 hours from Phoenix, with a lot to see and do. VisitSedona.com If necessary, drop a day or two from Grand Canyon South Rim in order to work it in. Crazy as it may sound, you can scoot by with 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim and still have a fulfilling visit. The primary reason for this is because you’ll do a good majority of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page, AZ, since the most logical route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at. Upon exiting the park and entering the Navajo Indian Reservation, there’s even more to see. Therefore, a drive that would take 2.5 hours “wheels turning, no stops,” can easily be extended to 3.5-4 hours by taking in the sights and maybe stopping at the Cameron Trading Post for some Navajo tacos.
Lastly, using Orderville, UT, as a “base” from which to visit Bryce Canyon and Zion is OK, just make sure that you are starting your drive “back to base” well before sunset. Make sure all your driving is done during daylight hours for that matter. Driving in the dark in this part of the U.S. is strongly discouraged due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky), plus the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to be nocturnal. At the time of year you’re traveling, your daylength is still going to be on the short side with sunrise occurring at ~7:15 AM and sunset taking place shortly before 8:00 PM (Utah time).
In light of these considerations, a “restructured” itinerary would look something like this:
March 21st: arrive in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
March 22nd: take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, light hiking in Sedona, spend 2nd night in Sedona
March 23rd: take sunrise hot air balloon flight, visit Tlaquepaque, spend 3rd night in Sedona
March 24th: drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), take free shuttles out to Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive overlooks, overnight in Grand Canyon
March 25th: drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours), visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), overnight in Page
March 26th: tour Antelope Canyon, perhaps take a short boat tour on Lake Powell (Antelope Canyon + Lake Powell Boat Tour bundles), 2nd night in Page, AZ
March 27th-March 30th: drive to Orderville, UT (~2 hour drive), spend 3 nights, explore Bryce one day, Zion 2 days
March 31st: drive to Las Vegas (~4-4.5 hour drive due to construction project on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), return flight home
One more thing before I sign off: keep in mind that while the calendar may say it’s spring, winter weather has a nasty habit of making “one final stand” at the time of year you’re traveling. Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon especially are prone to snowstorms, being at higher altitudes. Start monitoring local weather ~2 weeks before you set out to get the best feel for what to expect and how to pack. In the rare event a road closure occurs due to weather, the best way to deal with it is to stay put where you’re at, then move on once the weather clears.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 1:36 PM
Meghan
Hi there!
Question for you — any ideas for towns we should look to stay in for Grand Canyon South Rim? Hotels are very expensive due to 100th year celebration. We are going in August, this August 2019.
Thanks!
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Hi Meghan,
Sorry I’m so late in responding to your inquiry. I myself was on vacation!
If Grand Canyon South Rim lodging is too pricey, you might check availability and pricing in Williams, AZ, 60 miles South of the Grand Canyon. If that area is sold out, Flagstaff, AZ, would be your next best alternative.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 12:53 PM
Barbara
Hello, I am going to be at Monument Valley during the last week of September. Is the upper canyon difficult to walk through? What time of day is best? The lower canyon would be too challenging for us. Thanks.
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Hi Barbara!
So sorry for taking so long to reply to your inquiry. I myself was on vacation!
Upper Antelope Canyon is not difficult to walk through. It’s a 100-yard out and back walk, along a mostly flat trail. The most exciting part of the trip will be the 2-mile off-road trek from the main highway to the mouth of the canyon.
As for the best time of day, that’s generally regarded to be mid-day, when the sun is directly overhead, but you will pay a higher price, and face stiffer competition for those time slots. Take whatever time slot is available and works for you.
If you’re driving in from Monument Valley, keep in mind that it’s a 2.5-hour drive from MV to Page, AZ, and that Monument Valley will be 1 hour ahead of Page, AZ, at the time of year you’re traveling. Be sure you factor that in before you leave MV.
If for some reason you are unable to find space on Upper Antelope Canyon tours, you might consider Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, which is a longer canyon (~450 yards), but has no stairs or ladders.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Roota Griggs
We planning a cross country trip for 4 adults from NJ in 2020. The trip will be abput 4-5 wks. we have seen atlantic Coast and visited Dry tortures, great swamp, blue ridge, okeepenokee, shenandoah and other small and big parks. We have 28 ft RV.
Plan is to drive to Chicago as our first destination of our trip and go out west to Seattle, go on 101 to at least to LA then, turn East to Grand Canyon to part of 66 to mamouth cave and Gatlinburg to back to NJ.
I know its lot and may not get to see everything. My must see is the obscure, underrated, least visited parks and cities. ( some big cities can’t be helped)
I have two questions..
First… any advise on must see parks. If you have any suggestions on what should be skipped and what must be included… I would appreciate it.
Second… I am going to try for the wave lottery. How early can I apply for next 2020 summer trip?
Thank you in advance for the great tips and advise.
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Hi Roota!
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
If you don’t mind, I’m going to work a bit backwards with your particular questions, starting with the Wave lottery: the chart in the post will tell you exactly when you should apply for the online lottery. In a nutshell, it’s four months out. For example, if you want to hike to The Wave in June of 2020, you would need to apply in February. If you wish to hike in July, March would be the month you’d need to submit your application. In the likely event you are not selected for the online lottery, this post also details how you might get a permit through the walk-in lottery permit the day prior to when you wish to hike.
As for the “must-see” parks in the Southwestern US, the Grand Canyon definitely counts; the South Rim would be where you’d want to go. Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell also rank highly on the “must see” list, which you can experience with a 2-3 day stay in Page, AZ. The Utah “Mighty 5” also warrant consideration, which are: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. However, if this would be too far a swing out of your way, you might simply concentrate on the parks and attractions that are closest to Route 66, aka I-40, this time around. Some good candidates for your time include, but are certainly not limited to, Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument (the latter two are located near Flagstaff, AZ), Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park, Meteor Crater and Meteor City, “Standin’ On The Corner” in Winslow, AZ (have a meal at the La Posada Hotel — you’ll love it!), the Wigwam Village in Holbrook — and that’s just in Arizona! There are all kinds of possibilities along the entire route. As you’ve rightly guessed, you won’t get to see them all, but you’ll have a great time trying LOL. For more information and inspiration visit:
NationalParks.org: Planning A Route 66 Vacation
NationalParkService.gov: List of Sites On Route 66
TheRoute-66.com: National and State Parks Along The Route
Last but not least, be sure to reserve spaces at RV parks in advance of your arrival. Summertime in the American Southwest is not the time to “wing it,” and what with the weather being on the warm side, you’ll definitely want to stay at developed RV parks with access to amenities like air conditioning.
Hope that helps. Feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Stefanie
Good Morning,
I was wondering does this place have free/discounted admission for Indigenous persons throughout the US and Canada like the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota does as it is around/among Hopi and Navajo Territory?
For Example: My family and I were informed last minute that we were allowed free admission but we had to present our Treaty cards to prove our status. We were also given discounted prices at one of the Grand Canyon locations.
*Please NO rude/racist comments either*.
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Hey Stefanie!
So sorry it’s taken so long to respond to your inquiry. Being owned and operated by members of the Navajo tribe, it would stand to reason that people of indigenous descent would receive some price consideration from Antelope Canyon tour outfitters. However, to make absolutely sure what the terms are, if any, I would encourage you to contact the tour companies directly.There are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. They are:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.comFor Upper Antelope Canyon, there are four companies to choose from:
Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours 928.645.5594
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928.645.9102
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours 928.380.187
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384In the event Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, there are a number of alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area, all managed by Navajo-owned companies, that are also worth considering. For more information, check out “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 12:30 PM
Tina
Hello!
We plan on visiting the lower canyon first week in December. What is the best time slot?
Thanks!
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Hi Tina,
Any open time slot should be fine, but for the best quality lighting in the interior of the canyon, shoot for a mid-day departure. You won’t see the light beams in December, but you’ll have fewer people to contend with than you would during the summer months, which is a plus. Make sure you’re prepared for cooler weather and dress accordingly.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 17, 2019 at 1:22 PM
Jason
My friends and I are considering a 12:30pm tour for Upper Antelope so it will be around 1pm by the time we get to the canyon, but I keep on seeing that there are no light beams after 1pm. The tour company still categorizes it as a prime time tour though. I know that there are no guarantees regardless, but I was wondering if you have any additional insights regarding the times. Thank you.
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Hi Jason,
Whether you see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon depends largely on the time of year you’re visiting, as well as the time of day. If your trip is scheduled during the timeframe between April and September, the light beams tend to peak between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, as long as skies are sunny, of course. At 1:00 PM, later in the season, you may only catch partial light beams that go down as far as half-way down the canyon wall, but won’t penetrate all the way down to the canyon floor. If you have your heart set on seeing the light beams, you might want to schedule an earlier time slot to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, availability permitting, but you will pay a premium price for the premium view. Hope that helps.
When To Be Where: Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 17, 2019 at 1:18 PM
Zafar
HI Alley,
my wife & I plan to visit the Grand Canyon, Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park and finally Las Vegas from the 4th/5th of September 2019 to 12th September 2019. We will be flying in from Atlanta, Georgia. We are really confused as to how to plan a trip that would pass smoothly from one location to another. I would really appreciate if you could guide us on how many days would be ideal to spend at each location. We have no interest in gambling, but would like to see the some sights in Las Vegas, so I assume that one day in Las Vegas should be enough. Our main interests are in Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon tour , Zion National Park etc. What would you recommend should we do first? Are there any other locations around these places that we should not miss? Thanks.
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Hi Zafar and thank you for writing in.
The order in which you visit the various attractions on your “wish” list will come down to two key factors:
1. Availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon and
2. Availability of Antelope Canyon tours
The rest of your trip planning should revolve, and evolve, around these two elements.
That said, a “classic” 7-day American Southwest trip itinerary using Las Vegas as a starting/ending point is as follows:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~5 hour drive, optional stopovers at Hoover Dam and Seligman, AZ, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~4 hour drive factoring in the numerous opportunities for scenic viewpoint stops that should be taken advantage of. Lunch at Cameron Trading Post, possibly tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 3 – Visit Horseshoe Bend , take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 4 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), optional stopover between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT to do Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 5 – More hiking in Bryce Canyon if desired, drive to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 6 – Hiking and exploring in Zion; popular hikes include but are definitely not limited to Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. Good day hikes in Zion 2nd night in Springdale, UT.
Day 7 – Return to Las Vegas, ~3.5-4.5 hour drive, variance factoring in the need to pass through a construction zone in the Virgin River Gorge area of I-15.
Naturally, if you find Grand Canyon lodging availability to be more conducive to going there at the end of your trip rather than the beginning, then you can simply do this itinerary in reverse. One more observation is that your visit is timed for just after the Labor Day holiday, so it will be very busy. Don’t be surprised to find a lot of lodging and tours sold out. You need to get on making reservations ASAP!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 13, 2019 at 1:15 PM
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From Zafar
Thank you very much for your detailed answer, Alley. I was under the impression that going to the Grand Canyon would be better if we went after Labor Day so that we may not encounter any lodging troubles. What would you recommend as a better time to visit the The Grand Canyon in September? I was hoping to go in September so that the weather would be a little more pleasant. I do see that the itinerary that you mentioned involves a lot of driving and not much time near the Grand Canyon Village. Is that OK? To enjoy the splendor of the Grand Canyon, do you think that we should take off Bryce and/or Zion off our list and concentrate only on the Grand Canyon? Or visit Grand Canyon and Zion only? Any help is appreciated. Thank you.
July 15, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Maria
Hi Alley,
We are planning a trip from Denver to CO/UT/AZ area flying back from Phoenix to NJ. We want to venture out to places we have not been to and those we love to go back to (Bryce, Zion, GC both North & South rims, MV, CO Nat’l Mon). Here is my tentative itinerary, please give you feedback/suggestions. Thank you!
8/29: Denver to GC, drive through CO Nat’l Mon (don’t remember how long but it’s a very narrow and curly drive, you have to slow down) , then to Arches Nat’l Park (Stay at Moab)
8/30: Canyonland, Deadhorse Point, Cedar Mesa (maybe) (Stay at Monticello)
8/31: National Bridges Nat’l Mon, Valley of Gods, Mon Valley (Stay at Page?)
9/1: Upper Antelope and maybe Lower Antelope (Stay at Page)
9/2: Bryce & Zion (Stay at Kanab)
9/3: GC North & South Rim (Stay at GC Village)
9/4: South Rim to Phoenix, fly home late evening
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Hi Maria,
Sorry, I can’t endorse this itinerary at all, for the following reasons.
1. It requires WAY too much driving. With all due respect, you need to look at a map and get a truer sense for the distances you’ll need to travel.
2. It doesn’t allow for hardly ANY downtime, which is what vacations are all about anyway, right?
3. In some areas, it’s a complete pipe dream (unrealistic).
4. You’re traveling over Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest travel periods in the U.S., and if you haven’t made lodging reservations already, you’re going to have a hard time finding places to say in some areas.
For starters, traveling from Denver to Moab, UT is going to take 7 hours minimum, whether you go through Colorado National Monument or not. It’s a drive best broken up into two days, but seeing as though Phoenix is your final destination, I’d suggest starting to make your way South a lot sooner. As much as I hate to say it, this will mean skipping Arches/Canyonlands. Where should you go instead? Mesa Verde. It’s a wonderful park, featuring an unusually large number very well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cities, complimented by some beautiful natural scenery. Like the drive to Moab, UT, it’s 7 hours minimum if you were to try and drive out all the way from Denver, which I don’t recommend. I’d recommend instead breaking up the drive in Gunnison or Montrose, CO.
Monument Valley is going to be next to impossible to find lodging in, but you can still realistically see that area as a “drive by” between Mesa Verde and Page, AZ.
Unfortunately, I’m also going to recommend cutting out Bryce and Zion, too. If your final destination was Las Vegas, it would be easier to pull off, but since you’re ending your trip in Phoenix, these parks will be too far out of your way to give sufficient time to. Zion itself deserves at least 3-4 days. Instead, substitute Sedona. Here again, this is an absolutely stunning area with striking red rock formations, easy but scenic hiking, and some opportunities to swim if you want. Plus at just 2 hours from Phoenix, it makes for a good place to end your vacation in a more relaxed frame of mind. Grand Canyon North Rim also doesn’t make the cut as far as driving there, but there’s still a way you might be able to see it. More on that in a minute…
So, here’s a revised trip plan for you.
08/29 – Drive from Denver, CO, to Gunnison or Montrose, 4-5 hour drive depending on which place you choose to overnight, maybe swing through the Curecanti National Recreation Area along the way.
08/30 – Drive from Gunnison or Montrose to Mesa Verde National Park 4-5 hour drive depending on previous night’s lodging location, overnight in Mancos, Durango, or Cortez, CO.
08/31 – Drive to Page, AZ, via Monument Valley (~4.5 hours), overnight in Page, AZ.
09/01 – Tour Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
09/02 – Drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4 hours factoring in stops), visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, have lunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
09/03 – First thing in the morning, take a helicopter flight over Grand Canyon North Rim, then drive to Sedona, ~3 hour drive
09/04 – Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour or hot air balloon ride, drive to Phoenix for flight home (~2 hour drive). You might go through Jerome, a really cool little artist’s colony, which will only add about 1 hour to your drive time.
I hope you will give this revised itinerary its due consideration. I think it would make for a much more relaxed pace, and a better quality vacation for you and your traveling party.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 11, 2019 at 5:34 PM
Erica
I just wanted to give you a huge thank you for the recommendations. We used your guide for our first anniversary trip June 20-29. It was amazing! We did a few things different and were able to add a day in Moab (Arches and Canyonland) then split Bryce with Capitol Reef in one day (which was not enough time for either really). Just for other readers a few things we did/ thoughts. In Monument Valley we stayed in a hogan at Firetree ($220 one night but room for 6). It was a neat experience but I wouldn’t do it again the View seemed like it would have been a better pick. The tour guides for Monument Valley are right at the reservation and we were able to have a private tour since it wasn’t really busy. Page was as amazing as everyone is saying! We stayed in Hanksville, Utah at Dukes Slickrock campground in the cabins. It was the cleanest and nicest place we stayed the entire trip. There is a nice little diner right there for breakfast. It probably would have been good for dinner if we had made it in time. The Narrows had just opened in Zion and were busy but 100% worth it and one of my favorite things. We stayed at Zion Ponderosa Resort in covered wagons which was so neat. They have a restaurant onsite that provides a buffet breakfast as part of your room fee. It is good stuff not just chain hotel level. We went to Red Rock which is right outside Las Vegas before returning our rental then spent the next two nights in Vegas. After a week in the parks Vegas seemed ultra commercial but we don’t regret it.
Thanks again for all your wonderful recommendations. It may the trip amazing!
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Hi Erica!
Wow, thank you for taking the time to report back on your trip, and for sharing your vacation “finds” with us. We’re glad you had a good trip and anniversary, and hope you get the chance to return to the area in the future.
Have a wonderful summer,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2019 at 3:50 PM
Morgan
Hi Alley,
Could you take a look at my itinerary and give me your thoughts? It’s slightly zig zaggy but that’s due to where I could find lodging as I booked a little late in the game. Thanks!
8/29 – Fly to Las Vegas (arrive around 11:30PM). Stay @ LV Airport Hotel.
8/30 – Leave @ 7AM, Drive to Bryce Canyon (Possible Short Stop at Valley of the Fire SP), Arrive @ Bryce Canyon around 2:30PM, Spend afternoon driving to viewpoints in Bryce. Stay near Bryce.
8/31 – Watch Sunrise @ Bryce, leave @ 8AM to drive to Grand Canyon N Rim, Arrive @ N Rim around 11AM Spend Day @ N Rim, Stay @ N Rim lodge.
9/1 – Leave @ 7:30AM to drive to Zion, Arrive @ Zion around 12:30, Spend afternoon/evening @ Zion. Stay @ Zion lodge.
9/2 – Spend day @ Zion, Stay @ Springdale, AZ.
9/3 – Leave Springdale @ 7am to Drive to Page. Arrive around 9:30am. Antelope Canyon Tour in the morning, Half Day Glen Canyon Float Tour in the afternoon. Stay @ Page, AZ.
9/4 – Horseshoe Bend for Sunrise, Leave @ 9am for Monument Valley, arrive around 1pm, Drive/Tour monument Valley park, Stay @ The View Hotel.
9/5 – Watch Sunrise, leave around 8AM for Grand Canyon S Rim, Arrive around 11:30AM. Spend afternoon @ S Rim, Stay @ Maswik Lodge.
9/6 – Watch Sunrise, Early Morning Hike to Ooh Ahh Point, Leave @ 11:30am to drive back to Las Vegas. Make stop to tour Hoover Dam. Spend evening/night in Vegas. Stay on the Strip.
9/7 – Spend the day in Vegas, Fly out at 9:30pm.
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Hi Morgan,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun and I have no problem whatsoever putting my “stamp of approval” on it. That’s so cool that you scored lodging at the North Rim and The View! So, yes, your tour does involve a bit of backtracking, which you seem prepared to accept, but really, it’s minimal when you view your trip in more of a “big picture” context.
Between now and your vacation, if you have the time and/or inclination, you might check for cancellations in Zion, Bryce, and the North Rim, so you could reorder your stops and to hit them in that order, then keep the rest of your trip plans “as is.”
But even doing that will result in a small degree of “zig zagging.” Here again, if you don’t have the stomach or patience for all that, I wouldn’t worry about it in the least. If you’ve never been to this part of the U.S. before, it will all seem new to you, even areas you might have passed through before, if that makes sense.
A few things to keep in mind:
1. there is construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge; that will potentially tack another 30-60 minutes on your drive time between Las Vegas and Bryce. Get an early start anyway if you want to hit the Valley of Fire. It’s an amazing area, but still hot at that time of year.
2. you’re going to passing through different time zones on your tour.
– Nevada is on PACIFIC Daylight Time, and Utah is on MOUNTAIN Daylight Time. You will “lose” an hour passing from Las Vegas to Bryce.
– The Grand Canyon and Page, Arizona are on Mountain STANDARD Time, and the Navajo Reservation is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, therefore, you will “gain” an hour traveling from Bryce to
the North Rim, “lose” it again going from the North Rim to Zion, “regain” it passing from Zion to Page, “lose” it once more as you travel to Monument Valley, then “gain it back”
going from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon South Rim. BTW, Antelope Canyon tour operators run on Page, AZ, time for guests’ convenience.
3. Don’t to any driving in the dark. Nighttime driving can be dangerous in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the
natural quality of the night sky), as well as the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. Know when sunrise and sunset occur in each place you visit.
I really hope you’re not tearing your hair out by this point LOL — the biggest takeaway from all that is that if you’re passing from one time zone to another for any scheduled activities, such as a guided tour, you need to be prepared to time your drive accordingly.
RE: Monument Valley, if you have a rental car, you might want to pass on doing the 17-mile scenic drive in it. Technically, off-road driving is forbidden by most rental car outlets, and that road is unpaved. You’d be on the hook for any damage you might sustain by taking it on. You might want to look into a guided tour for Monument Valley as well. On the drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, plan to stop for brunch/lunch at the Cameron Trading Post. The Navajo Tacos are legendary!
RE: hiking to Ooh-Aah Point, the parking lot for the South Kaibab Trailhead at Yaki Point is closed to private vehicles, so you’ll need to take the “Hiker’s Express” shuttle from Bright Angel Lodge. Bright Angel Lodge is only 1/4 mile from Maswik, so it’s easy enough to just leave your car where it’s at and walk there.
On the drive back to Vegas, you might swing through Seligman, AZ, if you’ve seen the “Cars” movies and are into Route 66 kitsch. Grab lunch and a few laughs at Delgadillo’s Sno Cap Drive-In, it’s a hoot! Burgers are pretty good, too.
Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Horseshoe Bend (city park), Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley (Native American tribal parks), but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Just pick it up at the first National Park Fee Station you hit, which in your case, is probably going to be Bryce.
Let us know how things go! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2019 at 4:44 PM
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From Sharon
Hi Alley,
Such awesome information! Can you please give your opinion on our trip? It’s a once in a life time trip. We will be spending 1 week in Arizona in April 2020. I’m thinking of flying into Flagstaff and using that as a base to do the following day trips: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and hopefully Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Crater Volcano, and Wupatki National Monument – from what I’m reading, I think we could combine a couple of them into one day. I would love to end the trip by taking the Grand Canyon Railroad to the Grand Canyon, spending the night and heading straight to the airport. Could you please give me your thoughts, ideas and suggestions? Have I chosen the best highlights? Am I being too ambitious? Thank you so much for your time!
July 22, 2019 at 10:28 PM
Wei
Hi there
I want to know how i can apply that then i can able to go, its anyway you can help me with that?
Thank you
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Hi Wei,
Unfortunately, we cannot assist you in securing hiking permits for The Wave. The rules of the online and walk-in lottery expressly forbid “proxies” or third-party representatives from applying for permits on other parties’ behalf. There is no way to “guarantee” that you’ll be able to go to The Wave as the permit lottery process is very competitive, and it’s not uncommon to find hundreds of people applying for just a handful of permits on any given day. The BLM is considering an increase in the number of permits, but that only promises to be slightly helpful.
If you want to be absolutely certain of seeing Coyote Buttes North and The Wave, the only way to do that is to charter a flight over the area. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of several airports nearby, most notably, Page, AZ. This will be expensive, but this also affords you the opportunities to see other beautiful scenery in the area with virtually no physical effort on your part. For more information, read this piece on our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2019 at 3:57 PM
grant
hi we vare wanting to visit antelope canyon and monument valley from out base in scottsdale arizona
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Hello Grant,
If you wish to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley from Scottsdale on a self-drive basis, you would need to allot at least 3 days to accomplish this.
Day 1: drive from Scottsdale to Monument Valley, ~5.5 hours drive, overnight in Monument Valley.
Day 2: Take morning backcountry tour of Monument Valley, drive to Page, AZ (~2 hours), overnight in Page.
Day 3: Take morning Antelope Canyon tour , drive back to Scottsdale with stop at Horseshoe Bend (~5 hour drive)
If you prefer to take an escorted tour, they are out there, but fair warning: you will be limited in what you can accomplish. For example, a tour that includes Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley may also require extra time to visit other National Parks that you may not necessarily be interested in, such as Bryce, Zion, or Arches. Or a 3-day tour that includes Antelope Canyon may go to the Grand Canyon, but not Monument Valley. At the end of the day, driving yourself will allow you optimal freedom and flexibility to enjoy the parks of Northern Arizona at your own pace, and on your own terms.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 08, 2019 at 2:54 PM
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From grant
ally thank you so much that’s given us food for thought as we are coming for a fortnight to stay in scottsdale all the way from glasgow scotland in the uk and are wanting to see as much as we can take care and thank you so much
July 08, 2019 at 7:46 PM
Sabrina
Hi, I’m planning to go in mid-October to upper and lower antelope canyon (bundle tour). In this low season, do we have to still be there 1.5 hours before the tour start time? If we book the bundle deal through the website, is our spot guaranteed for both upper and lower antelope canyon? How is the weather in mid-October – is the best time to view the canyon still mid day in this season? Thanks!
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Hi Sabrina,
Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news, but October is no longer considered “low season.” It now falls within peak travel season in Northern Arizona, especially in light of the nearly perfect weather that tends to prevail. A potential plus, however, is that tourists tend to be mostly adults since kids are back in school.
Long story short, if the tour companies instruct you to be at the meeting place 1.5 hours prior to tour start time, that’s indeed when you should be there.
Mid-day is still regarded is the best time for touring the slot canyons, but the light beams are mostly gone, or at least won’t penetrate all the way down to the canyon floor.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 08, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Stacey B
Hello!
My family of 4 is planning a small road trip from Phoenix and ending in Las Vegas in April 2020. We will be there over the easter holiday I would like to start booking so I would like to get your take on our plans thus far. I have already gotten so much info from this page!
Day 1. Early morning flight from PA to Phoenix, rent car, lunch, after hotel check-in visit Desert Botanical Gardens.
My hubby is a car guy. Do you know of any museums or activities in the area of Phoenix or Scottsdale for next morning?
Day 2. Possible museum or other activity after hotel check-out. Make the drive to Sedona in the afternoon allowing plenty of time for stopping to take photos/sightseeing. Check in to Air BnB around 4pm. Visit Airport Mesa overlook close to sunset time.
Day 3. Crescent Moon area. Possibly Bell Rock Pathway. Open to other suggestions for things to do with a 12 and 9 yr old(not too strenuous of a hike)
Day 4. Head out early to Grand Canyon South Rim. Explore visitors center and overlooks. I am wondering if we should stay overnight here to thoroughly enjoy the Grand Canyon or will we be able to enjoy it just as well with only a little bit of time there and proceed to Page? At this point I am planning to stay overnight.
Day 5. Leave in the am for Page allowing time for stops/lookouts on the way. Check into Air BnB or hotel and relax for the evening.
Day 6. Canyon X tour, Glen Canyon Dam & Wiheap overlook.
Day 7. Two possibilities for this day. Lake Powell tour(recommendations?) or make the drive to Monument Valley and back depending if we are tired of driving! Any other suggestions for things to do in Page?
Day 8. Leave early for Las Vegas – pass through Valley of Fire
Day 9. Late evening flight from Vegas
Looking forward to your suggestions! Thanks!
Stacey
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Hi Stacey!
Good on you for planning your Northern Arizona vacation well in advance. Your itinerary looks pretty fun and well-organized.
One thing that jumps right out at me, however, is a destination you have left off the itinerary: Zion National Park. This is a huge park, with lots of family-friendly activities to offer. It’s also right on your way from Page, AZ, to Las Vegas, NV, so, not a huge detour, by any means. The only caveat, though, is that you really need 2-3 days, bare minimum, to do it justice. You’ve already allotted 2 days to Sedona, which is the right move, so if you can’t add another 2-3 days onto your trip, you could do one of 3 things:
1. Visit Zion as a “drive-by” between Page, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV, at the end of your trip, which would add another 90 minutes to 2 hours onto your trip
2. Drop that 2nd night in Page and give it to Zion and/or
3. Drop that 1st night in Las Vegas and give it to Zion
If you are able to tinker with your itinerary so you can give Zion at least an overnight, Springdale, UT, is the best place to stay for choices of hotels, access to the park shuttle (which is required if you’re not staying in the park), and ease of access to I-15.
Other thoughts:
In Phoenix, there are two car museums you might consider visiting on that second day: the Martin Auto Museum and the Penske Racing Museum
For Sedona, a good family-friendly activity, and #1 on on the list of “must-do’s” is the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour. For suggestions on other activities you might enjoy with the kids, visit “Trips With Tykes: Things To Do In Sedona With Kids”
On Day 4, I concur that spending that night at the Grand Canyon is the better option. It takes ~3 hours to drive from Sedona to GC South Rim, then it would take you another 3.5-4.5 hours to drive from GC to Page, AZ, factoring in potential stops. That doesn’t give you much time for sightseeing. Book a hotel at the Grand Canyon that night, then make the drive the following morning when you’re fresh.
Get an early start on the drive to Page, AZ, and plan on having breakfast/brunch at the Cameron Trading Post. Tour Antelope Canyon and Glen Canyon Dam that afternoon, then hit Horseshoe Bend right after sunrise the following morning (about 6:00 AM).
As for whether you make a day trip to Monument Valley, here again, you’d have to get an early start on the drive. It’s 2 hours minimum each way, and you want to make sure you are back to Page, AZ, by sunset, which occurs at ~7:00 PM local time. Remember that Page, AZ, will be on Mountain STANDARD Time, whereas Monument Valley will be on Mountain Daylight Time, therefore, you’ll “lose an hour” traveling from Page to MV, then “gain it back” upon returning to Page. Something to keep in mind if you want to do any kind of scheduled activity in Monument Valley. If all that driving and calculating doesn’t appeal to you, there might still be a way for you to see Monument Valley: fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, and take 90 minutes to fly over Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and Rainbow Bridge.
If that doesn’t appeal, and you prefer to keep that second night in Page, AZ, instead of going to Zion, an activity we heartily recommend is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This is a wonderful family activity, which, as the name suggests, does not go through any rapids, but offers up plenty of beautiful scenery and compelling history!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 08, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Vaibhavi
Hi Alley,
Before I post my question, I would like to specifically appreciate for an excellent job on your expert guidance posts to all travelers questions. You are awesome !!!
Is Upper Canyon ok for my mother 80 years age who can walk but have trouble with stairs and inclinations.
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Hi Vaibhavi, and thank you for your compliments!
Upper Antelope Canyon should be OK for your Mom. There are no stairs or ladders, and it’s a 100-yard out and back walk on a mostly flat trail. The most “exciting” part of the trip may be the 2-mile ride on an unpaved track from the highway to the mouth of the canyon. The ride can get bumpy. If you foresee a problem with that, you might inquire with your chosen tour operator if your mom can sit up front with the guide.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 05, 2019 at 1:32 PM
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Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for this post. I and my fiancé are highly interested in visiting antelope canyon. We were definitely considering doing the self driving and self directed route. Are you able to provide further information (steps/ directions) on how to get down into the canyon?This would be much appreciated! Thank you again!
July 07, 2019 at 8:40 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Theresa,
This post did not provide step by step instructions on how to get down into Antelope Canyon for the simple reason that you can’t do it on your own. Antelope Canyon, and other slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area, are located on Navajo Indian Tribal land. Therefore, a tribe-authorized guide service is required to visit them.
For Antelope Canyon specifically, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer to tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon, then make a reservation. In the event Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, you might consider touring one of many alternate slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful, but far less crowded.
Since the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, takes ~5 hours to complete, spending 1-2 nights in Page, AZ, is recommended, not only for optimal comfort and enjoyment of Antelope Canyon, but so you may take advantage of all the Page, AZ, area has to offer!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 08, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Branan Family
I’ve been reading many posts but am getting a bit overwhelmed…..Our trip was very last minute as we had to change vacation destinations but we are excited to see this part of the country! We are planning this trip for next week and just wanted to go over our itinerary with you to see if we should make any adjustments? We live in Oklahoma & and have 4 kids ages 6-16 yrs old. Our plans are to make the full drive straight through to Sadona. We plan on getting up the following day and enjoying Sadona for the day. We were told to go to Slide Rock National Park. Is there anything else we should do in Sadona? The following day we plan on driving to the Grand Canyon from Sadona. Our plans were to find a white water/or rafting trip to see the views but are having difficulty finding any with a 6 yr old. So may just have to do the south rim hiking trails. We did not plan on going into Page but I saw there was a family float trip that may be a good option for the 6 of us. Then the next day plans drive into Phoenix & stay for the day. Then the following day drive into Peoria for some relaxation for the week. We have a horse trail expedition planned there but anything else we should do on our family vacation that we r missing?
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Hi folks,
First off, it won’t be possible for you guys to do white water rafting this time around. Children have to be at least 8 to participate in Grand Canyon white water rafting trips, so… good reason to plan for another visit! The Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip in Page, AZ, is a wonderful, family-friendly trip that accommodates children as young as 4 years old. In Page, AZ, be sure to make time to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. If you do these activities in addition to the Glen Canyon Float Trip, you should plan for at least 2 days in Page.
Slide Rock State Park is a definite must if you’re visiting Sedona. Other kid-friendly activities in the vicinity of Sedona are Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde. You might also check out the trolley cars that go through the Village of Oak Creek and West Sedona. It’s hop-on/hop-off, so you can do some walking around town if you want.
At Grand Canyon South Rim, you might check out the IMAX movie presentation, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,” or perhaps take a helicopter flight over the North Rim. The latter two activities are based in Tusayan, AZ, 7 miles outside the park gates. Once inside Grand Canyon Village, the easy, paved rim trail is a good hike to take. If you wish to venture into the inner canyon, the Bright Angel Trail is most easily accessible from Grand Canyon Village. Remember that 1 hour down the trail = 2 hours back up, so don’t go down further than you’re prepared to hike out! Water and snacks should be carried if you plan on spending any more than 1 hour’s time or going further than 1 mile. Grand Canyon hiking
As for things to do in the Phoenix area, there’s no shortage of water parks, museums, zoos, cultural centers and other activities to keep you busy! Consult VisitPhoenix.com: Family-Friendly Activities in Phoenix for ideas on how and where to spend your time.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 03, 2019 at 4:59 PM
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From Heather Harris
Alley, any chance you can share an opinion on my proposed itinerary. We are coming either in mid-February or Early-April.
Day 1, ATL to Las Vegas, 50min drive to Hoover Dam, continue 3hr to stay the night in Flagstaff
Day 2, drive the loop from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon (Bright Angel Trail) back to Flagstaff
Check out scenic loop drive Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments
Lunch at Cameron Trading Post
Stop at Yaki Point, Grandview Point, Moran Point, not Lipan Point, Navajo Point!, Desert View (at sunset)
Day 3, drive 1hr Flagstaff to Sedona
Oak Creek Canyon (take a dip if warm), Slide Rock State Park (rock sliding if warm)
Day 4, Explore Sedona
ATV ride, Cathedral Rock, Palatki Ruins, Hike to Devil’s Bridge
Day 5, drive to Page (upper Antelope Canyon – flat, but need reservation with native tour guide 10:30am – 90 min; Horseshoe Bend – 60 min self-guided .75 mile hike; Glen Canyon 1/2 day Float Trip; Lake Powell boat tour from Antelope Point Marina)
Day 6, from Page to Bryce Canyon (3hr)
Day 7, drive to Zion (2hr)
Day 8, Zion to Las Vegas, fly homeJuly 06, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Sireesha Munagala
Hi Ryan/Alley,
We are a family of six with the youngest one of 6yr old. We are planning to cover antelope canyon and horsebend in one day trip on July 4th. Can you please help us plan our itinerary to make the trip a memorable experience?
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Hi Sireesha,
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located fairly close to one another, so seeing them in one day’s time shouldn’t be a problem. What might be a problem at this point is making reservations for an Antelope Canyon tour. If you don’t have a booking already, you might have a hard time finding space, especially for a family your size. With a 6-year-old in town, you’ll be limited to touring either Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. Bringing Kids to Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend is best visited just after sunrise for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Please bear in mind that some traffic restrictions will be in place in Page, AZ, and Horseshoe Bend over the 4th of July weekend.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 03, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Lori Hawkins
Alley,
I apologize if this is a duplicate message, as I thought I left a reply a few days ago but can’t find it now. I love this site and thanks for all the information! Planning a trip for myself and my 3 kids (14, 12, 10) next spring break at the beginning of April. Not sure if I’m building enough time in for things, and want to do it right, as it’s our first time at all of these destinations. Suggestions? Here’s what I have …
Day 1 – Fly to Phoenix, (potentially a Diamondbacks game, but otherwise drive to Grand Canyon). Maybe a later-day ranger-guided tour. Night 1 at Canyon
Day 2 – early ranger guided tour, also use the shuttle for the viewing points. Drive to Page, Az. Overnight in Page.
Day 3 – early Upper Antelope Canyon tour. Could I do a float tour of Colorado River/Horseshoe Bend that same day? OVernight in Page.
Day 4 – Drive to Zion. Zion Canyoneering Tour for families. Night in Zion
Day 5 – Drive back — potentially to Vegas, as the airport is much closer.
Maybe I’m doing too much and need to add a night somewhere, either in Page or at the Canyon? I’d love your thoughts! Thank you so much!
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Hi Lori, this is copied from my reply to your previous inquiry, so apologies in advance if you’ve made changes that aren’t reflected here.
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Your tentative itinerary looks pretty fun, still, I’d recommend making a couple of modifications for the sake of convenience.
First off, you mention in your previous inquiry that you’ve been to Sedona before, so I assume that’s why you’re leaving it out this time around.
I did some research and it appears that the Arizona Diamondbacks 2020 season opener is scheduled for April 5th, vs. the Boston Red Sox.
At the Grand Canyon, it is not necessary to take a guided tour. The South Rim is a very easy area to self-tour, and a good chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon will actually occur on the drive to Page (or from Page… more on that in a minute). Most of the overlooks are open to private vehicles, except for the ones on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, which are served by a free hop-on/hop-off shuttle line. If possible, book your Grand Canyon lodging inside the park, or Tusayan, just 7 miles South of the park so you can easily enjoy sunset and/or sunrise on the rim of the Grand Canyon!
For the Page, AZ, leg of your trip, the boat tour on this particular site isn’t the one that goes through Horseshoe Bend. The trip you’re looking for is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. During the month of April, the 1/2-Day Float Trip departs once daily at 11:00 AM with a 10:00 AM check-in, and concludes at 3:30 PM. As to whether you should tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, they are both beautiful, you would just need to be sure that neither slot canyon tour overlaps with the float trip on either side of it. Upper + Lower Antelope Canyon “bundle” If you opt to tour just one slot canyon, and your family is physically fit enough to handle Lower Antelope, I’d recommend going with that. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon
On Day 5, where you propose to visit Zion as a day trip from Page, AZ, that’s doable, but you must keep a close eye on the clock. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the possibility of colliding with a deer, elk, free range cow, or even a wild horse. It typically takes ~2 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Zion, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens, since it’s a very scenic drive, and you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves along the way, such as the Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos trail, and Moqui Cave, just to name a few. So a 2-hour drive could easily turn into 3.5 or even 4 hours, unless you resist all temptations to stop. Another thing to keep in mind is that while Utah DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, Arizona DOES NOT. So, you’ll “lose” an hour traveling between Arizona and Utah, but “regain” it as you travel back to Arizona. Sunrise in AZ occurs at ~6:00 AM in early April; sunset takes place around 6:45 PM. Taking all that into consideration, that wouldn’t give you much time to work with in Zion, which is an amazing park that really deserves 3-4 days time to fully enjoy.
If you’re open to making some changes, you might consider flying into Las Vegas instead of Phoenix. Las Vegas occasionally hosts some Spring Training games, if catching a baseball game is a non-negotiable element of this trip. If not, you’d probably find Las Vegas to be better poised to make this itinerary work. Your schedule would look something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Las Vegas, catch a spring training game, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at the Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Ranger-guided hike at South Rim. Drive to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours factoring in stops), night 1 in Page
Day 4 – Antelope Canyon early morning tour, 1/2-day Glen Canyon Float Trip, either spend 2nd night in Page, AZ, or drive to Zion and overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 5 – Early AM drive from Page to Zion, or get early start out of Springdale, UT, for Zion National Park tour.
Day 6 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5 hours), fly home
If you prefer to keep Phoenix as your staging city, and depending on your tolerance for making a longish drive at the beginning of your tour, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Phoenix, catch baseball game, overnight in Phoenix
Day 2 – Drive from Phoenix to Kanab, UT (~6 hours), overnight in Kanab.
Day 3 – Drive from Kanab to Zion Ponderosa Ranch (~1 hour drive), take canyoneering tour, spend 2nd night in Kanab.
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~60-90 minutes), check in 10:00 AM for 11:00 AM float trip, take afternoon tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page.
Day 5 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), overnight at South Rim.
Day 6 – Drive back to Phoenix, fly home.
Sorry to ramble on for so long, but hope that’s given you some things to think about. Please don’t hesitate to hit us up again if you need further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 01, 2019 at 2:53 PM
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From Lori Hawkins
Thank you so much! I apologize for the duplication! I appreciate the advice. 🙂
July 01, 2019 at 4:09 PM
Jagadeesh
Hi,
We are planning to visit upper antelope on Aug 1st 2019 with 2 and 7 years old kids. We are not able buy tickets for my 2 year old kid, while purchasing the tickets I see Not Allowed (0-5 years old).
Is it during specific season?
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Hi Jagadeesh,
Sorry for the troubles.
At present, only two out of four Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies allow children younger than 7: Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours and Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours.
For more information on touring Antelope Canyon with children, check out “FAQ: Bringing Kids To Antelope Canyon”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 01, 2019 at 2:36 PM
Andres Mariani
Hello, I’m with a party of three and are planning to visit from 3-5 of July. We are wondering if we need o make a reservation for camping spot, and or if we have spots opened for the busy weekend.
Thank you
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Dear Andres,
You are visiting during the U.S. Independence Day Holiday, one of the busiest travel weekends in Northern Arizona! Reservations are an absolute must for any overnight accommodations, including camping. Speaking of which, you might wish to spring for a hotel in Page, AZ. That time of year is VERY hot, and overnight temperatures probably won’t dip down low enough for camping to be comfortable.
Whatever you decide, make reservations ASAP!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 01, 2019 at 2:29 PM
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From Klara
Hi , you seem like the most amazing person
We camp a lot . Its my birthday on 12/01 and i would love to camp and go To check Antelope canyon . I would love to get the free camping but i dont mind to pay! I think its off season but do you think we could be lucky! We will be driving from Cal/Ventura. Thank you so muchNovember 12, 2019 at 6:36 PM
Amit
Hello, Planning to visit Antelope Canyon along with my fried during July First week. Please suggest on followng plan
Option 1
In Vegas on 6th – evening in Vengas
7th – Around Vegas – Red rock, Hover Dam start drive to Kanab, UT around 5 pm. Stay at Kanab
8th – Start at 8 .. visit Antelope Canyon and start drive back to vegas around noon
Option 2
In Vegas on 6th – evening in Vegas
7th – Around Vegas – Red rock, Hover Dam stay at Vegas
8th – Start at 7 .. visit Antelope Canyon and start drive back to vegas around 4.00 pm and reach vegas around 9.00 pm
Planning to rent a car and me and my friend both can drive.
regards,
Amit
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Hi Amit,
Unfortunately, I can’t endorse either plan because both involve driving at night. This is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah due to lack of lighting on most local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky), and the tendency of deer, elk, and other large animals to congregate around them. For your safety, all driving must be done during daylight hours.
If you can possibly free up another night so you can stay in Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then drive back to Vegas the next morning when you’re fresh, that would be much better.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 01, 2019 at 3:00 PM
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Thanks Alley.
In option 1 I am planning to start around 5 from Vegas and should reach Kanab by 8.30 .. looking at current sunset should it fine ?July 01, 2019 at 11:20 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Amit,
According to sunrise/sunset charts, you should be OK if you reach Kanab, UT, by 8:30 PM. Sunset occurs at approximately 8:45 PM. However, you might want to get an earlier start than 5:00 PM out of Las Vegas. There is construction taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could tack another 30-60 minutes onto your drive time.
Best regards,
Alley 🙂July 03, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Kit
Hi, thanks for the list. The second company on your list, Adventurous Antelope, site now says no kids under 7 🙁
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Hi Kit,
So sorry to hear this! We will update the information forthwith.
Alley 🙂June 28, 2019 at 9:23 PM
Meghan
Hi Alley! Trying to book a Lower Canyon tour in late July in the afternoon and saw the disclaimer that tours in July and August often get canceled after 11am each day due to heat. Does this happen nearly every day? Is it worth even trying to book a late afternoon (around 4pm) tour?
Thanks!!
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Hi Meghan,
It doesn’t happen every day, but another but why risk it? Book your tour for earlier in the morning and enjoy cooler temperatures in Antelope Canyon!
Alley 🙂June 28, 2019 at 1:46 PM
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I am trying to book the package tour for lower and upper antelope canyon and the boat tour, but the website is not working, How can I get this booked for two people in September? Thanks.
June 28, 2019 at 5:42 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Dear Matt,
Sorry for the trouble, please try this link.
Alley 🙂June 28, 2019 at 9:30 PM
Samantha P Roth
I am planning a trip with my friend to the area around Labor Day this Aug/Sept.
Here is our current plan for the trip. Was curious what you think about ordering/what you might change?
Just for some background: We are both 23 and very athletic. I have been to all 5 national parks in Utah before. Wanted to go back to Zion because felt like I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to. The main things I would like to do in this trip: Narrows and Angel’s Landing in Zion, sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, see the Grand Canyon.
We will be renting a campervan (minivan with a double bed). I was curious about BLM land and places we can park our car for free and spend the nights under the stars during our trip. We will also have a tent if we need it.
My proposed plan:
Thursday, Aug 29 – land in Vegas around 2/3pm, pickup campervan, drive towards Zion
Friday, Aug 30 – wakeup early and spend day in Zion
Saturday, Aug 31 – spend day in Zion, head to Page, AZ
Sunday, Sept 1 – tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend @ sunset
Monday, Sept 2 – Horseshoe Bend @ sunrise, head to Grand Canyon – North or South rim?
Tuesday, Sept 3 – drive back to Las Vegas, 4/5pm flights
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Hi Samantha,
Your itinerary looks more logical in this 2nd version 😉
However, there are a couple of minor “reality checks” I should offer before you set out.
Late August/early September in Page, AZ, is still pretty hot. Nighttime temperatures may not cool off sufficiently for car camping to be comfortable. You might want to spring for a hotel on this leg of your trip so you have access to air conditioning. Page, AZ, hotels
Also, The Narrows might not be an option since late August/early September usually coincide with the tail end of the monsoon season in the American Southwest. Flash flood danger is typically higher at this time of year, which can result in the Narrows being closed off for visitor safety. Should that put a damper on your plans, don’t fret too much about it, there are plenty of other wonderful hikes to be had in Zion!
On September 1st, where you propose to hit Horseshoe Bend after touring Antelope Canyon, I suggest reversing the order of these activities. Parking at Horseshoe Bend tends to be a big hot mess at sunset. Just after sunrise, however, the overlook is not as crowded, plus you can enjoy cooler temperatures at this time. Be sure to make advance reservations for your Antelope Canyon tour.
RE: which part of the Grand Canyon to visit, I suggest the South Rim. The North Rim is beautiful, don’t get me wrong on that, but the South Rim has more in the way of visitor services, and a lot more square mileage of the Grand Canyon that is accessible to vehicles.
On the subject of free camping, options are definitely out there on BLM and National Forest Land, as long as you abide by certain rules. Namely, you must be at least 1/4 mile from a main highway, and pack out all your trash, including … you know. The only disadvantage to going this route (or advantage, depending on your point of view) is that areas where camping is permitted are usually going to be some distance outside most National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas. Some roads may require or strongly recommend that your vehicle be equipped with 4WD before traveling down them. Good sources of information on free camping all over the U.S. is FreeCampsites.net. You might also consult AllStays.com or Campendium.com For a first-hand account of a Grand Canyon family vacation using free campgrounds whenever possible, visit this blog entry.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 25, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Noelle Armour
I just found your website and it is awesome!! We will be flying into Phoenix the end of September and starting our trip via RV from Mesa. Here is what I am thinking so far:
Sat Sept 28 Phoenix-Mesa-Montezuma’s Castle-Camp Verde
Overnight in Camp Verde
Sun Sept 29 Camp Verde-Cottonwood-Jerome-Grand Canyon
Overnight in Grand Canyon
Mon Sept 30 Sunrise at Grand Canyon south rim, mule ride-Drive to Page
Overnight in Page
Tues Oct 1 Page-Horseshoe Bend-Antelope Canyon
Overnight in Page
Wed Oct 2 Page-Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour-Start drive to Bryce
Overnight somewhere or all the way to Bryce
Thurs Oct 3 Bryce sunrise if we get there-drive to Zion
Overnight in Zion
Fri Oct 4 Zion
Overnight in Zion
Sat Oct 5 Las Vegas Eagles concert!!
Sun Oct 6 Fly home from Vegas
Is this doable or way too much?
Things we don’t need to see?
Things I missed on my list?
Any suggestions on RV parks?
Thank you so much!!!
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Hi Noelle and glad you found us!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and you’ve chosen a great time to be here! Still, I have to offer a few “reality checks” before you commit to it 100%.
Driving an RV is going to limit you slightly on the places you can realistically go. You don’t specify whether you’ll be driving a motorhome, or driving a truck or SUV pulling a 5th wheel or travel trailer. Since you’re flying into Phoenix, I’ll assume it’s a motorhome, so, no tow vehicle that can be unhooked to explore areas that may be impractical for a larger rig. Camp Verde RV Parks
On Day 2 when you say you want to explore Jerome, AZ, many RV forums advise against driving that section of US89A in a rig over 30′ in length as it’s very narrow and twisty. You might want to skip it this time around and go directly to the Grand Canyon. At Grand Canyon South Rim, there are 2 RV parks located in Grand Canyon Village: Trailer Village, which has electrical and water hook-ups, and Mather Campground, which does not have hook-ups, but has a laundry and paid showers on site, plus an RV dump station located nearby.
On your 3rd day when you indicate you’re taking a mule ride, I assume you’re referring to the 3-hour Canyon Vistas ride? The only other option is a 2-day/1-night trip to Phantom Ranch, which is booked 1 year in advance. I’d suggest taking the 8:00 AM departure so you don’t risk doing any of the drive to Page, AZ, at night. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in Northern AZ due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to graze around them at night. Even in a motorhome, you don’t want to risk a collision with a large animal in areas where cell service is spotty at best, and a tow truck will be a long time in coming and very expensive! In early October, sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM, sunset at around 6:00 PM.
On October 2nd, where you intend to drive to Bryce after the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, keep in mind that this trip could run anywhere from 6-8 hours in length depending on the water level of Lake Powell at the time of your visit. A hike of 2-3 miles round trip from the boat dock will also be required to actually see Rainbow Bridge. After an activity like this, just about the only thing you’ll probably be in the mood to do is relax with a cocktail somewhere, not make a 3-hour drive to your next destination. If the prospect of skipping the Rainbow Bridge Boat tour doesn’t appeal – which I totally would understand – then take the earlier departure at 7:30 AM, which would conclude sometime between 2:30 and 3:30 PM. That would at least buy you some time to get to Bryce before sunset (which occurs at 7:00 PM Utah time). Remember, driving a motorhome means you have to take the drive more slowly than if you were in a passenger car! If you feel this would be cutting it too fine, and you still want to see Rainbow Bridge, an efficient and exciting way to accomplish this goal is to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, usually first thing in the morning for better light and less wind. Rainbow Bridge air tours typically take only 30 minutes time. RV & Camping Options in Page, AZ
For Bryce Canyon, there are 2 first-come/first-serve campgrounds located inside the park, North and Sunset Campgrounds. Neither have hook-ups, so if you prefer to have them (you’ll probably need some heat at night at this time of year since Bryce is 8,000′ above sea level), look to Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon City, and other developed areas just outside the park boundary. Bryce Canyon RV Parks
In Zion, there are two campgrounds located in Zion Canyon, which is the main commercial area of the park. Neither have electrical, water, or sewer hook-ups. If you prefer these services, you’ll want to look at developed RV parks in Springdale, UT, which is situated near the Western border of the park. Also keep in mind that coming from East to West, the most convenient route will be the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel, which requires an “escort fee” for all RV’s and oversized vehicles to travel through it. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the particulars of traveling in Zion National Park in an RV before you set out on your trip.
On the drive back to Las Vegas from Zion, be aware that construction is taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which will tack another 30-60 minutes onto your trip time.
In order to free up a full day to devote to seeing Bryce Canyon, I’d recommend dropping that first night in Camp Verde and just driving all the way to Grand Canyon South Rim instead. If that’s not an option, then, again, reconsider the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 25, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Lauren
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for this awesome itinerary and guide! We are mapping out a trip for the beginning of August, as we cannot travel in the off-season, and your advice has been so helpful in our planning. I am hoping to get your input regarding our tentative plan, as we are two 22 year olds hoping to stick to a tight budget! If there is anything we could cut out without missing too much, that would be great to know. Here is what we are thinking:
Day 1: Arrive in Vegas at night (around 10:00-11:30pm) and stay overnight
Day 2: Spend the day in Vegas and stay overnight
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, tour Grand Canyon, overnight in Tusayan
Day 4: Drive to Antelope Canyon, tour Antelope Canyon, lunch in marina, sunset at Horseshoe bend, overnight in Page
Day 5: Floating tour Glen Canyon, tour and lunch in Lake Powell, dinner in Page, night at Glen Canyon overlook, overnight in Page
Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon, Rainbow Point free tour, ATV tour, dinner and overnight in Bryce Canyon
Day 7: Drive to Springdale, tour Zion Park, dinner and overnight in Springdale
Day 8: Virgin River tubing, drive back to Vegas for nighttime flight home
We are estimating $1000 total for hotels based on some research, $200-400 for a car rental with gas, $80 for a national park pass, and some extra for tours based on your advice. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much.
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Hi Lauren,
Your trip looks very well-planned, and really fun! The biggest obstacle I can see you running up against, however, is with a car rental. Many rental car outlets require that you be at least 25 to rent a vehicle. Those who do rent to individuals younger than 25 may tack a pretty hefty “young driver charge” onto their fees, so do check into that thoroughly before you commit.
A few other observations: August typically falls within what’s known as “monsoon season” in the American Southwest. Therefore, any tours you do in the Page, AZ, area should be scheduled for earlier morning hours. Afternoon tours are often cancelled due to heightened flash flood danger, excessive heat warnings, or both. It looks as though you have planned accordingly for that, so again, high five!
On Day 4 – plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. Sunset at Horseshoe Bend is terribly crowded, and you may have troubles finding a place to park. In August, sunrise occurs at about 5:30 AM. I know that sounds awfully early, especially when you’re on vacation, but trust me, you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people competing for that perfect photo op!
If you have the option to add another day onto the end of your trip, I’d recommend doing so. Otherwise, you may want to skip the Virgin River tubing on your 8th day. Activities like that, though not particularly dangerous (usually), tend to leave a person in a state we refer to as “sun drunk.” Afterwards, all you’ll probably be in the mood to do is relax with a cocktail and have an early night, not make a 3.5+ hour drive to the airport and a red-eye flight home! Whatever you decide, keep in mind that there will be construction taking place on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could delay your arrival into Las Vegas by 30-60 minutes.
Hope that helps. Please feel free to hit us up again if we can offer further suggestions!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 4:17 PM
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From Lauren
Thank you so much for the suggestions! We really appreciate it and we are looking forward to our first time in Arizona!
June 26, 2019 at 12:32 AM
Lori Hawkins
Alley,
All the comments here are so helpful! I’m planning a trip for next spring break for myself and my 3 kids (14, 12, and 10) in early April 2020. We may have only 5 nights. I was considering the following and I’d love your input:
Day 1 – Fly into Phoenix (maybe catch a Diamondbacks game if we’re lucky. Schedules not out yet!). Phoenix hotel for 1 night
Day 2 – Drive to Grand Canyon, maybe a Pink Jeep tour? (I’ve done one in Sedona, not sure if it’s great for Grand Canyon, though). Grand Canyon lodge for 1 night
Day 3 – Ranger-guided hike at South Rim. Drive to Page, AZ. Night 1 in Page
Day 4 – Upper Antelope Canyon early morning tour. Would also like to do the rafting on the Colorado River around Horseshoe bend — I’m not clear if that’s included in the boat tour I’m seeing on this site? Also — is it worth checking out the Lower Canyon also? Night 2 in Page
Day 5 – Drive to Zion. Take a guided family-friendly canyoneering tour. Drive back to Page for our final night.
Day 6 – Drive all the way back to Phoenix and fly home.
Too ambitious? Other options I haven’t considered? I’d appreciate any input you may have. Thank you in advance!
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Hi Lori, and thank you for visiting our site! Kudos as well for doing your trip planning well in advance.
Your tentative itinerary looks pretty fun, still, I’d recommend making a couple of modifications for the sake of convenience.
First off, you mention that you’ve been to Sedona before, so I assume that’s why you’re leaving it out this time around.
I did some research and it appears that the Arizona Diamondbacks 2020 season opener is scheduled for April 5th, vs. the Boston Red Sox.
At the Grand Canyon, it is not necessary to take a guided tour. The South Rim is a very easy area to self-tour, and a good chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon will actually occur on the drive to Page (or from Page… more on that in a minute). Most of the overlooks are open to private vehicles, except for the ones on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, which are served by a free hop-on/hop-off shuttle line. If possible, book your Grand Canyon lodging inside the park, or Tusayan, just 7 miles South of the park so you can easily enjoy sunset and/or sunrise on the rim of the Grand Canyon!
For the Page, AZ, leg of your trip, the boat tour on this particular site isn’t the one that goes through Horseshoe Bend. The trip you’re looking for is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. During the month of April, the 1/2-Day Float Trip departs once daily at 11:00 AM with a 10:00 AM check-in, and concludes at 3:30 PM. As to whether you should tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, they are both beautiful, you would just need to be sure that neither slot canyon tour overlaps with the float trip on either side of it. Upper + Lower Antelope Canyon “bundle” If you opt to tour just one slot canyon, and your family is physically fit enough to handle Lower Antelope, I’d recommend going with that. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon
On Day 5, where you propose to visit Zion as a day trip from Page, AZ, that’s doable, but you must keep a close eye on the clock. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the possibility of colliding with a deer, elk, free range cow, or even a wild horse. It typically takes ~2 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Zion, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens, since it’s a very scenic drive, and you’ll want to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves along the way, such as the Big Water Visitors Center, Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos trail, and Moqui Cave, just to name a few. So a 2-hour drive could easily turn into 3.5 or even 4 hours, unless you resist all temptations to stop. Another thing to keep in mind is that while Utah DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, Arizona DOES NOT. So, you’ll “lose” an hour traveling between Arizona and Utah, but “regain” it as you travel back to Arizona. Sunrise in AZ occurs at ~6:00 AM in early April; sunset takes place around 6:45 PM. Taking all that into consideration, that wouldn’t give you much time to work with in Zion, which is an amazing park that really deserves 3-4 days time to fully enjoy.
If you’re open to making some changes, you might consider flying into Las Vegas instead of Phoenix. Las Vegas occasionally hosts some Spring Training games, if catching a baseball game is a non-negotiable element of this trip. If not, you’d probably find Las Vegas to be better poised to make this itinerary work. Your schedule would look something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Las Vegas, catch a spring training game, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), overnight at the Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Ranger-guided hike at South Rim. Drive to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours factoring in stops), night 1 in Page
Day 4 – Antelope Canyon early morning tour, 1/2-day Glen Canyon Float Trip, either spend 2nd night in Page, AZ, or drive to Zion and overnight in Springdale, UT.
Day 5 – Early AM drive from Page to Zion, or get early start out of Springdale, UT, for Zion National Park tour.
Day 6 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5 hours), fly home
If you prefer to keep Phoenix as your staging city, and depending on your tolerance for making a longish drive at the beginning of your tour, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Phoenix, catch baseball game, overnight in Phoenix
Day 2 – Drive from Phoenix to Kanab, UT (~6 hours), overnight in Kanab.
Day 3 – Drive from Kanab to Zion Ponderosa Ranch (~1 hour drive), take canyoneering tour, spend 2nd night in Kanab.
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~60-90 minutes), check in 10:00 AM for 11:00 AM float trip, take afternoon tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page.
Day 5 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), overnight at South Rim.
Day 6 – Drive back to Phoenix, fly home.
Sorry to ramble on for so long, but hope that’s given you some things to think about. Please don’t hesitate to hit us up again if you need further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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From Theresa
Hi Alley,
We’re planning to make a short trip to AZ October 19-14. I have a 12 yr old daughter & a senior mom. We haven’t been to AZ before but my husband is a photographer by heart. Can you recommend best sites to see (including the antelope canyon) for this short a time, please? We’re flying from chicago to Phoenix & Planning to do an Airbnb for our stay. Thanks much!!
June 29, 2019 at 3:38 PM
Erik Keshishian
Hi Alley,
Are pets -small dog- allowed in lower or upper canyon?
Thank you.
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Hi Erik,
No pets whatsoever are allowed in any branch of Antelope Canyon. If you are traveling with a pet, consider boarding them with Pampered Pets in Page, AZ.
Have fun,
Alley Keosheyan 🙂June 24, 2019 at 2:19 PM
dawn cook
Hi Ally,
This post is very helpful. We are traveling this coming week to visit. We are traveling with my parents who are 69 and 70, who do have slight limitations (walking or climbing for any distance is a challenge). With this in mind what would be recommended part of the Canyon to visit.
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Hi Dawn, glad you’re finding our site helpful!
For folks with any kind of mobility limitations, we recommend Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s a very easy 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail. The most exciting aspect of the trip will probably be the 2 mile ride out to the canyon from the highway. In the event Upper Antelope is sold out, a good alternate would be Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Like Upper Antelope Canyon, it has no stairs or ladders to navigate, but at 450 yards, it is significantly longer than Upper Antelope, plus the 4WD trip out to the mouth of the canyon is longer as well, at 7-8 miles. If you take us up on that suggestion, you might consider booking the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon + Horseshoe Bend Overlook tour since the tour company goes to Horseshoe Bend via a private entrance, which reduces the walk to the overlook to just 200 yards (normally, it’s 1.5 miles out and back).
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Adrian Holmes
Hi Alley
I will be renting a 4wd (eg Toyota Rav4) and if I am successful in getting a permit for cayote buttes south, Where can I drive to and how far is the hike to the Buttes area?
Thanks
Adrian
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Hi Adrian!
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you in the Coyote Buttes permit process.
As for where the trailhead to The Wave is, it’s located a few miles down the House Rock Valley Road, an unpaved dirt road that turns South off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Look for signs for the Wire Pass Trail.
Experienced Wave hikers recommend that you be at the trailhead, or relatively close by, by sunrise. The hike to The Wave from the parking lot on the House Rock Valley Road (or the “HRVR” as we call it around here) is approximately 3 miles one way. For more information on hiking to The Wave, and another way you might see it in the likely event you don’t get a permit, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 2:42 PM
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From Adrian Holmes
Hi Alley
Thanks for the quick response and clarification for parking for the Wave. However I am assuming I won’t get a Wave permit so was thinking of applying for the Cayote Buttes South permit and wondering where I could drive to and then how far to walk to the South Buttes – I assume the parking place is different?
Thanks
AdrianJune 24, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Amir K
Honestly, what time is the best to visit the lower canyon ? 7 am or 11 am? to see more light lines and take better photos.
is there a possibility to close the canyon if temperature reaches 40 Celsius ? Please advise , thank you
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Hi again, Amir!
If your visit is taking place anytime between now and late August, I would suggest taking the earlier time slot. In the event of excessive heat warnings, tours may be cancelled for customer safety. This happens fairly frequently during the peak heat months of summer.
Hope that helps. Have a good trip!
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Amir
Hello, we are 5 adults and want to make the lower canyon on AUG 10, 2019. Between 10:30 am and 11:30. Please advise, I couldn’t find these slots online
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Hi Amir,
So sorry you’re having trouble finding open tour slots for Antelope Canyon, but I’m frankly not surprised about it. It’s a very popular attraction, and tours there sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance.
Here are some tips on what to do if Antelope Canyon tours are sold out. One suggestion is to check slots in alternate slot canyons, many of which are just as beautiful as Antelope Canyon, but are a lot less crowded.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 24, 2019 at 2:29 PM
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From Marilyn S Young
We want to plan a trip to the canyon but my husband can not walk long distance or rough terrain. Are there places to be able to sit down but not on the ground to rest? Does any of the canyons allow motorized scooters? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Tizameh
October 10, 2019 at 1:12 AM
Billie-Lynne Fife
We are planning on visiting July 2nd or 3rd and would love to tour the lower canyon. We have a 3 and 6 year old. Is that tour too difficult for them?
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Hi Billie-Lynne,
Only you can decide whether Lower Antelope Canyon would be too much for your kids to handle. With a 3-year-old in tow especially, IMO you’d be better off touring Upper Antelope Canyon, since it has no stairs to navigate.
I would recommend watching this Full Walk-through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon to judge for yourself, then, whatever you decide, make reservations ASAP. Many tours are bound to be sold out.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 21, 2019 at 2:30 PM
Christine Simoneau
Hi Alley: I have another question. When we leave the Grand Canyon we will be heading for Phoenix.We will stay there overnight before flying home. What scenic route should we take? Thanks once more for your valuable insights. They have greatly helped us in our decisions. Christine
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Hi again, Christine!
One of the nice things about the most direct route from Grand Canyon South Rim to Phoenix is that it is quite scenic to begin with! A couple of modifications you might consider to make the most out of the trip:
Travel from Grand Canyon South Rim to Valle, AZ (~30 miles); in Valle, instead of going straight down AZ64, veer left onto US180. This will take you through the beautiful San Francisco Peaks area. I don’t recall if you planned to hit Sedona on your trip, just South of Flagstaff, you have the option to get on US89A through Oak Creed Canyon and Sedona. You can then get back onto I-17 easily enough by taking AZ179 through the Village of Oak Creek. If you wish, you might also stop at Montezuma’s Castle National Monument or Arcosanti. One drawback to this route – if you can call it that – is that once you get a glimpse of Sedona, you’ll wish you had more time there. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return visit in pretty short order!
Another option, if you haven’t been gone to Page, AZ, or Monument Valley before arriving at the Grand Canyon, would be to take the East Rim/Desert View Drive to Cameron, AZ, then turn South on US89 towards Flagstaff. If desired, take the scenic loop drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff. Heading South on I-17, the Sunset Point rest area near Black Canyon City offers beautiful views of the mountains to the West.
Have a safe trip!
Alley 🙂June 21, 2019 at 2:24 PM
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From susie
Is Antelope Canyon still closed? We are making the trip mid September and want to book a tour.
September 02, 2020 at 5:20 PM
Jennifer Hutchinson
My husband is a professional photographer and we want to take our own kids Senior Pictures in the Canyon. We will bring photography equipment like a professional shoot but since we are not selling the images (as they are our own kids) what kind of permit and processing fees do we need to submit?
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Hi Jennifer,
You will need to contact the individual tour companies to ascertain what they will require for a photo shoot of this nature.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, the tour companies are:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 and Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761
For Upper Antelope Canyon, contact:
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours – 928-65-5594
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours – 928-645-9102
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours – 928-380-1874
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – 928-698-3384
Good luck and congratulations on your kids’ graduation!
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Sanzeeda
Hi Alley!
I am so glad that I found your plan and followed it last week to a perfect trip including food. I really appreciate your time and efforts 🙂
Sanzeeda
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Hi Sanzeeda,
Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know how your trip went! We’re glad that our itinerary helped. If you ever have a chance to return to the area, check out our 14-day Grand Circle Tour itinerary for even suggestions on cool places to go and fun things to do.
Take care,
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Scott
Hi! Do you mind writing the exact steps of how to book/reserve an Antelope Canyon tour with a navajo guide if you are self-driving from Vegas? One tour bus company is so expensive already without the cost of the entrance fee, fee for Navajo guide, and fees for the bus driver and the bus tour guide. Do I book a tour reservation beforehand (any suggestions with links) and then meet up with that tour guide that I booked the reservation with and then the tour guide leads me to the navajo guide? I read how you can’t just drive up there and join any tour. Just wanted to know the difference between the tour guide company and navajo guide.
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Hi Scott,
You are correct that you cannot just drive up to Antelope Canyon and hope to join a tour. Bus tours, while convenient, do come at a cost, usually a high one. Self-driving definitely offers more freedom and flexibility to enjoy Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and other attractions in the Page, AZ, on your own schedule and your own terms. Because the drive from Las Vegas is relatively long – ~5 hours each way – it is best if you come over and spend 1-2 nights. For detailed instructions about how to book an Antelope Canyon tour on a self-drive basis, visit our pinned post, “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 3:11 PM
Carmen
Hello, my mom really wants to see Antelope Canyon and so I’m doing my research now to gather all of the information to plan a trip for 2020. After browsing through your articles, I would like to see Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon boat tour, and Horseshoe Bend. To book the bundle, would we have to have our own transportation between the tours or are there other options to get to Antelope Point Marina? Alternatively, are there tours that operate out of Phoenix or Las Vegas that would check off the places we would like to see?
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Hi Carmen,
We commend you for making your Antelope Canyon tour plans well in advance! If you were to book one of the bundles (BTW, Horseshoe Bend is not included in any of them since you can visit on your own), you would need to have your own transportation between tour companies. That’s the way it is at the present time, anyway. By the time you visit, other provisions may be in place. We encourage you to keep apprised of any new developments concerning The Antelope Canyons on our Facebook page.
As for tours out of Las Vegas and Phoenix that go to Antelope Canyon, you’ll probably be hard-pressed to find one that covers all the things you want to do as they are limited on time. But, they are out there if that’s the way you want to go.
Antelope Canyon Tours from Phoenix & Las Vegas
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 3:03 PM
Ady Yeoh
Dear Sir,
I plan to go Antelope Canyon on 30th June. Can I drive there by myself, not joining tour?
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Hi Ady,
No, you may not enter Antelope Canyon on your own. The Antelope Canyons are on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore, an authorized tour guide is required to visit. Be sure to make a reservation ASAP!
How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 2:53 PM
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From Heng
Hi Sir,
Can I drive to Antelope myself from Las Vegas and join the tour to enter the canyon ??June 30, 2019 at 8:38 AM
Aime Gastelum
Hey So I Have Some Questions.
So to do the kayak tour how much is it?
How long is the kayak tour?
What Time does it start ?
And Where Do We Go To Pick Up The Rental Kayaks?
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Hi Aime,
The Hidden Canyon Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour is 3 hours long. During the summer months, it departs 3x daily: 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, and 1:00 PM. You meet your guide, and pick up your kayak at Antelope Point Marina.
AlleyJune 18, 2019 at 12:43 PM
Belinda Harris
Hi – We are visiting Page from overseas on a guided bus tour and will be staying the night in Page, Arizona. What would be the best way for us to get from downtown Page to Horseshoe Bend. I’m having trouble finding any shuttles that go out there.
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Hi Belinda,
If you are on a guided bus tour, I’d be very surprised to hear that it doesn’t visit Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend is regarded as a “must-do” attraction in Page, AZ, and the majority of escorted tours include a stop there. Before you jump through any hoops, I’d recommend contacting your tour company and verifying whether or not Horseshoe Bend is included on their itinerary. If it is not, unfortunately, you will be somewhat limited as to how you can get there. Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are reported as being somewhat unreliable in this area. I recommend contacting Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours as they offer a shuttle service from downtown Page, AZ. Explain your situation, and hopefully you can come up with some sort of agreement with them. Their contact information is as follows:
Phone: (435) 275-4594
e-mail: info@horseshoebendtours.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 17, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Hartono
what is the time to visit Upper and Lower part?
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Hi Hartono,
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours depart every 30-60 minutes throughout the day, depending on season. Duration of Upper Antelope Canyon tours runs ~90 minutes, the same for Lower Antelope Canyon tours. Whichever branch of the Antelope Canyons you opt to visit, advance reservations are strongly recommended. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 17, 2019 at 2:09 PM
Jenny
Hi Alley!
I have an itinerary planned for September that I am now having ‘cold feet’ about! I have 6 nights arriving into Vegas at 10.30am Sunday and departing 9am Saturday current plan is…..
Sunday: arrive Vegas 10.30am and drive to Bryce. I have a cabin booked at Bryce Lodge…this is a long drive I know and hopefully we can get there before sunset….am I being too optimistic?
Monday: sunrise at Bryce then do a short hike maybe Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails approx 3 hours for the hike. Then drive to Zion staying at Cable Mountain Lodge
Tuesday: planning on spending until 2pm in Zion NP. I know this is not enough! I am Interested in smaller trails and not Angels Landing or the Narrows as they would be too much for my son. 2pm leave for Page where I have 2 nights booked.
Wednesday: A slot tour, Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam?
Thursday: Have the day to drive to South Rim accomodation booked at Kachina lodge
Friday: Sun rise at the rim and walk around then drive to Vegas via Hoover Dam…..not planning on doing a tour. Accommodation is booked near the airport as have a 9am flight
Saturday: 9am flight
Bryce is more important than Zion….Am I trying to do too much or is this doable? Any suggestions to tweak. Traveling with my husband and son who is 12.
Thanks so much
Cheers, Jenny
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Hey Jenny,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and well-planned. Most visitors doing a trip such as yours hit Zion first, since it’s closer to Las Vegas, then Bryce, then Page, AZ. Since you already have your lodging reservations made, though, I’d recommend keeping everything as is. Changing them at this point will be next to impossible.
Hopefully your flight to Las Vegas will arrive on time and you’ll experience minimal disruptions in picking up your rental car. Even if all goes according to plan, expect to take at least 60-90 minutes after landing to get underway from McCarran Airport. Then, you’re looking at ~5 hours’ drive from Las Vegas to Bryce. The reason for the longish estimate is because there is construction taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that is very likely to hold you up. The key is to make sure that you get to your final destination well before sunset. Driving at night in this part of the U.S. is strongly discouraged due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle and feral horses to congregate around them at night. Sunset at Bryce in September occurs at ~7:30 PM. Keep in mind that Nevada is on Pacific Time and Utah is on Mountain Time, which means that LAS is 1 hour behind Bryce. You’ll “lose” an hour traveling from one state to the other.
In Zion, if you don’t wish to take on anything as labor-intensive as Angel’s Landing, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of easy hikes you can enjoy. When you leave Utah, you’ll “gain” an hour traveling to Page, AZ, since Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
On Wednesday, plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. The mid-day hours get very crowded, and hot. A sunrise visit offers the advantages of cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. Sunrise in Page, AZ, in September occurs at approximately 6:00 AM. Be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations ASAP if you haven’t done so already.
As for whether you’re trying to do too much, I don’t think so. But if some of the plans don’t materialize as you’ve made them, try not to fret too much about it. Oftentimes, the best memories of vacations are the moments that unfold unexpectedly. RE: Zion, you are correct in that more time there would be preferable. I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be pining for a return trip after you get home!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 17, 2019 at 1:35 PM
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From Jenny
Alley, thank you so much for your words of wisdom…you are amazing! Great to know it is better to head to Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise to avoid the crowds! All things considered it might be wise to head to Zion first and then head to Bryce on Monday…..It looks like there will be the same road works going to Zion…how long do you think it will take to get to Zion??? I have checked and luckily I am able to change my Zion Accom to the Sunday night and it looks like I can get a room no problem at Ruby’s and will look out for a cancellation at Bryce Lodge 🙏 I know the drive from Ruby’s into Bryce but is it advisable for to do this before sunrise? Thanks again 😊
June 18, 2019 at 9:58 AM
Krista Buchholz
Wow- so much great information!! I’ve been trying to map out the “perfect vacation” to see the Utah loop and have heard that the North Rim is a must see. I am now trying to see what I can do to make it all work. Here are the details- Leave the Black Hills area early on June 29…had planned a stop somewhere between there and Moab but have not reserved yet. We will have a pull camper and I realize we may be in for some long drives (pretty unavoidable). So I have two nights reserved in Moab (June 30 and July 1), then I had planned a night in Monument Valley, a night in Springdale, and then a night in Torrey before heading home (either straight through or staying in CO somewhere)… Could I just change the following: Monument Valley to somewhere near North Rim and add a night there? What do you suggest?? Thank you so much!!
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Hi Krista (that’s my sister’s name!),
You are correct in that you’re looking at some long drives, and pulling a camper, you may be slightly restricted on what roads you use. Be sure to verify the feasibility of any routes you propose to travel before you setting out. Utah Scenic Byway 12 for example is an amazingly beautiful road, but some advise against traveling it with a camper in tow. Then again, others have done it and lived to tell the story, so do some research and decide for yourself.
You’re looking at a 12+ hour drive from the Black Hills of SD to Moab, UT. A good place to break up the drive would be Ft. Collins or Boulder, CO. On the drive back from Torrey, UT, you might stop over in Ouray or Montrose, CO.
RE: adding Grand Canyon North Rim to your itinerary, you are correct in that the most logical way to accomplish this would be to drop Monument Valley from your wish list. Unfortunately, it’s going to be darn near impossible to find lodging at the North Rim on this short of notice, so here’s what I’d recommend you do: cancel your reservations in Springdale, UT, and book 2-3 nights in Kanab, UT. Kanab is on the Western edge of Zion, so it only takes about 30 minutes one way to drive to Zion — assuming you can unhook your tow vehicle from your camper easily enough — then the following day, visit the North Rim as a day trip. It takes ~90 minutes, each way, to drive from Kanab, UT, to Grand Canyon North Rim. In late June, you have long daylengths working in your favor. Keep an eye on the clock and make sure you time your return trip so you are back to Kanab by sunset. In late June, sunrise in Kanab, UT, occurs at 6:15 AM, sunset shortly before 9:00 PM.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 17, 2019 at 2:06 PM
Heather
We will have our own transportation from Page and we have no psychical restraints. Which is better (and which tour company is better), the upper or lower canyon if we are only choosing one?
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Hi Heather,
If you’re up for the moderate physical challenges of Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend doing it. As for which tour company is “better,” both tour companies (Ken’s and Dixie Ellis) offer virtually identical tours right down to the footsteps, and the penny. No need to quibble too much over who you go with. Just book a time that fits your schedule, and book it ASAP! Time and desire permitting, you might also consider bundling your Antelope Canyon tour with another experience, such as a boat tour on Lake Powell, or a tour of the Navajo Village Heritage Center!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 14, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Tamara
I paid for a Ken’s Tours Lower Antelope Canyon next week. Do I still need to pay the entrance park fee when I get there? Or it was included in the paid package tour? Thanks
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Hi Tamara,
According to the reservation form on Ken’s website, you do pay the Navajo Tribal Park fee when you book online.
AlleyJune 13, 2019 at 4:06 PM
John
We’re a family with a teenager and an opportunity to head out that way just came up for July 3rd through the 13th. We’re thinking of setting up our “home base” as Lake Powell Resort and doing a few day trips from there. The problem is we’re just not sure which of the places on our list should take priority over others. We’d rather save something that takes a long while for another trip rather than burn up a complete day on “a long drive and a rush-through” or risk being there at the wrong time of day. Would you help us please?
We’re driving from St. Louis to near Colorado Springs, CO on July 3rd. We’ll spend the night there, then see Pike’s Peak and the Garden of the Gods on the 4th.
On the 5th we’ll leave the Colorado Springs area and drive to Page, AZ
Our plan is to stop at the Four Corners Monument on our way to the Lake Powell Resort.
Our goal is to see what’s nearby Page without stressing over all the cool places out there. It’s supposed to be a vacation, not a bucketlist. However, we don’t want to miss what was right in front of us. Our thought is to stay at Lake Powell Resort for 6 nights and drive homeward on the 11th, 12th and 13th. We’ve got a 21 hour drive back and we need to be back on the 13th. We’ll take your thoughts because some of the feedback says we should have planned this long ago instead of last minute, but it looks too neat to pass up.
Here are the things/places we’d like to experience (in our order), but if you’ve got better ideas, please suggest them. Four or five of them could be a full vacation. And let us know what reservations/passes/tickets we will need as well.
Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell Resort- perhaps we could rent wave runners, play at a beach, go on a boat tour, etc. (Is there anything in particular we should see/taste/experience while staying there?)
Horseshoe Bend
Bryce Canyon
Havasupai Falls
Marble Canyon
Grand Canyon (not sure exactly which part- North/South Rim)
Petrified Forest
Goblin Valley (might have to save for another trip)
We really appreciate your help.
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Hi John,
You have correctly deduced that you might have a hard time pulling all this off due to the short notice, but you’ll still have a wonderful time.
I do encourage you to be flexible in case things don’t shake out as you planned, and be prepared to hit some of the other attractions on a separate trip, such as Goblin Valley. It’s a neat spot, but for one, it’s CRAZY-hot at the time of year you’re visiting, plus it’s a little far-flung from all the other places you’ve got on your wish list. Another thing that’s not gonna happen: Havasupai. Again, beautiful place, but trips there need to be planned a year or more in advance. Reservations are hard to get for both the lodge and the campgound. For more information on planning a trip there in the future, visit www.HavasupaiReservations.com
The drive from Colorado Springs, CO to Page, AZ, takes ~10 hours. It should be broken up into 2 days so you can take your time visiting Mesa Verde, 4 Corners, and Monument Valley. Drive from CO Springs to Mesa Verde that first day (~6.5-7 hours), overnight in Durango or Cortez, then go the rest of the way to Page, AZ, via Monument Valley.
Once you get settled into Page, AZ, making day trips to some of the other attractions is doable at the time of year you’re visiting due to the long daylength. Still, it’s imperative to keep an eye the time and make sure you do any and all driving during daylight hours. Nighttime driving is not a good idea in this part of the country due to the fact that local roadways are very dark, and the possibility of colliding with a deer, elk, free range cow, or wild horse ratchets up after sunset. Another thing to keep in mind is that Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time, but Utah, Colorado, and the Navajo Indian Reservation are on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time. This means you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Colorado to Page, AZ, then “lose” it again traveling from Page, AZ, to Bryce and Zion, then “regain” it upon returning to Arizona.
One-way drive times from Page, AZ, to the parks you’re wanting to visit are as follows:
Page to Zion: ~2 hours, get an early start, take the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike on the way
Page to Bryce: ~3 hours, you could also do the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools hike on this trip if you prefer
Page to Grand Canyon: ~2.5 hours to either the North Rim or the South Rim, recommend prioritizing the South Rim over the North Rim because there’s more in the way of visitor services there, plus a larger area of the Grand Canyon that is driveable. If desired, you could take a helicopter flight from the South Rim over the North Rim. It wouldn’t land at the North Rim, but still give you enough time over it to leave you with a sense of how different it is from the South Rim.
For Marble Canyon, instead of driving there, I’d recommend taking the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, it doesn’t go through any rapids, but has a lot of beautiful scenery (including Marble Canyon) and compelling history.
On one of your days at the Lake Powell Resort, definitely plan on renting a small boat or some jet-skis to explore on the water, or you might consider “bundling” an Antelope Canyon tour with a waterside boat tour of the canyon from Antelope Point Marina. Hit Horseshoe Bend on one of your full days in Page, AZ, just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people.
Hit Petrified Forest & Painted Desert on your way back to St. Louis. Get an early start on this day to avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Between there and Oklahoma City, you have the opportunity to explore a bit of Historic Route 66 if you’re into that.
Hope that helps. Oh, one more thing: plan to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks and Monuments in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon fall under this category) and State Parks, but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Just request it at the first National Park you visit.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 13, 2019 at 4:00 PM
Mariance
Hi,
I noticed that you mentioned no backpacks allowed, can we still bring child carrier and bottle waters?
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Hi Mariance,
According to one of the Antelope Canyon tour operators:“With the canyon being narrow in some sections and with multiple people wearing backpacks it not only scratches the canyon walls but can hit other people inside the canyon – we have witness too many people get knocked over by large bags. Purses vary in size, many of which are in the design of a backpack (not allowed). We do not have lockers, please lock your valuables in your vehicle. For Parents with small children, we are allowing this type of carrier (soft-sided) – but please don’t bring a hiking backpack with metal framing.”
For water bottles, there are lanyards available at many retail stores that allow you to carry your water on a strap around your neck or shoulder.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 13, 2019 at 3:29 PM
Henry
Hello, I’d love your tips on an itinerary.
I’m flying into Phoenix late night and have 4 total days.
my thoughts,….
day 1 early morning drive to Antelope canyon or canyon x and horseshoe if there is time to do both …. then stay at a hotel in page. ( hyatt )
day 2 drive to sedona and do a jeep tour. sleep 1 night in enchantment resort.
day 3 and 4 phoenix with friends
Look forward to your thoughts. thank you!
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Hi Henry and thank you for visiting our site!
First off, I notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. If you haven’t been there, I’d recommend prioritizing that over pretty much anything else. If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, or plan on saving it for another trip, then your trip plan looks pretty fun. I’d still suggest a couple of small modifications for maximum enjoyment of your time here.
On Day 1, plan on taking longer to do that drive than the timeframe given on Google Maps. It’s a very scenic drive, and you will be stopping to take pictures often. Sunset Point, a rest area just North of Phoenix on I-17, is worth a stop. Just North of Flagstaff, you might take the scenic loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments. The Cameron Trading Post makes a good place to stop for lunch.
Where you propose to tour Antelope Canyon or Canyon X, you need to make a choice, and a reservation, if you haven’t done so already. Tours to the Antelope Canyons book up weeks, sometimes months in advance. FYI, the option is now available to “bundle” walking tours of Antelope Canyon with boat tours on Lake Powell. Check them out if the prospect of getting some time on the water interests you!
Day 2 – hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. Assuming you’re visiting in the summer or fall, this will enable you to take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people. Mid-afternoon to sunset is crazy-busy, and there’s a good possibility of not finding a place to park during that timeframe.
Also, 1 night really isn’t enough for Sedona. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you not to go there, I’m just “warning” you that once you get a look at it, you’ll realize that you could spend 4-5 days there and still feel as though you’d only scratched the surface. I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll be planning a return trip to Sedona when you can give it the time it deserves! Here again, book that jeep tour in advance if you haven’t done so already.
Have fun, and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 13, 2019 at 3:24 PM
Grant Burchell
Hello,
We’re signed up for a package tour of the Upper, Lower, and Boat tours of Antelope Cyn in late June. We were planning on wearing shorts but I saw in the video that a lot of people were wearing jeans. Perhaps it’s cooler in the canyon due to shadow? In any case, I was wondering what your recommendation on clothing was. Also, on the boat tour do you have the option to do any swimming or is it all in the boat?
Thanks for your help & info
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Hi Grant, and thank you for this excellent question!
The videos you most likely saw were filmed in early spring, hence the majority of people are wearing warmer clothing. In late June, plenty of people tour Antelope Canyon in shorts and are perfectly comfortable doing so. The interiors of both the slot canyon, and the waterside canyon tend to be cooler than the outside air, which is a welcome change, but you should still be comfortable wearing shorts. If in doubt, you might want to purchase a pair of convertible cargo pants before heading out on your trip. These long pants easily turn into shorts, and back again. That way, you can be prepared for virtually any weather condition, and adjust for your personal comfort level.
RE: swimming on the boat tour, conditions in the Antelope Canyon arm of Lake Powell usually aren’t conducive to it. Ultimately that’s at the discretion of your boat captain.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 11, 2019 at 2:26 PM
Nancee Page
Hi Alley,
I would like to take my kiddos on a little road trip to see the Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. Where do you suggest we start? We are coming from Southern Cali. Where do you suggest we stay? What tours should we take?
Thank you!
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Hi Nancee,
First off, it’s going to take anywhere from 8-10 hours – one way – to drive from Southern California to the Grand Canyon or Page, AZ. If your kids are young, you should consider breaking up the drive in someplace like Las Vegas, NV, or Lake Havasu City, AZ.
After you have sorted that out, then step 1 should be to check availability of Grand Canyon lodging. That should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your trip planning revolves, and evolves. If possible, stay inside the park. If those hotels are full, then book something in Tusayan, AZ, which is 7 miles outside the park.
Next, verify availability of Antelope Canyon tours. Here again, if your kids are very young, like under the age of 6, Upper Antelope Canyon would be your best option for touring the land side of Antelope Canyon. If you were wanting to get some time on the water in, you might consider bundling an Upper Antelope Canyon tour with a short boat tour from Antelope Point Marina. After you have found an Antelope Canyon tour that suits your schedule, then book a hotel in Page, AZ. For Horseshoe Bend, plan on getting the kiddos up early and hitting that just after sunrise. That’s when you’ll be able to enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people at the overlook.
At bare minimum, stay 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim, and 2 nights in Page, AZ. Depending on how lodging availability and Antelope Canyon tour availability shakes out, be prepared to visit Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon in that order, or the other direction. Drive-time wise, it doesn’t make much of a difference.
If you have more time to work with, you might think about spending 1-2 days at Zion National Park. You’d probably end up passing that way anyway, and it has lots of family-friendly activities. The lodging area for this park is Springdale, UT.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 11, 2019 at 2:19 PM
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From Shari L Happl
Is Horseshoe Bend water boat ride different from Antelope Canyon’s Waterside? IF so which is more scenic and do they both go out of the Antelope Point Marina?
July 04, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Craig
Hello! My wife and I are taking our 2 kids (7 and 9) to Powell at the end of June. We would love to do the Antelope Canyon Kayak trip without a guide. Putting each kid with an adult in a tandem kayak, is this doable? Both kids are strong and energetic lol. Where can I find a map? Thanks in advance.
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Hi Craig and thank you for your inquiry!
Yes, you are perfectly welcome to kayak into Antelope Canyon without a guide if you prefer. There are many fine kayak rental outlets in Page, AZ. As to whether it’s doable to have 1 adult and 1 child in a tandem kayak, I don’t see why not, but that’s something that should be verified with whatever rental company you choose to work with.
Regarding maps of Lake Powell, your kayak rental company should supply them, or offer them for sale. Many retail outlets in Page, AZ, sell them as well, but a decent selection of Lake Powell maps are available online. Fred’s Liquor has a surprisingly comprehensive array of maps, divided by individual side canyons and bays, including Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 10, 2019 at 1:51 PM
MArti Hood
Hello I need some help please. We are in need of a schedule we land in vegas (Not sight seeing there) and have 9 days.
We want to see Hoover Dam., Grand Canyon, Page AZ and then Sedona and fly out of Phoenix. Can someone help please?
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Hi Marti,
With 9 days to work with, you could do something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam, ~5.5 hour drive (factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 2 – 2nd day/night at the Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, ~4 hour drive factoring in stops, tour Antelope Canyon and/or Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4 – 2nd day/night in Page, AZ, take Glen Canyon Float Trip or Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour
Day 5 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, ~2.5 hour drive, overnight in Monument Valley ,
Day 6 – Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley (could also do this day prior, time permitting), drive to Sedona, AZ (~4 hour drive), overnight in Sedona.
Day 7 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour
Day 8 – 3rd day/night in Sedona, take sunrise hot air balloon flight (if desired), or spend day at Slide Rock State Park
Day 9 – Drive to Phoenix (~2.5 hours from Sedona), fly home
The first order of business, IMO, is to check lodging availability at Grand Canyon South Rim. Then, Antelope Canyon tour availability would be the next step to take.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 10, 2019 at 1:42 PM
Mary Jo Roberts
Greetings,
We are visiting the area 9/5 thru 10 and wish to tour the canyons less visited. Any suggestions? I have heard that the upper antelope is overcrowded. Any infoon rattlesnake or the water canyons?Thanks MJ
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Hi Mary Jo and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
You are correct in that Upper Antelope Canyon is way crowded, and that there are alternate slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area that are just as beautiful, but far less populated! Rattlesnake Canyon is one of those slots, but IIRC, you have to tour it as a “package” with Upper Antelope Canyon.
As for the “water canyons,” if you’re referring to the waterside of Antelope Canyon, it is not possible to “bundle” a tour of Lower and/or Upper Antelope Canyon with a short boat tour from Antelope Marina. There are other slot canyon type formations accessible from Lake Powell by kayak, and Hidden Canyon Kayak would be a good company to contact for more information on those.
If you think you’d be up for something a little more physical, and already have plans to visit Zion and/or Bryce Canyon, East Zion Experiences out of Orderville, UT, offers slot canyon tours with a rappelling component that sound like a blast! This company is a relatively new player on the slot canyon “scene,” so if you opt to do one of their trips, please let us know how you liked it!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 07, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Blake A Brockhaus
Hi Alley, is a tour required for the canyon?
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Hi Blake,
The Antelope Canyons are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, so a tour is 100% necessary to experience them! How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 07, 2019 at 3:59 PM
Pixie281
We are looking to visit on the 27th of June to surprise my mom for her bday. What is the cost associated to visit the canyon?
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Hi Pixie,
Unfortunately, that’s a loaded question that cannot be answered in one sweeping declaration. It depends on several factors: which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour – Upper, Lower, one of the alternate drainages like Canyon X, Mountain Sheep, or Mystical?; what time of day you tour – prime time (mid-day) tours are always more expensive; and whether or not you “bundle” your Antelope Canyon tour with another activity, such as a Lake Powell boat tour, or a tour of Navajo Village Heritage Center. Aside from that, you have the gas required to drive to Page, AZ, lodging costs, meals, etc.
Sorry I couldn’t be clearer, but I recommend you weigh all your Antelope Canyon touring options, and make a decision (and a reservation) quickly.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 06, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Deborah
I’m planning a trip with 3 teenage girls in a few weeks. Any recommendations on what to plan 6/19-6/21? We are currently looking into the Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon. Trying to decide how to best manage our time and see as much as we can. We will be staying in FLagstaff.
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Hi Deborah,
Using Flagstaff as a “base” from which to explore Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and other attractions in Northern Arizona is OK, but not ideal. It takes 90 minutes, each way, to drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes 2.5 hours minimum, again, that’s each way, to drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Those figures are “wheels turning, no stops,” which rarely happens. Normally, I’d advise staying overnight at the Grand Canyon and Page, but it is probably too late to change your lodging reservations, so here’s what I’d suggest:
Day 1 (or 2 depending on your preference): Drive from Flagstaff, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim via the East entrance. Just North of Flagstaff, take the loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments (if desired). Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for brunch/lunch. After entering the park at Desert View Point, take time to stop at the half-dozen+ named viewpoints as desired. Park your vehicle at the Canyon View Information Plaza and get on the free Village Loop Shuttle (drive time up to this point, ~3.5 hours). Get off at the Grand Canyon Village Historic District to tour the old hotels, gift shops, and museums on the rim. Time/inclination permitting, you might also take the Hermit’s Rest Shuttle to the overlooks on the West side of the village. Exit the park via the South entrance, stop in Tusayan to see the Grand Canyon IMAX film if you wish, head back to Flagstaff.
Day 2: Drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ (drive time ~2.5-3 hours), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, or out, depending on parking situation. Allow 60-90 minutes to visit overlook. Tour Antelope Canyon. Time permitting, visit Glen Canyon Dam and/or John Wesley Powell Museum. Head back to Flagstaff.
One thing you have working in your favor at the time of year is daylength. Sunrise occurs at ~5:00 AM, sunset at around 8:00 PM. The reason I mention this is because you need to ensure that you are back to Flagstaff before sunset on all of your travel days. Nighttime driving is something you want to avoid in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to be present at night. A nighttime collision with a large animal in areas where light is scant and cell phone service can be non-existent can be a real buzzkill!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 06, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Brandon
Hi Alley,
Thanks for all the wonderful information on the site. I have a trip planned with my 2 teenage daughters from Phoenix on July 5th to Page for two nights, then off to Bryce on the 7th, and Zion on the 8th. Could you help with suggestions for an itinerary on what best to do with our time in Page and the other stops. Your help is much appreciated!
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Hi Brandon,
The piece you commented on, the “Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ” had ample suggestions for how to use your 2 days in Page, AZ. In a nutshell, the “must-do’s” here are:
– touring Antelope Canyon (check out the new “bundle” options!)
– visit Horseshoe Bend (best done just after sunrise at the time you’re visiting for cooler temperatures and less people)
– do some kind of water-based activity, such as the Lake Powell Boat Tour to Rainbow Bridge, or the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip; if doing such a long boat or raft tour doesn’t appeal, note that many of the Antelope Canyon tour “bundles” combine an Antelope Slot Canyon tour with a short boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside from Antelope Point Marina
As for what you might do in Bryce and Zion, that ultimately depends on you and your family, your interests, and how much hiking you’re willing to do, or not do. On the trip from Page, AZ, to Bryce, a couple of good stops to make are the Big Water Visitors Center and the Paria Rim Rocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT at mile marker 19 of US89. However, another important consideration is that at the time of year you’re visiting, it’s going to be very hot. Any hiking or other labor-intensive activity should be undertaken early in the morning for optimal safety and comfort. Hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water should be carried at all time, and appropriate footwear for walking should be worn.
In Bryce, start by taking the rim loop drive (or use the free shuttle) to the various overlooks in the park. Popular hikes rated as “easy” to “moderate” include, in order of length/distance, Mossy Cave, the Rim Trail, Queens Garden, the Navajo Trail, Tower Bridge, the “Hat Shop,” and Swamp Canyon. For more suggestions of good hikes and other activities in Bryce, consult the National Park Service guide to Day Hikes in Bryce Canyon
In Zion, the two “grand-daddy of all hikes” are The Narrows and Angel’s Landing. The Narrows might be fun for you guys as it entails walking in the Virgin River for a good part of it, and the cool water is very refreshing. Appropriate shoes for hiking in the water are necessary for this. However, if a flash flood warning is in place, you’ll probably have to take a pass on that. If Angel’s Landing doesn’t appeal, there are plenty of other good hikes to make in Zion, as well as activities such as horseback riding, river tubing, ranger talks, etc. Keep in mind that unless you have reservations at the Zion Lodge in the park, you’ll have to utilize the shuttle from Springdale, UT, to access the Zion Scenic Drive.
Hope that helps, and that you have all reservations in place for lodging and guided tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2019 at 2:43 PM
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From Susan
Hello Alley,
I have been reading your recommendations to others and learned so much! I’m wondering g if you could give me some help with a trip I’m planning for my adult daughter and me for April of 2020. We will have a Saturday through the next Saturday to visit. Right now, I’m planning on flying into and out of Phoenix but haven’t purchased any tickets yet. I plan to rent a car in Phoenix. (Thanks for the advice not to drive at night! I had no idea.) Depending on the time of our return flight’s departure, we may want to stay in Phoenix Friday night.The Grand Canyon south rim and Sedona are places on our for sure list. Would you just stick with those two places based on our time frame? If I were to add another place, it would be Page (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell). Would all of this be possible in our timeframe? Neither of us has been to Arizona or Utah and I had originally thought about possibly adding either Bryce, the Arches, or Monument Valley, but I am thinking this will be another trip (unless you think one of these makes sense logistically instead of the trip to Page).
We are both pretty fit (her more than I am) so we would be doing some hiking. I had a question about the tours offered through the Grand Canyon website. Would you recommend doing any of them or just doing things on your own. I had wanted to do one of the mule rides down into the canyon, but can’t figure out if that is a one day experience and if this is only offered through the park service. I’d opt for the one that includes an overnight at Phantom Ranch, but from what I can tell, the Ranch is already booked through next June.
Thank you again for all the time and thought in your responses!
June 24, 2019 at 5:53 PM
Tami
Alley-
I love reading your posts! So happy I found you! We are a family with 2 teenage boys planning a trip this summer and I was hoping to get some feedback from you…
June 28- arrive in Las Vegas
June 29- arrive Grand Canyon South Rim
June 30- arrive in Page
July 1- drive thru Momument Valley and arrive at Moab
We will then be heading into Colorado since we will need to check into a dude ranch near Laramie July 4.
I originally wanted to add Zion at the beginning of the trip but decided that might be too much. Unless you think we could squeeze it in?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!
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Hi Tami, I’m glad you have found our site useful so far!
The only way I can see to squeeze Zion into your itinerary would be to reverse the order in which you visit Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, and visit Zion as kind of a “drive-by” between Las Vegas and Page. Note that there is some construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that will add some time onto an already long drive, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The article linked in the prior passage does suggest an alternate route.
Whether or not you can do this is contingent on whether or not you can change your lodging reservations in Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon, as well as your Antelope Canyon tour reservations. If you are able to pull all that off, you can then hit Monument Valley and Moab, UT, as originally planned. BTW, you’re looking at a couple of long drives also from Grand Canyon South Rim to Moab (at least 6 hours), then from Moab, UT, to Laramie, WY (~7 hours). Hope you’re prepared for that. Nevertheless, plan on spending at least 2 days in Moab. Still, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return trip for when you can stay longer!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2019 at 2:20 PM
Mark Esiyeden
hi alley
will i be able to do grandcanyon for a day from las vegas and drive back same day
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Hi Mark,
I’ll put it this way: can you visit the Grand Canyon as a day trip from Las Vegas? Yes. Should you? Not if you can help it.
For one, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (the side we recommend most for a first time visit) is ~5 hours EACH WAY. If you factor in a stop at Hoover Dam on the way out or back, that will add more time. For maximum enjoyment, at least a one night stay at the Grand Canyon is preferable to a day visit, and a 2-night stay is even better! For more information on Grand Canyon hotels, visit GrandCanyon.com: South Rim Hotels
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:51 PM
wendi chase
I am so glad I found this site !! Planning a trip to Vegas and onward to drive around the Canyon and back… your 7 day trip seems a bit rushed, if I followed it but spread everything out over 2 days would you recommend that ? Or would you recommend some areas , one day is enough? just myself and my husband, we are very physically fit but not hiking fanatics , going for the view and and some R&R to celebrate our 25th anniversary ..
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Hey Wendi, and congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!
If you have more time to spend on this American Southwest tour itinerary, then by all means, do it. You’ll find no shortage of things to see and do in all the different parks and monuments out here, or, as you say, just having some R & R should no doubt be welcome. Speaking of R & R, a good place for some intensive chill time is Sedona, AZ. If you’re flying into and/or out of Phoenix, Sedona is ~2 hours North of PHX, and warrants 2-3 days minimum of your time.
But then again, if you have 14 days to spend, you could do something like this: HorseshoeBend.com: Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More – 14 Days in the Grand Circle
The good news is, it’s hard to go wrong with any kind of vacation out here, whether you try and make the most of every moment, or let things unfold at a more leisurely pace.
Hope that helps. Feel free to his us up again if we can offer further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:48 PM
G
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.
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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 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:39 PM
Maria Tarantino
hello,
the video show how steep some of the ladders are but it did not show the width of canyon.
Does anyone know how wide the passages are …and if i am a little chucky will i fit thru the passages.
Thank you,
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Hi Maria, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
Let me put it this way: people of all shapes and sizes tour Lower Antelope Canyon every day without a problem. The 4:10 mark on the video shows one of the narrower passages, as does 9:48. The problem that surfaces more often than issues with one’s waistline is claustrophobia. Unless you are severely claustrophobic, I’m 99% sure you should be fine! I know, I’m a little “chunky” myself and was just fine.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:29 PM
Gilbert
Me and my wife are planning to visit Grand Canyon. We are from Alberta, Canada, and flight to Las Vegas on 4Aug, and leaving on 9Aug. We would like to spend couple days in Grand Canyon National Park and Lower Antelope Canyon. Are there any suggestions?
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Hi Gilbert,
Flying into Las Vegas on August 4th and out on August 9th gives you four full days in which to travel. In that amount of time, you can accomplish quite a bit, as long as you’re OK with picking up and driving to a new place (almost) every day.
Here’s what I would suggest:
August 5th: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), with stop at Hoover Dam if you wish. Overnight at the Grand Canyon.
August 6th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, ~3.5-4 hours drive (factoring in stops), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ.
August 7th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive to Zion National Park (~2.5-3 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT
August 8th: 2nd day/night in Zion
August 9th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4 hours*), fly home. *drive time reflects possibility of delays due to construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge
The feasibility of the itinerary suggested will depend largely on Grand Canyon hotel availability, as well as availability of Antelope Canyon tours. Be prepared to flip-flop the above itinerary if Grand Canyon hotel availability and Antelope Canyon tour availability dictate doing so.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:22 PM
AJ
Hi, this page is very helpful, thank you.
We are visiting Las Vegas in January 2020, and are considering renting a car to come see antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. What is the weather typically like in January?
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Hi AJ,
Weather in January is typically cold, windy, and carries the possibility of rain or snow. That said, it’s still a good time to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. January is considered “off-season,” meaning it’s not so crowded, which is a plus in my book! Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and pack accordingly. Also, advance reservations are still strongly recommended for Antelope Canyon tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Olivia
Hey my sister and I are driving to antelope canyon from Flagstaff next weekend for the lowerboat tour. How are the roads? Do we need an all terrain vehicle? She just has a small vw golf with bad shocks. Do we need to rent a car?
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Hi Olivia,
The route between Flagstaff and Page, AZ, is fully paved. An all-terrain vehicle is not necessary. To visit Antelope Canyon, you must go with a licensed tour company. Advance reservtions are strongly recommended to tour Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Hanna
HI Ally –
I need some help. 🙂 We are planning on coming to Las Vegas with my husband and 2 teenagers. It will be in July – thinking 4th of July weekend, we are going for a basketball event in Las Vegas. We want to head over to Zion, Bryce, Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope. What would be the best itinerary if we left Vegas on the 5th but come back to Vegas on the 7th. I know it will be super hot so we do not plan to do any hikes. What do you think would be best route to go and stay? So basically it would be 2 nights to stay between these 3 areas/ spots. What is something also we should def not miss from any of these places.
Thanks so much!! Hannah
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Hi Hanna, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
With that short of a timeframe to work with, you won’t really be able to explore any of these attractions in a manner that will do them justice. As you’ve noted, however, that time of year is really hot, so not the ideal time of year to do any long hikes.
The order in which you visit Zion, Bryce, and Page, will be largely dependent on where you can find lodging, and when.
You could do something like this:
July 5th: Drive from Las Vegas to Bryce Canyon via Zion, drive time ~5.5 hours, stay overnight in Bryce Canyon or nearby
July 6th: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Page, AZ (~3 hours), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page
July 7th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, head back to Las Vegas (~5 hour drive)
Depending on availability of hotels, or lack thereof on this busy weekend, you may need to be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary, hitting Page, AZ, first, then Bryce, then head back to Las Vegas. You could do the drive-through of Zion either on the way out or back depending on your schedule. Keep in mind that there is a construction project in progress on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that will add some time to both drives.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 03, 2019 at 2:08 PM
JJ
Hi! We are flying from the East coast on a Saturday in October 2019 to Phoenix and are returning home on Wednesday of that week. We want to see Grand Canyon and Lower Antelope. How do you suggest we plan our time? Thanks!
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Hi JJ!
Using Phoenix as your starting/ending point, it’s “six of one/half a dozen of another” as to how you plan your time. You could go from Phoenix to Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) to the Grand Canyon, then back to Phoenix, or hit the Grand Canyon first, then Page, AZ, before returning to Phoenix. Since either destination is about 5 hours drive (one way) from Phoenix, it really doesn’t matter one way or the other.
With 3 full days to work with, I recommend planning 1 night at the Grand Canyon and 2 nights in Page. Strange as that may sound, 1 night is sufficient for most visitors who are including Page, AZ, in their itinerary because a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will actually occur on the drive to/from Page. The route naturally, and logically takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at. On Navajo Reservation lands, between the Grand Canyon and Page, there is even more to see.
How you plan your trip in Northern Arizona, it will depend on two critical factors. In order of importance, they are:
– Availability (or lack thereof) of Grand Canyon lodging
– Availability (or lack thereof) of Antelope Canyon tours
– Availability (or lack thereof) of Page, AZ, lodging
Start by checking Grand Canyon hotels, and booking accommodations where you can find availability, then do the same for Antelope Canyon tours and Page, AZ, lodging. In Page, AZ, be sure to plan for a visit to the Horseshoe Bend overlook, preferably in the morning hours when it’s cooler and less crowded.
Hope that helps. Feel free to hit us up again if you need to bounce any other ideas off us!
Alley 🙂May 31, 2019 at 3:22 PM
Ivy
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
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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 🙂May 31, 2019 at 3:10 PM
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From Ivy
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
June 01, 2019 at 4:11 AM
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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.
June 18, 2019 at 1:13 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi JR,
Thank you for sharing your experience in Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon with future travelers to Page, AZ!
Alley 🙂June 19, 2019 at 2:51 PM
Mona
Hello,
Thank you so much for your wonderful information. I am so stuck in my itinerary of what to do after reading all the wonderful comments. I have been to GC multiple times but husband has not and our goal is to hike the GC. We are flying into Flagstaff Sept 27 at 730 pm, renting a car and the only reservations we have made are to the El Tovar on 9/28-29. Below is the tentative dates and places. 9/27 Fly into Flagstaff, rent care should we stay in Flagstaff or drive to Williams.
9/28 go to GC, definitely want to see sunset today. Dinner at El Tovar
9/29 hike GC and see sunrise.
9/30 drive to Page, AZ should we do an afternoon canyon tour?
10/1 Page, AZ do canyon tour and boat tour
10/2 sedona
10/3 Sedona would like to do a jeep tour??
10/4 Phoenix or somewhere else???
10/5 Fly home out of Phoenix
Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Trying to get everything pinned down. Thank you in advance for your help.
Mona
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Hi Mona,
Good job on scoring reservations at El Tovar, and late September/early October is a great time to be here!
Your itinerary as it stands looks pretty fun, still, I’d recommend making a couple of minor adjustments, plus injecting a couple of “reality checks.”
For one, when you say “hiking the Grand Canyon is the goal,” if you’re thinking you’ll go rim-to-river and back in one day, that’s not likely to happen. It takes anywhere from 4-6 hours to hike from the South Rim to the Colorado River — all downhill — then another 7-10 hours to hike from the Colorado River back to the rim — ALL UPHILL. I’ll put it this way: marathon runners have had a hard time doing what is referred to as a “burn run” (rim-to-river and back, 1 day). To experience the Inner Canyon in the safest, most comfortable way, it’s best to hike down, spend the night, either at Bright Angel Campground or Phantom Ranch, then hike back out the next day. Unfortunately, Grand Canyon backcountry permits for Bright Angel Campground or reservations at Phantom Ranch are extremely hard to come by, and tend to be sold out 1 year or more in advance.
The good news is that day hiking can be done without a permit, and there are plenty of wonderful hikes you can do, depending on your fitness level, timeframe, and inclinations. The over-arching rule of thumb is that 1 hour hiking down = 2 hours to hike back out. Food and water must be carried if you plan on spending any more than 1 hour’s time, or going further than 1 mile round-trip below the rim. If 2-3 hours tops is all the time you want to spend, you might consider hiking to Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab Trail. It’s 3 miles round trip, amazing views, but no water on the trail. You must utilize the National Park Service’s hiker’s shuttle to get to the trail head. If you’re up for a hike of 6-8 hours or thereabouts, you might go as far as Indian Gardens (9 mile round-trip) or Plateau Point (12 miles round-trip) on the Bright Angel Trail. The Bright Angel Trail does have potable water piped into several resthouses located every 1.5 miles down the trail, but you should still bring your own, as well as high-energy snacks, sunscreen, and some first aid items such as moleskin (for blisters). For other suggestions of good day hikes, visit Grand Canyon National Park Service: Grand Canyon Day Hiking
As for the rest of your trip plan, with a 7:30 PM arrival time in Flagstaff, I’d recommend just staying there for the night. Williams is only ~30 minutes away and has fewer choices of hotels, restaurants, etc, plus it will already be dark by the time you arrive, and you want to avoid doing any driving around here after sunset. The next morning, you might get an early start on the day and plan on being at the Grand Canyon Railway Depot in Williams for the Wild West Shootout. That occurs at ~9:00 AM.
On your arrival day in Page, AZ, there’s no need to do another slot canyon tour since you’re already planning to do one the next day. The drive from the Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, will have already entailed a lot of sightseeing, so you might simply settle in at your hotel, or go relax with a cocktail somewhere. If you’re still feeling energetic enough to do some other things, a visit to the John Wesley Powell Museum is a good way to get to know the “backstory” of Page, AZ, or you might do one of several interesting yet low-key hikes in the area, such as the Hanging Gardens or the “New” Wave. Parking permitting, you might also pop into Horseshoe Bend on the way into town; in the likely event you find the parking area full, plan to visit it just after sunrise the next morning.
In Sedona, plan on doing the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour. On the day prior to when you indicate you’re flying out of Phoenix, I interpret “10/4 Phoenix or somewhere else??” to mean that you were thinking about visiting another area that day? I’d actually recommend simply remaining in the Sedona area. 3 days is the minimum recommendation for a vacation there, but nevertheless, I hear from tons of people who spent 4-5 days there yet feeling as though they only scratched the surface. If you’re open to doing a day trip at that point, you might consider Montezuma’s Castle & Well and/or Tuzigoot National Monument, the former ghost town turned artist colony of Jerome, AZ, or perhaps a scenic train trip on the Verde Canyon Railway (much better views than the Grand Canyon Railway!). Then again, simply hanging out and enjoying some downtime is OK, too. There’s no law saying you have to plan every. single. minute. of your vacation. 😉
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 31, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Jane
Do all your kayak tours leave that early in the morning? We will be visiting next May 2020 and wondered if you had afternoon kayak trips to Hidden Canyon. Thank you, Jane
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Hi Jane,
There’s are several reasons why kayak tours depart first thing in the morning: 1. mornings offer cooler temperatures and less wind; afternoons are hot, and usually windy, which are not ideal conditions for kayaking; 2. tour boats and private boats start getting out on Lake Powell en masse around mid-morning; this creates large wakes, which, again, are not conducive to kayaking. You are welcome to contact Hidden Canyon Kayak to verify this, and they may even be willing to put together a private charter trip for you. Their phone # is (928) 660-1836.
BTW, we commend you on making your 2020 vacation plans well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 30, 2019 at 1:18 PM
Bobby
Hi,
I am planning a trip to Page, Arizona during July 4th weekend. I am driving from Vegas on the 4th and would want to see the sunset at Horseshoe bend. How crowded is it usually during this weekend? What is the best time to go and where is the best place to park? I plan on sleeping in the car over night, are you able to recommend any places for car camping that would be relatively close to Antelope Canyon? My tour for Upper Antelope Canyon is at 6:30 am, hoping this would be bright enough for beautiful pictures!
Thank you in advance!!
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Hi Bobby,
4th of July is one of the busiest weekends of the year in Page, AZ. At sunset, you will be sharing Horseshoe Bend with a lot of other people with the same idea, that is IF you can find parking. It would be better to plan on visiting the overlook at sunrise, which occurs at ~5:00 AM in July. You would need to be at your Antelope Canyon tour outfitter’s office by 6:00 AM for a 6:30 AM tour. Most Antelope Canyon tour companies are anywhere from 10-20 minutes from Horseshoe Bend.
Sleeping in one’s car constitutes camping according to local laws, which must be done at designated campgrounds. The closest one to Horseshoe Bend is the Page/Lake Powell Campground, but frankly, I’d advise against doing this at the time of year you’re visiting. July is one of the hottest months of the year and the interior of your vehicle will be uncomfortably warm. Spring for a hotel and enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. Page, AZ, hotels You’ll have a much better time of it, trust me!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 30, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Rita
Hi,
I would like to apply for the wave permit for hiking in October 2019 for 2 people, question can each of us separately apply for a permit for us or would we be eliminated since both names would be in the lottery twice?
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Hi Rita,
Sorry, that would be considered attempting to “game the system,” and would result in the disqualification of both applications.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you on getting a permit, they’re hard to come by. If you don’t manage to get one in the on-line lottery, you can try for the walk-in lottery at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitors Center in Kanab, UT, the day prior to when you wish to hike.
For more information on The Wave and alternate sightseeing options that don’t require a permit, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 28, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Jennifer E
Hi there! Your itineraries are amazing!!! We are thinking of flying into Las Vegas and spending a day or two there and then heading to Grand Canyon for a couple of days. From there we would like to visit Monument Valley and stay there a night or two and then thinking of heading up to Salt Lake City to fly back home. What are your thoughts on this? We are thinking about 7-10 days for the trip. It is 2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 8. Thanks in advance!
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Hi Jennifer and thanks for the compliments 🙂
First off, you’ll definitely want to allow 10 days or more for this trip. Lots to see and do, and with the distance between airports, you’ll be glad you had the extra time! Assuming that you will indeed have 10 days, I’d recommend as follows:
Day 1 – fly into Las Vegas, stay overnight
Day 2 – 2nd day/night in Las Vegas. With the 2 kids being underage, you’ll be somewhat limited in where you can go/what you can do, but there is still plenty on offer to keep kids entertained! Kid-Friendly Las Vegas Activities
Day 3 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hours), stop at Hoover Dam if desired, overnight at Grand Canyon **IMO you’ll only need 1 night at Grand Canyon because a big chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will be done the following day.
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in the stops you’ll make at various Grand Canyon viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, maybe stop for brunch/lunch at the Cameron Trading Post in the Navajo Indian Reservation), overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise for ease of parking, cooler temperatures, then tour Antelope Canyon (consider bundling your Antelope Canyon tour with a visit to the Navajo Village Heritage Center or a boat tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon), 2nd night in Page, AZ
Day 6 – Drive to Monument Valley (~2.5 hours), overnight in Monument Valley.
Day 7 – Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley, drive to Moab, UT (~2.5 hours), stop at Forrest Gump Point and/or Goosenecks State Park, overnight in Moab
Day 8 – 2nd day/night in Moab, explore Arches National Park
Day 9 – 3rd day/night in Moab, explore Canyonlands National Park **Visit Moab Adventure Center for suggestions on activities, including white water rafting, 4WD tours, horseback riding, etc.
Day 10 – drive to SLC (~4 hours), fly home
The first thing I would recommend verifying is availability of Grand Canyon lodging, then Antelope Canyon tours. You may need to be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if availability of those two trip elements is more conducive to doing so.
Plan to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass also. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the country for 1 year. It won’t work in areas like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, which are Native American Tribal Parks, or State Parks, which Goosenecks of the San Juan falls under, but it will still pay for itself on this trip. If you’re in the US, you might pre-order it online, or simply purchase it at the first National Park you visit on your itinerary.
Hope that helps, feel free to hit us up again if you need/want to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 28, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Nelia
We’re planning a trip to Antelope Canyon and do all three tours, Lower/ Upper canyons and boat tour. I’m reading under ken’s tour policy that we are not allowed to bring backpacks or any bags whatsoever, but however when I’m watching videos of the tour I see people with backpacks. Are we or aren’t we allowed to bring any bags? Also are we allowed to bring our own water bottle (Hydroflask) on the tours?
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Hi Nelia,
That’s a great question. The video you’ve seen was actually taken several years ago, when the tour companies still allowed people to carry backpacks. That’s no longer the case as it was determined that backpacks were more of a hazard as demand for tours of the canyon grew. Therefore, you’ll need to leave your backpack behind, but you are welcome to bring a water bottle.
Hoe that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 28, 2019 at 2:08 PM
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From Anna
Hi Alley, I am trying to book on a day tour to antelope canyon and horseshoe bend from Las Vegas and struggling to find a tour operator that looks legitimate, can you recommend?
Thank you!!
AnnaMay 30, 2019 at 7:06 PM
barbara steele
can you please help me sort our itenerary? I am feeling over whlemed.
day 1 friday – arrive in phoenix at 8 am. driving straight to sedona. full day of sight seeing
day 2 saturday- atv ride at 8 am sedona. then arriving at the grand canyon that evening
day 3 sunday – sight seeeing the grand canyon. taking bike ride there. leaving that night to go to page.
day 4 monday – definately doing a flat boat ride and possibly antelope canyon and horseshoe bend.
day 5 tuesday – uncertain may do antelope canyon then looking for suggestion that night arrive at bryce canyon
day 6 -wednesday seeing what to in bryce when we get there
day 7 thursday- mule ride in bryce leave for vegas
day 8 friday – in vegas
day 9 satruday – headed home
open for any suggestions on any day
barbara steele
can you please help me sort our itenerary? I am feeling over whlemed.
day 1 friday – arrive in phoenix at 8 am. driving straight to sedona. full day of sight seeing
day 2 saturday- atv ride at 8 am sedona. then arriving at the grand canyon that evening
day 3 sunday – sight seeeing the grand canyon. taking bike ride there. leaving that night to go to page.
day 4 monday – definately doing a flat boat ride and possibly antelope canyon and horseshoe bend.
day 5 tuesday – uncertain may do antelope canyon then looking for suggestion that night arrive at bryce canyon
day 6 -wednesday bryce canyon mule ride. head to las vegas early evening
day 7 thursday- in vegas
day 8 friday – headed home
open for any suggestions on any day
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Hi Barbara,
Your itinerary looks pretty well planned, except where you indicate you’d “arrive that evening.” You want to avoid any nighttime driving in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local roads, and the possibility of having an encounter with deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses in areas with spotty cell phone service.
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but check sites like www.sunrise-sunset.org/pageaz and remember that any drive time estimates given on Google Maps should be padded by 20-30%. All roads around here are very scenic and should definitely be traveled during the daylight hours to take advantage of the many photo opportunities you’ll encounter. For example, the drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon is given as 2.5 hours, but usually ends up being more along the lines of 3-3.5; the trip to Page, AZ, from Grand Canyon South Rim is given as 2.5 hours as well, but 3.5-4 hours is a more realistic figure factoring in stops along the canyon rim, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, etc. Likewise for Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, you can get there in 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens.
On your day in Page, AZ, plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. Definitely make advance reservations for Antelope Canyon tours and the Glen Canyon Float Trip. If you’re visiting during the summer, you’ll want to take the early morning departure of the float trip to avoid the afternoon heat.
One place that is conspicuously absent from your itinerary is Zion National Park. If possible, you might drop that day in Las Vegas and allot it to Zion (lodging in Springdale, UT) instead. Zion is right on your way from Bryce to Las Vegas anyway, and it’s beautiful. One potential glitch, though, depending on when you were planning to travel, is that a lot of the park trails are closed right now due to recent heavy rains that have resulted in washouts, rock falls and other hazards. Also, if you’re visiting later this summer, there’s a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that will be under construction. That could add some time to your drive to Las Vegas. Whether you visit Zion or not, you’ll have to pass through it.
Hope that helps. Please feel free to hit us up again if we can offer further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 27, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Sue M.
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!
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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 🙂May 27, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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From Sue M.
Absolutely amazing in your level of detail provided. I can’t thank you enough!
May 28, 2019 at 3:49 PM
Seoah Park
Hi I have a question.
I want to go the Antelopecanyon lower!
The guide is necessary??
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Hi Seoah,
Yes, a guide is absolutely necessary to tour Lower Antelope Canyon because it is located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. For a more in-depth experience, consider “bundling” your Lower Antelope Canyon Tour with a boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s Waterside on Lake Powell.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 27, 2019 at 3:36 PM
Vats
Hello Alley,
At the outset I would like to thank you for helping us (tourist) from all over the world. Your Blog is really cool & will bookmark it for my use.
We (family of 3 with a toddler) would be visiting from Boston Mid of August & this would be our first trip to the Wild Wild West so to speak :-).
Our Planned Itinerary is as follows. Flight tickets are booked from BOS. Arriving in PHOENIX but our return departure is from LAS VEGAS.
With a toddler we won’t be able to drive more than 4h-5h each day & we would prefer to avoid driving in the night all together.
Day – 1: BOS to PHOENIX. Stay in Flagstaff, AZ
Day – 2: Grand Canyon NP – Stay in Williams, AZ
Day – 3: Grand Canyon NP for half a day – Stay in Page, AZ
Day – 4: Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell & Glen Canyon NP – Stay in Kanab, UT
Day – 5: Zion NP – Stay in Hurricane, UT
Day – 6: Zion NP – Stay in Hurricane, UT
Day – 7: Las Vegas
Day – 8: Las Vegas
Day – 9: Early Morning departure from LV to BOS.
Can you please provide your views/feedback on our Itinerary & below couple of questions.
1) Is 1 1/2 days at Grand Canyon & 2 Days at Zion sufficient if we are planning mild hikes only.
2) Among Glen Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon & Lake Powell – Due to shortage of time we are leaving out Bryce Canyon – Your inputs on this please?
Any other suggestion is welcome to make our tour a memorable one 🙂
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Hi Vats, and thank you for your compliments 🙂
First off, there’s a wonderful place you haven’t factored into your itinerary that really deserves some of your time: Sedona. It’s ~a 2-2.5 hour drive from Phoenix, has stunning scenery and lots of family-friendly activities. I’d recommend staying there instead of Flagstaff, AZ, and dropping a day in Las Vegas to accommodate it.
Second, staying either inside Grand Canyon National Park or Tusayan just outside the park is preferable to staying in Williams. That way, you’ll be better positioned to enjoy sunset and/or sunrise at the Grand Canyon and not have to face an hour drive back to your lodging location. As you’ve deduced, driving at night is not a great idea in this part of the U.S.
As for whether you can squeeze Bryce in, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1: BOS to PHX, drive to Sedona (~2-2.5 hours from Phoenix), overnight in Sedona.
Day 2: 2nd day/night in Sedona
Day 3: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), tour Upper Antelope Canyon (best for kids) and possibly a short boat tour on Lake Powell, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 5: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce or nearby
Day 6: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Hurricane, UT
Day 7: 2nd day/night in Zion
Day 8: 1/2 day in Zion, then drive to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 9: Fly home
Whatever you decide to do, book all your lodging and Antelope Canyon tours ASAP. Also, plan on purchasing an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass at the first National Park you visit to save money on entrance fees. It won’t work at Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, but it will pay for itself on this trip, plus you can use it at other National Parks and Monuments for one year’s time.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 24, 2019 at 4:18 PM
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From Vats
Thank you Alley for patiently replying in detail to all of the comments you receive.
We will take your suggestion to include Sedona in our trip :-).
May 26, 2019 at 12:22 AM
Katherine
Hi,
Looking for advise on the best route from Las Vegas ->Grand Canyon (don’t have a rim preference, whatever makes sense!)->Page, AZ. Would love your input!
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Hi Katherine,
First off, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon Park recommended for first time visitors. It has more in the way of visitor services, such as hotels, restaurants, gift shops, etc., plus it’s equally accessible from either Phoenix or Las Vegas. It’s about a 4.5-5 hour drive from either city. It’s best to seek Grand Canyon lodging inside the park, or Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park.
As for the order in which you visit Page and/or the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, it’s six of one/half a dozen of the other. Page, AZ, is also about 4.5-5 hours from Las Vegas, then Grand Canyon South Rim would be ~3.5-4 hours from Page, AZ (factoring in stops). The deciding factor(s) will most likely be 1. availability (or lack thereof) of Grand Canyon hotels, and 2. availability (or lack thereof) of Antelope Canyon tours. Check these first, then the rest of your trip plans should fall into place from there.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 24, 2019 at 3:58 PM
cecilia
Hi Alley,
For a 7 day trip including 4 corners what would you recommend. We can start any location! Thank you!
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Hi Cecilia and thank you for your inquiry.
First of all, before you totally upend your vacation plans, you should decide whether or not you really want to include the Four Corners Monument in your itinerary. According to many who’ve been there, it’s just OK. If you truly want to tick it off your bucket list — having been there myself, I understand the appeal of doing so — it wouldn’t be too hard to incorporate it into this 7-day itinerary. On your Monument Valley travel day, simply head directly for 4 Corners, which is ~a 4 hour drive from the Grand Canyon, then return to Monument Valley via Bluff, UT. That would be ~a 90 minute drive from 4 Corners, and that way you can easily pop by Mexican Hat, and Forrest Gump Point.
If you’re not opposed to “reinventing the wheel” as it were, Four Corners is ~a 4 hour drive from Albuquerque, NM, which makes for a good starting point for a loop through Northern New Mexico and Southeastern Colorado, which would potentially include Mesa Verde National Park, the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Telluride, Ouray, Chama, Taos, and Santa Fe.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 24, 2019 at 3:49 PM
bonnie
Hi, Is there a BUS tour from Vegas ? I would like the Upper Canyon as well as boat ride Tour for early August 2019.
I see several upper canyon tours and Horseshoe bend, however no boat rides.
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Hi Bonnie,
Unfortunately, logistics — namely a 5 hour drive each way from Las Vegas to Page and back — do not allow for a combination Upper Canyon and Boat Tour to be offered as an option with the bus tour. If you would like to take the Upper Antelope + Boat Tour bundle, the best way to go about this is to self-drive and stay the night in Page, AZ. You could then visit Horseshoe Bend on your own as well.
Hope that helps.
Alley 🙂May 23, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Neha
Hi
Any one suggest me nearest place to stay in Antelope for 25th night any MOtel- lower prices because I got early morning bookking for Antelope Canyon at 6 o clock in the mrng
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Hi Neha,
If you’re referring to Saturday, May 25th, that is Memorial Day weekend, and everything is likely to be sold out. You’ll probably have to take what you can get, regardless of price, but before you do that, I’d recommend checking out the properties in the area of Page, AZ, known as the “Street of Little Motels.” These motels are typically not featured in most online searches because they are independently owned and operated and prefer to do things the “old school way,” meaning, by phone. For more information go to VisitPageLakePowell.com/LittleStreetofMotels
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 22, 2019 at 7:51 PM
Lola
Hi! Is the lower antelope open this Friday?
Also is there any website that I can check if it’s open?
Thx!
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Hi Lola,
Due to heavy rainfall, all tours to Antelope Canyon tours were cancelled for today, Thursday, May 23rd. For a status update for tomorrow, I recommend checking the Facebook pages of the two tour outfitters that go to Lower Antelope Canyon: Dixie Ellis and Ken’s Tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2019 at 2:18 PM
DIANE LUND
We have an open day, one day, on our trip to AZ to head to Page from GC. The date is June 26. As far as time of year (summer) , what is our best option for a tour time? We can leave Tusayan early on that day but is it realistic to aim for the 10:30 am tour? Are midday times really hot?
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Hi Diane,
In answer to your query, yes, it is very hot in Page, AZ, at the time of year you’re visiting. Besides, you might find that mid-day Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out. If they’re not, I recommend grabbing a seat ASAP. Better yet, try to leave Tusayan, AZ, first thing in the morning (sunrise occurs at about 5:00 AM at that time of year, sunset at around 8:00 PM) so you can get on an earlier tour, or, spend the night in Page, AZ, and take an Antelope Canyon tour that following morning. They go out as early as 6:00 AM at that time of year. Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 21, 2019 at 7:13 PM
Sindy
Hi, I am planning to visit the upper antelope canyon during the end of this june and I was wondering if we are able to use our cellphone cameras to take pictures with no intention of selling the pictures or anything. Everything is kind of confusing and I would like to make sure we can get on with our plan or make a new one. thank you!
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Hi Sindy,
You are perfectly fine to take pictures in Antelope Canyon with your cellphone camera! Your tour guide can even provide tips on how to get the best shots.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 21, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Siladitya Basu
Hello,
We planning upper antelope canyon between May 26th to May 30 , We are 2 adults and 2 kids (1 is 11 yrs and another is 4 yrs) . Is there any restriction for 4yrs old kid to visit upper antelope?
Aslo could you please let me know ticket availibity between these days?
Thanks,
Siladitya
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Dear Siladitya,
The tour company we contract with on the Upper Antelope Canyon tour on our website does not allow children younger than 6. However, there are three other companies that do allow younger kids:
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours (http://www.antelopecanyon.com), 928-645-9102;
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours (http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com), 928.380.1874; and
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (www.navajotours.com), 928-698-3384
If you are interested in doing the boat tour as well, you would need to call Antelope Point Marina directly at (928) 608-4477.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂May 21, 2019 at 3:03 PM
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From Swathi
Hi Alley,
This http://www.antelopecanyon.com says sold out for all the dates we are looking for.
This say http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com, kids younger than 7 years are not allowed.
This www.navajotours.com shows the earliest available is from Oct 2019.Please help, we are looking for July 31st or Aug 1st or Aug 2nd this year.
Thank you.
July 01, 2019 at 2:46 AM
Abhishek B
Need 4 tickets for Upper canyon and Boat tour for Sunday 26th . Anyone cancelling or Any chances of availability?
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Hi Abhishek,
Unfortunately, my inquiries also show that the Upper Antelope Canyon + Boat tour is sold out on Sunday May 26th. If the tours online do not show availability, you might try contacting the tour outfitters for both tour components directly. For Upper Antelope Canyon, it’s Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours at 928-645-5594. For the boat tour component, call Antelope Point Marina at (928) 608-4477.
You might also consider touring Lower Antelope Canyon + Boat Tour bundle, I do show seats available on Sunday May 26th. To determine whether your party can handle Lower Antelope Canyon, please watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:25 PM
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From Abhishek B
Thanks , will visit the lower this time. In the boat tour is same as lake Powell boat tour?
Do you have any discounts for group?May 21, 2019 at 6:51 PM
Gary
Hi,
We have a group of 14 (6 adults and 8 kids) and we are wondering about the Lower Canyon tour and whether it is an ideal tour for the kids. We have a 3 yr old and a 7 yr old and wonder how “difficult” it would be for them. The 3 yr old would be carried (on some kind of baby carrier/backpack). The Lower Canyon seems more interesting to us but want to get a better idea of how challenging it would be. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated !!!
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Hi Gary,
The best way to get a sense for how realistic it would be to tour Lower Antelope Canyon is to watch this Full Walk-Through Video. Bear in mind that even if your tour outfitter allows baby carriers, you must be extremely careful to watch your child’s head. We’d hate to have your little one’s vacation ruined by injuring themselves on a low-hanging rock or ledge. Also, consider your child’s weight carefully and whether or not you can carry them up several ladders and staircases. If you have any doubts, you might want to opt for touring Upper Antelope Canyon this time around. Bringing Kids To Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:31 PM
Regan Peterson
Hi Alley,
We are planning a trip to Page in September. Our youngest will be close to 4 at the time of our visit. I am wondering if you think it will be possible for her to do the Lower Antelope Canyon tour? I’ve watched the full walk through and think as long as she doesn’t have to rush down the initial decent she will be fine. Will they let us put her in an Ergo carrier on our back getting down into the canyon and then let her out to walk once we are in the canyon?
Thanks,
Regan
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Hi Regan,
Both Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters have indicated in past correspondence that they do allow baby carriers, but I would still recommend calling your chosen tour company directly to get approval for it. Also, bear in mind that you may end up carrying your child for longer than you expect, which may tire you out sooner than you bargained for. If you have any doubts, you may want to opt for Upper Antelope Canyon this time around.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Sudha
Alley,
what can we do with a 5 and half year old in Antelope Canyon? Looks like we can only do the boat tour..
we would like to visit Antelope Canyon, Bryce, Zion on a 1 week trip and are looking for itinerary suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Dear Sudha,
Unfortunately, the tour company we contract with on the Upper Antelope Canyon + Boat Tour bundle does not allow children younger than 6. However, there are three other companies that do allow younger kids:
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours (www.antelopecanyon.com), 928-645-9102;
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours (www.navajoantelopecanyon.com), 928.380.1874; and
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (www.navajotours.com), 928-698-3384
If you are interested in doing the boat tour as well, you would need to call Antelope Point Marina directly at (928) 608-4477.
For recommendations on how to spend a week’s time in the area, visit our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:47 PM
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From Sudha
Alley,
Please see itinerary below and let me know what else can be included.
Day 1- Vegas to Page(any place we can cover enroute)
Day 2 – Antelope canyon tour, Horseshoe bend
Day 3 – Boat tour, Monument valley
Day 4 – Bryce canyon
Day 5- Zion national park
Day 6- Back to vegasI am skeptical about day 3 and 4… not sure how it will materialize, any better ideas?
Thanks in advance
June 15, 2019 at 11:08 PM
Bruce
We are four adults leaving Kansas City the 14th or 15th of September and have reservations in Zion the 19-20 of September. Any suggestions for lodging, directions and sights? A boat tour sounds very nice.
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Hey Bruce,
I need to know a little bit more to advise you best. Are you flying out of KC, or driving? If you’re driving from Kansas City, MO, then I’d say drop down to Joplin, MO, and take the opportunity to travel Route 66! With 5 days to make the trip, you can also make a detour through Grand Canyon South Rim and Page, AZ, before arriving at Zion.
If this is indeed how you plan to go (drive), and the proposition to drive Route 66 appeals to you, there are a number of groups on Facebook, and a dedicated forum on TripAdvisor, full of people who are happy to answer questions and be a sounding board for any ideas you might have.
If I’m totally off-base here and you are planning to fly, let us know and we’ll go from there.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:58 PM
Kathy
Hi Alley, Wow so much good information here! Thank you! We are retiring in a few months and to celebrate we’re hitting the road to visit the Western United States and could use your help with a bit of planning … it’s a little in advance of our travel but it’s gonna be a long trip and we are trying to make the best of our time there … We should arrive in Williams, Arizona about May 1, 2020 and we’ll have about 3 weeks to see as much as we can see during this section of our trip heading towards Las Vegas … we’d like to include the Grand Canyon, Sedona, all the National Parks in Utah … Page, Zion, Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab … we want to see as much as possible … if we need more time then now is when we need to know that to make adjustments to our time line … we will be towing a 40′ 5th wheel so please keep that in mind as far as paved roads etc … also one last note – I am very into photography so if there is anything off the beaten path that you feel is a must see please let me know … we’ve dreamed about this trip for a long time and so excited that it’s within reach. We’ve been to Hoover Dam a few times so not necessary to stop there again. if you could suggest a route and about how much time we need at each area it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you again 🙂
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Hi Kathy, and congratulations on your impending retirement! It’s definitely good that you are planning your American Southwest vacation well in advance.
At the time of year you’re visiting, you’ll definitely want to plan on staying in developed campgrounds. Early May is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring, so what the weather will be like is anybody’s guess. You could get an early teaser of summer weather where you’ll be glad you had air conditioning, or, old man winter might decide to try for a last stand or two, where you’ll definitely want reliable heat. Also, being willing/able to unhook your 5th wheel from your tow vehicle will open up more possibilities for self-touring in the various locations you stop at.
With 3 weeks to work with, you can definitely tick off all the items from your “wish list,” and maybe include some time in Western Colorado, or take a swing up into Northern Utah, depending on the weather, and your particular interests. With a 40′ RV, you’ll want to verify that all roads you propose to travel are conducive to RV travel. If you haven’t done so already, I’d recommend joining TripAdvisor and consulting their regional travel forums as well as the “Road Trips” forum. RV.net is a good source of guidance, too.
With that in mind, a sample itinerary would go something along the lines of:
Day 1: Drive to Sedona, AZ. Overnight in Sedona.
Day 2: Visit Bell Rock, Chapel of Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, etc. 2nd night in Sedona. 100 Things To Do In Sedona
Day 3: Take sunrise hot air balloon ride, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 3rd night in Sedona.
**Driving to Sedona, you may wish to avoid taking 89A from Flagstaff as this road is very narrow and windy; it can be done, and has been done by people pulling trailers, but if you’re the least bit apprehensive about it, go in and out through the “back way” via I-17 and AZ179. Do not attempt to go through Jerome, AZ, as it has a 50′ total length limitation on local roads.***
Day 4: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours from Sedona via ), overnight in Grand Canyon Trailer Village (in-park) or Grand Canyon Camper Village (in Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park).
Day 5: Sightseeing at Grand Canyon, use free shuttles to tour Grand Canyon Village area and overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. 2nd night in Grand Canyon.
Day 6: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ along East Rim/Desert View Drive, stop at overlooks that permit RV’s, Cameron Trading Post for lunch/brunch (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops), overnight in Lake Powell Resort RV Park or Page/Lake Powell Campground in Page, AZ.
Day 7: Visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM, tour Antelope Canyon, possibly short Lake Powell Boat Tour. Antelope Canyon land/waterside tour bundles
Day 8: Take tour to White Pocket (great photography location, not much hiking required), spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 9: Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Monument Valley.
Day 10: Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley, 2nd night in Monument Valley.
Day 11: Drive from Monument Valley to Durango, CO (~3.5 hour drive), overnight in Durango.
Day 12: Explore Mesa Verde National Park, 2nd night in Durango.
Day 13: Take Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge train trip, 3rd night in Durango.
Day 14: Drive from Durango, CO, to Moab, UT (~3 hour drive), overnight in Moab.
Day 15: Explore Arches National Park, 2nd night in Moab Things To Do in Moab
Day 16: Explore Canyonlands National Park, 3rd night in Moab
Day 17: Drive from Moab, UT, to Capitol Reef National Park, overnight in Torrey.
Day 18: Drive from Torrey to Bryce Canyon (via UT24 & UT62 through Loa and Antimony, NOT via UT12), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 19: Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2.5 hours, overnight in Springdale, UT **please read this guide to taking RV’s in the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel to determine if your 5th wheel will fit**
Day 20: Hiking in Zion, 2nd night in Springdale
Day 21: Drive from Springdale to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours [longer than usual due to a long-term construction project on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge]).
Be sure to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. Those 62 and over qualify for a lifetime pass. You can pre-order it online, or simply purchase it at the first National Park you visit.
Hope that helps. Feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 8:14 PM
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From Kathy
Alley, Thank you so very much! You’ve been very helpful and I’m sure before we depart we’ll be in touch with you again! 🙂
May 20, 2019 at 9:57 PM
AikiPapi
Alley and Friends –
Can’t thank you enough for sharing all of this guidance – it has been both informative and educational to read through.
We’re planning a mini-grand-circle tour (~8 days) for our NJ family of 5 at the end of next month (June), including parents and three “children” (ages 20, 20, and 11). Trying to see and do as much as possible and keep everyone entertained without outstripping attention spans and our tolerance for too many back-to-back long car rides together : )
With this in mind, I’ve put together the loose itinerary below in the hopes that you may be able to further advise in terms of (1) a reality check toward “do-ability”, and (2) any notable sites we might want to hit along our circular route.
Thanks in advance for any further insights you can share!
Day 1: Arrive in LV (LAS) around noon
• Lunch in LV area
• Drive 45 min. to Hoover Dam for afternoon tour
• Drive 2 hrs. to Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, AZ
o Stop/Shop/Snack in Kingman, AZ en route
• Dinner at Diamond Creek (in Lodge)
Day 2: Peach Springs, AZ
• Breakfast in Lodge
• 1-day rafting trip with Hualapai River Runners (aka Rivers and Oceans?)
• Drive 2 hrs. to Hotel in Tusayan, AZ near South Rim of GC
• Dinner in Tusayan
Day 3: Tusayan/GC South Rim
• Breakfast at Hotel?
• Hit Grocery Store to fill cooler for picnic later
• FREE TIME?
• Grand Canyon Village
o Cooler Picnic Lunch
o Canyon View Information Plaza & Film
o Hike Bright Angel Trail?
o Be at rim for sunset
o Dinner in Village
• Drive 2.5 hours to Hotel in Page, AZ
o (Super Wal-Mart & Safeway in town)
Day 4: Page, AZ
• Combo Lower Antelope Slot Canyon Hike and Kayak Tour: https://www.kayakpowell.com/
o Hike 1.1 miles (~ 1.5 hrs.) @ 9:15 AM
o Big Lake Trading Post for food
o Kayak 4-5 miles (~ 3 hrs.) 20 min. away @ 12:30 PM
• Canyon X or Secret Canyon are alternatives
• Back to Hotel – RELAX
• Dinner?
Day 5: Page, AZ
• Morning Hike 0.6 miles to Horseshoe Bend (Colorado River) view
• Breakfast at Ranch House Grille or Canyon Crepes
• 1-2 hours Jetskiing on Lake Powell (from Antelope Point Marina?)
• Lake Powell
• See Rainbow Bridge? (would love to, but seems like a half-day commitment unto itself)
• Drive 2.5 hours to Hotel @ Bryce Canyon, UT
Day 6: Bryce Canyon, UT
• Tour canyon via ATV or MTB (if we can find a nice beginner to intermediate trail)
o Hike Canyon if we’re better off mountain biking in Zion
• Free shuttle to scenic spots from station north of park, or at Ruby’s Inn and the Grand Hotel?
• Drive 1.5 hours to [Hotel] at Zion National Park, UT Hotel
Day 7: Zion National Park, UT
• Upper Emerald Pools Trail (3-mile) or Narrows (riverbed) Hike?
o Perhaps MTB tour if not done at Bryce
• Dinner in Springdale, UT?
• Drive 2.5 Hours to [Hotel] Las Vegas, NV
o Leave evening or next morning
Day 8: Las Vegas, NV
• Hotel Pool
• Dinner Reservation
• Tour Strip
Day 9: Depart LV (LAS) mid-day
• Pool (if time)
• Leave for McCarran Airport
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Hi AikiPapi,
Boy, I wish we had a trip planning prize, because if we did, I’d give it to you!
Your itinerary looks really fun and very well thought out, and as much as I hate to say it, it’s a trifle overplanned. Day 4, for example, the Combo Lower Antelope Slot Canyon Hike and Kayak Tour should be plenty of fun for one day! One thing you need to keep in mind is that June is going to be really hot in areas like Page, AZ, and Las Vegas, so you definitely want to get your more “labor intensive” activities done in the morning. By the time you get done with the kayaking part of the tour, you’re going to be more inclined to relax with a cocktail than see another slot canyon. If you do have more energy to burn, I recommend something that takes place indoors, where there’s air conditioning, such as visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, or maybe firing off a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon. For dinner, you might consider “Into The Grand” which is a cultural/historical experience more like a dinner theatre than a restaurant.
But I’m getting a little off-track…
You have the 1-Day Grand Canyon White Water rafting trip planned, which is awesome! Having taken that trip myself, however, I can tell you that the last thing you’ll want to do afterwards is face a 2.5 hour drive to the South Rim. If the helicopter airlift at the end of the raft trip is cancelled due to wind or whatever reason, that’s going to add another 2 hours onto your trip time. I’d recommend trying to get another night at Hualapai Lodge or maybe Seligman, AZ, if you possibly can, then head to the Grand Canyon after you’ve all had a good night’s sleep. Another consideration is that nighttime driving is not a good idea in this part of the country due to the dearth or sometimes complete lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to congregate around them at night. For a similar reason, I’d recommend leaving the Grand Canyon for Page, AZ, well before sunset, or seeing if you can overnight in the Grand Canyon area on Day 3. One thing working in your favor at the time of year you’re traveling is the longest daylengths of the year; sunrise occurs at ~5:00 AM and sun sets at around 8:00 PM (Arizona time).
On Day 5, there’s no way you’re going to be able to do a boat tour to Rainbow Bridge unless you ’86 all your other plans. You are correct in that Lake Powell boat tours will take the better part of a day, 7-8 hours usually. The current tour schedule is two daily departures, one at 7:30 AM and a second at 12:30 PM. Also, depending on the water level of Lake Powell, you may have to hike 2-3 miles round trip from the boat dock to the bridge. If that doesn’t appeal, one way you might still be able to check Rainbow Bridge off your wish list is to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from Page Municipal Airport daily. Mornings are the best time to fly for best light and lack of wind. Just after sunrise is also the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend for cooler temperatures and thinner crowds.
As for the rest of your trip, if downtime happens, don’t fret. Every vacation should have at least some unscheduled time where moments just “happen,” or… nothing happens at all.
One more thing: at the time of year you’re traveling, a construction project is scheduled to get underway on a small stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. This will potentially add another hour on your drive time between Zion and Las Vegas.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 6:56 PM
Tina
Hi!
Great website and information, wish I would have come across this earlier in my planning but I’ll be sure to bookmark it for future adventures.
However, for now maybe you can give me some advice on what I’m hoping can be an easy change to our trip. We have a trip planned for the last week in June for 4 adults and a 9 month old. We’ll be driving from a home base in St. George, Utah and for the most part we plan on just doing our own things and not tours since we are not positive how the little one will do and we want the flexibility for him. We also have a condo in Williams, Arizona booked for the week.
The initial plan was to go to the Grand Canyon one day, Sedona for a day, explore around Williams and maybe find a good ghost town or two. Everyone thought that one day at the Grand Canyon would be enough for us especially since 2 of the adults have issues with heights (lol). Then…we all started to talk about what we were wanting to see most and I realized that in order for all of us to see what we wanted to we will need to go to all of the entrances and this is where is gets a little crazy.
I think it will be quite easy to go to the west entrance on our way to Williams, then go to the south entrance another day. Just based on the driving times it seems quite possible to go from Williams to the east part, (Horseshoe Bend) but I don’t think we should do the north rim in the same day. I think we may be better off exploring some of the sights in/around Page and then head to St. George as it’s probably going to be difficult to find lodging in Page at this point. We could then go to the North rim the next day. What would your thoughts be?
Thanks
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Hi Tina and thank you for visiting our site.
You are correct in that the 9-month-old, and his tolerance (or lack thereof) for long drives and busy days will determine the pace of the trip for the rest of your party. The only area where you absolutely must have a tour is Antelope Canyon. With a baby in tow, we recommend Upper Antelope Canyon. If you think he’d be OK with a short boat tour on Lake Powell, you might consider bundling your tour of Upper Antelope with a tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside from Antelope Point Marina. For Horseshoe Bend, it is best to visit that area just after sunrise for cooler temperatures and easier parking. Since Page, AZ, is a 3-hour drive one way from Williams, and a 2.5-3 hour drive one way from St. George, I would actually recommend getting a hotel room in this area for maximum enjoyment and comfort for all of your family members. Most hotels in Page, AZ, may indeed be full in June, but there are vacation rental homes and other non-traditional lodging that you might consider. If you think the baby would be OK with a longer trip, you could drive along the Grand Canyon’s East Rim Drive en route from Williams to Page to take advantage of the opportunity to stop at the half-a-dozen+ named viewpoints, as well as points of interest in the Navajo Reservation.
As for the rest of your trip, it is not necessary to visit all three Grand Canyon parks in order to have a fulfilling visit. Granted, they are all different from one another, but the South Rim is where you’ll find the best and most numerous visitor facilities. If I’m interpreting your post correctly, you’re planning to drive from St. George, UT to Williams, AZ, which is a 5.5 hour drive. A trip Grand Canyon West will add another 2.3 hours onto an already long trip, plus it’s going to be REALLY hot at the time of year you’re visiting. Not the kind of environment I’d want to subject an infant to. I would save that area for another trip at a cooler time of year, and when the little one is old enough to appreciate what is has to offer. Grand Canyon West tours At just 1 hour one way from Williams, the South Rim can easily be visited as a day trip, just make sure you keep an eye on the time. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads (a deliberate move to preserve the natural “dark sky” quality of the area), and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, free range cattle, and possibly even wild horses. Fortunately, you’ll be traveling at the time of year with the longest daylength; sunrise occurs at ~5:00 AM, sunset at around 8:00 PM (Arizona time, which is 1 hour behind Utah).
If you take me up on the suggestion to stay in Page, AZ, between Williams, AZ, and St. George, UT, I’d recommend visiting the North Rim as a day trip during that transition. It takes ~2.5-3 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to the North Rim, then another 3 hours approximately to go from the North Rim to St. George. If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, yet some of your party still want to see the North Rim, you might consider taking a scenic flight from Grand Canyon South Rim. These do not land at the North Rim, but they fly over it for enough of a time to give you a sense of how different it is from the South Rim. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart Grand Canyon National Park Airport daily; mornings are the best times to fly for best light and lack of wind.Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 20, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Wai
Hi, I would like to know if I am allowed to bring food when I visit the Antelope? Like nuts (cashew, peanut) and canned food like canned meat? I would like to know if there are any strict rules about food. Thanks Wai
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Dear Wai,
No outside food or beverages, except for water, are allowed at Antelope Canyon.
Alley 🙂May 18, 2019 at 6:52 PM
Madeleine
Hi,
I needed to cancel my reservation. When I clicked on the link it says I will receive a refund of 95% (just like the policy in my confirmation said). Then I clicked the button to cancel and now it says “Nothing was refunded, because it was canceled within 462 of the tour” Can you please contact me and clarify this issue?
Thanks,
Madeleine
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Madeleine,
Can you tell us which tour you booked?
AlleyMay 18, 2019 at 6:51 PM
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From Madeleine
Hi alley,
I booked combination lower canyon and boat tour.
Thanks,
MadeleineMay 18, 2019 at 7:34 PM
Heidi
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
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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 🙂May 17, 2019 at 12:46 PM
Latricia Almeda
Hello, do you have to have a tour? Or are people able to walk through on their own. Looks like the dates I can go, all the tours are sold out.
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Hi Latricia,
Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore, you absolutely MUST have a tour in order to visit. Not surprised to hear that tours are sold out on your desired dates, but before you resign yourself to not seeing one of Page’s beautiful slot canyons, read the following:
– “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out”
– “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 16, 2019 at 9:13 PM
Sally
Hi, I am trying to organise a visit to Antelope Canyon in January 2020 for my family. Are there any tours which can be booked now or are they all released later in the year?
Also, if we are travelling from Monument Valley to Grand Canyon, could we do Page as a stopover on the way or would you recommend we stay a night?
Thank you
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Hi Sally,
Seat inventory for 2020 Antelope Canyon tours will most likely be made available for booking in October/November of this year.
As for whether you visit Page, AZ, as a stopover between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon or stay overnight, we definitely recommend staying overnight! It takes 2-2.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. You then need approximately 2 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, and you should take the opportunity to visit Horseshoe Bend as well, which requires 60-90 minutes, bare minimum. It then takes 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. I know that Google Maps gives the drive time from Page to GC as 2.5 hours, but that’s driving direct, without stopping. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures. Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re up against a very short daylength at that time of year: sunrise occurs about 7:30 AM, sunset about 5:30 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of ambient lighting on area roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses near them. Also, inclement weather could throw a wrench into your plans, so start monitoring it about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Grand Canyon Weather
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 15, 2019 at 3:05 PM
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From Sally
Thanks Alley – appreciate your advice. I will keep an eye out for tours later this year.
May 20, 2019 at 6:56 AM
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From Sally
Alley, thank you again for your help. I’ve done some further research on our itinerary and would appreciate your views before I lock in the accommodation that needs to be booked (particularly given we should avoid night time driving and we will be travelling in January). We have 3 children (10, 9 and 7) so I expect this will limit the interest in hiking in the cold!
I have allowed for a stopover in Page which should hopefully allow us to tour one canyon on the afternoon of 14th and then see Horseshoe Bend and the other canyon on 15th.
12 January – drive Snowmass to Moab (depart early)
13 January – Moab to Monument Valley
14 January – MV to Page
15 January – Page to DC South Rim
16 January – GC
17 January – GC to Zion
18 January – Zion to LVMay 20, 2019 at 11:42 AM
Brandon
Hi Alley,
So my parents will be coming to the United States for the first time from Malaysia and I have decided to being them to visit Page for 3 days 2 nights and a night in Grand Canyon south rim. This is my current plan:
Day 1: Drive to Zion National park from Las Vegas early in the morning (Do you know of any short hikes or a scenic overlook I can drive to in zion?), drive down to page in the evening and see sunset at horseshoe bend.
Day 2: I have already book two tours on that day. 10.30am: Lower Antelope Canyon. 2pm: Antelope canyon boat tour. Here is my problem, I want to do more but I couldn’t decide what I should do. I want to do at least one aerial tour as its gonna be a once in a lifetime experience for me and my family. Should I do an aerial tour at grand canyon or lake powell? Which is more beautiful? I want to go to the rainbow bridge but the tour is full already I think, are there any alternatives? Should I do one more antelope canyon tour? Either upper, canyon x or secret canyon? Which is more beautiful? I want to do the raft trip too, is it worth it since I am already doing the antelope canyon boat tour? I HAVE SO MANY THINGS THAT I WANT TO DO WITH SO LITTLE TIME. The more research I do on the things I can do around page and grand canyon the more overwhelming it gets, I am at the point where I dont even know what to do anymore. Your help will be much appreciated!!!!
Day 3: I can do one of the activities listed above in the morning and maybe in the afternoon too. Drive down to grand canyon south rim and maybe hike a little or just go to a scenic overlook nearby. I will be staying in yavapai lodge for the night.
Day 4: More grand canyon south rim and then head back to LA.
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Hi Brandon,
You are correct in that you have a lot on your “wish list,” but not enough time to do all of it, and that’s OK. You want to avoid the temptation to schedule an activity for every.single.minute. of your vacation and let some moments just happen at random. Indeed, those are often make for the best memories.
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning on visiting, or whether your parents have any mobility issues. Hopefully, they don’t in light of the fact that you’ve booked a Lower Antelope Canyon tour. So, here goes….
On Day 1, get an early start on this day. If your visit is taking place after Memorial Day, it’s going to take you 6 hours, mimimum, to make the drive from Las Vegas to Page via Zion National Park. One reason for this is a construction project that’s scheduled to take place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge just before you get to Zion. This could delay your arrival in Zion by up to 1 hour’s time. Because the main scenic drive in Zion Canyon is closed to those without reservations at the lodge, you’ll have to settle for what you can see via the Mt. Carmel Highway through the park, and believe me, that’s plenty. For an interesting little hike you can access just off US89 (near mile marker 19 between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ), you might consider the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. It’s relatively easy, and features some very interesting rock formations. For this and any hikes you might take in the area, be sure to carry plenty of water, and wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and appropriate shoes for walking. RE: visiting Horseshoe Bend at sunset, you’ll be competing with a lot of people with the same idea, which may not make for a very pleasant experience. Plan on visiting the Wahweap Overlook just North of Page, AZ for sunset instead.
On Day 2, hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, or save it for the morning of your drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Either way, you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures and fewer people around. Hang on to the plans you already have for a 10:30 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour (great time to be there, by the way!) and 2:00 PM Antelope Canyon boat tour. If you’re wanting to pursue other activities to round out your day, an aerial tour might be a good choice, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the afternoon. Afternoons in Page, AZ, tend to be very windy, and not a good time for flying in a fixed-wing airplane. Personally, I like flying over Lake Powell better than the Grand Canyon, because it has a more “intimate” feel, but a Grand Canyon overflight will allow you to get a true sense of how big the canyon is, and if your parents have never been here, IMO, the Grand Canyon should take a higher priority. Here again, mornings are a better time for Grand Canyon aerial sightseeing tours because the light is better and it’s less windy. You don’t have time for the Glen Canyon Float Trip and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend touring another slot canyon. You might think about touring the Glen Canyon Dam instead, or visiting the Navajo Village Heritage Center.
On Day 3, visit Horseshoe Bend in the AM if you didn’t manage to do so the day before, the continue down to Grand Canyon South Rim. Keep in mind that the drive time is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but it is more likely to take you 3.5-4 hours because of the very scenic nature of the drive and the numerous photos ops along the way. The Cameron Trading Post makes a good brunch/lunch stop. After checking in at Yavapai Lodge, hop on the free Village Loop Shuttle to the Grand Canyon Village Historic District and enjoy a walk along the easy, paved rim trail. If desired, you might venture a short way down the Bright Angel Trail. The trailhead is ~100m West of Bright Angel Lodge. Walking down to the “first tunnel” and back takes the typical hiker ~1 hour round-trip. If you wish to go further, remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours up, and that food and water must be carried if you hike any further than 1 mile or spend any longer than 1 hour on any Grand Canyon hiking trail. If the prospect of Inner Canyon hiking does not appeal, then simply continue riding the free in-park shuttles out to the overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive.
Day 4 – here is where you might take us up on the Grand Canyon helicopter or fixed wing airplane flight. Fly over the canyon first thing in the morning, then head on to LA. BTW, the drive to LA will take you ~8 hours. You might consider stopping over in Las Vegas, NV, to break up the drive.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 14, 2019 at 5:38 PM
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From Brandon
Oh my goodness Alley, you went further and beyond to help me out on my planning for this trip. Words couldn’t describe how appreciative I am for the amount of effort you have put into for me. If there’s a way for me to show appreciation to you, please let me know.
I am so sorry for not including the dates that I am going to Page. So I will be going to page on the 22nd till 24th and then Grand Canyon on the 24th till 25th. Will it still take me 6hrs to go to page from Las Vegas? I was actually looking at a tour to the rainbow bridge on the 22nd, 12.30pm but I might not do that anymore since what you recommend is really nice and viable!
My goodness, I am just so appreciative on your reply. The more I read it the more impressed and thankful I am. Really, thank you once again.
May 15, 2019 at 12:36 AM
Jazmin
Thank you very much for all of this information – I really appreciate it. One additional question – if we don’t include the Santa Fe area but keep your recommendations for Mesa Verde and the Bryce Canyon/Capital Reef/Arches areas, what would you suggest the itinerary look like? Thank you again.
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Hey again, Jazmin, sorry again for taking a few days to get back to you. If you’ve already made your decisions/reservations, I truly understand!
So, a revised itinerary, sans the New Mexico destinations, would look more like this:
June 16th: Arrive in Phoenix, stay overnight
June 17th: Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or explore the many art galleries and museums in the area.
June 18th: Second day in Sedona, in the morning, do one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area, perhaps take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hit some sites you may have missed the day prior. 2nd night in Sedona.
June 19th: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
June 20th: first thing in the AM take a fixed wing airplane or helicopter flight over the North Rim, then drive to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page.
June 21st: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then take AM Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (6:00 AM check-in, 7:00 AM departure), second night in Page.
June 22nd: Drive from Page, AZ, to Mesa Verde, CO, via Monument Valley (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in Durango, Cortez, or Mancos, CO.
June 23rd: Drive from Mesa Verde, CO, to Moab, UT, overnight in Moab.
June 24th: Explore Arches National Park, 2nd night in Moab.
June 25th: Explore Canyonlands National Park, 3rd night in Moab.
June 26th: Drive from Moab, UT, to Bryce Canyon via Capitol Reef National Park (~5-6 hour drive), overnight in Bryce.
June 27th: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT.
June 28th: Drive to San Diego, CA, via Las Vegas, ~9 hour drive, maybe stop at Hoover Dam if time permits.
As you can see, this has you doing one LOOOOOONG drive at the end of your trip, when you may be least inclined to do so. If you agree with that assessment, there are opportunities where you can shave some time off, for example, dropping that 3rd night in Moab, UT, or perhaps driving from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley and spending the night in that area instead of 2 nights in Page, AZ. Before you commit to those alterations, however, be sure that lodging availability in ALL proposed destinations would accommodate doing so.
Have fun and feel free to hit me up again for further guidance,
Alley 🙂May 14, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Eric Mayer
Alley & Ryan,
Thank you for providing such a fabulous resource in this blog and your continued responses!
I thought I had our 11 day trip to the area in early July figured out until I read it all, learning about the many additional things to see…
We have to kids with us (10 and 12) and are now thinking:
Day 1: Arrive in Sedona in afternoon and stay the night.
Day 2: Hot air balloon ride & relax at a swimming hole, then driving to Williams and stay the night.
Day 3: Take the train to South Grand Canyon, explore in the afternoon, and stay the night.
Day 4: Explore more of GC and return to Williams in late afternoon, then drive to Page and stay the night.
Day 5: Visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend, assuming we can do it all in one day if booked in advance, stay 2nd night.
Day 6: Drive to Bryce canyon to explore a bit, then drive to Zion and stay the night.
Day 7: Hike Zion and stay 2nd night
Day 8: Hike more in Zion and possibly raft, kayak, or tube, staying a 3rd night in Zion.
Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas stopping by Red Cliffs, followed by late afternoon tour of Hoover Dam, then spend the night.
Day 10: Explore & relax in Vegas, stay a 2nd night.
Day 11: Head home mid morning
Much to see and too little time, so hoping you might offer your thoughts/advice on our tentative itinerary and the following questions:
1) We thought the train to GC would be fun, but would it be better to just drive instead to possibly split 2-3 days/two nights between south and north? Any must-do’s activities while there?
2) Should we change some things around for more/less time somewhere, or substitute in Antelope Canyon boat tour, Monument Valley, The Arches?
3) We have also kicked around the idea of renting an RV for the trip instead of a car to get a little Griswold style fun in, though not sure if that will just make things more complicated.
Many thanks in advance for your experience and wisdom!
Eric
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Hi Eric and thank you for visiting!
I’ll start off by addressing the RV vs. car issue: if you’ve never driven or handled an RV before, it can be a bit intimidating, but then again I understand the appeal. In July, you’ll want to be sure you’re staying in an RV park with electrical hook-ups, because you’re going to need that air conditioning. It’s HOT. Those might be a bit hard to find at this point, since July is within peak travel season. Cost-wise, most people report it was something of a “wash” because any money they saved on hotels was eaten up in expenses for gas, but then again, the ability to prepare your own meals can offset that a bit. Whatever you decide, RV or hotel, be sure you make ALL reservations for overnight accommodations well in advance of your trip.
RE: The Grand Canyon Railway, I’d say skip it this time around. For one, you don’t see the Grand Canyon from the train, you don’t see it until you get to the park and actually get off the train. Another major consideration is time: the train, which is pulled by an antique diesel engine, takes upwards of 2 hours to make a trip that would take you only 1 hour to make by car. Once the train arrives at the park, you then have only ~3 hours to explore before you have to re-board the train for the return trip — another 2+ hours — to Williams. The Grand Canyon Railway is a fun, “old West historic” experience, but one I’d save for another time, maybe when your kids are older and won’t get bored stiff on a 4-hour round-trip ride through some unremarkable scenery.
In light of that, I’d recommend modifying the first half of your trip as follows:
Day 1: Arrive in Sedona, overnight in Sedona
Day 2: Hot air balloon ride & relax at a swimming hole, spend 2nd night in Sedona
Day 3: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours drive), take free shuttle to overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4: Get early start, explore more of GC on East Rim/Desert View Drive en route to Page, visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon , overnight in Page **it is not necessary to tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re fit enough to handle Lower, do it and use time for other activities**
Day 5: Take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, or Lake Powell Kayak Tour – 2nd night in Page
Day 6: Drive to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce
Day 7: Drive to Zion (~2 hours), do a little hiking, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 8: Hike more in Zion and possibly raft, kayak, or tube, staying a 2nd night in Zion
Day 9: Drive to Las Vegas stopping by Red Cliffs or Valley of Fire, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 10: Take early morning tour of Hoover Dam, explore & relax in Vegas, stay a 2nd night.
Day 11: Head home mid morning
If you’re wanting to fit Monument Valley into your trip somehow, you could manage it by sacrificing time in Page, AZ, but you’ll find lodging hard to come by at this point in time. Push comes to shove, it can be done as a day trip from Page, but it is a 4-5 hour round-trip drive. As for fitting in Arches, that’s a bit of a stretch, plus that area really should get 4-5 days of your time in order to enjoy fully. There’s a lot to see and do there!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2019 at 2:51 PM
Daisy Cheng
Hi Alley,
I got some problem with booking the tour for lower antelope. I am looking at the tours as well as the boat tour of the lake Powell in early August.
I could not find a single tour for lower antelope at a better time so that I am looking at combos. BTW, the best photograph time for lower antelope would be?
For the combos, I am wondering if the boat tours are all the same? The one-hour Antelope Canyon tour? I am interested in the 90-min Wahweap boat tour since it looks that it get more lake views and more landmarks…. So is there any combo can combine the lower antelope and Wahweap boat tour? And what is the difference between the two boat tours I mentioned?
Thank you so much,
Daisy
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Hi Daisy, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
There are actually two operators of Lake Powell boat tours from the Page, AZ, area: Lake Powell Resorts and Antelope Point Marina. The concessionaire that offers the boat tour component with the Lower Antelope Canyon “bundle” is Antelope Point Marina. Thus far, there is no similar agreement in place with Lake Powell Resorts, so if you prefer to tour Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon with them, which is totally your prerogative, you’d have to book the land and waterside tours separately. For what it’s worth, the primary difference between the Lake Powell Resorts tour and the boat tour component of the Lower Antelope Canyon bundle is that Lake Powell Resort is located a few miles West of Antelope Point, therefore, they are able to swing by the backside of Glen Canyon Dam en route to Antelope Canyon.
As for the best time to tour Antelope Canyon, most would agree that mid-day offers the best lighting conditions, especially if you want to see the light beams. However, people are aware of this, and those time slots tend to sell out up to a year in advance. There really is no such thing as a bad time to go, and at this stage, I’d recommend booking whatever open time slot you can find, whether it’s part of a bundle or not. FYI, there are two companies that offer tours to Lower Antelope, Ken’s and Dixie Ellis, so if you opt to book the boat tour and slot canyon tours separately, do check availability with both companies.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 14, 2019 at 4:01 PM
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From Daisy
Thank you, Alley! I just booked a bundle with a 10-am visit of the Lower Antelope. This website has been quite helpful. Thank you!
All Best,
Daisy
May 14, 2019 at 10:23 PM
Tiffany LeShaun Eban
Hello, I’m visiting in October and would like to see the beautiful Antelope Canyon. However my wife and I have some mobility issues. Is there a tour that doesn’t require alot of walking or a driving tour?
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Hi Tiffany,
October is a wonderful time to visit Page, AZ! If you have any mobility issues, Upper Antelope Canyon would be the best slot canyon tour for you. It is a 100-yard out-and-back walk, and the trail through the canyon is relatively flat. There is a 2-mile off-road ride required to get to the mouth of the canyon.
If you can manage more than 100 yards, you might also consider touring Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, which also features no ladders, but is a bit longer (~300 yards). There is a 7- to 8-mile off-road trip required to approach that particular slot canyon.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 1:31 PM
chris
hi. is it possible to kayak any of the canyons by your own ?? thanks !!!
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Hi Chris,
Yes, you can take your own kayak into any of the side canyons on Lake Powell. You will need to pay a $30/vehicle entrance fee into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is good for 7 days time. The main launch areas near Page, AZ, are Antelope Point Marina, Lake Powell Resort, and the Stateline launch ramp. Kayaks may also put in at Lone Rock Beach near the AZ/UT border.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 1:27 PM
Alex Tan
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.
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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, www.HorseshoeBend.com or www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 12:51 PM
Susan G
Hi Alley – Would love your advice on how to plan our itinerary. We are arriving Phoenix airport at 10:00 am on a Friday in September. We are leaving from Phoenix airport the following Wednesday afternoon. Right now we are planning to stay in Sedona the whole time and do a day trip to Grand Canyon and a tour from Sedona to Antelope Canyon. Are we better off driving to Page and staying overnight and then on to Grand Canyon before we head to Sedona? Or is it efficient to keep Sedona as our home base?
Thanks so much!
Susan
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Hi Susan!
Using Sedona as a “base camp” from which to explore the many attractions in Northern Arizona is OK, but not ideal. This is mainly due to the driving distances between places, which are often in excess of 2 hours each way, and the need to time your drives so that you’re back to base before nightfall. Driving after sunset is strongly discouraged in this part of the country, especially in Sedona, due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. Believe me, you don’t want to have a nighttime encounter with a large animal in an area with no cell phone service and miles to the nearest service station! Although September is a wonderful time of year to visit weather-wise, another factor working against you is shortening daylength. Sunrise occurs about 6:00 AM, sunset at around 6:30 PM.
If you can cancel your extra room nights in Sedona with minimal or no penalty, I would strongly recommend overnighting in Grand Canyon, and Page, AZ, for touring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
The order in which you visit these areas will largely depend on lodging availability – or lack thereof – at Grand Canyon South Rim, then Antelope Canyon tours. These two components should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your trip planning revolves, and evolves.
You might want to put Sedona as the last stop on your itinerary because then you’d only be facing a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix, vs. Page or Grand Canyon, which are 5 hours away.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 12:46 PM
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From Susan G
Thanks Alley –
Great advice. I am able to cancel our extra nights in Sedona and I already have reservations at both GC in park lodging and Page for both nights (all able to be cancelled) until we figure out the best order to do things in. If we are on the road from Phoenix by 11am do you have a suggestion as to the order we should do Page and Grand Canyon in order to make the best use of our time. Sorry if this question has been asked before! This site is truly awesome!Thanks, Susan
May 13, 2019 at 12:35 PM
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From Susan G
One last thought for some input. I’ve read that the best time of day for the canyon tour is midday at the peak of the sunshine. So with that in mind should we stay in GC Friday night and book a noon or 12:30 tour or is that not giving us enough time to drive from the GC if we leave after sunrise? Conversely, are we better off leaving after the noon tour on Saturday and driving to GC and staying there Saturday night? TIA for all your advice!
May 13, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Tracie Oliver
Hello! We’re visiting from Ohio & have 3-4 days to spend visiting the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon & possibly Horseshoe Bend next month. We’ll have our 8yr old son w/us; would you suggest the Upper or Lower Canyon for a child his age? Thank you!
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Hi Tracie and thank you for your excellent question. For families with infants and pre-K children, we usually suggest Upper. However, kids your son’s age are usually able to handle the physicality of Lower Antelope Canyon, and even get a kick out of climbing the stairs, ladders, and over the occasional small boulder or two. If he has any mobility issues, or is not particularly athletic, Upper Antelope may be the better option for him. Before deciding, take a look at this video of a full walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 12:01 PM
Jazmin
Hi Alley,
I’m trying to plan a road trip to the GC area but there are so many beautiful options that is very difficult to decide and overwhelming. We are taking 17 days for this trip and renting a car, we wish to do the following. We are landing in Phoenix June 16th at 10 am (staying 1 night tentative), visit Sedona, GCSR, Santa Fe, Mesas Verde Monument Valley, Horseshoes bend, GCNR, Zion, Hoover Dam and ending in San Diego for 3 days) and we are flying from San Diego to Connecticut on July 2nd 10 pm. We only have booked the hotel in San Diego so far. As I’m researching, this plan might not be doable. If the trip is possible, what would the schedule look like? If not, suggestions will be sooo appreciated. My husband and I and two children (15 and 11) enjoy walks and easy hikes but we don’t consider ourselves hiker. We would like to do some walks or swim by a river or a boat ride, do a guided tour of the mesas dwellings or a guided tour of the Monument Valley. Also I will like to include a stay at a ranch that offers horseback riding or rodeo show, maybe a living history museum. I’m open to any suggestion and thank you in advance.
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Hi Jazmin, thanks for visiting us. I apologize for the delay in response to your inquiry.
As you’ve correctly deduced, you have a very ambitious “wish list” which will inevitably require some paring down in order to assure that your vacation is truly a vacation and not a constant “pack up and drive” exercise. Given the constraints you indicate, i.e, staying overnight in Phoenix on your arrival day, then capping off the trip with a 3-night stay in San Diego, that essentially gives you 11-12 days to work with in the Southwestern U.S. Another top-of-mind consideration is that you’re visiting during the hottest time of the year, which will have a definite affect on what you do and when. Essentially: do all your hiking or high-intensity activities in the morning. Here’s how I recommend you proceed:
June 16th: Arrive in Phoenix, stay overnight
June 17th: Drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or explore the many art galleries and museums in the area.
June 18th: Second day in Sedona, in the morning, do one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area. Overnight in Sedona.perhaps take the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, hit some sites you may have missed the day prior. 2nd night in Sedona.
June 19th: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
June 20th: first thing in the AM take a fixed wing airplane or helicopter flight over the North Rim, then drive to Santa Fe, NM (~8 hour drive). On the way, you might take the opportunity to stop at the Acoma Pueblo just West of Albuquerque. Guided tours are offered, and should be reserved in advance. Overnight in Santa Fe.
June 21st: Second night in Santa Fe, explore the historic plaza area, or visit one of the many art galleries and museums in the area. Santa Fe NM Activities
June 22nd: Drive from Santa Fe, NM to Mesa Verde, ~5.5 hour drive, overnight in Durango, Cortez, or Mancos, CO Mesa Verde Lodging
June 23rd: Drive to Page, AZ via Monument Valley (~5 hour drive); tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page.
June 24th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then take AM Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (6:00 AM check-in, 7:00 AM departure), 2nd night in Page.
June 25th: Drive to Zion, ~2 hour drive, along the way stop at mile marker 19 on US89 for the relatively easy and fun Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Trails Hike, overnight in Springdale, UT
June 26th: 2nd day in Zion, maybe hike the Weeping Rock, Watchman, or Emerald Pools Trail. There are lots of easy but beautiful hikes in Zion! , overnight in Springdale.
June 27th: Drive from Springdale to Las Vegas (~3-3.5 hours), overnight in Vegas.
June 28th: Drive to San Diego, CA, ~5.5 hour drive, stop at Hoover Dam on your way out of town.
June 29th – July 1st: San DiegoSo — as you can see, some long drives are going to be required in order to pull this all off. If the prospect of all that time behind the wheel doesn’t appeal, you might consider taking New Mexico and/or Colorado off the table this time around and perhaps pulling your trip radius in a bit tighter. By doing so, you could add Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and perhaps Arches/Canyonlands to the mix, which wouldn’t cramp your style in the least!
I know it’s a hard choosing what to leave in and what to leave out. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have further questions.
Good luck and save travels,
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 11:52 AM
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From Rob Gunnemann
Hi Alley,
I love your website & I love that you give help with people’s itineraries. My wife & I are planning a short trip to Arizona/Utah the beginning of June 2019. We’ve been to the Grand Canyon & Sedona. I’ve never been to the other parks in AZ or UT. We have family in Prescott Valley, AZ that we wanted to visit at the end of this short park tour. We will be driving from Redlands, CA
This is what I think we should do. Please let me know if I should choose another path or go somewhere else instead.
Day 1 = 06/01 Saturday
Drive from Redlands, CA to Springdale, UT = 6 hours
Maybe see the sunset over ZionDay2 = 06/02 Sunday
Hike Zion national Park
Drive from Springdale, UT to Bryce, UT = 1 hour 50 minutesDay 3 = 06/03 Monday
Hike Bryce Canyon
Drive from Bryce Canyon to Moab,UT = 4 hour 20 minutesDay 4 = 06/04 Tuesday
Arches national Park & Monument valley
Drive from Moab, UT to Page, AZ = 4 hours 25 minutesDay 5 = 06/05 Wednesday
Antelope canyon & Horseshoe Canyon Tour
Drive from Page, AZ to Prescott Valley, AZ = 3 hour 28 minutesMy wife also wants to see Monument Valley. Where can I add this?
What would you change or do different?
May 14, 2019 at 12:38 PM
June
Very helpful information for us. Thanks!
We have a plan to Antelope Canyon in August, and have a question: there have RV parking lot for daytime?
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Hi June,
You should be able to find adequate parking for your RV, but I would recommend booking your Antelope Canyon tour for an earlier time slot. Later in the day, you’d probably have a harder time finding a place to park.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 10, 2019 at 10:02 PM
Ronald
Hi Alley,
This website is very informative. I am planning a trip to visit Antelope Canyon from 6/1 to 6/8, but I can’t make up my mind about where to visit. So I would love to have some recommendation from you for the trip, and so far my trip planning is like following:
6/1 Arrive Phoenix around noon, plan to visit Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park and Old Town Scottsdale area, then stay at Boulders Resort & Spa.
6/2 Plan to stay another night in the area, but need some recommendation for where to visit.
6/3 Drive to Page (stop by Sedona for some lunch and sightseeing?) and stay overnight at Page.
6/4 Upper + boat tour bundle for (10am and 2pm), and visit the Horseshoe Band, stay another night at Page
I will fly out from Las Vegas on 6/8 around noon, so I am planning to stay two nights in Las Vegas (6/6 and 6/7), so I am not sure should I visit Zion or Bryce on 6/5 and stay overnight? Or do you have any recommendation for that day and overall trip?
If I book the upper + boat tour as a bundle, are both operated by the same companies you mentioned above? Thank you.
Best Regards,
Ronald
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Hi Ronald, and thank you for visiting our site.
First off, you’re visiting Phoenix during one of the hottest times of the year. The desert heat can take a lot out of you, so don’t be surprised if you find that you’re already zapped shortly after you arrive in Phoenix. By the time you arrive at the airport, collect your rental car, and make your way out of town, you may discover that you only have the energy to make your way to the Boulders, check in, and relax with a cocktail by the pool. If so, that’s OK. Just plan on visiting the attractions on your wish list the following day. If you do manage to tick off all the items on your wish list on day 1, you might plan on visiting Lake Pleasant the following day, or drive to Sedona.
Seeing Sedona as a “drive-by” on the way from Phoenix to Page, AZ, is never ideal. There’s so much to see and do there that 3-4 days minimum is recommended to do it justice. Since the Antelope Canyon hiking and boat tours can be completed in one day, you could drop a night in Page, AZ, in order to accommodate one night in Sedona.
If you wish to visit Bryce Canyon, one night is sufficient in that area since the park is relatively small, square mileage-wise. 2 nights minimum are recommended in Zion. If you’re flying out of Las Vegas, you should plan on staying in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park.
RE: the Antelope Canyon Upper + Boat Tour bundle, the actual tour operator are Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours and Antelope Point Marina respectively.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. I notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, you need to make room for it!May 10, 2019 at 10:00 PM
Jack Shi
I found two website offering upper antelope canyon tours. They are
https://www.antelopecanyon.com/ and
I am confused because they show different availability of tours for the same date. Are they organized by different companies?
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Hi Jack,
You are correct in that the availability of tours on the two different websites reflect openings at two different companies. FYI, there are four companies that offer tours of Upper Antelope Canyon, so be sure to check with all of them if you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out at your desired time slot.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 10, 2019 at 1:08 PM
Ianah
Hi Alley and Ryan,
We are planning to fly to Phoenix Arizona end of Nov. then drive to Sedona and stay 2 nights. Then we will visit the Grand Canyon South Rim on the 3rd day then proceed to Page Arizona for the night. Is this doable? In Page, we would like to see horseshoe bend, antelope canyon and lake Powell. Do you recommend staying in Page for a night or 2 nights? We will drive back to Phoenix after then spend a night there and fly back home. Do you have other attractions that we can stop by along the way?
Thank you!
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Hi Ianah,
Late November is a good time to visit Arizona, as long as you’re aware that the Northern part of the state experiences “true” winters, meaning that temperatures will be colder and snow always looms as a possibility. Start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel; that will give the best guidelines on how to pack for maximum comfort.
Visiting the Grand Canyon as a “drive by” between Page and Sedona is not the best way to go. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, then another 3 hours minimum to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. In November, you’re also up against a short daylength (sunrise at 7:15 AM, sunset at 5:00 PM), and you want to avoid driving at night if at all possible. Local highways are very dark, and deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes even wild horses pose a collision risk. It would be best to overnight at the Grand Canyon, then drive to Page, AZ, the next morning. At the time of year you’re visiting, one night should be sufficient in Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, and perhaps take a short boat tour on Lake Powell. If an Antelope Canyon walking and waterside tour interest you, consider booking these activities as a “bundle” for optimal convenience.
The drive from Page, AZ, to Phoenix takes approximately 5 hours. As for places you can stop along the way, there are lots of options, including, but not limited to, Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Sunset Point, and Black Canyon City.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 10, 2019 at 1:06 PM
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From Jenny Stevens-Hofer
Hi Lanah, you are so helpful I thought I may as well ask for your help. We are a group from Australia our itinary is as follows:- 22/9/19 Las Vegas to Hatch via Zion National Park. Stay in Hatch for 22nd,23rd,and 24th. We would like to see Monument Valley and Bryce National Park. On the 25th drive to Antelope Canyon and would like to also see Lake Powell then on the 26th drive to Grand Canyon South Rim then we head off to Wiliams. What do you think?? We have 13 people in 2 mini buses. Also is it better to apply for a Federal lands access pass? Kind regards Jenny
May 11, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Sarah Hooley
Your itinerary is so very helpful! If you have 8 full days (arrive at 4 p.m. on June 10th and leave early morning on June 18th) where would you spend the extra day? We’re traveling with a young family (4 kids ages 1-9) so several of the activities are off the table. I’m also trying to keep my family sane even though I’m a “suck the marrow out of life” type vacationer. Thanks so much for your help!
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Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your compliments on our itinerary!
If you have an extra day to work with, I’d say either a. give the extra day to Zion — there are lots of family friendly activities in that area, and you can easily spend 4-5 days there yet still feel as though you only ‘scratched the surface’; or b. go to Sedona — stunning area, also with an ample selection of activities and hikes in varying degrees of intensity, but I can pretty much guarantee that once you see it, you’ll wish you had more time there.
Hope that helps! Please feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2019 at 8:23 PM
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HI Alley,
I love your post! Thank you for the suggestions. My family and I are planning to do a road trip in late June. Thus far we plan to arrive in LV on 6/21, spend the night there, and drive east to the parks on 6/22. We will have to drive back to LV on 6/30 so we can fly out on 7/1. We were planning to rent an RV and drive, but I am wondering if we should rent a car and stay in hotels? We want to see the big parks in Utah as well as the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. I would really love to get to Moab so my husband and kids could see Arches, but I realize it is the furthest away. I’ve seen most of the places before except for Antelope Canyon and canyonlands… so that is a must on our list. My husband and girls have not seen any of the southern Utah parks or the Grand Canyon. Our girls are 10 and 12 and quite fit so we are able to hike and do most activities. What would you suggest? I LOVED Zion and would happily spend two days there. I hadn’t planned to see Lake Powell… is it worthwhile? I love hiking, and the girls and I ride horses so some trail rides would be fun. Should we start at GC and loop around ending at Zion? Or should we do the opposite?
May 10, 2019 at 12:23 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Jennifer, and thank you for visiting our site.
RE: the hotel vs RV debate, many visitors consider going that route because they think it will save them money, but in reality, it usually ends up being a “wash.” Between typical summertime gas prices, and the fact that you’ll need to stay in developed RV parks for air conditioning (you’re traveling at the hottest time of year), don’t be surprised if you find this vacation ends up costing just as much as it would have if you had gone the rental car and hotel route. The area where you can potentially realize some significant savings is with the ability to prepare your own meals instead of eating out all the time. Long story short, it’s your call, and RV’ing is fun, but like with any situation, it has its pros and cons.
So, given your flight dates, you have 8 full days to work with on this vacation. In light of that, and the fact the Moab, UT, is SUPER-hot at the time of year you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking it off the table. It’s just too far afield to be realistic, and you really need anywhere from 3-5 days to do it justice. Here’s what I’d recommend instead:
06/22 – Drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam along the way, overnight at Grand Canyon
06/23 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, drive time 3.5-4 hours (there are a lot of cool places to stop on this drive!), visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting) overnight in Page, AZ.
06/24 – Visit Horseshoe Bend after sunrise if you weren’t able to visit the day before, tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell (yes, Lake Powell is worthwhile!), spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
06/25 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce.
06/26 – 2nd day in Bryce, take ATV tour, or one of many beautiful hikes in the area.
06/27 – Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2 hours, overnight in Springdale, UT.
06/28 – 2nd day in Zion, maybe hike The Narrows or Angel’s Landing, overnight in Springdale.
06/29 – Spend 3rd day in Zion, or drive to Mt. Charleston, NV (~3.5 hours), overnight at Mt. Charleston or Las Vegas
06/30 – Free day in Las Vegas
07/01 – Fly home
Another option would be to hit Sedona, AZ, before the Grand Canyon and spend a couple of days there. I know your priority was the Utah parks, but Sedona, AZ, is a beautiful area with all kinds of beautiful hikes and fun activities that are family-friendly. You might also need to be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary in case lodging availability at the Grand Canyon (or lack thereof) is more conducive to hitting last on your tour.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 11, 2019 at 1:25 PM
Ann
I’m going to start entering the lottery for Wave hike permits – I’m going to just keep trying and trying. I have a question – when they are drawing the “winners,” if a group of 5 is drawn first, and my group of 6 is drawn second, are we just eliminated, and they draw another group, until they get their 10 people? Should I consider decreasing my group to 3 or 4 people? Thanks – your site is fantastic!
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Hi Ann,
You’ve summarized the procedure for drawing Wave lottery winners precisely. It’s an unavoidable fact that the smaller the group = the better the chance of being picked. However — there are some rumors circulating of late that the daily quota may be raised. We’ll keep you posted on that via our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com, and its corresponding Facebook page.
Good luck to you!
Alley 🙂May 07, 2019 at 8:18 PM
Rebecca
Holy Moly, you are amazing! I’m completely overwhelmed, but want to plan this road trip for my family desperately. We are all from East Coast and none of us have been West. Is Spring Break (Easter Week) a good time to visit? I have a family of four (13 and 11 year old kids). I think we’d fly into Las Vegas, and definitely want to see Antelope Canyon. What would be the perfect first time road trip for us? We’d like to see as much as possible, but also want it to be reasonable and give the time each site deserves. Looking forward to your response!
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Hi Rebecca!
Big time props to you for planning your Easter vacation well in advance. In answer to your query, spring break is a good time to visit. It’s better than summer, that’s for sure! Just bear in mind that in this part of Arizona, winter has a tendency to make one last “stand” in early spring. Keep an eye on the weather starting about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and be read to pack a few warmer pieces of clothing just in case.
If you have a week to work with, using Las Vegas as your staging city, you could do something like this:
Day 1: Travel day to Las Vegas, overnight in Vegas.
Day 2: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, stop at Hoover Dam if you wish. Drive time ~5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Drive to Page, AZ, stop at viewpoints as desired along the East Rim Drive, maybe hit the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch. Drive time, factoring in stops, ~3.5-4 hours. Take afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page.
Day 4: Visit Horseshoe Bend for sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 5: Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, ~3 hour drive. En route, stop at mile marker 19 on US89 to take the very scenic and relatively easy Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike. Drive the loop around Bryce, or hike part of it. Overnight in Bryce or nearby
Day 6: Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2 hour drive. Overnight in Springdale, UT. The Narrows is usually closed at that time of year, but you might do Angel’s Landing, Observation Point, Emerald Pools, or any other hike that appeals to you. There is no shortage of great hikes in Zion!
Day 7: 2nd day in Zion, more hiking, or visit one of the local museums, or visit the nearby ghost town of Grafton, or take a drive to the Kolob Canyon section of the park. 2nd night in Springdale.
Day 8: Drive back to Las Vegas ~3 hours from Springdale, fly home.
Grand Canyon lodging should be the first element to check, then probably Antelope Canyon tours should be your next priority. Be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary should lodging availability – or lack thereof – dictate doing so.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 07, 2019 at 8:11 PM
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From Rebecca
Thank you for your recommendation Alley! You’re so wonderful to help so many with this.
May 08, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Elizabeth
Hi! How do I book for just Lower Antelope Canyon? I think I’m just not seeing where the button is
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Elizabeth,
OMG, you’re right, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour, by itself is missing a booking button! We’ll see about getting that fixed ASAP, in the meantime, here is the contact info for both Lower Antelope Canyon tour operators:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Thanks for pointing that out,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2019 at 1:15 PM
Dolly Davis
Hi Alley,
You have so many great ideas. I might be able to cobble an itinerary together based on all your responses, but thought if you have a moment I’d see if you have anything to add. I am planning on taking my kids to Kanab to spend a few days at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary the first week in August. They are thirteen year old twins, one boy and one girl. We are from south Florida. We will fly in and out of Vegas, I think. I’d love to show them some nearby sites, including the Grand Canyon and an ATV tour sounds super fun. Moab looks amazing, but might be too far to add given that we only have seven or eight nights, Saturday to Sunday. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
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Hi Dolly,
How wonderful that you’ll be doing volunteer work at Best Friends during your visit to Kanab! Las Vegas would probably be the best place to fly into and out of, but you might also look at Phoenix. Sometimes you can get deals on airfares there during the summer months since that’s considered “off-season” in the Phoenix area.
If you’re planning on basing yourself in Kanab, UT, for your vacation, then I agree that Moab, UT, would be a too far out of the way to visit as a day trip. It’s a 5-hour drive each way, plus Moab is one of those areas that require a minimum stay of 3-4 days to do it justice. It’s definitely a fun place to visit, so you should definitely plan a trip there in the future.
As for other sites to visit while in the area, Grand Canyon North Rim would definitely be a good choice, it’s ~2 hours each way from Kanab, UT. Bryce Canyon is another great spot, it’s ~90 minutes from Kanab, and ATV tours are available in this area. Another possibility is Zion, which you can visit as a day trip, or perhaps as a detour on your way back to Las Vegas. Definitely save a day for Page, AZ, so you can visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. You might also take advantage of the opportunity to do the Glen Canyon Float Trip with an early start out of Kanab. On the way there or back, time permitting, you might stop at mile marker 19 to do the very scenic and relatively easy Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike.
A couple of things to always keep in mind: 1. Utah IS on Daylight Savings Time, but Arizona IS NOT. You’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Arizona, but “lose” it on the trip back. 2. Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the fact that deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses are always around, and tend to gravitate to the roads after sunset. You should try to be “back to base” well before nightfall.
Hope that helps! If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 07, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Clivia
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
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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 🙂May 07, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Crystal
Hello-
How can I pay or initiate a self hike for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend? I will be renting a rental car, driving from Phoenix Az and staying in Flagstaff 5/24-5/28. Any recommendations on how to view both solo? I’d like to explore on my own pace. Any information is much appreciated.
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Hi Cystal,
For Horseshoe Bend, you simply drive up to the parking lot just South of Page, AZ, pay a $10/vehicle fee, and walk up to the overlook at your leisure.
With Antelope Canyon, it is unfortunately not possible to do a “self-hike” there. It is on Native American Tribal Land, so you absolutely must have an advance reservation for a guided tour. For information on how to do this, read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 8:21 PM
Xu Chunhu
If I select a combo such as Upper & Lower Antelope & Antelope Boat Tour, it seems that they are operated by different company. How do I know that which tour is operated by which company? Does the reservation confirmation sheet will tell this? Or I just go to the entrance (check-in) for each view point and show to them?
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Hi Xu,
You are correct in that the Antelope Canyon tours are operated by different companies, but if you book the Upper, Lower, + Antelope Canyon Boat Tour as a bundle, I can tell you right now who does what:
– Upper Antelope Canyon is operated by Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours
– Lower Antelope Canyon is operated by Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
– Antelope Canyon Boat Tour is operated by Antelope Point Marina
Your tour confirmation sheet should indicate where you need to go and at what time.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 9:40 PM
Jan Danielsen
Hi Alley,
thanks for all the great information you make available. Based on one of your comments about timing we delayed our trip to Arizona/Utah till October, arriving in LA the first of the month and leaving on the 17th. Again, based on one of your recommendations we will drive from LA to Zion with Springdale as the first stop. From there on we would appreciate your gudiance on how to best allocate our days. We will do Antelope Canyon, most likely a bundled deal, the “Wave ” if we are really lucky. Maybe the “new” wave instead? Horseshoe Bend, Bryce and Monument Valley are also on the list , Grand Canyon is not since we have been there twice. Anything left out that should be on the list? We would also like to drive through areas with nice fall colours – not a problem if its a slight detour. Could ticket availability for Antelope be a problem in October?
Thanks,
Jan
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Hi Jan,
You’ve made a good call by re-scheduling your trip for autumn! You’ll be able to see some beautiful fall foliage in Zion National Park and many other stops on your tour. If you’re seriously interested in autumn colors, however, I would recommend adding Sedona to your itinerary. Fall foliage peaks in the Sedona area right about the time you’ll be here, and you certainly have the time to work with, which is awesome.
Unfortunately, the chances of your getting a permit for The Wave are not good at that time of year. Due to the nice weather, competition for permits will be fierce, so you should plan on some alternative activities in the likely event your party isn’t chosen. The online application period for October opens up in June. How To Get A Wave Permit
So, assuming that October 1st and 17th will be travel days, I’ll assume that your trip will start in earnest on October 2nd and end on the 16th. So I’d recommend structuring your trip as follows:
October 2nd – drive from LA to Springdale, UT. Drive time ~8 hours, overnight in Springdale.
October 3rd – Explore Zion, hike The Narrows or Angel’s Landing, or whatever local hikes interest you. 2nd night in Zion. Good Hikes in Zion
October 4th – 3rd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale, OR drive to Kanab, UT (~1 hour), overnight there in preparation for The Wave.
October 5th – Hike The Wave (if you get a permit), if you don’t, then tour White Pocket, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, or Sidestep Canyon. Overnight in Kanab, UT.
October 6th – drive from Kanab to Bryce Canyon (~90 minutes), overnight in Bryce or nearby.
October 7th – drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef (~3 hour drive), overnight in Torrey, Fruita, or nearby community.
October 8th – drive from Capitol Reef to Moab, UT (~3 hour drive), overnight in Moab
October 9th – explore Arches NP, overnight in Moab **for suggestions on activities in this area, visit Moab Adventure Center
October 10th – explore Canyonlands NP, 3rd night in Moab
October 11th – drive from Moab, UT, to Page, AZ, via Monument Valley (~5 hours), overnight in Page, AZ.
October 12th – tour Horseshoe Bend first thing in AM, then Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ.
October 13th – drive from Page, AZ, to Sedona, AZ, ~3 hour drive, overnight in Sedona.
October 14th – explore Sedona, hike Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, overnight in Sedona.
October 15th – more hiking, shopping, sightseeing in Sedona, spend 3rd night in Sedona.
October 16th – drive from Sedona to Las Vegas, NV, ~5 hour drive, overnight in Las Vegas
October 17th – drive from Las Vegas to LAX (~5 hours), fly home.
Antelope Canyon tour availability could be a problem in October, so check on it ASAP. Be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if lodging availability is more conducive to hitting Sedona first, then Zion last.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 9:38 PM
Mary
Hi Alley!
Loving reading all the comments and your responses! I am just wondering if you can help distinguish which tour would be better, the quicker tour or the photography tour? Will it mean if you want to take photos on the quicker tour, you’ll have to be quick, where with the photography tour, it’ll allow the extra time? I will have a DSLR and tripod but not sure which tour I should make the most of.
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Hi Mary,
The photographers’ tours of Antelope Canyon are just that: tailored to serious photographers. Unfortunately, other members of your party who may not be photographers won’t be allowed to join you. If you’re traveling solo, that’s fine, but if you’re touring with a “mixed” group of semi-serious photographers and people who take pictures with their phone, you might want to stick to the standard tour. You’ll still take good pictures with guidance from your Navajo tour escort.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 9:08 PM
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From Klay Klemic
Hey Alley, I wasn’t sure where to ask this, so I’m just putting it here. I opened a new horseback trail ride that actually focuses on teaching people how to ride horses and I just kinda wanted to be on your radar because I have had some people come here straight from Antelope Canyon and had a great time. We are in Cedar City, so a lot of people pass us going from Zion to Bryce Canyon. My website is:
https://www.risingkranchtrailrides.com/May 24, 2019 at 3:52 PM
Kellie McCartney
Hi Alley,
Your information is amazing and so detailed. I have been reading through your responses for hours and thought I would post my own as I feel a little overwhelmed and not sure the best way to structure our “once in a lifetime” trip. We are a party of four travelling to America in December/January for my husband’s 50th birthday and Zion NP and the Grand Canyon were top of our to do list – we were going to stay 2 nights in each. But clearly there is so much more to see and do!!!!!! Originally we were going to fly into Salt Lake City and travel by car to Zion/Grand Canyon/Las Vegas but I think I will change that to flying into Las Vegas and commencing and ending our road trip from there – which at a maximum is 8 days. Things I would love to see but happy with your recommendations –
Bryce Canyon
Zion National Park
Escalente (never heard of before until reading your posts – so not a must do)
The Wave (if permit is granted)
Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell
Horseshoe Bend
Grand Canyon – mule ride a possibility????
Sedona (again not a must do – just sounds amazing in your posts)
I don’t want to spend all our time driving I would prefer to do a few things well as I hope this one of many trips.
Much thanks,
Kellie
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Hi Kellie,
You’ve already made a good call by using Las Vegas as your staging city on both ends of your trip. With 8 days to work with, you should be able to accommodate all the items on your “wish list,” with one notable exception: mule rides at the Grand Canyon. The only worthwhile one IMO is the overnight ride to Phantom Ranch, and what with only 10 riders per day being allowed, spaces on those book up quickly. The rimside Canyon Vista ride is OK, but was a poor substitute for the Plateau Point ride, which also took you below the rim. Not to sound like I’m crying sour grapes, but wintertime isn’t the greatest time of year for taking a mule ride anyway. It’s cold at that time of year, and possibly snowing — not the sorts of conditions I’d fancy being on the back of a mule for up to 8 hours!
So, here’s how I’d recommend structuring your trip:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona, ~5 hours, overnight in Sedona
Day 2: Hiking, shopping, etc. in Sedona, spend 2nd night
Day 3: Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~3 hour drive, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 5: Hike The Wave IF you manage to get a permit! For December, you must apply for an online permit in June; for January, July is the application period. How To Get A Wave Permit Overnight in Kanab, UT
Day 6: Drive from Kanab to Bryce Canyon, drive time ~90 minutes, overnight in Bryce
Day 7: Drive from Bryce to Zion, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 8: 2nd night in Zion
Day 9: Drive from Springdale, UT, to Las Vegas, drive time ~4 hours.
RE: Grand Staircase, you’ll be seeing some of this area on the drive between Page, AZ, and Bryce Canyon, UT. In the very likely event you are not selected for a Wave permit, consider touring some alternate areas in the vicinity which are just as beautiful, but don’t require a permit, such as White Pocket, Sidestep Canyon, Pinnacle Valley, Soap Creek, etc. Distance and degree of difficulties of hikes involved vary, and the roads leading to many of these area can be quite rough, so it is advisable to travel with a licensed guide service.
The thing to check first would be Grand Canyon lodging availability. Next, check Antelope Canyon tour availability. Be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if either of these crucial components dictate doing so.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 9:06 PM
anthony
Hi,
Im looking to travel in early august from salt lake city down to southern utah national parks and include Antelope and horseshoe,page,Zion Bryce, moab in 8 nights, we dont mind driving. Thanks! Anthony
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Hi Anthony,
With 8 nights to work with, you should be able to enjoy Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce, Zion, Moab, and maybe a few surprises in between. However, one place that’s conspicuously absent from your itinerary is the Grand Canyon. Have you already been there before? I’m going to assume “yes” in this case. If not, hit me up again and we’ll see how we can work it in!
Here’s what I suggest you do:
Day 1: Drive from SLC to Bryce Canyon, ~5 hour drive, overnight in Bryce.
Day 2: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion, 90 minute drive, overnight in Springdale, UT, or Kanab, UT.
Day 3: 2nd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale or Kanab.
Day 4: Drive from Springdale or Kanab to Page, AZ, drive time ~2-2.5 hours, tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 5: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive to Moab, UT, via Monument Valley, ~5 hour drive. Overnight in Moab.
Day 6: Explore Arches NP, 2nd night in Moab **for suggestions on tours and activities for this area, visit Moab Adventure Center
Day 7: Explore Canyonlands NP, 3rd night in Moab
Day 8: Drive back to Salt Lake City, ~4 hour drive. Time/inclination permitting, you might make a short detour to Goblin Valley State Park.
Be sure you make advance reservations for all lodging and guided tours in advance of your trip. Be prepared to flip-flop this itinerary if lodging availability is more conducive to hitting Moab first, then Bryce last.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels.
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 8:46 PM
sharon
Hi I came across your post, and I thought you are extremely helpful.
May I ask for your suggestion:
We are coming from Provo, Utah to drive down to Antelope. Wanted to stop at Monument valley or do overnite there, but it has been so hard to find a place to stay there. I found accommodation in Lake Powell instead. We will be in PAge, AZ area for 3 nites….the first nite was just to rest as we came from driving from Provo. For Second day, is it ok to drive to Monument Valley and back. Third day, we have a tour of Antelope at 10am, so wondering when should we do Horseshoe bend. I read that you re recommending after sunrise.
Thank you for your help.
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Hi Sharon!
Not surprised that Monument Valley lodging is already sold out. There’s not much to work with in that area in the first place, so with 3 nights in Page, AZ, you can make a day trip to Monument Valley with proper planning. It takes approximately 2 hours each way to drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley. One thing to keep in mind is that Monument Valley is on Daylight Savings Time, but Page, AZ, is not. Therefore, you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, then “regain it” going back to Page. You’ll need to factor this in if you take part in any guided tours, plus keep an eye on the time towards the end of the day. You want to avoid any and all driving after nightfall in this part of the country due to local roadways being VERY dark, especially on the Navajo Reservation. Plus, you have the possibility of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses darting out in front of your vehicle. Believe me, a nighttime collision with a large animal is a real buzzkill!
If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, you might consider flying over Monument Valley instead. Fixed wing airplane flights depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport and last ~90 minutes.
Yes, I definitely recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend early in the morning so you have cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. After 9:00 AM, it gets pretty slammed out there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Rita
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for the amazing itinerary and the tips! I am trying to adopt lot of your plans into our family trip in early June which is about 1 month away. We can’t wait, but still in planning phase. We will fly into Billings MT in the late evening on June 6th, and depart from Las Vegas at 11:00 PM on June 18th. I already booked the flights, and reserved 5 nights inside Yellowstone from 06/07 to 6/11. We plan to stay in Grand Teton, Jackson, Salt Lake City for a couple of nights. Then we are interested in going to Zion, Bryce, Upper Antelope, Page floating, Horseshoe bend, Monument Valley, Canyon South Rim, Hoover Dam, ideally see a show in Vegas before heading to the airport. I have been trying to work out our plan for a few days, and still doing pick and choose places within our limited timeframe. Do you think this plan is feasible? Could you please give me some suggestions where and how long we should stay in each area? what is a must see with the timeframe? We would really appreciate it. Thanks!
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Hi Rita and thank you for your visit today!
So if I’m interpreting your plan correctly, you intend on staying a couple of nights at SLC in between the Yellowstone and Southern Utah/Northern Arizona segments of your trip, namely the 12th and 13th? If that’s the case, that only gives you 3 full days to work with until you have to fly out of Las Vegas on 6/18. Therefore, no, your plan won’t be feasible. You’ll need to drop a couple of items off your “wish list” unless you’re OK with driving long distances every single day.
June 14th: The distance from Salt Lake City to the Northernmost Utah park on your itinerary, Bryce Canyon, is ~4.5 hours. Zion would be a further 2 hours from there. If you get an early start out of Salt Lake, you could visit Bryce as a “drive by” on your way to Zion, pop in there for a few hours, then overnight in Kanab, UT.
June 15th: The next day, you could head down to Page, AZ, which is ~2 hours from Kanab, do an early Antelope Canyon tour, then the afternoon departure of the Glen Canyon float trip, which requires you check in at noon for a 1 PM departure. One thing working in your favor here is that Utah IS on Daylight Savings Time, whereas Arizona is not, so you “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Arizona. The trip would conclude at around 5:30 PM, then you should overnight in Page, AZ.
June 16th: The next morning, get up early, hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then head to Grand Canyon South Rim. The drive is given “on paper” as 2.5 hours, but in reality, it ends up being more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours because it’s a very scenic drive, and you will be stopping to take pictures frequently. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then the next morning, head for Las Vegas.
June 17th: The drive from Grand Canyon to Las Vegas typically takes ~5 hours, and Hoover Dam is an easy stop you can make on your way into town. See show that night, fly out of Las Vegas the following morning.
If you’re OK with sacrificing your wish to see a show in Las Vegas on the 17th, that would free up a night you could stay over in Bryce Canyon, which is preferable to seeing it en route to Zion. Another consideration: one night in Zion really isn’t enough to do that park justice. Most visitors agree that 3-4 nights is the minimum time you should allot.
As you can see, Monument Valley has been stricken from this itinerary, but another option would be, again, sacrifice the night in Las Vegas, and hit Monument Valley between Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon South Rim. However, I don’t think you’ll be able to find lodging there at this point in time. So, a 3rd possibility would be to, again, scratch the Vegas plans, add a second night in Page, AZ, and visit Monument Valley as either a day trip — it’s a 2-hour drive EACH WAY — or, before making the drive to the Grand Canyon, take a scenic flight over the area in a fixed wing airplane. Flights over Monument Valley last approximately 90 minutes
Hope that helps, I know it’s a difficult choice of what to leave in and what to leave out.
Another thing: if you do take us up on the suggestion to visit Monument Valley as a day trip from Page, keep an eye on the time. Remember that Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time and Page, AZ, does not. So you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Page to MV, but regain it as you travel back. Be sure to time your return drive so that you are not doing any of it at night. It’s VERY dark on area roads, and deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes wild horses are notorious for causing accidents in areas where it’s sparsely populated and cell phone service is virtually non-existent.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 06, 2019 at 8:15 PM
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From Rita
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for sending me these great ideas to make our trip plan work better. I am trying to make our final plan by using your suggestions. Thanks again for taking lot of your time to make the plan for us, we really appreciate it! 🙂May 09, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Lisa Schaffer
Our family is doing a 16 day trip from Indiana to Colorado and Utah. We will be towing our 35 foot camper. We want to do Antelope Canyon and are leaning towards the lower as I think our kids ages 10-5 will like taking the ladders down. Is there a place to park a truck and trailer while we tour? We would be coming from Four Corners and headed towards Kanab, UT. Thank you!
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Hi Lisa!
Both Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters have good sized parking lots, Ken’s is slightly bigger. But as you can see from this Google Earth rendering, they can get pretty full, especially at peak tour times (mid-day). You might give some thought to getting an early start out of Four Corners, getting your camper set up somewhere in Page, AZ, then unhooking your tow vehicle and heading down to the canyon instead of going all the way to Kanab that night.
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to hit us up again if you need further guidance,
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 05, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Laurence
Hey Ryan, your advice here seems amazing so we thought we would get your opinion on our itinerary too! My girlfriend and I are coming from South Africa and our hiking section of the trip is as follows:
18/06/2019 – Arrive in the AM from Austin to Las Vegas. Vegas tour and show in the evening.
19/06/2019 – Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire. Drive to accommodation near Zion.
20/06/2019 – Zion (the narrows). Drive to accommodation near Page.
21/06/2019 – Upper Antelope Canyon (booked) and Lake Powell (not sure of how long this drive would be or if this is possible in one day?). Drive to accommodation near Grand Canyon.
22/06/2019 – Grand Canyon. Drive to accommodation near Sedona.
23/06/2019 – Sedona. Depart in the PM from Sedona to New York.
We are not sure what to do in Sedona yet and sadly we have quite a tight timeline to work with. If you have any thoughts or recommendations please let me know.
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Hi Laurence,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I’d still recommend a couple of slight modifications.
For one, you’re traveling in June, which is a CRAZY hot time in the Southwest. In light of that, I recommend skipping Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire, unless you can get a super-early start in the morning. Even if you were able to do that, you should probably choose one over the other, and IMO, that should be Red Rock Canyon. Not that Valley of Fire isn’t beautiful, it’s just very exposed. Red Rock has more opportunities for shade. For more information, visit www.RedRockCanyonLV.org
On 06/20 where you indicate that you want to hike the Narrows then drive to Page, you might find that plan works better on paper than in reality. The Narrows, though not super-strenuous, will take a lot out of you, especially at that time of year. Even though the drive to Page, AZ, isn’t incredibly long (~2 hours), you might find yourself wanting to collapse as soon as you arrive at the hotel. It’s up to you, of course, but just fair warning 😉 As far as “driving to Lake Powell,” yes, it is possible to drive to either Antelope Point Marina or Lake Powell Resort. Both are within the Glen Canyon National Receation Area, which will require that you pay an entrance fee. In your case, I’d recommend purchasing an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the U.S. for one year. It doesn’t work in areas such as State Parks (Valley of Fire is one, Sedona also has a lot of them), Native American Tribal Parks (such as Antelope Canyon), and City Parks, such as Horseshoe Bend. But it would still save you a little money.
As for Sedona, there’s no shortage of cool stuff to see and do, and I can guarantee that you’ll wish you had more time there. 3-4 days is the minimum timeframe recommended for a Sedona vacation, and many people spend a week there and still report feeling as though they’ve only scratched the surface. One day is better than nothing, but be ready to wish you could have stayed longer!
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 05, 2019 at 3:45 PM
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From Laurence
Hi Alley, thanks so much! Very very helpful indeed 🙂
May 07, 2019 at 6:08 PM
Maria Davis
Big question for me is, can you fly a drone there?
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Small answer: NOPE!
May 04, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Alenka Ribič
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
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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 🙂May 05, 2019 at 3:18 PM
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When you ask about “archade”, might you mean arches? There is “Arches National Park” by Moab in Utah.
May 22, 2019 at 6:38 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Bren,
Alenka may have already traveled, but that’s a definite possibility that by “archade” he meant “Arches!”
Alley 🙂May 22, 2019 at 7:48 PM
Wendy
Allie, I just want to thank you for your invaluable hints and suggestions. We just returned from our 8 day trip to your Grand Circle and followed most of your itinerary, except in reverse; Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, Antelope (lower), Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and return to Las Vegas. We spent two nights everywhere except for in Page, one night there, and just a stop at the Hoover Dam. That gave us a full day and a half in each place for exploring, it was a perfect amount of time. It also gave us three days with no driving, which was appreciated. This was also such a good time of year to visit, the weather was great and the crowds were certainly manageable. A huge thanks from us in Maine. You are the BEST. (My daughter said that she feels like we should have found you while we were in Page and bought you a gift, your advice was so helpful.) 😉
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Wendy,
OMG, thank you SO much for posting a follow-up! I’m overjoyed to hear that you had fun, and that you were able to enjoy 3 days of “drive-free” time as well 🙂
As for giving me a gift, that is so thoughtful, but unnecessary, plus, the thing is I no longer live in Page, so you would have done a lot of running around in vain. But I appreciate the sentiment. Hope you get a chance to return to the area someday.
Take care and have a wonderful summer,
Alley 🙂May 04, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Bob
Alley, great advice site! I have a question about visiting Upper Canyon with my wife who has moderate knee issues—I know Lower Canyon is out of the question. She walks fine and unassisted on the level—we have traveled everywhere. She has issues with steep slopes and steep stairs. Deep sand is somewhat of an issue. Of course, she does not use cane, crutches, walker, etc. Do folks with knee arthritis visit the Upper Canyon? Approximately how long in yards is the walk? Is there a slope and if so how steep? Are there steps? Is the soil firm or loose? Is the terrain smooth or rough?
Than you so much!!
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Hi Bob and thank you for your inquiry!
Your wife should be fine with Upper Antelope Canyon. Folks with knee and other issues visit all the time. There are no stairs, ladders, or anything of that nature. The length of the canyon is 100 yards out and back, and the trail through it is pretty much flat the whole way. As for the condition of the trail, that depends on what the weather has been like in the days leading up to your hike. If it has rained recently, the soil will be more compacted than it would be during a prolonged dry spell. If Upper Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, or if you think your wife might be able to handle a slightly longer hike, you might also consider Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. It’s ~300 yards long, but like Upper Antelope, has no stairs or ladders. Both tours involve a short off-road ride from the main highway to the entrance of the canyon.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 05, 2019 at 3:08 PM
Rea
can we have a reservation for lower antelope only and not as bundle? We are planning to go there on May 11, 2019. Thanks!
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Hi Rea,
Yes, you absolutely can book a tour to Lower Antelope Canyon just by itself and not as a bundle! There are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. They are:
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 2:31 PM
Angela
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?
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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 🙂May 03, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Katy Barker
Hi Alley, I apologize if this question has been asked before, but I didn’t spot it if it has! I am driving a rental car and as is common with rentals, can’t drive it on a dirt road without risking voiding my insurance! I want to visit the Lower Canyon with either Dixie’s or Ken’s and I understand they are pretty much in the same spot. Driving from Page, will I have to drive on any dirt roads at all to get to them, or is the parking lot literally right on the highway? Thanks in advance for your reply – your site is wonderfully helpful for planning a trip to this area 🙂
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Hi Katy, and thank you for your excellent inquiry, which, yes, has been asked before, but we don’t mind in the least answering it again!
You are correct in that off-road driving is prohibited with the majority of rental car companies. However, the road from the town of Page, AZ, to the Tribal Park Entrance on US98 is paved. The spur road leading to the two Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters’ headquarters is also paved. There is a short section of unpaved but graded road leading to their respective offices, but it’s so slight, your risk of damage to your rental vehicle is negligible at best.
Hope that helps. Be sure to reserve your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival, and consider bundling your Lower Antelope Canyon tour with a 90-minute boat tour to get the most of your time in the area!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Kim
Allley,
I sent you an earlier message but after doing more research I need some clarity. My family and I will be driving ourselves from site to site. I’m getting mixed messages about needing and not needing a reservation to tour the upper canyon – Antelope Canyon. I know that you must have a guide to tour, but I have read that you do not have to book a reservation in advance. Basically we can drive to the canyon, pay the fee and join a tour. Is that correct?
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Hi Kim,
NO, that is not correct. You absolutely MUST have an advance reservation to tour Antelope Canyon. You cannot simply drive up, pay for a tour, and expect to go in in a timely fashion. That may have been the case in years past, but not anymore.
Hope that helps.
Alley 🙂May 02, 2019 at 6:21 PM
Morgan Truman
Hi Ryan,
I’m in the process of trying to plan a trip out to this area in September (i’m feeling like I’m a little late on getting things planned, hopefully will still be able to find lodging, planning to utilize mostly air bnb) but I am having trouble narrowing down the places I would like to visit vs the places I have time to visit and actually do them justice. We haven’t finalized our days yet but are expecting to have 9-10 days. If I provide the list of places I am wanting to visit, I am hoping maybe you could give me an idea of how much time I would want at each location, and as I know there are way too many to fit in, which ones you would recommend skipping. And maybe throw together a recommended itinerary… We enjoy hiking, but aren’t very experienced hikers and are a little out of shape so not looking for anything crazy strenuous. We are debating between flying into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. Thanks so much for your help!!!
Here is the list of places I was looking into, I have starred the ones that I have heard the best things about and that I felt were most important to see…
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
Zion*
Bryce Canyon*
Capitol Reef
Canyonlands
Arches
Mesa Verde
Four Corners Monument
Monument Valley
Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell/Horseshoe Bend
Glen Canyon
Grand Staircase
Grand Canyon North Rim*
Grand Canyon South*
Hoover dam*
Oh, I forgot one thing from the list… which i’ve heard is beautiful but insanely hard to get into. Havasu Falls.
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Hi Morgan,
Your plan is very ambitious, and IMO, overly so. Hitting all the destinations on your wish list won’t be feasible, or practical, but you can still have a great time!
Let’s get the first “can’t happen/won’t happen” item out of the way: Havasu Falls. If you don’t have either a camping permit there or a reservation at the lodge already, you simply won’t be going there. This area is in extremely high demand, and plans must be made at least 1 year in advance for a visit to this highly-coveted area. For more information, visit our companion site, www.Havasupai.AZ
With 9-10 days to work with, you’ll have to do some further trimming down of your itinerary if you don’t want to be packing up and driving every. single. day. After all, this is supposed to be a vacation, not a death march! So, Mesa Verde and 4 Corners are most likely going to have to come off the list. Save Colorado for another trip when you can fly in and out of Denver and give the whole state the time it deserves.
That said, I’d recommend using Las Vegas as your “staging city” for your trip. You’ll probably be able to find the most competitive airfares into that city. You might also look into flying into Las Vegas and out of Salt Lake, but verify rental car drop off fees before you commit to that. They’re often quite hefty for dropping a vehicle anywhere other than where you picked it up.
A recommended itinerary would go something like this:
Day 1: Fly into Las Vegas early, pick up rental car, head to Zion National Park, with a stop-off at the Red Cliffs Conservation Area (~4-5 hour drive). Overnight in Springdale, UT. Time/desire permitting, do some hiking in Zion that afternoon.
Day 2: More sightseeing in Zion, maybe hike The Narrows, or Angel’s Landing, 2nd night in Springdale.
Day 3: Get an early start, drive from Zion to Capitol Reef with a stop at Bryce Canyon. ~5-6 hour drive, overnight in Torrey, Fruita, or Hanksville, UT
Day 4: Drive from Capitol Reef to Moab, UT ~3 hour drive, overnight in Moab, UT.
Day 5: Explore Arches NP and surrounding area, 2nd night in Moab
Day 6: Explore Canyonlands NP and surrounding area, 3rd night in Moab — for suggestions on other activities you might enjoy in this area, visit MoabAdventureCenter.com
Day 7: Drive from Moab, UT, to Page, AZ, via Monument Valley, drive time ~5 hours total, overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 8: Tour Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 9: Get early start, hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, drive time ~4 hours factoring in photo ops, bathroom breaks and other stops, overnight at Grand Canyon .
Day 10: Take morning Grand Canyon helicopter or airplane flight over Grand Canyon North Rim, then drive back to Vegas (~5 hour drive), stop at Hoover Dam, fly home.
Now, you may think that Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has been conspicuously omitted from this itinerary, but it’s really not. Grand Staircase is a huge area, whose “front country” scenery can be enjoyed on different sections of the drive, for example, going from Bryce to Capitol Reef, simply follow UT12 through the towns of Escalante and Boulder. It’s a gorgeous drive, and doesn’t add much in the way of time to the trip.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 4:14 PM
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From Morgan Truman
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for your suggestions! It looks like our trip has been limited to 9 full days (flying in to vegas at about 11pm on friday august 30 , then 9 full days, then flying out of vegas at 1:30pm on Mon Sept 9. Because we only have 9 full days it looks like we would have to cut something out of your suggested itinerary, possibly two things because I’d really like to visit the north rim of the grand canyon as it’s been highly recommended to me by a family member who has been there. Are Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands worth the extra driving? Might our time be better spent spending more time at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley? Obviously I would love to visit all the places I had mentioned, especially because I am not sure I will ever make it to this area again, but I want to make sure we actually have time to enjoy the destinations we are driving to and not just spending all our time driving in the car. I’ve never been on a trip of this type before, never been out west and never been to a national park actually, so I’m very unsure of how much time we should have at each destination and such. If you wouldn’t mind maybe recommending what you would do in this situation and a modified 9 day itinerary? Thank you so much for all your help!!
Morgan
May 16, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Liz Williams
Hi Alley and Ryan
Thank you so much for all the wonderful information on your website. I was hoping for a bit of guidance on our planned trip to Arizona from Dec 26-Jan 1 this year. Just with the time of year we are traveling, your valuable input would be much appreciated. We are a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 kids 17, 15 and 11) and love to hike!
Dec 26 – Arrive late into phoenix and staying just north of the city overnight.
Dec 27 – Drive to Sedona – Best options for the rest of the day in Sedona ?? Over night in Sedona
Dec 28 – Morning Sedona – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, walk along the rim trail, O/N GC
Dec 29 – A hike down into the GC – best option? Helicopter ride over GC today or early tomorrow morning ? ON GC
Dec 30 – Drive to Page – Lower Antelope Canyon Tour in the afternoon – ON Page
Dec 31 – Horseshoe Bend in the morning, either New Wave or Monument Valley in the afternoon. Today is my 50th birthday so somewhere to celebrate??
Jan 1 – Drive back to Phoenix for 4pm flight.
Thank you – we would really appreciate any advice!
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Hi Liz,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun and well-planned, but the one thing that could throw a major wrench into these plans is weather. You’re visiting during the winter months, which means you could very well encounter snow in places like Sedona and the Grand Canyon. While that usually materializes as rain in areas such as Page, AZ, last year they had 6″ of snow over the Xmas/New Year’s holiday week!
In Sedona, you’ll find no shortage of things to see and do! Hiking the Courthouse/Bell Rock loop trail might be a good candidate for an afternoon hike, again, weather permitting. Or you might hit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, or explore some of the numerous art galleries and retail shops on one of Sedona’s Art Walks.
In the Grand Canyon, the easiest inner canyon hike will be down the Bright Angel Trail. The trailhead is located ~100 yards West of Bright Angel Lodge. Go down as far as you want, but be careful not to go down TOO far. A good rule of thumb is 1 hour down = 2 hours up. Bring water and snacks with you if you plan on spending longer than 1 hour’s time, or going further than 1 mile round trip. For the Grand Canyon helicopter flights, mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and lack of wind, but again, these operate weather permitting, and snowstorms usually result in flights being cancelled.
At the time of year you’re going to be here, visiting Monument Valley as a day trip from Page, AZ, isn’t the greatest idea because 1. it takes 2 hours each way to drive there, so 4 hours in the car will be required right off the bat; 2. you’re up against short daylength at that time of year – sunrise takes place around 7:40 AM, and sunset occurs at about 5:15 PM. You’ll need to be sure that you time your drive so that you’re “back to base” well before nightfall due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roads, and the tendency for deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to gravitate around them at night, ratcheting up your risk of a collision. Believe me, that’s something you don’t want to deal with on a dark, lonely road on a cold winter night! In light of your limited time, I’d recommend either dropping Monument Valley from your itinerary, or freeing up more time so you can spend the night there.
For celebrating your birthday (congratulations!) there are a number of restaurants in Page, AZ, where you might do this. Bonkers Restaurant, State 48 Tavern, or the Dam Bar and Grille are some of my personal favorites. For more suggestions, visit TripAdvisor: 10 Best Restaurants in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 3:41 PM
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From Liz Williams
Hi Alley
Thanks so much for all your great advice and I guess we will be at the mercy of the weather. Hopefully we’ll manage most of what we set out to do.
thanks also for your favorite places to eat – we’ll definitely check those out!Best wishes
LizMay 08, 2019 at 12:06 AM
Kim
Hi Alley,
I’ve been reading some of your posts and I have to say that your knowledge of the area is incredible. And you’re so kind! I will be traveling with my family (in June 2019) to the west for the first time and we are so excited. Lodging (inside all parks) and flights are already booked. We are flying in to Vegas and driving from Vegas to Zion (3 days), to Bryce (2 days) and to South Rim (3 days), back to Vegas (1 night) then back home to D.C.. I want to squeeze in a tour of Antelope Canyon (if there is availability) and I’m wondering if it would be better for us to travel from Zion to Page (then to Bryce) OR from Bryce to Page (then to South Rim). I believe the distance is about the same (2.5 to 3 hrs). We would leave either park around 8 am, arriving at Antelope Canyon by 11 am. We would spend a few hours there, leaving at 3pm so we will arrive at our next destination before the gates close. Will we have enough time to swing by Horseshoe Bend? Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you!! Kim
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Hi Kim, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
You have done a fantastic job of allowing sufficient time in each destination to really enjoy it. However, you can still squeeze Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and possibly Lake Powell into your itinerary quite easily: drop 1 night at the Grand Canyon. Most families like yourselves find 2 days ample time to explore the park quite fully, plus you’d end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive in from Page, AZ.
The order in which I recommend accommodating Page, AZ, into your trip is to go there between Bryce Canyon and the South Rim.
From Bryce to Page, AZ, the drive takes approximately 2.5-3 hours. If you get an early start out of Bryce, you might take advantage of the opportunity to do the fun, scenic, and relatively easy hike to the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstool Hoodoos at mile marker 19 of US89 between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon (be sure to make a reservation in advance), then overnight in Page, AZ.
The next morning, get an early start again and hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. You’ll avoid the peak crowds and heat of mid-day, trust me! As you make your way South on US89, you’ll find several viewpoints worth stopping at, such as The Cut Overlook, Chinle formation views, and the Cameron Trading Post. The latter would be a good brunch/lunch stop if you’re hungry by that point; if not, it makes for the ideal opportunity for a restroom break/leg stretch. Heading toward Grand Canyon South Rim on AZ64 West, here again, a whole bunch of places to stop and take photos, then once you enter Grand Canyon National Park “proper” at Desert View Point, you have a choice of over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon to stop at before you hit Grand Canyon Village.
The drive back to Las Vegas would then be ~4.5 hours, with the option of stopping at Hoover Dam before you get into town.
If for some reason you find the notion of staying in Page, AZ, a bit longer to be appealing, you might consider dropping a night in Bryce, as well as the night in Grand Canyon, to make that happen. Not that Bryce isn’t incredible, it definitely is, but since it’s a relatively small park square mileage-wise, you can scoot by with just one night there and still have a fulfilling visit. Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 3:08 PM
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From Kim
Thanks, Alley! Great advice! It didn’t occur to me to maybe drop a night in G.C. and add one to Page, AZ….thank you!!! So, right now we are definitely staying in Bryce for 1 night/2 days, leaving early on day 2 (about 7 am) and heading to Page, AZ. We booked an 11 tour at Antelope Canyon X (trying to avoid the crowds) but since you mentioned “must sees” in between Bryce and Page, I’m thinking about changing the tour to 1 or 2 pm. Is there a better time for that and what are your thought on Antelope Canyon X? I have only read positive reviews :-). Anyway, your advice is appreciated…..thank you so, so much!!
May 03, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Natalya
I’m sorry about my previous message. I typed it with the wrong spelling corrector.
If we do the kayak tour, would we see Lake Powell as well?
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Hi Natalya,
All kayak tours operated by Hidden Canyon Kayak and other local operators take place on Lake Powell. However, you would by no means see “all” of Lake Powell as it is a huge body of water spanning two states. While the kayak tour is a really fun activity that I highly recommend, if you want to get a truer sense of Lake Powell’s size and scope, the best way to do that is by flying over it. Fixed wing airplane and helicopter flights depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport, and mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and lack of wind.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 2:54 PM
Siva
Hello Alley,
You’ve been so helpful for everyone out there on their plans and stuff. I’d like to have someone help for us as well 🙂
Our priorities: Grand Canyon, Monument Valley Park, Antelope Canyon and other sight seeings. Interested to do camping or few miles of hike on high recommendation 🙂
Myself and my wife planned to do a 10 day trip covering Arizona, Las Vegas and California. So, we allocated 3 days to Arizona (Flexible for one more day). Our plan looks like this. Arriving PHX Airport by 430 PM and taking the rental car at 5/530 PM. Roaming Phoenix by car that evening before going to sleep (reservation made for the night).
Day 1: Early morning drive (3 and half hours) to Grand Canyon (still haven’t decided which rim we need to go. Please suggest). Heard that regardless of which rim we go – it would take in between 4-6 hours. Please correct me if I’m wrong. Hoping that we end up around somewhere at 3 or 4 PM at Grand Canyon. Start the drive to Monument Valley Park which is 3 hours from GC and have a reservation made here to have the sunrise view (should make sure that we should be there before sunset as it’s a risky place to drive without proper lights).
Day 2: Sunrise view at Monument Valley Park and complete the 2 hour 17 mile drive and head to page by lunch (somewhere in between 1 – 3 PM).
My question: How long does it take to visit horseshoe bend, Antelope Canyon(not sure whether we need to go to upper or lower – please suggest) and lake powell. It’s hard to do I believe but we are ok to get insights of it. If recommended, we can stay the night.
Day 3: If we are done with Page area by day late evening, we will stay the night in Page and drive to Flagstaff. Will cover some parts of Sedona (may be sight seeing) and visit Jerome and then to Vegas.
Any suggestions or recommendations are highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Siva
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Hi Siva, and thank you for visiting.
I hate to say it, but I can’t endorse your plan as it stands. You’re trying to cram too much sightseeing into too short a time. In this part of the U.S., it’s a wise idea to pad your drive times by about 20-30% because most drives are very scenic and you’ll undoubtedly be stopping to take photos often. You had indicated it might be possible for you to free up another day? If that’s still the case, I strongly recommend that you do so.
On Day 1, for example, you indicate your understanding of the drive time from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon as 3.5 hours. It’s more along the lines of 4.5 hours to the South Rim (that’s the side of the Grand Canyon most recommended for first time visitors). Then, you’re facing more along the lines of a 3.5 hour drive to Monument Valley? Uh uh… too much driving. Instead, I recommend that you head straight from Phoenix to Monument Valley seeing as though you have a reservation there which will be very hard to change at this point. The drive will be anywhere from 5-6 hours.
On Day 2, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. As for which branch of Antelope Canyon to tour, that largely depends on how physically fit your party is (or isn’t). If everyone in the group is relatively healthy and doesn’t mind a 600m hike, plus managing a few ladders, staircases, and simple bouldering, you should be fine with Lower. If you are traveling with infants, toddlers, seniors, or anyone with limited mobility, Upper would probably be the better choice. If you wish to see Lake Powell, you might consider adding a 90-minute boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside to an Antelope Canyon walking tour as a “bundle.” It’s a lot more convenient to make reservations that way vs. having to search through multiple tour companies’ websites, where you’d undoubtedly encounter sold out tours. Upper Antelope Canyon + Lake Powell Boat Tour Bundle Lower Antelope Canyon + Lake Powell Boat Tour Bundle Overnight in Page, AZ, that night.
On Day 3, get an early start to Grand Canyon South Rim, hitting Horseshoe Bend en route, then overnight at the Grand Canyon. This drive will take anywhere from 3.5-4.5 hours factoring in restroom and meal breaks, and the numerous scenic viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you’ll be tempted to stop at. Grand Canyon hotels
On Day 4 (if you can free it up), drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona. It’s ~3-3.5 hour drive. Overnight in Sedona, then drive on to Las Vegas the following morning (~5 hour drive, with stop at Hoover Dam if you wish).
If for some reason you can’t free up an extra day or two for Arizona, then I’d recommend skipping Sedona. Not that it isn’t beautiful — it is, amazingly so — but you really need 3-4 days to tour that area properly. Indeed, many people who spend a week there report feeling as though they could have spent more time. Plan a return visit to this area when you can give it the time it deserves.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Julia Porto
Hi Alley!
I’ve learned so much already reading your comments, by far the most helpful source I’ve found! Thank you for keeping this public.
I’m heading next week to a FULL 4-day road trip, and still have many doubts so hopefully, you can give us some last minute tips. This is the so far planned itinerary:
Day 1: Early morning Las Vegas to Zion. Spend the day until mid afternoon. Leave to Bryce for sunset/lodging.
Day 2: Sunrise at Bryce, explore Bryce until noon. Leave to Horseshoe bend. If still time, boat tour in Lake Powell. Lodge in Page.
Day 3: Free morning, thinking about Cathedral or Secret Canyon, or do you suggest another tour? Booked Upper Antelope at 12:30 pm.
Leave to Grand Canyon for sunset at Hopi point. Lodge in Grand Canyon.
Day 4: Grand Canyon sunrise. Leave to Sedona, nothing booked there so far. Heading to Flagstaff for the night.
Day 5: Depart from Flagstaff in the morning
I’m thinking it’s going to be too much to do in a little time…We are 3 in the party and 2 of us have already visited the Grand Canyon. Still, we wanted to fit at least a stop along the way there. Yet, we could skip the Grand Canyon night, and stay a second night in Page (day 3) heading for a full day in Sedona (day 4). If you have time I would love to hear your opinion!
Also, what we should not miss (hikes/viewpoints) in Zion, Bryce, Sedona and/or along this route?
Thank you very very much!!!
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Hey Julia, thank you so much for your compliments!
IMO your itinerary warrants a little “tweaking” for everyone’s comfort and enjoyment.
On Day 1, for example, where you’re planning to travel from Las Vegas to Bryce via Zion, I’d suggest overnighting in Zion instead. The drive from Las Vegas to Zion, under normal circumstances, takes ~3 hours, but right now there is some construction taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that is going to add another 30-60 minutes onto your drive. In light of that, plus the fact that Zion has so much to see and do, I’d recommend at least an overnight there. Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, or Kanab, UT, just East of the park have the most lodging choices.
On Day 2, do the drive to Bryce, which is about 1.5 hours from Kanab, or ~2 hours from Springdale, then overnight in Bryce, or nearby.
On Day 3, drive to Page, AZ, which is ~3 hours from Bryce, do a slot canyon tour. If you’ve already got Upper booked, I’d recommend sticking with that, and then if you wanted to do another activity, a Lake Powell boat tour would be good. With your limited time, you’ll need to stick with one of the shorter ones, such as the 90-minute Antelope Canyon waterside boat tour, or perhaps the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise. Then overnight in Page, AZ.
On Day 4, hit Horseshoe Bend, and start heading toward Sedona. Since you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, instead of going all the way into Grand Canyon Village, I’d recommend doing a quick “pop-in” to the Desert View Watchtower by turning West off US89 onto AZ64 from Cameron. After giving the Grand Canyon a quick wave, head down to Sedona, and instead of driving back to Flagstaff, AZ, that night, simply overnight in Sedona. Then, if you’re going back to Las Vegas on day 5, the drive will be ~4.5 hours. You could stop by Hoover Dam on the way if you wanted.
Something very important to keep in mind is that nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. This is due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes wild horses, to gravitate toward them at night, which ratchets up your accident risk. Any driving needs to be done during daylight hours. Also, Utah DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Arizona DOES not. Therefore, you’ll “lose” an hour driving from Las Vegas to Utah, then “regain” it as you travel from Utah to Arizona. Sunrise in Page, AZ, occurs at ~5:30 AM and sunset takes place around 7:30 PM at the time of year you’re traveling.
As for hikes, viewpoints, etc., in the various stops on your tour, choices are ample in a wide range of “degrees of difficulty,” timeframe, and highlights. Zion in particular has had a lot of rain and snowfall this year, which has resulted in some of the more popular hikes being off-limits until trails are repaired. I’d advise visiting the National Park Service pages for Zion and Bryce, and then the Sedona Visitors Bureau’s website.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 1:34 PM
Peter Abramovich
Hi! Love your site, thank you very much for keeping it up to date! My family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids: 15 and 8) are planning a trip for the Labor day weekend. We live in Orange County CA and plan to drive straight (I know it’s a lot of driving non-stop) to Page, AZ. We are hoping to get there by Friday night (August 30). We will have 2 full days (Saturday and Sunday) in Page AZ before heading back home on Monday, September 2. Can you please make recommendations as far as what sites to see and to visit? We were thinking doing a combo tour of lower and upper canyons as well as the boat tour. Do you think it’s too much to squeeze in 1 day? If not, what would you recommend for the 2nd day? I appreciate your help!
Peter A.
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Hi Peter, and thanks for your compliments!
Yes, you are looking at a long day of driving to get from Orange County, CA, to Page, AZ – at least 8 hours, if not longer. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is some construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that you must pass through, which could potentially add another 30-60 minutes onto your drive. If you can possibly free up another day on either side of your visit, you might consider breaking up the drive in Las Vegas, NV, or Mesquite, NV. If that’s not possible, get an early start on your travel days and tell the kids no “are we there yet?’s” will be allowed LOL
RE: doing the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon plus a boat tour, those three activities actually fit quite well into a single day. Booking the three activities as a bundle is definitely the way to go for optimal convenience. On your 2nd day in Page, you could hit Horseshoe Bend, preferably just after sunrise to avoid the heat and the crowds, then perhaps take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, or do one of more of several easy but scenic hikes in the area, such as the “New” Wave, the Page Rim View Trail, the Hanging Gardens, or maybe visit the Navajo Village Heritage Center. For more ideas, check out this piece on our companion site, HorseshoeBend.com: 48 Hours in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 1:07 PM
Dee
Hi, I just tripped across your blog while researching reviews of the slot canyon tour options. However I have been unable to find an answer that I hope you can help with. I know you must have a Navajo guide to hike the canyons and also pay the $8 fee. Does this also apply to kayaking the canyon? We have our own kayaks and are avid kayakers and after studying the charts of Lake Powell we will have no problem kayaking the canyon without a guide and or tour. Thank you!
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Hi Dee, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
Antelope Canyon is a Navajo Indian Tribal Park, whereas Lake Powell is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. These are two distinct, and separately-managed areas, therefore, you have to deal with two different fee structures. It costs $30/vehicle to enter Glen Canyon NRA, which is good for one week’s time. So if you wanted to kayak in different areas over the course of 2-3 days, the $30 fee would have you covered.
If you happen to be visiting other National Parks on this vacation, such as Zion, Bryce, the Grand Canyon, etc., you might consider purchasing an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. This is a card that costs $80, and grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for one year’s time. It doesn’t work in Tribal Parks, such as Antelope Canyon, or at Horseshoe Bend, since that was recently designated a Page, AZ, City Park, for which a one-time $10/vehicle fee is required. But, since all the other parks mentioned above require an entrance fee, the card pretty much pays for itself on the typical 7-day Grand Circle vacation. Plus you can use it to enter other parks or monuments near your home town if you want, as long as it’s within a calendar year of your initial purchase. Just pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your trip.
Hope that helps. Don’t hesitate to hit us up again if we can be of further assistance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 30, 2019 at 2:19 PM
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Hi Dee,
We are planning to visit Antelope Canyon and horseshoe bend on may 24-27. We are from Los angeles and will be driving to arizona. Where is the best place to stay in arizona to minimize the drive time to antelope canyon and any suggestions on places we can visit to squeeze in our very short vacation. Thank you and have a great dayMay 01, 2019 at 8:50 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Beth,
The best place to stay for touring Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell is Page, AZ. There are ~50 hotels in this area, plus a pretty impressive array of vacation rental homes and non-traditional lodging such as glamping resorts. Whichever you prefer, you’ll need to make a reservation in advance since you are visiting over Memorial Day weekend, which is a very busy time of year.
The drive from LA to Page, AZ, takes a minimum of 9 hours, each way. You might want to consider breaking up the drive in Las Vegas, NV, or someplace like that. If you are able to drive straight through, you might consider visiting the Grand Canyon. The South Rim has the most in the way of visitor facilities, as well as square mileage of the canyon that can be driven to. It takes 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page, AZ to the Grand Canyon, factoring in stops, meal breaks, etc. Grand Canyon hotels should also be booked in advance. If lodging availability dictates as such, you could reverse the order of your itinerary, in other words, go from LA to Grand Canyon South Rim, the GC to Page, AZ, then back to Los Amngeles.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 1:43 PM
Christine Simoneau
Hi, I am staying at Lake Powell resort in June. I would like to take a Glen Canyon float trip and a trip to Antelope canyon. I have an afternoon and the next morning to do this unless I stay another night. Is there a boat trip on Lake Powell to see Antelope Canyon?
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Hi Christine, and thank you for your inquiry.
The Glen Canyon Float Trip is a 4.5 hour trip that is best taken in the morning for more comfortable temperatures in the canyon. The morning departure takes place at 7:00 AM and requires a 6:00 AM check-in at Wilderness River Adventures in Page, AZ. Allow ~20 minutes to drive from Lake Powell Resort into town. If you rise early that morning, hit Horseshoe Bend before heading over to Wilderness so you can also take advantage of cooler temperatures and fewer people at this location.
There absolutely is a Lake Powell boat tour that goes to the waterside of Antelope Canyon, and as of just recently, you are now able to book both the walking (land-side) tours of Antelope Canyon with the boat tour as a “bundle.” It’s a lot easier process than booking the two tours separately, trust me!
All that said, I would still recommend staying a second night at Lake Powell Resort regardless. Even though the Glen Canyon Float Trip would wrap up at around noon, prolonged exposure to the sun tends to zap the energy out of you pretty quick. I can pretty much guarantee that afterwards, you’ll be in no mood for a long drive to your next destination. Relaxing with a cocktail will probably be more to your liking.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 30, 2019 at 2:08 PM
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From Christine
Hi Alley: It’s Christine again. We will be coming into Lake Powell from Bryce. Would you tell us the best route to use and what stops you would suggest making along the way. Thanks to you we will make it to Antelope canyon and will go on the float tour. Thanks again for your valuable input.
May 06, 2019 at 6:27 PM
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Hi Alley: Thank you for the insight. I have another question. We will visit Zion, Bryce, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon in a week’s time. We have been entertaining the idea of a fixed plane ride. What option would give us the best overlook, from Page, Grand Canyon or other? Thank you, Christine
May 02, 2019 at 10:59 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi again, Christine!
Holy moly, that’s a hard one. Flying over both the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell is incredible, and the good news is, you won’t go wrong, whichever place you choose for your scenic flight!
In my opinion, flying over the Grand Canyon is actually better by helicopter instead of fixed-wing airplane. While the helicopters are technically forbidden from flying below the rim, they still get you at an altitude even with the North Rim. There are instances where you almost feel like you could open a window and reach out and touch the canyon walls. Fixed wing airplanes are required to fly 1,000′ higher than helicopters over the Grand Canyon airspace, so that perspective is more of a “bird’s eye” view that will better illustrate how the Grand Canyon relates to the surrounding landscape if that makes sense.
Fixed wing airplanes are actually allowed to fly fairly low over Lake Powell, which is why many people report the experience as feeling more intimate than airplane flights over the South Rim. If you opt to fly over Lake Powell, I recommend the flight that goes over Rainbow Bridge.
Whatever you do, try to schedule your flight for the morning hours for optimal light and less wind.
Hope that helps. I know it’s a tough choice!
Alley 🙂May 03, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Canyon X
Some my newest photos from Canyon X, definitely better for exploring and photographing than Upper Antelope Canyon.
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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 🙂April 30, 2019 at 1:59 PM
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From Jacek
No problem 🙂 Thanks 🙂
May 10, 2019 at 3:39 PM
Leah
Hi! I am working on planning a 6 night (Sun-Sat) Trip! We do not have flights yet. We have arrangements for the hotel on Wednesday evening 7/3 in the Grand Canyon. I haven’t booked anything else as I am struggling with the details! Must sees: Zion & Grand Canyon. Nice to see: Horsehoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Hoover Dam. Would love to do a water activity at some point because it will be first week of July. Also 4th of July is that Thursday- any suggestions on where we should spend the 4th??
This is what I was thinking– not sure if it is feasible! Thank you so much in advance!
Sun: Arrive in LV drive halfway to Zion-is there anywhere interesting to stop and stay overnight? If not we could drive all the way there and do a smaller hike or walk through the park ? Monday Hike Angels landing , dinner in Springdale, stay overnight. Tuesday- drive to Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon? Weds am- drive to GC. stay overnight, GC sunrise Thursday am. This leaves us with Hoover Dam on Friday and Friday evening in Vegas, Leave Saturday.
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Hi Leah, and thank you for visiting.
On that first day, I’d recommend just driving all the way to Zion. It’s only ~3-4 hours from Las Vegas, give or take a few, which is a hop-skip-and-a-jump in these parts LOL. There is some construction taking place along a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that you’ll have to pass through, which could add another 30-60 minutes to your drive. Plan on staying in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park, or at a hotel in Kanab, UT, about half an hour West of the park.
The trip from Kanab, UT, to Page, AZ, for Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon is about 1.5 hours, but you might get an early start so you can take advantage of the opportunity to do the relatively easy Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Trail hike on the way. Be sure to make advance reservations for Antelope Canyon Tours. If you’re wanting to do a water-based activity, consider booking your Antelope Canyon walking tour plus a 90-minute boat tour as a “bundle.” It’s a lot easier than trying to book both tours separately, trust me! Then plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise on your way out of town to the Grand Canyon.
Regarding 4th of July, they don’t do any kind of fireworks at the Grand Canyon, at least not of the man made variety. For that, you might want to go to Flagstaff, AZ, Williams, AZ, or even Las Vegas, NV. One caveat to that, though, is that if the summer is abnormally dry, fireworks displays may be cancelled for safety reasons. After all, it is the desert!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 30, 2019 at 1:58 PM
Amelia Stephanie
Hi , i super love your blog 😊..
I’ve been to grand canyon north , i’m interesting in antelope , etc … but i can’t drive too long , more than 3 hours will be super sleepy . I love sightseeing , but not hiking person..
1. Is it more close to antelope if we arrive to phoenix airport . Go to sedona , and the next day to antelope canyon ? If it is , is there a hotel near sedona ?
2. I see on internet, we can’t go to antelope by ourself . Tour only.. so is that mean we can’t drive to antelope canyon ? There’s a tour from vegas , 4 hours go and back again to vegas by bus . I think it’s super tired to do in one day . What do you think ?
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Hi Amelia,
If at all possible, you should drive yourself to Page, AZ, where Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are located. Phoenix is a good airport to use for trips to this area, Las Vegas is as well. Both airports are ~a 5-hour drive from Page, AZ. The one caveat re: Las Vegas right now is that some construction is taking place on a stretch of I-15 you’d have to travel between Las Vegas and Page, AZ, which would add another 30-60 minutes onto an already long drive. If you wanted, you could book a stopover in Zion National Park, with lodging at Springdale, UT, to break up the drive. If you preferred to use Phoenix as your “staging” city, Sedona would make a good place to break up the drive, but if your time is limited, you might want to go to Flagstaff, AZ, instead. Not that Sedona isn’t beautiful; it is, but one night there will hardly be satisfying at all. Neither will one night in Zion for that matter. Both areas deserve at least 2-3 days bare minimum to do them justice. If that’s not possible, you might want to schedule a return visit when you can spend the time each place warrants. There are plenty of hotels in Sedona and/or Flagstaff, just do a Google search and you’ll find a number of results in a variety of amenity classes and price points.
It is true that you cannot go to Antelope Canyon on your own. A guided tour is required. I agree that doing it as a day tour from Vegas would be exhausting, so, here again, best to drive to Page, AZ, with a stopover in between, then spend 1-2 nights in Page. That way, you’d have time to visit other attractions in the area such as Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell. If you’re not keen on doing a lot of hiking, you’d probably prefer to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, since it’s an easy 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail. Right now, it is possible to book Antelope Canyon tours as “bundles” with 90-minute Lake Powell Boat Tours, so, do take advantage of that time permitting!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 7:50 PM
kumar
Hi,
May first week planning to self-drive to antelope from LAS and will start at 8pm, is it safe to travel during night time? Will be back come next night to LAS. One is enough at Antelope and how to plan everything in one day?
Thanks
Kumar
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Hi Kumar,
Sorry, friend, but I cannot endorse this plan.
Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona/Southern Utah due to lack of ambient lighting on what are mostly rural roads, plus the possibility of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses to gravitate near them at night. Any and all driving around here must be done during daylight hours, or at least have you heading out of Las Vegas just before sunrise and/or arriving shortly after sunset.
During the first week of May, sunrise occurs at around 5:45 AM, sunset at about 7:30 PM. The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, takes ~5 hours under usual circumstances, but right now, there is some construction taking place on a small section of I-15 that could add another 30-60 minutes onto your drive. Honestly, 10-12 hours on the road is a lot to endure for just 90 minutes – 2.5 hours of touring.
If possible, try to rearrange your schedule so that you can travel to Page, AZ, and stay for at least one night. That will enable you to see more sights in the area, and visit Horseshoe Bend at the best time of day, which is just after sunrise.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 5:25 PM
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From Mimi
Hello Alley, is December a good time to visit the Antelope? Does it get rain or windy usually around December? Thanks
May 31, 2019 at 5:07 AM
Brandon
Hi,
I am looking to schedule a 5 day road trip from Phx and would like to visit Page, Bryce, and Zion. I will be traveling with my two teenage daughters and looking for help with an itinerary. Looks like there is so much to do and I am having a hard time narrowing the activities down. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.
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Hi Brandon,
One thing I notice right off the bat is that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. If you’ve never been there before, you should be sure you work that into your itinerary! That said, availability of lodging at Grand Canyon South Rim, or lack thereof, will be a significant factor in determining how your itinerary shapes up.
Using Phoenix as your staging city, and assuming you’d want to get the longer drive(s) out of the way first, a good itinerary including all the places on your wish list would look something like this:
Day 1: Drive from Phoenix to Bryce, ~7 hour drive, overnight in Bryce or nearby
Day 2: Drive from Bryce to Zion, ~2-2.5 hours’ drive, overnight in Kanab, UT
Day 3: Drive from Zion (Kanab) to Page, AZ, ~2 hours drive, en route do Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Trail hike, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 5: Drive back to Phoenix (~5 hours)
If you find that Grand Canyon lodging is not available on the last stop of your tour, move it up to the first stop, then hit Zion, Bryce, and Page, in that order, then drive back to Phoenix. The drive from Page, AZ, to Phoenix is also ~5 hours, going direct.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all lodging and guided tours well in advance of your trip.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 5:14 PM
Shital Mehta
Hi there. We are staying in Sedona for a trip in May for our friends 50th birthday and planning a day trip on May 10th to Page and want to do antelope canyon, horshoebend and possibly the boat tour on lake powell. our group age is between 48-63 years. would you suggest we should do both, upper and lower canyon or which one would you recommend and since we are driving from sedona and return back to sedona what would be the things we should do and how much time should we allow for each. Thank you for your help in advance.
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Hi Shital,
In light of the fact that you are visiting Page, AZ, as a day trip from Sedona, AZ, I would recommend against overscheduling your day. You’re looking at ~3 hours, each way, to drive from Sedona to Page. Another factor that could possibly work against you is daylength. You must avoid driving in the dark in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on area roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses that could pose a collision hazard. Sunrise on May 10th occurs at around 5:20 AM, sunset takes place around 7:30 PM. You must time your activities so that you are back on the road to Sedona by at least 4:30 PM.
Horseshoe Bend can be visited anytime, parking permitting. The most logical way to visit it would be on your way to Page, AZ. If you find the parking lot full at that time, you’ll be asked to return at a later time, in which case, on your way out of town would be when you’d want to try that.
RE: whether you do Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, that depends on your party members and how much physical exertion they can handle. People in the age bracket you reference enjoy Lower Antelope Canyon every day, but there’s no escaping the fact that it requires navigating some stairs, ladders, and small boulders. If that might be a problem for anyone in the group, then Upper Antelope Canyon is the tour you’d want to take. You can book either Upper Antelope Canyon + a 90-minute Lake Powell Boat Tour as a “bundle,” or Lower Antelope Canyon + the 90-minute Boat Tour in the same fashion.
To judge whether you’d be able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon, you might watch this full walk-through video.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 4:25 PM
Anders Damgaard
Hi Alley
I fell over this website looking for info on Antelope Canyon and tours, which I am very well informed. I see the treasure of information you are able to offer, so was hoping you could give a couple of hints.
I am doing a longer road trip with my parents. So far the tour from SF till we hit Vegas is all in place. But I am a bit unsure on the itinerary best to take from there. We leave Vegas the 25th in the morning, and fly out from Phoenix on the 31st in the Evening. I would like to put in stops in at least Zion, Bryce, Page (Antelope/horseshoe), Grand Canyon. My parents are not spring chickens anymore, so it will mainly be driving with shorter hike (they can still do elevation change quite ok 🙂 but with the temperature I won’t do longer hikes with them). So the main thing is to get them to the great views.
I have gotten a route from Vegas–>Zion –> Sleep near Bryce –> Bryce –> What next? Canyon lands and that trip around or direct to Page?
Hope you can give a few hints.
Thanks,
Anders
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Hey Anders and thanks for your compliments!
You won’t have any problem experiencing great views with minimal hiking in this part of the U.S. In light of the fact that you’re starting your trip in Vegas and ending it in Phoenix, I would recommend doing something like this:
25th: Las Vegas to Zion, lodging in Springdale, UT , drive time 3.5-4.5 hours* *The reason for the wide variance in drive time is because of some construction taking place on I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that you will have to pass through; it could extend your drive time anywhere from 30-60 minutes
26th: 2nd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale
27th: Drive from Zion to Bryce Canyon, ~2 hours, overnight in Bryce or nearby
28th: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Page, AZ, 2.5 hours, tour Upper Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
29th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, 2nd night in Page, AZ
30th: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, stopping at viewpoints as desired, overnight in Grand Canyon area
31st: Drive from Grand Canyon to Phoenix, 5 hours. Fly home.
If you want, you might take a detour through Sedona, AZ, on that last day, which isn’t a huge distance out of your way, but not enough to really see or do anything there. I guarantee you’ll be planning a return visit there, which isn’t such a bad thing 😉
I didn’t suggest Canyonlands/Arches in this itinerary because it would be too far a swing out of your way, and Moab, UT, really deserves 4-5 days to do it justice.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Kathleen
Hi Alley,
I so appreciate reading through all your info! My husband and I are planning the trip of a lifetime by celebrating our 30th Anniversary exploring and hiking, possibly kayaking) Utah and N. Arizona for 16 days in late Sept/early Oct. I’m a photographer but he’s not.
I’m interested in your general thoughts on our itinerary and any recommended hikes, etc. along the way with a focus on the last 4 days of the trip. All hotels are procured in the park or place mentioned up until we leave the GC. We are pretty independent, East Coast day hikers but are not familiar with Western back country safety beyond what I’ve been reading up on. Would consider hiring a guide for the first day in Zion to get “trained”. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Day 1 – fly in to LV early afternoon and drive to Zion. Stay at Zion Lodge
Day 2 – Zion
Day 3 – Zion
Day 4 – Bryce. Stay at Bryce Best Western
Day 5- Grand Escalante – Stay at Grand Escalante Yurts
Day 6- Grand Escalante
Day 7- Grand Escalante
Day 8 – Capitol Reef – Stay at Capitol Reef Resorts
Day 9 – Moab – Stay at Sorrel River
Day 10 – Moab
Day 11 – Moab
Day 12 – Moab
Day 13 – Monument Valley. Stay at the View (only availability)
Day 14 – Grand Canyon. Stay at Maswick (only availability)
Days 15 and 16 – thinking Page for Antelope Canyon X, Upper vs. Lower on Oct. 11/12, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell?
Day 17 – what to do during drive Page to Phoenix to arrive at airport hotel by dark.
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Hey Kathleen, and congrats on your upcoming anniversary!
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, and you’ve chosen the best time of year to be here. Plus, big time props to you for scheduling enough time to really enjoy places like Zion and Moab!
Normally, we’d recommend hitting Page, AZ, between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon, but seeing as though you’ve already got your lodging booked at the Grand Canyon, you might as well keep it. Changing it at this point may be hard, if not impossible. You’ll love The View at Monument Valley, it might have been the only availability, but it’s generally regarded as the best hotel in Monument Valley, so again, hang onto it. You’ll be glad you did.
If you guys are wanting to get some river rafting into your itinerary, I’d suggest doing that in Moab. They have everything from half-day to multi-day trips, and the option of adding various 4WD tours to your activities. For more information on what’s available, visit the Moab Adventure Center and look over what they have to offer.
In Zion, the classic hikes are The Narrows and Angel’s Landing. The Narrows requires walking through water, so you’ll need to read up on that before you commit. Here, going with a guide might provide an extra degree of reassurance. Angel’s Landing is all on land, but involves some precarious climbs and dizzying heights that may give some members of your party pause. If that’s the case, not to worry, Zion has a ton of wonderful hiking opportunities, from super-easy to crazy-hard and a lot in between. It won’t be hard finding something fun to do! On the trip over from Las Vegas, keep in mind that there’s some construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that you will have to pass through. It could add anywhere from 30-60 minutes onto your drive.
In Page, you can achieve your objectives of touring the slot canyons, and getting out on Lake Powell by booking a combination package of Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope, and an Antelope Canyon boat tour. If you do that, you won’t necessarily need to tour Antelope Canyon X as that might seem a bit redundant at that point.
For Horseshoe Bend, I’d recommend visiting it just after sunrise on your way down to Phoenix. The drive from Page, AZ, to Phoenix, AZ, typically takes ~5 hours. If you have the time/inclination to extend it, you might take the 2-hour loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just north of Flagstaff. Another option would be to take a detour through Sedona, AZ, which will add 1-2 hours onto your drive time. Unfortunately, seeing Sedona as a “drive-by” won’t be very satisfying at all. Generally, we recommend 3-5 days minimum there to do it justice. One look at it, and I pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a return trip, which isn’t such a bad thing 😉
Be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass for this trip. It won’t work in areas such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon, which are Indian Tribal Parks, or at Horseshoe Bend, which was recently designated a City Park for Page, AZ, but it will still pay for itself on this trip.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2019 at 3:58 PM
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From Kathleen
Many thanks Alley. Getting close and very excited!
We decided to stay and enjoy Monument Valley/The View a second night and save the Grand Canyon for another time. Any tips or thoughts on specific guides?
Are also looking at only staying in Page for 1 night to do an Antelope Canyon tour and head to Marble Canyon to kayak from the dam back. Any tips on October time to set out?
Any thoughts on Cliff Dweller vs. returning to Page?
September 07, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Julie Hale
Hi Ryan,
My husband and I want to book a bundle trip doing upper and lower canyons. My question is, there are several choices with different times in between tours, How much time should we allow between tours? 3-5 hours seems extreme and 1 hour seems pushing it! 🤔 What do you suggest and why please?
Thanks,
Julie
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Hi Julie,
Thank you for this excellent inquiry! The differences in “downtime” between tours is to allow people to schedule their day’s activities according to their personal preferences. 3-5 hours between tours may seem like a long time to kill for some, but others may find it ideal to grab lunch, do some shopping, squeeze a visit to Horseshoe Bend or even a power nap in between. 1 hour between tours, while that may not seem like a lot, is actually enough time to get from one branch of the canyon to the other since they are quite close to one another.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 27, 2019 at 2:02 PM
Samantha Roth
Hello,
I am planning to visit my friend who lives in SLC.
Here is our current plan for the trip. Was curious what you think about ordering/what you might change?
Just for some background: We are both 23 and very athletic. I have been to all 5 national parks in Utah before. Wanted to go back to Zion because felt like I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to. The main things I would like to do in this trip: Narrows and Angel’s Landing in Zion, sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon, see the Grand Canyon.
Thursday, Aug 29 – land in SLC @ 7:25pm, stay the night w/ friend
Friday, Aug 30 – leave SLC early in morning go to Zion
Saturday, Aug 31 – spend day in Zion, head to grand canyon North Rim?
Sunday, Sept 1 – North Rim Grand Canyon, head to Page, AZ
Monday, Sept 2 – Horseshoe Bend @ sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon
Tuesday, Sept 3 – Grand Staircase Escalante, head back to SLC, 10:15pm flight
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Hi Samantha,
Your plan looks pretty fun, and well-paced for the most part. Totally understand about feeling like you didn’t have enough time for Zion, that’s one park where you could spend a week and still feel as though you only scratched the surface! Since you technically only have one full day there, doing both Angel’s Landing and The Narrows probably won’t be realistic. For The Narrows, you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather. Late August technically falls within the American Southwest’s “monsoon season,” which means flash flood warnings could put the kabosh on plans to hike The Narrows. If that happens, don’t fret. Angel’s Landing will be spectacular, or if for some reason you decide to ’86 it, there are plenty of good hikes to do in Zion!
When it comes to the part where you want to visit Grand Canyon North Rim, you may find lodging, or lack thereof in that area, to be the biggest obstacle to making that work. Hotels, cabins, etc., in that area are not as numerous as they are at the South Rim, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all to learn that everything in the immediate vicinity of the park was booked. If that’s the case, you’ll need to think “outside the box,” or “outside the park” as it were. It takes ~3 hours to drive from Zion to Grand Canyon North Rim. Kanab, UT, is the nearest gateway community to the park, ~90 minutes away. You want to avoid all nighttime driving in this part of the country due to the fact that local roadways are REALLY dark after sunset, and deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses might dart in front of your car. In the later part of August, sunset occurs at ~7:00 PM (Arizona Time — more on that in a minute), so if you do opt to stay in Kanab, UT, after visiting the North Rim, you’ll want to make sure you’re heading out of the park by 5:15 PM, 5:30 PM at the latest. Wherever you decide to stay that night, be sure to book your lodging ASAP. Now wouldn’t be too soon.
For your day in Page, AZ, if you do wish to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, we would strongly recommend taking advantage of the new service that allows you to book both tours as a “bundle.” Otherwise, you’ll have to wade through six different tour companies’ websites, where you’ll invariably run up against sold out tours, in order to make it work. Upper + Lower Antelope Canyon Bundle
On your final day, where you state you wish to visit “Grand Staircase Escalante” on the way back to SLC, the reality is that you’ll be seeing quite a bit of it on the drive between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. You’re facing a 6-7 hour drive as it is, so you really don’t have time for any major detours, anyway. You might stop off at Mile Marker 19 of US89 to do the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike. Just North of Kanab, UT, instead of taking the cut-off via UT14 to I-15, you might consider simply staying on US89 all the way to Spanish Fork, UT. It’s a much prettier drive!
Oh, regarding the time: Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Savings Time, but Utah DOES. Therefore, Arizona will be one hour behind Utah. You will “gain” an hour traveling between Utah and Arizona, then “lose” it again going from Arizona to Utah. Keep that in mind in case your travel days coincide with any scheduled activities!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 27, 2019 at 3:08 PM
Jennie
Hi Alley,
My family is visiting the area in June and we are coming to Page for a day. We have a lower antelope canyon tour schduled and would like to see Horseshoe bend as well. Do you think that a boat tour of Lake Powell is work it? We won’t have time for a float trip which is what my preference would have been. Also, if I buy the $80 national parks pass will that cover my access while in page? I keep reading about a $30 entrance fee.
Thank you!
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Hi Jennie!
Coming to Page, AZ, without getting out on the water somehow would be akin to visiting San Francisco and not seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Therefore, if you don’t have time for the Glen Canyon Float Trip, then a shorter boat tour of Lake Powell would totally be worth it. As of right now, the option does exist to book a Lower Antelope Canyon tour plus a boat tour of the water-side tour of Antelope Canyon as a “bundle.” You might check that out to see if it would work for you, and verify that you could cancel your existing tour reservation without a penalty.
The $80 National Park Pass will cover access to Antelope Point Marina and the Lake Powell Resort Complex, since those are in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but it won’t cover access to Antelope Canyon, since it’s a Native American Tribal Park, or Horseshoe Bend, because it was recently designated as a Page, AZ, City Park. Therefore, the $10/vehicle entrance fee would still be necessary to pay. Unless you are visiting 3-4 National Parks or Monuments on your vacation, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Wupatki/Sunset Crater, Petrified Forest, etc., or you plan to hit 3-4 Federal Fee Areas within one year’s time, you might want to forego purchasing the park pass for now. If you purchase the Lower Antelope Canyon + Boat Tour bundle, your National and Tribal Park entrance fees are included in your tour price.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 27, 2019 at 2:40 PM
Betty Gootson
My husband and I are planning a 10-14 driving trip in late May that will begin in Phoenix or Las Vegas and end in Denver. Antelope Canyon is a must but we have been to Zion, Bryce, and the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Do you have suggestions for our itinerary? We are seniors but fit and enjoy moderate hiking and rafting.
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Hi Betty!
Seeing as though you’ve already hit Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, I wonder if you’ve also been to Sedona? If not, you should take the opportunity to spend some time there, therefore I’d recommend using Phoenix, AZ, as your starting point. 3 days minimum is recommended to get the most out of a visit there as it’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do, including easy-to-moderate hiking. Sedona is ~a 2-hour drive from Phoenix, then from there, Page, AZ, would be about a 3-hour drive, maybe 4-5 if you take the opportunity to drive the loop that covers Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments en route.
If you like rafting, then you should plan on staying at least 2 days in Page, AZ. On your arrival day, you could tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then on your second day, take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but includes a lot of beautiful scenery and compelling history.
From Page, AZ, I’d recommend driving to Mesa Verde National Park, with a possible stopover in Monument Valley. Rooms in Monument Valley might be hard to come by at this point. If that’s the case, the drive from Page, AZ, to Mesa Verde with a “drive-through” of Monument Valley would take ~5-6 hours. From Mesa Verde (best lodging locations would be Durango or Cortez), you could go on to Ouray, one of my favorite places in Colorado, and use that as a “base” from which to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument, or maybe a day trip to Telluride. But be sure to schedule at least some “down time” in Ouray to soak in the lovely Municipal Hot Springs. Day trips from Ouray
Since the drive from Ouray to Denver is ~6+ hours, I would definitely recommend breaking up the drive somewhere. There are all kinds of good choices, including, but not limited to Glenwood Springs, or Frisco.
So… laid out from Phoenix to Denver, your trip would go something like this:
Day 1: Drive from Phoenix to Sedona (~2 hours), 3 nights in Sedona
Day 2: Sedona
Day 3: Sedona
Day 4: Drive from Sedona to Page, AZ (3-4 hours), tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page
Day 5: Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, 2nd night in Page
Day 6: Drive from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, UT (2 hour drive), overnight in Monument Valley
Day 7: Drive from Monument Valley to Mesa Verde National Park (~3.5 hours), overnight in Durango or Cortez
Day 8: Drive from Durango or Cortez to Ouray (~3 hours), spend 2-3 days,
Day 9: Ouray
Day 10: Ouray
Day 11: Drive from Ouray to Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Frisco, or other intermediate city to break up the drive to Denver
Day 12: Drive to Denver
If swinging through Ouray, Telluride, and so forth doesn’t appeal, or you’ve already been there, you could substitute 3-4 days in Moab, UT, for days I recommended in Western Colorado. Moab, UT, has a lot to see and do, including excellent hiking white water rafting.
Hope this helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 24, 2019 at 8:29 PM
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From Betty Gootson
Alley, thank you so much- this is SO helpful! We have been to Sedona before. How would you suggest that we instead fit in going to the Arches? Or do you have any better suggestions? Also, I found a tour that bundles the upper and lower canyons of Antelope Canyon and includes a boat trip. Do you think that is too much to try to do in one day, or if it would be worth doing all three or if it just would be too much of the same? I also looked at the kayaking tour there. In Moab, I found a tour that include a 4WD tour through Islands of the Sky and rafting on the Colorado River. More of your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
BettyApril 26, 2019 at 1:51 PM
Jeremy
Hello,
Foremost, thank you for all of your thoughtful responses, which have been very informative to read through. If you are still responding on this thread, I am curious about your thoughts on my upcoming trip. On Saturday 6/22/19 my family is landing at Las Vegas in the evening and flying out of Phoenix the following Saturday afternoon. After spending the first night in Las Vegas, we will be driving to Flagstaff and spending our remaining nights at a timeshare there. With Flagstaff as our home base I’m trying to roughly plan out the week. I have 3 boys 5, 7, and 8, and my wife also likes her vacations more low key then I do. So I’m trying to balance out my desire to see all of the amazing sights with a reasonable amount of down time. Also based on your recommendation not to drive after dark, we would need to be back by 7:30ish in late June. Here are some of the items on my radar. Grand Canyon is certainly at the top. We are early risers and will daytrip it to the Canyon or a full day, followed by a day with more downtime. Daytrip to Sedona. Lowell Observatory. Coconino National Forest. Walnut Canyon. Sunset Crater. Wupatki National monument. Lava river cave. We are also interested in a 4 wheel drive jeep tours and/or helicopter rides. I’m also very interested in hiking Mt. Humphreys on a day the rest of the family hangs out at the condo, but not necessarily by myself. Finally, I would love to visit Antelope canyon but based on all of your feedback, that is not feasible daytrip from flagstaff. Is there anything that I should put on list of things to consider doing during our 6 day stay? Is there an optimal itinerary you would recommend on daytripping to the Grand Canyon? Thank you!
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Hi Jeremy,
Using Flagstaff, AZ, as a base camp from which to explore the various attractions in Northern Arizona isn’t too bad at the time of year you’re visiting, because your trip coincides with the longest days of the year. You are correct in that you need to be back to Flagstaff, AZ, by 7:30 PM, and that nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this area because once the sun goes down, it gets really REALLY dark, and deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses are notorious for popping out at night. The drive to/from Page, AZ, will be the longest, at 2.5 hours each way, so here, you might a. consider cancelling one night or two at your time share so you can overnight in Page or b. resist most temptations to stop and take pictures on the drive up and/or back. Antelope Canyon tours take anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on which branch of the canyon you tour. Visiting Horseshoe Bend can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, that is, if you can find parking. So, theoretically, at the time of year you’re visiting, you can visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip from Flag (that’s what we call it out here) as long as you time your visit realistically, and all the elements line up with minimal “surprises.” Antelope Canyon tours must be booked in advance; Horseshoe Bend can be visited anytime between sunrise and sunset.
On the routing for your Grand Canyon day trip, what I would suggest for optimal convenience and enjoyment is to do this: Purchase your Grand Canyon park pass or National Park Pass the day prior to your trip at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. The next morning, get a nice, early start out of Flagstaff. Head North on US89 and take the scenic loop drive through Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments (90 minutes-2 hours). Continue North, stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch/brunch. Then, turn West on AZ64, stopping at whatever viewpoints might pique your interest, such as Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, and/or the Little Colorado River Overlook. Upon entering Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point, you have a choice of over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can stop at as you desire as you make your way to Grand Canyon Village. Park your vehicle at the Canyon View Information Plaza and use the free shuttles to tour Grand Canyon Village Historic District and maybe a couple of viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. Head back to Flagstaff via the Southern exit of the park. Here, you could opt to stop in Tusayan, 7 miles South of the park, and take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. You’ll want to allow at least 90 minutes to make the drive back to Flag from the South Rim from Tusayan. Time/desire/daylight permitting, you might opt to grab dinner in Valle, AZ, 30 miles South of the park, then take AZ180 through the San Francsico peaks back to Flagstaff.
For the 4WD jeep tour, I’d recommend doing this activity in Sedona with Pink Jeep Tours. The Broken Arrow tour is their most popular.
Take one full day in Flagstaff to explore Walnut Canyon, Lowell Observatory, and Lava River Cave, if it’s open. As for the Coconino National Forest, it’s all around you, so enjoy the view.
Hope that helps — good luck and save travels!
Alley 🙂April 25, 2019 at 2:14 PM
Jiten
Hi Ryan
Thanks for sharing 2 day Itinerary in Page. I am travelling to Page from Vegas next Wednesday. My itinerary is like below, can you please advise me besides Antelope Canyon, Horse band and Lake Powell what can I do on Wednesday after coming to Page and on Friday full day. Worth visiting Zion or other nation park like Arches ?
Wednesday road trip to Page start at 10 AM. – May be visit Horseshoe band in the evening.
Thursday – 9.30 AM – Upper Antelope cave tour
1.30 PM Lake Powell boat tour
5.30 PM Horseshoe Bend
Friday : ???
Saturday :- head back to Vegas to catch 3 PM flight.
Jiten
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Hi Jiten,
There are all kinds of possibilities for occupying that second day, whether you want to stay in Page, AZ, or visit another park. Arches/Canyonlands unfortunately is too far away to be realistic, it takes ~5 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT, then ~7 hours to drive from Moab, UT, to Las Vegas, NV.
If visiting another park is your preference, then Zion would be the most sensible option as it wouldn’t be a huge detour. It takes ~1.5-2 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Zion. You might make a quick stop to do the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos hike. For lodging, Springdale, UT, would be the place to check out, it’s on the Western border of the park, and would put you ~3-4 hours from Las Vegas. The reason for such a wide variance in drive time is because there is some construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could delay you anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
If you’d prefer to just hang out in Page, AZ, for another day, you won’t have any problem occupying the time. Worthwhile activities include but are not limited to:
– visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum
– taking a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam
– hiking to the “New” Wave
– visiting the White House overlook
– touring the Navajo Village Heritage Center
– taking a scenic flight over Monument Valley
– taking a tour of White Pocket
– taking a tour to Alstrom Point
Be sure to have all your lodging and guided tours booked before you get set to travel.
Good luck and have fun,
Alley 🙂April 24, 2019 at 2:06 PM
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From Jiten
Thank you Alley for your suggestion, make sense to spend time in Zion.
April 25, 2019 at 5:45 PM
Hitesh
Hi Ryan,
very informative site. well placed information and advise.
My tour plan is
12 May : Arrive Las Vegas @ noon. Hire vehicle and drive to Page (via 89A?). any suggested stops in between. Can I see Powell lake OR Horseshoe bend on arrival at page? Overnight stay.
13 May : Lower Antelope canyon tour @ 9 AM. Squeeze in lake Powell or Horseshoe bend before leaving for Grand Canyon by 2 PM. Can I cover Desert View road view points while travelling from Page to Grand Canyon? Any suggested stops in between? Overnight stay at Tusayan hotel.
May 14 : Grand Canyon sight seeing till 3 PM (any suggestions). Drive to Las Vegas with some stops (such as Hoover Dam).
Your views & advise please.
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Hi Hitesh,
Thank you for your compliments! Your vacation plan is also very well-paced and, for the most part, realistic.
The main thing to keep your eye on is sunrise and sunset times. You want to avoid all nighttime driving in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, plus the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and wild horses to congregate around them at night, increasing your chance of having an unfortunate and expensive car accident. In Arizona, sunrise occurs at ~5:15 AM and sunset takes place at approximately 7:30 PM in mid-May. Las Vegas, NV, is about the same, give or take a few minutes.
The most straightforward drive from Las Vegas, NV, to Page, AZ is via I-15 to US89 through Kanab, UT. It usually takes ~5 hours, but there is some road construction going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could potentially add another hour to your trip time. Be prepared for that. If you wanted to take the detour through Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry via US89A into Page, that will add another 45 minutes to 1 hour to the trip. Hopefully your arrival into Las Vegas won’t be delayed by too much, if at all, otherwise you’ll be cutting your arrival time quite close.
If all goes according to plan timewise on your arrival day, you could theoretically pop into Horseshoe Bend, as long as you can find a legal place to park. You will be arriving close to sunset, which is a very popular time to visit the overlook. Honestly, I’d recommend planning to visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the following morning and instead, catch sunset from the Wahweap Overlook, just a few miles Northwest of Page, AZ.
On the drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, your route will naturally take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, so, yes, you can easily cover those viewpoints on the trip. Popular stops between Page, AZ, and GC South Rim include, but are not limited to, The Cut Overlook, Chinle formation views, the Cameron Trading Post, the Little Colorado River Overlook, and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands.
On your departure day, I would highly recommend trying to get out of the Grand Canyon before 3:00 PM. You’ll be cutting it too close to dark by the time you get to Las Vegas, and you’ll have seen a large portion of the Grand Canyon on the drive in from Page, AZ, the day before. That morning, you might do some activities in Tusayan such as seeing the IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,” then making a stop at the Planes of Fame Museum in Valle, AZ, as you head South toward I-40. Seligman, AZ, might also be a nice stop if Route 66 lore interests you or anyone else in your party. Hoover Dam is ~30 minutes South of Las Vegas, so, there again, easy stop. For your safety and comfort, I’d say get out of Tusayan no later than noon if you can possibly accommodate that.
Be sure to book your hotels and Antelope Canyon tours in advance of your arrival. On May 13th, if you wanted to get out on Lake Powell for a bit in addition to touring Lower Antelope Canyon, you might consider doing a “bundle” of Lower Antelope Canyon plus a short boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside. There’s an early departure of that tour at 7:00 AM that would get you back in plenty of time to head out of Page, AZ, by 2:00 PM.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 23, 2019 at 3:03 PM
Akshay Chouhan
Hi Alley,
I am planned for a road trip from Seattle —> SFO —-> Yosemite National Park –> SFO–> LA –> Vegas —> Grand Canyon —Page — Antelope Canyon — Salt lake city — Seattle, total 9 days trip.
Can you please help me to find out the tickets for antelope canyon. As I am unable to get tickets for the same. ALso need your suggestion for any other place near Page.
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Hi Akshay,
Before I get into the particulars about Antelope Canyon tour tickets, I have to tell you that your trip plan is overly ambitious. You’re trying to cram too many destinations in too short a time.
For starters, it’s going to take you two days to drive from Seattle, WA, to San Francisco, CA. You’re then looking at ~5 hours to drive from SFO to Yosemite National Park, which honestly, needs at least 3-4 days time to do justice to. You would then need at least 6 hours for the trip from Yosemite to LA, then another ~5 hours or so to drive from LA to Las Vegas.
Long story short, you’re trying to combine what really should be two trips into one, and that’s going to mean TOO. MUCH. DRIVING.
For your safety and enjoyment, I advise you to make a decision as to which area you wish to concentrate on: California and Nevada? Or Arizona and Utah? If you decide in favor of Arizona and Utah, then the drive from Seattle to Salt Lake City will again, take two days time to complete, driving ~7 hours per day. So right off the bat, you have 4 days that will be devoted to traveling from Seattle to SLC and back. This realistically gives you 5 days to work with for this vacation.
From Salt Lake City, AZ, it takes ~7 hours to get to Page, AZ, but seeing as though you’ll be passing right by it, I’d recommend breaking up the drive with one night’s stop in Bryce Canyon (~4 hours from SLC). Then get up early and continue on down to Page, AZ, which is ~a 3-hour drive from Bryce Canyon. Plan to spend 2 nights in Page, AZ. Tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on the day you arrive (hence the advice to get an early start out of Bryce Canyon). Then the following day, visit the Grand Canyon as a day trip. Fair warning, that will be ~a 5-hour round-trip drive, so here again, another early morning will be a must, plus you’ll need to time your trip so that you are back to Page, AZ, by sunset. Unfortunately, spending the night at the Grand Canyon won’t be practical as 1. rooms there are probably sold out already and 2. doing so would situate you too far out of the way to realistically continue your trip with minimal disruption. If your trip is planned for after May 15th, you could visit Grand Canyon’s less crowded and cooler North Rim; if you are planning to travel anytime before May 15th or after October 15th, Grand Canyon South Rim will be where you want to go. The nice thing about Page, AZ, is that it’s just about equidistant from the South or North Rim: 2.5 hours, each way.
Next stop on the tour: Moab, UT, with a stopover in Monument Valley. This will be about a 5-hour drive, and I recommend you stay 2 nights in Moab so you can fully explore Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Afterwards, take the 2.5 hour drive to Capitol Reef National Park, with an overnight in Torrey, UT, then finally a 4-hour drive to SLC, then 2 days to drive home to Seattle, WA.
Regarding Antelope Canyon, if you find tours sold out online, you might try phoning them.
For Upper Antelope Canyon tours contact: Antelope Canyon Tours; Website: www.antelopecanyon.com; Phone: 928-645-9102 // Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours; Website: www.antelopeslotcanyon.com; Phone: 928-645-5594 // Adventurous Antelope Canyon PhotoTours; Website: www.navajoantelopecanyon.com; Phone: 928-380-1874 // Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; Website: www.navajotours.com; Phone: 928-698-3384
For Lower Antelope Canyon tours: Dixie Ellis; Website: www.antelopelowercanyon.com; Phone: 928-640-1761 // Ken’s Tours; Website: www.lowerantelope.com; Phone: 928-606-2168 and 928-640-0032
If, after contacting the various outfitters by phone, you find tours in the main branches of Antelope Canyon to be sold out, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful but a lot less crowded.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 23, 2019 at 2:24 PM
va4family
Hi Ryan. Thank you for the wonderful website, pics, and tips for visiting Antelope Canyon and Page.
Our family of 4 (2 adults, two teens (19 and 17) are headed to AZ in mid July.
We land in PHX on a Thursday at 10:00 am and hope to be headed north by noon. We would like to see the following before having to return to PHX on Saturday night:
Monument Valley (just the highlights)
Page/Lake Powell
Slot Canyons (preferably Antelope Canyon but upper vs. lower and what about canyon X?
Boat ride to Rainbow Bridge
Horseshoe Bend at sunrise
Thinking of driving to Monument Valley from PHX and looking around for a few hours before heading to Page. Sunset in 8:40 pm in MV in mid July but understand we would need to hit the road by 7 pm to eliminate driving in the dark.
Next morning we would hit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, and then a mid morning slot canyon tour or an afternoon boat tour to Rainbow Bridge. We could substitute the Rainbow tour for a shorter Antelope Canyon boat tour or the sunset boat tour but hoping to see as much of the lake as possible.
Saturday morning we would either do a slot canyon or boat tour (whichever we missed the day before) and head back to PHX in the afternoon.
Most likely we will stay at Lake Powell Resort for Thurs and Fri night but could use guidance on how to squeeze all of this into our limited time.
We’ve been to Grand Canyon and Bryce/Zion/Kanab areas in the past.
Are we better off staying in MV the first night and heading to Page the next day? Which slot canyon is preferable (upper, lower, or canyon x) for experience and photo ops? Which boat tour has the most “wow” factor?
Any chance we can squeeze in the float trip as well?
Thanks for your help and looking forward to your suggestions.
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Hi there,
Sorry, but your plan is just a teeny bit unrealistic. You don’t have nearly enough time to do everything on your wish list. You’ll have to pare down your expectations or free up another day or two to fit everything in.
To start with, it takes bare minimum of 5 hours to drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Monument Valley. It then takes 2 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page. With a noon-time start out of Phoenix, doing that entire trip in one day just won’t work. You need to keep in mind that nighttime driving is a bad idea in this part of the country due to lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on area roads, and the possibility of having a collision with deer, elk, free range cattle, or even wild horses. Another consideration is that lodging is scarce in Monument Valley, and hotels in MV, Kayenta, or Tuba City are bound to be sold out at this point. As much as I hate to suggest it, Monument Valley should probably be taken off the table. But… there still might be a way to work it in. More on that in a minute.
My advice is to go directly to Page, AZ. It’s also ~a 5-hour drive from Phoenix, AZ, to Page, AZ. That’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you’d think. You might be able to hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, parking permitting. If you can’t find parking that evening, plan to hit Horseshoe Bend the following morning. The main priority is to get to your destination well before sunset for the reasons stated above (extreme dark, animals). In mid-July, sunrise occurs at about 5:15 AM, sunset at about 7:45 PM.
The following day, Friday, you’ll want to tour Antelope Canyon, then do either the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour OR the Glen Canyon Float Trip. At the time of year you’re visiting, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour departs twice daily, at 7:30 AM, and 12:30 PM. Check-in is required 1 hour prior to departure at Lake Powell Resort, trip length is 7-8 hours. The Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip also departs twice daily, at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM; check-in takes place one hour prior to departure in downtown Page, AZ, and trip length is 4.5 hours. As for which of these water-based activities has the most “wow” factor, they are about equal. Due to the water level of Lake Powell, the Rainbow Bridge boat tour is going to require a ~2-3 mile round-trip hike in order to see the bridge itself. The Glen Canyon Float Trip also has a hiking component (the petroglyph panel), but it’s significantly shorter. If the prospect of visiting Rainbow Bridge by boat is looking less appealing at this point, there might still be a way you can work it in… again, more on that in a minute 😉
As for which branch of Antelope Canyon to tour, if you’re physically up for Lower Antelope or Antelope X, I would recommend one of those two. Group sizes in Antelope X are kept smaller, so you may find tickets to it a bit pricier, but most tourists agree that that was fair compromise for not being herded through the canyon like cattle. If you’d like to tour Lower Antelope Canyon, and are open to the notion of swapping out one of the longer boat tours for something shorter, consider “bundling” a Lower Antelope Canyon land-side and an Antelope Canyon waterside tour for optimal convenience.
On Saturday morning, before heading back to Phoenix, AZ, here’s how you could work in the two activities I recommended as possible “sacrifices:” take a fixed wing airplane tour over Monument Valley and Rainbow Bridge! These 90-minute flights depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily. During the summer months, first thing in the morning is the best time to fly for optimal light and less wind. Flights are offered by Westwind Air Service and American Aviation.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 23, 2019 at 1:50 PM
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Alley,
Thank you for the informative and kind response. We are chronic “overplanners” and sometimes it does lead to unrealistic scheduling.
Would it make more sense if we go to MV the first evening and stay there (still rooms available) and then head to Page/Lake Powell the next day for an afternoon boat tour, spend the night at the resort, and do the Horseshoe bend and Lower Antelope Canyon activities on Saturday morning/midday. Seems like they are located on the way back to PHX so we could leave from there?
Is the Rainbow Bridge boat tour too much for afternoon summer heat?
Will we see a lot more of the lake and scenery than the smaller Antelope Canyon or dinner cruise boat tours or is there not much difference?Love the idea of the flight-seeing activity but my wife is an avid nervous flyer and does not like small planes at all.
Thanks for your guidance, J & A
April 23, 2019 at 6:50 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hey again J & A,
We would much rather see folks overplan rather than underplan any day of the week!
If you can still find rooms in Monument Valley, grab them. Then get an early start on the drive to Page, AZ, the following day. The drive from Monument Valley takes ~2 hours, remember that if you’re doing any scheduled activities that same afternoon that Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, DOES NOT. Therefore, Page, AZ, is 1 hour “behind” Monument Valley. You will “gain” an hour passing from MV to Page.
RE: the Rainbow Bridge boat tour, IMO, the afternoon summer heat can be a bit much, especially in light of the 2-3 mile hike required to see the Bridge. But, you will see a lot more of Lake Powell than you would on a shorter boat tour, that much is certain, because you will travel 52 miles uplake and back. Lake Powell is HUGE and even the Rainbow Bridge tour will only give you a small taste of what’s out there!
On your final day, try to plan your sightseeing so that you are done by ~2:00 PM. Whether you are at Grand Canyon South Rim or Page that day, it will take you ~5 hours to drive back to Phoenix or Las Vegas, and you should still try and get to your final destination before sunset. Seeing as though both Phoenix and Las Vegas are well-lit, you have a little wiggle room, but we still advise against burning too much daylight. Sunrise occurs at ~5:15 AM, and sunset takes place around 7:30 PM.
Happy traveling,
Alley 🙂April 24, 2019 at 2:18 PM
Jeff
Alley,
I e-mailed you yesterday and already have change of plans. Would like to include Sedona. My daughter has never been to LV. Wanted to spend a day there. Do you think I really need 2 days in Sedona? Can I see in one day?
7/20 – fly from FLL to LV, overnight in LV – 2 nights
7/21 – spend day I LV
7/22 – LV to Sedona, overnight in Sedona 1 night
7/23 – Drive Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight in GC
7/24 – GC to Page, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page,AZ
7/25 – Page to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce
7/26 Bryce to Zion, overnight in Zion (Springdale)
7/27 – Zion to LV, fly to FLL
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Hey Jeff, thank you for visiting today.
So, do you need 2 days in Sedona? No. You need 3 or 4 at least, but 2 days is definitely better than 1. People report spending a week there yet feeling as though they’d only scratched the surface. Personally, I’d drop a night in Las Vegas so you can spend 2 nights in Sedona. If you prefer to spend the time in Vegas, then I’d suggest dropping the night in Sedona and planning a return trip for when you can give it the time it deserves.
If you drop Sedona off the list, you could make room for Monument Valley, as you expressed interest in in a previous inquiry, like this:
07/22 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with stop at Hoover Dam en route. Drive time: ~5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon
07/23 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints on East Rim/Desert View Drive, Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Souvenir Stands, the Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, Navajo National Monument, or the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit… just to name a few. Overnight in Monument Valley, Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ.**
07/24 – Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. Drive time: 2-2.5 hours. Tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend.
07/25 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, UT, drive time: 2.5-3 hours. Overnight in Bryce or nearby.
07/26 – Drive from Bryce to Zion, drive time: 2-2.5 hours, overnight in Springdale.
07/27 – Drive from Springdale, UT, back to Las Vegas, NV. Drive time: ~4-4.5 hours, factoring in construction on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge that could extend drive time up to 1 hour.
**On 07/23, if you’re unable to find lodging in Monument Valley, drive to Page, AZ, spend 2 nights, and visit Monument Valley as a day trip. Drive is ~2 hours each way, but since lodging is scarce to begin with in Monument Valley, it’s very likely to be sold out already. Another option if you really want to see Monument Valley is to do a flight over it out of Page Municipal Airport.
Good luck, I know it’s hard deciding what to leave in and what to cut out.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 5:34 PM
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From Jeff
Alley,
I like your suggestion to spend 2 days in Sedona and will drop day from LV. I already made reservation at El Tovar Hotel in GC on 7/22. Rooms are sold out on 7/23. Do you recommend going to both Sedona and Momument Valley or should we go elsewhere? My daughter definitely wants to do Antelope Canyon. Tentative sched is as follows (feel free to suggest alternative sched. Thx a million and your help is really appreciated.
07/19 Fly FLL to LV Hotel in LV
07/20 – Drive LV to Sedona Hotel in Sedona 2 nights
07/21 Sedona
07/22 AM drive to Grand canyon (GC) Hotel El Tovar
07/23 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints on East Rim/Desert View Drive, Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Souvenir Stands, the Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, Navajo National Monument, or the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit… just to name a few. Overnight in Monument Valley, Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ.**
07/24 – Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. Drive time: 2-2.5 hours. Tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend.
07/25 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, UT, drive time: 2.5-3 hours. Overnight in Bryce or nearby.
07/26 – Drive from Bryce to Zion, drive time: 2-2.5 hours, overnight in Springdale.
07/27 – Drive from Springdale, UT, back to Las Vegas, NVApril 26, 2019 at 12:41 AM
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Alley,
I have finalized my trip as follows but have questions on what to do at each location besides what I have identified below:
07/19 Fly FLL to LV Hotel in LV
07/20 – Drive LV to Sedona
on the way ;
–Hoover dam
–Mr D’d Route 66 diner
— get cooler – snacks, etc for picnic ?
In Sedona
–Chapel of Holy Cross
— Tlaqueuepaque
07/21 Sedona
–hike to Bell Rock
–Pink Jeep Broken Arrow?
–Oak Creek?
07/22 AM drive to Grand canyon (GC) Hotel El Tovar
–lunch at Cameron trading post?
–explore GC national District
–Hermits rest Overlook
See sunset at ???
07/23 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page AZ – stay 2 night in Page, AZ
–***need to fill in things to do this day / places to see on the way?***
07/24 –
–530 AM see sunrise at Horseshoe Bend. 630 AM – Tour Lower Antelope Canyon (I made reservation),
***need to fill in things to do rest of day***
07/25 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, UT, drive time: 2.5-3 hours. Overnight in Bryce
— Navajo/Queens Garden
–Inspiration point
–Sunset Point
–Fairyland Point
–ATV Tour
***may not do all of these, and some may do next day – suggestions?***
07/26 – Drive from Bryce to Zion, drive time: 2-2.5 hours, overnight in Springdale.
—How much time to spend in Bryce / when to leave to drive to Zion?
07/27 – Drive from Springdale, UT, back to Las Vegas, NV
–700 am – hike Angels landing
–what time should I leave zion to drive back to LV? My flight is not until 1000 PM?
–any other suggestions on what to do in Zion NP?Overall question – is there anything else I should make advance reservation for?
We decided not to do flight over monument park.
My daughter (21 yrs old) and I like jet skiing and water activities. can incorporate this in one or more venues above?Any suggestions/ changes are greatly appreciated. You are quite helpful and can’t thank you enough.
July 04, 2019 at 11:55 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Jeff,
Your itinerary looks pretty well-planned as it is. Strange as it may sound, I suggest resisting the temptation to plan every. single. minute. of your day. Having a little downtime here and there is no sin, and is bound to be welcome when you least expect it, especially if you’re dealing with jet leg, or acclimating to a higher altitude.
On your first travel day, for example, you indicate that after a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas to Sedona, you want to try to hit the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Tlaquepaque. Since these are located on opposite ends of town, you may only be in the mood to visit one or the other before calling it a night, which is OK.
You might actually want to plan a visit to Chapel of the Holy Cross on your second day, as it’s located fairly close to the Bell Rock Trail.
The Pink Jeep tour office would then be a further 10-minute drive or so up the road. The Broken Arrow tour lasts ~2 hours, so time and inclination permitting, you could do a short hike in Oak Creek Canyon.
RE: good viewpoints for sunset at the Grand Canyon, anywhere on the rim is good, but Hopi Point and Yavapai Point are generally regarded as having the best view. My personal favorite spot is Grandview Point, ~5 miles East of Grand Canyon Village. It’s more secluded than the other points mentioned, and has good views of the Colorado River. Forward to the 1:07 mark on this video to see what it looks like.
On 7/22, where you indicate you might “have lunch at the Cameron Trading Post” en route from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, move this activity to 07/23. The most logical route from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ takes you through there anyway. As for what to see/do on the way, there will be plenty to fill your time here! Between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View (the Eastern boundary of the park), there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at. The Tusayan Ruins and Museum is another worthwhile, often overlooked point of interest. Upon exiting the park and entering Navajo Indian tribal lands, there’s even more to see, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, Chinle formation views, and the Cut overlook, just to name a few. Taken at a nice leisurely pace, this 150-mile drive can easily be extended to 3.5-4 hours.
On 07/24, where you’re looking for other activities to fill your 2nd day in Page, here is where you can and should take the opportunity to do some water-based activities on Lake Powell. Options include boat tours or boat rentals, kayak tours/rentals, or personal watercraft rentals. The main lakeside concessionaires are Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas and Antelope Point Marina.
As for when to leave Bryce to head to Zion, the drive takes ~2 hours, and the main objective is to make sure you’re not doing any of your driving at night. If I failed to mention it previously (apologies if I am repeating anything), nighttime driving is not a good idea in this part of the U.S. since most of the roads are very dimly lit. This is a deliberate move to preserve the natural quality of the night sky, but can ratchet up the chances of having a collision with a deer, elk, free range cow, or even a wild horse. Not the sort of thing you want to have happen in areas where the cell phone reception is spotty and help will be a long time coming, with a hefty price tag.
I recommend allowing ~5 hours to make the drive back to Las Vegas from Zion. The main reason why is because construction is taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which will tack another 30-60 minutes onto your trip. Depending on whether your flight is international or domestic, and depending on the policies of your airline, check-in will be required 1-2 hours prior to departure. However, since Las Vegas is on Pacific Time and Zion is on Mountain Time, you will “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Nevada.
In Bryce, I’d recommend making reservations for the ATV tour if you’re truly interested in that. It’s a fairly popular activity.
Have a great trip! If you think of it, feel free to post a report on it afterwards. We’d love to know how it went and if our suggestions helped (or not LOL).
Alley 🙂July 05, 2019 at 2:46 PM
Jessica
Hi Ryan,
I need suggestions for our trip!
We are 3 friends and will spend 2 weeks in California, we’ve got an ambitious plan (I’m aware of that) but we want to get the best from our road trip!
24.07.19
Arriving in Los Angeles (evening)
25.07.19
Los Angeles
26.07.19
Leaving early morning and start Highway 1 to San Francisco. Stop one night along the Highway (we are thinking not to book any hotels as we don’t really know where we will stop)
27.07.19
Continuing the Highway and arriving in San Francisco in the afternoon/evening (??)
28.07.19
San Francisco
29.07.19
Leaving SF early morning to get to Yosemite NP. Spend the night to Yosemite.
30.07.19
From Yosemite, we will leave to get to Las Vegas (I know it will take something like 8 hours so we were thinking to stop by Death Valley for a quick view of the area).
Las Vegas by night.
31.07.19
Half day to Las Vegas and then heading towards Page.
01.08.19
Page: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake and Horseshoe
Night in Page
02.08.19
Leaving early morning to Grand Canyon. Visiting the Grand Canyon.
A night around the Grand Canyon.
03.08.19
the long trip to San Diego. Stop somewhere along the way.
04.08 – 06.08
San Diego
Any tip is more than welcome =)
Thanks in advance!
Jess
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Hi Jess,
You are correct in that your plan is ambitious, and IMO overly so. You’ll need to make sure you and your group get an early start pretty much every morning in order to make it work, or, consider dropping a couple of stops off your itinerary so you’re not packing up and driving every single day of your trip.
On the drive to San Francisco, by driving the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1), you extend what is normally a 6-hour drive to ~9 hours. Stopping halfway along the route is definitely a good idea, and at the time of year you’re visiting, you absolutely need reservations. I would recommend driving from LA to Morro Bay, CA, mostly via 101, so you can enjoy the Central Coast Wine Country (of “Sideways” movie fame) and maybe stop for a tasting or two. Morro Bay itself is absolutely gorgeous and has 50+ hotels in a wide range of price points and amenity classes. Morro Bay lodging guide
The next day, your drive to San Francisco, CA, will be ~5 hours bare minimum, but a very scenic drive, so don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer. Unfortunately, half a day or even a full day’s time really isn’t enough to do San Francisco justice. As much as I hate to say, here is where you might have to make a difficult choice: take SF off the table, or skip Yosemite, because 1 day isn’t sufficient to really enjoy that area to the fullest either. In general, 3 days in each location is the bare minimum that should be allotted. If you’re prepared to accept the fact that you’ll only get a cursory glimpse of each place, then your plan is doable, but I can guarantee you’ll wish you had more time. One Day in San Francisco One Day in Yosemite
Going from Yosemite to Las Vegas, at the time of year you’re visiting, I would strongly recommend skipping Death Valley. It’s going to be SUPER hot there, and not very interesting to do as a “drive-by.” If you’re looking for a place to break up that particular drive, Sequoia National Park wouldn’t be too big a detour, and it will be a lot cooler. I know, I used to work there 😉
The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, normally takes ~5 hours, but this year, there is some construction taking place along a stretch of I-15 that could extend your drive time by 30-60 minutes. Be sure to factor this in when making Antelope Canyon tour reservations (reservations are an absolute must for this). With essentially half a day in Page, you won’t have time to get out on Lake Powell, but you can at least see it by taking the short drive from Page, AZ, to the Wahweap Overlook just a short distance from Page, AZ; it’s a good place to catch sunset from. Plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise on the drive down to the Grand Canyon (~3.5 hours). Be sure you have reservations for both Page, AZ, and Grand Canyon hotels.
The drive from Grand Canyon Village to San Diego, CA, is ~8 hours, and I’ve actually made that drive in a day many times. So, if you wanted to open up a day for some “downtime,” consider spending a second night at the Grand Canyon South Rim before making the final run to cap off your trip.
I hope that helps! I know it’s a hard choice of what to leave in and what to leave out.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 4:58 PM
_________________________________________
From jessica
Thank you very much Alley! I really appreciate your help! We might reconsider few steps along the way.
Cheers,
Jess 🙂April 24, 2019 at 5:45 AM
Tyler
Hi, my wife and I are going to be doing a 6 night trip to these areas. Would appreciate comment on our itinerary.
Day 1
12:20 Land Vegas, Rent car and head to Zion. Check in around 4 pm hotel
Day 2
Wake up early hike Zion
4 pm Depart Zion to drive to Hotel near Page
7 pm check in near page
Day 3
Horseshoe Bend slot canyon tour/Horse shoe bend
Sunset near page, sleep Page second night
Day 4
Wake up early and drive to South Rim Grand Canyon.
Hotel Grand Canyon
Day 5
Wake up early drive to Sedona
Stay two nights sedona
Day 6
Sedona
Day 7
Depart Sedona 9:00 am drive to Vegas.
Does this sound do able?
Thanks!
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Hey Tyler,
Your plan looks pretty fun, but I’d recommend a couple of small modification for maximum enjoyment.
On day 2 where you want to do some hiking in Zion, then drive to Page, AZ, I’d advise simply staying a 2nd night in Zion. It takes ~2-2.5 hours to drive to Page, AZ, and there is a LOT of hiking that can be done in Zion! If you’re visiting during the warmer months of summer, the sun will zap the energy out of you pretty quick, and you’ll most likely be in no mood for a long-distance drive.
On day 3, get an early start on the drive to Page. One thing that works in your favor during Daylight Savings Time period is that Page DOESN’T observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Zion does, so you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Arizona. For sunset, consider visiting the Wahweap Overlook just a short distance from Page, AZ.
The rest of your plan sounds completely fine, hopefully you have all your hotels and tours booked. If you can possibly free up another day or two for Sedona, do so — you’ll find no shortage of things to see and do there!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 5:14 PM
Ryan
Hi guys,
On a trip with my dad. Trying to do Antelope Canyon between Monument Valley and Zion on June 5th. Unfortunately we only have a day between waking up in Monument Valley and sleeping in Zion. I’m very interested in the bundle tours for Antelope but there dont seem to be any options for both Upper and Lower in the afternoon. Is there a reason for this or are they just sold out?
Thanks,
Ryan
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Hey Ryan,
The bundle option has been a long-awaited and very popular option, so tours may indeed be sold out!
However, I also have to caution against trying to tour Antelope Canyon as a “drive-by” between Monument Valley and Zion. It takes at least 2 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. One thing working in your favor, however, is that Monument Valley and the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, DOES NOT. Therefore, you will “gain” an hour passing from Monument Valley to Page, AZ, but you’ll “lose” it once again as you travel to Utah.
The drive from Page, AZ, to Springdale, UT, where many Zion National Park visitors choose to stay, is ~2.5 hours “on paper,” but in real life, the drive is very scenic and could take upwards of 3.5 hours when factoring in the numerous photo ops that will inevitably pique your curiosity.
Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is at the very least a 5-hour commitment. Another consideration is at that time of year, it’s going to be hot. Though the interiors of the slot canyons tend to remain cool, the heat can still zap your energy pretty quick. Coupled with at least 5 hours of driving IMO doesn’t make for a very fun day. I would recommend reconsidering your plan and either staying in Page, AZ, to do the bundle tour, or just touring one branch of Antelope Canyon before heading on to Zion.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Claire
Hi 🙂 great site! and the comments and replies are super informative.
I’m trying to plan for a trip (for our group of 5 adults 2 kids) to the antelope canyons on May 22. Will be coming from the Grand Canyon National Park where we’ll be staying. I’m in a bit of a dilemma.
1st – if I book the bundle for upper and lower, the upper antelope tour ends at 6pm and I read in the comments that it’s not advisable to travel back to the Grand Canyon National Park by then?
2nd – if the bundle isn’t possible, which tour would you suggest? Upper or Lower?
Thanks so much!
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Hi Claire, and thank you for your compliments!
You are correct that we strongly discourage driving at night in this part of Arizona. Grand Canyon is 2.5 hours from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. If you would like to do the Antelope Canyon bundle ending at 6:00 PM, it would be best to change your plans and stay in Page, AZ. If your visit is planned for May, you should be able to cancel your room in Grand Canyon with little to no cancellation penalty.
If you do opt to tour just to one of the Antelope Canyons, if you’re able to physically handle Lower, I’d recommend it. If you’re traveling with infants or toddlers, or anyone else in your party has limited mobility, then Upper is the way to go.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Camille
Hi,
Thanks for all your tips and hints. I’m hoping you can offer some insight to our plan. Flying to Phoenix on Thursday 8/29/19 arriving at 8:30am. Planning on driving to Page, AZ and booking an afternoon Antelope Canyon tour and stopping at Horseshoe Bend, staying overnight in Page. Leave early Friday morning and driving to Grand Canyon south rim, staying overnight in the area. Leave early Saturday morning, driving to Sedona, touring around Sedona, staying overnight. Leaving Sedona, Sunday 9/1/19 with a 5:30pm flight out of Phoenix. Would it be better to switch the order? Is this too ambitious of a plan? Are there any other must do items? I don’t think there will be enough time to see the Grand Canyon from the north rim. Also, not enough time to drive to Jerome and drive the switch-back road, or the Ghost Town.
Thanks for any advice!
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Hi Camille,
You are trying to cram a lot of sightseeing into a short period of time, so you won’t have time to add much of anything onto your itinerary, and that’s OK. On any vacation, there should be some “unstructured” time where you let your curiosity guide you, or where you — horrors! — find a good viewpoint and sit for awhile.
Regarding the order in which you visit the sites on your “wish list,” that will largely depend on two things: 1. availability (or lack thereof) of lodging at the Grand Canyon and 2. availability (or lack thereof) of Antelope Canyon tours. Start by checking availability of Grand Canyon hotels. If you can find lodging there for your second night, and an Antelope Canyon tour for your first day, then do the trip in that order. But be prepared to flip-flop your itinerary in the event Grand Canyon hotels and/or Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, and do a Phoenix-Sedona-Grand Canyon-Page-Phoenix loop.
As for seeing the Grand Canyon from the North Rim, it’s a 5-hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to the North Rim, so, no you don’t have enough time to see it that way. However, you might still be able to tick it off the to-do list by flying over it. Fixed wing airplanes and helicopters depart Grand Canyon National Park Airport daily, and their flight routes include a pass over the North Rim. Mornings are the best time to fly for best lighting and lack of wind.
Jerome would not be too far a detour between Sedona and Phoenix, so you probably could work that in, just don’t plan on doing any extended sightseeing. Speaking of Sedona, one day isn’t nearly enough time in that area. The minimum recommendation on time is 3-4 days, and I still hear regularly from people who spend a week there and still felt as though they only scratched the surface! You might give some thought to leaving it out this time around, and spending 2 days either in the Grand Canyon or Page, and plan a trip to Sedona in the future when you can give it the time it really deserves.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 19, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Diana
Hello,
I am a very large woman and I would love to do this tour. It will take me a little time to go up and down stairs, if there are any. I did want to ask if you feel that the canyon may be too narrow in places for a larger person? I am asking because I noticed you mention the width of the stroller. I am a photographer but I don’t want to put myself or others in an uncomfortable position. Thank you in advance for any feedback on this.
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Hi Diana,
I’m by no means a “skinny Minnie,” but I was able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon last I went, and Upper is a piece of cake. Upper Antelope has no stairs; Lower has a few sets of them, the longest ones being the ones you would descend to get down into the canyon, then climb back out to the rim at the end. To gauge whether you would be able to handle Lower, I would recommend watching this video: Full Video Walk-Through Lower Antelope Canyon
In that video, you might notice that people are wearing backpacks, but that’s no longer allowed.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 19, 2019 at 1:45 PM
_________________________________________
From Tom Champion
Nice post and thank you for the video link, Alley.
I use a cane to help walk and while going down is fine, I find climbing stairs somewhat difficult due to a hip joint replacement in June 2018. Did you see any “Seasoned Citizens” around who had help walking but were able to navigate the canyon okay? Any comments appreciated.
Please email me with your thoughts.
July 01, 2019 at 7:03 PM
Julie
Hi!
Your site is super helpful! I still have some questions about my trip…I keep adding days but am still running out of time and could use help prioritizing and picking the right excursions. We are traveling 8/13-8/22. Here are the places we were hoping to explore but are open to modifications:
Las Vegas
Zion
Lake Powell
Bryce
Moab
Salt Lake city
We’d like to do some guided tours as well as quad rides, tubing/rafting, fishing, rock climbing.
Places along the way we’ve talked about (in no particular order and I could really use help here…capital reef, horseshoe bend, natural bridge, lower pine creek waterfall, antelope canyon, navajo canyons, rainbow bridge, canyon lands, slide rock trail (quad/ATV ride), dead horse point, balanced rock, arches national park (delicate arch, double arch, landscape arch), skill arches, fiery furnace trail)…the list could go on. 🙂 . Can you help organize and book some of our tours and excursions, please?
Julie
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Hi Julie,
Welcome to the toughest part about planning a trip out here: what to leave in, what to leave out!
Speaking of things left out, I notice the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. I’m going to assume for the sake of this itinerary that you’ve already been there. If that’s not the case, though, you should try to squeeze an extra day out of your itinerary so you can include it. Let me know if you need further guidance on that.
Speaking of assumptions, it sounds as though you’re flying into Las Vegas, but out of Salt Lake City, so I’m also going to presuppose that to be the case as I refer to your itinerary, as well as that 8/13 and 8/22 will be travel days in and out.
So — in light of all these assumptions, I recommend this:
08/14 – Drive from Las Vegas to Zion (~4 hours*), overnight in Springdale, UT *the reason for the long drive time is because of a construction project going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge; we are advising travelers to pad their drive estimates by at least 1 hour
08/15 – Sightseeing in Zion (Lower Pine Creek Falls), spend 2nd night in Springdale
08/16 – Drive from Zion to Bryce (~2.5-3 hour drive), take ATV tour in Bryce, overnight in Bryce Canyon or nearby
08/17 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef, overnight in Torrey, UT — OR — spend 2nd night in Bryce and visit Capitol Reef as a day trip — OR — you can hit Capitol Reef after Springdale/Zion, then swing through Bryce on the way to:
08/18 – Drive from Torrey, UT to Page, AZ (~5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon , visit Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page, AZ
08/19 – Take Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour OR Glen Canyon Float Trip, 2nd night in Page, AZ
08/20 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT via Monument Valley and/or Natural Bridges NM, ~5-6 hour drive, overnight in Moab, UT
08/21 – Tour Arches/Canyonlands area, for suggestions on activities, visit Moab Adventure Center, 2nd night in Moab
08/22 – Drive to SLC (~4 hours)
If you don’t have the time and/or inclination to do the boat tour to Rainbow Bridge, which is pretty much an all-day affair, you might opt to fly over it instead. Rainbow Bridge Scenic flights don’t land at the Bridge itself, but they do go over some amazing scenery in the course of 30-40 minutes.
Here’s how all that looks on a map:
Whatever you decide, be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. It doesn’t work at Native American Tribal Parks (Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley), or municipal-controlled areas like Horseshoe Bend, but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Just pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your trip.
Be sure that you book all lodging and guided tours, especially Antelope Canyon, well in advance. Now wouldn’t be too soon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 17, 2019 at 6:05 PM
Anurag D
Hello ,
Our trip schedule is 5/23 – 5/27.Need suggestion on below itinerary if it is good enough.
5/23 – Arrive in Las Vegas late evening.
5/24 – Leave early morning for death valley , stay near death valley EOD.
5/25 – Leave for Antelope Canyon , explore antelope canyon. Stay nearby EOD.
5/26 – Leave for Grand Canyon , explore grand canyon. Stay near grand canyon EOD.
5/27 – Back to Vegas.
Does this sound reasonable ?
Also could you suggest some good tours for lower and upper antelope canyon tours. I saw infor above but just not able to decide.
Thanks,
Anurag
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Hi Anurag,
Your plan sounds fairly reasonable, except for when you get to the part where you drive from Death Valley to Page, AZ. That’s a 7+ hour drive (drive time estimates are longer than normal due to construction taking place on a stretch of I-15 along that route). By the time you get to Page, you won’t have time to do much of anything, much less tour Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Then you’re proposing to drive to the Grand Canyon the next day, which is given on Google Maps as being a 2.5 hour drive, but in reality, it ends up being more like 3.5-4 hours because the drive is very scenic and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures. If you stick with that plan, you’ll only have time for one Antelope Canyon tour, if you’re lucky, then maybe a sunrise pop-in to Horseshoe Bend on the way down to the Grand Canyon.
Instead of overnighting in Death Valley that 2nd day, you might consider making that a day trip (4.5-hour round-trip drive), and return to Las Vegas that night. Then get an early start to Page, AZ, the next morning so you can get a good tour time at Antelope Canyon (provided there are still seats available). Even so, IMO you’ll still be hard pressed to tour both Upper and Lower unless you tour one branch of the canyon on your arrival day, then another on the morning you head for the South Rim. Honestly, you needn’t tour more than one slot canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Physically, if you’re able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon, I recommend sticking with it.
No matter what you decide, be sure to book all of your lodging and your Antelope Canyon tours in advance of your arrival. Start by checking availability of Grand Canyon lodging, then Antelope Canyon tours, then build the rest of your trip plan around that. You may need to flip-flop your itinerary and visit Grand Canyon first, then Page, prior to returning to Las Vegas.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 16, 2019 at 5:25 PM
Aleksandra Topalovich
Hi there,
My sisters and I would like to visit antelope canyon at the end of may. We are staying at the Scott in scottsdale. What is the best way to get there? and how long will it take?
Thank you
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Hi Aleksandra,
The best way to visit Antelope Canyon from Phoenix/Scottsdale is to self-drive. It takes approximately 5 hours one way to drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ. Due to the distance, you should plan on staying overnight in Page, AZ. You must have a reservation to tour Antelope Canyon. While in Page, AZ, you should also plan to visit Horseshoe Bend.
If driving yourselves is not an option, there are day tours available out of Phoenix. Detours American West is a fine and reputable outfitter. Another company worth considering would be Vaughn’s Southwest Custom Tours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 16, 2019 at 5:09 PM
holly letterman
Hi Alley – I am looking to plan a vacation to UT this summer and I am just in the beginning phases of planning. I plan to fly into Las Vegas and from there I have an open slate. I will be bringing my 19yo and my 15yo (who can do only mild hiking – he has Cerebral Palsy). I don’t mind driving and can spend 5-8 days. Could you help me build an itinerary? We don’t mind driving, we just want to see as much as possible but have fun too!!
Thanks!
Holly
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Hi Holly,
Using Las Vegas as your “staging city,” how your itinerary gets built will revolve, and evolve, around 2 key elements: lodging availability (or lack thereof) at the Grand Canyon, and availability of Upper Antelope Canyon tours (that branch of the canyon is easiest to tour with only a 100 yard walk required). Start by checking those two things first, and the rest of your tour elements should fall into place rather easily.
With 1 week to work with, a typical itinerary goes something like this:
Day 1: Travel day to Las Vegas
Day 2: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim with optional stopover at Hoover Dam (~5-5.5 hour drive), overnight at South Rim
Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in multiple stops), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4: Sunrise visit to Horseshoe Bend if ADA trail is completed, if not, perhaps a scenic flight over it, drive on the Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), overnight in Bryce
Day 5: Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 6: 2nd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale
Day 7: Drive back to Las Vegas (~3-4 hour drive, actual drive time may vary due to construction taking place on this route), either overnight in Vegas or fly home
All of the parks featured on this route have many hiking options, a good number of which are very easy, so your whole family should have no shortage of things to fill your days. If you have an ADA placard, bring that with you. It might grant you access to areas that are normally closed to private vehicles. Be sure to clarify these guidelines upon entry into each park, or visit the individual accessibility guides online for each park.
If you find that Grand Canyon lodging availability is more open towards the back end of your trip, you can always flip-flop your itinerary, and do a Las Vegas > Zion > Bryce > Page > Grand Canyon > Vegas loop.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2019 at 5:01 PM
Melissa
We are 9 days arriving in Las Vegas on June 5 spending 2 days there and visiting Hoover dam.
On June 7 we plane to see horseshoe bend and grand staircase Escalante stay the night there.
June 8 drive to Zion national park and tour it spend night there.
June 9 drive to Bryce Canyon tour and and drive half way between Bryce Canyon and arches national park and spend night there.
June 10 drive to arches national park tour and then drive to Durango spend night there.
June 11 tour Durango railroad and Mesa verde
June 12 drive to monument valley and tour spend night there.
June 12 drive to antelop and tour there drive to Grand Canyon.
June 13 tour Grand Canyon and spend the night
June 14. Spend part of the day touring Grand Canyon more and drive to Sedona.
Do you think this is durable? We have 4 kids traveling with us ages 8,13,16,19? Where should we do tours and which ones? We have never been to this area before.
Thanks for your help!
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Hi Melissa and thank you for visiting.
With all due respect here, you need to SLOOOOOOOOOOOW DOWN, and also to take a good hard look at a map. You’re trying to cram far too much sightseeing into a very limited time frame, and I don’t think you’re fully comprehending the distances you’ll have to endure. Not to mention some of your itinerary involves some unnecessary backtracking, and in general, just too much driving, and no downtime.
On June 7th, for example, where you say you’re going to “see Horseshoe Bend and Grand Staircase Escalante,” but on June 8th, “drive to Zion and spend the night.” Zion is actually closer to Las Vegas than Grand Staircase, so it would make more sense to put it first. Horseshoe Bend is also located in Page, AZ, near Antelope Canyon, so you’d want to include that in your sightseeing on that leg of your tour.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a HUGE area, some of which you can actually see around Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, as well as between Bryce and Torry, UT. Geographically, it makes more sense to visit it on your way out of Bryce Canyon, UT, as a “drive-by” on your way to Arches instead of as an overnight. Capitol Reef is a park that deserves some attention, doesn’t take long to tour, and is right on the way to Arches. Another consideration re: Arches and Zion is that both of these parks really require 2-3 days minimum to do justice. You’re hardly going to have any time to do any in-depth exploring unless you take a destination or two off the table. More on that in a minute…
The drive from Moab, UT, to Durango, CO, at ~3 hours, is not too long, but depending on which train tour you’re interested in taking, you might have to get quite an early start out of Moab, UT, in order to make it on time. Frankly, I’d recommend taking the Durango/Silverton train off the agenda, so you can spend more time at Mesa Verde, which IMO is more interesting. If you do that, you could drive on to Bluff, UT (~2.5 hours from Mesa Verde, CO), to stay overnight, then hit Monument Valley on the way to Page, AZ.
You have June 12th listed on your inquiry twice, so I’m assuming you actually mean June 13th. The drive from Bluff, UT to Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) is ~ 2.5 hours (without stops), but one thing you have to factor in is that Monument Valley DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, does NOT. Therefore, you will “gain” an hour as you travel from Monument Valley to Page, AZ, which is a plus. Antelope Canyon requires a guided tour to see; Horseshoe Bend does not, in theory, anyway. Parking can be congested during the mid-day hours and at sunset, plus, in June it’s going to be HOT. So, instead of trying to beat the clock to get to the Grand Canyon, I recommend overnighting in Page, AZ, so you can visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then take a leisurely drive to the Grand Canyon, which will take ~3.5-4 hours, then overnight at the South Rim.
Where you get to the part where you want to go to Sedona, here again, this is a destination that needs at least 3-4 days — not hours, DAYS — in order to have a fulfilling visit. You’ll have already seen and done so much by the time you get to this part that you’re probably going to be burnt out on driving. But then again, Sedona makes for a nice, relaxing environment in which to have a final “chill out” before you have to fly home. If you have your heart set on going there, IMO, the best way to accommodate it properly would be to sacrifice Arches, Mesa Verde, and perhaps Monument Valley.
Assuming that you want to keep Arches and Mesa Verde, a revised itinerary would look something like this:
June 7th: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion (3.5-4 hour drive due to construction in area), overnight in Springdale, UT.
June 8th: More touring in Zion, spend 2nd night in Springdale, UT.
June 9th: Drive from Springdale, UT, to Capitol Reef, with stopover in Bryce Canyon (~5 hour drive total), overnight in Torrey, UT.
June 10th: Drive from Torrey to Moab, UT (~3 hour drive), explore Arches NP, overnight in Moab, UT
June 11th: Explore Canyonlands NP, 2nd night in Moab, UT
June 12th: Get up early and drive from Moab, UT, to Mesa Verde National Park, CO (~3 hour drive), overnight at Bluff, UT (~2 hour drive)
June 13th: Drive from Bluff, UT, to Page, AZ (~3 hours [direct]), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
June 14th: Drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hours), overnight at the South Rim
June 15th: Back to Vegas (~5 hour drive), fly home
Whatever you decide, be sure to book ALL lodging along your route in advance. Antelope Canyon tours must also be pre-booked. If you do opt to do the Durango/Silverton train, reserve that ahead of time as well.
Good luck, I know it’s these are some hard choices to make. Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 16, 2019 at 4:41 PM
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From Melissa
alley,
We are actually spending a full week in Sedona after touring the above destinations to rest and enjoy. We are flying home from Mesa. So do you still suggest the same itenrary? Thanks so much for your help we just don’t know what is possible to accomplish and what’s not. You input is greatly appreciated
MelissaApril 17, 2019 at 12:48 AM
Sheri Burroughs
Hi
My husband and I would like to come out in September. Where would be the best to fly into and what city would be best to stay in?
Thanks
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Hi Sherri,
Most visitors to this area fly into Las Vegas, NV, or Phoenix, AZ, to start trips out to this area. Either airport is about a 5-hour drive from Page, AZ. Salt Lake City, UT is another popular alternative, which is a bit further away, ~6.5 hours from Page, AZ.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 15, 2019 at 4:44 PM
Iveth Major
Hi Ryan, – Trip 5/2019—
We are arriving to SLC to tour South Utah/Arizona arriving on Sat 5/25.and have 8 full days to tour.
Need your feedback and also need to book tours in Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon and HorseShoe Bend.
We leave from SLC to Zion on Sun 5/26 at 5 am.
Stay in Zion- Sun and Mon night- visit from there Bryce. We will have Sun since noon all Monday and 1/2 day Tuesday 5/28.
Drive to Capitol Reef spend day and go to Paige and stay 2 nights 5/28 and 5/29 leaving 5/30. From there see Lake Powell, Antelope and HorseShoe Bend.
On May 30 drive to Moab and stay there two nights to see Arches and Canyonlands. Then drive to SlC late Sunday 6/1.
We are new and do NOT plan to take long hikes. We also have 3 kids ages 12, 11 and 7.
What tours could we take at Lake Powell/Page to see Antelope and Horseshoe bend.
Your opinion and feedback please? Doable?
I would like to book tours ASAP. Thanks!
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Hi Iveth,
If I’m interpreting you correctly, you are wanting to visit Bryce as a day trip from Zion, then also visit Capitol Reef as a day trip en route to Page, AZ? If that’s the case, I can’t endorse your plan. It simply would have you doing too much driving, as well as backtracking.
If you’re not locked into your lodging already, I’d recommend modifying the front half of your plan as follows:
Sunday, May 26th: Drive from SLC to Capitol Reef (~4 hours), spend the night in Torrey, Escalante, or Boulder, UT.
Monday, May 27th: Get up early, drive from Capitol Reef to Zion by way of Bryce Canyon (total drive time ~5 hours), overnight in Zion/Springdale, UT.
Tuesday, May 28th: More sightseeing in Zion (there are lots of easy but scenic hikes available in Zion), 2nd night in Springdale, UT.
Wednesday, May 29th: Drive from Zion to Page, AZ (drive time ~2-2.5 hours), tour Upper Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon waterside, overnight in Page, AZ.
Thursday, May 30th: Visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, then drive on to Moab, UT (drive time: ~5), optional stopover at Monument Valley en route. Spend next 2 nights in Moab, UT.
Friday, June 1st: Drive back to SLC (~4 hours).
Map of your trip itinerary with the modifications I proposed.
One thing that does kind of stick out like a sore thumb, though, is the absence of the Grand Canyon from your itinerary. Have you already been there, or did you inadvertently leave it off? If you were willing to sacrifice a night at Zion, you might visit the North Rim as a stopover en route to Page, AZ, or stay at one of the North Rim hotels IF you can find availability.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 15, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Wanda
Hi Alley:
My husband and I are planning a trip to Las Vegas from Monday June 22 to Saturday 26 of this year 2019. We will love to see Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, The Gran Canyon and The lower Antelope with the boat tour and the horseshoe bend view from above. Any suggestion on how we should plan this trip?
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Hi Wanda!
So, I take it you are planning to do this trip as a self-drive? That’s really the best way to give yourself maximum freedom and flexibility.
The best way to plan it is to start by checking availability Grand Canyon lodging, then Antelope Canyon Tours. Grand Canyon hotel availability, or lack thereof, will be the lychpin around which the rest of your trip planning will develop. If you can find availability to hit it first, then do so. But, it’s also perfectly fine to schedule it for last on your itinerary should availability be more conducive then.
Assuming that Monday June 22nd, you’ll want to spend the night in Las Vegas, here’s what I suggest:
June 23rd: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with stopover at Hoover Dam. Drive time: ~5.5 hours. Upon arrival at Grand Canyon, do some sightseeing in Grand Canyon Village and perhaps along the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive using the free shuttles, overnight at the Grand Canyon.
June 24th: Get up early, drive to Page, AZ. Estimated drive time: ~3.5-4 hours. Stop at overlooks on Desert View/East Rim Drive of Grand Canyon as desired, stop for breakfast/brunch at Cameron Trading Post. Take Lower Antelope Canyon + Boat Tour, overnight in Page, AZ.
June 25th: Take Horseshoe Bend Air Tour (early morning is best time to fly for optimal light and less wind), tours available by fixed wing airplane or helicopter. Time/desire permitting, tour Glen Canyon Dam, visit Navajo Village Heritage Center, John Wesley Powell Museum, the “New” Wave, “White House” Overlook. Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
June 26th: Drive back to Las Vegas, which normally takes ~5 hours, but there is extensive roadwork going on on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge which could result in delays of 1-2 hours. Be sure to factor that in.
Again, if Grand Canyon lodging is available on the back end of your trip, you can simply flip-flip this itinerary and do Las Vegas – Page – Grand Canyon – Las Vegas. Another option is instead of spending a 2nd night in Page, AZ, you might drive to Zion National Park and spend the night in Springdale, UT, which would shorten your drive back to Las Vegas, but still factoring in that construction.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 15, 2019 at 4:05 PM
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From Wanda
Thank you Alley soo much. Now I have a better idea of what to do since we are not familiar with the area at all. We appreciate your help.
April 22, 2019 at 10:13 PM
Judy P
Hi Ryan,
I’m seeing a bundle tour which has upper and lower canyon tours 45 minutes apart – i’ve noticed on other sites that some tours require check in 1.5 hours in advance. Does the bundle take this into account? I want to book but want to make srue this won’t be an issue. Please email me 🙂
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Hi Judy,
The participating tour outfitters have blocked out seats for use in the “bundles,” so the downline tour operators will be aware that you might be checking in a little later than other guests.
Alley 🙂April 11, 2019 at 3:04 PM
Ricky
Hello there,
thanks for the information. We are family of couple with 7 and 14 year old visiting Antelope Canyon this coming July. We would like to visit lower Canyon and a boat tour. We are struggling choosing to book a bundle tour vs separate tours considering the cost. I checked this website (is it an official Antelope Canyon website?)
It states one of the benefits going with the bundle is
#2 – When you purchase a boat tour combo your Park Entry fees is reduced from $37.00 to $2.00! Just show your Vouchers.
So each time when you enter the park there is $37 fee? The bundle price for a 13+ is $109 and 4+ is $69 which is quite a bit of money considering our travel budget. If we book lower canyon trip with Ken’s, 13+ is $50.4 and our 7 year old is free. Booking the boat tour alone is $48 for 13+ and $20 for 4+. So I don’t understand what would the bundle is a better deal? Or there is any hidden fees I don’t know about if we go with separate tours? Thanks
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Hi Ricky,
That does seem like quite a difference in price, I’ll have to see what I can do to find out why that’s the case, but in the meantime, I can tell you this:
The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area park entrance fee is $30/vehicle, which is good for one week’s time. You would have to pay that anytime you entered Antelope Point Marina, or the Lake Powell Resort Complex. If you were to book the Antelope Point Boat Tour by itself, this fee would not be included in the cost of your tour.
The Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee is $8/person, which is usually included in the price of most Antelope Canyon land-side and other slot canyon tours. If you were to take more than one slot canyon tour (on land), you would want to hang onto your entrance fee voucher so you wouldn’t be double-charged.
The main advantage to booking the tours as a “bundle” is the convenience of not having to mess with multiple tour outfitter websites and sold out tour times. As for our website, we are not an “official” website per se, but mainly strive to be an informational resource for planning a visit to Antelope Canyon and the surrounding attractions. Long story short, if you think you can find a better deal elsewhere, and are prepared to do whatever it takes to find it, then by all means, go for it. We simply offer this option as a way to save time and hassle.
I hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 11, 2019 at 3:03 PM
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From Ricky
Thanks for your reply Alley. Supposing we book separately a lower canyon tour in the morning starting at about 10:00am, how feasible for us to have a boat trip in the afternoon after lunch? Any advice is appreciated like commute from land to marina, time we need to prepare, if rental car available to avoid the $30/vehicle parking as you mentioned above.
Thanks again.
April 11, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Maahi
Hi,
Hope you are doing good!!!!
First of all I really want to thank you a ton for a great and helpful guidance.
We are visiting las vegas in june, with wife and 2 years old kid. We want to visit grand canyon and antelope canyon also.
According to our plan.
Day 1 : we will start from lasvegas around 6:30 am ,stop at hoover dam and continue to grand canyon,see sunset and stay their.
Day 2 : start from grand canyon ,then horseshoe bend and antelope canyon ,and will be back to las vegas till 7 pm.
Please let me know is it ok??
What we need to change,we can only stay 1 night there as we have come back.
Also please suggest is there any tickets for these attractions?? Or do we need go tour guide?
Please suggest.
Thanks in advance!!!
Maahi.
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Hi Maahi,
I’m doing great, thanks for asking!
Unfortunately, I can’t endorse your plan, especially with a toddler in tow.
On Day 1, you’re doing, OK. It’s Day 2 where things get unrealistic. It takes approximately 3.5-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, etc.). I know that Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you will definitely be stopping to take pictures. Highlights of the drive include, but are not limited to, 6+ named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, the Tusayan Ruins and Museum, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, random kiosks where Native Americans sell their wares, the Cut Overlook, and Horseshoe Bend. It takes 60-90 minutes to walk out to Horseshoe Bend, take photos, then walk back to the parking lot. For Antelope Canyon, you need to set aside at least 2.5 hours. A guided tour is required to visit. With a 2-year-old, you’ll be limited to touring Upper Antelope Canyon. Then, after all that, you’re facing a 5-hour drive back to Las Vegas? *shudder* Not my idea of a vacation.
With your limited timeframe, if you have never been to the Grand Canyon, I’d recommend concentrating on it and leaving Page, AZ, off the table. If you’ve been to the Grand Canyon already, then just visit Page, AZ. Unfortunately, you just don’t have enough time to visit more than one spot comfortably this time around. Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotel rooms and guided tours well in advance of your trip.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 09, 2019 at 12:57 PM
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From Maahi
Hi,
Thankyou so much for your response.
Honestly speaking ,i never been to grand canyon and antelope canyon and want to visit both because of it scenic.
And the time bothering us as visa issues.
But..
How about the plan second..
Day 1: strat from las vegas around 7:00 am and reach grand canyon around 12 pm
Then start from GC around 4:30-5:00 pm and stay overnight in page Az.
Day 2: early morning tour for upper antelope and then horseshoe shoe band and come back.
One questions,what is the last safe time limit so we can start driving from page?April 09, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Deepu
First of all , I want to thank you for spoon feeding the tour planning and giving an excellent write up !
Need your inputs on our tour –
Apr 8 – coming from Scottsdale to grand canyon, starting at 2 PM ~ 5 plus hours. approx 7-8 PM at grand canyon hotel and plan for whole next day for grand canyon.
Apr 9- after covering grand canyon for whole day, drive towards Page,AZ for lower anetlope , horshow bend and lake powell visit.
Apr 10- cover up Page,AZ for lower anetlope , horshow bend and lake powell visit. and head back to Scottsdale in the evening or next day morning.
If we find sometime in the evening on third day , we are planning to stop by sedona for couple of hours. please suggest if you want us to plan something diff. We came to visit our friends at Scottsdale from midwest for few days and we are with toddler.
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Hi Deepu,
So are you doing this trip next year, or are you in Arizona right now? If the latter is the case, then I probably can’t help you much, but, future travelers to the area might benefit from our feedback, so here goes.
On Day 1, you’re cutting it a little too close for comfort to sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roads, and the possibility you might encounter deer, elk, free range cattle, or even wild horses unexpectedly. You should be at your final destination well before sunset on each day of your trip. Sunrise occurs at around 5:45 AM, sunset shortly before 7:00 PM. Hopefully, you booked Grand Canyon lodging well in advance, or you’re going to have a rough time finding rooms.
On your 2nd day, you’ll want to start making your way to Page, AZ, at around noon. I know that Google Maps gives the drive time as ~2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens. The drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures at the half-a-dozen or so named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, then other photo ops in the Navajo Reservation such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, the Cut Overlook, and Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting). Factoring in all that, your drive time is more likely to shake out at 3.5-4 hours.
On that 3rd day, you won’t have time for much of a Lake Powell visit as you’ll need to start making your way to Scottsdale at 2:00 PM at the absolute latest. A quick pop-in to Antelope Point Marina would probably be most practical, but that’s in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, meaning you’ll have to pay a $30/vehicle entrance fee for a relatively short visit. Probably best to take in the views of the lake from the Wahweap Overlook on US89 just a few miles South of the Utah border. If you were unable to hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town the previous night, try to hit it just after sunrise (~6:00 AM) so you don’t have to mess with the parking lot closure and shuttle requirements (in place for April 2019 only), then do your Antelope Canyon tour soon after. Here again, I do hope you have reservations for an Antelope Canyon tour, or you could have a difficult time finding space. You’ll need to plan on touring Upper Antelope with a toddler in tow.
I would take Sedona off the agenda, as a quickie “drive by” really won’t do it justice and will just leave you longing for more. If you can, try to plan a return trip to Arizona when you can spend at least 3-5 days in Sedona.
Hope that helps and that you had a good trip,
Alley 🙂April 09, 2019 at 12:48 PM
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From Terry Ansel
Is this too aggressive? Great website. Need suggestions.
Itinerary for AZ/UT trip 5/19 to 5/25
5/19 arrive in Las Vegas around midnight
5/20 Head to Grand Canyon (South Rim) Explore Canyon
5/21 Explore Grand Canyon then head to Antelope Canyon
5/22 Explore Antelope Canyon. Do the Upper Antelope & Boat Tour.
5/23 Head to Bryce Canyon & explore
5/24 Head to Zion & explore. Drive to Vegas late afternoon.
5/25 Fly out of Vegas at nightApril 15, 2019 at 1:11 PM
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From Wendy
Alley,
First off, thank you so much for taking the time and having the patience to answer all of these questions, your comments are so very helpful for planning a trip to this area.
I have a dilemma for visiting Antelope on April 28. The only tours that I could find for Upper and/or Lower Canyon are at the end of the day: 4:00 for the Upper and 4:45 for the Lower. Might it be better for us to do Canyon X during the middle of the day instead? I’m wondering about the light at the end of the day.I tried joining the forum on another page…but can’t now find it. Darn it. So would you please respond here? I’ll try not to lose this page.
Thanks so much.April 15, 2019 at 2:00 PM
Lauren Dait
Hello!
I love your website and suggestions and I would love some help. We will be traveling to the area. We will arrive later in the day on October 28th. We will be celebrating my husband’s 50th while here. There will be 2 children ages 10 and 13 and the two of us. This is what I am thinking and I would love your feedback/suggestions/modifications! Our trip is from September 28th to October 5th or 6th.
28th arrive to Phoenix later in day – drive to Grand Canyon
29th Grand Canyon – sunrise/sunset and tour area. Spend another night I think.
30th – wake up and head to Page. Tour Antelope Canyon. Not sure if upper or lower is better for us. Should we add a boat trip? Is there a hot air balloon I can do for his 50th?
1st – hang out around page? Should we go to Monument Valley? Bryce? or skip them?
2nd travel to Sedona . What are the must do activities in Sedona?
3rd – sedona
4th – sedona
5th – sedona and heading home this evening or the 6th.
I really appreicate any help you can provide with our itinerary. I’m so looking forward to our trip! Thank you! Lauren
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Hi Lauren,
First off, good call on planning your vacation for the fall. That’s a great time to be here weather-wise, and crowds tend to be slightly thinner as well.
Your trip looks pretty well-planned, but, I’d still recommend making a couple of small modifications for maximum safety and enjoyment.
On the 28th, when you say you’re arriving in Phoenix “later in the day,” how much later? The reason I ask is because it takes ~4.5 hours to make the drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. That’s not even factoring in the time it will take to collect your rental car and make your way out of the city. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona anywhere North of Flagstaff due to the lack of ambient lighting on the roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses, poses another hazard. You might want to simply stay that night in Phoenix to “decompress” from your flight, or perhaps plan on driving as far as Flagstaff to settle in for the night. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM and sunset takes place at around 6:15 PM.
On the 29th, if you take us up on the suggestion to overnight in Flagstaff the night before, you’re then looking at only ~ a 90 minute drive to the Grand Canyon. Hopefully you have your lodging booked there already. If not, get that taken care of pronto as Grand Canyon hotels tend to book up 6-12 months in advance.
On the 30th, when you get ready to tour Antelope Canyon, if all of your party members are relatively fit, you should have no problem with touring Lower Antelope. It requires navigating a few ladders and stepping over some small boulders. If anyone in your party has mobility issues, however, then Upper would be the way to go as it’s short and the trail through it is relatively flat. If you opt to tour Lower Antelope Canyon, you can add a boat tour to your experience quite easily by taking a tour of the “waterside” of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina. For optimal convenience, book both tours as a “bundle” deal so you don’t have to trudge through multiple tour company websites and coordinate two different reservations. Lower Antelope Canyon + Antelope Canyon Waterside Boat If you’re looking for a change of scenery in a water-based activity, the Glen Canyon Float Trip would be a good option. As the name suggests, it does not go through any rapids, but the scenery and history keep interesting. The kids would even get a chance to swim in the river!
As for hot air balloon rides in Page, AZ, that sort of thing isn’t offered as of yet, but you might consider taking a fixed-wing airplane flight or helicopter tour from the Page Municipal Airport. The Tower Butte Landing & Horseshoe Bend helicopter tour would be a blast for your family, and a great birthday present for your husband!
As for that 2nd day in Page, a day trip to Monument Valley would be doable with an early enough start. It is a 2-hour drive one-way, however. You might also consider making a day trip to Zion, which is a bit closer, ~90 minutes one way, but then again, you’ll wish you had more time there!
You’ve made a good call by allowing some downtime in Sedona. If you’re really into the prospect of a hot air balloon ride, this is where you’d be able to do one. There are several licensed balloon companies who could take you up, usually first thing in the morning. As for other things to do, you’ll find no shortage of ways to enjoy the town and its surroundings! There are lots of beautiful hikes in varying degrees of difficulty. Slide Rock State Park is a definite must, weather permitting. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour is a popular activity, as is visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Tlaquepaque. For more information, click on VisitSedona.com: Things To Do In Sedona
Thank you again for visiting, and wish your husband a happy birthday from all of us!
Alley 🙂April 09, 2019 at 12:35 PM
George
Hi Ryan,
love the website, very informative. If possible could you give me any insights to our proposed itinerary in Mid June? It sounds ambitious even to me but we would like to see as much as possible. Thanks for any advice. George
Day 1——drive from Vegas to South rim of Grand Canyon and explore; stay close by
Day 2—Drive to Antelope Canyon and do an upper canyon tour and drive towards Bryce
Day 3 —-Bryce Canyon—-spend day there
Day 4—drive to Zion—-spend day there
Day 5 through 7—–go to California [Sequoia National or Yosemite—-guess both is out of the question]
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Hi George,
Whooooooooooaaaaaaaah, slow down there, pardner, you’re trying to go about this trip WAY too fast!
Your plan for Day 1 is OK, it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. If you wish, you might make a stopover at Hoover Dam. Stay inside the park if possible, but it’s probably already booked up, in which case Tusayan, AZ, just 7 miles outside the park is your next best option. Grand Canyon Lodging
On Day 2 is where things start to go somewhat awry. The drive time to Page, AZ, from Grand Canyon South Rim is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but that rarely materializes in real life. The drive is very scenic and I can promise that you will be stopping to take pictures frequently. The drive from Grand Canyon Village to Desert View, for example, offers the chance to stop at over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park at Desert View, you are then on Navajo Tribal Lands, where there are even more photo ops, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (good brunch/lunch stop), Chinle formation views, The Cut overlook, and Horseshoe Bend. In light of all that, the drive is more likely to take you along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. Then, you’re looking at at least 2-2.5 (factoring in check-in, and other logistics) to tour Upper Antelope Canyon. Afterwards, you’re facing a ~3 hour drive to Bryce Canyon. Not my idea of a vacation. You’d be better off just overnighting in Page, AZ, then doing the drive t Bryce the following morning. Bryce Canyon is a relatively small park, so you can explore it quite fully in just half a day’s time. On the way, you might take a break to do the very interesting and fairly easy Paria Rim Rocks/Toadstools hike.
The drive from Bryce to Zion is ~2 hours. The best place for lodging is Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park.
Day 5 through 7 is where your plan really gets unrealistic. It takes at least 9 hours, ONE WAY, to drive from Springdale, UT, to Sequoia National Park. For Yosemite, the figure is ~11 hours. So, you are correct, seeing both parks probably won’t happen. In terms of proximity, Sequoia is the closer of the two California parks, but still, I don’t know if your family will relish the prospect of a 9+ hour drive to get there from Zion. Best to break up the drive with a stopover in Las Vegas on Day 5. With an early enough start, you might make a detour through Valley of Fire State Park. Just avoid going there during the mid-day hours. It will be VERY hot at that time. Overnight in Vegas, or perhaps Primm, NV, or Barstow, CA, then go on to Sequoia the next day. Best places for Sequoia National Park lodging will probably be Three Rivers, CA, or Visalia, CA.
Then on Day 7, head back to Las Vegas.
Another option? Take the California parks off the table entirely and spend those last couple of days in Zion National Park. It’s a huge area with a lot to see and do. Most visitors recommend 3-4 days minimum in that area to do it justice. As it stands, you have very little in the way of downtime built into your vacation, and Zion IMO would be the perfect opportunity to do so.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a hard choice.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 07, 2019 at 3:04 PM
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From George
Thanks Alley for the advice and great details of options for our trip. I’ll certainly take some time to rethink how to best make our trip a “vacation”! Take care, George
April 08, 2019 at 12:29 AM
Anthony
Hi Alley! I read your articles, really those are amazing! You give more information in all .
Our big family will be in GC on May, from 6th to 13th. We have also 4 kids below age 5.
We will flight to and from Las Vegas airport.
We will reach at Las Vegas at night on 5th May.
I was wondering if you can help me with the itinerary. I have read your previous response. Our biggest goals are GC, Antelope canyon.
Would you suggest us an unforgettable itinerary?
Thank you so much!!!
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Hi Anthony!
With that many children under the age of 5, your itinerary will be highly influenced by what they can and cannot do, mostly the latter.
You want to avoid spending too much time behind the wheel and factor some “downtime” into your itinerary.
Grand Canyon lodging should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your itinerary revolves and evolves, so check availability there first. Staying inside the park is always most desirable; if nothing is available there, then Tusayan, 7 miles outside the park is your next best option.
It will take approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. From Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, Google maps gives the drive time as ~2.5 hours, but that rarely materializes as the drive is very scenic, and you’ll find yourself stopping to take pictures quite often. 3.5-4 hours ends up being a more realistic figure.
With your timeframe, I’d recommend:
May 6th: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, with an optional stop at Hoover Dam, perhaps another at Seligman, AZ, a Route 66 mainstay. Approximate drive time is 5 hours, no stops. Overnight at the Grand Canyon
May 7th: Spend 2nd day at Grand Canyon, exploring around the Grand Canyon Village area, maybe taking the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive shuttles, check out the IMAX movie in Tusayan, overnight at Grand Canyon again.
May 8th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, stop at viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, possible brunch/lunch stop at the Cameron Trading Post. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, parking permitting. Overnight in Page, AZ.
May 9th: 2nd day in Page, AZ, take Antelope Canyon tour. Because of the ages of the children, for their safety, you’ll be limited to touring Upper Antelope Canyon. There are 4 tour companies that tour Upper Antelope Canyon, but only 3 allow younger children. Advance reservations are required. If inclined, you might also take a brief boat tour on Lake Powell, but I’d recommend something no longer than 1.5-2 hours. Or some of the party might opt to stay behind with the kids if you don’t think they can handle it. Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
May 10th: Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), stop in Kanab, UT, for meal/leg stretch/bathroom break, explore the rim drive overlooks, overnight in Bryce Canyon or nearby.
May 11th: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT. Explore around in Zion, there are lots of easy, but scenic hikes you can take as a family in that area.
May 12th: Spend 2nd day in Zion area. Adults and/or older kids may hike for a short ways up the Narrows, but wouldn’t recommend this activity for younger kids. Overnight again in Zion, or drive back to Las Vegas (normally ~3 hours from Springdale, but please allow extra time due to ongoing roadwork on I-15 in the Virgin River Gorge).
May 13th: Fly home
Again, availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon will be the thing to book first. If you have to flip-flop your itinerary, i.e., hit Zion first, then Bryce, Page, GC, etc., then be prepared to do that. Be sure that you make reservations for Antelope Canyon tours in advance of your arrival as well.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 04, 2019 at 9:05 PM
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From Anthony
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for your valuable information.
Appreciated for your suggestion on how to make our trip more efficient.Thanks again for all your help.
April 08, 2019 at 10:38 PM
liza
omg you are amazing – very helpful and such good insight. i tried reading through all of your responses so i wouldn’t make you repeat yourself, but here i am asking anyway 🙂
we’re travelling as a family of 5 (kids 12, 10 and 10)
I have very rough outline for trip. am totally flexible, just need to start in mesa and end up in salt lake a week later!
sat: pick up RV in mesa then head to sedona
sun: morning in sedona then head north to flagstaff, spend the night closer to grand canyon
mon: grand canyon in morning then head to page
tue: antelope canyon, horseshoe bend –> monument valley
wed: monument valley –> moab
thu: moab
friday: moab to SLC
sat: return RV and depart SLC
fri:
wanted to squeeze bryce in but wonder if it’s too much. where do you recommended spending the most time?
also, do you have to have a tourguide to enter antelope canyon? all the tours are booked and we’re travelling in a little over a week 🙁 oops.
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Hey Liza, and thank you for visiting!
No need to worry about repetition, it’s part of the job. If I make it sound like I’m not repeating myself, then I’m doing good 😉
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I’d still recommend a couple of modifications.
On that first day, I’d suggest leaving Sedona out of the equation. Not that it isn’t beautiful — it is, amazingly so — but visiting it as a quickie overnight en route to the Grand Canyon won’t be very satisfying at all. Sedona is a place that needs at least 3 days at the very least to do it justice, but you can spend a week there and still feel as though you’ve only scratched the surface. I’d recommend saving Sedona for another trip when you can spend more time, then going directly to the Grand Canyon that first day (it’s ~a 5 hour drive) if you can find reservations at the Trailer Village RV Park, which is inside Grand Canyon National Park, or Grand Canyon Camper Village, which is in Tusayan, AZ, just outside the park. IMO, you’ll want to have access to electrical hook-ups in Grand Canyon since nighttime temperatures are still dipping down below freezing. Grand Canyon weather
I’d also consider dropping Monument Valley off the list as an overnight since it doesn’t really have that much appeal for kids. That’s what I’ve heard anyway. Instead, I’d recommend staying a second night in Page, AZ, so your family can take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, the trip doesn’t go through any rapids, but it’s a good family activity that includes a lot of beautiful scenery and interesting history.
From Page, AZ, the trip to Moab, UT, would take ~4.5 hours, and you would pass through Monument Valley anyway, so you could make a quick stopover there if you wished to. If the prospect of doing a float trip in Page, didn’t appeal, there are some good single day white water raft trips available in the Cataract Canyon of the Colorado River. I’d recommend hanging onto those 2 nights in Moab, UT, as you need at least 1 day to explore Arches, and then another to do Canyonlands.
As for squeezing Bryce Canyon in, you’ll be hard-pressed to do it unless you can free up another night somewhere. Taking Sedona off the table that first night would certainly help matters. It takes ~4.5 hours to drive from Moab to Bryce, and it would be a shame to miss Capitol Reef along the way. The drive from Bryce to SLC would then take another 4.5 hours or so.
RE: Antelope Canyon, yes, you do have to have a tour guide to enter it and other slot canyons in the area since they are on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. If you’ve found Antelope Canyon tours to be sold out, you might consider visiting one of several alternate slot canyons near Page, AZ, such as Canyon X, Waterholes Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, or Wind Pebble Canyon.
I hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 04, 2019 at 8:28 PM
Irina
Hi!
I am looking for a private guide that could accompany a group of 5 adults, take them around and show them the Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell (we plan to rent a boat), Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon, maybe also Zyon Canyon. Dates concerned are April 20 – April 21. I would be very much grateful if you could recommend someone.
Kind regards,
Irina
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Hi Irina,
Unfortunately, we don’t have any connections to anyone like that, you might try posting on a site like CraigsList, or perhaps the Facebook group, “Page, Arizona Community Bulletin Board.” I do have to tell you, though, that with only 2 days to work with, you’re not going to be able to see everything you have on your wish list. You need at least 5 days to successfully pull off a trip of that scale, unless you want to be driving constantly.
Sorry we couldn’t be of more help. Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyApril 03, 2019 at 7:37 PM
Mark
Good Morning. We are planning on coming to visit June 1st or 2nd. We will be staying in Marble Canyon, and want to see the whole Antelope Canyon the best we can. Would like to hike Upper and Lower and also boat trip to see it from that perspective. If we allocate a full day, is that enough, and what would you recommend as an itinerary. Thank you,
Mark
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Hi Mark, and good afternoon!
If you’re staying in Marble Canyon, which is beautiful, be sure to allow 60-90 minutes, each way, to make the drive to Page, AZ. Also, be sure that you time your tours so you can start the drive back to Marble Canyon before sunset. Driving in the dark is not recommended due to the lack of artificial lighting on area roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. You don’t want to have a nighttime collision with any one of them, that’s for sure! At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at about 5:00 AM, and sunset takes place at around 7:45 PM.
Another exercise in frustration you don’t want to even contemplate is trying to coordinate three different tours from up to ten different websites. The good news is that you can now book Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours, plus the waterside boat tour, as a package, taking place over the course of a day. Recommend doing that ASAP, as that option has been in demand for quite some time, and people are jumping on it, big-time!
Have a wonderful time, good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 03, 2019 at 8:04 PM
Anil
Hello Ryan,
First of all. Fantastic website. This is like Google for Antelope :). We are coming to Vegas for 7 days (14 to 21) and appreciate if you can suggest what is the best way to visit West Rim & Antelope canyon (want to do both Upper & lower, though still to find a tour). Shall I take a tour from Vegas or self -drive as I have a rented car also? Another thing is shall I drive to West Rim & come back t Vegas or continue onward journey for Antelope. ? I already booked a hotel in Vegas so thinking if we can avoid booking another hotel in antelope, but don’t mind if I have to book 1 night. would you suggest to do South rim as well?
In addition to my earlier comment, if you suggest any decent place to stay (2 Adults & 2 kids – 11 & 6 ) near antelope will be great, We are vegetarian (no fish, no meat) so if you suggest any good vegi food place also.
I am only getting a tour at 6am for Upper canyon and 10am for lower, so I have to stay the night before somewhere nearby. As mentioned earlier we have total 6days in Vegas, out of which I am thinking to put 2 for Grand Canyon & Antelope canyon. I am thinking for below itniery;, as this is our first time in Vegas, want to fully explore the sin city 🙂
Day 1 – Vegas
Day 2 – Leave early and visit West Rim / South rim (whichever one is possible on the way to Antelope) and night at Page
Day 3 – Antelope canyon and back to Vegas
Day 4-6 – in Vegas.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks in advance
Anil
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Hi Anil, and thanks for your compliments!
I combined your comments so I could try to answer all your questions at once!
First off, I recommend doing this trip on a self-drive basis, but you’re trying to cram too many destinations into a limited timeframe. To illustrate, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West takes approximately 2.5 hours. You’re then looking at 4.5 hours to drive from GC West to the South Rim, and another 3.5-4 hours to get from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. There’s no way you’re going to pull that off in one day and be on speaking terms with your family the next morning!
In light of that, I’d strongly recommend taking the West Rim off the table. The South Rim is where you’ll find the iconic picture-postcard views that you’re expecting to see. You can stop at Hoover Dam on the way there if you wish. Still, you’re looking at ~a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, therefore, it would be best if you were to overnight at the Grand Canyon and drive to Page, AZ, the next morning.
Here again, due to the distance between Page, AZ, and Las Vegas, I recommend you overnight in Page, AZ, after your Antelope Canyon touring. Try to hit up Horseshoe Bend while you’re there as well.
The drive back to Las Vegas afterward will be about 5 hours. If you have to sacrifice a day in Las Vegas to accommodate that, I’d recommend doing so.
As for restaurants with vegetarian options, you’ll find that most places can accommodate that as long as you’re OK with dairy products like cheese or yogurt. If you’re vegan, eat no animal products whatsoever, you might have a harder time. A good source of information on vegetarian and vegan dining options is HappyCow.net You can search by state, then by city. You might also purchase a small cooler and visit a couple of supermarkets along your route to stock up on supplies for snacks or meals. Super-Walmarts are best for this, and you’ll find them in Las Vegas, NV, and one in Page, AZ.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 03, 2019 at 7:52 PM
Mary
Great blog! I am visiting Arizona for the first time from April 25 through 30. We are choosing not to include grand canyon as we want to make that a separate trip of its own maybe in the fall. Our itinerary is day 1 late evening arrival into Phoenix and overnight. Day 2 drive to Flagstaff and spend two nights. There seem to be a number of close by hikes, etc to do in the area. Suggestions for your favorites in this area? Day 4 drive Flagstaff to Page. Spend two nights. Horseshoe bend, slot canyon and maybe a float trip are on our list. Day 6 drive page to Hopi cultural center. Spend one night and take tour of mesas. Day 7 drive Hopi cultural center to Phoenix for evening flight. I had hoped to fit canyon de chelly but it does not seem to work for this trip. I prefer to spend at least two nights in each location rather than packing in too much. Thoughts?
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Hi Mary,
Your plan looks nice and relaxed, and that’s cool that you’re planning to hit the Hopi Cultural Center.
Flagstaff does indeed have a lot of nice hikes to do. Which ones you choose depends on your physical fitness level, and how well you acclimate to the altitude. Walnut Canyon National Monument is fascinating, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of Ancestral Puebloans by getting into their actual dwellings. The only drawback is it has a lot of stairs. The lava tubes are neat, too, but you’ll want to have 2-3 flashlights for it. Plus, they might not be open at the time of your visit due to the heavy snows we got this season. There are all kinds of possibilities! For more suggestions, visit AllTrails.com: Best Trails Near Flagstaff
If you want to include Canyon de Chelly on your trip, sacrificing a day in Flagstaff would probably be the most logical way to work it in. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Flagstaff to Canyon de Chelly going direct. The option is also there to include stopovers at Meteor Crater and/or Petrified Forest, which will extend the drive time only by a bit, technically, but may delay your arrival at Canyon de Chelly. Also, there is not much in the way of lodging at Canyon de Chelly, the town of Chinle, AZ, has a couple hotels, but that’s about it. Kayenta, AZ, about 1.5 hours North, has a few more, but options are still limited. Page would then be about 1.5 hours from Kayenta. Map However… if you were to go as far as Kayenta, it would be a shame not to visit Monument Valley, but that would probably mean sacrificing a day in Page, AZ, as well. *sigh* So many places, so little time! LOL
Whatever you decide, be sure you make all lodging reservations and bookings for guided tours well in advance, especially for Antelope Canyon if you haven’t done so already.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 02, 2019 at 2:54 PM
Ling
Hi Alley,
We are planning to visit Page for the Easter long weekend. We are from Canada and would love to see it all in a short period of time.
Is that possible to visit upper antelope, take a boat ride and visit horse shoe bend all in one day? Need your professional input on this…
thanks, Ling
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Hello Ling,
Yes, it is possible to manage all the attractions and activities you list in one day!
For Horseshoe Bend, plan to visit just after sunrise, which occurs at around 5:45 AM. I know – ugh! But the reason I suggest doing this is because right now, the main parking lot of Horseshoe Bend is closed between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. During that time, visitors are required to park at an alternate parking lot and take a shuttle to the overlook for $5/person. Frankly, the arrangement is inconvenient, and will probably still be in place at the time of your trip. An early morning visit will allow you to take advantage of cooler temperatures, and fewer people.
For Antelope Canyon, a reservation for a guided tour is required.
For a boat ride, it will be most convenient to take a relatively short tour from Antelope Point Marina that goes to the “waterside” where Antelope Canyon joins with Lake Powell. Just recently, it became possible to book these two tours as a package, which is WAY more convenient than trying to sort out two reservations. Upper Antelope Canyon Plus Boat Tour
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 02, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Courtney
What a helpful and detailed site! Thank you! Hopefully you can help me with my questions. Our family of 6 is driving an RV from LA (I know, I know!). We’d like to do at least the Grand Canyon and Zion, then head west to Four Corners, Mesa Verde and more. (Is 1 day per canyon, not including driving, enough?)
I’m don’t know much about the GC but I see you highly recommend the South Rim. Would it be better for us to drive from LA to Flagstaff and approach the GC from the south? Or follow Google maps and go from LA, through Las Vegas and to Zion first?
Also, we have an extra day not currently scheduled, and I am overwhelmed by the canyon possibilities. Bryce? Glen? Antelope is not an option at this point. Or is there something else you highly recommend doing as a family (I did look into the Float trip, horseback rides and other things)?
Thank you!
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Hi Courtney, and thank you for your compliments!
There’s no problem with opting to go the RV route for your Grand Circle vacation, as long as you know what you’re getting into. Many people opt for RV’s for the novelty, others do it because they’re under the impression that they’ll save a lot of money vs. traditional hotels. The latter assumption sometimes ends up being a “wash,” as any money you save on hotels will be eaten up in gas. However, the ability to prepare your own meals is a definite money-saver.
I don’t recall seeing when you were scheduled to travel, but I’m assuming it’s later this spring or summertime? If so, you’ll want to stay in developed RV parks with electrical hook-ups, because you’ll need that air conditioning, or heat depending on the weather. Grand Canyon South Rim has one RV park with hook-ups in-park, Trailer Village. If they are full, then Grand Canyon Camper Village in Tusayan (7 miles South of the park) is your next best option. For first-time visitors, Grand Canyon South Rim is recommended over the North Rim because it has more in the way of visitor services, plus the North Rim is only open from May 15th-October 15th.
As to what order you visit the various parks in, that will most likely depend on when you can get reservations. Let Grand Canyon be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your trip planning revolves, and evolves. If availability (or lack thereof) determines that you can do LA-Zion-Bryce-4 Corners/Mesa Verde-GC, then by all means, go that route. If RV park availability indicates that Grand Canyon should be first stop on the tour, you could do LA-GC-4 Corners/Mesa Verde-Bryce-Zion. BTW, 1 day in each place is enough for some, but not for others. Zion, in particular, deserves at least 2-3 days to do it justice.
As for other attractions to add, there are all kinds of possibilities. Page, AZ, for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip would be my first recommendation. When you say “Antelope is not an option,” I assume you mean that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out? If so, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons, many of which are in the same drainage system as Antelope, and are just as beautiful.
On the way to Mesa Verde, you might consider stopping in Moab, UT, or Monument Valley. Moab, UT is another place that needs at least 3 days. Monument Valley can do with just 1. Between Bryce and Mesa Verde, Capitol Reef is a place you pretty much have to pass through anyway, and is beautiful. 1-2 days is sufficient to spend there. If your time is limited, you might consider leaving Mesa Verde off the table. Not that it isn’t incredible (it is!), but do you want to spend your whole vacation driving?
Whatever you do, be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card gets you into all the National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas for 1 year’s time. The only places it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley), and State Parks (the Goosenecks of the San Juan is a neat one between Monument Valley and Moab), but it will pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take.
Hope that helps, I know it’s a hard choice! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 02, 2019 at 1:59 PM
Karryn
Hi Ryan,
I love your website and have found it very helpful. We will be travelling at the end of June this year as 2 adults and 2 children (aged 15 & 13 yrs) in an RV. We have a total of 5 nights from Las Vegas and back to Las Vegas. We will pick the RV up at 10.30am on the first day and are hoping to do the following:
Day 1 – Collect RV and drive to South Rim – 1 night Mather Campground. Afternoon exploring Grand Canyon.
Day 2 – Drive to Desert View exit and through to Antelope Canyon for an afternoon tour. What’s the best tour and best time to do this given how far we have to drive but still want to see the Canyon at its best. 1 night Wahweap RV & Campground. Not sure if we can maybe get to see Horseshoe Bend this day. Do we have enough time?
Day 3 – Drive to Bryce Canyon. Afternoon exploring Bryce Canyon. 1 night Ruby’s Inn Campground.
Day 4 – Morning exploring Bryce Canyon. Drive to Zion Canyon. Afternoon exploring Zion Canyon. 2 nights Zion Canyon & RV Resort
Day 5 – Day exploring Zion.
Day 6 – Drive to Las Vegas for 1 night in a hotel.
We have struggled a bit to work out our days because originally we had 2 nights in Grand Canyon which would then mean we have to drive Grand Canyon to Page to Bryce in one day or Page to Bryce to Zion in one day. If we kept it as 2 nights in the Canyon which option do you think works better given we have 2 children?
We know the trip is a bit rushed but it’s the most time we could allocate for this area. Would we be better to leave something out?
I’d love to hear your feedback as your knowledge is amazing.
Karryn
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Hi Karryn and thanks for your compliments!
Given your limited time, I’d recommend keeping your Grand Canyon stay at just one night. Crazy as that sounds, you can actually have a fulfilling visit there because you’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the Desert View Drive en route to Page, AZ. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints along this route, some of the best in the park IMO, that you can stop at. Upon exiting the park at Desert View, there is even more to see on the Navajo Reservation, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (good stop for brunch/lunch!), Chinle formation views and the “Cut” overlook. Parking permitting, you could stop at Horseshoe Bend on your way into town. If you have trouble with that, you could visit just after sunrise the following morning, which would be nicer anyway, because it’s cooler and you won’t have as many people to contend with.
As for the “best” time of day to tour Antelope Canyon, honestly, if you don’t have reservations right now, you probably won’t be able to get a spot for the peak hour tours, which occur between 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Pick whatever time slot is available. There’s really no such thing as a bad time to see it.
For the Zion leg of your trip, be sure to check the status of the Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel, which is the main traffic artery from the Eastern entrance. The park had a lot of rain this year, which resulted in rockslides, leading to the closure and/or restriction of the road to RV’s and oversize vehicles. Hopefully that should all be sorted out by June, but still, keep an eye on it, and be prepared to use an alternate route to the park in case there is any more trouble with weather or stability of the cliff face near the road.
If you were to make any changes, I’d vote for trimming 1 night off your Zion visit and allocating it to Page, AZ, so you and your family can take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, it’s a raft trip that doesn’t traverse any rapids, but is nonetheless a wonderful family activity with lots of beautiful scenery and fascinating history. In June, you should take the morning departure for more comfortable temperatures. But if this doesn’t appeal to you, then by all means, keep that 2nd night in Zion. With an early enough start on that 6th day, you might make a detour to the Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a stunning area, but VERY hot in the summertime, therefore, you’d want to get there early to avoid the mid-day heat.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 01, 2019 at 3:58 PM
janssen
Hi
i just wanna ask. I already booked our trip in Las Vegas from April 22 – 26. We are planning to look for a 1 day tour to antelope canyon horseshoe bend and back to Las Vegas. rest and tour Las vegas on the third day. And then 4th day we plan to go to grand canyon but this time we’ll be driving going there. is this plan ok or do you have anymore suggestion that we can go and look around.
Very much needed help here. thanks in advance for answering.
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Hi Mr. Janssen,
Your plan isn’t bad, but if you really want to see as much as possible, I recommend self-driving, both to Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend. It would take two days minimum to accomplish this.
On day 1, you’d drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with an optional stop at Hoover Dam. It’s about a 5-hour drive. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
Day 2, drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. From Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but in reality, it’s more like 3.5-4 hours. It’s a very scenic drive with ample photo opportunities that will compel you to stop. On the way into town stop at Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), then tour Antelope Canyon (book your tour in advance!), overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 3, drive back to Las Vegas, which is ~4.5 hours drive going direct, or you can take a detour through Zion National Park, which will extend the trip to 6-7 hours.
Hopefully you’re not locked into your lodging reservations in Las Vegas so you can cancel a couple of room nights to spend at the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 01, 2019 at 3:40 PM
Halima
My husband and I would like to follow your suggested itinerary for our7 day trip this September with flying in and out from Las Vegas. Our journey will starts early in the morning of September 27 and fly home at 1 pm on October 3. Is it possible if we want to include Sedona in our trip? If yes, please advise how. Many thanks….
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Hi Halima!
First of all, you’ve picked a wonderful time to be here. Fall is our favorite season! Cooler temperatures, thinning crowds, and all the activities you want to do are still available.
If you wish to add Sedona to your itinerary, you will need to sacrifice one of the stops on this itinerary, and I suggest dropping Monument Valley. Not that it isn’t beautiful, but Sedona has so much to offer, you need at least 2 days there. Even then, I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be planning a longer return visit once you catch sight of that first view!
So here’s what I recommend:
September 27 – Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~4.5 hour drive), overnight in Sedona
September 28 – 2nd day in Sedona, hike to Bell Rock, Oak Creek, visit Tlaquepaque, Chapel of the Holy Cross, maybe a spa day, 2nd night in Sedona
September 29 – Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight in Grand Canyon
September 30 – Drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hours), stop at Grand Canyon and other viewpoints en route, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, visit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), tour Antelope Canyon
October 1st – Drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon, UT (~3 hour drive), OR drive from Page, AZ to Zion (~2 hour drive), overnight in Bryce or Zion
October 2nd – 2nd day in Zion, OR drive from Bryce to Zion, overnight in Zion (Springdale, UT, for lodging)
October 3rd – Drive back to Las Vegas, ~3 hour drive from Springdale
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 01, 2019 at 3:33 PM
_________________________________________
From Halima Currim
Hi Alley,
Thanks so much for your valuable input. However, on second thought, we would love to keep the Monument Valley this time and save Sedona for our next trip. If we extend for 1 more day, is it viable to include the Arches National Park between the Monument Valley and the Bryce National Park?
Your further advice would be most appreciated.
HalimaApril 04, 2019 at 3:29 AM
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Hi thank you so much for the great information! I’m using many of your ideas but could use a little guidance. We fly into Phoenix this Thursday 4/4 am and fly out Tues afternoon 4/9. I have 2 different plans and would like your opinion
option 1 ( wondering if should I skip Sedona and stay longer in Zion? with this option)
Th- day 1 phoenix to grand canyon, stay overnight Yavapni Lodge in Gc
Fri-Day 2 -GC to Page, antelope canyon tour at 4:30, overnight Page
Sat-Day 3-Page to zion, overnight Springdale, UT
Sun-Day 4 -Zion to Bryce to Page-overnight Page
Mon-Day 5-Page to Sedona, -overnight sedona
Tues Day 6 -sedona to airportOption 2
Th- day 1 phoenix to grand canyon, stay overnight Yavapni Lodge in Gc
Fri -day 2- GC to zion-overnight springdale
Sat.-day 3 -Zion overnight sprindale
sun-day 4 zion to bryce to page, overnight page
Mon-day 5 Page, antelope canyon tour at 8 or 12:30, to Sedona, overnight sedona
Tues sedona to airportany ideas you have would be appreciated.
Thank youApril 02, 2019 at 3:00 AM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Paula,
I’m assuming that since your trip is coming up so soon, you already have your lodging and tours booked? If so, it may be a bit difficult to change them at this point.
As for which plan is better, it’s “six of one, half a dozen of another,” and frankly, I think you’re trying to cram too much into a short vacation. You’ve got the right idea by planning for 2 nights in Zion, but when you get to the point where you’re proposing to drive from Zion to Bryce, then back to Page, AZ, before going on to Sedona, that’s easier said than done. It takes at least 2 hours to drive from Springdale to Bryce, then another 3 hours or so to drive from Bryce to Page. You don’t want to get caught having to make any part of this drive in the dark, as it’s very dark on these roads, and some of them cross through a popular migration route for deer and elk. A nighttime collision with one of these animals has ruined many a vacation! Sunset occurs at ~7:00 PM in Page, AZ. Another thing to keep in mind is that Bryce and Zion are on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, and Page, AZ, is on Mountain Standard. Page is 1 hour “behind” Bryce and Zion, so you will “lose” an hour traveling from Page to Zion, then “gain” it back as you travel from Utah to Arizona.
If you’re inclined to go with option #1, as much as I hate to suggest it, you probably should take Bryce off the table and go directly to Sedona. That will also be a long drive, but that will give you more time in Sedona, which you’ll wish you had if you limit yourself to just an overnight stay. 3-4 nights minimum is suggested to do that area justice, and even then, people find that they could have spent a week or more there and still only scratched the surface! VisitSedona.com Or, leave Bryce in the mix and save Sedona for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves.
I know it’s a hard choice, but I hope that helps somewhat.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 02, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Lori Lewis-LeBlanc
I recently toured Antelope Canyon with a tour group and captured a photo with my cellphone camera, can I copyright it, or do I need permission and pay a fee?
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Hi Lori,
You would only need permission to do so if you plan to sell the photo or use it commercially in any way.
Hope that helps.
Alley 🙂March 30, 2019 at 1:38 PM
Jo
Hi there, thank you for your brilliant site. I hope you won’t get too annoyed if I post another “What do you think of my schedule?”, would love your advice. The start and end in PS & LV are non-negotiable as it’s work.
Day 1: Drive from Palm Springs along route 66 to Seligman, stay over
Day 2: Grand Canyon Ooh Ah Point trail then drive to Cottonwood, stay over
Day 3: Explore and swim Sedona (Any recommendations for less crowded swim spots?), night 2 in Cottonwood
Day 4: Drive Highway 89 to Monument Valley, then head to Page, stay over
Day 5: Horseshoe Bend before 9am, Lake Powell (if time) & Antelope Canyon – This is the bit I feel we need help with. We want to Kayak Antelope Canyon, get up close and see it from below. night 2 in Page
Day 6: Drive to Zion Park then on to Las Vegas
Thoughts?
Main questions are around Day 5 – If this is the only time we will ever go to Antelope Canyon, is a kayak tour sufficient? Will we miss anything? And can we do all this in a day?
And can we buy a Parks Pass at Grand Canyon? Will it serve us well for the rest f the trip?
Specific help on who / where to book Antelope Canyon kayak tour and whether we can purchase a parks pass at Grand Canyon (we’re in the UK so no time to order online).
Many thank you.
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Hi Jo, thank you for your visit.
FYI, you had posted twice, so I copied some parts of one into the other in order to answer your queries more thoroughly.
On Day 1, I take it by “staying over,” you mean in Seligman? I assume you’re going there because you’re into Route 66? If that’s the case, then you might consider traveling through Oatman, AZ, and Peach Springs, AZ, as well. That will increase your drive time to ~6.5 hours, but it will give you the opportunity to experience a couple of the last remaining intact sections of the original road.
On Day 2, hiking to Ooh Aah Point might be a little more trouble than it’s worth. No private vehicles are allowed at Yaki Point, where the trailhead is located. You’d have to take the Kaibab Rim Route shuttle to get there. The shuttle is free and runs fairly often, but that and the hike to Ooh Aah would eat up time that IMO would be better spent sightseeing along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon. On this route, you’ll find over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, each with different perspectives. At Grandview Point, you’ll find the Grandview Trail, which is an unmaintained trail, so it’s a “use at your own risk” proposition, but at least you don’t have to deal with the hassles of getting to the South Kaibab trail. Just go down a short distance and you’ll get a sense of how different things look and feel below the rim. Remember to double your time hiking down for hiking out, so 30 minutes down = 1 hour up, etc. Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch, then, time permitting, make the loop drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments before heading down to Cottonwood. This will extend your drive time to ~5 hours. Seligman-Cottonwood via East Rim Drive Map
As for lesser-known swimming areas in the Verde Valley area, I’m afraid I don’t have enough experience to offer any guidance on that, but this site might help: SedonaVerdeValley.org: Our Favorite Swimming Holes
On Day 4 where you’re proposing to drive from Cottonwood to Page, with a stopover in Monument Valley, here again, you’re looking at a long drive (~6 hours), but it can be done with an early enough start and an eye on the clock. PLUS remember that Monument Valley is on Navajo Tribal Lands, where they DO observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, and the rest of Arizona does not. Therefore, you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Cottonwood to MV, then “regain” it as you travel to Page, AZ. Be sure that you’re at your final destination before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, wild horses, and other animals. I don’t recall seeing when your visit was, but in April, sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM and sunset at around 7:00 PM in Page, AZ. It the prospect of doing all this driving is starting to wear on you, you might consider skipping it and using one of your mornings in Page, AZ, to fly over it. Westwind Air Service offers 90-minute overflights from the Page, AZ, Municipal Airport. First thing in the morning is generally regarded as the best time to fly.
Regarding Antelope Canyon, a kayak tour will certainly be fun for you, and there are several fine tour companies in Page, AZ, that can help you set one up (we like Hidden Canyon Kayak). However, you won’t see that iconic “slot canyon” scenery on a waterside tour. For that, you need to do a walking tour, of Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. In the event you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out, there are other slot canyons in the area that are not part of the Antelope Canyons, but are still beautiful, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, Lucky Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, Ram’s Head, Wind Pebble, and Waterholes. Availability permitting, you can do Horseshoe Bend, an Antelope Canyon kayak tour, and a land-side slot canyon tour in one day’s time.
Yes, you can purchase a National Park Pass at the Grand Canyon. There are also several places you can purchase them prior to arriving at the park:
– Williams, AZ – Williams Visitor Center
– Valle, AZ – Chevron Travel Stop
IN TUSAYAN, AZ
– Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn
– Grand Canyon Trading Post
– R.P.’s Stage Stop
– Red Feather Lodge
– Canyon Plaza Resort
– National Geographic Visitor Center(IMAX)
Purchasing the pass before you get to the entrance gate will save you a ton of time by allowing you to proceed to the express entry lane! The National Park Pass won’t work in Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, or State Parks (Sedona, AZ, is full of them), but it will still be worth having on the trip you’re proposing to take.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 30, 2019 at 2:19 PM
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From Jo
Wow, thanks so much Alley. I’m floored that a person would take a chunk of time to write such a considered response.
We will definitely take your advice on the parks pass and the Grand Canyon, thank you.
Regarding slot canyons, we are definitely keen to avoid crowds and have as “authentic” an experience as possible so those alternatives look great. I’m guessing there are no similar canyons you can explore without booking a tour?
March 31, 2019 at 11:02 AM
Amelia
I would like to know whether it is possible to visit Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend all in one day?
I was thinking of starting, for example, with a sunrise tour at Monument Valley and spend the afternoon at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I don’t know if I need to book the tours with different operators and how to make it fit in a tight schedule.
We are planning to rent a car and find accommodation in Page, Arizona.
I would really appreciate if you could please send me all relevant information on this subject.
Best,
Amelia
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Hi Amelia,
It kind of depends on the time of year you’re traveling. If your trip is coming up within the next few weeks, you’re working with a relatively short daylength: sunrise occurs at ~6:00 AM, sunset at about 7:00 PM. But another factor working in your favor is that Monument Valley is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, whereas Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend) is on Mountain STANDARD Time, therefore, Monument Valley is 1 hour ahead of Page, AZ. You will “gain” an hour passing from Monument Valley, to Page, AZ.
So, assuming you’ll already be in Monument Valley, try to schedule a tour as soon after sunrise (local time) as you can. Sunrise in Monument Valley occurs at ~7:00 AM in April. Assuming that your Monument Valley Tour ends at 10:00 AM local time, you then need ~2-2.5 hours to drive from MV to Page, AZ. You’d arrive at about 12:30 PM Monument Valley Time, which is 11:30 AM Page, AZ, time. If you can find availability for an Antelope Canyon Tour for mid-day or early afternoon, book it, then either visit Horseshoe Bend for sunset, or sunrise the following morning. Here again, if you’re visiting within the next few weeks, construction is taking place at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook requiring the closure of the parking lot between the hours of 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. During that timeframe, a shuttle runs to the overlook that costs $5/person to use. Before 10:00 AM and after 6:00 PM, the lot is open as normal. The project should be completed by the end of April, fingers and toes crossed.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 29, 2019 at 1:21 PM
Wes
We’re doing G.C. and Southern Utah in Nov 2019 over Thanksgiving and I have already booked places to stay that follow your suggested outline – GC South Rim, Page and then Springdale before back to Vegas (I must have had a good gut feeling b/c I booked before stumbling onto your site, which is awesome and will be super helpful! thank you!). It will be me, my wife and kids age 14, 12 and 7. Curious if you have advice on things we should definitely do and / or avoid given: 1) time of year; and 2) kids ages. We’re all active and love to hike but I don’t anticipate we’ll be overnighting or doing anything too strenuous. I assume any water activities are out of the question in November. Also, we have 10 days vs only 7 in case that inspires any more suggestions. Thanks in advance! Really appreciate your site!
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Hi Wes and thank you for your inquiry!
The Thanksgiving holiday, while technically falling into the “shoulder” season period, is still a busy time in the Southwest. The primary difference between November and the summer months, obviously, is weather, which will have an affect on what activities you might partake of. Fortunately, most are still in full swing, like Antelope Canyon tours. As you’ve correctly deduced, many water-based activities are scaled back or wrapped up altogether at that time of year, but there are a few notable exceptions, such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, which is open to kids 4 and up, and Antelope Canyon waterside boat tours, which have no age limit. These of course run weather permitting, and may be contingent on a certain number of people signing up.
With the extra time you have for your vacation, some destinations worthy of consideration for adding on include, but is certainly not limited to:
– Monument Valley, AZ/UT, ~2 hours from Page
– Sedona, Arizona, which is ~4.5 hours away from Las Vegas, or ~3 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim
– Bryce Canyon, Utah, which is ~2.5 hours from Page and you’d ideally hit before Zion/Springdale
– Death Valley, California, ~2.5 hours from Las Vegas, can be done as a day trip with an early enough start
There are all kinds of possibilities in the American Southwest! The hardest part will no doubt be choosing which place to see.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 28, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Joanna Bidani
Hi Ryan,
First just wanted to say how amazed I am at your website and all the info, and so happy I found it! Thank you!
I’m planning a one-week trip for mid-April with my husband, and I’ll be 7 months pregnant. Flying in and out of Vegas, but want to rent a car and focus on the Arizona sites – was thinking of Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend, to Grand Canyon to Sedona, and then back to Vegas just for a night. Would love to get your take on an itinerary, and any other advice/suggestions! There’s so many things to see, hard to narrow it down…trying to find a good balance between hiking/sightseeing and just relaxing. Open to any suggestions!
Thank you,
Joanna
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Hi Joanna and thank you for your compliments.
Being so far along in your pregnancy will no doubt have an effect on where you can/should go and what you can/should do. For example, Grand Canyon South Rim is 7,000′ above sea level. That means less oxygen (albeit slightly) than at sea level. Many women in the last trimester of pregnancy report being affected by altitude sickness moreso than if they weren’t pregnant (I know, I used to work there). That’s something you might want to run by your OB/GYN before traveling.
If he/she gives you the green light to take your trip, a good one-week itinerary using Las Vegas as a staging city would be something like this:
Day 1 – Las Vegas, NV, to Sedona, AZ (~4.5 hour drive), optional stop at Hoover Dam, overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Enjoy some easy hiking in Sedona, such as the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, maybe take a spa day, spend 2nd night in Sedona (Things To Do In Sedona, AZ)
Day 3 – Drive from Sedona to Grand Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, stop at Grand Canyon Viewpoints and points of interest on Navajo Reservation as desired (~3.5-4 hour drive), overnight in Page.
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Upper Antelope Canyon* (*Upper Antelope Canyon is recommended for pregnant women because it’s an easy walk; be sure to request to sit up front with the guide on the buckboard truck ride from the highway to the mouth of the canyon to minimize bumps), maybe tour the Glen Canyon Dam or visit the John Wesley Powell Museum. Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
Day 6 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Zion National Park (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 7 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~3 hour drive from Springdale, UT)
The above itinerary can be reversed if you have issues finding lodging at any of the stops on the tour, which you might run up against at this point in time if you don’t already have reservations.
Good luck, safe travels, and congratulations on your impending bundle of joy!
Alley 🙂March 27, 2019 at 2:45 PM
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Hi Joanna!
I am currently planning a similar trip and will also be 7 months pregnant! Curious to know how your trip went and if you had any issues with the elevation or the Antelope Canyon tour!
Thanks in advance!
NicoleSeptember 24, 2019 at 6:37 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Nicole!
Since Joanna has already traveled, it’s doubtful that she’s monitoring the site, but I did find a discussion on Reddit regarding traveling in Arizona in the later stage of pregnancy that you might find helpful.
Bottom line is make sure to share your plans with your OB/GYN and get their OK on whatever activities you wish to pursue.
Good luck, safe travels, and congratulations 🙂
AlleySeptember 25, 2019 at 2:36 PM
Crystal
Hi Alley!
I’ve been reading a lot of your responses & have learned so much already! My question for you is can we (myself, husband, 12 & 9 year old boys) do both the lower antelope canyon tour & the glen canyon river float trip on the same day? We will be driving from Mesa to Page the morning of Friday 9/27 & have lodging in Page for 2 nights. Would it be ideal to book both tours on Saturday 9/28 & if so which one should we do first? The only other thing we for sure want to do is visit Horseshoe bend but can fit that either Friday when we arrive or Sunday when we leave for the Grand Canyon. Or should we book the antelope canyon tour for Friday afternoon or Sunday morning? Thoughts or suggestions? Thanks so much!!
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Hi Crystal,
First of all, you’ve chosen a great time to be here. The weather is nice, pleasantly warm during the day, and slightly cool at night. Usually, anyway 😉
You can, in theory, tour both Lower Antelope Canyon and do the Glen Canyon Float Trip the same day. Whether you take the morning or afternoon departure of the Glen Canyon Float Trip depends on you and how early your family likes to get up. The morning trip requires a 6:00 AM check-in for a 7:00 AM departure; the afternoon trip checks in at 12:00 N for a 1:00 PM departure. The primary deciding factor, however, is bound to be availability, or lack thereof, of Antelope Canyon tours. I would look into that first, see when you can book a tour, then schedule your float trip and other activities around that.
As for when you visit Horseshoe Bend, here again, that depends on how receptive your family is to early mornings! The parking lot at Horseshoe Bend tends to get super-crowded between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. If you can possibly pop in there just after sunrise, which occurs at about 6:15 AM in September, you’ll have fewer people to contend with, which is always a good thing. Allow 60-90 minutes to walk out to the overlook, hang out and take pictures, then walk back. The drive to Grand Canyon will take ~3.5 hours, maybe longer, because of the numerous photo ops you’ll encounter on the way, especially once you turn off onto AZ64 from Cameron, AZ (maybe stop at the Cameron Trading Post for brunch/lunch?) and make your way to Grand Canyon Village.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 27, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Deb
We are staying in Brians Head UT for 7 days in October. Which parks and hikes (easy-med) do you recommend?
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Hi Deb,
Honestly, I don’t think using Brian Head as a “base” from which to tour the parks and monuments of the Grand Circle is a great idea. You’re situated OK to do day trips to Bryce Canyon and Zion; both parks are ~1.5 hours drive, one way, from Brian Head. As for everything else, such as Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon, etc., you’d be better off cancelling a few nights at Brian Head and staying closer to the afore-mentioned attractions. For Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell, Page, AZ, would be the place to stay. Otherwise, you’re looking at a 3-hour drive, each way, from Brian head to Page. For the Grand Canyon, whether you visit the North Rim or South Rim depends on when your visit is. South Rim hotels, restaurants, and other visitor facilities are open year round. North Rim hotels, etc., close for the season on October 15th. Grand Canyon North Rim is 4.5 hours from Brian Head; the South Rim is ~5.5 hours.
Before I recommend any specific hikes or activities in any of the nearby parks, I’d strongly recommend rethinking your lodging choice. Not that Brian Head isn’t beautiful, it’s just a little too far removed for maximum enjoyment of all there is to offer in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 25, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Sherry Hou
Hi,
Has anyone done the lower canyon with a 15 months old?
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Hi Sherry,
I’m sure it has been done, but we do not recommend it. For one, you may not be allowed to use a backpack carrier, which means you’ll need to carry your child up the numerous stairs and ladders placed throughout the canyon. That will get old quickly! Upper Antelope Canyon remains the best choice for families with young children.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 24, 2019 at 2:06 PM
Denise
Hi there, we are looking at coming for a tour April 14th or 15th. Can we arrive on site and hook up with a tour or do we have to book it? We are on a road trip so not sure what ‘fixed’ time we will be there. Also looking for a relatively economical over night stay in the area as we would like to do horseshoe bend as well. As well, is there a time of year that the lower tour is closed as that is what we are interested in.
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Hi Denise,
Lower Antelope Canyon is open year-round with periodic closures for maintenance that usually occur in the off-season. You absolutely MUST book a tour in advance of your arrival. The Antelope Canyons have become crazy-popular in the past five years, and tours are already booking up into the fall. If you find that to be the case, you might consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful as Antelope, but a lot less crowded.
Regarding Horseshoe Bend, some construction projects are taking place that necessitate closure of the main parking area between the hours of 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. During that timeframe, you must park in a temporary lot around the corner from the overlook, and use a shuttle for $5/person. If that doesn’t appeal, consider visiting just after sunrise when the main parking area is open as normal, and you invariably have fewer people to contend with.
As for inexpensive places to stay, our town has lower-priced hotel chains such as Motel 6, Super 8, EconoLodge, and such. Here again, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Where To Stay In Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 24, 2019 at 2:13 PM
Laura
I am trying to plan an trip in June that would include Kanub, UT and Flagstaff and Sedona in addition to Zion and Grand Canyon National Park flying in and out of Las Vegas. That makes a long drive back to the Las Vegas Airport from Sedona though. Am I trying to do too much in a week? Have never seen any of these places! Thanks for your input.
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Hi Laura,
Putting Sedona at the end of your trip would definitely make for a long drive back to Las Vegas, about 5 hours. If you wish to minimize your drive on the back end of your trip, I would suggest hitting the attractions on your “wish list” in the following order:
2 days – Sedona
1 day – Flagstaff
1 day – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
1 day – Kanab, UT
1-2 days – Zion, overnighting in Springdale, UT
Staying in Springdale, UT, at the end of your trip would put you only 2.5-3 hours from Las Vegas, however, there is going to be road work in progress on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge, which is right on the route you’d take. It would probably be wise to pad your estimated drive time back to Vegas at ~4 hours.
One observation I can make is that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Are you using Flag (that’s what we call it out here) as a base from which to tour the park? If so, that’s less than ideal as it’s a 90-minute drive, each way, from Flagstaff, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim. Better to look for lodging closer to the park, either in Grand Canyon Village, or Tusayan, just 7 miles South of the park. Grand Canyon hotels
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2019 at 5:21 PM
Annie
Hi. I am planning to do some road trip with my mother and 2 kids (9 and almost 11) in late June. What do you think about my schedule? My kids wanted to do the mule ride but I find only 3 hr ride in South Rim. 1 hr ride is available only in North Rim? Do you think I can squeeze it in? Is it worth the 3-4 hrs to North Rim from Horseshoe Bend?
Day 1: Arrive at LAS (9pm)
Day 2: Death valley – Maybe??? Do you recommend rental car or group tour?
Day 3: Vegas to GC Skywalk. Then to Yavapai Lodge.
Day 4: Hiking. View points at South Rim.
Day 5: Watch Tower. Mule ride. Drive to Monument Valley.
Day 6: Horseshoe Ben and Antelope Canyon tour. Then drive to Zion park.
Day 7: Zion park and then drive to Vegas.
Day 8: Departure at 5pm.
I am not sure what activities to do yet. Any recommendations?
Thank you so much. This site is very informative and helpful, and I feel fortunate.
Annie
Day 7:
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Hi Annie,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but still warrants a couple of “reality checks.” I also think you’re trying to cram too many destinations into a limited amount of time.
In June, Death Valley and Grand Canyon West (where the Skywalk is) are going to be scorching hot. I don’t know how well you can tolerate heat, but if I were you, I’d skip these areas this time around. Another consideration is that visiting the Grand Canyon Skywalk en route to Grand Canyon South Rim really isn’t practical. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West. It then takes ~4.5 hours to drive from GC West to Grand Canyon South Rim.
That’s at least 7 hours of driving in one day, which is not bound to sit well with 2 kids. If you really have your heart set on the GC Skywalk, you might use that 2nd day where you proposed going to Death Valley to take a tour there, particularly an airplane flight or helicopter tour that departs early in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures. Or self-drive, starting first thing in the morning.
On Day 5 where you indicate you’d go to the Desert View Watchtower, do the Canyon Vista mule ride, then drive to Monument Valley, you’ll need to rethink that. The drive to Monument Valley will naturally take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive anyway, so no need to visit those viewpoints prior to going to Monument Valley, you’ll just be backtracking. In Monument Valley, plan on doing a back-country tour of some kind.
On Day 6, are you proposing to drive from Monument Valley to Page, tour Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, then drive on to Zion? If so, I advise against it. It takes 2 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. It then takes at least 2 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, then 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend. You’re then facing a 2-hour drive to Zion. If you haven’t already made Antelope Canyon tour reservations, you’re going to have a hard time finding availability at your desired time. Another thing to keep in mind is that Monument Valley is on Daylight Savings Time, but Antelope Canyon is on Mountain STANDARD Time, so you’ll “lose” an hour traveling from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, then “regain” it as you travel from MV to Page. It would be better to spend the night in Page, AZ, go to Zion on Day 7, spend the night in Springdale, UT, then drive back to Las Vegas on Day 8. Here again, you have differences in time zones, with Arizona being 1 hour behind Utah, then Nevada being 1 hour behind Utah as well (Arizona is on the same time as Nevada during the summer months).
Almost forgot: regarding the North Rim, it’s not going to be practical to squeeze it in by driving there, but there is a possible way you can see it anyway: skip the Canyon Vista mule ride and take a flight over the North Rim. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart the Grand Canyon National Park airport daily, but mornings are the best times to fly for optimal light and less wind.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2019 at 2:40 PM
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You should choose two of your destinations and do the rest on different trips. If you really try to do all of this you won’t see the best of any of it. Choose Death Valley and the Skywalk, or Desert View and Antelope Canyon… choose two that are relatively close to each other.
It is going to be hot in Death Valley in June, but the skywalk will be ok. I live near there. The temps will be in the 90s by then, but it isn’t too bad. They have so much to do now, besides the skywalk there is a zipline, and helicopter tours, you can take a helicopter down to the river and then take a boat tour.
March 25, 2019 at 1:45 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for contributing your insight to the discussion!
Alley 🙂March 25, 2019 at 4:48 PM
Manuela
Hi! I read your article and I loved it! You’re too much!
Me and my husband will be in GC on May, from 8th to 13th.
We will flight to and from Las Vegas airport.
I was wondering if you can help me with the itinerary (I thought it’s impossible for us to follow the one you described above). Our biggest goals are: west and out rim GC, Antelope canyon. First, we were planning to go to Monument valley too, but maybe it’s too much for only 5 days.
Thus, I was thinking to add to our goals Bryce canyon and, if there is enough time, zion canyon.
Would you suggest us an unforgettable itinerary?
Thank you so much!!!
Manuela
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Hi again, Manuela!
As you can see in my reply to your earlier inquiry, I recommended taking Grand Canyon West off the itinerary and doing a loop of Grand Canyon South Rim, Monument Valley, Page, and back to Las Vegas. At that time, I recommended spending 2 nights in Page so you could take one of the water-based tours, such as the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, Glen Canyon Float Trip, or Lake Powell Kayak Tour. If you prefer, you could take that second day I recommended spending and Page and allot it to Zion or Bryce. Unfortunately, you can’t really see both parks comfortably in one day, and Zion is right on your way to Las Vegas. Spend the night in Springdale, UT, which technically puts you ~3 hours from Las Vegas, but keep in mind that some extensive roadwork is being done on the main highway between Zion and Las Vegas at the time of your visit. It would be wise to pad your estimated drive time by at least 1 hour to be on the safe side.
RE: the time zones, Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time, Utah is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time, so you “lose” an hour going from AZ to UT, but “regain” it going from Utah to Nevada as Nevada is on Pacific Daylight Time.
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂March 22, 2019 at 2:10 PM
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From Manuela
Thank you so much, your suggestions are precious for us!
Sorry for the two questions, I thought my first one was lost!
I think we’ll follow your advice and skip GC west.
At the meantime, I saw that following your itinerary we will able to visit even the Monument Valley! So cool!Thank you very much again!
ManuelaMarch 24, 2019 at 12:17 AM
Beth
Hi! We are coming to Page soon as part of a 10 day trip. We are traveling with our 4 kids aged 2, 7, 9 and 11.
We had booked for us all to do the upper Antelope Canyon, and just my husband and 3 older kids to do the lower canyon.
The tour company we booked upper Canyon with have stopped allowing under 8s since we made the reservation and I’m struggling to find another company with availability for our April dates. Any recommendations for other tour operators for upper Canyon I could try, or other slot canyons in the area which might be suitable for us all to do together? I think lower Canyon would be tricky with the 2 year old due to the ladders..
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Hi Beth,
Sorry to hear that your chosen tour company has ceased allowing younger children. Upper Antelope Canyon is pretty much the best choice of slot canyons to tour with younger children. To my understanding, Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours still allows toddlers on their sightseeing tours, so you might try contacting them at www.antelopecanyon.com or 928-645-9102.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 21, 2019 at 9:50 PM
Manu e Giu
Hi!
My husband and I are planning a trip to GC. We have already bought the tickets for Las Vegas, NV: from May 8th, evening, to May 13th, evening. Thus, we have 4 full days and one-half day. I read your itinerary and I loved It! But I know it’s impossible for us to visit every place you inserted. Our biggest goals are the grand canyon south rim (and also west rim would be perfect!) monument valley, antelope canyon. Do you think it’s feasible? Could you suggest an unforgettable itinerary, since we are planning to rent a car?
I was also wondering how is the wheater like in May…
Thank you so much!
Manuela
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Hi Manuela,
You are correct that it won’t be feasible or comfortable to hit all the attractions on your “wish list” in your timeframe. You’ll need to take at least one place off the table if you don’t want to spend every day driving, and my suggestion would be to drop Grand Canyon West.
Here’s why: it takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West. Once you get there, you’re looking at a sizeable sum of money to enjoy it fully, starting with a $25/person base entrance fee, then anywhere from $100-300 per person depending on what activities you wish to partake of, such as helicopter flights to the canyon floor, the Grand Canyon Skywalk, etc. Then, you’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. There’s not much lodging to be had at Grand Canyon West; the nearest hotels are in Kingman, AZ, which is ~90 minutes away. Besides, the South Rim is where you’re going to find the iconic “picture-postcard” views that you’re expecting to see. At Grand Canyon West, not so much. Don’t get me wrong, GC West is beautiful in its own way (more rugged and desert-like), but with your limited time, and considering that GC West is already starting to get really hot, I’d recommend either skipping it, or if you have a full unplanned day in Las Vegas, you might use one of those days to explore GC West, either with a package tour, or self-drive.
In light of that, here’s what I would suggest:
May 9th: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with optional stopover at Hoover Dam. ~4.5-5.5 hour drive time, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
May 10th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley. ~3.5-4 hour drive. On this section of the trip, you’ll do a large chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point. There are also many points of interest in the Navajo Reservation upon leaving the park. Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch/brunch, take optional backcountry tour of Monument Valley, overnight in the area (Monument Valley, Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ). **REMEMBER THAT THE NAVAJO RESERVATION OBSERVES DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, THE REST OF ARIZONA DOES NOT, SO YOU’LL “LOSE” AN HOUR GOING FROM GC TO MV, THEN “REGAIN” IT TRAVELING FROM MV TO PAGE, AZ.***
May 11th: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. 2-hour drive time. Tour Antelope Canyon prior to arriving in Page, AZ, overnight in Page.
May 12th: Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (5:20 AM), then do a water-based activity, such as the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or a kayak tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Spend 2nd night in Page.
May 13th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours direct), optional detours through Zion National Park or Valley of Fire State Park will extend drive time to 6-7 hours. Fly home.
Be sure that you have all lodging and guided tours reserved before you travel.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2019 at 2:01 PM
Gina Willmann
Alley-
We are planning a trip with our 13 and 15 year old daughters in July. Here is our plan so far but have a number of questions in the itinerary. Please help!
July 6- Arrive in Vegas in the early morning and drive to Grand Canyon. Spend afternoon at GC. Spend night at GC. Is 4-5 hours enough time in GC?
July 7- Drive from GC to Page to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. We will do a tour of the Canyon in the morning and then go to Horseshoe bend in late afternoon. Is the Lake Powell boat trip worth doing? Stay in Page.
July 8- Drive from Page to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park and explore for the day. Any suggestions here? Stay at Bryce Canyon log cabins this night.
July 9- Spend day at Bryce Canyon Park. What do you recommend to do here? Do we need more than one day here? Stay night in Springdale.
July 10- Spend day at Zion National Park. What do you recommend to do here? Stay night in Zion
July 11- Spend day at Zion National Park. Stay night in Zion
July 12- NOT SURE WHAT TO DO THIS DAY…. I saw another itinerary where they drove to Las Vegas stopping by Red Cliffs, followed by late afternoon tour of Hoover Dam, then spend the night.
July 13- drive to Vegas and fly home mid afternoon.
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Hello Gina and thank you for visiting,
Let’s dig right in!
1) Yes, 4-5 hours is enough time to spend in the Grand Canyon before moving on to Page. The reason for this is because a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will actually occur on the drive to Page. The route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View drive of the park, where there are over half-a-dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park at Desert View, you’ll then be on the Navajo Indian Reservation, where there’s even more to see, including but not limited to the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views and The “Cut” Overlook. For your night in the Grand Canyon, concentrate your sightseeing on the Grand Canyon Village area, and maybe take the free shuttles out to a couple of viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. Hopefully you already have your Grand Canyon lodging booked!
2) A Lake Powell boat trip is definitely worth doing, but you might need a second night night in Page, AZ, to pull it off, especially if you’re wanting to do a longer tour such as the Rainbow Bridge boat tour. For a shorter boat tour, such as the Antelope Canyon waterside, that can easily be accommodated in a single day along with Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise to take advantage of cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
3) For Grand Staircase-Escalante, that’s a huge area, with a lot of dirt roads that you shouldn’t try to navigate in a rental car. The good news, however, is that you’ll drive through a sizeable portion of it between Page, AZ, and Bryce Canyon. A good, easy hike you might stop for is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, which is located between mile markers 19 & 20 on US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT.
4) There are all kinds of cool things to do in Bryce for half a day or less! Choose from day hikes, horseback rides, ATV tours, mountain biking, and much more! 100 Things To Do In Bryce Canyon
5) For Zion, here again, no shortage of family fun to be had, and a 3-night stay is perfect for taking advantage of as many opportunities as possible! If you guys are relatively fit and adventurous, you might consider hiking the Narrows. In July, you’ll probably welcome the opportunity to get soaking wet in the cool Virgin River! If that sounds like too much, there are lots of easy but spectacular hikes you can take in the park. Those staying in Springdale, UT, will be required to utilize the shuttle system to visit the main scenic drive of the park.
6) If you have an extra day to work with, you might consider making a side trip to Mt. Charleston, near Las Vegas, NV. At 7,500’+ above sea level, it will be cooler, and it’s a beautiful area to visit. There’s not much in the way of lodging there, so if you need to, you can swing through the area en route to Las Vegas. Another neat area near Las Vegas is Valley of Fire State Park, but I’d recommend getting there early in July since mid-day temperatures will be scorching hot. Another possibility would be to do the Black Canyon Adventure Float Trip from the base of Hoover Dam to Willow Beach.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 21, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Usha
Hey Alley and Ryan,
Family of six including 3 older teenagers (13, 15 &17) will be traveling from Phoenix. Dates are May 31 – June 6
Tentative itinerary at this point:
Sedona – May 31st & June 1st
Cathedral Rock
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Bell Rock
Devil’s Bridge Trail
Oak Creek Canyon
Pink Jeep Broken Arrow tour
Grand Canyon June 2nd, 3rd- Staying at Yavapai Lodge
Page – June 4th & 5th
June 4th – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour – 3 pm (there is chance of changing the tour time to 1 pm)
June 5th -Glen Canyon Half day Float or Lake Powell & Rainbow bridge Boat Tour. Which one?
Horseshoe Bend
Sunset at Wahweap Overlook
Glen Canyon Dam
We have one free day before returning to Phoenix on June 7th. Would appreciate any suggestions on where to go and what to do on June 6th.
Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and recommendations.
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Hi Usha,
You have a very well-planned itinerary, and I’m glad to see that you’re allowing ample time in each destination to really enjoy it!
With teens in the party, I’d recommend the Glen Canyon Float Trip. Even though it does not go through any rapids, it includes a lot of beautiful scenery and fascinating history. The kids will even get an opportunity to swim if they so desire. Fair warning, though: the water’s cold! 😀
I’d also recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend right after sunrise to take advantage of cooler weather, easier parking, and thinner crowds.
With an extra day to work with, and seeing as though June is going to be hot, I’d recommend going somewhere to cool off: The White Mountains. Lodging is available in the town of Payson, AZ, and popular activities/sights there include, but aren’t limited to: Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Fossil Creek Creamery, Woods Canyon Lake, and Sunrise Park. From Payson, the drive to Phoenix is about 2 hours.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 20, 2019 at 4:45 PM
CL
Hi Ryan – awesome website!
Question about the Horseshoe Bend Canyon parking/shuttle situation. Am I correct in reading that if you arrive before the shuttle starts at 10AM, you can park at the closer parking lot to see the Canyon?
Thanks!
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Hi CL,
Yes, you are correct, but to be on the safe side, I’d recommend clearing the parking lot before 10:00 AM so you don’t get caught up in a traffic jam. It takes on average 60-90 minutes to hike to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and back, so try and get there about 8:30 AM to be on the safe side.
Alley 🙂March 19, 2019 at 4:37 PM
_________________________________________
From CL
Thank you! It’s an awesome website!
March 20, 2019 at 12:47 PM
Crystal
Hello!
I am looking for your advice on our upcoming trip. We are coming the end of Sept/beginning of October for a wedding and extending our vacation to see the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend and are open to other suggestions! Here are our two scenarios:
Our initial plan is to fly into Phoenix arriving at 10:15 9/28 then drive to Page, hopefully arriving by 5. We’d have that evening and most of Sunday to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend (maybe Lake Powell if time allowed) then drive to the Grand Canyon late afternoon. In the Grand Canyon we’d have all day Monday and most of Tuesday before heading back to Phoenix. Is this enough time for both locations without being rushed?
We do have the option to fly in to Mesa late 9/26 and staying overnight then getting up early to drive to Page where we’d have Friday afternoon and most of Saturday for the same attractions (or others if you have any suggestions) before heading to the Grand Canyon late that afternoon. We’d then have all day Sunday & Monday in the Grand Canyon and part of Tuesday before heading back to Phoenix.
Thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks so much!!
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Hi Crystal,
It looks as though you are allowing enough time in both Page, AZ, and the Grand Canyon to not be rushed. The main thing is to be sure you time all drives you make so that you are at your final destination for the day by dusk. Driving at night is discouraged in Northern Arizona due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, plus the tendency of deer, elk, free range cattle, and sometimes wild horses to graze around them after dark, bumping up your chances of getting into an accident. Sunrise in late September occurs at around 6:00 AM and sunset takes place at approximately 6:30 PM.
The drive time from Page, AZ, to the Grand Canyon is given on Mapquest and such as 2.5 hours, but in actuality, it tends to be more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours since the drive is very scenic, and you will find yourself stopping often, particularly on the section of the trip between the Eastern park entrance at Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village.
Be sure to have all your Grand Canyon lodging and Page, AZ hotels booked, as well as Antelope Canyon tour reservations made, well in advance of your vacation. Now would not be too soon to get on this if you haven’t already. Tours for summer and fall are already selling out from what I’ve heard.
If you find yourself with more time to work with, another place you might consider adding to your itinerary is Sedona. It’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do. I can almost guarantee that once you see it, you’ll be planning a return visit when you can spend more time! Sedona is ~2.5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim, then Phoenix is about 2 hours away. For suggestions on what to do, where to stay, etc., go to www.VisitSedona.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 19, 2019 at 4:47 PM
Punita
Hi Alley,
I’m visiting Antelope Canyon in April, and wanted to know the best routes/tour from Page to South Rim please? Or the other option we have is to drive from Page to South Rim, visit the South Rim, and then drive onto Vegas.
Could you please advise on the best option?
Im satying in Page for 2 days mid April, first day is Antelope Canyon tour booked.
Many thanks,
Punita.
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Hi Punita,
The best route from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is to proceed South on US89 down through Bitter Springs, The Gap, and Willow Springs, then join AZ64 West in the town of Cameron, AZ. Or, reverse that if you opt to go from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ.
What you ultimately do will depend largely on availability of lodging at Grand Canyon South Rim. If you cannot find lodging at Grand Canyon Village, try for Tusayan, AZ, just 7 miles outside the park. If you cannot find any rooms there, try Williams, AZ, 1 hour South of the park. Long story short, we would discourage you from attempting to visit Grand Canyon South Rim as a “drive-by” between Page and Las Vegas. It realistically takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, then another 5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas. That wouldn’t be a very fun day, IMHO!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 18, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Christian
Just to edit my previous comment. I didn’t check all the tour websites and have come to realize that not everything is sold out.
My choices for that Tuesday are:
Upper with ASCT @
6am for $60
8am for $70
10am for $80
2:30pm for $70
4:30pm for $60
Lower with Ken’s Tours @
3:30pm or 4:00pm for $52.8
Lower works better for pricing, but earlier in the day (upper) is preferable due to convenience, planning, and because I’ve heard these Canyons are best at midday. It would maybe be easier to choose if I knew the rest of my itinerary for the day. Truthfully I feel like the lower interests me more because they’re longer and it’s more of a trek to get into them, but I am open to whatever is best or works best. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks again!
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Hey Christian,
See my reply to your earlier inquiry and recommendations for alternate slot canyons to Lower 🙂
AlleyMarch 18, 2019 at 3:50 PM
Amy-Jae Crawford
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!
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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 🙂March 18, 2019 at 4:23 PM
Christian
Okay so I will quickly say I really appreciate all the info you’re giving out! Now if you don’t mind, I have a few questions about my proposed trip with my gf.
The plan is Monday April 29th (Morning) – Thursday May 2nd (Night). Flying into Phoenix and renting a car.
The must sees on our list are South Rim, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. We are students and thus want to keep costs down when possible. We were lucky enough to get one night at the GC and that will be Wednesday night, so the rest of the trip will be worked around that.
My Girlfriend and I really enjoy the outdoors/hiking, and aren’t huge fan of tours when there is a do-it-yourself option. This is because of enjoyment, autonomy, and $$$
The plan:
Monday – Land in the morning, drive to Page AZ and stay there overnight. Now we want to do something on the way. I’m thinking something in Sedona, but am looking for ideas. Maybe Sliding Rock Park? We land at 9am, and would hope to be in Page by sunset. That will give us a few hours if the plane/car doesn’t delay us too much to do something for a few hours on the way to Page.
Tuesday – The plan was to do an Antelope Canyon tour, but because of our relatively last minute planning, they all seem to be booked up. I am curious what you recommend? Attempt a walk in? An alternative? There is an opening at 4:15pm on the Monday, but I feel like that would severely hinder the previous day. We’d be rushing and miss seeing things. Plus then we’d have to find more things to fill in the next day. Also had an idea of renting a kayak at the Wahweap Marina or Antelope Point Marina. Another option is one of the cheaper boat tour. We’d also like to see the Dam overlook (non-essential; but I’d assume it wouldn’t be too time consuming). Then stay in Page again.
Wednesday – Wake up very early, see horseshoe curve (Could see this Monday or Tuesday instead), and head to the South Rim. Spend the day exploring the rim or hiking down a little. See the sunset there. Stay there overnight.
Thursday – Ideally wake up for sunrise. Spend the day exploring the rim or hiking down a little (Have yet to look into how we will spend our time at GC these two days). Leave in the mid-late afternoon to catch our 11pm flight.
Now I am looking for:
– Help regarding the Antelope Canyon tour? (I was eyeing the lower, but would be open to either)
– Filling in our Monday and Tuesday. Is a Canyon tour and a boat tour or renting kayaks too much for one day?
– If you have any recommendation, Wahweap or Antelope Point kayak rental?
– Where you would place Horseshoe curve?
– Is there enough to do at GC South Rim for us to fill almost 2 full days of daylight?
– Any changes you’d make? Any additions or subtractions? Am I missing something that you feel we’d enjoy?
– If we were to rent bikes one day, is the GC the best place to do that? A different location?
– Any great hikes you’d recommend for any day?
– Any advice on saving money anywhere? Food is the obvious one that doesn’t have to be mentioned.
– Will we have any problems only having a carry-on bag each?
– Any big recommendations for the GC?
– Any tips for renting a car for someone under 25?
Notes:
– The trip cannot be extended
– The only locked in aspect is the Wednesday night at the GC, which I could cancel but I feel like one night there would be very nice.
Thanks for any help!
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Hi Christian and thank you for your inquiry!
Your trip looks well-planned, but I still caution against falling prey to the temptation to schedule every second of every day of your vacation. There will be moments that unfold unexpectedly, and you should allow your curiosity to guide you at a leisurely pace, rather than playing a game of “beat the clock” to get to your next scheduled activity. Hope that makes sense.
On Day 1, for example, where you want to swing through Sedona and visit Slide Rock State Park. It’s doable as long as you’re not delayed for too long upon landing in Phoenix, but the logistics of picking up a rental car and just getting out of the Phoenix metro area tend to take longer than most visitors realize. So as much as I hate to say it, I’d recommend taking Sedona off the table this time around. Instead, plan on maybe having lunch in Flagstaff, AZ, then taking the scenic loop drive through Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monument just North of Flagstaff. Doing this will add another 90 minutes to 2 hours onto your drive time to Page, AZ. Whatever you do, just make sure you’re at your final destination for the day by sundown, which is ~7:15 PM. You want to avoid having to drive at night due to the fact that local roads are very dark, and large animals, such as deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses, tend to graze around them at night.
Regarding the availability, or lack thereof, of Antelope Canyon tours, this comes as no surprise. In your case, since you were considering touring Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend looking at Antelope Canyon X. As the name suggests, it’s a secondary drainage of Antelope Canyon, is comparable physically and cosmetically to Lower, and tour group sizes are kept smaller for a more personalized experience. You might also look at Mystical Antelope Canyon, an alternate slot canyon that has only been recently opened to the public, and has some unique geological features.
A slot canyon tour and a boat or kayak tour would be a wonderful way to make good use of a full day in Page, AZ. All of the kayak and boat tour operators have excellent reputations for safety and service, and are licensed by Park Service, so no need to be overly picky as to who you go with. As for where I’d put Horseshoe Bend in the mix, I’d recommend visiting just after sunrise (~5:30 AM). Earlier in the day, you’ll encounter fewer people, whereas mid-day becomes extremely crowded, not to mention the light is better when the sun is not directly overhead, washing out the colors. Another concern is that at the present time, due to some construction projects running behind schedule, the main parking area is closed between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and visitors are required to use a shuttle for $5/head. It’s not certain whether that arrangement will still be in effect at the time of your visit, but it’s likely to be due to inclement weather pushing back a few project deadlines. Frankly, the shuttle is a pain, and best avoided if you can help it.
As for good hikes to take, no shortage there! In Page, AZ, the Rim Trail, Hanging Gardens, and the “New” Wave are good candidates. At the Grand Canyon, the paved Rim Trail extends for 10+ miles along the canyon rim, or you can venture down the Bright Angel Trail for a short way to get a taste for what the inner canyon is like. RE: the latter, remember that for every hour you hike down, you’ll need 2 hours to hike back out. Food and water must be carried if you plan on spending any longer than 1 hour, or hiking for more than 1 mile in the inner canyon. “Big recommendations” for the Grand Canyon? Splurge on a special dinner for you and your girlfriend at the El Tovar Hotel! Reservations are strongly recommended, they can be made up to 30 days in advance by calling 928-638-2631 x6432. And you are correct, the Grand Canyon would be the best place to do a bike rental if you desire.
For saving money on the rest of your trip, you’ve correctly deduced that food is a major expense, so you might purchase a small cooler in Phoenix and hit a grocery store before heading North. There’s a Super Wal-Mart in Page, AZ. The other major expense you’ll have is gas. Taking advantage of apps such as Gas Buddy is very helpful. As a general rule, the larger cities tend to have the lower gas prices, but check around to pinpoint where the least expensive gas is along your itinerary, and fill up whenever/wherever you get the chance. Regarding renting a car for individuals under 25, I don’t think that should be a problem as the minimum age for car rentals IIRC is 21, but according to a disclaimer on Enterprise’s website, you may incur a surcharge for being a younger renter.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 18, 2019 at 3:49 PM
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From Christian
Thank you so much for the detailed information! I am going to use a lot of your ideas!! I didn’t know about the shuttle/construction so that is very helpful to know!!
My updated itinerary:
Monday:
– Land (9-10am), grab car, stop at a Walmart for a cooler and food for the next 4 days, and then head for Page.
– On the way to Page the plan is to stop and hike Cathedral Rock.
– (Horseshoe bend)
– Stay in PageAfter doing a little more research, I believe that my girlfriend and I would enjoy Cathedral rock the most and it is something we could do in under a couple hours. If we feel our time is more limited, or don’t feel like hiking at all, Wupatki would most likely be our secondary plan. Depending on what time we are getting in to Page, maybe we will stop at Horseshoe Bend to check if there is parking because we will be driving right past it, and it will be something to do to kill time as well.
Tuesday:
– (Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise)
– Renting Kayaks at Antelope Point Marina, and kayaking through Antelope Canyon
– Have to be at Lower Antelope Canyon tour for 3:30pm
– Stay in PageWednesday:
– (Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise)
– Drive to South Rim, stopping at anything we find interesting on the way
– Hike down South Kaibab trail (Not sure what our turnaround point will be at this point, will probably stay flexible).
– See sunset (Not sure the best spot to see it at South Rim)
– Have dinner at El Tovar
– Stay at South RimThursday:
– See sunrise (Again not sure best spot to see this)
– Hike down Bright Angel Trail. (I’d love to reach the plateau, but that might be very ambitious).
– Possible shower at Mather Campground
– Head for the airportSome additional questions:
1. There is nowhere cheap-ish to stay between Page and the South Rim on our Tuesday night right? The idea would be to use some of the hours after the Lower tour before sunset, to get closer to the South Rim, to give us more time to hike the next day.
2. Do you know if it’s possible to bring a lunch on the kayak and disembark in the canyon at some point to eat? If so, what’s the best way to do it to keep our lunch secure and waterproof in case something happens?
3. If the plan is to see the sunset and then go for dinner, what time should I make the reservation for? Is 7:45pm too early? Also, what should we be wearing to this dinner? We each are only bringing a small carry-on suitcase, so space is at a premium. I love this idea by the way (my wallet doesn’t though).
4. If our flight leaves at 11pm, and we need to both fill up and return a car, at what point should we be planning on leaving the Grand Canyon? The plan would most likely be to eat in the car, and drive straight to the airport.
5. Grand Canyon = $35 | Antelope Marina = $25 | Wupatki = $25
The plan right now only includes the first two, and I know they both accept “America is Beautiful” passes. My question to you is, should we go for the 12 month pass? The chances of us visiting another park in a year is slim, but possible (We are from Ontario). I would like to make that decision while there, but if Antelope Marina is the first place we visit, I don’t believe they’d sell these 12 month passes, correct? Are there any other locations around our planned trip that accept these passes and you believe we could realistically visit with our limited time to make the full $80 worth it? We are obviously trying to save money, and paying $25 to visit a marina is bothering me a little, so that’s why I am hoping that maybe getting the 12 month pass could be the optimal solution.
6. Any idea of the best spots to see sunset/sunrise at GC?
7. Any additional feedback/critiques?Notes:
– I was aware of the young driver fee, but was hoping there was a company or a method to reduce or eliminate it. That fee effectively doubles the price of the car. But after further research I don’t think there is a way.
– My girlfriend and I recently completed a 9-10 mile hike with 1000 feet of elevation change, so we do know how to be prepared and safe, but will also do a lot more research before our trip. I know going to the plateau is 12 miles, and 3000 feet of elevation change with a lot of direct sunlight.Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it.
March 19, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Chris
Travelling in May and being ambitious in trying to see and do as much as possible. So would appreciate feedback on my proposed itinerary.
Driving LA to Death Valley .
Next day to Hoover dam then Las Vegas. Helicopter tour of Grand Canyon with rafting then 2 days Vegas.
Now for the big one:
Day 1 Vegas to Zion.
Day 2 thru to Bryce Canyon (nit sure if stay at Bryce or go bit further?).
Day 3 via sh12 to do waterpocket fold walk then goblin valley walk and onto Moab for night.
Day 4 arches and island in the sky, overnight again in Moab.
Day 5 needles area of canyonlands then thru to Mesa verde.
Day 6 Mesa verde then via 4 corners to monument valley.
Day 7 MV tour then onto Page/lake Powell.
Day 8 Antelope canyon tour then horseshoe bend and onto Grand Canyon village.
Day 9 Grand Canyon then Williams for night.
Day 10 thru to Phoenix or possibly Tucson, then 5 days to do tombstone, Sonora desert, San Diego and back to LA
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Hi Chris and thank you for your inquiry.
Your trip looks very well-planned, but there are a few areas raising red flags for feasibility, time, etc. When coordinating a trip in this part of the U.S., it is essential to remember that the drive times put forth by Google Maps are “wheels turning, no stops.” That rarely happens in reality because most dries are very scenic and you end up stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. Therefore, it is prudent to pad your estimated drive times by ~20-30% to be on the safe side!
So, that said, here are my main observations:
If you can possibly drop a day in Las Vegas, I’d recommend doing so in order to spend more time in Zion. It’s a beautiful park with lots to see and do. Many visitors report spending 4-5 days there and feeling as though they’d only touched the tip of the proverbial iceberg!
Your plan for day 3 is too ambitious. You’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive, bare minimum, to get from Bryce Canyon to Moab. Attempting to add Waterpocket Fold and Goblin Valley to the plan that will double that figure. Since you’re going to pass through a lot of scenery that resembles Waterpocket Fold just as a matter of course, I’d recommend swinging up to Goblin Valley, then heading down to Moab. That puts your estimated drive time at a much more reasonable 6 hours. Remember that you want to get all your driving done by sundown due to lack of ambient lighting on many local roads, as well as to minimize your chance of encountering nocturnal wildlife such as deer, elk, free range cattle, or wild horses.
On Day 6, you could add a stop at Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park before dropping down to Monument Valley. BTW, I hope you have lodging booked at the various stops on your tour already, otherwise, you might have trouble finding availability, especially at Monument Valley. There’s not much to work with there in the way of hotels in the first place, so if you find everything sold out, you may need to look at Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ, for your lodging.
When you cross back into Page, AZ, from Monument Valley, remember that the two areas are technically on different time zones. Utah and the Navajo Indian Reservation DO observe Daylight Savings Time, whereas Page, AZ, DOES NOT. Therefore, you will “gain” an hour as you travel from MV to Page. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour in advance as well.
On Day 8, you might want to reverse the order of your activities, hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, then doing your Antelope Canyon tour before heading to Grand Canyon Village. That particular drive is a classic case of “Google time vs real time:” Google puts the drive time at 2.5 hours, but in actuality, it tends to shake out at more like 3.5-4 hours. Between Page, AZ, and the entrance to Grand Canyon National Park, there are several scenic overlooks worthy of a stop, including, but not limited to “The Cut” Overlook, Chinle formation views, the Cameron Trading Post (good lunch stop), and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands. The section of the trip between entering the park at Desert View Point and GC Village has over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at as well.
On Day 9, instead of stopping in Williams for the night, you might consider a night in Sedona instead. It’s ~3 hours from Grand Canyon Village, and is a much more scenic area. From there, Phoenix is only about a 2.5 hour drive, but then again, you might find yourself wishing you’d planned for more time in Sedona. Like Zion, it’s one of those places where you could spend a week and still go home feeling as though there was still so much more to see and do. I guarantee that at the very least, you’ll be planning a return visit here!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 18, 2019 at 3:17 PM
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Alena
Hi Alley,
I’m so gratfull I found this website with all of it’s useful information that you so thoughtfully provide! Thank you! I, like many others, am looking for your thoughts/advice on our upcoming trip next week (3/18-3/23). We (me, my husband and our 10 year old boy) are arriving at Phoenix on Monday afternoon, and are planning to drive to Flagstaff right away. Here’s our tentative itinerary:
Mon night – stay at Flagstaff
Tue – early drive to GC south rim —- Question – what are must do activities here with a 10yo boy?
Tue night – stay in GC (or go back to Flagstaff, depending on hotel availability)
Wed – explore more of CG in the morning — possibly take a helicopter ride over the canyon? What do you think?
Wed afternoon – drive to Page
Wed night – stay in Page
Thur – explore Antelope Canyon (lower), hike to Horseshoe, maybe do a boat tour. Any recommendations for a 10 yo to enjoy? Maybe skip the helicopter ride over GC and do one here?
Thur evening – drive to Flagstaff spend the night
Fri – drive to Phoenix, explore the city
Sat morning – fly home
I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. We don’t have a lot of time in the region and want to see and do the most worth-seeing/doing things.
A million thanks in advance!
Alena
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Hi Alena, and thank you for visiting!
If you have not secured Grand Canyon lodging at this point in time, you’re going to be hard-pressed to do so. You may have no other option but to stay in Flagstaff and make a day trip to the Grand Canyon. You can make it work, you just need to keep an eye on the time so you don’t find yourself having to drive back to your hotel at night. Driving after dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, free range cattle, or even wild horses. Sunrise occurs at ~6:40 AM, sunset at around 6:40 PM. It takes approximately 90 minutes, each way, to drive from Flagstaff to GC South Rim.
Good activities for a family like yourselves include, but are certainly not limited to: the IMAX film presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets,” the NPS Junior Ranger program , walking the paved Grand Canyon Rim Trail, taking the free shuttle out to the viewpoints on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive, and maybe taking a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail, weather permitting (last I checked, there was still a lot of snow on the trail, which makes it hard to walk). I would definitely recommend the Grand Canyon helicopter tour for your family! If possible, try to fly first thing in the morning for optimal light and lack of wind.
In Page, you’ve definitely set aside enough time for the “must-do” activities. Hit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning because the main parking area is going to be closed from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. During that timeframe, you have to park in an alternate lot, and use a $5/person shuttle to get there. Frankly, it’s a pain, and I recommend avoiding it at all costs! Go at ~8:00 AM at the latest so you can allow at least 90 minutes to make the walk out and back and take some pictures. For boat tours, I’d recommend avoiding anything too long so your son doesn’t get bored. A waterside tour of Antelope Canyon from Antelope Point Marina would be a good choice. If you have more time, you might tour the Glen Canyon Dam, or take a short hike around the area known as the “New” Wave.
On your final vacation day, instead of exploring Phoenix, I’d recommend making the short detour through Sedona, AZ. It’s a stunning area, and I can almost guarantee that once you see it, you’ll want to come back and spend more time there!
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 15, 2019 at 9:33 PM
Heather
Hello,
We wanted to hear your tips /advice on our below itenary.
March 23rd – Land in Vegas
March 24- drive from Vegas to Page
March 25- Drive from Page to Monumnet valley and back to Page
March 26- Drive from Page to Grand canyon south rim and back to Page
March 27- Page – Lower AC, horseshoe bend , glen canyon dam
March 28- drive from page to LV
We are making Page as our base and doing day trips to MV and GC. I really could not find any hotel reservations in GC, and that is why we decided to stay in Page.
Some questions :
1. How are the road conditions in March from Page to GC , what time should we start back from GC to make it safely back to Page
2. Can we do 17 mile in MV in rented car?
3. Are there any special tires/chain required for driving ? WE are from south and dread driving in snow
4. How is the road from LV to Page ?
Thanks for your help!
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Hi Heather and thank you for visiting!
Using Page, AZ, as a base for touring the attractions in Northern Arizona is not ideal, but if you are unable to find lodging in the various locations you’re wishing to visit, you can make it work. As you’ve rightfully deduced, you’ll have to keep an eye on the time, since you’ll want to be sure to get any driving you need to do done for the day by sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, plus the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses. You don’t want to have a vehicular encounter with any one of them! Another thing to keep in mind, with regard to Monument Valley, is that it observes Daylight Savings Time, whereas, Page, AZ, does not. So you’ll “lose” an hour driving from Page, AZ, to Monument Valley, then “gain” it back upon returning. Sunrise in Page, AZ, occurs at about 6:30 AM, sunset at around 6:40 PM. Move that ahead 1 hour for Monument Valley. It takes 2-2.5 hours to make the drive from Page to MV, so, on the return trip, you’ll need to leave the area by 5:30 PM MV time, 4:30 PM Page, AZ, time. I know it’s confusing!
Fortunately, Grand Canyon and Page, AZ, are on the same time (Mountain Standard). The drive from Page, AZ, to the Grand Canyon is listed as taking 2.5 hours on Google maps, however, that’s wheels turning, no stops. On the drive down from Page, take your time and enjoy the scenery. You can realistically expect to take the better part of 4 hours to do this. That way, on the drive back to Page, you can get on the road at 4:00 PM and book it back by sunset; with an earlier start, you might stop at Horseshoe Bend for that!
RE: the roads between LV and Page, Page, AZ, and GC and Monument Valley, they are fully paved, and rarely closed, unless a major snowstorm moves through the area. The 17-mile scenic drive in MV is not paved. Technically, you are not supposed to drive rental cars on unpaved roads as doing so could void your insurance contract. Many years ago, I made the trip in a Nissan Sentra (my own car) and lived to tell the tale, but, technically, I should advise you to contact a tour company to access this area. There are a number of licensed providers of backcountry tours who utilize different means of getting to the backcountry, including jeeps, horses, and hiking. Navajo Nation Parks Monument Valley Tours
Snow chains are a similar situation, rental car companies forbid customers from using them. If you encounter inclement weather on your trip, simply stay put in the area and wait it out.
All that said, you might still be able to secure lodging at the Grand Canyon and/or Monument Valley hotels at this point. Cancellations do happen. For the Grand Canyon, if you can’t find lodging inside the park, check Tusayan, which is 7 miles outside the park. Monument Valley doesn’t have much to work with, just The View and Goulding’s, but you might consider staying in Kayenta or Tuba City.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 15, 2019 at 9:16 PM
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From Heather
Thank you for the response. We are now considering cancelling our reservation and re-booking, here’s the modified itenary :
March 23- Vegas
March 24- Drive from Vegas to Page, see horse shoe bend
March 25- ANtelope tour and glenn canyon dam
march 26-Drive to MV, stay in Tuba city
March 27- start from tuba city to GC, stay the night at flagstaff or Williams
March 28-start to vegasMarch 16, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Neringa D.
Hello!
I love your website! We are planning our very unexpected trip to visit AZ, very first timers! And probably last one, as well, as trip to USA is not such an easy trip from EU. So we wanna soak it in.
I see you being very helpful with people’s itinerary. Could you give a look to ours?
Saturday, 30th.
10-11 am Arriving Phoenix.
Car rent and up to South rim. We have a night booked in there. What we going to do in there exactly, still unknown, as we do not know what time arriving.
Lunch somewhere on the way.
Aiming to have sunset at one of the viewing points and early dinner.
Sunday,31st.
Sunrise at the rim, one of the trails. Maybe 2….
Lunch still in the village and head for Page through desert view drive,
Stop Cameron for stretch, route 20 or 89?Then, is it better to go straight to Page and spend our evening there or there is something on the way to see?
Night booked at Page. I don’t know if it is worth going all the way down to the lake Powel.
Monday, 1st.
9am lower antelope canyon (booked already).
And start heading to Sedona for the night. I really wanted to experience some of the historical 66 route, but its a bit out of the way. SO maybe stop by
Flagstaff for stretch. Was thinking: walnut canyon or route 66 and Williams or just go down to Sedona straight?
See Sedona, maybe one of the hikes.
Night at the little cabin rented just by the river stargazing.
Tuesday,2 nd.
To see more around Sedona (Red rock crossing, Bell rock…)
I necessarily wanted to visit one of the vortex places, but of what I read just being in Sedona is an experience itself!
Thought it might be worth jumping through Jerome on our way back to Phoenix. Any ideas what else worth seeing?
Afternoon flight from Phoenix to San Francisco.
Would be grateful for your opinion.
Just the best vibes,
Neringa D.
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Hi Neringa,
Your itinerary looks very well-planned. With your already limited timeframe, there’s really not much you’ll be able to add. Plus you want to avoid the temptation to schedule every single minute of your day out here. You’ll want to leave room for the inevitable photo ops that will pique your curiosity, and trust me, there are tons of them out here!
So, I take it your visit is occurring in March? March and November are the only months in 2019 where Saturday occurs on the 30th, and seeing as though you described your trip as an “unexpected” one, I’ll go off the assumption that March it is. Which leads me to another important point: March is in the transitional zone between winter and spring out here, so you’ll need to be prepared for anything weather-wise. The Grand Canyon has received a lot of snow of late, which is sticking to the upper parts of Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails, so hiking either one of them might not be practical this time around. If that’s the case, you might consider taking the free shuttle out to some of the overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive the morning of the 31st before you head to Page, AZ. BTW, the drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes, on average, ~5 hours.
The drive to Page, AZ, is listed on Google maps as taking 2.5 hours, but in reality, it can take 3.5-4 hours. It’s a very scenic drive, and you’ll find yourself stopping often! There are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon to see between Grand Canyon and Desert View Point, where you’ll exit the park. From there to Page, there is even more to see, including, but not limited to the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, the “Cut” Overlook, and Horseshoe Bend. For this portion of the drive, best to take US89, and not N20/89T. The former is the more scenic drive; the latter was a temporary route established after a slide occurred on the main highway. It is now mostly used by locals to shave some time off the drive to/from Flagstaff and points South.
On Monday the 1st when you make your way to Sedona, I’d definitely recommend making the stop at Walnut Canyon. It’s very illuminating and educational to see how the Native Americans lived and be able to explore remnants of their dwellings up close and personal. If you’re into Route 66, you might consider having lunch at the Galaxy Diner, a 50’s style restaurant that celebrates the heyday of the old highway.
You’ve correctly deduced that Sedona is a destination until itself, and you’ll definitely wish you’d had more time there! But, a day is better than nothing. As for visiting Jerome on the way back to Phoenix, it’s a cool town, and won’t add a ton of time onto the drive back to Phoenix; it’ll extend it by another hour or so.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 15, 2019 at 2:19 PM
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Hello! We are flying into Flagstaff June 4th, and driving to Lake Powell (have hotel reservations). We will head to Mesa Verde on the morning of the 7th. The 5th and 6th are wide open—can you suggest tours? It will be myself and my 18year old daughter and her 17 year old friend. They love to hike and kayak. We want to see Lake Powell, Horseshoe, and Antelope Canyon. If we could include the Grand Canyon, that would be great as well!
Many thanks in advance for your suggestions!
TonyaApril 22, 2019 at 8:44 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Tonya!
With the two days you have to work with, I would recommend modifying your itinerary slightly in order to accommodate most of the items on your “wish list.”
Instead of driving to Lake Powell that first day, I would suggest driving to Grand Canyon South Rim and staying overnight there. It’s ~90 minutes from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim. If possible, try to find something inside the park, or Tusayan/GC Village South if the park is booked up. Grand Canyon hotels .
Then plan to head to Page, AZ, staying there on the 5th and 6th so you can tour Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and get in some kayaking on Lake Powell. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is stated as taking 2.5 hours on Google Maps, but IRL, it ends up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours because it’s a very scenic drive and you’ll find yourself stopping often to take pictures at the various Grand Canyon viewpoints on the East Rim/Desert View Drive, and on the section of the trip that occurs on the Navajo Reservation, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, and the Cut Overlook, just to name a few.
The drive from Page, AZ, to Mesa Verde takes ~5 hours, but take the opportunity to swing through Monument Valley and maybe Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park on the way.
Be sure to book all lodging and guided tours in advance. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 22, 2019 at 5:46 PM
Brianna
Hi there!
My boyfriend and I are going to be visiting April 7-10 and I have planned out a few things but want to know if you have any suggestions to our current schedule and if I should add anything else.
4/7 driving from SoCal to Bryce
sight see and spend the night in Bryce hotel
4/8 Bryce – drive to Page
spend the night in Page hotel
4/9 Kayak tour Lake Powell (there are no tour guides available during our visit from the company I would like to use. It is suggested by them that we are more than okay to self guide -thoughts?)
Horseshoe Bend at sunset
Stay the night in Page hotel
4/10 Lower Canyon tour
Drive home to SoCal
*we still need to figure out what to do in Bryce and if we need to schedule anything in advance
*considering the Glen Canyon float but is that necessary if we are already doing kayaking?
*what else can we add to our trip?
Thank you!
-Brianna
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Hi Brianna,
Your itinerary looks quite well-planned, and I wouldn’t sweat about adding any more to it. It’s always best to leave room for the inevitable unplanned photo ops that pique your curiosity and turn out to be one of those unexpected surprises!
Your drive on Day 1 to Bryce is going to be quite long. Not sure what part of SoCal you’re coming from, but the drive from LA is 8+ hours, so unless you get a super-early start, you won’t have much time for sightseeing that day. Since your visit is occurring before the start of the free shuttle service, you can use the first part of the day on 4/8 to explore the scenic rim drive in your own vehicle, then head to Page.
As far as self-guided kayaking goes, it is pretty straightforward, you’ll just need to stay away from areas where large tour boats go as they kick up quite a wake. Most kayak rental outlets will take care of racking the kayak onto your vehicle, and giving you guidance on some of the better places to go. RE: the Glen Canyon Float Trip, it takes place on the Colorado River, from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry, so it’s a different experience than kayaking on Lake Powell. But, with your limited timeframe, you’d probably have to choose one over the other (kayak or float trip). If it’s just you and your BF, you’d probably enjoy the kayaking more as it’s more hands-on. The GC Float Trip tends to be a family activity since kids as young as 4 can go.
Also, I’d recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. Sunset tends to be quite crowded; sunrise, not so much. Personally, I like the Wahweap Overlook better for sunset. If you take me up on that suggestion, you might consider a short hike at the “New” Wave beforehand. Whatever you do for sunrise or sunset, bring a light jacket with you as early morning/evening temperatures can be a bit nippy.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 15, 2019 at 1:56 PM
Beth
Hello,
Thanks for all the great information! Our family (kids ages 3, 7, 10) will be flying into PHX April 16-20. We have three full days and are hoping to visit the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend and a couple of the National Monuments around the Flagstaff area (haven’t decided which yet). We were originally planning to stay in Flagstaff and use that as a base for day trips to the other locations; however I have read some reviews advising against this. Assuming we would likely not be able to get a reservation near GCNP this late in the game, would you recommend staying in Page one night on the way to or from the GC instead of commuting back and forth from Flagstaff each day? If we decided to loop around and stay overnight in Page, is there a preferred order to visit these sites to maximize time? We currently have an antelope canyon tour booked during the afternoon of the 18th.
Thanks!
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Hi Beth, and thank you for visiting.
I agree that using Flagstaff as a “base” from which to tour the major attractions in Northern Arizona is less than ideal, but as you say, this late in the game, you may not have any other choice. Still, cancellations do occur, so it doesn’t hurt to check availability. If at all possible, try to find a room inside the park. If nothing is available there, then Tusayan is your next best option, just 7 miles South of the park gates. Staying in the park, or as close to it as possible, will allow you to experience sunrise and/or sunset on the canyon rim, which shouldn’t be missed! If you have to stay in Flagstaff, you’re looking at a 90-minute drive each way to the Grand Canyon, then a 2.5 hour drive, again, each way, to Page, AZ. For Grand Canyon lodging, check GrandCanyon.com: South Rim Hotels
For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you’ll want to stay in Page, AZ. For availability of lodging in that area go to VisitPageLakePowell.com: Where to Stay in Page, AZ
As for how and when to visit GC and Page, there’s no preferred order. It honestly depends on availability of Grand Canyon lodging, and Antelope Canyon tours. Since you already have an Antelope Canyon tour reservation for 04/18, hanging onto it might be easier than changing it, so try to find Grand Canyon lodging for 04/17, then Page, AZ, for 04/18 and possibly 04/19.
Good attractions to visit in/around Flagstaff include but aren’t limited to Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, Walnut Canyon National Monument, the Arboretum, and Lowell Observatory.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2019 at 1:42 PM
Jenny H.
Love you site!
Our family (including a 6 year-old) plan to fly to Flag Staff end of August, and visit both Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon.
Should we go to Antelope Canyon first for 2 days and then go to Grand Canyon for 2 days then back to Flag Staff? Or Should we go to Grand canyon for 2 days then to Antelope Canyon? Does it matter which route? What other must visit place do you recommend?
Thank you!
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Hi Jenny!
There’s no prescribed order in which you should visit the sites on your list, honestly, it comes down to two important factors.
1. Availability of lodging at the Grand Canyon
2. Availability of Antelope Canyon tours (Page, AZ)
Reserve space when/where you can find it and plan your trip itinerary from there. For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you’ll want to book lodging in Page, AZ. While you’re there, you might consider taking the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but is a wonderful family-friendly activity. During August, you’ll want to take the early morning departure so you can enjoy cooler temperatures.
FYI, you might want to drop one night at the Grand Canyon and use it to visit Sedona. It’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do, and it’s just a 45-minute drive from Flagstaff. For more information, go to www.VisitSedona.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 13, 2019 at 1:32 PM
Timothy A Blenkinsop
Hello!
My wife and I will be going to a conference in Sedona from Friday April 12th till noon on Sunday April14th. We have a flight from Las Vegas at 4pm on Friday April 19th and wanted to tour the region. This is what we have so far and we would like some guidance on what is practical for Wed-Fri.
Friday April 12 fly into Phoenix at 10:30am
Drive to Sedona for Conference til noon Sunday April 14
Sunday April 14: 12:30pm drive 6hrs to Thunderbird lodge and stay the night.
Monday April 15 Morning tour Canyon de Chelly with Navajo guide.
Monday Afternoon drive to Paige (3hr drive). Is there time to visit Mexican hat and Forest Gump spot (seems to add 2 hrs)?
Stay overnight at Paige.
Tuesday April 16 take boat tour in morning then tour Horseshoe Bend and Upper Antelope Canyon (reserved) in afternoon.
Say overnight at Paige.
Wed, Thurs, and Friday until~4pm plane leaves from Las Vegas
Items we were considering visiting, but don’t know how much time is needed for each (I know we cannot see all)
-Zion
-Bryce Canyon
-Valley of Fire
-Grand Canyon East Rim.
We have both seen Grand Canyon, but my wife only once so we don’t know exactly whether we should sacrifice seeing other parks that deserve some attention (read: Zion, Bryce, VOF).
My wife and I are fairly fit. We both can run 5K and exercise a few times a week. Can you recommend what is manageable? One more question: is Toyota Rav4 able to manage ok in the region?
Here is a map of our itinerary with some pinned spots so far (still working on it):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VeYHM9Y_SLkeEXpG-SdylBknfJRPM0xK&usp=sharing
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Tim and Bab
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Hi Tim and Bab,
Your itinerary looks quite well-planned. Unfortunately, trying to cram every single item on your wish list into your vacation will result in some very long drives, which don’t sound like my idea of a vacation. With that in mind, and since you’ve already been there, I’d advise taking the Grand Canyon off the table this time around and maybe plan a return visit when you can give it enough time to do it justice instead of a “quickie pop-by” viewing. I guarantee that you’ll be planning a return visit to Sedona after your conference, and the Grand Canyon is an easy add-on to a vacation there!
You are correct in that the drive from Canyon de Chelly to Page, AZ, will be extended by roughly two hours if you make the detour to Forrest Gump Point. If you really want to see it, you’ll have enough daylight to work with in order to do so. The main thing is to keep an eye on the time and get all your driving done by dusk. Nighttime driving can be especially dangerous on the Navajo Indian Reservation and on the outskirts of Page, AZ, due to the lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle and even wild horses on local roads. Another little quirk about this part of the country is that the Navajo Indian Reservation DOES observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas the rest of Arizona DOES NOT. You will “gain” an hour passing between Navajo Tribal lands and Page, AZ. So, sunrise in Chinle, AZ, will occur at around 6:45 AM local time, and sunset in Page, AZ, will occur at about 7:00 PM local time, or 8:00 PM reservation time.
On your second day in Page, I’d recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend prior to your boat tour. Right now, the main parking lot of Horseshoe Bend is closed between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to facilitate the completion of some construction projects that are running behind schedule, one of them being the expansion of the parking lot. During those hours, a shuttle service is required (which costs $5/head) to access the overlook. Visiting in the hours just after sunrise will allow you to take advantage of smaller crowds, cooler temperatures, and some wonderful photo ops.
In the time you have left, I recommend visiting Bryce and Zion, in that order upon departing Page, AZ. For Zion, plan on overnighting in Springdale, UT on the Western border of the park. This will place you closer to Las Vegas on the back end of your trip, and make the detour to Valley of Fire more manageable.
And yes, a RAV 4 will be fine for this trip, however, be careful before attempting any off-road driving as this will technically void your insurance contract.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 11, 2019 at 2:24 PM
Rebecca
This is a fantastic itinerary, THANK YOU!!!! You have saved me hours of planning and it includes everything I want my family to do! 🙂 Safe and happy travels to you!
Becky
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Hi Rebecca,
Glad it helped you and your family! Hope you have a wonderful time 🙂
AlleyMarch 09, 2019 at 6:07 PM
Kait
Hey there,
Thought I’d ask about my itinerary too. My boyfriend and I are going to visit April 5-8. Plan to fly into Phoenix Friday night and stay over in Phoenix. Next Saturday drive to Grand Canyon and stay in the south rim. Sunday I wanted to do a lower antelope canyon tour and horse shoe bend then stay over in page for the night. Monday drive back to Phoenix see Sedona along the way. anything else you recommend for Monday?
Kait
Hey there,
My boyfriend and I are planning to visit the Grand Canyon April 5-8. We are flying Into phx Friday night and will stay over in Phoenix Saturday planned to drive to the Grand Canyon and stay over in the south rim. Thought be fun to see inside the park. Sunday plan to do a tour of lower antelope canyon and hike horse bend. We are leaving Monday night from Phoenix. Do you recommend staying over in the south rim again or in page? What is good to see Monday before we head back to Phoenix for our flight. Or is there anything you recommend for Sunday?
Thank you 🙂
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Hello, Kait!
Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Page, AZ, are a destination unto themselves, not really conducive to visiting as a “day trip” from Grand Canyon South Rim. Although Google maps lists the drive time from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page as 2.5 hours, in reality, it ends up taking more like 3.5-4 hours due to the very scenic nature of the drive and the frequency of photo ops. You will be much more comfortable if you were to stay overnight in Page, AZ.
Hopefully you have lodging reservations at Grand Canyon South Rim. If not, you may find the only availability in Williams, AZ, or Flagstaff, AZ, 60-90 minutes from the park respectively. Prioritize booking a hotel at the South Rim, then Antelope Canyon tour reservations, then Page, AZ, hotel reservations. As for where you might visit prior to flying back to Phoenix, Sedona might be nice, time permitting. It takes ~3 hours to drive there from Grand Canyon South Rim, then another 2-2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Phoenix. The only drawback to this, if you can call it that, is that you’ll wish you’d had more time in Sedona. I can almost guarantee that you’ll start planning a return visit long before you leave the city limits!
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 08, 2019 at 7:38 PM
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From Kait
Okay thank you!
Yes I already booked lodging In the south rim and a lower antelope tour for Sunday. We will stay over in page to have maximum time.
March 09, 2019 at 12:53 AM
Silvija
Alley Keosheyan, thank you for your time and great answers!Would you please give me your advise on this.
I have 2 friends flying in from Europe and they would like to see as much as they can in the area.
We will fly on May 1st to Vegas and have to fly back on 8th.
they wanted to see Grand Canyon, Sedona, Death Valley, Antelope Canyon, LA??
I am not sure where is the best to start and if it is achievable – google maps distances and time usually do not match with real life. I would be thankful for any input.
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Hi Silvija,
You are absolutely right that the drive times put forth on Google maps rarely match what materializes once you’re on the road! In this part of the US especially, most drives are very scenic, so it’s best to “pad” given drive times by 20-30%. In light of that, you might need to scale back your proposed itinerary a bit. The trip from Las Vegas to LA takes ~5 hours, but is by no means a “day trip” from Vegas. You’d want to spend at least 3 days there in order to partake of the “must-do” attractions, such as Disneyland, Hollywood, Universal Studios, etc. If you’d rather not eat up that much of your already limited vacation time, you might drop it off the list, and do something like this:
May 2nd (assuming May 1st you’ll be overnighting in Las Vegas): Day trip to Death Valley, overnight in Las Vegas
May 3rd: Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona (~4.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
May 4th: Second day/night in Sedona
May 5th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), overnight in Grand Canyon
May 6th: Drive to Page, AZ (~3.5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page
May 7th: Drive from Page, AZ, to Zion National Park, UT (~2 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
May 8th: Drive back to Las Vegas
If your friends are really wanting to make that trip to LA, you might check into the feasibility and cost of flying into or out of Las Vegas, then into/out of Los Angeles. The biggest obstacle to doing something like that tends to be rental car drop-off fees. They can be pretty hefty for returning a vehicle anywhere other than where you picked it up from, but, it could make the trip much more feasible for you. I understand it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your friends from overseas.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 07, 2019 at 4:44 PM
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I am coming to page from Phoenix on April 20 with 3 older teenagers who are all active and my 70 year old mother who still is active and walks 3 miles per day. We will only be there for the weekend and are trying to decide what to do. We all have a very adventurous spirit and want to see the beauty of the place but not necessarily the crowds. Here are the options I have narrowed it down to. Either doing adventurous antelope canyons tour 11 (owl, rattlesnake, upper antelope) or private tour (adds mountain sheep canyon) or horseshoe bend canyon tours or cathedral canyon on 1st day and then hidden canyon kayak antelope canyon tour and horshoe bend second day. OR. Doing Dixie Ellis combo package of Lower antelope/kayak antelope canyon 1st day and the driving to Grand Canyon 2nd day. Thoughts?
March 07, 2019 at 11:15 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Jill,
Either plan sounds wonderful, it would be hard to go wrong with either one! I’m personally partial to Cathedral Canyon because it has some features unique to it alone. It is not necessary to visit more than one slot canyon in Page, AZ, in order to have a fulfilling visit, though. If you are amenable to staying 2 days in Page, another activity you might consider taking part in is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or perhaps a 4WD tour to Alstrom Point.
If you opt to drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, be aware that although the drive time is listed as 2.5 hours on Google maps, it is likely to take more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours because it’s a very scenic drive and you’ll undoubtedly be stopping to take pictures. In light of that and other factors, it is best to stay overnight at the Grand Canyon rather than drive there as a day trip.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 08, 2019 at 7:29 PM
Kelly
What an amazing resource! I nearly have our spring break trip planned based on your itinerary, but am afraid we are trying to fit too much in travelling with 4 kids. We plan to arrive in Vegas before noon on April 13, but think the kids would like to see the lights and spend one night in Vegas. We would travel to Grand Canyon on 14th and start travelling from there. Our flight home would be at 1 am (eek) on Saturday the 20th, so we have a full day on the 19th to get back to Vegas. We need to cut one day from the itinerary in the blog. What do you recommend? Thank you!
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Hi Kelly and thank you for your compliments.
With the time you have to work with, I’d recommend eliminating Monument Valley from the itinerary. It tends to not have much of a draw for younger kids, and being on the Navajo Indian Reservation, it is quite remote. Grand Canyon South Rim, Page, Zion, and Bryce are more developed and offer more in the way of visitor services. If all the kids in your party are at least 4 years old, plan to spend a couple of nights in Page, so you can tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, and take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. As the name of the latter activity suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but is a wonderful family activity full of beautiful scenery and fascinating history!
On the way back to Las Vegas, seeing as though you can take your time, you might make the short detour to the Valley of Fire State Park. Cool rock formations, and April is a decent time to visit.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 07, 2019 at 4:31 PM
robyn dutton
Can you tell me how significant or tight the twists and turns are in Lower Antelope Canyon? Do you have to contort and twist your body or just squeeze through some narrow spaces? My 17yo son had Spinal Fusion surgery 5 months ago and isn’t as flexible as he used to be. Do you think this would be an issue?
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Hi Robyn, thanks for this excellent question.
The greatest need for twisting and turning comes at the entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon, and at the exit. As to whether your boy would be able to handle it, I’m not really in a position to say for sure, but would recommend you watching this video: Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon If you decide that would be a little too much at this stage of his recovery, you might consider Upper Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Neither one have ladders, but the initial buckboard truck ride on the dirt road leading to the mouth of the canyons might be something to consider before committing. People with back problems are often advised to call the tour companies and request to sit up front with the driver to minimize the bumps.
Hope that helps somewhat. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 06, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Stacey G
Hi Ryan and Alley,
We’re 2 couples planning to visit in the beginning of May. Las Vegas is our starting and ending point. We’re giving ourselves 8 to 10 days and would like to visit the Grand Canyon South Rim, Page for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Rainbow Bridge and Glen Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion NP. I’m trying to figure out how many days are needed at each place (we don’t want to rush). We want to be sure to do photography and star gazing. If time allows, we’d like add on either Monument Valley, Arches NP or Sedona. Appreciate your thoughts!
Thank you,
Stacey
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Hi Stacey!
With 8-10 days to work with, you should have a wonderful vacation! If at all possible, make it 10 days, if not 12 or more. There’s a lot to see and do out here!
A good 10-day itinerary in this area could go something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Sedona, ~4.5 hour drive, overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Explore Sedona, Pink Jeep Tour, hiking, etc., spend another night in Sedona
Day 3 – Drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~2.5 hour drive, overnight at Grand Canyon
Day 4 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, ~3.5-4 hour drive (I know Google maps lists it as 2.5, but there are lots of photo ops on this leg of the trip!), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 5 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, spend 2nd night in Page
Day 6 – Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce, ~3 hour drive, overnight in Bryce
Day 7 – Drive from Bryce to Zion NP, ~3 hour drive, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 8 – Explore Zion, spend 2nd night in Springdale, UT
Day 9 – Drive back to Las Vegas, ~3 hour drive, detour to Valley of Fire State Park, time permitting
As you can see, 8 days is easily filled in this part of the U.S. If you can add another day or two onto your itinerary, maybe swing through Monument Valley between the Grand Canyon and Page. The hard part will be finding lodging there as there aren’t many choices, so, push comes to shove, you could do it as a “drive by,” which will extend your drive time to ~6 hours. If you can tack another 3 days onto your trip, or — horrors! — sacrifice Sedona, you could add Moab, UT (for Arches and Canyonlands) between Page and Bryce Canyon. That would add Capitol Reef onto your itinerary by virtue of the drive you’d have to take.
As you can see, the possibilities are practically endless! For more suggestions, visit “14 Days In The Grand Circle” on our companion site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 06, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Arjay
Just a big Thank You for such helpful, comprehensive information! Great job!
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Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge our efforts! Have a wonderful vacation,
Alley 🙂March 06, 2019 at 4:26 PM
Heather
Dear Ryan,
We plan to come to Antelope Canyon with my extended family of 8 in mid April 2019. It is our first time, we are all very excited! However, I just found upper canyon tours are almost all sold out – the only availability is at 4-5:30 PM. Is it too dark at the time inside the canyon?
Lower canyon tour has more availability – is 2-4 PM a good time range for a tour there? How difficult is the lower canyon? I am traveling with a 10 year old and very healthy senior parents – but I want to make sure they can handle the walk and/or climbing.
We will arrive the night before at Page and will have an entire day in the area before heading to Monument valley. Other than the canyon tour and Horseshoe Band/Lake Powell visit, anything else would you suggest as family activities?
Thank you so much for any suggestions!
Heather (from California)
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Hi Heather and thank you for visiting today.
Not surprised to hear that many Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out. However, 4:00 PM is a perfectly fine time to be in either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon. If there wasn’t enough light to see by, the tour company wouldn’t offer a departure at that time. There’s even a local tour company that offers nighttime tours in Antelope Canyon, if you can believe that!
As for whether your family would be able to handle the physical challenges of Lower Antelope Canyon, only you can make that call. You might want to recommend that everyone watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. If you think everyone can handle Lower Antelope Canyon, but cannot find availability at your desired time, consider touring Antelope Canyon X instead. It’s very similar in physicality and appearance to Lower, but tends to be a lot less crowded.
With the better part of a day to work with, and seeing as though you’re driving to Monument Valley, you really don’t have time to do much else in the area. You might be able to squeeze in a tour of Glen Canyon Dam, or a visit to the John Wesley Powell Museum. Keep in mind that the drive to Monument Valley takes at least 2 hours, and you want to avoid nighttime driving on that stretch of road. There is little to no ambient lighting, and you could encounter deer, elk, free range cattle, or wild horses. Another consideration is that Page, AZ, will be on Mountain Standard Time, and Monument Valley will be on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time. You will “lose” an hour going from Page to MV. Sunset at Monument Valley in April occurs at about 8:00 PM. Hopefully you have reservations to spend the night there and aren’t planning on doing this as a day trip.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 04, 2019 at 5:03 PM
Margaux
Hi There!
Thank you for taking the time to read everyone’s questions and provide such helpful and thoughtful feedback and recommendations!
My boyfriend and I will be in Page April 1-4. All the sights are so tantalizing to us, but we’re also not really into feeling like tourists and being hustled through attractions (I have already made great notes on alternatives to Antelope Canyon and The Wave, per your recommendations in earlier posts and in this article, thank you!). Having said that, I still want to see both upper and lower Antelope, as I think we will have 3 more days to explore and sightsee around Page.
I read in an earlier post that you recommended doing Horseshoe Bend as early in the morning as possible, and then doing Antelope immediately after. Do you think doing Horseshoe, and then both upper and lower Antelope, all in one day, is doable (assuming tours and tour times work out)?
We will be driving from Vegas on March 29th, which is a Friday, and we’re trying to hit some spots on the way to Page so as not to deal with all the tourist and vehicle traffic at Page over a weekend, and thus get there on Monday (well Sunday night really, but sightseeing starting on Monday). Knowing that my bf and I are active and physically fit, and that we want to adventure while dealing with minimal crowds, what would you recommend we do on the way to Page? We will be camping as much as possible…
Thank you again!
Cheers,
Margaux
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Hi Margaux,
First thing’s first: it won’t make much of a difference whether you arrive on a Friday vs. a Saturday in Page, AZ. Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are busy from March through November, depending on weather, so don’t expect the town to be quiet just because you happen to be arriving on a Sunday or Monday. That won’t be the case.
In the time you have between March 29th and April 1st, I would making a stop at the Valley of Fire State Park, then going on to Zion National Park. Although it is a popular park, there are plenty of hikes you can take that will get you off the beaten path, and away from most of the crowds. Angel’s Landing and The Narrows are considered to be the “grand-daddies” of all Zion hikes in terms of degree of difficulty and views offered. April may be a little early for The Narrows as water flows in the Virgin River are quite high at this time, and that hike takes place in the river itself. Angel’s Landing warrants its own set of precautions, so be sure to do your research before committing to that hike. Springdale, UT, would be the place you would want to lodge or camp, on the Western border of the park.
Upon arrival in Page, you would be able to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in a day, depending on availability of tours. You absolutely must visit Antelope and other local slot canyons with a guided tour, there’s no way around that. I recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise as the main parking lot will be closed during the mid-day hours and the use of a shuttle required to get you to the overlook. This is a temporary situation to allow for the completion of some long-overdue construction projects, but it will probably coincide with your visit. Horseshoe Bend parking restrictions
With the rest of your time, and seeing as though you are active and fit as you describe, you might consider taking part in some of the areas longer but rewarding day hikes such as to the Wahweap Hoodoos, Wire Pass and/or part of Buckskin Gulch , or you might hire a guide service to take you to Sidestep Canyon.
Regarding your desire to camp for the majority of your vacation, that will probably be fine, but keep in mind that the timeframe in which you are visiting is the transitional zone between winter and spring. Page, AZ, weather is typically pleasant, but then again, a late season rain or snowstorm could also move through, causing the nighttime temperatures to drop to near or below freezing. In the higher elevations, such as Grand Canyon (7,000′ ASL) and Bryce Canyon (8,000′ ASL), you might find camping to be somewhat impractical. Be sure to start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Make reservations for campgrounds and/or lodging well in advance of your departure.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 04, 2019 at 4:53 PM
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From Margaux
Thank you so much Alley! This has been tremendously helpful 🙂
March 04, 2019 at 7:47 PM
Sofia
Hi! Thank you for sharing all of this really helpful information. I’m planning a trip with my husband in June (21-26) and am hoping to get some advice on itinerary and lodging before I do any official bookings.
Here’s what we’re thinking so far…
Day 1 (6/21) fly into Phoenix – late night flight, pick up rental, stay the night (Recommendations for lodging?)
Day 2 (6/22) drive to Page (best, most scenic route we could take from Phoenix? Recommendations for lodging in Page?); Horseshoe Bend at sunset (I was looking into this tour https://horseshoebendtours.com/slot-canyon-plus-overlook is it worth it? should we just do Horseshoe Bend on our own?)
Day 3 (6/23) Lower Antelope tour in the morning (looking into this tour https://antelopelowercanyon.com/lower-antelope-canyon-hiking-tour/ based on your site’s recommendations). Any other activity you recommend as a must do for the second half of the day?
Day 4 (6/24) drive to Grand Canyon (Best activities to do in one day? Recommendations for lodging? We plan to stay the night)
Day 5 (6/25) half day Grand Canyon (recommendations?); drive back to Phoenix
Day 6 (6/26) Phoenix during the day (Recommendations for Phoenix?); fly back home late afternoon/night
Does this itinerary seem achievable? Do you have any other recommendations? Any and all help and advice would be greatly appreciated!
-Sofia
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Hi Sofia,
Your itinerary as planned is quite achievable, and it’s good that you’re not trying to cram too many destinations into one trip.
If you don’t have lodging booked already, you might find the more popular properties booked up in the parks, so at this point in time, it doesn’t matter what I recommend, all that matters is what’s available. At the Grand Canyon, for example, it’s always most desirable to stay inside the park at Grand Canyon Village. However, the in-park hotels tend to sell out months, even a year or more in advance. If you find that to be the case, Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, 7 miles outside the park entrance, would be your next best option. If those are full, then Williams, AZ, which is ~1 hour South of the park. For information on Grand Canyon hotels in order of proximity to the rim, and hence, desirability, visit GrandCanyon.com: South Rim Hotels
In Page, AZ, you’ll have more choices, from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between in terms of price points and amenities. Here again, though, it’s a very popular destination, and you’re traveling during peak season, so you may already be limited as to what’s available. One nice thing about Page, AZ, is that you can look at vacation rental homes if traditional hotels are booked up. There is also a small cluster of properties in an area known as the “Street of Little Motels” where apartments have been refurbished into tourist lodging. For the price of a traditional hotel room, you get a unit with separate living and sleeping areas, and a full kitchen, so those are worth checking out, too. For more information on Page, AZ, hotels, click on VisitPageLakePowell.com: Where To Stay
On your first night in Phoenix, since you mention that your flight is arriving late, you’ll probably want to stay relatively close to the airport. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of properties located within a 50-mile radius of Sky Harbor. I recommend getting as close as you can to I-17 since that’s the highway you’ll be traveling on to start with. There is a La Quinta property as well as a Vacation Inn located right off the highway a short distance North of Phoenix, as well as a Motel 6 and Quality Inn a bit further North.
The best route to take to Page, AZ, also happens to be the most scenic route, which is I-17 to Flagstaff, then US89 to Page, AZ. Time permitting, you might stop at Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff, as well as the Cameron Trading Post. For Horseshoe Bend, you can do this on your own if you prefer, but dovetailing onto the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon tour will certainly spare you some headaches, namely parking, which can be quite a bear at Horseshoe Bend. If you do decide to tour Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon and the overlook, then you wouldn’t necessarily need to tour Lower Antelope Canyon. Instead, I’d recommend using that second day to take part in a water-based activity, such as the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour or the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. If you find you have more time to kill, other activities you might consider are Glen Canyon Dam tours, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, a cultural program at the Navajo Village Heritage Center, or maybe firing off a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon, Page’s new indoor shooting range. There are lots of possibilities! Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona
A good chunk of your Grand Canyon sight-seeing will actually occur on the drive down from Page since the route will naturally take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon. There are over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at, as well as other points of interest on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands you’ll encounter before entering the park, so what is listed as a 2.5 hour drive on Google maps can easily end up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. If you are still feeling perky enough for more sightseeing after that, a stroll along the easy, paved rim trail or a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail can easily fill up an afternoon. If you get lodging in Tusayan, be sure to catch the IMAX film, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” at the National Geographic Visitors Center.
The next morning before driving back to Phoenix, you might catch a helicopter flight over the canyon. Though these won’t descend below the rim, they’ll still give you a truer sense of how big the Grand Canyon is, and show you areas inaccessible to even the fittest of hikers.
Another option would be driving back to Phoenix via Sedona. This will add another 2-3 hours onto your trip, and you’ll probably wish you had more time in Sedona, but if this trip is going to be a “once-in-a-blue-moon” opportunity, it’d be a good way to make the most of your time.
As for things to do in Phoenix before heading back to the airport, keep in mind that during the day, it’s going to be super-hot. Any outdoor activities should be done during the early morning hours, if at all. Anything else should probably be indoor-oriented, so you can enjoy the comfort of air conditioning. The Heard Museum would get my vote for a good indoor activity; it’s absolutely beautiful and huge. You’ll need to keep an eye on the time so you don’t get too engrossed and miss your flight. That wouldn’t be fun!
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 04, 2019 at 4:10 PM
Elena Momtchev
Hi Alley,
I’d really love your opinion on our itinerary.
Our dates are May 23 – 27, and let me add that we have two kids with us – 9 and 11 yrs old.
Day 1 – we drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with a quick stop to Hoover Dam bridge.
We didn’t make plans for the rest of that day. We’ll be staying at Yavapai Lodge for two nights.
Day 2 – We are planning to a Bright Angel hike. Do you think that’s a good idea with the kids?
Day 3 – Drive to Antelope Canyon. Here I’m not sure how to fill up the rest of the day.
Day 4 – Visit Upper and Lower Canyon. Any thoughts or tips here? Or maybe visit these two canyons on Day 3, and go to Grand Staircase onDay 4?
Day 5 – Drive back to Las Vegas and flight back home
Thank you in advance!
Elena
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Hi Elena,
Your trip looks very well-planned. Still, I’d recommend making a couple of modifications for maximum enjoyment of your vacation.
On day 2, where you say you want to do a “Bright Angel hike,” that sounds like a good plan, but, PLEASE don’t attempt to go all the way down to the Colorado River and back in a day. Simply hike as long as you feel comfortable with, and remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours back out. Food and water must be carried if you’re planning on going any further than 1-mile round-trip, or spending more than 1 hour’s time on your hike. Going down to the first rest house, 1.5 miles down the trail, and back typically takes ~3 hours for people in reasonably good health. Only you can determine your kids’ fitness and readiness for this kind of activity, so if you don’t think they can handle a 3-mile hike, maybe stop at the first tunnel. Even that small of a distance will give you an appreciation for how different the Grand Canyon looks and feels below the rim. If you have more time to work with, you might take a stroll on the easy, paved rim trail, or take the free shuttles out to the overlooks on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive.
On day 3, when you drive up to Page, AZ, get an early start so you can make the most of the day. Although Google Maps lists the drive from GC to Page as 2.5 hours, 3.5-4 hours is a more realistic figure since the drive is very scenic and you’ll be stopping to take pictures frequently. Photo ops include but are not limited to the more than half-a-dozen named overlooks on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stand, the Cameron Trading Post (good brunch/lunch stop), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” overlook, and last but not least, Horseshoe Bend. You could then do an Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ, then on day 4, take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip . As the name suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but is nevertheless a wonderful family activity with lots of beautiful scenery and history. The kids will even get the chance to swim in the Colorado River! In late May, we recommend taking the morning departure of the trip (6:00 AM check-in) to avoid the searing hot temperatures in the canyon typical of the afternoon.
If you wish, you could spend a 2nd night in Page, or you might drive on to Zion National Park, and overnight in Springdale, UT. The drive back to Las Vegas the following day would then be only ~3 hours.
If you’re under the impression that Grand Staircase-Escalante NM has been left off this itinerary, it hasn’t. You’ll get to see a pretty sizeable swath of it on the drive from Page, AZ, to Zion. On the way, you might stop at the Big Water Visitors Center to see some in-depth exhibits on dinosaur discoveries that have taken place within the Monument.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 02, 2019 at 3:27 PM
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From Elena Momtcheva
Alley,
Thank you very much of your fats answer. It was very helpful and now we are planning to do one night in Page, and drive to Zion on the next day.
One last question: Would you recommend visiting both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons? There are no noon trips available for the Upper Canyon anymore, and I know that’s the best time to go there.
So, I wonder should we use our time for something else, or visiting both Canyons, and not only one, is a must?March 06, 2019 at 2:09 AM
Lea Price
Hi my husband and I are flying in and out of Phoenix in July (I know it will be hot!) landing about noon sunday and heading home 10 pm. Is that enough time to hit Sedona, the grand canyon and Page/antelope canyon? Thanks!
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Hi Lea,
So, let me get this straight: you have until noon to 10:00 PM on a Sunday and that’s it? If that’s the case, then no, you don’t have enough time to do much of anything! You could maybe make a quick jaunt up to Sedona and that’s it — it’s a 2 hour drive, each way, from Phoenix to Sedona. With 8 hours to work with, you’d be better off sticking closer to Phoenix.
If you want to visit Page and the Grand Canyon, you need to add at least another 3 days onto your trip time, and even then, you’re not giving enough time to Sedona. It’s one of those places where you could spend a week and still feel as though you’d only touched the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Please provide further clarification of your trip plans.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 01, 2019 at 4:39 PM
NS
Hello!
Your post is very helpful! My family is flying to Phoenix on March 16th (arriving early morning at 8am), returning on March 20th (evening 8pm) with plans to stay in Flagstaff as home base to visit the South Rim and Sedona. However, I would like to fit in a day at Page to visit Antelope Canyon and Horsebend. Glad you mentioned it’s not recommended to drive at night. What do you recommend if we wanted to visit South Rim (no hiking), Sedona, Flagstaff (to see Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments), and Page?
Thank you for your help!
NS
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Dear NS,
Thank you so much for taking note of our advice to avoid nighttime driving. It really is for everyone’s own good!
For your family’s safety, comfort, and enjoyment, I’d recommend NOT using Flagstaff as a base from which to explore the various attractions, unless you have no other choice. It’s a 90 minute drive, each way, from Flag (that’s what we call it here) to GC South Rim, then 2.5 hours, each way from Flag to Page. For Sedona, it’s not so bad, only ~1 hour each way. You also have to remember that your days are going to be short at the time of year you’re visiting. Sunrise occurs at about 6:30 AM, and sunset takes place about 6:30 PM. You may thing 12 hours of daylight is enough time to get your sightseeing in, but trust me, it goes by fast!
Ideally, I’d recommend something like this:
March 16th – Drive from Phoenix to Page at a leisurely pace, visit Wupatki/Sunset Crater en route, overnight in Page
March 17th – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page, AZ, again
March 18th – Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at the Grand Canyon.
March 19th – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, overnight in Sedona
March 20th – Sightseeing in Sedona, drive back to Phoenix that afternoon
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂March 01, 2019 at 4:36 PM
Alise
This is wonderful information and advice and I’m hoping to get a bit more. We’re taking a 70-day trip beginning in April and I’ve allowed 15 days after we leave Yosemite (on 5/10) before we need to be in Boulder, CO (on 5/25). I’m hoping you can recommend an itinerary to make the most of our time in the area. I especially want to see Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Mesa Verde, but don’t know if that’s feasible in 15 days. Thanks, in advance!
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Hi Alise,
Wow, 70 days?!? Can I come with you? LOL
With 15 days to work with between Yosemite and Boulder, you should be able to pull off just about everything on your wish list, plus a few other attractions that may not have pinged on your radar.
So assuming you leave Yosemite on 5/10, the first stop on the itinerary I recommend is Grand Canyon South Rim. Since it’s a 12-hour drive from Yosemite to GC, I’d suggest breaking up the drive in Las Vegas, NV. On the “back end” of your trip, the drive from Mesa Verde to Boulder, CO is ~8 hours. Any number of cities or towns would be good places to divide that drive if you wish, and it’s certainly worth considering since it’s such a pretty drive. Gunnison, Crested Butte, or Montrose would get my vote.
A day by day breakdown would be as follows:
05/10 – Drive from Yosemite to Las Vegas (~8 hours), overnight in Las Vegas
05/11 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, ~4.5 hours, overnight at Grand Canyon
05/12 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page
05/13 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, take Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour, spend 2nd night in Page
05/14 – Drive from Page, AZ to Zion (~2 hours), do some hiking in Zion, overnight in Springdale, UT
05/15 – 2nd day in Zion, overnight in Springdale
05/16 – Drive from Zion to Bryce, ~2.5 hours, take free shuttle around rim drive, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
05/17 – Drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef, ~2.5 hours, overnight in Torrey, UT
05/18 – Drive from Capitol Reef to Moab, UT, overnight in Moab
05/19 – Explore Arches National Park, overnight in Moab
05/20 – Explore Canyonlands National Park, overnight in Moab
05/21 – Drive from Moab to Mesa Verde, CO — driving direct, the trip would take ~3 hours; you could also opt to swing through Monument Valley and Four Corners, which would extend the drive time to ~6 hours — overnight in Cortez, Mancos, or Durango
05/22 – Take Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad trip, spend 2nd night in Durango/Cortez area
05/23 – Drive from Durango to Boulder, overnight in Boulder, OR break up drive in Gunnison or other area before continuing on to Boulder
05/24 – TBA
05/25 – Drive to Boulder
You may find that Grand Staircase-Escalante is conspicuously absent from this itinerary, but in reality, you’ll drive through a significant section of it between Page and Zion, as well as on the trip between Bryce and Capitol Reef.
Another possible variation of this itinerary would have you visiting Zion first, then popping down to Grand Canyon NORTH Rim on opening day, which is May 15th. The biggest obstacle to that will be availability of lodging, or lack thereof. Not many hotels to choose from on the North Rim, so they tend to be booked out a year ahead of time. As you can see, the possibilities are virtually endless out here!
Here is a map I’ve drawn up for reference:
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 01, 2019 at 4:20 PM
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From Alise Rowan
This is a huge help. Thank you so much! We’ll be camping, so lodging isn’t usually much of a problem, but would that change any of your suggestions?
March 02, 2019 at 5:28 PM
Nancy main
Hi
So I assume it is OK if I want to enter my photograph in a contest where if I win, I win a prize. So I am not selling the photo of the canyon.
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Yes, that is fine 🙂
March 01, 2019 at 3:28 PM
Breezy
Hey Alley! First of all, I gotta honor your incredible customer service here. Honestly, you blow me away with all of your kind comments.
Another question (after reading through a ton of tips you already posted). I see a bunch of air tours from Vegas to Canyon X and Horseshoe Bend. What I don’t see are any options from Sedona to Horseshoe then Canyon X with return to Sedona. As the expert, could you bless me w any guides or companies or ways to make it happen? I didn’t rent a car because I’m a solo traveler and a 10hr car ride would suck solo lol.
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Hi Breezy, and thank you for your compliments!
So, your inquiry begs the question, “how are you getting to Sedona?” There is no direct air service into Sedona, whatsoever. There is a small airport located there, but it’s geared toward private aircraft and aerial sightseeing tours. Ground shuttle service is provided by Groome Transportation (formerly Arizona Shuttle) from Phoenix/Sky Harbor to Sedona, but that’s about it.
Assuming your arrangements for getting to Sedona are taken care of, there are options for you to tour Antelope Canyon X from Sedona. Great West Tours offers round-trip van tours from Sedona to Antelope Canyon. Silver Spur Tours offers a similar package, but they go to Lower Antelope Canyon, and not X. IMO that shouldn’t be a deal-breaker as Lower and X bear some similarities to one another. Both companies include a stop at Horseshoe Bend in their itineraries.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 01, 2019 at 3:08 PM
TONYA
Hi Ryan,
I kinda feel as if i know you by all this wonderful advise you give. I have read looking for my answer and I don’t quite see it, so here goes…
We fly in to Las Vegas very late 4-4 our( plans are backwards from your but i feel we can do most still)
Tuesday – Drive to Zion and explore
Wed – Drive to Bryce Canyon and explore
Thurs- Here is the query… Page AZ… Can we do an 8 am upper antelope canyon scenic tour AND make it to the 11 am wilderness half day float trip? or is that too much ?
Friday – Go to Grand Canyon staying at the El Tovar for the night
Sat- Sun not sure yet
Monday – return to Las Vegas fly home
Thank you so much in advance…
Tonya
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Hi Tonya,
Ryan is out of the office, but I’ll tell him you said “hi!”
So if I’m reading your inquiry correctly, you are visiting in the early part of April, correct? If so, check-in time for the 11:00 AM float trip is required at 10:00 AM. In theory, the 8:00 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour should wrap up at 9:30 AM, and the Wilderness River Adventures office is relatively close to downtown Page and/or the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park entrance. However, delays do happen during peak travel season, which April definitely falls into. In order to avoid being late for either activity, and losing your money, I’d recommend doing the float trip on Thursday, then doing an early Antelope Canyon tour on Friday morning before driving to the Grand Canyon. Be sure to hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, too!
For the weekend where you note that you’re “not sure yet” what you’ll be doing, if you can possibly get a 2nd night at El Tovar, that’d be wonderful, but it’s not likely to happen. So, may I suggest Sedona? It’s a stunning area, with lots to see and do. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, then the drive back to Las Vegas will be ~4.5 hours. Lodging options there run the gamut from basic bare-bones motels to over-the-top spa resorts. Where To Stay in Sedona
Another observation is that your inquiry states you’ll arrive in Vegas the night of 4-4, which is a Thursday, then depart for Zion on Tuesday. If possible, I’d recommend dropping a night in Las Vegas and going to Zion a day early. It’s a huge park, with a lot to explore, and a quickie overnight really isn’t sufficient to do it justice.
I know it’s a hard choice! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 01, 2019 at 2:58 PM
Rosemary
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.
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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 🙂March 01, 2019 at 2:48 PM
lnricker@gmail.com
Hi!
Thank you for all this great information. I am in the very beginning phases of booking a trip to do a Utah Roadtrip and am overwhelmed with the amount of information available. Being in the beginning phases I am trying to figure out what a reasonable time frame might be to get the most out of this trip without being super rushed? Also, I really want to make Sedona a part of my trip do you have any advice on how to include Sedona? My time frame can be pretty flexible.
Thanks!
Lauren
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Hi Lauren,
No surprise to hear that you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed in planning your trip to the Southwest, there’s almost too much beauty to see here!
In order to include Sedona in your vacation plans, you might consider flying into and out of Phoenix. Another option would be to fly into/out of Phoenix, then into/out of Las Vegas. Option “B” might be quite expensive due to one-way rental car drop-off fees, so you should definitely check into that before committing.
In order to get the most out of your trip and include some “downtime,” I’d suggest something like this:
3 days – Sedona
1/2 days – Grand Canyon South Rim
1/2 days – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
1 day – Bryce Canyon
2-3 days – Zion
Of course, your chosen travel season will have an affect on what you can realistically see and do. For example, if your trip is coming up within the next few weeks (winter/early Spring), some water-based activities at Lake Powell will be on seasonal hiatus, but most other tours are still in full operational mode. If you’re traveling in summertime, bear in mind that areas like Phoenix, Sedona, and Page will be very hot during the mid-day hours, so you’ll want to plan any activities involving walking or hiking for the earlier morning hours.
Be sure to make all lodging and guided tour reservations well in advance of your vacation. Antelope Canyon tours are especially popular, so that should be one of the first things you check availability for.
Hope that helps make sense of things. Do let us know if we can answer any other questions for you!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 27, 2019 at 3:31 PM
Rebecca
Hi Ryan,
You have such amazing information and we really appreciate all the insights! I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choices and want to plan our trip the best we can! My family is flying into Phoenix on April 13th and first staying in Flagstaff (check in on the 13th and out on the 16th) for a few nights and then driving back south and staying in Tempe (check in 16th and out on the 19th. My husband and I will be with our 13 and 9 year old.
My thought is to make a stop somewhere on our drive up to Flagstaff, but not sure where. I’m sure there are a ton of options. I just don’t want to get off the plane and then drive for hours without stopping to see/do something.
While in Flagstaff we will do an Antelope Canyon tour, horseshoe bend and Grand Canyon South Rim.
Then when we drive back to Tempe, I thought we would stop in Sedona for the day. Maybe do a jeep tour?
We are still researching Tempe but see a lot of things to do in that area too. One day will be booked with visiting family near by.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We are conscientious of our budget but also want to make sure we get some great experiences on our trip.
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Hi Rebecca!
First of all, using Flagstaff, AZ, as a “base” to explore the various popular attractions in Northern AZ is less than ideal. It takes at least ~2.5 hours, one way, to drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ. It takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes to explore Horseshoe Bend, then an Antelope Canyon tour will take anywhere from 90 minutes to 2.5-3 hours. Another thing to be conscious of is daylength: at that time of year it’s still relatively short. Sunrise occurs just before 6:00 AM, and sunset occurs at 7:00 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses.
Since you are traveling with your kids, it would also be a shame to miss out on the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Though this tour, as the name suggests, does not travel through any rapids, it is still a wonderful family activity with lots of beautiful scenery, fascinating history (including a walk to an ancient petroglyph panel), and an opportunity to swim in the Colorado River. During the first two weeks in April, the float trip departs once daily at 11:00 AM, with check-in at 10:00 AM.
Long story short, it would be best if you could stay in Page, AZ, for at least 2 days so you can take advantage of all the area has to offer, without facing a 5-hour drive.
Ditto for Grand Canyon South Rim, it is best to overnight there instead of driving back and forth from Flagstaff. In this case, the drive from Flagstaff isn’t as long, only 90 minutes, but still, you should experience at least a sunrise and/or sunset on the canyon rim. That’s not so practical if you have to pack up and head back to “base camp” before dusk. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
As for where to stop en route from Phoenix to Flagstaff, Sunset Point is nice. It’s actually a scenic overlook located at a rest area on I-17, but it boasts a beautiful view of the mountains to the West. If you take us up on the suggestion to continue past Flagstaff and head directly to Page, other points of interest include, but aren’t limited to Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post, and Chinle formation views.
For Sedona, here again, it deserves an overnight instead of just a “drive-by” touring. The Broken Arrow Jeep Tour is definitely worthwhile, but only represents the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of fun things to see and do! Where To Stay Sedona AZ
Hope that helps – hope you have a wonderful vacation!
Alley 🙂February 26, 2019 at 7:44 PM
Jennifer McPeak
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
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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 🙂February 26, 2019 at 7:23 PM
Jennifer McPeak
I forgot to add we will be there April 20th, 2019
Bruce Regmi
Hi There,
Awesome site!
We are looking to come fly to Phoenix on May 24 and getting to Page, AZ the night of 24. We have to leave Page, AZ by 2pm on May 26. So that leaves us all day May 25 and half a day on May 26. Trying to maximize the trip:
1. Would like to do Antelope Canyon Tours, very fit, avid hikers, so thinking Lower?
2. Would like to do Horseshoe Bend
3. Would like to do Glen Canyon Float Trip – Half Day, May 26, 6:00am-11:30am
So, the question is how to fit in Antelope Canyon Tour and Horseshoe Bend for May 25? Also, will we have time to squeeze in one more activity on May 25?
Thank you again!!!
-Bruce
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Hi Bruce, and thank you for your compliments!
You can get all these activities in in any number of ways since Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are relatively close to one another. First priority is to check availability for Lower Antelope Canyon. It sounds as though your family should have no problem managing that branch of the canyon. If you find Lower Antelope Canyon tours sold out, check out Antelope Canyon X. It’s simply another drainage of Antelope Creek, and very similar in looks and physicality to Lower.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook can get very crowded during the mid-day hours, so I recommend visiting it just after sunrise. The light is beautiful then, and there tends to be fewer people around that time, which is a definite plus. Then schedule your Antelope Canyon tour for whatever open time slot you can find. As for other things you might do that afternoon, possibilities are practically endless. One thing you can easily do is pop over to the Antelope Point Marina and take a boat tour or kayak tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Or perhaps treat yourselves to a nice dinner and views of Lake Powell on the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise. You might even fire off a few rounds from a variety of weapons at Gunfighter Canyon, Page, AZ’s indoor shooting range, or enjoy a historical and cultural presentation at the Navajo Village Heritage Center.
If you do the morning departure of the Glen Canyon Float Trip, allow 60-90 minutes to grab some lunch, then you should be able to make your 2:00 PM departure time easily.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 26, 2019 at 7:12 PM
G Brown
Do you have to book one of the tours? Or can you just hike either the upper or lower on your own?
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Hi Gail,
Since The Antelope Canyons are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, you must book a guided tour to explore them. You cannot simply hike them on your own. For more information, visit “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 26, 2019 at 7:01 PM
Brittany
Hi!
My husband and I are coming in October to run at Trail Fest. We are staying a few days after, to get extra sight seeing time. We fly into Las Vegas where we will drive to Kanab which is where we are staying for 4 night between runs.
The first run is Bryce Canyon (Coyote Hollow Trailhead). After the run which we should be done by lunch time we have time to explore. What do you recommend for that area?
The second run is Zion (Gooseberry Mesa). Again, we will be done by lunchtime and we are looking for other places to explore.
The third and final run is Horseshoe Bend (starting at Navajo Hogan dropping down to Waterholes Canyon then back up to the rim running by Horseshoe Bend). We are going to be exhausted but we are planning on jumping into the car to go and take a tour of the Lower Antelope Canyon and then sunset at Lake Powell before heading back to Kanab. Is this too much to try to fit in?
We will have another free day and night to do a little more exploring or easy site seeing before we head back for a night in Las Vegas. Do you have any recommendations on what to do that last day and night? I love Mesa Verde but i think it will just be too far to drive before trekking back to Las Vegas.
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Hi Brittany,
All I can say is WOW! You’re bound to have a wonderful time, while getting in some good exercise.
One thing to keep in mind is that you’re going to be running at high altitudes, 8,000′ ASL for Bryce, ~5,000′ for Zion, and ~4,500′ for Page. Depending on how accustomed you are to running at these kinds of altitudes — or not — you may find yourself wanting to rest up after your run rather than partake of other activities, and there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with that! Just something to keep in mind; play things by ear instead of committing to anything time sensitive on the afternoon following your run.
That said, if you do have more energy to burn after your morning runs, a good activity in Bryce is the rim trail. It connects all the scenic overlooks from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point. Total distance is 5.5 miles, but you certainly don’t have to commit to the entire length of the trail, just walk as far as you want to go. If you finish your run prior to 1:00 PM, and don’t feel like walking or hiking, you might take the free guided tour to Rainbow Point. Bryce Canyon Park Shuttle Bryce Canyon Day Hikes
In Zion, you might cool your feet by hiking a short ways up The Narrows. You would need to ride the free in-park shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava, and walk 1 mile to the end of Riverside Walk. If this does not appeal, you might take a trip to the nearby ghost town of Grafton, or watch whatever movie is being shown at the IMAX theatre in Springdale.
After the portion of your run in Page, AZ, Lower Antelope Canyon would certainly be a worthwhile activity, but since you’ll have already gone through Waterholes Canyon (which is a slot canyon), you’d be OK skipping that as well. Instead of doing another walking/foot tour, maybe head on down to Antelope Point Marina for a boat tour or kayak tour of the water-side of Antelope Canyon. Or perhaps treat yourself to a nice dinner, and some beautiful views of Lake Powell, on the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise.
You are correct in that Mesa Verde is a bit too far afield to realistically fit in this time around. Best to save that one for another trip.
With another free day before heading back to Las Vegas, you might swing over to the Grand Canyon for a night. Both the North Rim and South Rim are open at the time the Grand Circle Trail Fest is running. You’ll find that lodging is easier to come by at the South Rim than the North Rim, but do check both. The North Rim closes for the season on October 15th, so this would be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a side of the canyon that only a fraction of visitors get to see! South Rim Hotels North Rim Hotels
Good luck, safe travels, and happy running!
Alley 🙂February 26, 2019 at 6:59 PM
Judy Chiu
We are a party of 6 seniors from SF Bay Area and thinking of visiting Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell in late May to early June. We plan to spend about one week. Please give us the best route. We had been to GC, Zion and Bryce Canyon before but we don’t mind visiting them again if they happen to be along our route.
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Hi Judy,
The first question that pops into mind is does your week include travel time to and from San Francisco? The most direct route, which goes through Bakersfield, Las Vegas, and the Arizona Strip, takes 12+ hours, each way. Going the “scenic” route stretches that to ~18 hours! You might want to break up the drive with a stop in Death Valley, or Las Vegas. Zion could also be included in the latter half of the trip, if you desire, or you might make a detour to Grand Canyon North Rim instead.
Since you are looking at a 2-day drive, each way, from SF to Page, AZ, that essentially gives you 3 days to work with out here. In that timeframe, you can tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, then use another full day for a water-based activity such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour.
On that 3rd day, you could go and visit Monument Valley, which is ~a 2 hours drive, each way, from Page, AZ. Best plan would be to stay overnight, but it is doable as a day trip with an early start, and a solid plan to ensure that you leave the area by 3:00 PM to avoid driving in the dark.
Best wishes and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 5:45 PM
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From Judy Chiu
Hi Alley
thanks for your prompt reply. Our 1-week trip does include flying from SF to Vegas, and from there driving to Page . Will there be any modifications to our route? How about including the Arches? We afford to extend 1 or 2 days.
Thanks!
February 23, 2019 at 7:06 PM
Xiaoya huang
Hi,
we are planning in April to go to Las Vegas. Selfdrive to antelope canyon,horse shed bend, and lake powell with my family( kids and elders) how long do you think it should take, and how should I plan the trip ?
Thanks!
Jacky
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Hi Jacky and thank you for contacting us!
A trip to Page, AZ, that factors in sufficient time to tick off all the items on your “wish list” would be 2-3 days.
Since you have seniors in your party, you should probably plan on touring Upper Antelope Canyon, that is if anyone has any mobility issues. If not, they might be able to manage Lower Antelope, but you should probably watch this Full Video Walk-Through before deciding. Horseshoe Bend can be visited the same day you visit Antelope Canyon. Keep in mind there may be parking restrictions in place due to on-going construction projects, so be prepared to adapt your plans accordingly.
Regarding Lake Powell, it is a huge body of water, and the best way to appreciate its size and majesty is by boat tour. With a full day, you could do a tour to Rainbow Bridge, but depending on the level of Lake Powell at the time of your visit, a walk of ~3 miles round-trip from the boat dock to the Bridge might be required. If the older people in your party cannot handle this, another worthwhile, family-friendly activity would be the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This activity does have a brief stop with a walk to a petroglyph panel, but it is relatively easy and manageable for most people. It’s also optional.
Be sure to reserve all lodging and guided tours well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 5:27 PM
Lisa
HI Ryan,
We have booked a trip end of April, and we have 5 and 1/2 days to explore. We land in Vegas – I was planning to do one day in vegas/surrounding area, one day in Zion/Grand Staircase Escalante, possibly one morning in Canyonlands then traveling to Sedona, then the morning in Sedona, then travelling to antelope canyon and Grand Canyon for sunset. From Canyonlands-Sedona-A.C-Grand Canyon we have about 2.5 days. Do you think this is possible? Thanks!
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Hi Lisa,
Sorry, but you’re trying to cram too many destinations into too short a timeframe.
Zion National Park deserves at least 2 days to do it justice, but you don’t have enough time for that. It’s also a long distance away from the main attractions of Grand Staircase/Escalante, so you definitely won’t be exploring them all in one day’s time. You will, however, get to see some of the “front country” on the drive from Zion to Page, AZ. More on that in a minute.
Instead of going as far afield as Moab (Arches/Canyonlands), and since it also requires at least 3 days to enjoy fully, I’d recommend taking it off the table this time around. Instead, visit Page, Arizona and tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Plan to at least stay 1 night in Page, AZ, then visit Grand Canyon South Rim, preferably staying overnight, then continue to Sedona before returning to Las Vegas.
So a revised plan would look like this:
Day 1 – Vegas
Day 2 – Zion
Day 3 – Page
Day 4 – Grand Canyon
Day 5 – Sedona
Day 6 – return to Vegas
Be sure that you reserve all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 5:19 PM
Jo
My family will be visiting Zion for a few nights in April and then heading to the Grand Canyon. We’d like to tour the Lower Antelope Canyon on our way. Is it doable to make the Lower Canyon a stop on our route from Zion to the GC? We have reservations at the Kachina Lodge for the night so we can’t overnight in Page. It would be a stop, then perhaps lunch and then back on the road. Thanks for your help!
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Hi Jo,
We don’t recommend attempting to tour Antelope Canyon as a “drive-by” from Zion. It takes ~2 hours to drive from Zion to Page, AZ, at least 2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, then another 3-3.5 hours to drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon. I know the timeframe for the latter segment of the drive is given as 2.5 hours on Google maps, but that figure rarely materializes since the drive is very scenic and you’ll definitely find yourself stopping to take pictures a lot. Another thing to keep in mind is that days are still relatively short at that time of year, with sunrise in Zion occurring at ~7:35 AM, and sunset in Page at ~6:45 PM. Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other wildlife.
I know you say that you can’t overnight in Page, AZ, but depending on how many days you have booked at Zion, you might consider dropping a night there so you can give Page, AZ, and its attractions the time they deserve.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 5:11 PM
Eric
Ryan: I’m planning a trip in late August with my wife and 4 teens and I’m impressed and amazed at the depth of your knowledge and advice so I figure I’d jump in with my itinerary and ask for some guidance. We fly to vegas and pick up a Class C Rv, then head to trailer Village RV park for 2 (maybe 3 nights). I say maybe 3 because I wanted to go to Antelope Canyon, then over to North Rim Campground, just for a night, then to Bryce for 2 nights, ending in Zion for 3 nights (then 1 night in Vegas because…well, Vegas!) Should we forego the trip to Antelope/North Rim, or extend the NR stay and deduct one from either Bryce or Zion? And as far as Antelope tours, upper or lower? Thanks again for all your great feedback!
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Hi Eric,
Ryan is out of the office, but I’m happy to help you! I apologize for the delay in response to your query, as well. It’s been a busy week!
First off, 2 nights at Grand Canyon South Rim is sufficient for most visitors to have a fulfilling visit. Another consideration is that you’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon South Rim sightseeing on the drive out to Page, Bryce, Zion, etc. This route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon you can stop at if you wish. Upon exiting the park, you might also stop at the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views and the Cut Overlook.
Since you pretty much have to pass through Page, AZ, anyway en route from Grand Canyon South Rim to Bryce and Zion, I definitely recommend taking advantage of the opportunity to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. You might stay a second night so you can take part in a water-based activity such as the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. To free up time for this, I’d recommend scratching a night off Bryce, since it is a relatively small park, and one night is usually sufficient for a thorough look-see. Regarding which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour, if your party is relatively fit, and won’t have trouble with ladders, stairs, and a few small boulders, you should be able to manage Lower. If anyone has any kind of mobility issues, then Upper is the better choice. Whichever one you choose, be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance.
Though Grand Canyon North Rim is beautiful, visiting it may not be practical this time around as camping options are very limited and tend to book up several months in advance. Be sure you book all your RV park reservations ASAP.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Esther Tan
Hi Ryan / Alley,
Me and my family are planning to visit Antelope Canyon in May from Las Vegas. It would be a 2 days 1 night trip. Can we do the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Blend in this 2 days trip? Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope, which one is better? Would you recommend any place for staying?
Thanks for your time!
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Hi Esther,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
With 2 days/1 night to work with, you can definitely accommodate Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. As for which branch of Antelope Canyon you should visit, that depends on how much physical exertion you’re willing to put forth — or not. If you’re OK with a few stairs, ladders, small boulders, etc., then you should be fine with Lower. If anyone in your group has any mobility limitations, then Upper would be your best bet. Whichever you decide, be sure you reserve your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Regarding where to stay, here again, that depends on you, your preferences, and your budget. Page, AZ hotels run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between in price points and amenities. There are also vacation rentals, Air B&B’s, etc. For more information on available options, click on VisitLakePowell.com: Where To Stay In Page AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 23, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Kelsey
Hi – my family and I (including my parents + 2 children 15 & 12) are travelling over from New Zealand late May/June for a wedding in Las Vegas. We have a rental car from LA and have our LA, Anaheim, Las Vegas part all sorted. We then have 8 nights from the 8th June to do a road trip and explore some of the national parks, drive over the Hoover dam and get back to LA by just after lunch on 16 June to fly home. I did look at your itinerary and then tried to adapt moving us down to LA through Sedona but not sure if I have bitten off too much. The trip would be Vegas – Grand Canyon Village – Page – Bryce Canyon via Springdale- Arches National Park – Monument Valley – Sedona – to maybe Joshua Tree NP – LA?? This does mean we are travelling everyday. Where would you suggest cutting out and maybe spending more time or is this doable??
I want to see it all now that you have put up all the amazing things to do!!
Many thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me. K:-)
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Hi Kelsey and thank you for visiting our site!
In light of what you’re trying to accomplish, I’d recommend dropping Arches from your itinerary. Not that it isn’t an amazingly beautiful park (it is!), but you really need about 4-5 days to do it justice, as well as nearly Canyonlands National Park. It’s simply too “far afield” in order for you to do that this time around.
I’d recommend giving at least 2 days to Page, AZ, so you can tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and do either the Glen Canyon Float Trip and/or the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. Then give Sedona 2-3 days of your time as well as there is a ton to see and do in that area. Going back to LA, you could easily incorporate a stopover at Joshua Tree as it’s right on your way.
When you say “go to Bryce via Springdale,” Springdale, UT, is actually on the Western border of Zion National Park, which is another park that deserves 2-3 days of your time!
In light of all this, I’d recommend revising your itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Vegas to Sedona
Day 2: 2nd day at Sedona
Day 3: Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 4: Grand Canyon to Monument Valley
Day 5: Monument Valley to Page (Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon)
Day 6: Page (Glen Canyon Float Trip or Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour) OR Page to Bryce Canyon
Day 7: Bryce Canyon OR Zion
Day 8: Zion to LAX via Joshua Tree
If you were to drop another destination off this itinerary, it would be Monument Valley, again, not that it isn’t beautiful and worthwhile, but lodging there is hard to come by.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 22, 2019 at 12:31 AM
Sri
Hi Alley,
Me, my hubby and kid are planing to visit Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Zion national park during end of March 2019. We don’t want to do hiking.
Plan
Day 1: Early morning flight from home to Las Vegas. See LV and stay overnight at LV.
Day 2: Drive out of LV to see Hoover dam and then overnight stay at Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Next day visit GC view points and stay at GC.
Day 4: Next day visit horseshoe bend, one of the Antelope Canyon and then Zion national park. Stay overnight at Springdale.
Day 5: Next day drive back to Las Vegas.
Day 6: Early morning flight back to home from LV.
Do you think this plan is doable?
Will GC or Antelope canyon be crowded during that time of the year?
How will be the weather during that time?
Thanks, Sri
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Hi Sri,
Your trip looks very well-planned, with one exception: Day 4, where you’re proposing to tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a “drive-by” on your way to Zion. It takes ~3 hours to drive from GC to Page, then another 2 hours to drive from Page to Zion. Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are going to take at least 5 hours to explore, and at the end of March, your daylength is going to be very short, with sunrise occurring at about 6:45 AM and sunset at around 6:30 PM. Nighttime driving should be avoided at all times due to lack of ambient lighting on local roads, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and other large, nocturnal wildlife.
Instead, I would recommend dropping that second night at the Grand Canyon and staying that night in Page, AZ. Don’t worry, you’ll still get to see a lot of the Grand Canyon since the route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half-a-dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at prior to exiting the park. In the Navajo Indian Reservation, which you’ll enter after passing Desert View Point, there are points of interest as well, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Cameron Trading Post, Chinle formation views, and “The Cut” Overlook. Horseshoe Bend would be right on your way into town. If unable to find parking that afternoon, you could visit it just after sunrise the following morning. Then tour Antelope Canyon, then head for Zion/Springdale.
As for your other queries, yes, Antelope Canyon will be crowded, so I hope you already have reservations for a tour!
Regarding the weather, it will be cool, and perhaps even raining or snowing, so be prepared by packing a few pieces of warmer clothing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 19, 2019 at 5:54 PM
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From Sri
Hi Alley
Thanks for your feedback. Even I was skeptical about Day 4 plan. I will surely adjust my plan accordingly.
Regards,
SriFebruary 22, 2019 at 1:47 PM
Donna
Thank you so much for the wonderful information you share – absolutely love this site. I’m getting anxious as we are within a month window and I would really appreciate your input on a trip I am making with my college-aged daughter over her spring break from 3/8 to 3/12.
Our rough plan at this point:
3/8 – late flight into Phoenix and staying near airport
3/9 – up early and driving to the South Rim. Staying at Yavapai Lodge. Planning on hiking/shuttle bus through the Park to Hermits Rest.
3/10 – up early and driving to Page. Stopping at the sites outlined in your comments to others. Antelope Canyon lower hike at 2:30. Sunset at Horseshoe Bend.
3/11 – up early and driving to Monument Valley – would especially love some suggestions for this day. Driving back to Sedona for overnight.
3/12 – Pink Jeep tour in the morning, spa/hanging out until we head to the airport for 10:30pm overnight flight.
Would appreciate any suggestions overall about the trip or specific suggestions for tours/must do’s. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience and recommendations.
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Hello Donna and thank you for visiting our site!
Your trip looks very well-planned, there aren’t many changes I’d propose making, with a couple of exceptions:
On 03/10, sunset at Horseshoe Bend may not happen. That’s an extremely popular time for visiting the overlook, and you may find parking difficult to come by, if not impossible altogether. You might plan on visiting at sunrise the following morning. Hopefully, you’ll be staying overnight in Page, AZ, instead of planning to drive back to the South Rim. the exception of 03/11 where you’re proposing to visit Monument Valley as a “drive-by” between Page and Sedona. It takes 2 hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley, then another 3.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Sedona. You’ll “lose” an hour transitioning from Page, AZ, to the Navajo Indian Reservation because they observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas Page, AZ, does not, but you’ll “get it back” traveling from Monument Valley to Sedona. However, another thing to keep in mind is that your daylength at that time of year is short: sunrise occurs at ~6:30 AM and sunset at ~6:15 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, and wild horses on the highways. The stretch of US98A from Flagstaff to Sedona is especially twisty and turn-y, and is definitely not recommended for driving after dusk.
Monument Valley tours run the gamut from guided hikes to horseback rides and jeep tours. Which one you choose will depend on your tastes, budget, and timeframe. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find one that starts early enough so that you won’t risk arriving in Sedona too late. For a complete list of Monument Valley tour operators, visit Navajo Nation Parks: Monument Valley Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 18, 2019 at 7:00 PM
Phil
Hi Guys,
My wife and I are visiting this August and while I am keen to do a photography tour of Antelope Canyon with my tripod, my wife does not care for anything other than using her iphone. However, I noticed that many tours won’t let you go on their photography tour without a tripod and dslr. Do you know of any that may allow my wife to join me and I can still use my tripod? Alternatively, how good are the sightseeing tours for someone using their dslr for handheld shots? Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!
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Hi Phil,
Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon and its tributaries, such as Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, etc., companies that offer photography tours specifically are quite strict on who goes on them, and what they can bring. Their websites specifically state that DSLR cameras are not permissible on the photography tours. The only way I know of to have an exception made is to book a private tour, which is hard to come by for most of the tour companies since the scheduled tours are their “bread and butter.” One notable exception is Antelope Valley Canyon Tours, aka Ligai Si’Anii Tours, who manage several alternate slot canyons in LeChee, AZ. They do offer private tours, for a price, naturally. For more information, visit HikingSlotCanyons.com
As for the basic sightseeing tours, the fact that they sell out months in advance speaks volumes about how good they are!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 18, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Mary Bonde
Wow this looks amazing. How important is it to have “everything” booked in advance? We like to kind of be flexible to allow for extra hiking time, and the unexpected adventure, but don’t really want to miss out on these great sites. Our trip is April 22-28. We are flying in and out of Las Vegas and renting a car.
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Hi Mary, and thank you for your inquiry.
Your trip is occurring during what is, for many, the Spring Break holiday. Therefore, it is vitally important to have everything booked in advance. We’d hate to see you miss out on the best attractions, or have to drive for hours to find lodging in this very remote part of the U.S. For a first-hand account of how one family’s vacation was almost ruined by lack of planning, check out “Bryce Canyon: Why Being Spontaneous Is Not As Great As It Sounds”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 18, 2019 at 3:48 PM
Lekha Chauhan
Hello,
Ally this is a wonderful page filled with information.
I am a resident from the Caribbean Island of St Kitts and don’t have much knowledge about the places in Arizona but I have always wanted to visit Antelope Canyons it’s been on the top of my bucket list.
Me and my husband finally decided to go there this year in the month of September when we would be coming for some work in Miami. We’ll fly from Miami.
We have 3 days with us with an interest to see Antelope Canyons and horseshoe bend.
We plan to hire a car rental to get around.
Other then this we are lost as to what other places we should visit and add to the list and which airport would be the closest to the destination?
What place would you suggest we stay?
Also what would be your tips to do this trip on a budget?
Please help us island folks get and understanding of your beautiful state.
I would like to thank you in advance for your help.
Love from the Caribbean,
Lekha
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Hello Lekha and thank you for visiting our site, and out state!
First off, since you didn’t specify where you were flying into from Miami, so let me recommend Las Vegas. It’s well situated to not only visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but many other beautiful parks and attractions in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
I don’t know if you have the option to add more time to this trip, but if possible, try to tack on another couple of days. 3 days will only allow you to visit the Grand Canyon and Page, and not much more. With 5 days to work with, you could also visit Zion and Bryce Canyon.
As for managing this trip on a budget, September, while a beautiful time of year weather-wise, is still considered peak tourist season. Hotels will be going for full rack rate with discounts being extremely hard to find, if not impossible. If you’re serious about saving money on travel to this area, the time to visit is winter, as in January or February. This is considered “off” or “shoulder” season and incentives abound for travelers prepared to deal with the colder weather.
But assuming that changing your travel dates and timeframe isn’t an option, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 – drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Realistic drive time: approximately 5.5 hours. Stops to make along the way, if desired:
– Hoover Dam
– Seligman, AZ (Route 66 stalwart)
– Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams
– Planes of Fame Museum in Valle
– IMAX Movie “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” in Tusayan
Overnight at the Grand Canyon , preferably somewhere in Grand Canyon Village (in-park), or Tusayan (7 miles South of park)
Day 2 – Morning: sightseeing in Grand Canyon Village area, then drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Realistic drive time: 3.5-4 hours. Stops to make:
– Grandview Point, Moran Point, Zuni Point, Papago Point, Lipan Point, Navajo Point, Desert View Watchtower (on East Rim Drive)
– Little Colorado River Overlook
– Cameron Trading Post
– Chinle formation views
– The “Cut” Overlook
– Horseshoe Bend
Overnight in Page, AZ (for more competitively priced lodging, look to the “Street Of Little Motels”)
Day 3 – Tour Antelope Canyon – for best rates, tour at “off-peak hour” time slots, such as earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. If interested, you might also consider taking the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip and spending another night in Page, AZ, or driving over to Zion and spending the night in Springdale, UT.
The drive back to Las Vegas from Page, AZ, is approximately 4.5 hours. From Springdale, the return trip is approximately 3 hours.
As previously mentioned, if September is the only option you have for traveling to this area, you won’t be able to save much money on lodging, but one area you still have control over is food. You might consider picking up an inexpensive cooler in Las Vegas and hitting a supermarket on your way out of town to stock up on sandwich fixings and preferred beverages. That way you don’t have to spend a ton of money eating out 3 meals a day. In Page, AZ, many of the properties on the “Street of Little Motels” come equipped with full kitchens, so you can do your own cooking.
Good luck and safe travels from American Southwest!
Alley 🙂February 14, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Andrew Lee
My family is planning for a trip to Page, AZ, Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, AZ. Our actual trip is from 2/20 to 2/23. And, we are trying for a 1 day trip to Page, AZ.
I know it’s going to be pretty cold there. Do you still recommend the boat? I think my kids will love it but I am thinking it will be way too cold.
Also, any other recommendation on Flagstaff, Grand Canyon would be greatly appreciated it.
thank you.
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Hi Andrew,
You are correct in that Page, AZ, weather is still quite cold in February. What’s more, boat tours are on a limited schedule, and may be contingent on having a certain number of people booked in order to guarantee operation. Personally, I think it’s still a bit too cold for boating, but if you’re still interested, check the schedules for the two main boat tour operators in the Page, AZ, area, which are Lake Powell Resorts and Antelope Point Marina.
Not sure in which order you’re planning to hit the attractions on your “wish list,” but you can do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to or from Page. The drive naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village alone. Once you arrive at Grand Canyon Village, you can drive onto the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive and do more sightseeing, time permitting. Just South of the park in the town of Tusayan, the Grand Canyon IMAX movie is a fun family activity.
As for what you might do in Flagstaff, there’s no shortage of activities. With all the snow we’ve been getting, you might even hit the ski slopes at the Snow Bowl! For more suggestions, visit Flagstaff.com: Things To Do
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 12, 2019 at 8:30 PM
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From Andrew Lee
I have another question. What’s the drive like from Flagstaff to Page?
I was planning to come out to visit Page on Thursday and it looks like snow storm is coming to Flagstaff starting Thursday early morning.I know you can’t predict the weather and road condition but do you think this is something wise for me to do? I had reservation on Thursday @ 2 for Upper Antelopes Canyon and I was going to see Horseshoe Bend in the morning. Weather seems ok on Thursday in Page area. Is it still nice to visit even during little bit of snow/cloudy weather in Antelopes and Horseshoe?
That plan is very much in limbo right now.
February 19, 2019 at 6:57 PM
Dipti Garg
Hi Alley
I came across this website while searching itineraries for Antelope and surrounding parks and attractions.
Would you be able to suggest me an itinerary for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce and Zion National Park.
I am planning to travel in the first week of March this year with my husband and 6 year old daughter. We are trying to fly to Vegas from Toronto and looking for a self drive option instead of bus tours so trying hard to keep our drive time limited to 5-6 hours max a day. An overnight stay or if needed two nights stay at Lake Powell is what we are looking at. But, please guide if you think one if enough or if there’s any other place you recommend for an overnight stay.
And if I have to choose between Lower and Upper Antelope which one is feasible with a child on board. Or can we do both given we have two days to cover these places. We are not planning to go hiking or trekking at any of the parks.
Your feedback will be a great help!!
Thanks 🙂
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Hello Dipti,
It’s good that you’re already planning to self-drive on your vacation as that is always the best way to go in this part of the country!
Using Las Vegas as your “staging city,” you could do something like this:
Day 1 – drive to Grand Canyon, stay overnight at GC (LAS-GC drive time ~4.5 hours)
Day 2 – drive to Page, AZ, tour Antelope Canyon (GC-Page drive time ~3.5 hours), stay overnight in Page
Day 3 – visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise, drive to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce (PGA-Bryce drive time ~3 hours)
Day 4 – drive to Zion National Park, stay overnight in Springdale, UT (Bryce-Zion drive time ~2 hours)
Day 5 – spend 2nd night in Zion
Day 6 – drive back to Las Vegas (Zion/Springdale – LAS drive time: ~3 hours)
The first week of March, weather will be cold, so be prepared by packing a few pieces of warmer clothing, jacket, gloves, scarves, etc.
As to whether you should tour Upper or Lower Antelope, a 6-year-old is usually on that “dividing line” between Upper and Lower. If you think your child would be able to handle a few stairs and ladders, and scramble over a few small boulders, they should be able to handle Lower. If not, choose Upper. It is not necessary to tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Many Antelope Canyon Tours are already sold out, so you’ll need to act quickly. To gauge whether your 6YO would be OK in Lower Antelope, watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 12, 2019 at 8:22 PM
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From Dipti
Really appreciate your feedback Alley.
Thank you so much.
I do have a few questions about the itinerary. Since we’ve already been to the Grand Canyon back in 2010 our goal is to cover the Antelope, horseshoe bend, Bryce & Zion in roughly 3 days. Let me know if this plan looks doable :
Day 1 – Leave LV early and cover the Antelope Canyon and horshoe bend and overnight in Page.
Day 2 – Leave Page and cover Bryce and Zion and overnight at one of the closest motel/hotel.
Day 3 – Drive back to Vegas.Also if the weather conditions are not favourable in Bryce or Zion we might skip that and would rather go to Monument Valley.
Can you plz recommend us any specific scenic routes. And any tips or must see places enroute.
TIA!
Dipti
March 03, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Lee LaFrese
Hello, thanks for all of the great information about Page. My wife and I are planning to spend a few days in Page in late April. We are coming from Tucson and will likely arrive on the night of April 27 and leave either April 30th or May 1st. We definitely want to see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and take a boat ride on Lake Powell. We are in our early 60s and in reasonable shape although I have some knee issues and my wife has some back issues. Still we can get around OK but may be a little slow going up or down. We are looking for some suggestions and have a few questions.
1) Should we do upper or lower Antelope Canyon?
2) We were thinking about doing a boat ride to Rainbow Bridge. Is that worth it? What boat ride would you suggest?
3) Should we do a day trip to Monument Valley? Or should we leave page a day earlier and stop at the Petrified forest on the way home?
4) Are we staying the right amount of time or should we cut it back a bit? Any other suggestions for things to do?
Thanks!
Lee & Petra
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Hello Lee & Petra, and thank you for visiting.
The drive from Tucson, AZ, to Page, AZ, “on paper” takes approximately 6 hours. In reality, it could take you more like 7.5 or 8 factoring in bathroom breaks, meal stops (Flagstaff, AZ, or the Cameron Trading Post would be good candidates), and the fact that the drive is very scenic and you’ll definitely be stopping to take pictures. The earlier you can start out of Tucson, AZ, the better.
As for the time you have allotted to Page, AZ, 2 full days should be enough given what you want to accomplish. For Antelope Canyon, you might be better off doing Upper in light of your knee and your wife’s back problems. The walk through that branch of the canyon is pretty much flat the whole way, and is a 100 yard out-and-back trail. The 2-mile safari jeep ride from the highway is more exciting than the canyon tour IMO! Visiting Horseshoe Bend can be done the same day you tour Antelope Canyon. The paved, ADA-compliant trail to the overlook should be completed by the time you get here. In the event it is not, consider taking a shuttle from Page operated by Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours. They go to the overlook via Native American Tribal Lands and the walk is much shorter from there.
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is absolutely worth it, but here again, you might be hard-pressed to fully enjoy it. Due to lower water levels, a 2.5 mile round-trip walk from the boat dock and back is required to see the Bridge. If you want to do a water-based activity, you might consider the Glen Canyon Float Trip instead. The scenery on it is beautiful, it’s just from the perspective of the Colorado River instead of Lake Powell, plus there’s less walking involved. There is a walk to a petroglyph panel mid-way through the tour, but that’s optional. If Rainbow Bridge is truly what you have your heart set on seeing, you might consider flying over it. Airplane and helicopter flights depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport. Mornings are the best time to fly for optimal light and less wind. Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
If you want to see Monument Valley, it is doable as a day trip out of Page, AZ. It is a 2-hour drive each way, and you should definitely take a guided back-country tour in order to get the most out of your visit. You might check availability of lodging in the immediate vicinity, but options are few and far between, and are likely to be sold out already.
Swinging by Petrified Forest on your way back to Tucson from Page, AZ, is definitely not recommended. That would turn a 6-hour drive into a 9-hour drive. Not my idea of fun! If possible, I’d recommend staying in one of the nearby towns, such as Winslow, AZ (as in “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona!”) or Holbrook, AZ. The La Posada in Winslow, AZ, is a lovely hotel and would make for an extra-special treat to cap off your trip. The drive back to Tucson, AZ, from there would be about 5 hours.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 11, 2019 at 5:28 PM
Kelly
Hi. Was looking for some advice on my April trip. Am I missing anything?
Day 1- fly into Vegas.
Day 2- this is our long day. First tour at Hoover Dam, then Grand Canyon West- Skywalk. Then Drive to Williams.
Day 3. Up early and drive to Page. Take the 1pm kayak of antelope canyon tour. Sunset at Horseshoe.
Day 4- Take a Antelope Canyon tour 845 one- thinking the upper, not sure if that is the better one. Then Drive to Grand Canyon South for a 3:30pm Pink Jeep tour. Drive to Williams to sleep
Day 5- Back up to Grand Canyon South Rim- Hike the Bright Trail and a few other stops. Anything else to see with a 12 year old and 10 year old?
Day 6- Drive to Phoenix to see a Diamondback game
Day 7- Drive to Sedona. What are the best things to see
Day 8- Fly home to Jersey
Thanks so much for your advise.
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Hi Kelly and thank you for your visit.
“Am I missing anything” is a loaded question in this part of the country! In this instance, the answer is definitely yes. You’re missing Bryce and Zion, but seeing as though you’re flying into Las Vegas and out of Phoenix, it may not be practical to add them on at this point. Plus, your current plan involves too much back-and-forth driving.
Frankly, I’d recommend skipping the Grand Canyon Skywalk this time around and concentrate your sightseeing at Grand Canyon South Rim. The South Rim is where you’ll experience the iconic “picture postcard” scenery. Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk are more of a novelty attraction. Instead of staying in Williams, which is a 3-hour one-way drive from Page and 1-hour one-way drive from the Grand Canyon, I’d recommend overnighting at the Grand Canyon and Page. That way you can experience sunrise and/or sunset at these locations. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting and the possible hazards posed by deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle, and feral horses. Where To Stay in Page, AZ Where To Stay At Grand Canyon South Rim
When you say you’re “driving to Grand Canyon South for a 3:30 pm Pink Jeep Tour,” you won’t need to do this if you take us up on the suggestion to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim before traveling to Page, AZ. The driving route between the two areas naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, where you can stop at over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon before exiting the park at Desert View Point, or after entering the park at Desert View. If you wish to see the Grand Canyon IMAX film, which is definitely worthwhile, you can simply purchase your own tickets on site.
RE: which Antelope Canyon tour you take, if all family members are in reasonably good shape, you would probably be fine with Lower Antelope Canyon. It is longer and requires navigating a few ladders and boulders, but would probably be more enjoyable than Upper, which is just a 100 yard out and back walk. If Lower Antelope Canyon is sold out, you might consider Antelope Canyon X, which is similar in appearance and physicality to Lower, but usually is less crowded.
One day in Sedona doesn’t give you a chance to see/do much of anything. You could spend a whole week in area and still feel as though you only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” Here is where I’d recommend doing the Pink Jeep Tour as this will take you into parts of the backcountry that are not easily accessible with the typical rental vehicle. The Broken Arrow Tour tends to be the most popular, but there is a lot to choose from. You can even customize two or more into a combination tour if you wish. For more suggestions for a fulfilling one-day itinerary in Sedona, AZ, visit Sedona.net: One Day Itinerary
So, to recap with the changes I’m recommending, your itinerary would look more like this:
Day 1 – fly into Vegas
Day 2 – tour Hoover Dam, drive to South Rim, see IMAX movie in Tusayan, overnight at South Rim
Day 3 – hike part of Bright Angel Trail, sight seeing in Grand Canyon Village/Hermit’s Rest Road area, spend 2nd night at South Rim
Day 4 – drive to Page, AZ, take kayak tour, sunset at Horseshoe Bend, overnight in Page,
Day 5 – take Antelope Canyon tour, perhaps tour Glen Canyon Dam, either overnight in Page, or drive down to Williams
Day 6 – drive to Phoenix for Diamondbacks game
Day 7 – drive to Sedona (2 hours from PHX)
Day 8 – fly home
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 11, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Clara
Hi Alley
We will end the yellowstone tour in Salt Lake City on 11st June , planning to take a greyhound to Las Vegas for another 5 days trip before we fly back to our home town. In these 5 days, we want to visit GC , AC& Lasvegas
We have 5 women all healthy and active . We aren’t planning to rent a car in this trip , Haven’t book any hotel & greyhound yet .
What do you suggest for the best way to tour ? which way would be best to go. thank you!
Thank you
Clara
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Hi Clara and thank you for visiting.
Honestly, taking a Greyhound and relying on a guided tour is not the best plan. Although Greyhound has improved its bus fleet in recent years, and remains an economical option for travel, their schedules still tend to be somewhat inconvenient. Case in point: their only daily departure leaves from Salt Lake City at 7:45 AM and don’t arrive in Las Vegas until ~3:00 PM. That’s if they’re running on time, which they rarely are. Salt Lake Express offers more choices of departures, and while their trip duration is comparable to Greyhound and tickets are more expensive, they offer a better class of service, if that’s a priority.
Tour companies that travel to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon out of Las Vegas are out there, but you do not get to choose “the best way to tour.” You tour the way they tell you to, and that’s the end of it. These programs also tend to be quite rushed, giving you no leisure time whatsoever for exploration and discovery. That said, package tours can range in length from a quick overnight to 5-days. In our experience, Viator tends to offer the most in the way of choices.
All that said, though, renting a car and self-driving is really the best way to go. That way, you get to call the shots as to how you use your time and cater to your desires.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 11, 2019 at 4:28 PM
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From Krystal
Hi Alley,
This is the best information on any site I’ve seen. I want to plan a trip to see the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, & Horseshoe Bend. Where should I fly into, & what’s the best way to plan my trip? I will have 3 days to do this, Memorial Day Weekend, how far in advance should I book? I also need information on where to stay bc I’m lost but determined to see these beautiful places. I’m in shape so I definitely want to see Lower Antelope Canyon. Any suggestions will be Greatly Appreciated.
Thanks,
KrystalFebruary 28, 2019 at 12:17 AM
Patrick Clark
Hi, I am looking to do the Antelope Canyon tour – does this include a quick hike into the slot canyons as well? If not, do you have a tour that does do this?
Thanks!
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Hi Patrick, and thank you for your excellent inquiry.
Antelope Canyon waterside tours, such as the kayak tours and boat tours, do not include the hike into the slot canyon sections. To fully enjoy and appreciate Antelope Canyon, you should definitely plan on booking a tour of one of the slot canyon sections, such as Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. For more information on these, visit “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 11, 2019 at 4:11 PM
avni
hello, I am travelling to Antelope Canyon and will be there April 19th. I want to book AC but dont know which one to do? Lower or Upper – we are in relative decent shape. What company should I use to book with? What are you thoughts on Canyon X and boat tour? also is the lake warm enough then to go swimming?
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Hi Avni,
If you’re in decent physical shape, then Lower Antelope or Antelope Canyon X should be just fine for you. The two are similar in appearance and exertion required. There are ladders and stairs strategically placed to assist you if/when you need to climb.
Doing both a land-side slot canyon tour and a waterside tour of Antelope Canyon is an excellent way to gain an appreciation for the complexity of the landscape. Antelope Canyon is actually a multi-branched drainage system that includes several slot canyons, Antelope X is one. In April, Lake Powell usually isn’t quite warm enough for swimming; average water temperature is 54 degrees F at that time of year, but then again, it’s too soon to call. Start monitoring Page, AZ, local weather and Lake Powell Water Data about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. That will give you the clearest idea of what to expect.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 08, 2019 at 3:57 PM
Beth
Hello! My family and I (2 parents, kids will be 14 and almost 11) are visiting your area over spring break, March 24-30. We fly into Vegas early Sunday, drive to the Grand Canyon (stopping at Hoover Dam), and stay there until Weds AM. Next driving to Zion to stay until Saturday AM, then back to Vegas to see the city until our red-eye flight that evening. We are booked at Maswik Lodge Sun thru Weds and Zion Pioneer Lodge Weds thru Sat.
I have several questions:
We will likely do part of the Bright Angel trail to see the GC, and are considering a bike trip along the rim- any thoughts or advice about bike trip? Tour or just rent bikes? Is our money better spent doing a different tour?
Anything else not to miss at GC?
We are considering a stop at Antelope Canyon (probably Lower) as a break from the drive from GC to Zion. I see that the drive takes longer than google predicts (you say 4 hrs or so) and there is a time change. What time should I book a canyon tour if we are leaving GC Weds AM- we can leave at whatever time, but I’d rather not leave too early. I just don’t know how to be SURE we make our tour time!
As it is still spring, I know the Narrows hike in Zion is questionable, but what are the odds it would be open when we are there? I do know about the outfitters and renting appropriate gear. What do people do in Zion if the Narrows are closed? (We might drive to Bryce for a day in that case.)
I’ve already learned a lot from other people’s questions! Thanks in advance for your help!
Beth
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Hi Beth and thank you for visiting our site.
First observation, right off the bat, is that you have too much time at the Grand Canyon. Instead of making the drive from the Grand Canyon to Zion with a “stopover” in Page for an Antelope Canyon tour, I’d recommend dropping a night at the Grand Canyon and overnighting in Page, AZ. That way, you’re not under so much pressure to get up earlier than you’d like in order to make your Antelope Canyon tour, you could simply do it the following morning after you arrive in Page, AZ, then head to Zion at your leisure, which is fairly easy since it’s only ~a 90 minute drive (a hop, skip, and a jump in this part of the country LOL). You’ll do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page, and can visit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town. Keep in mind that the main parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is temporarily closed so some ongoing and overdue construction projects can be completed. You’ll have to park in an alternate lot, then take a shuttle to the overlook for $5/person. For more information, visit HorseshoeBend.com: Temporary Lot Closure and Shuttle Another option would be to visit the overlook after 4:00 PM, or prior to 9:00 AM the following morning.
RE: the bike tour at Grand Canyon South Rim, I personally have not taken it, but IMO, you can accomplish just as much be utilizing the free shuttle service that goes to the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Road. If you’re looking for a Grand Canyon tour with a lot of “wow” factor, I’d recommend an airplane or helicopter tour. These don’t fly below the rim, but nevertheless will show you areas of the Grand Canyon that are virtually inaccessible by any means.
I’m thinking the Narrows won’t happen for you in March, especially in light of the fact that local rivers will be receiving large amounts of snowmelt in early spring, therefore the Virgin River will probably be flowing too fast, and the water will be too cold. If you’re looking for another “grand-daddy of all Zion hikes,” and no one in your party is afraid of heights, you might try doing Angel’s Landing. It’s definitely challenging, and the views from the top can’t be beat, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Even if you decide against that hike, there are tons of other beautiful hikes in Zion you can do. Or going to Bryce for a day is certainly an option, just keep an eye on the weather up there. At 8,000′, it gets a lot of snow.
No matter what you do/where you go, be sure to pack a few pieces of warmer clothing since late March is still in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring. Weather can still be quite cool, especially in the higher elevations.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 06, 2019 at 8:55 PM
Mike
Hello –
I am traveling with a group of 10 that will be taking a day to drive up from Sedona to check out the Page area Slot Canyons (Antelope) and any other slot canyons (Rattlesnake ?) in the area. Our trip is in late September / Early October. We are all experienced and fit hikers and will be getting up early to arrive in the Page area around 9 am at the latest. We are looking for some recommendations for the best canyons to visit that would accommodate our one-day time frame? Also, what are the recommended reservations we should be making ? We are confused by all the options available and don’t have a good feel at which one(s) are the best option. We will have our own transportation so this is not a problem for us. Some of us have already been to Horseshoe Bend Overlook and Glen Canyon Dam Overlook and these would be added onto our day in that area only if time permitted. We want to make sure that we have all necessary reservations made in time for our visit.
THANK YOU for your guidance !!!
Mike
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Hi Mike,
First off, the time of year you’ve chosen is wonderful: good weather (usually), thinning crowds that consist mostly of grown-ups… good stuff 😉
In light of the fact that you are all experienced and fit hikers, I’d say stay away from the main branches of Antelope Canyon. These will still be crazy-crowded, and I’m not sure you’d want that. Instead, you might consider touring Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon. The former is similar to Lower in physicality and appearance; as the name of the latter implies, the degree of difficulty is quite high, but it sounds as though you’d be up for it. Both canyons are managed by Taadi’di’in Tours and can be combined into one long tour should you desire, and IIRC they might grant you group discount. For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyon-X.com or phone 928-660-8890.
I know that you stated that you wanted to make this a day trip, but if you do take us up on the suggestion to visit Canyon X and/or Cardiac, you might want to rethink that and spend the night in Page, AZ. That way you can rest after the challenging hike instead of face a 3-hour drive back to Sedona. Where To Stay in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 04, 2019 at 8:46 PM
_________________________________________
From Mike
Thanks Alley !
Those sound like great options. I checked out the link you sent and they look awesome. I need to call them to see if we book the Cardiac Canyon hike if that includes Canyon X. Regardless, these look good.
Thank you so much for your advice !!!
Mike
February 04, 2019 at 10:21 PM
Josh Fennell
Hello there…..awesome advice! I will be traveling to the area the first week of June 2019 with my family. Can’t wait! However, it is pretty overwhelming all of the awesome sights! Thoughts for a family of 5 with kids 13, 11, 8. We definitely want to hit the Grand Canyon, the Page area looks awesome and we are considering Parks in Utah. Any advice is welcome!
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Hi Josh and thank you for your compliments!
Not knowing how much time you have to devote to this trip, I’m kind of stabbing in the dark here, but since you are a. traveling during the summer months and b. doing so with family, I’d recommend spending one night at Grand Canyon South Rim, and 2 nights in Page. The latter suggestion is in order to take part in the following activities:
– Antelope Canyon tour
– Horseshoe Bend
– Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip
For Antelope Canyon, you are required to visit with a tour outfitter licensed by the Navajo Indian Tribe. This is a very popular attraction, so tours must be reserved in advance of your arrival. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend may be visited in your own vehicle at your leisure, but since parking at the overlook tends to be crowded during the mid-day hours, you might wish to consider utilizing a commercial shuttle service from Page, AZ, or other alternate means of getting there. Horseshoe Bend Shuttle Horseshoe Bend Trail Rides Horseshoe Bend Scenic Flights
The Glen Canyon Float Trip is offered twice daily during the summer months, but it gets VERY hot in Glen Canyon during the summer months. Therefore, taking the morning departure of this tour is recommended for optimal safety and comfort. Check-in is required at 6:00 AM for a 7:00 AM departure, which returns to Page, AZ at approximately 1:00 PM.
As for Utah parks you might wish to add to your itinerary, Zion and Bryce Canyon are popular choices, 90 minutes and 2.5 hours from Page, AZ, respectively. Time permitting, you might also consider adding Monument Valley to your “to-do” list. The possibilities are almost endless out here! For more suggestions, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary In Northern AZ and Southern UT”
Do let us know if you have further questions!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 04, 2019 at 4:06 PM
Joe
Hi,
We’re looking for suggestions.
Our trip duration is 5 days. Arriving on Monday, 03/18.
We would like to spend 2 night. Then visit Antelope Canyon.
Other than that, rest of the week is flexible.
What other sites do you recommend we visit?
Which places should we spend the night to be close to places of interest?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
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Hi Joe!
With 5 days to work with, you can certainly accomplish a lot.
Assuming your first 2 nights are given to Grand Canyon South Rim, you should then plan on spending one night in Page, AZ, to tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. Just so you’re aware, the main parking lot at Horseshoe Bend is temporarily closed due to some construction projects taking place, so you’ll need to park in an alternate lot and take a shuttle to that area.
For your next two days, you could do one of two things: spend 1 night in Bryce Canyon, and 1 night in Zion, or spend 2 nights in Zion. Weather will most likely be a prime determining factor as to whether you can and/or wish to visit Bryce. At 8,000′ ASL, it tends to get a good deal of snow. Best case scenario, it’s quite cold, so you’d need to be prepared with warmer clothing. Ditto for the Grand Canyon.
As to where to spend the night, inside the park is always most desirable at Grand Canyon South Rim, seconded by Tusayan/aka Grand Canyon Village South. Grand Canyon hotels
For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, overnighting in the town of Page, AZ, is best for convenience and number of services.
In Bryce Canyon, there’s only one lodge inside the park and it’s probably sold out already. There are a number of hotels located in nearby gateway communities, though. Bryce Canyon lodging The situation is similar at Zion. Springdale, UT, is the optimal lodging choice as this will put you only 3 hours away from Las Vegas when it comes time to fly home for your trip (assuming that’s where you’re staging out of).
Be sure to book all hotels and guided tours ASAP, and start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
Alley 🙂February 01, 2019 at 3:55 PM
_________________________________________
From Joe
Hi Alley,
Thank for your feedback.
Here’s some additional info and thoughts since my last post.
We’re driving from Florida , arriving on Monday, 03/18. Heading back on Friday, 03/22.
Here’s the initial plan. (Very flexible)
Day 1: (GC South) Arrive mid-day, check in, relax, view sunset. (Yavapai Lodge already booked)
Day 2: (GC South) View sunrise, relax and wonder around all day.
Day 3: (Page, AZ) Depart early from GC, drive to Page, AZ. Stop at Horseshoe bend, then mid-afternoon tour lower Antelope Canyon, rest of the day – wonder round.
Day 4: (Monument Valley, UT) Depart Page, drive to MV. Drive the 17 mile loop. Take a tour (jeep or horseback. Any recommendations on tour company) – Check into The View, relax, visit Forrest Gump Hill and other sites.
Day 5: Unknown. (Flexible day) Head back to Florida early evening.
What do you recommend (sites/destinations/attractions) to best take advantage of our time?
How would you organize the week?
We’re very flexible.
BTW, is the skywalk worth the visit/drive?
Really appreciate you input.
Thanks,
Joe
February 02, 2019 at 12:42 AM
Leah
Will be in Page Az the first week of March and want to tour both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. How much time should you leave between the tours (I have no idea how far apart they are) if we want to do both in a day?
Thanks for any and all info!
Leah
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Hi Leah,
First of all, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. There are many other attractions in the area that warrant a visit, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, the scenic Lakeshore Drive Loop on Lake Powell, the John Wesley Powell Museum, the “New” Wave, and the Navajo Village Heritage Center… just to name a few.
If you do have your heart set on touring both branches of Antelope Canyon, the good news is they are not located far apart from one another. It’s a good idea to leave about 1 hour between tours in case of delays, or if you’d like to have a chance to grab a bite to eat. There aren’t many restaurants in the immediate vicinity of Antelope Canyon with the notable exception of Antelope Point Marina and the Deli at the Big Lake Trading Post.
For optimal convenience, you should tour Upper Antelope Canyon with one of the tour companies that operates directly from the Tribal Park Entrance instead of Page, AZ. These are Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours and Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours. Both Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters are located at the Tribal Park Entrance, which is a short distance down US98 from Upper.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make any and all tour reservations well in advance of your vacation. Don’t be surprised if you find Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out. If you find this to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 30, 2019 at 4:37 PM
Molly V
Hi!
My husband and I are driving from Los Angeles to La Verkin, UT (just outside of Zion) for a reunion. The reunion seems to be falling apart so I am planning on changing this into an Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe visit instead. Other than Powell and Zion, what else do you recommend I make time for? Here is my rough itinerary:
-Friday: Drive from LA to La Verkin. Sleep there
-Sat: Attempt to get a Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) permit. Since we will probably strike out, what should our back up plan be? Flexible on where we sleep that night.
-Sunday: Antelope Canyon (upper & lower) and Horseshoe Bend / Drive to Vegas to sleep
-Monday: Drive from Vegas to LA
Saturday was the day I set aside for reunion activities but now that I think I am skipping out, I was hoping to fill the day with some gorgeous hikes. I am just not sure what is near La Verkin (other than Zion) and not out of the way (considering we need to be in Page on Sunday). We are used to driving a lot – Do you recommend anything?
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Hi Molly and thank you for visiting our site. Sorry to hear that your reunion isn’t coming to fruition, but glad to see you’re trying to get something positive out of it.
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but if your trip is scheduled for late spring or summer, you might try your hand at applying for a Wave permit online. Lottery submissions are taken four months prior to the calendar month in which you wish to hike, so if you were wanting to hike sometime in June, February would be the month in which you’d want to apply. How To Get A Wave Permit
In the likely event you do not succeed in getting a permit for The Wave, fortunately, there is a plethora of beautiful scenery in the immediate vicinity that doesn’t require a permit to explore, including but not limited to White Pocket, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Sidestep Canyon, and more. The thing that is required, or at least strongly recommended, is a vehicle with 4WD and a beefy enough suspension to handle the deep sand and other obstacles you’ll encounter in these areas. The safer bet is to go with a licensed tour guide out of Page, AZ, Kanab, UT, or Paria, UT. Which one you use will most likely come down to where you are staying. For a complete list of tour guide companies, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
A couple of areas within easy access of La Verkin that were not mentioned above that you might consider are Snow Canyon State Park and Yant Flats, aka the “Candy Cliffs.” Yant Flat in particular boasts some rock formations that bear a strong resemblance to The Wave. It’s ~45 minutes from La Verkin.
On Sunday, where you mention wanting to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, that is not necessary in order have a fulfilling to Page, AZ. You’re looking at a 5-hour drive from there to Las Vegas, and you don’t want to be doing any of that drive in the dark. Plus there are lots of other attractions in Page, AZ, that warrant a visit, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, the “New” Wave, the John Wesley Powell Museum, and the scenic Lakeshore Drive Loop, just to name a few.
If by chance you find yourself with an extra day to occupy, I’d recommend trying to work Bryce Canyon into your itinerary. It’s only a couple of hours from La Verkin, or 90 minutes from Kanab.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 30, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Mickey DeCosse
I am wondering if you need a guide or permit to access antelope canyon from the water on Paddle Board? I am coming in July and was hoping to SUP down the river into the canyon.
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Hi Mickey,
Great question!
The waterside of Antelope Canyon is within the boundaries of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, aka Lake Powell. You do not need a permit or guide, per se. You only need to pay the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area entrance fee, which is good for one week’s time. However, having a guide would probably make for a better quality experience due to the guides’ first-hand knowledge of the idiosyncracies of paddleboarding in this environment, as well as other sights you might enjoy in addition to Antelope Canyon.
The landside of Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, so you would need to take a guided tour in that area. However, the slot canyon (land side) is not readily accessible from the waterside, so the two should be considered separate entities and activities.
Now, when you say you were “hoping to SUP down the river into the canyon,” Antelope Canyon is a tributary that empties into Lake Powell. You access the waterside by launching somewhere on Lake Powell, such as Antelope Point Marina (the most sensible since it is closest) or Lake Powell Resort & Marina, formerly known as Wahweap Marina. If you were wanting to SUP on the Colorado River, you can do so from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry by using a backhaul service from Page, AZ. Wilderness River Adventures is one of several companies that provide this service.
For more information on SUPing in Lake Powell and the surrounding area, visit SUP Connect: Paddleboarding Lake Powell and Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 29, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Cathy
Thank you for such great advise on this forum.
I plan to drive from LV to Page( didn’t realize it was a 5 hour drive) in the end of June. My plan was to tour lower Antelope canyon that same day and visit Houseshoe bend. Staying in Page that night, I have a private boat tour planned for early next morning for the day. Stay in Page 2nd night, plan to leave early to drive to Zion.
Will I have time to take tour of AC that same day?
Thank you for sharing your great advice.
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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 🙂January 28, 2019 at 6:33 PM
John Colowich
Alley,
I have reviewed many questions and your answers, which helped us tremendously. Would you review our trip (total 6 of us) scheduled in Early September, 2019 as two couples from England joined us? We would like the most and best trip for all of us. We are planning to enter the lottery for The Wave hiking on Monday and Tuesday just in case. If we cannot get in, we will take alternative tours.
Would you comment and suggest/advise on our schedule?
I think we are very aggressive in scheduling, but friends from England want to take an advantage of this once in life time opportunity with us.
Another question is can we do Zion and Bryce Canyon in one day and spend one day in Page touring Powell Lake and Antelope Canyon?
I appreciate your assistance in advance. John
Saturday: Arriving in Phoenix around 6 PM
Plan to drive to Williams or Grand Canyon Village.
Sunday: Tour in Grand Canyon and leaving for Page, AZ
Staying in Page until Wednesday morning
Monday: Possible hiking in The Wave (entry for on line lottery in May) or
enter the walk-in for lottery for Tuesday.
Or alternative options like : Antelope Canyon Upper and lower,
The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali’s Boneyard.
Tuesday : Just in case for hiking in The wave or alternative options:
1/2 day Float trip in Powell lake and Rainbow Bridge Monument
Stay in Page and
Wednesday: leaving for Bryce Canyon and tour/hiking
Stay in Hatch or Orderville depending upon how late we leave from
Bryce Canyon.
Thursday: at Zion Canyon and drive to LV
Friday : Tour and show at LV.
Saturday : drive to Phoenix at 6 PM flight departure
stop by Hoover Dam
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Hi John and thank you for visiting us!
I totally understand wanting to see and do as much as possible, especially if your visit to the American Southwest is a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience for your UK friends. That said, your plan is OK, but warrants a few small “reality checks,” as well as some modifications for optimal safety, comfort, and enjoyment.
First off, if your flights arrive into Phoenix at 6:00 PM, I’d recommend that you simply spend the night there and head for Grand Canyon South Rim the following morning. The drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon takes ~4.5 hours. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona for several reasons: 1. artificial/supplemental lighting is deliberately kept to a minimum on local roadways in order to preserve the natural qualities of the night sky. 2. Deer, elk, free range cattle, feral horses, coyotes, and other wildlife are notoriously nocturnal and getting into a collision with one is something best not risked. Sunset in early September occurs at around 6:45 PM. It would be better IMO to rest up that evening, especially if your British companions are still shaking off jet lag. Then make that long drive when everybody’s a little fresher. Whichever you decide, be sure you make your Grand Canyon lodging reservations well in advance of your arrival.
If you want to try your hand at getting permits for The Wave, you can apply for the online lottery in July if you wish. With a party of 6, though, I have to tell you that that reduces your odds of getting a permit by any means quite dramatically. Another thing to keep in mind is that September is considered prime hiking season in the area, and people know that. Competition for permits will be even more vigorous then. By the way, some of the “alternate” areas you’ve listed – The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali’s Boneyard – are within the Coyote Buttes Special Management Area, so without a permit, you won’t be seeing them. The good news is, there are lots of other areas nearby that are just as spectacular, but don’t require a permit to visit, such as White Pocket, Soap Creek, Sidestep Canyon, Pinnacle Valley, or Alstrom Point, just to name a few. Physical degree of difficulty varies widely, but one commonality is the recommendation for a 4WD/high clearance vehicle to get to these sites. If you’re driving a rental car, you’d void your insurance just attempting the journey, so it is best to go with a licensed tour outfitter.
Where you indicate that you’d do “the float trip and Rainbow Bridge” in one day, that won’t happen for you due to overlapping schedules for these activities. During the summer and fall months, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour departs at 7:30 AM and returns at approximately 2:30-3:30 PM depending on the water level of Lake Powell. The Glen Canyon Float Trip departs twice daily at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Check-in for all activities is required one hour prior to departure. Long story short, you’d have to choose one or the other water-based activity, and if pressed, I’d recommend the Glen Canyon Float Trip, because there’s still a way you can see Rainbow Bridge without doing the boat trip: fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport and can show you not only Rainbow Bridge, but the Glen Canyon Dam, a good chunk of Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend. You might also inquire about chartering a flight over not only these locations, but The Wave as well. Yes, that would be expensive, but with the odds of your getting a hiking permit being what they are, and this most likely being your UK friends’ only opportunity to see The Wave, it might prove to be a worthwhile investment of both time and money.
Where you say that you’d “stay in Hatch or Orderville depending upon how late we leave from Bryce Canyon,” that won’t work. You need to have hotel reservations in advance for each stage of your trip. Again, September is a very busy time of year in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, so hotels will be sold out by the time you arrive. A place that might be a little more conducive to your plans is Kanab, UT. It is centrally located between Bryce and Zion, so you’d be well situated for making the drive to Las Vegas with a detour in Zion.
The drive from Las Vegas to Phoenix would then take ~4.5 hours.
Sorry if my comments seem like they’re a bit “all over the place,” but I hope they are helpful. Feel free to contact us again for further guidance.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 28, 2019 at 4:28 PM
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From John Colowich
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for your input and advise.
We have shared your input and my British friends are very excited about the trip and they would get over the jet lag and willing to do their best to keep up with us. After reading your advise, we have a few more questions.1. How do we get the permit to see these areas you mentioned?
The second wave you mentioned is different than second wave in Page near the dam?“The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali’s Boneyard – are within the Coyote Buttes Special Management Area, so without a permit, you won’t be seeing them.”
2. Driving on Saturday to Grand Canyon Village during night.
I understood your concern about night time driving in the country roads. How about staying in Flagstaff on Saturday?
I thought driving I-17 Interstate highway at night should not pose problems of meeting elk and deer.3. We are going to stay in Page perhaps for 3 nights to see other places you mention. Is it reasonable to drive Monumental Valley after viewing Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day and coming back to Page to stay in the same place? Is it too much driving in a day?
Thank you, John.
April 18, 2019 at 7:20 PM
Jade Huynh
Hi guys,
thanks for the great info. I’m actually planning a 5 day trip in mid April with a friend of mine. I have been to the Wave and Escalante a few years ago and loved it. We originally were thinking of doing zion and bryce as well but it doesn’t look like we’ll have enough time. Especially since I read that the Narrows in Zion may be flooded and inaccessible at that time. So if we have 5 days (flying in 4/16 and leaving 4/21) from Las Vegas, what do you think would be feasible? I was thinking of arriving on 4/16 and driving to Grand canyon south rim. Looks like the hardest thing is getting a place to stay there? WE don’t need permits do we? My biggest goal of this trip is photography and hiking. We are an adventurous group. From there may drive to Page, AZ and doing Horseshoe Bend and Anteleope anyone. The next day go to monument valley then head back. Where do you think a side trek to sedona may fit in all of this? Our biggest goals are the grand canyon south rim, antelope and monument valley but it looks like we have extra time. Should I do Sedona on the way back or before Page, AZ or is there a must other place to visit? If I go to Sedona, should i fly out of phoenix home? Any help appreciated!
Cheers,
Jade
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Hi Jade, and thank you for your inquiry!
If you want to include Sedona in your itinerary, with only 5 days to work with, that will mean sacrificing one item on your “wish list.” Seeing as though The Narrows might not be doable at the time you’re traveling, I’d recommend crossing Zion off the list as an overnight, but you might still include it on your itinerary. More on that in a minute…
Assuming you already have flights booked in and out of Las Vegas, you can accommodate Sedona into your itinerary by doing something like this:
Day 1 – Travel from Las Vegas to Sedona, approximately 4.5-5 hour drive, overnight in Sedona
Day 2 – Drive from Sedona to the Grand Canyon, approximately 3.5 hour drive, overnight at Grand Canyon (no, you do not need a permit just to stay on the rim)
Day 3 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, approximately 3 hour drive, overnight in Monument Valley
Day 4 – Drive to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page **Monument Valley will be on Daylight Saving Time, Page, AZ, will be on STANDARD TIME in April, you will “gain” an hour going from MV to Page.**
Day 5 – Drive back to Las Vegas, with a detour through Zion National Park, ~6-7 hour drive.
As you have correctly deduced, availability – or lack thereof – of Grand Canyon lodging will probably be the biggest determining factor on the feasibility of your plans. If you find Grand Canyon hotels booked on Day 2 of the above itinerary, you might consider “flip-flopping” the order in which you visit these sites, and hit Page, AZ, first, then Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona, etc. Another option, though not ideal, would be to visit Grand Canyon as a “drive by” between Sedona and Monument Valley. That would mean making a 6-7 hour drive in one day’s time.
As you can also see, the above itinerary has you packing up and moving every day. If you want to build some “chill time” into the trip, Sedona would be the place to do it, but you’d probably end up sacrificing one of your stops in order to pull it off. The most likely candidate would be Monument Valley, not because it isn’t beautiful (it definitely is!), but lodging is also relatively scarce in that area.
Whatever you decide, be sure to make all lodging and Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your visit.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 28, 2019 at 3:48 PM
Edward
Hey, Alley,
Such an awesome service you provide. Thanks
We’re going to be in Antelope Canyon March 28th. Will we catch light shafts in the Upper?
Also, how far in advance would u book your tour? We are worried about booking too early and then getting lousy weather.
Thanks
Edward in Miami FL
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Hi Edward and thank you for your inquiry.
You might encounter some light shafts in Upper Antelope Canyon in March. However, it’s doubtful that they will reach all the way to the canyon floor. That tends to be a late spring/summertime phenomenon, which is rendered moot on a cloudy day. Due to Antelope Canyon’s extreme popularity, we recommend making reservations as soon as possible. Since late March is Spring Break for many schools, tours might already be sold out in the main branches of Antelope Canyon. If your tour happens to be cancelled due to extremely bad weather, your tour price will be refunded. However, a little rain or a few clouds shouldn’t dissuade you from enjoying your tour. There’s no such thing as a bad time to go!
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂January 28, 2019 at 3:29 PM
Heather Skiba
HI! Can you tell me which tour is mentioned in the video for Lower Antelope Canyon that is $28 per person?
We are a family of 5 traveling to do the Grand Circle Tour next summer and will be driving from New Orleans. Page is on our way to the North Rim, and I rearranged our schedule to have a full day in Page. I would like to do the Lower Antelope Canyon tour and the half day float around Horseshoe Bend. What is the best way to do this? Our youngest will be 8, and is a great hiker, so I am sure she will be fine with Lower.
Thanks!
Heather
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Hi Heather,
The price of $28 refers to the child’s price for touring Lower Antelope Canyon. The adult price is ~$50 when you factor in the base tour price, plus the Navajo Tribal Park entrance fee. The tour companies also charge a “processing fee” for making reservations online, I’m not sure what exactly that is, $ amount-wise.
In order to accommodate both the Glen Canyon Float Trip and Lower Antelope Canyon into your itinerary comfortably during the summer months, you should plan on arriving in Page, AZ, the day prior to your planned activities and staying overnight. Where To Stay in Page, AZ Then, plan on taking the morning departure of the Glen Canyon Float Trip in order to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures in the canyon. Check in is required at 6:00 AM, approximate return time is 12:00 noon. Allow at least 60-90 minutes to grab lunch and drive to the Navajo Tribal Park entrance for Lower Antelope Canyon on US98. The interior of the canyon tends to remain constantly cool, plus there are shade canopies near the mouth of the canyon to protect you from the sun and heat. Nevertheless, be sure everyone in your party is wearing wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen, and is carrying water.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 28, 2019 at 3:22 PM
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From Heather Skiba
Yes, thank you! We will be arriving the night before and staying the night of for one completely full day.
January 30, 2019 at 10:22 PM
Tay
Hi, I was thinking about spending 2 or 3 days checking out upper and lower antelope canyon, a tour of Grand Canyon national park, and a hike in Zion. Is 2 days stretching it?
Also, how is Angels landing in late February? Will there be snow on the trail? I would like to do Angel’s landing, but if the conditions are too dangerous I can always hike other trails at Zion or scratch that all together and hike the Grand Canyon to save time….
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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 🙂January 28, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Bo Bo
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for posting a lot of helpful information.
I am planning to visit Page , AZ on 3rd week of April. We have 4 adults and two kids (9 1/2 and 6 1/2 years old). I already have some ideas where to go, but I am not sure if it will work well. Can you please give me some advice?
Day 1 – Drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas – stay 1 night
Day 2 – LV AM drives to Page 1 night
Day 3 -Sunrise Horseshoe Bend back to hotel for breakfast, 10:30 tour Antelope Canyon , please advise lower or upper
Day 4 – Bryce Canyon hiking a little bit , in the afternoon will drive back to LV stay overnight
Day 5 LV drives back to San Francisco
Thank you, Bo Bo
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Hi Bo Bo and thank you for visiting our site!
My first impression is that you’ve got way too much driving required to pull this off, especially with young children in tow.
On Day 1, for example, you’re proposing to do at least 9 hours driving from SF to Las Vegas. Are your kids going to be OK with sitting in a car for that long? If so, this itinerary might work. If not, you might want to consider breaking up your first day’s drive somewhere like Sequoia National Park, maybe overnighting in Three Rivers, CA.
It will then take another 5 hours or so to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, on Day 3. Take an Antelope Canyon tour in the afternoon, then visit Horseshoe Bend the following morning. RE: which branch of Antelope Canyon you should tour, it depends on how much hiking your party is willing to do – or not do. Upper Antelope is an easy, flat 100-yard walk to the end of the canyon and back. There is a 2-mile buckboard truck ride required to get to the mouth of the canyon. Lower Antelope is longer (~600m), and more physical: you must be able to navigate several ladders and do some simple bouldering to enjoy it fully. It’s a good idea to watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing. Whichever you decide, advance reservations should be made ASAP.
Now if you absolutely have to get back to San Francisco by Day 5, you’d probably have to drop Bryce Canyon from your “wish list.” It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Page, AZ, to Bryce Canyon. It would then take another 4-4.5 hours to drive to Las Vegas from Bryce Canyon. As it is, you’re still looking at a 12-hour drive to get from Page, AZ, back to San Francisco, with a possible stopover in Barstow, CA.
Long story short, it would be best if you could add at least a couple more days to your itinerary in order to make it feel like a vacation instead of a long drive for essentially one day of touring. I know, I’m originally from California myself and took my share of road trips and remember that 4-5 hours in the car was pushing it, and I liked traveling.
Now onto my second impression: the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from this itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, I recommend prioritizing it first. After all, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. In terms of drive time, it will be about the same as driving to Page, AZ. Obtaining advance reservations in either place will be a must, and one word of warning: you’ll probably have to get two hotel rooms. Arizona State fire codes prohibit more than 5 people staying in one room. Page, AZ, has vacation rental homes, but Grand Canyon hotels do not. Just something to be prepared for.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 26, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Roger
Just where the heck is Antelope Canyon located? I see many things describing what to do and how to do it and when to do it but no where do I see just where the hell it is located!
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Hey Roger,
Antelope Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, a few miles Southeast of the town of Page. You can get there from other cities in Arizona and Nevada by tour packages, such as the Canyon River Adventure (the page you happened upon). However, to enjoy maximum freedom and flexibility, self-driving is really the best way to go. That way you can enjoy other attractions near Antelope Canyon, such as Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell, on your schedule and not somebody else’s.
Since Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, a licensed tour guide is required for all parties to enter. Also, because it is a very popular attraction, advance reservations are strongly recommended. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
With all there is to see and do in Page, AZ, you can easily fill two days with fun and exploration! Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
Hope that clarifies things. Please do not hesitate to write again should you have more questions.
Alley 🙂January 25, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Brenda Daykin
Hi There,
My family and I will be visiting the area in hopes for late February. We would like to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. We are going to be driving from Las Vegas in a rental car. Do you have any tips for tours available for sight seeing and walking tours?
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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 🙂January 24, 2019 at 2:53 PM
Alina
Hi Alley,
It is mentioned that there are three companies offering tour to Upper Antelope, but I do found a few others, for example https://navajotours.com/ Are those also reliable tours to join in your opinions?
Thanks
Alina
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Hi Alina,
Yes, Navajo Antelope Canyon tours is a perfectly reliable tour company to join. They do not pick up in Page, but directly at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98 Southeast of Page.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 23, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Larry Funk
My wife and I are considering an extended trip to the area with our travel trailer. We are torn between making the trip in the spring or fall to avoid the busy/peak visitor season. Which (spring or fall) would provide the best weather and overall experience?
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Hi Larry!
If you are able to pick and choose when to visit, I would suggest October. It is typically marked by dry, stable weather and pleasant temperatures, not to mention crowds that consist of mostly adults. In the spring, you run the risk of encountering a late season snowstorm, and Spring Break crowds. Whatever you decide be sure to reserve space at RV parks and campgrounds along your trip route. Although days are usually nice that time of year, nighttime lows are starting to creep down to the 40’s or occasionally below freezing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 21, 2019 at 10:55 PM
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From Larry Funk
Thanks Alley. October sounds inviting. When you spoke of 40’s for lows, was that Spring? I assume October would be good for the Big Five as well.
January 23, 2019 at 3:36 PM
David C Decker
Ryan or Alley
I will be in Flagstaff on April 1 coming back from a guided trip to the Grand Canyon Phantom Ranch. I have one night reserved in Page AZ for April 2nd, then will head back to Phoenix some time on the 3rd to spend the night before I fly out on the 4th. I am hoping to do a tour of Antelope canyon X or something similar on the 2nd & maybe sunrise at Horseshoe Bend on the 3rd if it looks like the clouds cooperate. Would you have any other suggestions for places to see for the time I have or time to allow for the drive between the locations I mentioned? Is there lots of stopping places between those destinations (Page to Phoenix)? Want to see & do as much as possible but don’t want to overschedule & then have to drive by photographic views just to make my reservations. Appreciate any help I have not been in this area before. Thanks
Dave
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Hi David,
With the time you have, and considering that you’re flying out of Phoenix after visiting Page, AZ, I’d recommend taking a little side trip to Sedona. It’s an absolutely stunning area, with lots to see and do. Normally, the drive from Page, AZ to Phoenix takes ~4.5 hours. With the detour through Sedona, that will extend your drive time somewhat, but I’d still recommend getting an early start out of Page so you can maximize your time in Sedona (sunrise occurs shortly after 6:00 AM) Trust me, once you see Sedona, you’ll be planning a return visit so you can spend more time! Many visitors who spend 4-5 days, or even a week, report feeling as through they only touched the “tip of the iceberg.” Whatever you decide to do, make sure you get to Phoenix by sundown. Nighttime driving should be avoided outside the major cities in Northern AZ due to the lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range horses and cattle, and other wildlife on local roadways.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 21, 2019 at 5:25 PM
_________________________________________
From Dave
Alley
Appreciate the feedback. So do you think on my day back south from Page by taking ALT 89 south out of Flagstaff down thru Sedona & then enjoy The Red Rock Scenic By Way on Hwy 179 back to 17 would be more than enough to see/take pictures etc. to fill up my time with getting to Phoenix before dark by itself? Or in addition could one add a 2 hr. jeep tour out of Sedona to get a little closer view? I don’t want to be rushed in what I see.
Thanks
DaveJanuary 22, 2019 at 10:57 PM
Maite Cardoso
Hi Ryan! i’m going to LV in June and I intend to spend a night at Page and visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend and maybe Monument Valley. My doubt is that on the next day we would like to go to Grand Canyon but it’s so big that I don’t know if I should go to the side walk or where should I go to see tha original Grand Canyon. Thanks for you advice.
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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 🙂January 21, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Darwin Gawat
Good Day,
Me and my friends are scheduled to visit Page, AZ on Feb 2 to 3. We plan on seeing horseshoe bend and antelope canyon. Looking at your website, i found that we have to schedule a tour. My question is, is it mandatory that we schedule a tour? or can we just drive there and do things on our own? how difficult is the access to the canyon compared to grand canyon? If you have any suggestions as to how we should spend our day there that would be awesome. Thank you.
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Good day, Darwin,
Yes, you absolutely must have reservations to tour Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon, and many other slot canyons in the Page, AZ, area, are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore you cannot simply “drive there and do things on your own.” What’s more, these tours are very popular, so waiting to make reservations until you arrive in Page, AZ, is a surefire recipe for last-minute scrambling since many tours are sold out already! If you find that to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
As for difficulty of access, if you mean how difficult is it physically, that depends on which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour. If you tour Upper Antelope Canyon, for example, that’s an easy, flat 100 yard walk, out and back. Lower Antelope Canyon is more challenging, it’s longer (600m), and requires that you navigate several ladders and step over/around a few boulders. It’s manageable for most people in relatively good health. To gauge whether you’d be able to manage it, watch this video of a Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon
Other activities you might consider to round out your time in Page, AZ, include but aren’t limited to touring the Glen Canyon Dam, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, taking one of several easy but scenic hikes in the area, and taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive around the Southwestern flank of Lake Powell. Ultimate One Day Itinerary in Page, AZ
In addition to your Antelope Canyon tour, be sure you book lodging in Page, AZ, in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 21, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Rachel C
Hi we are planning our first big family vacation. My husband is a Marine and we have never had time to go on a true vaction because we are always moving. first off we have a large family 5 children 25 – 16. (Two are graduating in May from College and High school!). We plan to fly into Las Vegas May 24 in the morning then drive to either Tusayan or Flagstaff, see the Hover Damn on the way try and tour part of the lower rim Grand Canyon
.Tour Grand Canyon another day spend the night
.leave early and drive to Page see Horse shoe on way Tour Lower level canyon
Do you think it is doable to take a Kayak tour –their last tour going out?
stay in Page then drive to somewhere around Zion the next day
Do Zion for that half day and the whole next day ( the narrows water tour looks fun)
leave out of Vegas May 29th
What do you think.
I am most excited to see the Antelope Canyons
Also someone told me the parks give free admission to military. My husband is active duty.
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Hi Rachel and thank you for visiting our site. Wow – first big family vacation?! That’s exciting – we’re glad you’ve chosen Arizona for it!
First off, because of the size of your party, it’s even more crucial that every leg of your trip’s lodging and guided tours are reserved in advance. You may also find it necessary to book two hotel rooms in a lot of places. State fire codes forbid more than 5 people sleeping in one traditional hotel room. Some hotels have suites designed for families, or you might find vacation rental homes or B&B’s to be a viable alternative to hotel rooms. Just something to keep in mind as you make your plans.
So, on your first day, instead of driving to Flagstaff, I’d recommend driving to Tusayan or Grand Canyon Village and overnighting at the Grand Canyon. You definitely want to be on the canyon rim for sunset and/or sunrise! Flagstaff is 90 minutes away, and nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range horses and cattle, and other wildlife on local roadways.
When you say “tour part of the lower rim Grand Canyon,” I’m assuming you are referring to the inner canyon, below the rim? If so, the Bright Angel Trail will be the best trail to hike. It’s easiest to find, is well-traveled, and has drinking water piped in every 1.5 miles on the upper half of the trail. 1 hour down = 2 hours back out. Food and water must be carried if you plan on spending any more than 1 hour’s time or going further than a mile round-trip down the trail. That said, you probably won’t be inclined to do this particular activity on the same day you drive over from Las Vegas. You’re looking at at least a 5-hour drive, and if you’re coming from the East Coast, you might be a bit jetlagged. I’d plan on taking it easy that night, maybe catch the IMAX movie if you’re staying in Tusayan, then doing your exploration the following day.
On your drive day from Grand Canyon to Page, I know the drive time is given as 2.5 hours, but in reality, it typically ends up being more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. That’s because the drive is very scenic, and there are multiple photo ops along the way, such as over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints, all different and beautiful, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (great brunch/lunch stop!), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” Overlook, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. As to whether you can squeeze a kayak tour in on this day, you would need to be certain to get an early enough start out of the South Rim in order to pull it off. Fortunately, sunrise occurs at ~5:15 AM in May. The latest departure for most kayak tours is around 3:00 PM, so you’d want to be sure your Antelope Canyon tour ends with enough time for you to get down to the Marina and check in for your tour. If you have any reservations at all about being able to do that, you might save the kayak tour for first thing the following morning.
As for hiking The Narrows in Zion, May is a good time to do it, but be sure that your family is thoroughly briefed on the equipment recommendations for optimal safety and comfort. For lodging on this leg of your trip, Springdale, UT, will probably be your best bet since it’s on the Western border of the park, putting you ~3 hours from Las Vegas, plus it has more choices than other Zion gateway communities.
And yes, since your husband is an active duty Marine, you get a free annual park pass from the National Park Service.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 21, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Olga
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for so interesting and helpful information! Going through all these comments I made so many notes of “must do” things, so now I am not able to pick the best ones for the upcoming trip. Could you be so kind to help me with it?
I am planning a tour for my family for mid of April 2019 from San Diego to Las Vegas then likely to Page, Sedona , … I have not booked anything yet, but will do it at this weekend. We visited the Grand Canyon before and were in Las Vegas several times, so we do not plan to spend much time in LV and the Grand Canyon. The challenge is that I need to plan the tour interesting and fun enough for my kids (16-year old son and 9-year old daughter) as well as safe and doable for my 75 y.o. healthy parents. I plan to buy a tour to the Lower Antelope Canyon, since it looks like a small adventure for the entire family and also want to buy a boat tour to the Antelope Canyon. Could you be so kind to advise what else is the best place to visit in April (14-18 Apr)?
Thank you so much!
Olga
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Hello Olga and thank you for visiting our site.
With both kids and seniors in tow, a good plan for a 2-day visit to Page would include:
Antelope Canyon Tour
Horseshoe Bend Overlook
Glen Canyon Dam
A water-based activity
For the last item on the list (water-based tour), instead of doing the Antelope Canyon boat tour, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip instead. It features different scenery from the Antelope Canyon boat tour, and though it doesn’t traverse any rapids, it is still a fun and memorable trip for families like yourselves. The kids will even get the chance to take a dip in the Colorado River, if they’re able to brave the cold water 😉
With the extra time you have, I’d recommend visiting Bryce Canyon or Zion, before returning to Vegas.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
AlleyJanuary 21, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Scarlette Liu
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for all detail tips for trip to Antelope Canyon. I am actually thinking to visit upper and lower ones on the same day due to tight schedule. I am wondering if I could book:
Upper for 10:00 am (check-in time) – 12:00 (estimated finish time from tour website)
and
Lower for 13:00 (check-in time) – 14:45 (estimated finish time from tour website)?
Would it be sufficient time (1 hour) to switch in between?
Thank you very much.
Scarlette
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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 🙂January 18, 2019 at 7:22 PM
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From Scarlette Liu
Thank you very much Alley : )
I plan to book the upper tour with Tsosie Antelope Canyon Tours (looks like downtown in Page) and the low tour with Ken’s Tour (close to Entrance Gate). Is the tour you mentioned better than Tsosie Antelope Canyon Tour?
Additionally, I am wondering if there is any big difference between Lower tour starting from 13:30 and the one starting from 14:00?
Thank you again for the prompt reply!
Have a great day!
ScarletteJanuary 18, 2019 at 10:48 PM
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From Scarlette Liu
Forgot to mention, the reason that I plan to do the upper and lower in one day is that I could have time to take an aerial tour the next day.
January 18, 2019 at 10:55 PM
barb
Hi Alley, for some reason all the posts from October until now are gone so I can’t see your response to me. Is it possible you email directly with the information? Thank you.
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Hi Barb,
That is really weird, because now I can’t find my reply! Hate to ask this, but can you tell me again what your original question was?
Sorry, will let our webmaster know what’s going on…
Alley 🙁January 18, 2019 at 7:09 PM
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From barb
My original question was about taking 2 days to see the lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. You had suggested stopping by Zion on the way back to add a little something to our trip. My next question was would it be too much to do both lower antelope and horseshoe bend in 1 day the spend the next full day in Zion or maybe even Sedona?
January 21, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Joanna
Hi Alley,
Got a ticket and hotel in Vegas from 6th to 12th. Plan to stop by Grand Canyon, then move to Antelope, Rainbow Bridge, Hoover Dam. Would you give me some advice on the planning?
Thanks,
Joanna
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Hi Joanna and thank you for visiting us!
So I’m going off the assumption that by “the 6th through the 12th,” you’re referring to February. Because the attractions you list are a long ways away from Las Vegas, and not day trips, renting a car and driving yourself will give you optimal freedom and flexibility to relax and enjoy yourself.
Here’s what I would recommend:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, with a stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon. Drive time: 4.5-5 hours
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Drive time on Google Maps is given as 2.5 hours, but realistically, it ends up being more like 3.5-4 hours due to the numerous photo opportunities you’ll encounter on the trip, including, but not limited to the half-a-dozen+ named Grand Canyon viewpoints, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (great brunch/lunch stop!), Chinle formatoin views, The “Cut” Overlook, and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3: Tour Antelope Canyon (make a reservation ASAP, some Antelope Canyon tours are already sold out!). Spend a 2nd night in Page, AZ.
So here’s where Rainbow Bridge gets “tricky.” There is no vehicular access at all to Rainbow Bridge. The only way to visit the bridge in person is by boat. If you are visiting in February, you should be aware that at this time of year, Rainbow Bridge Boat Tours only go out on Saturdays. Due to the present level of Lake Powell, tour duration is 8 hours and requires ~3 miles hiking round-trip from the boat dock to the bridge. If this is not practical for you, then you might consider flying over it. Rainbow Bridge Air Tours are offered by fixed-wing airplane and helicopter. While they do not land at the bridge, flight tours offer an expedient and exciting way to tick Rainbow Bridge off your list, and get a truer sense of how huge Lake Powell really is.
Day 4: Either drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours), or, time and/or desire permitting, you might take another day or two to visit Zion National Park. It it not too much of a detour between Page and Las Vegas, and it is a beautiful park, one we strongly recommend visiting if this trip is a “once in a lifetime” adventure. The most convenient location for lodging is Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park. The drive back to Las Vegas from Springdale, UT is ~2.5 hours.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2019 at 6:11 PM
Missy
I am 19 weeks pregnant and will be about 22 weeks which would make me 5 months. Is it safe for a pregnant woman to do the tour for the lower canyon?
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Hey Missy!
Thank you for your excellent inquiry, and congratulations on your impending bundle of joy <3 Pregnant women have toured Lower Antelope Canyon successfully, but in doing so, you assume all liability for your own safety, and that of your baby. If you were visiting the area in June or July, I’d say forget it, it’s too hot. From the way your question is worded, though, I’m assuming that your visit will take place in February, which eliminates the concern about heat.
The other alternative would be to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, but that involves a 2-mile buckboard truck ride down a bumpy dirt road, which is definitely not recommended for women in the later stages of pregnancy.
Watching this full walk-through video is certainly a good way to prepare for visiting Lower Antelope Canyon, but I’d also recommend showing it to your OB/GYN and allowing him/her to weigh in on it.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2019 at 5:50 PM
Rachel Tuomey
Hi Alley,
Just stumbled across your site looking for info on Antelope Canyon and so glad I did. Was wondering if you could give your input/advice on our itinerary planned for April 2019? We are a family of 5 (kids ages 14, 11, 7). Open to any suggestions/changes my only requirement is that we sleep 2 nights in each location because I don’t think I can handle packing up every night!
Thurs 4/18 Fly JFK to LAS, land 10am: Valley of Fire, then off to Zion (reservations at Desert Pearl Inn)
Friday 4/19 Day at Zion (Desert Pearl Inn)
Saturday 4/20 Early Morning Drive to Bryce / Day at Bryce, Late afternoon drive to Lake Powell Resort
Sunday 4/21 Wake and Do Horseshoe Bend / Antelope Canyon (do you recommend upper or lower?)
Grab lunch and head back to hotel (Lake Powell Resort)
Monday 4/22 Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, spend day there late drive to Sedona (any recs for places to stay?)
Tuesday 4/23 Maybe Meteor Crater or Slide Rock Park (sleep in Sedona again)
Wednesday 4/24 Morning hike in Sedona, Drive back to LV
Thursday 4/25 Mandalay Bay in Vegas
Friday Day at the hotel, redeye home
Thanks so much in advance for reading through! Initially we were not doing Sedona at all and instead rafting and spending extra time at Lake Powell, however we were told the water is quite cold on the lake in April still, so we gave up that extra day. Open to other options also 🙂
Best,
Rachel
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Hi Rachel and thank you for visiting us!
Your trip looks quite well-planned, and it’s good that you have your hotels reserved already. Still, I’d recommend a couple of modifications for maximum enjoyment of your trip for all your family.
First off, on the sections of your trip where you’re driving to Bryce then Page, then to Sedona via the Grand Canyon, you might want to rethink that. I know you specified not wanting to pack up and move every day, but that might actually be the better way to go for safety and comfort’s sake. For example: the drive from Zion to Bryce is ~2 hours; the trip to Page from Bryce is ~2.5 hours, but those are “on paper” figures. They rarely materialize IRL as both legs of the drive are very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find your self stopping to take pictures. You could find yourself running out of daylight by the time you complete your sightseeing in Bryce, and daylength is still on the short side at that time of year (sunrise is at 7:15 AM, sunset at about 8:15 PM in Utah). Driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, free range cattle, coyotes and other wildlife. You might consider overnighting closer to Bryce Canyon, then heading to Page the following morning.
Ditto for the plan to drive from Page to Sedona with a stopover at the Grand Canyon. You’re looking at 5 hours of driving minimum (2.5 hours Page to GC, 2.5 to Sedona), but it’s more likely to end up being 7 hours – or more – due to the numerous photo ops along the way. The Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon is particularly scenic, with over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at. Better to overnight at Grand Canyon, then maybe swing over to Meteor Crater then down to Sedona the following day (~3.5 hour drive). Swimming at Slide Rock SP probably won’t happen at the time of year you’re visiting; the water will likely be too cold. But, you can at least walk down to the creek. It’s still a pretty hike.
Speaking of cold water, you are correct that the water in Lake Powell is cold at the time of year you’re visiting, but the Glen Canyon 1/2-Day Float Trip (if that’s what you were considering) takes place on the Colorado River, where the water is even colder – 47 Fahrenheit, year-round. Since the trip does not go through any white water, though, you won’t get wet unless you choose to. The air temperature in April is quite pleasant (usually), so, long story short, if you can work this tour back into your itinerary, I’d strongly recommend it. It’s a nice relaxing family activity, and considered a “must-do” for most visitors to Page. At the time of year you’re visiting, there are two daily departures: one at 7:00 AM (6:00 AM check-in), and one at 1:00 PM (12:00 noon check-in).
Keep in mind, also, that Utah DOES observe Daylight Saving Time, but Arizona doesn’t, so you’ll “lose” an hour crossing the state line from Nevada to Utah, then “gain” it back going from Utah to Arizona.
As for places to stay in Sedona, lodging options run the gamut from simple cabins to over-the-top spa type properties, so it all depends on your tastes and budget. Just don’t wait too long to reserve a place, though. April is a busy time in Arizona, and places will sell out.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 17, 2018 at 2:34 PM
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Hi Alley,
Thank you SO much for this fantastic info. We have revisited our itinerary as per your suggestion and booked ourselves outside the GC for one night to allow for perhaps more GC in the am and then either driving to Meteor Crater or straight to Sedona (my vote) for less drive time. It will be a gametime decision.For some reason, my husband is opposed to the raft ride on Lake Powell, I guess just time of year so we are keeping 2 nights on Lake Powell and braving that drive (oh Lord!). Due to the cooler temps in Bryce, we aren’t sure how much time we will even spend there since it’s quite possible there may by snow on the ground. So our drive to Lake Powell might take place mid afternoon. Sad we won’t see sunset there, but it seems we are traveling at a cooler time of year.
Thank you again for your time and thoughtful response…so very helpful!
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!December 18, 2018 at 12:16 AM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi again, Rachel,
Too bad you’ll miss the float trip, but, then again, maybe you can plan a return trip for a multi-day Grand Canyon white water rafting trip! As for the weather, yes, it could be all over the place, so having the flexibility to make, as you so aptly put, a “gametime decision” is definitely to your advantage.
Best of luck to you in the New Year and let us know how your trip goes.
Alley 🙂January 17, 2019 at 5:32 PM
Aleksandra
Hi Alley,
thank you for information – I found a lot from your chats and decided also to ask for your advices.
I am planning February trip for 4 adults.
I think to fly from JFK to Phoenix on February 9th or early AM on 10th, rent a car and drive to Sedona, plan to stay in Enchantment resort for 2-3 days, relax 1 day and see around;
than probably Page – Antelope canyon(lower level and lake boat tour) , horseshoe band…
than probably Grand Canyon -South rim and last 2 days in Vegas, flying home from Vegas on 17th or 18th
Want to see the most but enjoying the views…
will take any suggestions please – can you help with more detailed itinerary
Thank you, Aleksandra
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Hi Aleksandra, and thank you for your inquiry!
It’s great that you apparently have plenty of time to experience the scenery and attractions of this area at a nice, relaxed place. The first thing to establish before you commit to this plan, however, is rental car drop-off rates. Quite often, rental car outlets charge pretty hefty fees for returning vehicles anywhere other than where you picked them up. This is due largely to the remoteness of the area, and the long distances between cities.
Since you are traveling in February, you should definitely keep some “wiggle room” in your schedule in case you are delayed or detoured at any stage of your trip by winter weather. Snow is a very real possibility at that time of year, especially at the Grand Canyon, since it is 7,000′ above sea level. Be sure to pack a few items of warmer clothing for your safety and comfort. Also, start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. Grand Canyon weather
For the Sedona leg of your tour, “must” do activities include, but certainly aren’t limited to, backcountry jeep tours, easy but scenic hiking, art galleries, wine tastings (yes, that’s a thing!), and shopping. For suggestions, I recommend www.VisitSedona.com With an early enough start out of Phoenix, you might consider making a stop at Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. It’s not too far off the interstate, plus it’s a fascinating park, with its focal feature being a very well-preserved multi-story cliff dwelling, estimated to be about 800 years old. A detour through the former ghost town of Jerome, AZ, and the former State Capitol of Prescott, AZ, would not be too hard to do, either, or you could see these as a day trip out of Sedona.
One day in Page, AZ, would probably be sufficient since the majority of boat tours are on seasonal hiatus during February. Antelope Point Marina still runs Antelope Canyon waterside tours on a regular basis (may be contingent on a certain number of passengers booking), but those are only 1 hour long. You can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, parking permitting, or visit it first thing in the morning on your way out of town. Lower Antelope Canyon tours must be booked in advance of your arrival. Since these depart from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, you could easily do both the waterside boat tour and the landside walking tour back-to-back (allow about 1 hour between tours so you can grab lunch at the marina), availability permitting. Page, AZ, lodging should also be booked in advance.
On the drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim, you’ll do the majority of your Grand Canyon sightseeing. The distance is 150 miles, but the drive usually ends up taking 3.5-4 hours due to the plentiful photo opportunities between “point A” and “point B.” Plan to stop at the Cameron Trading Post on the Navajo Indian Reservation for lunch/brunch, and have your phone or camera fully charged to capture the over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints you’ll encounter between the park entrance at Desert View Point, and Grand Canyon Village. Time/desire permitting, you might also explore a bit of the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive and visit some of those viewpoints as well. This 8-mile spur road is normally closed to private vehicles, but since you’re visiting in the off-season, you can drive out there unescorted. It is best to stay in the park at Grand Canyon Village if at all possible; if these properties are full, then Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
On the drive back to Las Vegas, Seligman, AZ, might make a worthwhile detour if you or any of your party members are into Route 66 history. A stop at Delgadillo’s Snow-Cap Drive-In is a definite must for a burger and a laugh. The swing through Seligman will add ~90 minutes to 2 hours on what is normally a 4.5 hour drive.
Hope all that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 15, 2018 at 5:17 PM
_________________________________________
From Aleksandra
Thank you, so much for your quick reply, I will review your suggestions and might come back with more questions 🙂
December 15, 2018 at 5:45 PM
Vikrant Jain
Hi Alley,
Thanks for sharing lot of details and information on your website which is really helpful.
I am planning to visit Page, AZ during Spring break (April) or June and will be flying in & out from Las Vegas.
I’ll be travelling with my wife and two kids (5yr & 1yr) and do you think any other time will be good to travel with kids. I have already
visited Grand Canyon twice (West & South Rim).
From your website the 2 Day Itinerary looks perfect for me but I am planning to add if possible Grand Canyon North Rim. I am looking
forward to visit the following attractions:-
1.Grand Canyon North Rim
2.Horseshoe Bend
3.Antelope Canyon (Upper but if possible try to look lower too)
4.Rainbow Bridge National Monument
5.Glen Canyon Dam & lake Powell
Any other near by attractions either in AZ or in UT which can be covered with kids and in that case we can leave grand canyon north rim.
I’ll be starting in morning from LV so do you think if anything can get covered on the same day or not. If not, what all are the options
to add for that day.
From the details mentioned on the website, I am having few questions regarding the Antelope Canyon, Option 1 Glen Canyon Half Day Float
Trip & Option 2 the Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. Whether on all these tours I’ll be allowed with my 1yr old kid or not. I know
for Option 1 Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, it starts from ages 4 and up but for rest I am not able to find this information.
Also for visiting these places do i need to book a tour or it can be drive through Car. If tours needs to be booked for all of them then
please suggest which tours allows 1yr old for visiting these attractions. Can we travel with a diaper bag in the tours or not.
We are pure vegetarians and need to know whether fooding is available near by for veg (No meat, chicken etc.) We are planning to spend
couple of nights in Page, AZ to avoid long drives and enjoy most of the attractions. So which can be the good lodging option either with
Kitchennete or BnB.
Thanks,
Vikrant
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Hi Vikrant,
See my reply to your earlier inquiry 🙂
AlleyDecember 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM
Vikrant Jain
Hi Alley,
First of all, I find your website really good and informative which is really useful.
I am planning a trip to Page, AZ either in spring break (April) or June with my wife and 2 kids (5yr and 1yr old). I’ll be flying in and out from Las Vegas. I have been to LV thrice and even Grand Canyon West & South rim but now planning to explore other attractions near by LV and for which I felt Page, AZ would be the best option.
I’ll be driving from LV to Page, AZ and will be staying out there. Although bookings are not yet done so looking forward for your advice to plan my itinerary.
I’ll be driving from LV in the morning and is planning to cover these attractions:-
1.Grand Canyon, North rim
2.Horseshoe Bend
3.Antelope Canyon (Upper), since it will be easy with kids or can lower & upper both be done.
4.Rainbow Bridge National Monument
5.Glen Canyon Dam & Lake Powell
6.Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (if possible)
Any other interesting near by attractions (either in UT) which can be covered with kids. and then driving back to LV
From the details mentioned in your website, I feel the 2 day itinerary mentioned will perfectly fit in my plan and Day 1 looks promising to cover. Regarding the day 2, it looks like Option 1 Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, will not be possible for us since my kid will be 1yr old and can we make Option 2 Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour with 1yr as age limit is not mentioned in it.
Also we are vegetarians (no meat, chicken, beef etc) so are there veg options around for fooding and which can be the best lodging option near by all these attractions so that less driving can be done to enjoy the places.
Also whether all these attractions can be covered by car or do I have to purchase any tickets or tours.
Thanks,
Vikrant Jain
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Hello Vikrant and thank you for your visit!
With a 1-year-old in tow, you will be somewhat limited on your options, which is entirely for their safety. Still, you should be able to have a fun and memorable trip to this area.
First off, if you have your heart set on seeing Grand Canyon North Rim, you will have to schedule your trip for June. The visitor facilities at the North Rim do not open until May 15th, and they typically book out 1 year in advance. You might be able to find availability at the Kaibab Lodge (20 minutes North of the park) or Jacob Lake Inn (1 hour North), but if those properties are also full, you may want to save the North Rim for another time when you are able to make plans further ahead of time. Grand Canyon North Rim Hotels
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is another item on your “wish list” I would recommend saving for another trip, specifically, when your youngest is a bit older. Though younger children are allowed on the tour, it’s not recommended for children under the age of 4, mainly because it’s a very long tour (6-7 hours depending on lake level), and the hike from the boat dock to the bridge itself can be anywhere from 1-1.5 miles EACH WAY, again depending on the level of Lake Powell. Somebody would probably end up carrying the 1-year-old, which would be quite taxing, especially in June, when it’s extremely hot. If a boat tour is what you were specifically wanting to experience, you might consider one of several shorter tours, such as the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise or the Antelope Canyon Waterside tour. If it was Rainbow Bridge that you were specifically wanting to see, a more efficient way to do so would be to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, usually first thing in the morning, and can take you over Rainbow Bridge, and a significant area of Lake Powell, in just 30 minutes. Children under 2 travel free as long as they’re seated on the lap of an adult. Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
As to the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, this area is easily incorporated as a “drive-by” en route from Grand Canyon North Rim to Page, AZ. Even if you don’t stop at the North Rim, you can route your drive from Las Vegas to Page so that your itinerary takes you past the Vermillion Cliffs between Jacob Lake and Marble Canyon, AZ. Time permitting, you might even drive up to the Colorado River’s edge and wade a short way into the water, just to say you’ve done so 😉 Don’t go too far in, though, the water in the river is very cold!
Of the branches of Antelope Canyon, Upper is the one that is safest for young children, as you’ve deduced. It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. With any extra time you find, you could visit the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center, the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Wahweap Overlook, or the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook (aka the “White House” overlook locally). All the afore-mentioned areas may be visited by car. Antelope Canyon, however, does require a guided tour, which should be booked well in advance of your arrival. Upper Antelope Canyon tour outfitters do allow diaper bags to be brought, but they must be left in the vehicle while you are touring the canyon.
Horseshoe Bend is best visited first thing in the morning due to the fact it gets very crowded at mid-day and parking might be difficult or impossible to find.
Regarding your diet, as long as you’re OK with dairy products like yogurt, cheese, etc., you should have no problem being accommodated at local restaurants. If you are vegans, and eat no animal products whatsoever, you might want to call ahead to restaurants where you’re interested in dining to determine if they would be compatible.
For lodging with kitchenettes, you might visit VRBO, Flipkey, or Homeaway to browse availability of vacation rental homes. Many Page, AZ, rental homes require a 2-night minimum stay. If this does not appeal/is not possible, you might consider staying at one of several motels in what’s known as the “Old Quarter” of Page, AZ. These motels are actually apartments that have been re-purposed for tourists, but for the price of a traditional hotel, you get a unit with separate sleeping areas, and a full kitchen, stocked with pots, pans, dishes, etc. The only property not listed on that link, since it was in a change of ownership at the time, is the Desert Canyon Inn, formerly known as Debbie’s Hideaway.
So, all that said, with 1 day at Grand Canyon North Rim and 1 day at Page, AZ, you can have a wonderful visit to Northern Arizona. If you decide to leave the North Rim off the table, just plan on staying in Page, AZ for 2 nights. Even with the limitations on what you can/should do, you’d still have a great time.
I hope I covered all your inquiries!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 15, 2018 at 4:27 PM
Jane
Hello!
Im taking my 70-year old parents to Grand Canyon and Antelope. And after reading your answers, I figured it would be best to visit Grand Canyon West Rim and Upper Antelope. I plan to take a tour bus though; do you have any recommendations of tour bus/es? Thanks 🙂
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Jane,
See my reply to your query on the “Can You Do Both Lower and Upper In A Day” page.
Alley 🙂December 14, 2018 at 5:27 PM
Heritage Hotel
Nice post..
Jennifer Avila
Hi Ryan!
My boyfriend and I are flying in from Miami to Phoenix on December 29th and leaving January 3rd. It’s our first time in Arizona and really wanna get the most in. We honestly do not mind the driving. Antelope canyon, monument valley grand canyon, sedona are on our list but we will take any suggestions please!!
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Hello Jennifer and thank you for your visit!
Ryan is out hiking somewhere, but I’m happy to help you.
First off, it’s good that you don’t mind driving, because it’s a fact of life in this part of the U.S. Another thing you need to keep in mind is that your visit coincides with the New Year’s Holiday, and it’s going to be busy. Don’t be surprised to find hotels and tours sold out, so be open to alternatives when it comes to lodging and activities. Assuming that December 29th and January 3rd are going to be travel days, you can still get all the items on your “wish list” in, but you won’t have time to squeeze in much else.
The order in which you hit these attractions will depend on lodging availability, and your preference for either getting the longest drive of the trip out of the way first, or saving it for last. Since most people prefer option “A,” here’s what I’d recommend:
December 30th – Drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ (~4.5-5.5 hours). The drive is very scenic, so don’t be surprised if you stop to take pictures often. The Cameron Trading Post is just past the mid-way point of the drive and makes a good lunch stop. Hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town, parking permitting, or visit it first thing in the morning the following day. Overnight in Page.
December 31st – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise (if you were not able to do so the day prior). Take a morning tour of Antelope Canyon from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. If Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, consider one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as scenic, but a lot less crowded. Then drive to Monument Valley (~2.5 hour drive)Time/desire permitting, take a backcountry tour of Monument Valley. Overnight in Monument Valley. If Monument Valley hotels are sold out, then check availability in Kayenta, AZ, or Tuba City, AZ.
January 1st – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5-4.5 hour drive). Here again, it’s a very scenic drive, so you will be stopping often for photo ops, especially upon entering the park at Desert View Point. There are over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints, each with differing features and perspectives, between DV and Grand Canyon Village. Overnight in Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Village is most likely sold out, so check availability in Tusayan/GC Village South (just outside the park), Valle, AZ, or Williams, AZ.
January 2nd – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hour drive from GC Village). Take backcountry jeep tour, visit Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, or whatever else strikes your fancy. For suggestions, go to www.VisitSedona.com Overnight in Sedona.
January 3rd – Drive back to Phoenix, ~2 hours, fly home.
Now, if you end up with an extra day to allot somewhere, give it to Sedona. Sedona is the kind of place one could spend 4-5 days and still wish they had more time!
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful visit. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 14, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Lilly
Hi Ryan,
Wonderful amount of information 🙂
Could you give me some tips, please. Traveling first time with my family to West Coast from NYC and don’t know much what should I see 🙂
Yea re landing in SF on 21st December, then heading to LA, after that San Diego, Phoenix And Las Vegas 2/3 days before NYE, then SF and flinging back to NYC on 5th January. We would like to see beautiful parts of Grand Canyon and its surroundings. Could you point out places we should definitely see and helpful tips. We are renting a car to drive between these cities.
There will be a 1,5 year old with us.
Thank you.
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Hi Lilly!
With a toddler in tow, it’s probably best to avoid making any trip plans that would involve long drives. That said, they tend to be a fact of life in this part of the U.S.
Using Las Vegas as your starting point, with 2/3 days to work with, you could drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (a 4.5 hour drive), overnight at the South Rim. Then the following day, drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (3.5-4 hour drive), tour Upper Antelope Canyon (that is the best option for families with young kids), and stop at Horseshoe Bend. Overnight in Page, AZ. Then drive back to Las Vegas (4.5-5 hour drive). If desired, you could make a detour through Zion National Park, which would add another 60-90 minutes onto your drive time.
The main obstacle you’ll be likely to encounter at this point is availability of lodging, or lack thereof, as well as spots on Antelope Canyon tours. These must be reserved in advance of your arrival, so I would recommend starting to check availability ASAP.
Best wishes for safe travels and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 08, 2018 at 6:24 PM
Steven
Hi Alley,
will be spending two nights at GC Tusayan (20-22 Dec) after LV.
Wanted to visit the Antelope beside GC.
Using Tusayan as a base, is the Antelope doable as a day trip?
My tentative plan as follows:
20 Dec
Leave Vegas in the morning, stop by Hoover Dam and reach Tusayan in around 2.
Enter GC to catch sunset.
21 Dec
Visit Antelope
22 Dec
Leave GC
Need some advise will I miss out too much on GC attractions?
Should I skip Hoover dam and hit GC as early as possible to cover more?
I need to leave early on 22 Dec for LA.
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Hi Steven and thank you for your inquiry.
Antelope Canyon is doable as a day trip from the South Rim, but not ideal, especially at the time of year you’re traveling.
The minimum drive time from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, is 2.5 hours. However, that’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens, since the drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take pictures. Between the turn-off onto AZ64 East and Desert View Point alone, there are over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints, all with varying perspectives and features. Upon leaving the park and entering Navajo Indian Tribal Land, there’s even more to see, including, but not limited to, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (great “brunch” stop, by the way!), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” overlook, and last, but not least, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, which you should set aside 60-90 minutes to enjoy.
Depending on whether you tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, your tour will take anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours. You would then have a 2.5 hour drive to contend with to get back to Tusayan. Another factor working against you at the time of year you’re traveling is daylength: late December is when days are at their shortest, with sunrise occurring at 7:35 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:15 PM. Driving after dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle, and other nocturnal wildlife.
A better option would be:
20 Dec: Get an early start out of LV. You can still see Hoover Dam from the bypass bridge on US93. Upon arrival in Tusayan, maybe catch the IMAX movie, head to Grand Canyon Village and do some sightseeing around that area, including the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, catch sunset, then go to bed. You will “lose” an hour traveling between Nevada and Arizona as they are on different time zones this time of year.
21 Dec: Get an early start on this day as well. Drive to Page, AZ. Hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way into town; if the parking lot is full that afternoon, then plan to catch it first thing in the morning the next day. Do an Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon. Overnight in Page, AZ.
22 Dec: Head back to LA. The driv from Page, AZ, to LA will take ~8.5 hours. That’s only 1 hour longer than it would have taken from Grand Canyon. Plus, you will “gain” an hour going back into California, but here again, your daylength is short: sunrise at around 6:45 AM, sunset at 4:50 PM.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 03, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Susana
Hello, we are travelling next july with our daugther who is 18yo and our son 17yo. He is blind, so we wonder if the lower canyon will be too narrow for him. We know that upper canyon is always crowded.. our plan was to do a combined tour of kayak and lower canyon.
Any suggestion for a tour for the whole family? We love photography and our son comes with us everywhere we go, but we don’t want to force him to an uncomfortable excursion.
Do you know if we could book for a private tour, which probably would be more relaxed?
Thank you!
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Hi Susanna and thank you for your inquiry.
Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are crowded. Neither one offers private tours, since public tours are their “bread and butter” and locking up the canyon for a single group is simply not practical.
For a more comfortable experience for your son, and a more personalized one for your entire family, I’d suggest touring one of many “alternate” slot canyons that are just as beautiful as Antelope, but a lot less crowded. In your son’s case, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (formerly known as “Secret” Canyon) might be the best choice since group sizes are kept smaller and there are no ladders to manage. Another plus to touring this slot canyon is that you can add a visit to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook onto your experience, which saves you from having to contend with the parking snarls that have become “the new normal” out there.
Seeing as though you have a traveler with special needs in your party, I would highly recommend calling the tour company to make reservations and express any concerns you might have. Check out the article “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours,” which gives contact information for all the tour companies.
The only company not listed in this article is Ligai Si’Anii Tours out of LeChee, AZ; their tour of Wind Pebble Canyon may also be a viable alternative for you. For information on what they offer, visit www.HikingSlotCanyons.com
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 03, 2018 at 2:51 PM
Ariel
Hi,
Ideas and itineraries here are very helpful -thanks!
We’re planning a family trip to Utah right after Christmass. We’re a family with 4 kids (oldest is 10) but pretty accustomed to hiking up to 4-5 miles a day. We will be staying in Kanab for 10 days and are planning to use it a base to drive and hike around, weather permitting (Antelope canyon, Zion, Bryce, even the Wave if we’re lucky). Any suggestions on how to plan an agenda for 10 days in the winter would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Ariel
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Hi Ariel, and thank you for your visit!
With 10 days in Kanab, UT, there will be no shortage of places to see and do in addition to the ones you list.
In the very likely event you do not succeed in obtaining a Wave permit, you might consider doing a tour to White Pocket, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Alstrom Point – or perhaps all of the above! Though these areas do not require a permit to visit, and are theoretically accessible by private vehicles, we still encourage you to travel with a licensed tour guide. All of these areas are accessed via unpaved roads, which could be rendered impassable in inclement weather. Plus, you’d be voiding your rental car insurance by venturing off-road, leaving you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. A well-known tour company that covers these areas from Kanab is Dreamland Safari Tours, but there are several to choose from in Kanab, Paria, and Page.
As for other places you might visit, these include, but are not limited to:
– Pipe Spring National Monument
– Toroweap Overlook (here again, a guided tour is recommended due to the condition of the road)
– Snow Canyon State Park or Yant Flats (both near St. George, UT, the latter bears strong resemblance to The Wave, doesn’t require a permit, but does require some hiking)
– Volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
– Visit Moqui Cave
– Kodachrome Basin State Park
– Duck Creek
– Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe (~2.5 hour drive 1-way from Kanab)
– Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument
– Johnson Canyon
– Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon
– Coral Pink Sand Dunes
For more suggestions, go to VisitSouthernUtah.com, VisitUtah.com or simply talk with the staff at the local visitors center, or at your hotel. The possibilities are almost endless!
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Recreation Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon), but it would still likely pay for itself on this trip alone. Simply purchase it at the first National Park you hit on your itinerary.December 03, 2018 at 2:41 PM
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From Ariel
Thanks Alley for the detailed answer!! We will be sure trying some of these
Happy holidays,
ArielDecember 04, 2018 at 4:34 PM
Jason
Hello-
I need some expert advice since I have been stuck in the East Coast my entire life. My fiancee and I booked a round-trip flight from Boston to Vegas from Jan 5 through to the 23rd. We plan to spend the first 8 days in Vegas and the remainder seeing all the wonders. As to the weather for that period, how would you recommend a road trip from and back to Vegas that includes grand canyon, antelope canyon and one other day elsewhere, perhaps Zion or cruising on route 66 to the grand canyon caverns? What would you do and in what order for that time of the season? Much appreciate any and all advice!
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Hi Jason, and thank you for your inquiry.
With that much time to work with, you can have a wonderful time visiting the scenic wonders of Northern Arizona, Southern Utah, and then some!
As you’ve deduced, the one factor you have to keep a close eye on is weather, so having some “wiggle room” in your schedule is good in case you get delayed or detoured by a snowstorm. These tend to be more of a consideration at higher elevations, such as Grand Canyon South Rim and Bryce Canyon. Of course, it’s too soon to say exactly what the weather will be like during your visit, so you should start monitoring conditions about 2 weeks before you set out.
Given your schedule, and your interest in Route 66, you could do something like this:
January 13th – drive from Las Vegas to Seligman, AZ, with a stopover at the Grand Canyon Caverns, overnight in Seligman. Drive time (not including Grand Canyon Caverns tour): 3.5 hours
January 14th: Drive from Seligman to Sedona, AZ (~2 hour drive). Stay 2 nights Sedona offers many activities and sights to enjoy, including, but not limited to:
– Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour
– Chapel of the Holy Cross
– Easy but scenic hikes
– Spas
– Wine tastings
– Verde Valley Scenic Railroad
For more suggestions, check out Travel US News: 10 Best Things To Do In Sedona
January 16th: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hours), drive to scenic overlooks as desired on West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive, see IMAX movie, hike rim trail or perhaps a short distance into the Inner Canyon, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
January 17th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley. Direct drive time is ~3+ hours, but more realistically ends up being ~4-4.5 hours due to many scenic overlooks and points of interest along the way. Take backcountry tour of Monument Valley either that afternoon or the following morning, go to Forrest Gump point, overnight in Monument Valley.
January 18th: Drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ. Drive time: 2-2.5 hours. Stop at Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon or following morning. Overnight in Page, AZ.
January 19th: Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon. All kinds of things do do there, ranging from easy, scenic hikes to more difficult ones; conditions permitting, you might even try some snowshoeing or cross-country skiing!
January 20th: Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (drive time: 90 minutes-2 hours). Here again, no shortage of activities to occupy your time (I suggest 2 days minimum). Water-based activities, such as hiking The Narrows, may not be an option at the time of year you’re visiting, but you can easily compensate for that by being able to tour the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive in your own vehicle rather than use the shuttle buses. Stay 2-3 nights in Springdale, UT, just outside the Western border of the park.
January 22nd or 23rd: Drive back to Las Vegas (~2.5 hours). Time/inclination/weather permitting, a detour to the Valley of Fire State Park would make for a really cool “topper” to your trip!
Be sure to reserve ALL hotels and guided tours (especially Antelope Canyon) in advance of your arrival. Though January is typically a quieter time of year (which definitely has its advantages!), it is still busy. One more thing: be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the US for just 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon). Even so, it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your trip.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 01, 2018 at 3:17 PM
ciara
Hi! We are lokking to do a tour and have no idea where to start, we are wanting to go sometime during March 2019 and we mainly want to see the antelope canyon as well as the grand canyon. We have about 5 or 6 days and we are coming from dallas, tx. where should start and where should we stay? all recommendations welcome thank you so much!!
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Hello Ciara and thank you for visiting!
Assuming you are driving from Dallas, you first need to be aware that it will take you two full days (as in ~8 hours of driving per day) to make the trip to Arizona, then another couple of days to make the trip back. Albuquerque, NM would probably be the best point at which to break up the drive on the trip over; going back, you might make Tucumcari, NM your stopover point. That doesn’t give you much time for sightseeing – 2-3 days tops – but the good news is, you can visit both the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in that amount of time.
You’ll want to visit Grand Canyon South Rim as that’s the area of the Grand Canyon that offers the most to see and do. It is most desirable to stay inside the park (Grand Canyon Village), but you might already find those hotels to be sold out. If that is the case, then Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, 7 miles outside the park boundary is your next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
Spend 1 night there, then make the trip to Page, AZ. The drive time given on Google Maps is 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens since the drive is very scenic, and there will be many places where you’ll invariably pull over to take advantage of a photo op, especially on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, where there are numerous points of interest that might pique yours, including, but not limited to: the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Navajo Trading Post (good breakfast/lunch stop), Chinle formation views, the “Cut” overlook, and just South of Page, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Regarding Horseshoe Bend, this attraction has become extremely popular, resulting in frequent parking snags. If you’re unable to find a place to park at the overlook on the way into town (and don’t improvise, you’ll get a ticket), then plan on hitting this attraction just after sunrise the following day.
As for where to stay in Page, AZ, everything from traditional hotels and motels to bed and breakfasts and repurposed apartments are available, in varying amenity classes and price points. Pick what works for your party and your budget, and book it, along with other accommodations and guided tours, ASAP.
On your 2nd day in Page, take your Antelope Canyon tour (again, book it ASAP!), then, time permitting, you might visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, hike to the New Wave (easy), or enjoy a meal “lakeside” at the Lake Powell Resort or Antelope Point Marina.
The next day, start making the trip back to Dallas, TX. Time/inclination permitting, you might make a detour to Monument Valley, but this will tack another 1-2 hours onto an already long drive.
Good luck and safe travels, and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 27, 2018 at 2:44 PM
sang
Hi Alley,
I will arrive Las Vegas in early morning April 14 and will be back to LA in April 19, I can stay at my friend’s house at Gilbert city. I’m looking for these places if it fit with my schedule, would you please give an advise where I need hotel to stay and which park i need to book a tour .
-South Rim
-Sedona
-Arches National park
-The wave
-Horseshoe bend
-Antelope
-Bryce canyon
-Glen canyon…
Thank you very much Alley
sang
Hi Alley,
I will arrive Las Vegas in April 14 and will be back to LA in April 18 I can stay at my friend’s house at Gilbert city. I’m looking for these places if it fit with my schedule, would you please give an advise where I need hotel to stay and which park i need to book a tour .
-South Rim
-Sedona
-Arches National park
-The wave
-Horseshoe bend
-Antelope
-Bryce canyon
-Glen canyon…
Thank you very much Alley
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Hi Sang,
Unfortunately, with your limited timeframe, there’s no way you can fit all these destinations into your itinerary. To pull off the trip you’re wanting to accomplish per your post, you need at least two weeks. This time around, you realistically have three full days to work with. Assuming that April 14th will be a travel day, I’d recommend the following:
April 15th: Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5 hours), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page Optional detour through Zion National Park, add 60-90 minutes onto your drive time.
April 16th: Drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5-4 hour drive factoring in sightseeing, bathroom breaks, meal stops), overnight at the Grand Canyon
April 17th: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Gilbert, AZ, with a detour through Sedona (~6 hour drive), hang out with your friend.
April 18th: back to LA
Hope that helps and that you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2018 at 3:57 PM
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From sang
Hi Alley,
I’m sorry that I accidentally send you the old message. I make little change for my plan. I will start from Las Vegas in early morning April 14 and will be back to LA in April 20 from Gilbert city. I’m looking for these places if it fit with my schedule, would you please give an advise where I need hotel to stay and which park do I need to book a tour .
-South Rim
-Sedona
-Arches National park
-The wave
-AntelopeThank you very much Alley
November 26, 2018 at 6:36 PM
Pat
Hello and thanks for a very informative site. I will be traveling from Denver to Southern CA with my adult daughter mid December and we wanted to visit The Wave among other sites. Is it worth the side trip to go to the center, even if we aren’t able to get a permit? I can’t tell if any of the land formation is viewable without hiking inland. Thanks again for so much information.
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Hi Pat, and thank you for your inquiry.
Competition for Wave permits is pretty fierce, no matter when you try and go. The good news is that in the likely event that you aren’t able to get a permit, there is plenty of other good stuff to see in the area, including, but not limited to: White Pocket, Sidestep Canyon, Soap Creek, Pinnacle Valley, Wire Pass Canyon, Buckskin Gulch … just to name a few. Which one you visit depends on how much time you have and how much hiking you’re willing to do, or not do. Since many of these areas are located on roads that may be rendered impassable after a rain or snowstorm, we do not recommend attempting to get to them in a rental car, but to hire a licensed guide service instead.
For more information, visit our companion sites, www.HorseshoeBend.com or www.TheWaveAZ.com
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2018 at 4:02 PM
paul chern
Assuming that I can visit Antelope Canyon any time during the year, when is the best time to visit? Both time of year and time during the day.
Assuming that I visit Antelope Canyon in January 2019, how cold can I expect the weather to be?
Is it better to visit in terms of lighting within the canyon, in early or late January and what is the best time during the day to visit the canyon.
Thanks for your help.
Paul Chern
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Hi Paul and thank you for your inquiry.
You are correct in that Antelope Canyon tours are offered year-round. If you are able to pick and choose the best time of year to visit, that would be mid-October. Temperatures are just about perfect, and even though it’s still busy, it tends to be mostly adults out touring since kids are back in school.
If January is the only time you have available, you can still have an enjoyable visit to Page, AZ! Temperatures will be on the cooler side, in the 30’s and 40’s during the day, at or below freezing at night. Snow is rare, but has been known to occur. If/when it does, it tends to melt off quickly. Optimal time of day for visiting Antelope Canyon is mid-day; best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in order to find a place to park and avoid peak crowds is just after sunrise.
Good luck and safe travels, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Catherine
What a wonderful forum, thank you.
I’m planning a trip last week of June with husband, two son’s (20,22) and a girlfriend. Flying into LV spending few days there, no hotel booked yet.
Plan: hotel already booked in Zion, so order is in somewhat reversed. Any suggestions welcomed.
leave early from LV drive to LP region hitting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend. Thinking of staying at LP Motel in town vs on the Lake.
Day 2 in LP- renting boat ourselves and spending day on water, exploring caves was our original plan or should we do Glen Canyon 1/2 float. Thinking we should stay overnight LP and leave early to drive to Zion, Desert Pearl in already booked for two nights. Then drive back to Vegas.
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Hi Catherine, and thank you for visiting!
Before I say anything, I have to point out that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Therefore, I’m assuming you’ve already been there and do not feel the need to revisit it. If you haven’t, I recommend prioritizing it and dropping one park from your itinerary.
With the limited amount of time you have to give to Page/Lake Powell, you will have to make a choice between the Glen Canyon Float Trip or a boat rental. In terms of scenery, it’s an “apples to oranges” comparison: the GC Float Trip will take you down a 15-mile rapids-free stretch of the Colorado River, and your raft will be piloted by a trained captain, so you can kick back and relax. If you were to opt for the boat rental, you’d have to do the work of navigating, piloting, etc. As for “exploring caves,” depending on the water level, there may not be many (or any) caves to see, but I wouldn’t let that deter you from this activity. The scenery would consist of more wide-open spaces, highlighted by red rock formations of varying heights and shapes, and beaches to relax on should you desire. Since either activity will have you in the hot summer sun for the better part of a day, you will be tired, no matter what you do. I would strongly recommend overnighting in Page, AZ, then heading to the Desert Pearl. The Lake Powell Motel is a cute property, it used to be called “Bashful Bob’s” and had something of a cult following back in the day. What I like about it is that for the price of a traditional hotel/motel, you get an apartment with a full kitchen and separate living and sleeping areas. Plus, it’s “off the main drag,” but close enough to restaurants, museums, stores, etc. in Page.
Good luck and safe travels – have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2018 at 3:40 PM
April
Alley would you be so kind to look at my itinerary and help me plan my last two days.
Traveling – my husband and I and our 20 year old kids and their significant others, total of 6 adults
December 29- fly into Phoenix
December 29 & 30 stay nights at Oak Creek Canyon Cabins bear Sedona (hike and see Sedona)
December 31- drive to GC and stay at Yavapai Lodge that night
January 1- Lower Antelope Canyon & ????
Should we stay in Page or drive to Monument Valley, then get up and see Monument Valley on the 2nd
January 2- see Monument Valley or just stay in Page
January 3- fly out of Phoenix at 1:00 in the afternoon
I don’t know whether to hassle with Monument Valley or just relax in Page and Sedona?!?
Any advice will be appreciated. I’ve really enjoyed reading this blog of information and advice- 2 thumbs up!
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Hi April and thank you for your inquiry.
If you want to include Monument Valley in your trip plan, it’s almost a “six of one/half a dozen of another” proposition as to where you put it. If you were to hit it right after the Grand Canyon, it would be ~a 3-hour drive, going direct, but that rarely happens. The trip, especially the portion that goes along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping along the way at attractions such as Grand Canyon scenic overlooks, Chief Yellowhorse’s curio stand, the Little Colorado River overlook, the Cameron Trading Post (excellent “brunch” stop), the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, Navajo National Monument the Elephant’s Feet, and the Navajo Code Talkers Museum… just to name a few. With this in mind, a 3-hours-and-change drive could easily turn into a half-day adventure. The drive to Page from Monument Valley would then be about 2-2.5 hours, and you could tour Lower Antelope Canyon on your way into town since the Tribal Park Entrance is just off US98 Southeast of Page. The drive from Page to Phoenix would then be ~4.5 hours.
If you were to opt to go to Page before Monument Valley, the same driving rule applies: a 2.5 hour drive “on paper” is actually more like 4 hours or so in reality. If you do it this way, you could hit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way into Page, then tour Lower Antelope Canyon on your way to Monument Valley (you’ll pass the Tribal Park Entrance on your way out of town). The trip back to Phoenix would then run ~4.5-5 hours. The key factor in making this plan work is availability of lodging at Monument Valley. Hotels/motels are few and far between in that area, so don’t be surprised if you find everything sold out. The View Lodge is generally regarded to be the best in the area, seconded by historic Goulding’s Lodge. If nothing is available there, then the town of Kayenta, AZ (~30 minutes away) would be your next best option.
If you can’t find lodging in Monument Valley, you might indeed skip it this time around and opt to hang out in Page for a couple of days. That said, there may be a possibility to “have your cake and eat it too” with regards to Monument Valley: take a scenic flight over it out of Page, Arizona. Westwind Air Service offers fixed-wing airplane tours over Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and other local attractions by prior arrangement. For more information, visit their website, AND call their local office at 928-645-2494.
Please keep in mind that you’ll be traveling in winter, and cooler weather will be the norm. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing, and start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get set to travel.
Have a safe trip, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂November 26, 2018 at 3:20 PM
Ellen
Hi. this is such a useful site that we would like to mirror for our upcoming trip to Page!! May i check if you think Xmas is a good time to visit? the native american fun dining was also closed from nov 1 – march, so just curious if its a bad season to go? thank you!
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Hi Ellen, and thank you for your visit today!
Christmas is a wonderful time to travel in Northern Arizona and visitor numbers definitely seem to support that sentiment. However, as you’ve discovered, some activities are on seasonal hiatus. “Into The Grand” appears to be one; others worth noting are water-based activities such as Lake Powell Boat Tours and the Glen Canyon Float Trip . Daytime temperatures are a usually too cold to enjoy these anyway.
The good news is, though, the majority of Page, AZ’s other signature activities are in full operational mode, including the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, Antelope Canyon and other slot canyon tours, the John Wesley Powell Museum, and the Glen Canyon Dam… just to name a few.
Even though some local activities are scaled back for the season, Christmas remains a busy time of year, so all lodging and guided tours should be reserved ASAP. Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of wonderful ways to occupy your time! Start monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel, and be prepared to pack clothing suitable for cooler weather, including jackets, scarves, and gloves.
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Happy Holiday Season 🙂
AlleyNovember 21, 2018 at 2:14 PM
theresa cheng
Hi Alley,
Just wanted to give you a “Grand, Monumental” T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U!!!!! We are just back from touring this itinerary in Mid November, and it was awesome!!! Your advice was spot on, and a wonderful help in planning, particularly the part about the pit stops and the NPS annual pass…. Also, noteworthy is how much fun and easy, and head turninglingly amazing the whole drive was as the landscape continuously changes and morphs throughout the whole way…the road of this road trip was great!
I thought that you and your readers may like a late fall perspective of how your itinerary may be experienced because of the very varying temperatures and limited daylight. We did a few tweaks, primarily by driving mid day except for Day One. This made it so we could visit each place by mid afternoon and again in the morning, which with the varying light during am and pm parts of day, made each place magically different for each experience. And made even better use of the NPS pass, since by your third entry, all your next entries are”free” and easy…Also dress in layers, as we went from + Mid 20s Celsius to -14 Celsius plus windchill… need a full gamut of hot and cold clothes including tuques and gloves..
Since we did start and end in Vegas, we also added in a Valley of Fire day trip the day before this itinerary and for good measure, added a Death Valley day trip from LV at the end, instead of doing two days in Zion. Both of these of course are wonders too in their own right, and enjoyable to do in late fall. But not likely during summer months…
The Grand Canyon one hour helicopter tour was great, and definitely worthwhile and worth the cost. And the red line bus tour was great, but it was also easy to drive yourself on the west side of the park towards Desert Watchtower with plenty of jaw dropping stops in between. Lodging last minute was no issue either.
Monument Valley, with its majestic, timeless, quiet, mysterious presence was impressive and moving.
As for the Page stop, we were uncertain that it was worth two days, but what a pleasant surprise this stop turned out to be! Again, given the time of year, we did a Horseshoe bend afternoon with a sunset on Day 1. On day 2, instead of a full 1/2 day boat tour, since it was pretty chilly, we took an AM one hour boat tour of Antelope Canyon starting from the Antelope Canyon Marina, which was just enough to capture the beauty of a water tour experience of Lake Powell. This was followed by a noontime Upper Antelope Canyon tour upon local recommendation, since the morning and afternoon tours have much less light, and would not have given as great an effect. The vermillion cliffs national park entrance near house rock road was an unpaved path, and while the drive to it was fantastic, but it is not recommended to go forth after to the park entrance without a 4×4. … Lake Powell is undescribably beautiful with all its curves , and Lone Rock Beach was magical in the dusk hour. The toadstool park was neat, but a little disappointing, probably because there was very little signage (is this the right way and are we there yet? ) and only a few toadstools. Glen canyon dam was impressive, and since we visited that, did not feel the need to go to the hoover dam later which though taller, is smaller…
Bryce was overwhelmingly beautiful, mind boogling and other worldly. This was a highlight unique landscape not to be missed. It was easy to drive from point to point, but given the altitudes, the trails and look outs were very cold indeed and blustery.
Zion was much more than we expected, even though many have spoken to its likability… The fall colours of the forest actually accentuated the kaleidoscope of colours of these powerful majestic peaks and canyons. Lots of wildlife too could be spotted.
All in all, you can probably sense how much we were thrilled by this itinerary, and once again , thank you for your great insight and advice!
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Dear Theresa,
All I can say is “W-O-W!” Thank you so much for letting us know how your vacation went, and that our trip planning advice helped you get the most out of it. That’s cool that you were able to add Death Valley and the Valley of Fire to your itinerary; that’s just one of many advantages to traveling in late fall. They’re both beautiful places, but I certainly wouldn’t want to go to either one of them during the scorching heat of summer!
If you have the time, you might also post reviews of the hotels, restaurants, tour companies, and other businesses you patronized on your vacation. They always like to hear what they did right and what they might have gotten wrong in order to serve future customers better.
Thank you again and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 19, 2018 at 2:52 PM
Julie
Hello-Is it possible to do lower canyon with a two and five year old? I think the 5 year old would be fine with the ladder and thinking we could put the 2 year on our back? It just seems like it would be a headache to try to do upper with the carseat situation? Also recommendation for a short/safe hike with kids at the grand canyon? We’re doing these on separate days. Nothing more than 2-3 miles roundtrip. Any recommendations for best spot to view sunset/sunrise at the grand canyon? Thank you for your help! Some really great information on here.
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Hi Julie and thank you for your inquiry.
Lower Antelope Canyon can be enjoyed, and has been enjoyed, by families like yourselves. Bringing Kids To Antelope Canyon However, keep in mind that backpack carriers may or may not be allowed by Lower Antelope Canyon tour outfitters (that situation, is, shall we say, ‘somewhat fluid’). If they do allow you to carry the littler one on your back, you’ll need to exercise caution so that he/she doesn’t bump their head on a rock overhang. If they don’t allow the backpack carrier, keep in mind that Lower Antelope Canyon is 600m long, and has several ladders and staircases that you’ll need to manage with that extra weight. Before committing, I recommend you watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon
As for easy hikes to do at the Grand Canyon, the Rim Trail is scenic, mostly flat, and manageable for most. It is also paved, so you can take a stroller on it if desired. If you want to venture below the canyon rim a ways, the Bright Angel Trail would be the easiest way to go. Just remember 1 hour down = 2 hours out. Food and water must be carried if you wish to spend any more than 1 hour’s time hiking or go any further than 1 mile. It’s also a very rugged dirt path, so no strollers, plus you might want to bring some hiking poles.
Good sunrise/sunset spots? That’s easy: anywhere on the canyon rim! For sunset, I’m fond of Grandview Point, which is ~5 miles East of Grand Canyon Village, but you’ll find it less crowded than Hopi Point and other popular overlooks. Yavapai Point and Mather Point are good for sunrise, and is fairly easy to reach on the Village Loop Shuttle, but you’ll find a lot of people at these overlooks.
Good luck, safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 17, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Abhi K
Hi All,
We are planning for the Canyon trip around Christmas this year (Dec 20 – 27) with 2 boys 11 & 6 and both love to hike. Here is our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Fly from Dallas to Las Vegas – Rent out a car and spend time on LV Strip
Day 2: Visit Hoover Dam and proceed to Page – Halt in Page (What can we do in the evening?)
Day 3: Visit Antelope & Horse shoe bend (need inputs here on what all can we do) – Halt in Page
Day 4: Depart for Death Valley – where can we stay around DV if we plan to proceed to Sequoia next day?
Day 5: Depart for Sequoia – Halt near Three Rivers .. ?
Day 6: Explore Sequoia (Can we do a quick Yosemite on this day) – Halt near Three Rivers
Day 7: Drive back to Las Vegas & Fly back home
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Dear Abhi,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site today!
Unfortunately, I cannot endorse this plan. The simple reason is too much driving. You’re looking at a grand total of 30 hours of driving in order to pull this all off.
On Day 2, for example, when you say “visit Hoover Dam, then proceed to Page,” Hoover Dam is located South of Las Vegas and will require about 2 hours time to get there, look around, get back to Las Vegas, then, you’re looking at about a minimum of a 5-hour drive to Page. I know that Google maps puts the drive time from Las Vegas to Page at around 4.5 hours, but around here, you need to pad those by ~20%. Why? Because all of these routes are very scenic and you’re invariably going to find yourselves stopping to take pictures, not to mention the occasional bathroom break, grabbing lunch somewhere (unless you bring a cooler with snacks), etc.
Another couple of factors potentially working against you at the time of year you’re traveling are daylength and weather. Daylength is short: sunrise in Arizona occurs at around 7:30 AM, and the sun goes down shortly after 5:00 PM. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, and the possibility of encountering deer, elk, coyotes, free range cattle and other nocturnal animals.
Regarding weather, you could encounter freezing rain, sleet, snow – or all of the above in one day! The destinations you’re wanting to to visit, especially Yosemite and Sequoia (by the way, Yosemite is not a “quickie” day trip from Sequoia), could get large amounts of snow, which could throw your trip plans on the trash heap.
In light of the long drives required, and the potential for bad weather to mess up your plans, I’d recommend taking Death Valley, Sequoia and Yosemite off the table and saving them for another time. Concentrate on the incredible destinations that are within easier access to Las Vegas. I’d recommend modifying your itinerary as follows:
Day 1: Fly to Las Vegas, stay overnight
Day 2: Proceed to Grand Canyon South Rim, visit Hoover Dam on the way, overnight at Grand Canyon (~4.5 hour drive from Hoover Dam)
Day 3: Head to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive taken at a leisurely pace, many viewpoints to stop at en route), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, stay overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4: Tour Antelope Canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam, do some hiking, visit the John Wesley Powell Museum, stay 2nd night in Page.
Day 5: Head to Bryce Canyon, UT, in the morning, head to Bryce Canyon (~3 hour drive), overnight in Bryce ***at 8,000′ above sea level, this area can also get a lot of snow, so keep your eye on the weather
Day 6: Go to Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 7: Back to Vegas (~3 hour drive), fly home
As you can see, with this trip plan, your total drive time is cut nearly in half, and you still have ample opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, exploration, etc. If you’ve already been to some of these places, you could add a second night in Zion or the Grand Canyon. Other possible substitutions that won’t take you too far afield include, but aren’t limited to: Sedona, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Brian Head/Cedar Breaks National Monument, Coral Pink Sand Dunes (Kanab, UT), Snow Canyon State Park (near St. George, UT), and Valley of Fire (near Las Vegas).
For more suggestions, check out our Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Best wishes for safe travels, and a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 16, 2018 at 4:47 PM
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From Diana
I give you a lot of credit for tackling a question even a travel agent would have found frustrating! And not even a thank you?
Kudos to Alley!!!
December 07, 2018 at 3:00 AM
Leena
We (5 adults , 1 kid (2 year old) ) planning this itinerary.
Wed : start driving afternoon from sanjose and reach sequioa
Thu : spend in sequioa
Fri : after brunch start to zion
Sat: spend time in zion
sun : visit early mrng tours for upper and lower antelopes and go to horse shoe for sunset.
mon : drive back to San Jose
1. can you plz suggest if any changes are needed
2. any other suggestions instead of sequioa? should we direct go to zion ?
3. what things can be done at zion with kid?
4. seems like tours are booked, can we visit antelopes without tours? kid allowed?
5. any other suggestions that is doable with kid?
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Leena,
Yikes, this is WAY too much driving in too short a time, especially with a toddler in tow! You’ll need to a. free up more time to pull this off or b. take a good hard look at a map and concentrate your sightseeing on destinations that are closer, such as Sequoia, and perhaps Yosemite and/or Death Valley.
It takes approximately 4 hours – wheels turning, no stops – to drive from San Jose, CA, to Sequoia National Park. It then takes ~9 hours, again, driving direct, to get from Sequoia to Zion. Eliminating Sequoia from your “wish list” doesn’t improve the situation much, you’re still looking at ~ a 10 hour drive. You should consider breaking up the drive in someplace like Primm, NV, or Las Vegas, NV.
The trip from Zion to Page, AZ, takes 2-2.5 hours. It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. With a 2-year-old, you’re better off sticking with Upper Antelope Canyon and saving Lower for another visit, preferably once they’re around 6-7 and better able to make their own way through the canyon. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Whether you visit Upper or Lower, you MUST go with a guided tour since the canyon is situated on Native American Tribal Lands. If you’re finding that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, consider touring Antelope Canyon X.
Regarding things to do in Zion with children, there’s no shortage of easy but scenic hikes.
I don’t recall when your visit was scheduled for, but if it’s for the near future, keep in mind that it’s cold here. You’ll need to pack jackets, gloves, scarves, and other warm weather clothing for you and your child’s safety and comfort.
But the main take-away here is I cannot endorse your plan as it stands. It seems to me that you don’t fully comprehend the distances and drive times involved. You should get a better sense of the potential difficulties before you pack up your family and hit the road.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 15, 2018 at 5:23 PM
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From Leena
Thanks Alley, such a meticulous reply, answering all my concerns.. amazing…
we removed sequoia from the plan.. we are driving directly to zion with a break at Las Vegas.
Wed (21stNov) start from sanjose and drive to Vegas, stay overnight
Thu : start from Vegas to Zion.
Fri : spend in zion
Sat : Monument valley (or) Powell lake + horse shoe bend
Sun : upper or(and) lower antelope and start to Vegas
Mon : drive back to SJC from Vegas.. with a break at sequoia.any suggestions here?
would you recommend monument valley or Powell lake? which one is good?
also would you recommend staying one night near Zion and 2 nights near page?
or any common place for staying all 3 nights that is almost equidistant to Zion + antelope + monument valley?
November 15, 2018 at 10:05 PM
Emily
Hey Ryan, thanks for the info. Would you know how much time I should allow for the lower antelope canyon tour? I’m reading they vary between 40 minutes to 1h15m in length, but does this include transportation time to and from Ken’s tour in Page?
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Hi Emily,
Lower Antelope Canyon tours depart from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. Time to safely allot for this activity, factoring in transportation time from and back to Page, AZ, is 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 12, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Jennifer Galperin
Hi Alley,
Thank you for this. I am excited to visit this area for the first time. I’m looking to plan the trip for one of the following time frames, could use your thoughts:
1. April 2019 (spring break) with kids 10, 8, and 6. Concerned that my youngest will be too young to enjoy some of the activities.
2. Late August, 2019. Concerned that it will be too hot and too crowded in late august.
3. Wait until April 2020.
What do you think?
Jen Galperin
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Hi Jen!
I think that your youngest is not too young at all to enjoy most of the popular family activities in the area. I wouldn’t recommend taking him/her on any long, difficult hikes, certainly, but kids as young as 4 can take part in the Glen Canyon Float Trip. Younger kids are also welcome on Antelope Canyon tours (the main branches, Upper, Lower and X); age limitations may apply on some of the alternate slot canyons. Lake Powell boat tours and kayak tours are also an option, but you’d probably want to keep these on the short side.
As for when you visit, I agree that August is way too hot and way too crowded. April 2019 should still be doable as long as you get a couple of important elements reserved: Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours. If you are able to pick and choose when you visit, though, honestly, the absolute best time of year is autumn, meaning late September/early October. I realize that that may not be conducive to your kids’ school schedules, however.
Anyway, good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 12, 2018 at 4:29 PM
Melissa
Hi Alley,
Ok I have been planning and since I came across your itinerary feeling much better about our trip. I am coming with my four children in June 2019. They are 14 – 24, we plan to see everything we can and love the history,
Here’s my plan:
Day 1 – Fly into Vegas, Drive to Southern Rim.
Day 2 – Drive from Southern Rim to Monument Valley, guided tour, sleep at Goulding Lodge
Day 3 – travel to page, Antelope Canyon Lower Canyon, Dinner at Sandbar, Horseshoe bend overlook, Sleep in Page
Day 4 – Page River trail, Drive to
Bryce Canyon, Explore
Sleep at Bryce view Lodge
Day 5 – Morning at Bryce, Travel up to Zion National Park
Catch 1st free shuttle Zion Canyon Scenic Drive shuttle, 20 min video,
Springdale Utah for Dinner Sleep at Zion Lodge
Day 6 – Morning at Zion., then…
Does this all seem good so far?
Here is where I am stuck. We are ending our trip at Family’s in Hemit California, On the way through I plan to stop at Joshua Tree State Park. But this itinerary doesn’t include any time on the North rim, which is part of my desire to see. Is there a better way to route to see everything and make the last day ending at Hemit (about an hour and half West of Joshua Tree State Park). Please advise. Thank you so much for all your details, I have saved all of the points of interest along the way! Can’t wait!!
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Hi Melissa, and thank you for your visit!
Your itinerary looks quite well-planned. Since you specify where you’re staying for most of your itinerary, that makes me wonder: do you have your Grand Canyon hotels reserved? If not, I’d get on that pretty soon, as lodges inside the park tend to book up a year in advance. If you can’t find availability in Grand Canyon Village, then Tusayan/aka Grand Village South is your next best option.
Regarding the North Rim, it is not necessary to go there in order to have a fulfilling visit to the Grand Canyon. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but 1. lodging options are extremely limited there, and 2. there’s only a small area, square mileage-wise of the Grand Canyon that you can realistically and practically see from the North Rim. The South Rim has much more to offer in those respects, and is easier to navigate by car. If you insist on including it in your itinerary, you’ll need to find a place to stay, if not in the park, then somewhere nearby, such as Kanab, UT or St. George, UT. Otherwise, you’ll make an already long drive even longer: Zion to Hemet, CA via Joshua Tree is ~430 miles, 8 hours.
Throw the North Rim into the mix, you’ll tack on another 225 miles and another 5 hours onto the trip.
A way you can “have your cake and eat it too” here would be to fly over the North Rim from Grand Canyon South Rim. Airplane and helicopter tours depart from the Grand Canyon National Park Airport and include enough flight time over the North Rim for you to get a sense of how different it is from the South Rim.
Good luck and safe travels. Have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 10, 2018 at 8:35 PM
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From Melissa Hardy
Thank you and I LOVE the idea of the helicopter ride over! Of course I do want to have my cake and eat it too!
I took your advice and reserved all my hotels now, because I saw some of my choices are already taken!!! (yikes)
They do sell out early.I did make a change based on the hotels, which may flow better. New itinerary is:
Day 1: Drive from Vegas to Bryce Canyon, we wont have too long in the park but can enjoy the shuttle and sunset at inspiration point 🙂
Day 2: Zion National Park! Cant wait to hike and explore.
Day 3: North Ridge, and Page. Antelope Canyon
Day 4: Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend overlook, Riverview Trail hike, Monument Valley
Day 5: Drive to South Rim! Hike Explore
Day 6: Wake up on Southern Rim, enjoy sunrise, And drive through Joshua Tree State Park to Hemet CA.
Thank you for everything.November 16, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Teresa B
Hi. Thank you for your posting. I find them very informative. Our family (my husband, 16 y.o. daughter, 12 y.o. son, and me) are traveling to the region, arriving in Phoenix early 4/19/19 and depart at night on 4/26/19. I have a hard time deciding what and where to book the tours. We are active and athletic family. We would like to do hiking, horseback/mules riding, kayak, exploring the region while there. Here is our itinerary.
When/where should we do horseback/mules riding ?
What tour would you recommend for Grand Canyon or do we need a tour?
What about Zion National park? Can we fit that into the days that we will be at Page?
4/19-4/21 Sedona (3 nights)-slide rock, Cathedral Rock, Red Rock state park?
4/22/19 one night at Grand Canyon (leave Sedona early 4/22/19 to Grand Canyon, spend 2 days)
4/23-4/24 two nights at Page- Lower Antelope, Kayak at Lake Powell, Horse Shoe Bend?
4/25 one night at Flagstaff and will do more Sedona/FlagStaff activities prior to heading to the Phoenix airport.
Thank you for your help.
Teresa
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Hello Teresa, and welcome!
First off, GOOD CALL for giving Sedona the time it deserves. You won’t regret it, there’s plenty to see and do. In addition to the activities you list, you might consider a hike to the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon or perhaps the world-famous Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour; just to name a few. www.VisitSedona.com
The Grand Canyon is one of the easier parks in the area to self-tour. All the viewpoints are open to private vehicles, with the exception of those on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road, which is served by a free shuttle system. As for mule rides at the Grand Canyon, the one that goes to Phantom Ranch, IMO is the best one. It’s an overnight trip, a ton of fun, and… booked a year in advance, so probably not going to happen for you. What you might consider instead is taking a horseback ride to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in Page, AZ. It doesn’t descend below the rim, but offers a novel means of getting to the overlook without having to contend with the typical parking hassles. If you don’t opt for the Lake Powell kayak trip, another activity you might consider taking part in whilst in Page is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. It does not go through any rapids, but is still a wonderful scenic family activity.
Now – let’s talk about how you might fit Zion National Park into all this. You might accomplish it by 1. dropping 1 night in Sedona and/or 2. dropping that night in Flagstaff prior to flying out of Phoenix. Zion is a huge, beautiful park that requires at least 2 days of your time to do justice. Then, rearrange your itinerary a bit so that you don’t have to make too long a drive at the end of your trip. Maybe schedule Zion in between the Grand Canyon and Page, and hit Sedona last on your trip.
BTW, the reason I suggest you can get by with just one night from the Grand Canyon is because you’ll actually do a big chunk of sightseeing at the South Rim on the drive to Page. The most efficient route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints you can stop at. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, where there’s even more to see.
So, a revised trip itinerary would look something like this:
4/19 – Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Page (4-5 hour drive), spend 2 nights
4/21 – Drive to Zion (~2 hour drive), spend 2 nights in Springdale, Utah
4/23 – Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3 hour drive [realistically speaking]), spend 1 night
4/24 – Drive to Sedona, spend 2 nights
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to book your Grand Canyon hotels and Antelope Canyon tours. These two trip components will be the most important elements of your tour around which the rest of your plans will revolve, and evolve.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 10, 2018 at 8:17 PM
Jenny
Hi Alley, what an amazing resource you are! Your itinerary and responses on here are awesome.
I am planning a trip late Sept 2019 with my husband and 12 yo son and would love your guidance…. we will have 6 or 7 nights and hopefully be flying in and out of LV. My wish list is….hoover Dam, DG south rim, Antelope Canyon, lake Powell, Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Another option would be to fly into Phoenix and out of LV but may miss Hoover Dam…
Your opinion would be very welcome.
Jenny 😊
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Hi Jenny and thank you for your compliments!
With your timeframe, you should be able to pull off everything on your “wish list.” Before committing to flying into Phoenix and out of Vegas (or the other way around), check rental car drop-off fees. They can be pretty steep for returning a vehicle to any other location besides where yo picked it up in this part of the country due to the distances between cities. Also, if you do manage to find a decent deal for doing a PHX-LAS loop, you should build more time into your itinerary so you can include Sedona. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do, so you should plan on spending at least 3 days.
Since Hoover Dam is so close to Las Vegas, it’s pretty easy to include a stop there on your tour. It just depends on what’s most convenient for you.
The “lynchpin” around which all your plans should evolve, and revolve is Grand Canyon lodging. Hotels at the South Rim book up to a year in advance, so now is not too soon to start checking availability. Ideally (IMO), you should hit the Grand Canyon first as that will be the longest drive of the trip (4.5-5 hours). You could hit Hoover Dam on the way. You could do a tour of just the Visitor Center or go down deeper into the Power Plant, depending on your curiosity. Those cost money; however, it costs nothing at all to just drive over it and take a look. Hoover Dam Tours
After visiting the Grand Canyon, go on to Page, plan to spend at least 2 days, especially if you want to take part in water-based activities like the Glen Canyon Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. Then head over to Bryce for 1 night, Zion for 2. In Zion, plan on staying in Springdale, UT, as there are more hotels there to choose from than inside the park, and it will put you just 3 hours from Vegas for the final leg of your trip.
Be sure to purchase an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass as well. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments, and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. It doesn’t work for Native American Tribal Parks, such as Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, but it would still pay for itself on a 7-day trip through the major sights of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 08, 2018 at 9:13 PM
Lupe Ortiz
Good Morning,
My friend and I are planning to drive from Oceanside, CA on Thursday January 17th, to arrive there that evening. We will stay in Page then tour Antelope all day Friday then drive down to the Grand Canyon, spend the day there and drive back to Oceanside Sunday. Is this enough time? Should we stick to only one? And is it possible to see both upper and lower Antelope in one day? Thank you so much! Have a great day!
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Hi Lupe,
What a coincidence, I lived in Oceanside, CA, for a time myself, albeit some time ago (late ’80’s). Bet it’s grown a lot since then!
As to whether you have enough time to visit both Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon in the timeframe you have, unfortunately, the answer is no. It will take you a minimum of 10 hours to drive from Oceanside to Page. You’ll then need ~2.5 hours to tour Antelope Canyon. You should also stop by Horseshoe Bend while you’re here, which will take another 60-90 minutes of your time.
The drive time from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim is given as 2.5 hours on Google Maps, but that figure rarely materializes in the real world. The drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take pictures, especially on the Desert View Drive on the Eastern rim of the Grand Canyon. 3.5 or even 4 hours ends up being a more accurate figure. Then, the drive from the Grand Canyon back to Oceanside will take you at least another 8 hours (I know, I did that drive a few times!). In the summer months, you may be able to pull it all off, but in January, daylength is still quite short: sunrise occurs at about 7:45 AM, sunset at about 5:15 PM.
Unless you can free up another day so you can spend the night both at Page and the Grand Canyon, I would recommend sticking to the Grand Canyon this time around, and saving Page, AZ for a later/warmer timeframe when you can do some exploring on Lake Powell, or perhaps take the Glen Canyon Float Trip. Grand Canyon hotels
While it is possible to see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day’s time, it’s not necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with it, and use the time to enjoy other sights and activities in the area.
Hope that helps ~ Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years!
Alley 🙂November 07, 2018 at 10:02 PM
Ryan
Hi Alley
Is it true you need a guided tour to antelope canyon (lower/upper)? My family and I will be visiting during Thanksgiving this year and are thinking of spending Thursday touring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
After reading all the terrible reviews for TakeTour on TripAdvisor, I am a little hesitant booking online and would rather drive on my own to Antelope Canyon and if needed, pay for a guide tour at the entrance.
What do you recommend?
Thanks!
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Hey Ryan,
Sorry to hear that you’re finding a lot of negative reviews on TakeTours, but it’s probably a blessing in disguise that you found out about them before committing your hard-earned money and being disappointed. Self-driving is really the better way to go as this gives you more freedom and flexibility to enjoy the sights on your own schedule and pace.
As for Antelope Canyon, however, you absolutely must have advance reservations for a guided tour prior to arrival. Thanksgiving is a busy time of year, so you should book your reservations as soon as possible. You cannot count on just driving up to the canyon and purchasing tickets for the tour when you show up.
Since it is ~5 hours’ drive each way from Las Vegas to Page, we recommend spending the night at one of our local hotels for optimal safety, comfort, and enjoyment for your family.
Good luck and safe travels, and have a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 05, 2018 at 8:28 PM
Ronaldo SanAgustin
Hi Alley,
If I apply online, for me, my wife , two teenagers and a dog, can my wife submit her own application for herself, for me, two teenagers and a dog? Or is that considered “gaming the system”?
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Hi Ronaldo,
Unfortunately, you are correct: you and your wife applying separately for Wave permits for your family would be a “no no.” However, all applicants are allowed to pick three dates they’d be available to hike.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Good luck on your Wave permit application, and for more tips on what to do in the very likely event you don’t get a permit, visit our companion site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year,
Alley 🙂November 05, 2018 at 4:42 PM
Kelly
Thank you for all the helpful information on this site! My husband and I and our children (15yo, 13yo, 10yo) plan to spend our Spring Break (April 13-20, 2018) touring Northern Arizona. We have already booked our flights in/out of Phoenix. I listed our itinerary below, but would appreciate any feedback. This will probably be our only family trip to this area, so a good balance of sight seeing, hiking and water sports would be great. Our kids are great travelers and can tolerate long, busy days.
Day 1: Fly into Phoenix in afternoon. Drive to Sedona.
Day 2: Sedona then drive to Grand Canyon for sunset (overnight in Tusayan)
Day 3: Grand Canyon then drive to Page (Horseshoe Bend for sunset)
Day 4: Lower Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell/ Glen Canyon Half Day Float
Day 5: Bryce Canyon
Day 6: Zion (overnight in Springdale)
Day 7: Las Vegas (overnight in Las Vegas)
Day 8: Fly out of Phoenix in evening
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Hi Kelly and thank you for visiting today!
In theory, your plan is doable, but you’re rushing things. The first “red flag” I notice is that you’re not giving Sedona enough time. This area has a lot to see and do and really should be given 2 days minimum in order to do it justice. www.VisitSedona.com Ditto for Zion; huge park, lots to explore, you’d probably end up kicking yourself if you only spent 1 day there.
In order to give one of these areas more time, I’d recommend taking Las Vegas off the table. It doesn’t have much to offer for folks under 21, plus would make for a long trip back to Phoenix when you’re already tired of driving. In order to minimize drive time toward the end of your vacation, I’d recommend moving Sedona to day 7. That way, you’d only have a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix, vs. a 5-6 hour slog.
Mapped out, the trip would look something like this:
Note that I’ve shuffled a couple things around, having you hit Page, AZ first, then Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon South Rim, and Sedona. The important things to nail down right now are Grand Canyon lodging and Antelope Canyon tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels, and best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!
Alley 🙂November 05, 2018 at 3:51 PM
donna
Hi. Thank you so much for your post! I need some additional advice and hope you can help. My family and I will be visiting Sedona and Scottsdale for the first time next April arriving on March 30 and leaving on April 6. I’m struggling with our itinerary because it seems there is so much to do and see. We are staying in Sedona from 3/30 to 4/3 and then spending 4/3 -4/5 in Scottsdale.
I already booked the Pink Jeep tour for Sunday march 31, leaving from Sedona. Other than that our itinerary is open, and we want to do the following things, if possible:
1. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
2. maybe see the south rim of the Grand Canyon
3. Easy trail bike ride in the sedona area (would need bike rental)
4. is there something called splippery rock falls in sedona?
5. is there anything else in sedona that’s a “must do”?
Would you help me plan an itinerary? Are there any tour tix that I need to purchase in advance?
Finally, are there any ” Must Do’s” in Scottsdale?
Thank you so so so much in advance for your advice. My friend said you were a tremendous help when she was planning her trip out west.
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Hi Donna and thank you for visiting our site!
My first question would be are you locked into your hotel reservations in Sedona and/or Scottsdale? If not, you might want to rethink your plans a bit so you can spend the night at the Grand Canyon, and also at Page, AZ (gateway city for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend). The main reason I suggest this is because of the driving distances involved. The drive from Sedona, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~2.5 hours each way; similarly, the drive from Sedona, AZ to Page, AZ takes ~3 hours. However, these figures rarely materialize IRL as they are wheels turning, no stops. Both drives are very scenic and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take photos.
Another consideration: sunset and/or sunrise at the Grand Canyon really shouldn’t be missed, and you don’t want to be driving back to Sedona or Scottsdale at night. Ambient/artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum in Northern Arizona. What’s more, wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, and such have a tendency to hang around the roadsides after dusk, ratcheting up your risk of getting into a car accident.
If possible, get a hotel room at the Grand Canyon and at Page, AZ as well.
As for “Slippery Rock,” I think you’re actually thinking of Slide Rock State Park. This is a natural waterslide that is one of Sedona’s most popular attractions. Unfortunately, at the time of year you’re visiting, it might be a bit too cold to get into the water. Therefore, you might want to plan doing some other things, which, fortunately, are in no short supply in Sedona! If you’re interested in a bike rental, there are several companies in town who can supply the equipment, and suggest good, easy trails for your family. For other recommendations, go to www.VisitSedona.com
For Scottsdale/Phoenix, popular activities and attractions include but certainly aren’t limited to, Old Town Scottsdale, Taliesin West, the Commemorative Air Force Museum, and the Desert Botanical Garden.
As for tour tickets to purchase in advance, Antelope Canyon is definitely one to have lined out before you arrive. In the event you find Antelope Canyon tours sold out, there are numerous slot canyons in Page, AZ that are just as beautiful and a lot less crowded.
Hope the helps – have a safe trip and a happy Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years!
Alley 🙂November 01, 2018 at 3:49 PM
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From Donna
We are committed to our place in Sedona however we could re-think Scottsdale and maybe book a night in one or both of the other places you mentioned. Thanks for the advice!!!
November 03, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Fabien
Hi there,
We (3 adults) are planning a trip to Northern AZ and will definitely drop by Page for a day or so. Does this itinerary make sense? I appreciate your opinion(s)!
Oct 31 – fly into PHX, rent vehicle and drive to Grand Canyon, then spend the night at South Rim
Nov 1 – drive around viewpoints along South Rim, then head to Desert View Watchtower, then onward to Horseshoe Bend and then Page
Nov 2 – Antelope Canyon and maybe Lake Powell, then drive to Monument Valley
Nov 3 – Monument Valley sightseeing, then drive up to Forrest Gump Point in UT, then drive back to central AZ / Sedona
Nov 4 – Sedona area sightseeing
Nov 5 – Drive back to PHX
I think the timetable makes sense on paper.
The other thing I’m hesitating over is whether to rent an RV + book at campsites with full hookups, or rent an SUV and do hotels/Airbnbs instead. Both have pros and cons and I’m wondering if anyone would like to share some thoughts if they have experience doing either in that region. Especially given the season. Weather forecast is looking good but I know it gets cold at night on the Colorado plateau. Thanks in advance!
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Hi Fabien and thank you for visiting our site!
First off, I wouldn’t recommend an RV rental at the time of year you’re visiting. Colder weather tends not to agree with RV’s, especially the water pipes, which can result in inconvenient and sometimes costly breakdowns. Overnight lows on the South Rim area already dipping down into the 20’s (Fahrenheit), so I would recommend traditional hotels or vacation rentals. At the Grand Canyon, it’s definitely preferable to stay as close to the rim as possible so you can experience sunrise and/or sunset over the canyon. Grand Canyon hotels
On November 2nd, where you indicate you’d like to “visit Lake Powell,” at this time of year, your options are going to be somewhat limited because boat tours are on seasonal hiatus. Since you are planning to drive to Monument Valley that afternoon, I’d recommend touring Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning, then maybe popping down to Antelope Point Marina for lunch. The restaurant is right on the lake, and walking around the marina complex is a pleasant way to take in some of the views. The marina is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so you will be required to pay an entrance fee of $25/vehicle.
Thus far, your itinerary looks well-planned — until you get to Sedona. It’s about a 4-hour drive from Monument Valley to Sedona to begin with, and then you’re only giving it one night. You’re going to find that’s nowhere near enough to partake of all that area has to offer. 3-4 days minimum tends to be the typical recommendation for a first-time visit. If that’s not possible this time around, try to at least free up another night to stay there. Rest assured, you won’t regret it! Visit Sedona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 29, 2018 at 1:10 PM
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From Fabien
Alley,
Thank you so much for your response! We appreciate the time you took to read through my questions and address each point.October 30, 2018 at 12:36 AM
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From Dave P.
Alley:
I appreciate your insightful responses and suggestions to your inquiries. My wife and I plus two sons, 19 and 16 will be in AZ during the second half of Nov. The entire family will be together for a minimum of 9 days (Nov 18th – Nov 26th), with the possibility of two additional days. We can depart from Phoenix on either Nov 18th Sunday or Nov 19 Monday to head North. We have identified so many things we would like to see, we are having a difficult time picking what would be the most important and realistic for our time frame. We mostly want to see natural sights (read: not museums). The only tour we have scheduled so far is for Lower Antelope Canyon on Thursday, Nov 22nd., with a possible stop at the Antelope Point Marina for lunch and Horseshoe bend in the afternoon. Of course we are interested in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, possibly Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, etc. We would appreciate your suggestions on how to plan out the itenerary with potential stops to include and ideal locations to stay along the way. In addition, if there was a way to incorporate sights south of Phoenix,, like Tombstone, Sonoran Desert, etc. (we will have location available in PHX as a ‘home base’ while in AZ) we would like to see if that would be possible too, even if it means extending through Wed, Nov 28th.
November 04, 2018 at 11:14 PM
kansha
Hi Alley
Greetings !! Planning a 7 day trip in December 2018 and wanted to see what iterinary you suggest. I am open to start from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Since i am travellign in December end want to know what I should consider weather wise and will most of the parks and monuments be open.
Plannign to do Grand Canyon – Monument Valley – Sedona – Zion but will wait for your recommendation.
Thanks
Kansha
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Hi Kansha, and thank you for visiting our site!
You can have a wonderful trip by flying into either airport. What I would recommend is checking airfares for both options. They can differ quite widely for no obvious reason, so it’s worth investigating.
One thing I notice, however, is that Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are absent from your itinerary. If you’ve been there before and are content to skip them, that’s fine. If you haven’t been there before, though, you should definitely plan on at least 1 day in Page, AZ to experience these iconic landmarks. Besides, you pretty much have to pass through there anyway.
If you end up flying into Las Vegas, a good one week itinerary would be:
2-3 nights – Zion
1 night – Bryce
1-2 nights – Page
1 night – Monument Valley
1-2 nights – Grand Canyon South Rim
If you use Phoenix as your “staging” city, a good itinerary would be:
1 night – Monument Valley
1 night – Page
2-3 nights – Zion
1 night – Grand Canyon South Rim
2-3 nights – Sedona
In both cases, the order in which you visit the various attractions will likely hinge on lodging availability at Grand Canyon South Rim. After you figure out which airport you’ll fly into, check on Grand Canyon hotels. The next most important element is Antelope Canyon tours.
In general, you can expect colder weather at the time of year you’re visiting. While all the parks will be open, the possibility of encountering snow is fairly good, especially in higher elevation areas like the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. In the lower elevation parks, like Page, Monument Valley, and Sedona, that usually translates to rain. Regardless, start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel, and pack a few items of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 25, 2018 at 12:29 PM
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From kansha
Thanks Alley !!
Will definitely look into visiting Page and explore Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I was not aware that they will be open and hence skipped them.
What do you suugest i should be doing in Zion and Sedona
Thanks again
October 25, 2018 at 7:02 PM
Nathan
Do you think the one day itinerary is a possibility as written with the starting point in Las Vagas and still fit in Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell and Horseshoe bend? Google maps has the drive time from Las Vegas listed as just over 4 hours but I was wondering if the real drive time taking into account a break would be different?
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Hi Nathan,
Google Maps is something of a double-edged sword for those of us in the tourism industry, especially in this part of the U.S. Why? Because the figures given online rarely materialize “IRL.” The drive from Las Vegas to Page, realistically, takes ~5 hours, factoring in varying speed limits, road construction, etc. For first-time visitors, it usually ends up taking longer than that since the latter half of the trip is very scenic, and you’ll undoubtedly be stopping to take pictures. Popular photo ops along this route include, but aren’t limited to, the Virgin River Gorge, Quail Creek State Park, Pipe Springs National Monument, the town of Kanab, Utah, views of the Paria River Valley and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Big Water Visitors Center and the “New” Wave.
Another possible variation on the drive would be to make a detour through Zion National Park which, again, could lengthen your drive out to 6 hours or thereabouts. Whichever way you go, it’s definitely too nice a drive to rush!
I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to visit, but if your trip is planned for sometime within the next few weeks, you’re also running up against shortening daylength. In November, sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, and sunset occurs at about 5:15 PM. If you’re visiting in spring, summer, or fall, you would have a couple more hours of daylight to work with, but you’d still be playing a game of “beat the clock” by trying to accomplish this itinerary as a day trip from Las Vegas. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, plus the presence of deer, elk, coyotes, and other wildlife to raise the risk of an accident.
In short, is this itinerary possible as a day trip from Las Vegas? Maybe, with some careful planning and the discipline to resist the temptation of the inevitable “wow, look at that!” moment. Is it practical or enjoyable? IMO, no. You’ll have a much better experience by staying overnight in Page, AZ.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 24, 2018 at 12:48 PM
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From Nathan
Thanks Alley, I will take this into account when planning our trip (its not until Aug / Sept 2019)
October 25, 2018 at 9:29 PM
Chris Hoiz
Thank you for this wonderful resource. I am headed to Vegas/Utah/Arizona next week and had some general questions about tweaking our itinerary so that we can fit as much as possible. We only have 5.5 days to visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon North Rim, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. We plan to hike for a full 2 or 3 days at Zion so that really only leaves us 2.5 days to literally speed thru Bryce/Grand Canyon/Antelope/Horseshoe. Is this reasonable or are we way over our heads? Please advise.
Mini questions:
1. Bryce – Is there a way to speed thru this without hiking for hours, if all we want to see are the scenic areas with the hoodoos?
2. Grand Canyon – Same as above….. any where to speed thru this without hiking for hours? We just want to see amazing scenery and 1 to 2 hours max will suffice.
3. Antelope – 1 to 2 hours max with the tours….
4. Horseshoe Bend – 1 hour max self-guided….
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Hi Chris,
“Drive-by sightseeing” is not something we recommend. You’ll regret not giving these attractions the time they deserve.
Another important consideration is daylength; at this time of year, it’s rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at ~6:45 AM, and sunset occurs ~5:30. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of ambient light on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, and coyotes to be running around them. You want to get all your driving for the day done by sunset.
With 2.5 days to spare after hiking in Zion, here’s what I would suggest:
1. Get as early a start as you possibly can out of Zion and head to Bryce. Do your packing the night before. The drive from Zion to Bryce takes ~1.5 hours, then plan for another 4 hours or so to drive the 38-mile round-trip scenic loop drive. Afterward, drive to Page (2.5-3 hours), overnight in Page. Page, AZ hotels
2. Hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, then start making your way to Grand Canyon South Rim around noon (the North Rim is closed at this time of year, plus there is more in the way of visitor facilities at the South Rim, as well as a larger geographical area of the canyon that you can actually see). Even though Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, that rarely happens. It’s a very scenic drive where you’ll invariably be stopping to take pictures along the way, so 3.5-4+ hours ends up being more realistic. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim.
3. Head back to Las Vegas. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from the South Rim. Time/desire permitting, you might take a morning helicopter flight over Grand Canyon North Rim on your way out of the park.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 23, 2018 at 2:11 PM
Cassie Fitzgerald
WOW! I’ve read through SO many comments and found so many great options on touring the area…. and that leaves me a little perplexed on how to plan a trip for 3 adults and 2 children (7 & 10) for this trip.
We are traveling from Ohio (bbbrrrrr) to Las Vegas on a late flight arriving Tuesday 11/20/18 around 10PM. Our hope is to travel in an RV (rented) from Vegas and see the Grand Canyon West, Antelope Canyon, Zion, Hoover Dam and back to Vegas by late Friday night. We can omit the Hoover Dam and take an afternoon trip there over the weekend as we are not flying out until late Monday night on 11/26 if needed. We planned on a few days in Vegas to see all the sites there.
Here’s what I think we can do:
1) Wednesday morning- early departure from Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim and spend the day at the West Rim (estimated 2 hour drive from Vegas to the West Rim?)
2) Thursday- THANKSGIVING- Head to Antelope Canyon from the West Rim (5 hours?) and try and book an afternoon tour around 2:30. Would the upper canyon be a better option for the kids (they do like to hike)? Do you know if they are open on Thanksgiving? Stay in an RV park Thursday night near Antelope Canyon
3) Friday- depart Antelope Canyon and head to Zion Park – Zion to a (maybe) quick peak to the Hoover Dam and back to Vegas to stay until Monday afternoon.
Does this seem feasible or am I under estimating travel time? We thought an RV rental would help us stay closer to the canyons and we would not need to pack and unpack in a hotel to save time.
Is Antelope Upper open on Thanksgiving? It’s hard to find this information online.
Thanks for your help! We are so looking forward to this trip (pending all the details!)!
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Hi Cassie and thank you for visiting today!
First off, I wouldn’t recommend an RV rental at the time of year you’re visiting. It’s going to be cold here, too, and that can cause all kinds of complications with RV’s, especially with the water delivery systems. Another consideration is distances between attractions here, which you are underestimating. You certainly won’t save any time, and money-wise, it would probably be a wash vs. staying in conventional hotels.
Another “red flag” is your prioritizing Grand Canyon West instead of Grand Canyon South Rim. Grand Canyon South Rim, the National Park, is where the vast, colorful, picture postcard views can be seen. Yes, it is a 4.5-5 hour drive from Las Vegas, but if you haven’t been there yet, you should definitely cross Grand Canyon West off the list and devote the majority of your time to Grand Canyon South Rim and Page.
Since you’re planning to visit during the Thanksgiving holiday, it will be busy, so lodging must be booked ASAP. Try to find lodging inside Grand Canyon Village, if at all possible. If that area is already booked, then Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option, about 7 miles outside the park. If that area is booked, then look at Williams or Flagstaff. Grand Canyon hotels. BTW, it would be best to hit Hoover Dam on this leg of your trip, not on the back end.
The drive to Page is given on Google Maps as taking ~2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the trip is very scenic and you’ll no doubt be stopping to take pictures along the way. 3.5-4 hours is a more realistic figure. Antelope Canyon tours are operating on Thanksgiving day and advance reservations are strongly recommended. While in Page, be sure to stop at Horseshoe Bend. Glen Canyon Dam is quite impressive as well, some say even moreso than Hoover!
Your plan to visit Zion en route from Page to Las Vegas is also not a great idea, especially at the time of year you’re traveling. Daylength is short (sunrise 7:10 AM, sunset 5:10 AM), and you want to be sure you get to wherever you’re going before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US due to lack of ambient light, and the possible presence of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, etc. near local roadways makes it a dangerous proposition. Besides, Zion is an incredibly large and beautiful park, one you definitely shouldn’t limit to just a “drive-by” sighting. Think about saving it for another trip when you can spend 3-4 days.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 23, 2018 at 1:26 PM
Alyssa
Hi there! Thanks for this great post and your replies 🙂 I’m going to try my hand in December at getting a permit for April 2019. It will be my husband and I, so I’m planning to apply for 2 permits. I’m wondering though, as I think we’d like to book a tour guide…do they need a permit as well? Or are they able to piggy-back of ours? Thank you!!
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Hi Alyssa,
Thank you for visiting our site! We wish you the best of luck on getting a Wave permit, and hiring a guide is a great way to ensure that you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you do opt to go that route, you do not need to secure a permit for your guide. They are automatically, as you put it, “piggy-backed” onto your permit. For a complete list of authorized guides for The Wave and other scenic areas of the Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 22, 2018 at 4:34 PM
Cindy
Coming out to Las Vegas in early Dec. want to visit Antelope Canyon area. Any tips.? How many days should we plan for that area? Other places to explore?
Thanks
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Hi Cindy!
First off, it takes ~4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ. Since December is considered “shoulder” season or “off” season, you’ll find that water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus, so a 2 day/1 night visit is usually sufficient for touring Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam and the other local attractions that are still operating.
If you have a few days to work with, other areas you might consider visiting include, but are no way limited to, Grand Canyon South Rim, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Monument Valley. Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Keep in mind that the time of year you’re visiting is winter. Snow is a very real possibility in the higher elevations of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah (Grand Canyon, Bryce, etc.), which usually translates to rain in the lower elevations (Page, Zion, Monument Valley). Best case scenario, it will most likely be cold, so be sure to pack accordingly. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel.
Best wishes for a safe trip!
Alley 🙂October 22, 2018 at 12:50 PM
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Hi Cindy,
How many days do you have? LOL
Since December is considered “shoulder” season or “off” season, some activities, namely, water-based tours, will be on seasonal hiatus. Therefore, you can have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ, in just 1-2 days. In addition to touring Antelope Canyon, you should also plan to visit Horseshoe Bend.
Other attractions in the area you might consider exploring include Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches/Canyonlands, just to name a few. Taking two weeks to enjoy quality time at all these attractions is definitely not unheard of!
Hope that helps you get started in your planning. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 23, 2018 at 2:21 PM
Irina
Hi Alley,
Thank you very much for such a wonderful overview of the tours and I decided to ask your opinion about my future itinerary and timing. My husband and I are going to attend a wedding in Snowbird, UT on May 25, 2019 and after that to have a road trip to see national parks. It is my long time dream to do it and I can’t miss an opportunity to do it.
The trip I tried to put together for now look like this:
May 24 – arriving to Salt Lake City and wedding for the next day
May 26 – leaving for Moab.
May 27 – spend a day in Arches National Park
May 28 – leave Moab for Page and on a way there spend some time in Monument Valley National Park
May 29 -30 – stay in Page to see Anthelope canyon, Horseshoe Band, Lake, Vermillion Cliffs
May 31 – Bryce
June 1 – Zion
June 2 – North Rim Grand Canyon
June 3-4 Las Vegas, leaving to NY
I would appreciate your input on any portion of my route:
how would you suggest to plan time around Page? Should I see both Upper and Lower Anthelope canyon? When is the best time of the day to see Horseshoe Band?
Do you think it is enough 1 day for each Bryce, Zion and NRGC? Where would you suggest to stay while doing it?
Any comments, suggestions are greatly appreciated. I traveled a lot in Europe and South America, but never planned a trip on National Parks in US and for me it is so excited and kind of difficult:)
Best regards,
Irina
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Hi Irina and thank you for visiting us!
Your itinerary is doable, but still raises a few “red flags.” First off, be sure to verify that rental car drop-off fees won’t be cost-prohibitive for picking up a vehicle in Salt Lake and dropping it off in Las Vegas. Due to the distances between cities in this part of the U.S., and difficulties involved in getting vehicles back to their point of origin, many rental car outlets impose fairly hefty fees for one-way rentals.
Secondly, there are a couple of parks where you only plan to stay 1 day that really deserve more time to do them justice, namely, Moab and Zion. If it is at all possible to free up 3-5 more days for this trip, you definitely won’t regret it!
Another modification I’d recommend making is to hit Grand Canyon North Rim after Bryce and before Zion in order to minimize backtracking. Placing Zion as the last stop on your itinerary will put you closer to Las Vegas when it comes time to wrap up your vacation, especially if you get your lodging in Springdale, Utah, on the Western border of the park.
Since Grand Canyon North Rim lodging options are fewer in number and smaller in scale, I would check availability there first, then let the rest of your plan evolve around that. If you find that all North Rim lodging is sold out, you might consider a. taking a day trip from Page (the drive is ~2.5 hours each way) or b. changing up your plans slightly and going to Grand Canyon South Rim instead. The South Rim offers more in the way of hotels, restaurants, and other facilities, not to mention a much larger geographical area of the Grand Canyon you can actually see. A revised itinerary would have you go from Moab to Bryce Canyon, then to Zion, heading South to Page, AZ, then Grand Canyon South Rim.
Unfortunately, that would most likely mean taking Monument Valley off the table, unless you could free up an extra day or two and hit it between Page and Grand Canyon South Rim.
As to your other inquiries, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower, stick with it, then use the time you saved by not touring Upper for other things, such as visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum and the Glen Canyon Natural History Association, taking one of many easy but scenic hikes in the Glen Canyon area, taking the scenic Lakeshore Drive loop to Lake Powell Resort, or even firing off a few rounds at Gunfighter Canyon, Page’s new indoor shooting range.
Regarding visiting Lake Powell, you must keep in mind that it is huge, therefore seeing the whole thing is pretty much impossible. A boat tour to Rainbow Bridge will allow you to see quite a bit of it, but will take up the better part of a day. Another fine water-based activity worth considering is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip.
The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend during the summer months is just after sunrise for cooler temperatures and minimal crowds. Going later in the day, you’ll risk not being able to park and having to come back at another time. We’re not kidding. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend”
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 22, 2018 at 12:42 PM
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From Irina
Thank you very much for your help and suggestions!!!
October 27, 2018 at 5:14 PM
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From Irina
Hi Alley,
I was going through your recommendations and I would spend 2 days in Zion and 1.5 days in Arches.
What would you suggest regarding going through National Monument park or stay in the North Rim Grand Canyon?
Should I do Moab-National monument-Page-Bryce-NRGC(without staying there at all) – Zion-LV?
I wanted one extra day in Page because I wanted to visit the Wave in Vermillion Cliff, but if I won’t win a lottery, should I do another trail there? Or I can skip it and stay in Grand Canyon?
So many beautiful places and so little time! Hard to decide!Thank you in advance,
IrinaOctober 28, 2018 at 12:49 AM
Rhonda
Very informative site; I haven’t read through every single comment, so please forgive me if someone has already asked … planning an anniversary trip the end of November; our plan is to fly into Page from Las Vegas to minimize driving. Is there ground transportation such as Uber, to visit Antelope Canyon, or would we need to rent a car? How’s the weather this time of year? If we have a small amount of time (Arriving in Page 3 pm on November 27, and departing Page 1 pm November 29, so we basically have 1 1/2 days), what do you recommend for the must see/do? Thank you!
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Hi Rhonda and thank you for visiting.
No worries about repeating previously posed questions, you won’t be the first and certainly won’t be the last!
Scheduled air service is not yet offered from Las Vegas to Page, but it soon will be. Contour Airlines will resume regular flights from LAS-PGA as of 11/6, but flights will only run on certain days of the week. Check www.ContourAirlines.com for exact schedules and fares.
Once you arrive in Page, you should definitely plan on renting a car for optimal freedom and flexibility. Uber/Lyft are just now starting to establish themselves here, but from what I’ve heard, they’re not 100% reliable. Not a problem you want to encounter when you need to get to a scheduled activity, like Antelope Canyon tours. Avis is the sole car rental outlet at the Page Municipal Airport.
Weather in late November can run the gamut from sunny and cold to rainy or snowy. Start monitoring Page, AZ weather conditions about 2 weeks before you travel so you can best gauge what kind of clothing to pack.
For a 1.5 day stay, must-do activities are Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. Water-based activities won’t be an option, but you might consider taking a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum, doing one of many easy but scenic hikes in the area (weather permitting), or firing off a few shots at Gunfighter Canyon, Page, AZ’s new indoor gun range! For more suggestions, check out “The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 18, 2018 at 1:18 PM
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From Bri H.
Hey there, you have the most informative responses I’ve seen. Wanted to ask you about my potential itinerary Nov 15-22, for four adults. I have two options, one is driving in AM and one is in late afternoon/right after sunset.
15: Arrive to Las Vegas in the AM
16: Drive in AM to Zion, try and squeeze in a hike in Zion.
17: Spend the day in Zion, leave to Bryce
18: Wake up in Bryce, spend day in Bryce, leave to Page
19: Wake up in Page- Horsehoe Bend, Lower/Upper Canyon (should we do both? which is better that time of year?) Sleep in page
20: Wake up, head to Desert View Drive @ Grand Canyon, spend few hours there, Drive to Sedona to sleep
21: Sedona
22: Sedona, leave from Phoenix airport @ night15: Arrive to Las Vegas in the AM
16: Drive in AM to Zion, try and squeeze in a hike in Zion.
17: Spend the day in Zion, sleep in Zion
18: Drive to Bryce in AM, spend day in Bryce, sleep in Bryce
19: Drive to Page in AM- Horsehoe Bend, Lower/Upper Canyon (should we do both? which is better that time of year?) Sleep in page
20: Wake up, head to Desert View Drive @ Grand Canyon, spend few hours there, Drive to Sedona to sleep
21: Sedona
22: Sedona, leave from Phoenix airport @ nightLet me know your thoughts, any must does, or anything to be mindful of. Really appreciate it! THANK YOU.
October 18, 2018 at 2:47 PM
Laurie
Hi Alli,
Thank you so much for this itinerary! We just got back from our trip from to the southwest last week and it was amazing. We followed your itinerary very closely and you did not disappoint! A favorite of my teenage sons was the ATV tour in Bryce Canyon and the Navajo guided tour in Monument Valley. Thanks again. I could not have put such a great trip together myself. Many thanks!
Laurie R
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Hi Laurie,
Wow, thank you so much for your feedback! We’re so glad to hear that your family enjoyed your vacation. Hope you didn’t run into too much rain.
If any of your friends and/or family are planning trips out here in the future, be sure to send them our way, as well as to our companion sites: www.horseshoebend.com and www.thewaveaz.com I’d also recommend posting feedback on the hotels, restaurants, and tour companies you patronized on Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, or whatever consumer review sites you prefer. They are always grateful to hear how they did!
Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s,
Alley 🙂October 17, 2018 at 2:26 PM
Yana
Hi Alley, Ryan,
Thank you for providing a great informative website.
My Husband and I like to visit the Grand Canyon south Rim and Antelope/Horseshoe Bend on the 2nd week of November, before we fly to Los Angeles.
Our tentative itinerary:
– 11Nov: arrive late night from vegas, stay at Tusayan.
– 12Nov: a day tour to Grand Canyon (visit south rim and antelope/horseshoe bend)
– 13Nov: check out from Tusayan. and fly to Los Angeles.
Q1. Is it better to travel from Vegas or to stay near to Canyon?
Q2. Day tour to south rim and antelope/horseshoe bend doable?
Q2. Better with guided tour or on our own?
Q4. Any tour company that does both south and antelope tour?
Seeking your kind advise for the best recommended travel. Hear from you soon. Thanks!
Cheers,
Yana
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Hi Yana and thank you for your compliments!
I’m getting the distinct impression that you have yet to fully comprehend the distances involved in your travel plans. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are NOT located in or near Grand Canyon National Park. They are located near the town of Page, Arizona and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes anywhere from 3-4 hours to drive from Grand Canyon. Therefore, touring the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in a single day really isn’t that feasible. I would recommend modifying your travel plans to give you an extra day to devote to Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and all the attractions Page, AZ has to offer. If this isn’t possible, then devote your time to the Grand Canyon and plan to return to the area when you have more time, like a week or so.
As for your other queries,
1. It is always better to stay at the Grand Canyon. That way you can catch sunrise and/or sunset there.
2. Day tour to South Rim and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend: if you are asking whether it’s possible from Las Vegas, yes it is. Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas
3. Better to go on your own for more freedom and flexibility.
4. There are a few tour companies that go to both Grand Canyon South Rim and Antelope Canyon, but very few. You would also need 2 days to participate. Tours4Fun 2-Day Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell Tour
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have further questions!
Alley 🙂
P.S. One more thing: driving at night in Northern Arizona is strongly discouraged due to the lack of ambient lighting on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, and coyotes to congregate around them. Any driving should be done prior to sunset.October 17, 2018 at 1:07 PM
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From Yana
Hi Alley,
Thank you for your reply.
Yes, we understand that Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is near the town of Page, which is 3-4 hours drive from Grand Canyon.
After reading some of the recent posts, tours itineraries, we decided to allocate 2 days (12-13Nov) for our canyons trip and tour on our own =)
Day 1 – Grand Canyon
– Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (3-4hr)
– Experience Route 66 and stop at Hoover Dam
(Any recommended scenic route, Scenic stops along drive)
– Explore South Rim and visit the 14 best viewpoints
– Catch sunset at Grand Canyon (Any tips?)
– Spend the night in TusayanDay 2 – Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon
– Drive from Tusayan to Horseshoe Bend (2.5hr)
(Any scenic route? Do you think it is possible for us to visit Lake Powell?)
– Hike to Horseshoe Bend viewpoint (1hr)
– Tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon (2hr)
(Noticed that 10.30am and 1pm timing cost more. Assume these are better timing for tour?)
– Drive back to Las Vegas (5hr)We are still considering if we should do 1.Vegas-Grand Canyon-Page-Vegas or 2.Vegas-Page-Grand Canyon-Vegas.
Let me know what you think. Thanks!
Cheers,
YanaOctober 18, 2018 at 4:25 AM
JAIDEEP R VIJAYAKAR
Hi, would you recommend driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon Village and then drive on to Page for an overnight stay there?
Alternately, if you stay near Grand Canyon Village then is it OK to drive early morning to get to Antelope Valley in the morning for their tours?
Regards
Jaideep
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Hi Jaideep!
I would not recommend driving from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, then to Page in the same day.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. It then takes anywhere from 3-4 hours to drive to Page, AZ. I know that Google maps lists the latter drive time as ~2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. It’s rare that people end up doing that because the drive is very scenic and there will be many photo opportunities you’ll want to take advantage of. You also want to avoid driving at night in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting and the possible presence of nocturnal wildlife such as deer, elk, coyotes, and such.
A much better plan would be to overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then get an early start to Page, AZ to catch an Antelope Canyon tour. Be sure to book Antelope Canyon tours, Page, AZ and Grand Canyon accommodations well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 17, 2018 at 12:58 PM
Kristi
Alley-
This is a WONDERFUL itinerary and very helpful as I am currently planning our Arizona/Utah Spring Break 2019 Road Trip!! We are two families of 4 with kids 14, 12, 12 and 9 and we are first-timers. Our plan is to fly in and out of Las Vegas making a loop but could fly in or out of Phoenix if helps maximize our time and travels. Your itinerary is inspiring me to include Monument Valley when I did not think we could squeeze it in. If we arrive Las Vegas early Sat 3/23 and plan to fly home on 3/31 (either from LV or Phoenix) what would you recommend? We are not huge hikers but plan to get out and experience the wonder and beauty of the region – our must-do’s include Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and a float trip if we can squeeze it in. We want to experience Route 66 on this family road trip. Thanks in advance as I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
Kristi
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Hi Kristi and thank you for your compliments on our itinerary.
First off, you must realize that the time of year you’re traveling is the “transitional” period between winter and spring up here. Weather will be on the cooler side, which IMO is a plus, but late March is notorious for having that one last snowstorm of the year blow through. Pack a few pieces of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side, and start monitoring local weather conditions about 2 weeks before you get ready to head out this way.
Your plan to use Las Vegas as your staging city is a sound one, and if you want to catch some Route 66 highlights, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim is the ideal leg of your trip to do so. Seligman, AZ, which was the partial basis for the town of “Radiator Springs” in the Cars movies, is just a short detour off what is normally about a 5-hour drive. It still maintains that kitschy, “frozen in time” vibe which you’ll no doubt find endearing and fascinating. Stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-in for a burger and some laughs. This leg of your trip is also where you’d want to hit Hoover Dam, or just get a bird’s eye view of it from the bypass bridge.
Given your priorities and time frame, what I would recommend for you is this:
03/23 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon with stops at Hoover Dam and Seligman, AZ en route, stay at Grand Canyon South Rim ***note: due to the size of your party, you’ll need to get at least 2 rooms in each location; state fire codes forbid more than 5 people sleeping in one hotel room**
3/24 – Sightseeing in Grand Canyon: explore Grand Canyon Village Historic District, ride free shuttles out to the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive overlooks, see the IMAX movie (in Tusayan, just outside the park), take in a NPS ranger program, catch sunset, etc., stay another night at Grand Canyon South Rim
03/25 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley – normally ~a 3-hour drive w/no stops, but you’ll definitely be stopping at the viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, the Cameron Trading Post (Navajo tacos are YUMMO!), maybe the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks. Stay overnight in Monument Valley, or Kayenta, AZ or Tuba City, AZ
03/26 – Do early tour of Monument Valley, then drive to Page, AZ. It’s ~a 2-hour drive, but keep in mind, you have to factor in a time difference: Arizona DOES NOT observe Daylight Saving Time, the Navajo Reservation DOES, so – you’ll “lose” an hour going from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley, then “gain” it back as you drive to Page. Tour Antelope Canyon on the way into town. Spend the night in Page, AZ. **Page, AZ has a number of vacation rental properties that might be able to accommodate your entire party, so that would be worth checking out**
03/27 – Hit Horseshoe Bend around sunrise, then do Glen Canyon Float Trip . Afternoon activities you might partake of include, but aren’t limited to the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Glen Canyon Natural History Association, tour of Glen Canyon Dam, hike to the “New” Wave (it’s easy). Spend 2nd night in Page, AZ.
03/28 – Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon (~3 hours), maybe hit the Big Water Visitors Center or the Moqui Cave in Kanab, UT on the way. Overnight in Bryce Canyon. Time permitting, take park shuttle around the canyon rim.
03/29 – Take Bryce Canyon park shuttle if you didn’t get to do it the day before, then drive from Bryce to Zion National Park. ~90 minutes, plan on staying in Springdale, UT on the Western border of the park. Time permitting, take Zion Canyon park shuttle, do some easy hiking.
03/30 – More exploration of Zion National Park. 2nd night in Springdale, UT.
03/31 – Drive back to Las Vegas (2.5 hours), maybe make a detour to Valley of Fire State Park, fly home.
One possible “change-up” of this loop would involve dropping Zion and possibly Bryce from your itinerary, and spending your last 2-3 days in Sedona, Arizona, then flying out of Phoenix. However, before you commit to that, check on rental car drop-off fees. They can be pretty hefty for dropping a vehicle off anywhere other than where you picked it up.
Even though your trip may seem far in the future, I strongly recommend getting reservations in place immediately for lodging and any guided tours you may be interested in, especially Antelope Canyon. This attraction has become crazy-popular of late and I’m already getting reports of Spring 2019 dates being sold out. If you find that to be the case, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
*Whew* Good luck and safe travels! Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you have any other questions.
Alley 🙂October 15, 2018 at 1:46 PM
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From Kristi Gidley
Thank you!!! I will let you know how things go…
appreciate your time and expertise!October 20, 2018 at 7:32 PM
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From Jighnesh Patel
This is a WONDERFUL itinerary and very helpful as I am currently planning our Arizona/Utah Christmas break Road Trip. We are 11 people. Starting from Las Vegas and end it Las Vegas. Is any way I can squeeze Arches National Park in this itinerary. Please be advice me with this big group.
November 08, 2018 at 5:37 PM
Sarah
Hi Alley!
I am planning a family Grand Canyon trip for April 2019. The lodging on the south rim is sparse and we are looking at airbnbs in Williams or Tusayan. Will we regret not staying in the park? We want to make the most of our time there!
Thanks!
Sarah
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Hi Sarah,
First off, good on you for planning your Grand Canyon vacation well in advance. In order to make the most of your time at the park, it is best to choose lodging either within its boundaries or as close to it as possible. That way, you have easy access to the rim for sunset and sunrise viewing. Staying in Williams will put you 1 hour outside the park, and possibly necessitate nighttime driving, which is strongly discouraged in this part of the U.S. Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, is about 7 miles outside the park. It takes ~20 minutes to drive to the canyon rim from this area, which is better than 1 hour. The only Air B&B property located in this community is a bungalow-type home that rents for $283+/night. The next nearest bed and breakfast type facilities are going to be down around Valle, AZ, about 30 miles South of the canyon rim.
Grand Canyon Park Village, as the name implies, is right inside the park. There are 6 hotels in this area, 5 of which are run by Xanterra South Rim, and 1 which is run by Delaware North Corporation. What these properties may lack in amenities, they more than compensate for in terms of location. 4 hotels are located right on the canyon rim (but they don’t guarantee a view of any kind), the other 2 are located from 1/4 mile to 1 mile from the rim. If there are any rooms available inside the park for your travel dates, I would recommend casting aside any unrealistic expectations of luxury or convenience, and booking them. Trust me, I used to work at the South Rim and if I had a dime for every time people offered their eye teeth, last dollar, arm and leg, etc. for even a broom closet inside the park, I’d be lying on a beach sipping mai-tais. Here is a list of Grand Canyon hotels in order of proximity to the rim, and hence, desirability: Grand Canyon South Rim hotels
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 15, 2018 at 1:06 PM
Praful Gupta
Hi Alley/Ryan,
First of all, thank you so much for this post and answering all the questions and providing guidance.
We wanted to visit Grand Canyon South rim, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in a weekend. We plan to visit the area on Oct 19-21 2018, flying in and out of Phoenix. Our current plan is to arrive in Phx friday morning. Rent a car then drive to Kachina lodge. Stay there for a night. Explore the canyon, do a hike on Friday afternoon. Saturday we have a mule ride tour booked at noon. Should be done by 3 pm. Then we plan to drive to Page. stay overnight in Page. Tour Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon on Sunday morning & afternoon. Leave from the area at 3 pm to arrive in Phoenix at 7 pm. We have a flight out at 8:30 pm.
Is the above plan doable?
If so, what times on Sunday would you recommend touring Antelope Canyon and horseshoe bend?
Should we only do lower or upper? given the time we have.
Also, can we do both upper and lower canyon and Bend in 5 hrs time? 9 am – 3 pm?
Would you recommend driving from South rim to Page late evening? Or should we leave south rim like around 3 – 4 pm to get to page at a decent hour?
Any hotels/b&bs you recommend in Page? or along the way?
Thank you very much for answering the questions.
Praful
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Dear Praful,
Hello and thank you for your compliments!
First off, driving after sunset in this part of the U.S. is not recommended. This is due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roadways, plus the tendency of nocturnal wildlife like deer, elk, coyotes, etc. to congregate around them. So, it would be best to head for Page, AZ ASAP after your mule ride. Sunset occurs at roughly 6:00 PM at the time of year you’re visiting. This means you won’t have time for stops; you need to be in “wheels turning, get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible” mode.
Sunrise the next morning will occur at roughly 6:45 AM. Be at Horseshoe Bend as soon as possible after sunrise for ease of parking and fewer crowds, then try to book an Antelope Canyon tour as soon as possible after that. You don’t have time to do both Lower and Upper, plus it’s not necessary to tour both branches of the canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. This late in the game, you’ll need to find whatever is available that morning and get it booked ASAP. If you find that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out – which is a very real possibility at this stage – consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as scenic and far less crowded. I like Antelope Canyon X and Cathedral Canyon personally.
If possible, try to get your sightseeing in Page, AZ done by noon or 1:00 PM. The reason I suggest this is because, normally, you’d have done some sightseeing on US89 on the drive from Grand Canyon to Page, AZ. Since you’ll be racing with the sunset on your drive day, you won’t be able to do that. What you will be able to do is make up for some of your time lost on the drive from Page down to Phoenix. Some stops we highly recommend are: the “Cut” overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments (just North of Flagstaff), and Sunset Point Overlook (just North of Black Canyon City).
Regarding lodging in Page, AZ, here again, if you don’t have something booked already, you’ll need to settle for what’s available. October is prime time to visit Northern Arizona, and people know that, so hotels, vacation rentals, guided tours, etc. are bound to be quite busy. For recommendations of lodging in Page, AZ and other cities, visit TripAdvisor or Hotels.com.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 15, 2018 at 12:50 PM
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From Praful Gupta
Hi Alley,
Thank you for much for the reply back.
How much time would it be to drive from south rim to Page on Sat evening without any stops? Can we make the drive in 3 hours straight since sunset is at 6 pm?
We will have time in south rim on Friday since we are not doing anything on Friday except drive from Phx.
Any recommendations to view fall colors on our drive from Phx to South rim? I read somewhere about Hart Prairie road and Snowbowl. Are they too off of a detour to do?
Thanks
PrafulOctober 16, 2018 at 2:48 AM
Pamela
Hi Alley,
There are so many tour companies to Upper Antelope Canyon. I read not so nice reviews about Antelope Canyon Navajo Tour. Which tour company would you recommend to go with?
maria
Hello, iam traveling with my husband and my 10 months old baby to vegas next week.
I reaaally wanted to visit antelope canyon, but i made a mistake, i booked for the lower antelope in stead of the upper antelope.
Do you think is a good idea to take my baby there? if so, i have booked the 12:45 tour. do you think is a good time or i should take the 8.30 one?
i hope you understand my pooor english !
Pamela
Hi Alley,
Would u recommend the boat tour from Wahreap Marina or Antelope Point Marina?
Other than antelope canyon and horseshoe bend, anything around Page which can be done in abt 1-2hrs?
For Upper Canyon tour, which tour company would u recommend going with?
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Hi Pamela,
The boat tours will go to the same place, regardless of where you take it from. The Antelope Point Marina tour, by virtue of being closer to Antelope Canyon, will be shorter. Also, they run tours through some of the winter months, unlike Lake Powell Resort, which usually goes on seasonal hiatus in late October-early November. The boats used by Antelope Point Marina are also open-air, while Lake Powell Resorts’ boats are enclosed.
Similarly for Upper Antelope Canyon, all the tour companies offer pretty much the same program, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. Therefore, there’s no need to fret over who’s best, etc. Book an Antelope Canyon tour at a time that works for you and enjoy it.
Other activities in the Page/Lake Powell area that you might consider doing include, but aren’t limited to: Visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum and Glen Canyon Natural History Association (they’re next door to one another), the Navajo Village Heritage Center, the Glen Canyon Dam/Carl Hayden Visitors Center, the “New” Wave, the Big Water Visitors’ Center 13 miles Northwest of Page, or perhaps a walk on the Rim View Trail.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 08, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Ashley
Hi there, I’m looking to visit either lower or upper antelope canyon with horseshoe bend and lake powell / glen canyon dam however I am struggling to find a legit tour operator that is from las vegas. Some goes as cheap as $50 and some over to $250.
Would you recommend a tour operator from vegas that I can book with?
looking to visit on the 5th of November. thanks!
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Hi Ashley,
Check out our article on Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas. Self-driving will give you the most freedom and flexibility to see the things you want to, but if that’s not an option, remember the adage “you get what you pay for” as far as guided tours go. Companies to check with include, but are not limited to, Viator, Tours4Fun, TakeTours, GCTours and Globerouter.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 05, 2018 at 6:43 PM
Carin
Hello Ryan,
Can you let me know where and when I can book a tour of the upper antelope canyon on 24th April 2019?
When I do so now it says the tour is sold out but I can’t believe that.
Thanks for letting me know!
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Hey Carin,
Oh, I can believe it! Antelope Canyon has become super-popular in the last few years and Antelope Canyon tours are selling out months in advance. You might try contacting the various outfitters directly by phone or e-mail to see if you can get on a waiting list, or to see if cancellations have occurred.
Contact information is as follows:
Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours 928.645.5594 chieftsosie@yahoo.com
Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours 928-645-9102 tours@antelopecanyon.com
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours (928)380-1874 aacptreserve@gmail.com
Navajo Antelope Canyon Tours 928-698-3384 no e-mail
If you do indeed discover that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out on your desired date, you might consider touring one of several alternate drainages of Antelope Canyon that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2018 at 7:03 PM
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From Ingrid
Hi Carin,
I read somewhere that you can buy tickets for April 2019 next month (November). We will try to visit Antelope Canyon a few days later, 29 April.
Enjoy your time!October 04, 2018 at 7:52 PM
kapper
Greetings Alley,
Most of my travels in the US and oversea have been self research (learning process is equally the fun!) and self guided tours for many years. Your guide and insights around Utah and Arizona are the most comprehensive and complete from the standpoint of travelers’ perspectives. My research for exploring canyons and parks now stop here. Thank you.
Three couples will follow the routes and itineraries per your articulation in 3rd week of September 2019. What top three “must do” tours or excursions would you recommend? What would be rough cost per couple for this itinerary (Las Vegas to Las Vegas) excluding rent car related expenses?
Very much looking forward to this trip next year!!!
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Hi Kapper,
Hello and thanks so much for your wonderful compliments, and kudos for planning your vacation well in advance!
Boy, narrowing things down to 3 “must-dos” is difficult on this itinerary. If pressed through, I’d have to say, in no particular order:
1. Grand Canyon helicopter tour
2. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ) — I know that’s technically two, but they’re really close together 😉
3. Hike a little ways into The Narrows at Zion National Park. If you’re not real big into hiking, there are all kinds of easy, pretty walks you can do. Easy Hikes in Zion
As for cost, I really can’t make any kind of prediction there since prices tend to be subject to change without notice around here, especially during peak season, which is when you’re traveling. Gas prices can be all over the place, and lodging prices tend to be at their peak at that time of year. If you’re concerned about saving money, what I’d recommend you do is reschedule your trip for November or December. This is when things cool off significantly, in more ways than one, and discounts on hotels and other services are more readily available.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 04, 2018 at 3:48 PM
Gabriela
Hello!
We’re heading to the Antelopes either the 5th or 6th of November. Since there won’t be a beam of lights at this time, I am wondering if it’s worth it to go to the upper side, it will still be better?. Or the lower side will have the same effect?
thanks
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Hi Gabriela,
It is absolutely worth visiting Antelope Canyon in November, light beams or no light beams! Regarding which branch you should visit, that’s entirely up to you. If you or any member of your party has mobility issues, then Upper would be the place to go. If you’re OK climbing a few ladders and stepping over a few small boulders, then you’ll be fine in Lower. It is not necessary to tour both branches of the canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ.
Be aware that damage to a section of US89 near Cameron, AZ occurred just last night, resulting in a section of the road being closed. This may affect your plans if you’re traveling between Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff, Sedona or Phoenix and Page, AZ. If this is still a problem when you visit, you’ll need to allow for extra time to get from one place to another.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 04, 2018 at 3:38 PM
Elaine
Hello,
Are there any tour companies that offer tours of the upper and lower canyon in one day? Or is possible to do one tour and the other on my own? Thank you!
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Hi Elaine,
There is no one company that offers tours to both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, and both require a Navajo-authorized tour guide to enter. You cannot go to any branch of Antelope Canyon on your own, including the “alternate” slot canyons such as Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Ram’s Head or Wind Pebble Canyon.
That said, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower, I’d recommend sticking with that, and using your extra time to enjoy other attractions in the area, including, but not limited to:
– Antelope Point Marina
– John Wesley Powell Museum
– Horseshoe Bend
– Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitors Center
– Hike to the Chains or the “New” Wave
– Navajo Village Heritage Center
– Lake Powell Boat Tours
– Glen Canyon Float Trip
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂October 04, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Usha Zacharia
I have reservations for Upper Antelope, for 11:30 AM. What time slot would work to do Lower Antelope? I would have to drive from the parking lot in Page, to the Lower Antelope entrance.
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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 🙂October 01, 2018 at 8:02 PM
Krystal
I am planning to apply for next February for my husband, son and I. My son will only be 10 months old and have to be carried the whole time. Since he will not be walking, does he still need a permit? Just trying to figure out if I need to apply for 2 or 3 people.
Thanks for your help!
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Hey Krystal,
Yes, believe it or not, you will need to apply for a permit for the baby. 1 permit per ‘body’ is the rule.
Before you commit to this, however, you should consider carefully whether this will be a safe activity for your little one, especially at that time of year. February is smack-dab in the middle of winter. Best case scenario, it will be clear, but cold; worst case scenario, you could encounter a blinding snowstorm. Not exactly ideal conditions for a 6-mile hike with a 10 month old in tow. Not to say it hasn’t been done, of course, but be sure you go into this “eyes wide open.”
For more tips on hiking to The Wave, and alternate activities to consider in the very likely event you are not selected in the lottery, visit our sister site www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 01, 2018 at 6:45 PM
Sandi
This trip sounds just what we are looking for.
We have been researching hotel, renting a car etc for late Sept or early Oct 2019. We would like to fly into Phoenix and finish the trip in Las Vegas. And do this same loop. We have also looked at bus tours for the same trip. We are 2 couples in mid 50s and mid 60s. I’m trying to decide between doing this on our own or doing a bus tour. Between all the hours driving, the cost of all the hotel which most are $200 or above and renting a comfortable car, it appears the bus trip might be cheaper and hassle free. Just wondering your thoughts
Thank you
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Hi Sandi!
If at all possible, you should do this trip as a self-drive. Bus tours, as you’ve seen, are available, but you’ll always be at the mercy of their scheduling and time constraints. There will be very few opportunities for you to “call the shots” and stop to see sites and attractions that pique your individual curiosity. Yes, long drives are a fact of life in this part of the U.S., and hotels will be rather pricey at the time of year you’re traveling, but driving yourself will give you the freedom and flexibility to explore and discover at your pace, and on your terms.
If saving money on hotels is a priority (which I totally don’t blame you for!), you might consider scooting your visit to November or even December. Though cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain or snow have to be kept in mind, you can also enjoy the benefits of fewer crowds, and more competitive prices on lodging.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 01, 2018 at 3:05 PM
Christy Ng
Hello.
My family and my friend’s family are planning to go visit Antelope on spring break 2019, my question is can we do self tour? between Lower & Upper which one will you recommend ? there are 4 adults,3 boys 10/12.
Thank you so much
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Hi Christy,
Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore a tribe-authorized guide service is required to tour it.
As for which branch of the canyon to tour, if all of you are in relatively good health, try and do Lower Antelope Canyon. It would probably appeal most to your boys as it requires climbing some ladders and easy bouldering. Upper Antelope is an easy 100 yard, flat walk. Whichever you decide, be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your arrival. 2019 dates are already selling out, believe it or not.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 01, 2018 at 3:01 PM
Joyce Wilson
Just want to make sure I understand this, is the only way to see Antelope Canyon by guided tour or can we tour in our own vehicle?
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Hi Joyce,
You can drive to Page, AZ, the gateway town for Antelope Canyon, but you must visit Antelope Canyon by guided tour, which must be booked in advance.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 01, 2018 at 2:43 PM
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From Greg
Hi Alley, your website and advice looks great and was wondering if you could help with advice/suggestions for upcoming holiday.
We are travelling form Australia and planning on being in LV for 4 days and were planning adding 2 days for GC south Rim and Zion.
Day 1 LV to Hoover Dam (1 hour) travel to GC Village along route No 64 taking in the viewing points along the way, then travelling to Page Az for overnight.
Day 2 Travel to Carmel Junction Route No 9 into Zion taking in view points, then onto Springdale for afternoon shuttle bus to Zion floor. Then travel back to Las Vegas.
My concern is being in Page and missing out (may never be back) like Antelope Canyon and Horsehoe bend, should we take a extra day in page for these in your opinion.
Is route 64/89A a good option for around November 25th timeframe.
Greatly appreciate any advice/suggestions.
Regards
GregOctober 05, 2018 at 4:59 AM
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Must be on a tour
Can not take your own vehicle
It’s protectedland and on a reservation. Must follow the nations rules.November 17, 2018 at 3:26 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Brandy,
Couldn’t have said it better!
Alley 🙂November 17, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Lisa Rubin
Hi Ryan & Alley,
First I want to thank you for all the insight and recommendations you’ve provided on the board. It’s a bit daunting planning a trip to the parks, but with the help of this page, it’s making it easier for sure.
So myself and 3 others are planning a trip in mid-Nov (11/10 – 11/16). Our plan is to fly into LV on 11/10 and spend the night. On 11/11 we’ll head to Zion and stay in Springdale overnight. On 11/12 head out to Bryce and drive to Page to stay overnight. On 11/13 we’re planning for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and possibly a boat tour of Lake Powell. From there we’ll either spend the night in Page again and then head to Sedona for the next 2.5 days or drive down to Sedona that same night.
Based on your experience, how does this itinerary sound? And do you think that by spending the full day in Page we’ll be able to do upper and lower antelope canyon, horseshoe bend and a boat tour?
Thank you in advance!
Lisa
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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 🙂September 27, 2018 at 3:58 PM
tatyana
Hi Ryan,
We are planning (2 people ) to be at Page AZ on November 24 2018 and would like to take a tour on November 25 (starting in the morning) include Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Page. Could you please let me know if you have a tour that day and how much is that tour.
Thanks, Tatyana.
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Hi Tatyana,
Unfortunately, there are no tours from Page, AZ that include both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but really, that’s not such a big deal.
Before booking an Antelope Canyon tour, you need to decide whether you wish to tour Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. In a nutshell, Upper is easy, 100 yards walk. Lower is longer (~600 yards), requires climbing a few ladders and navigating some boulders. Whichever you decide, advance reservations are required. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend can be toured at your leisure and/or convenience, using your own vehicle. If that does not appeal, or you encounter parking problems, you might consider a shuttle from Page, AZ offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours.
Good luck and have fun,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2018 at 3:44 PM
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From Debbie Ray
We are taking a 8 day trip to Utah flying into Salt Lake City. We plan to spend 3 nights in Moah enjoying Arches/Canyonlands. Then two nights in Bryce seeing Capital Reef on the way to Bryce. Next we decided to drop down and see Horseshoe Bend , Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. Here is where I need help?? Coming from Bryce should we try to see Horseshoe Bend first before Antelope Canyon. We have a tour starting at 3:30 of Upper Canyon. What about boat tour on Lake Powell? Enough time and how cold? We will spend one night in Page. (April 28). Need directions on how to see all three interest points the most efficient!!!How long is the drive from Bryce ? We will end our trip in Zion for two nights and drive back to SLC for late flight home. Do you think our plans seem doable for this beautiful area.?
April 13, 2019 at 1:17 PM
Irene
Alley, if I would like to drive from St George to Antelope Canyon, would the roads be doable during the first week of April in terms of the weather conditions? Thanks, Irene
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Hi Irene,
The roads between St. George, UT and Page, AZ are fine ~95% of the time in April. However, that time of year is quite notorious for that one last snowstorm of the season moving through, so be sure to monitor weather conditions in Page, AZ and the surrounding area a couple of weeks before you plan to travel.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:55 PM
Olivia
Hi- We watched your video you posted on the lower canyon, gorgeous! We are wondering your advice- we will be bringing our 4 month old infant. My husband will carry her on his chest in a carrier similar to a backpack. Do you think we would be able to do this for the lower canyon? Thanks!
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Hi Olivia,
Honestly, I don’t know as I’d recommend taking an infant that age into Lower Antelope Canyon. Carrying him/her on your chest would make it difficult to navigate the ladders; carrying them in a backpack carrier might run the risk of the baby bumping their head, and we wouldn’t want to see that happen!
I’d recommend touring Upper Antelope Canyon this time around, and maybe planning a visit to Lower Antelope Canyon when your little one is older and walking.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:52 PM
Becca
Hi Ryan,
Hope this thread is still valid. Any recommendations would be great thanks. We are flying into Vegas for a week mid April 2019. No accommodation booked just yet hoping to plan a route first. The places we would most like to see are Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend, Monument Valley and Sedona. And obviously Grand Canyon, probably South Rim. Would you have any recommendations on which way to do things? Was thinking of driving to AZ as soon as we land then having 4 days there and fininshing off with 3 days in Vegas. Also wondering wether to do Upper or Lower Antelope or both.
Thank you
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Hi Becca and thank you for visiting our site, and planning your vacation well in advance!
Yes, this thread is still quite valid, and busy! Unfortunately, I’m going to have to start out with a bit of bad news: unless you can a. modify your trip plans for a 10-14 day holiday, or b. reduce your time in Las Vegas, I’d recommend dropping Sedona from your wish list. Why on Earth would I do that? Because Sedona, AZ is an amazing place with lots to see and do. You really need 3 days minimum in order to do it justice. Otherwise, you’ll be kicking yourself… or planning another vacation, one of the two LOL
If you really want to finish your Arizona vacation with 3 days downtime in Las Vegas, you’ll also need to do further “trimming” of your itinerary.
With 4 days to spend exploring Northern Arizona, you could manage:
1 night – Grand Canyon South Rim
1 night – Monument Valley
1 night – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
1 night – Zion National Park (lodging in Springdale, UT)
Of course, that is only a suggested order in which to tour the main attractions in this area using Las Vegas as a staging city. You could also reverse the order quite easily if you find that Grand Canyon hotels are booked up for that first night. Grand Canyon lodging should be secured first, then Antelope Canyon tours, let the rest of your trip planning kind of ‘evolve’ around those two key elements.
Depending on the time of year you’re planning to visit, and who you’re traveling with, you might skip Monument Valley and plan for 2 nights in Page, AZ so you can take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This is a wonderful family activity that allows you to experience rafting on the Colorado River without going through any dangerous rapids. It is appropriate for kids as young as 4 years old.
As for whether to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, that is really not necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Besides, as it stands, you really don’t have time. If you are physically up for touring Lower Antelope Canyon, stick with that. Whatever you decide, though be sure you book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Akhila
Hi,
Stumbled on your website when researching AZ. Great info!
We are in Sedona with our tween daughter during this Christmas break between Dec21-28. Need your advice on a couple of things.
1. Planning to do day trips to Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon from Sedona. Is it doable?
2. We are reasonably fit but are not used to hikes. Can you recommend a good hike for beginners that will give us good photo ops too.
3. We are not comfortable driving at night in the area. That said, is there anywhere close to Sedona for stargazing?
4. Would you recommend any other place to visit during that time.
Thanks!
Akhila
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Hi Akhila!
The Christmas holiday is a great time to be here, but you do have to be prepared for the possibility of snow, especially in the higher elevations such as Grand Canyon National Park.
That said, day trips to the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon) are doable, but less than ideal. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon; it takes ~3 hours to drive from Sedona to Page, AZ. Both figures are “wheels turning, no stops,” which rarely happens, because both drives are very scenic and you will no doubt find yourself stopping to take photos.
Another factor in the “less than ideal” comment is daylength, which is quite short at that time of year: sunrise occurs at about 7:30 AM, sunset at ~5:15 PM. Since driving at night is discouraged in this part of the US, whether you’re comfortable with it or not, you’ll need to be sure to get an early start out of Sedona on both days, and make sure that you time your drive so that you are “back to base” before dusk.
If you are not used to hiking, you’re definitely not alone, the majority of visitors to both areas feel the same way as you do. The Grand Canyon offers the easy, paved and very scenic Rim Trail for beginners, which parallels the canyon’s edge at a safe distance. As for Antelope Canyon, the Upper branch is the easiest to tour, at only 100 yards in length and flat the whole way through. Lower Antelope requires climbing a few ladders and some simple bouldering, but is manageable for most people in reasonably good health. To gauge whether your family would be OK with it, watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Whichever one you decide to tour, make an advance reservation.
As for stargazing in Sedona, there are plenty of places where you can take part in that activity, either on your own or with a guided tour. For suggestions, visit the official website of the Sedona/Verde Valley Tourism Council or ask at your hotel when you arrive.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:36 PM
Maria
Hello ! I’m travelling from argentina with my boyfriend and 9months old baby . Our first stop is las vegas . We would really like to visit antelope canyon, horseshoe bend and grand canyon in two days. Do you think it s possible ?
And then , after visiting g canyon im not sure whats the best option, if driving to san diego or going back to las vegas and take a plane to san diego .
Thanks !!!
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Hi Maria and thank you for visiting us!
It is entirely possible to tour Grand Canyon and Page in 2 days’ time from Las Vegas.
From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, the drive is ~4.5 hours; the same for the drive from Las Vegas to Page, therefore which place you visit first is up to you, and largely contingent on lodging availability in each area. Check Grand Canyon hotels first, then book Page, AZ lodging.
Because you’re traveling with an infant, you should probably tour Upper Antelope Canyon. That’s the easiest and shortest branch of the canyon to walk through. Take care at Horseshoe Bend to ensure that you carry enough water for your entire party, and that you all wear hats and sunscreen.
As for whether you go back to Las Vegas and fly back to SD, or just drive direct, that’s up to you. It takes ~9 hours to drive back to SD from either Grand Canyon or Page. Another option might be to fly from Page to Phoenix, then back to San Diego. Contour Airlines offers daily scheduled air service from Page to Phoenix; the only disadvantage is that they don’t have a downline baggage transfer agreement in place, so you would have to carry your own luggage and check it in at the counter of the airline you use to fly to SD.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:25 PM
lee
If I would like to join both the boat tour and the tour from Las Vegas by flight to Page, can I stay in Page for overnight after the finishing the day tour (Lower Antelope Canyon) and not back to Las Vegas with the tour group ? And join the boat tour on next day.
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Hi again, Lee!
The Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Air/Ground Tour is a structured program that unfortunately does not allow for enough time to do a boat tour in one day. If you wish to stay the night in Page and add this activity, you would need to contact the tour company directly to see if they are willing/able to customize the tour to your specifications. The tour is operated by Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines, who are based in Las Vegas, NV. Their phone numbers are: Toll Free (within US): (800) 634-6801; Local/International: (702) 638-3300 You might also try e-mailing them at info@FlyGCSA.com
Otherwise, the best way to go about this, that allows you the freedom and flexibility to do all the activities you want to do without restriction, is to drive yourself. Though it is a long-ish drive (4.5 hours one way), it is a very straightforward route that does not take you on any dirt tracks or back roads. Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas.
Best of luck to you,
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:11 PM
lee
Why can’t find booking for lower antelope canyon ?
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Hi Lee,
Sorry for the trouble finding booking information on Lower Antelope Canyon, but it is there. You must scroll down to the middle of the page to find it.
Just in case you still have issues for some reason, there are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. They are:
• Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 https://lowerantelope.com/ and
• Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 https://antelopelowercanyon.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:05 PM
Uma Batta
Hello Alley,
Thank you for all the devices you are providing.
Me, my wife n kid and coming to Vegas from nj for a four day trip. Reaching Tuesday night and starting back on Saturday evening. As per your comments, I see, grand canyon n antelope r must visit. We don’t want to do hiking and any big activities. Just want to go around and take some good photos. What and where would you suggest to go.
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Dear Uma,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site. Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Fortunately, hiking and “big” activities are not a requirement for having a fulfilling visit to the area. Grand Canyon South Rim is a very easy park to self-tour by car, and you’ll end up doing a lot of sightseeing on the drive between the South Rim and Page. Between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, where you exit the park, there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, all with differing perspectives and features. Upon leaving the park and entering Navajo Indian Tribal Land, there is no shortage of sights that will warrant a photo stop as well, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand and the Cameron Trading Post.
Since you indicate you will arrive somewhat late to Las Vegas on Tuesday, I would recommend spending the night there, then starting to Grand Canyon on Wednesday. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from LV to GC, longer if you factor in a stop at Hoover Dam and/or Route 66 towns such as Kingman, Seligman, and Williams. Spend 1 night at the Grand Canyon, in the park if you can find lodging, or Tusayan/GC Village South if those hotels are booked up.
On Thursday morning, make your way to Page, AZ and plan on spending 2 nights there to tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, and, if you’re visiting between March and November and your kid is at least 4 years old, take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Again, none of these activities are super-strenuous, but Horseshoe Bend might be pushing it if any of your party has have severe breathing or mobility issues. If that’s the case, read this article on our sister site for suggestions on how you can still see Horseshoe Bend with less exertion: “Help! I Can’t Do The Hike To Horseshoe Bend”
Then on Saturday, start making your way back to Las Vegas. Here again, it’s about a 4.5 hour drive going direct; the option is also available to make a detour through Zion National Park, but only if you have plenty of time for photo stops before you have to be at the airport. If the Glen Canyon Float Trip does not appeal, or if your visit is taking place during the tour’s seasonal hiatus, you might consider dropping that 2nd night in Page, AZ and spending it in Zion National Park instead. The town of Springdale, Utah on the Western border of the park has the best selection of hotels and motels, and would put you only ~3 hours from Vegas on that last day.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:04 PM
Donald MacGillivray
Hello Alley
we are a family of 4, and all are able bodied.
If we choose lower canyon for a tour – will we miss out on anything by not going to the upper canyon?
We will only have time for 1 tour.
Donald
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Hi Donald,
It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you and your traveling party are “able-bodied” as you describe, you should have a perfectly fine time touring Lower Antelope Canyon and leaving it at that. If you have any additional time to spend, hit up Horseshoe Bend. That’s someplace you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
Have fun and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 19, 2018 at 5:46 PM
Miun
Hi, Alley.
I’m so glad I found you article. It helps me so much to plan my family trip. I have a couple of questions.
I’m planning 7-day trip starting from Las Vegas( arriving at 11 am on 10/20 and leaving 12:30pm on 10/27).
Major places that I want to visit are Zion canyon, Bryce Canyon, Page, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Sedona and Hoover dam.
I’m not quite sure I have enough time to visit both Zion and Bryce Canyons. I have two kids who are 8-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son). I would love to walk one of easy trails either at Zion or Bryce canyons. I’m stuck at this point.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you so much!!
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Dear Miun,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site!
Unfortunately, you don’t have sufficient time to hit all the areas on your list and spend anything resembling “quality time.” Since you are using Las Vegas as your staging city, I’d recommend dropping Sedona from your wish list. 1. It’s closer to Phoenix, so more conducive to flying in and out of that airport and 2. It really needs 3 days to do it justice. Save it for another trip, if at all possible.
A typical 7-day Southwest US itinerary would go as follows:
2 days – Zion
1 day – Bryce
2 days – Page (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Float Trip)
1 day – Monument Valley
1 day – Grand Canyon (hit Hoover Dam on the drive back to Las Vegas)
As for easy trails in Bryce and Zion, there are many to choose from. In Zion, Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock are considered the “quintessential” family-oriented hikes. In Bryce, the Rim Trail can be enjoyed for as short as 1/2 a mile, up to 5.5 miles. For more suggestions visit: Joe’s Guide to Zion National Park – Recommended Hikes and Utah.com’s Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂September 19, 2018 at 12:47 PM
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From Miun
Thank you so much, Alley.
It helps a lot to plan our trip. I’m so excited!!
As you suggested, i’m thinking to drop Sedona for this trip.
Thanks, again.September 21, 2018 at 2:38 AM
Bill Patberg
Hello Alley –
What a great resource you are providing here! Thank you.
Our son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren (ages 7and 4) live in Phoenix, and my wife and I spend the month of November there each year. (We rent our own house!) I have been intrigued by the Lake Powell area and particularly Antelope Canyon for some time, and I am thinking about maybe taking a long-weekend (Friday to Sunday?) trip up to Page for the 6 of us. Things I think I’d like to see include lower and upper antelope canyon, including a boat trip to the water side of the canyon; the Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge; Rainbow Bridge and Horseshoe Bend. What am I missing?
Could you — would you be willing to — recommend an itinerary (and tours) for 3 days (afternoon day 1, all day day 2 and morning day 3).
I hope that’s not asking too much, but I outdoors really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Bill
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Hey Bill, and thank you for visiting our site! I think your wife or other member of your family may have posted on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com 🙂
So, seeing as though the Grand Canyon and Sedona are not on this list, I’ll go off the assumption that you’ve already been there or are perhaps saving these areas for another trip.
One piece of potentially bad news I have to relay is that the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is “technically” on seasonal hiatus at the time of year you’re visiting. All boat tours from Lake Powell Resort “officially” wrap up 10/31/18. However, it is sometimes operated on an “on-demand” basis during the off-season as long as weather conditions are favorable and that there are a minimum of 15 passengers booked. You might try calling the boat tour desk directly at 928-645-1111 a couple weeks before you come up.
Antelope Canyon Waterside boat tours will continue to be operated by Antelope Point Marina, so you can still work that in. Another idea is to substitute another popular water-based activity that is scheduled to run during the off-season, which is the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip. Since Wilderness River Adventures reacquired the concession contract, they have plans to run the trip through December 2nd.
Day 1 – The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, takes ~4.5 hours – according to Google Maps, anyways. That figure rarely materializes as the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be sights that pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument, just North of Flagstaff is one. The Cameron Trading Post at the junction of US89 and AZ64 is another; it makes a great place to stop for lunch, the Navajo tacos are awesome. Time/inclination permitting, you might also make a short detour off US89 via US160 to the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks.
Upon arrival in Page, hit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), check into your hotel, and if you have extra time, maybe visit the John Wesley Powell Museum
Day 2, hit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise if you weren’t able to get there the day before, tour Antelope Canyon, then do the boat tour from Antelope Marina or the Glen Canyon float trip.
Day 3, visit Glen Canyon Dam and the Steel Arch Bridge, time/inclination permitting, maybe take one of the tours offered by the Glen Canyon Natural History Association. Then drive back to Phoenix, hitting any spots you might have missed.
Another couple of tips: with a 4-year-old in tow, you definitely don’t want to overschedule your days. For Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to carefully consider whether they’ll be able to handle the physical challenges of Lower, namely some ladders and simple boulder scrambling. Watch this video of a full walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing. If you think the little one wouldn’t be able to handle it, then you’ll want to opt to tour Upper Antelope Canyon instead.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley
P.S. If you still have your heart set on seeing Rainbow Bridge, and a boat tour is not an option, you might still be able to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and/or helicopters may be chartered from the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) by prior arrangement.September 17, 2018 at 3:48 PM
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Thanks for the post, can I set it up so I receive an email when you write a new article?
September 22, 2018 at 9:13 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Laveta,
Thank you for checking out our site! I’ll have to see what I can do about setting up e-mail alerts…
Alley 🙂September 24, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Eugenia
Hi Alley,
This has been the most helpful article. My friend and I are flying into Vegas on October 26. Spending a few days in Vegas and planning on renting a car on 10/28 and then driving through AZ/Utah on our way to a flight out of Phoenix on 11/4. This gives us approximately 7 days. We were hoping to hit Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona (ATV ride), and any other awesome spots. Do you possibly have an itinerary laid out for this type of trip? Do you have any recommendations for photography tours at any/all these? Also, we wanted to do a helicopter tour of the grand canyon, so any recommendations for a good company would be really appreciated. Thanks so much for this really awesome website!
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Hi Eugenia, and thank you for visiting our site!
A good 7-day itinerary using Las Vegas as your starting point and Phoenix as your ending point would go as follows:
Day 1 – Zion National Park
Day 2 – Zion National Park (both nights in Springdale, UT on the Western border of the park)
Day 3 – Page, AZ – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend , overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4 – Monument Valley (overnight at The View, Goulding’s Lodge or Tuba City or Kayenta)
Day 5 – Grand Canyon South Rim (overnight at Grand Canyon Park Village or Tusayan/GC Village South)
Day 6 – Sedona
Day 7 – Sedona (Sedona hotels)
For Grand Canyon helicopter tours, we recommend Papillon Helicopters. We also strongly recommend flying first thing in the morning for best light and lack of wind.
In Zion, there are all kinds of possibilities for tours that offer fabulous photo opportunities. Check out Utah.com’s recommendations for Zion Tour Guides and Outfitters or inquire at your chosen hotel for suggestions on what you might do here.
For Antelope Canyon, photography tours are only offered in the Upper branch of the main canyon, or in most of the alternate slot canyons in Antelope Valley.
In Monument Valley, you can also choose from hiking, 4×4, or horseback tours. Monument Valley Tours
Grand Canyon is one of those parks that’s very conducive to self-touring, so no need to get a ground tour, per se, as you’ll do a large chunk of your sightseeing on the drive in from Monument Valley.
In Sedona, the Pink Jeep Tours are considered a definite “must-do.” After that, you have a plethora of options for scenic, educational and cultural activities you can take part in. www.VisitSedona.com is an excellent resource for suggestions of all kinds of things from lodging and dining, to hiking and “retail therapy” LOL.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 17, 2018 at 3:21 PM
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Hi, Alley,
Thank you so much for all this info! I am wondering if you could give me some direction…
My family and I are flying into Las Vegas in just over a week. Arrive late Sunday, spending the night there before heading out on Monday. We have 4 nights booked in Flagstaff and planned to use it as a base for seeing as much as possible before flying home on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, we don’t have more time, but we want to see as much as possible! What sort of itinerary would you recommend? I am thinking maybe I need to try to change accommodations.
My kids really want to see Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. Other spots recommended to us to see are Sedona, the Painted Desert, Zion.
What do you recommend?September 28, 2018 at 4:11 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Christie and thank you for visiting us! I apologize for the delay in response to your inquiry.
First off, using Flagstaff as a base from which to explore Northern Arizona and Southern Utah attractions is an OK plan, but not really ideal. For Sedona and Grand Canyon, it’s not so bad, as driving distance from Flagstaff is relatively short: 45 minutes for Sedona (one way) and 90 minutes for Grand Canyon South Rim (again, one way).
For Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) and Zion National Park, you might want to book accommodations more in the immediate vicinity in order to reduce drive times. Otherwise, you’re looking at 2.5-3 hours one way from Flagstaff to Page, and 4 hours one way from Flagstaff to Zion.
Zion can be visited on the drive over from Las Vegas, or you can stay overnight in Springdale, UT, the gateway community on the Western border of the park. Honestly, though, you’ll kick yourself for not allowing more time there; ditto for Sedona. Zion and Sedona are places that really call for 2-3 days in order to do them justice. Page should also get at least 2 days of your time so you can tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, which is a family-friendly rapids-free raft trip. If you only have 4 days to play with, though, you can do 1 day at the Grand Canyon, 1 day in Sedona, 1 day in Page and 1 day in Zion.
I’d recommend taking the Painted Desert National Monument off the table, since 1. it’s also ~ a 2 hour drive from Flagstaff and you’d have to drop one of the above items off your wish list in order to accommodate it, and 2. you’ll actually see “painted desert” type rock formations, known as Chinle formations, on the drive to Page, AZ and elsewhere. It’s very common in this part of the U.S.
Good luck and hope that helps — safe travels to you all,
Alley 🙂October 01, 2018 at 2:58 PM
Alex
Hi Ryan!
This page has been an excellent resource. I’m planning a trip to Page at the end of October. What’s the best place to be at sunset for an unforgettable view?
Thanks,
Alex
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Hi Alex,
Boy, this is a loaded question!
There are plenty of great places from which to view sunset in Page, AZ. My personal favorite is the Wahweap Overlook on US89 just past the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge. Horseshoe Bend is also a popular spot for sunset, but in recent times, it’s become almost too popular, which has resulted in some serious parking issues. It’s better to hit this overlook for sunrise. Page’s Rim View Trail is also a good option, with an area known as “Potato Hill” being popular with both locals and visitors for sunset viewing. Note that the Rim View Trail offers views of Lake Powell, but no actual lake access.
Now, if you don’t mind spending a little more time and a little more money for a knock-your-socks off view, you might consider doing a guided tour to Alstrom Point. While the tour won’t be there right at sunset, you’ll get there in time to enjoy the light and shadow play on the canyon walls as afternoon transitions to evening. For more information, visit our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com Alstrom Point Tours
Wherever you go, be sure to bring a light jacket and a flashlight.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2018 at 2:11 PM
Renarda
Is the office open on Sunday if your trying to get a walk in permit for Monday?
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Hi Renarda, and thank you for your excellent question!
The answer depends on what time of year you’re wanting to visit.
If you’re traveling during “peak season,” which is mid-March to Mid November, walk-in permits can be obtained seven (7) days a week. During “shoulder” and “off” season periods, which occur between mid-November through mid-March, walk-in permits are issued Monday-Friday, except for Federal holidays (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and President’s Day). During this time, permits for Saturday-Monday are drawn on Friday.
For more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management Coyote Buttes Permit Information page, or our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 17, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Catherine
Hi,
If we only have time to visit the Lower OR the Upper Antelope Canyon, which one do you recommend most for the overall experience and breathtaking views? We are Canadians staying in Sedona for 10 days mid-October 2018 and only have one day to spend near Page. We were planing a guided tour of the Lower OR Upper Antelope Canyon in the morning, followed by a quick picnic lunch back at our car, a boat tour early afternoon on Lake Powell and the last stop would be at the Horseshoe Bend. Is this schedule reasonable? I am aware of the differences between the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon (one has stairs, one is longer, etc.), that is not an issue. I just can’t seem to pick between the two as they both look amazing but maybe one of them has something special or unique to offer that I couldn’t quite find online? Thank you!
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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, 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 🙂September 17, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Michele
Hi Alley!
I am loving this itinerary! I may tweak it a bit. We are coming in early May 2019 driving all the way from Illinois(Ya, I know, we’re crazy!) so we will have approximately 8/9 days to spend sightseeing before the long drive home! I’ve already booked 3 nights in Tusayan to be able to have a couple of days at the Grand Canyon. Now to just decide on the rest, but this has been most helpful! I am fascinated with the idea of a float trip and Antelope Canyon is a must. I’m thinking of eliminating Monument and concentrating on Zion and Bryce. What are your thought? Thanks!
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Hi Michele and thank you for your visit! Kudos for planning your vacation well in advance, and glad to hear this site is providing some good guidance.
First off, you’re not crazy, I love road trips! I mapped out the drive from Chicago, IL (see below) and you should plan for 3-4 days driving, each way, in order to get here and back. One destination you may not have factored in, but falls naturally on your itinerary is Moab, UT. This is the gateway city for not one, but two spectacular national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. You should plan on spending at least 2 days in this area, 3 if you can swing it. Then, since Monument Valley is someplace you have to pass through anyway on your way to the Grand Canyon, you might as well plan on 1 night there so you can break up the drive, and take the opportunity to visit other attractions in the area, such as the Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park, the Mexican Hat, and Monument Valley itself (don’t forget Forrest Gump Point). On the way to the Grand Canyon, hit the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit at the Kayenta Burger King. The Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks are also right on your way.
Now, here is where I run the risk of sounding crazy: I’m going to recommend that you drop 1 or 2 of your 3 nights in Tusayan. The reason(s) for this are: 1. unless you’re a hard-core hiker and have long-distance hikes planned for every single day, you’ll probably find that you’ve accomplished all you can in 2 days time; 2. a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing is going to take place on the drive in from Monument Valley. Your route will naturally and logically take you along the East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints with differing features and perspectives on the Canyon. No doubt, you’ll find yourself stopping at most, if not all of them. There is also a lot to see prior to entering the park as you pass through the Navajo Indian Reservation – the Cameron Trading Post is a great place to stop for brunch and/or a little shopping, leg stretch, bathroom break, etc. If you don’t catch all the GC viewpoints on the drive in, you can hit them on your way to Page, AZ, as this drive will take you along the same route until you get to the junction of US89 and US160.
If you wish to tour Antelope Canyon and do the Glen Canyon Float Trip – which we highly recommend! – then plan on spending 2 nights in Page, AZ. Ditto for Zion National Park, then 1 night in Bryce Canyon, then head back up to I-70 via Loa and Whipup, UT, then head on home.
So, a quick breakdown of my recommendations, not factoring in drive times from IL, are as follows:
Day 1 – Moab
Day 2 – Moab
Day 3 – Monument Valley
Day 4 – Grand Canyon
Day 5 – Page
Day 6 – Page
Day 7 – Zion
Day 8 – Zion
Day 9 – Bryce
Be sure to book all guided tours and overnight accommodations well in advance of your arrival. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it will not work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley), and State Parks (like Goosenecks). Still, it will pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take. You can pre-order it by mail, or just pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your itinerary.September 14, 2018 at 1:28 PM
Matt
Hi Alley,
Thanks for the awesome post ! My wife and I are planning to travel to AZ for 2.5 days (3 days, 2 night), starting and ending in Phoenix.
We plan to stay in Page for both nights so the first day will be driving from
Phoenix for 1st day. We are definitely going to the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks and the Wupatki/Sunset Crater, maybe include the Antelope Canyon Boat Tour as well.
On second day we plan to go West to try our luck in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor center, on the way back visiting The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail. In the afternoon visit the lower antelope canyon and if time permit, drive to the famous Forrest Gump Point and go back to page.
Day 3 we will be going to horseshoe bend again for sunrise and tour canyon X before heading back to Phoenix for a night flight (or 1% going for The Wave if we won).
Do you think our plan is too aggressive? or a “better question” to ask is, if driving all the way to the Mexican Hat, Utah is worth it.
Thanks!
Matt
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Hi Matt, and thank you for visiting our site.
Yes, I think your plan is a bit too aggressive. I think you’re underestimating drive times between attractions, plus you’re assuming that your flight to Phoenix will arrive on time and that your rental car check in will go smoothly.
First off, on day 1, you’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive minimum from Phoenix to Page. However, that rarely materializes as the drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find ample photo opportunities that warrant a stop, not counting Wupatki/Sunset Crater and Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks! You should allow 90 minutes-2 hours to tour Wupatki/Sunset Crater. Although the detour to Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks isn’t very long, you could very well see a 4.5 hour drive turn into a ~6+ hour trip. I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to visit, but if your trip is planned for the fall or winter months, keep in mind that daylength is rapidly shortening and you want to be sure that you’ve reached your destination well before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife that pose a very real hazard to drivers unfamiliar with the area.
On Day 2, your plan to go all the way to Mexican Hat and back after the Wave lottery is unrealistic. It takes 1 hour each way to drive from Page to Kanab, UT. The lottery process takes anywhere from 1-2 hours. It then takes ~2.5 hours – each way – to drive from Page, AZ to “Forest Gump Point” (Mexican Hat). Besides, it would be a shame to go all that way and not make time to stop at Goosenecks State Park. It’s like seeing not one but two Horseshoe Bends side by side! So, unless you can free up the time to spend another night, I’d save the Monument Valley area for another trip.
Good luck and hope that helps,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2018 at 6:28 PM
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From Matt
Hi Alley,
Thanks for that super quick reply! We did revise our plan based on your suggestion. We decided to remove The Wave all together in the trip. We are going in a month! Being in the late twenties, we are really hoping to find the best place to get that photo to share to friends/family. Here’s the revised Day 2 and Day 3 plans, can you let me know if this is better (or worse)?
Day 2:
Sunrise in Horseshoe bend
Photo Tour in Canyon X (10am Tour)
Drive to Goosenecks State Park by 3:30pm! (Thanks to your idea, its right next to parking right ?)
Forrest Gump Point (Yes …we are huge movie fans and don’t want to miss that)
Back to Page (With sunset time around 6pm in Oct), leaving Forrest Gump Point by 5:00 to 5:30 should safely get us back in 2 hours. (Nautical Twilight will end around 6:45pm)Day 3:
Lower Antelope Canyon
Glen Canyon Dam
Drive back to PhoenixHow do you feel about the plan if we really want to visit the Forrest Gump Point? We don’t mind getting in and out just to capture that picture.
In addition, could you provide a guide as to where to pay those park parking with the above plan? There’s so many guides online as to where to go but we are confused as to whether we should pay individual parking for each place.
Thanks in advance!
MattSeptember 13, 2018 at 2:05 AM
Alyse Tumelson
Alley, I have poured through much of your information here and it has been very helpful. You seem to be the go-to for trip planning in Arizona/Utah! Amazingly, we won the lottery to hike The Wave this October (dream come true!), which prompted my research of the area. The more I read, the more things ended up on my “must do” list, and so I have planned a trip for next May. Below is my proposed itinerary. We plan to do a separate trip of Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce. I would be so grateful for any hints or advice before I make all the hotel reservations.
About us: We are mid-30’s, husband and wife pair, going without the kids. We enjoy active things (hiking, swimming, etc.) and photography. I enjoy art but shopping isn’t really my thing. We like wine 🙂
May 2019 Arizona Itinerary
May 21: Flight to Flagstaff. 5p.m. meeting with trip leaders.
May 22: Havasupai hike into canyon (4-day Wildland Trekking Backpacking Tour)
May 23-24: Havasupai day hiking
May 25: Havasupai hike out. Transport back to Flagstaff. End around 5 p.m.
Hotel stay in Flagstaff.
(***Find a wine bar or something funky to do at night to unwind after 4 days of grubby hiking…suggestions?)
May 26: Rent car and drive to Sedona (1 hour drive, still on MST)
Things to do on Sedona days: Slide Rock State Park, Chapel of Holy Cross, Oak Creek Canyon, Vortexes, get a massage somewhere
(Need to research Sedona more. Any suggestions are welcome!)
May 27-28: Sedona
May 29: Early check out and drive to Page (3-3.5 hours, still on MST)
Horseshoe Bend
Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour: 12:30-7:00
May 30:
Morning photography tour of Upper Antelope Canyon (~2 hours in duration, company is on MST)
Afternoon Canyon X tour: 2 or 3pm? (~2 hours)
(Can these two be done in one day? We wanted the chance to experience the less crowded one as well.)
Sunset at Glen Canyon Dam Overlook if we are not too tired
May 31: Drive to Kanab (1.5 hours, LOSE an hour crossing over to Kanab, so leave 2.5 hours before tour starts)
Kanab 7-8hr tour of White Pocket
Drive back to Page and stay the night (Gain the hour back)
June 1: Early am check out and drive to Monument Valley (~2.5 hours)
Check in to The View Hotel and enjoy the scenery
June 2: Travel home
Drive back to Flagstaff (~4hours)
Fly out in the evening
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Dear Alyse,
Wow, congratulations on winning a Wave permit! Not surprised that planning the trip led you down the inevitable “rabbit hole” of other cool stuff to see and do in the Grand Circle area.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but still might warrant a few modifications in order to avoid backtracking. To that end, I would suggest going to Monument Valley before hitting Page. That way you can tour Lower Antelope Canyon or Canyon X (no need to do both) on your way into town since you’ll be passing right by them as you travel on US98. By the way, Monument Valley is another one of those “lose an hour/gain it back” situations since the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, while the rest of Arizona (including Antelope Canyon tour operators) doesn’t. Horseshoe Bend may be visited whenever you wish — in theory, anyway. Parking and traffic congestion are real problems during the peak visitation hours between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. In order to avoid all that craziness, you might plan your visit there first thing in the morning, and I do mean first thing, as in just after sunrise. If not, maybe consider some alternate means of seeing it, such as an airplane or helicopter tour, shuttle, or horseback ride.
The tour of White Pocket is amazing, but there’s no need to drive all the way over to Kanab in order to take one. There are several tour operators out of Page, AZ who are authorized to visit that area, including:
Grand Circle Tours 928-691-0166 www.VermilionCliffs.net
Vermilion Adventures (a division of Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours) 928-645-9102 https://www.antelopecanyon.com/vermilion-adventures/
Grand Staircase Discovery Tours 928-614-2199 www.GrandStaircaseDiscoveryTours.com
Paria Outpost & Outfitters (located between Page and Kanab) 928-691-1047 www.Paria.com
If you do opt to to to Kanab to pick up a White Pocket tour, then consider returning to Page via Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry in order to avoid traveling the same road twice. Whatever you do, just make sure you time your driving so you are “back to base” before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US.
Regarding Sedona, you might want to see if you can free up another day to spend in that area. Aside from the “usual suspects,” like Slide Rock State Park, Chapel of Holy Cross, Oak Creek Canyon, Vortexes, etc., Sedona boasts a number of fine wineries you might wish to visit and sample their wares. Several local tour companies offer wine tours, so you don’t have to worry about driving! For more suggestions, check out www.VisitSedona.com
In Flagstaff, you’ll find that microbreweries are the hip spots in the downtown area, so plan on hitting one, or two, or more. Fortunately, many are within walking distance of one another, or inquire about guided tours on FlagstaffAleTrail.com
So, your “revised” itinerary would look something like this:
Good luck and hope that helps – have fun at The Wave!
Alley 🙂September 11, 2018 at 6:04 PM
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From Alyse Tumelson
Alley,
Thank you very much for your help! I am so glad I asked you before I booked everything. Question- I have heard of a local spot that has Rainbow Mountains/hills. Saw it on this blog (below) and in another youtube video. https://globalgirltravels.com/they-really-exist-the-rainbow-mountains-of-arizona/My husband and I would be so grateful to experience this gorgeous place. The blog above listed a tour company she used, but I noticed on their website they don’t mention the rainbow mountains or show any pictures of it as part of the White Pocket Tour. Seems like this might be a secret spot a local might take you to if they like you (since nobody is advertising it). Is there any chance any of those White Pocket tour operators would be willing to take us there as part of the tour? I promise not to disclose the location.
Best,
AlyseSeptember 13, 2018 at 7:17 PM
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Hi alyse! Did you book those dates? I find it funny while reading it as Ive got thoae exact days in May. I would love to hear about your schedule as I am still in the planning phase around those dates. I wanted to see how far havasu and antelope is. I’ll be arriving Vegas around the 18th and I’m looking to explore as much as possible.
March 22, 2019 at 1:53 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Steph,
Maybe you and Alyse will run into each other! BTW, Havasu Falls is a difficult place to get to, and if you don’t already have reservations for either a campsite or motel room, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to visit it this time around. For more information on Havasu Canyon and the falls, visit our companion site, www.Havasupai.AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 22, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Nikhil Banka
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.
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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 🙂September 11, 2018 at 5:11 PM
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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.
December 15, 2018 at 7:56 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
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 🙂December 16, 2018 at 5:35 PM
Hammad
Hi Alley,
First of all, please know that we love all of your posts – they are very detailed, amazingly-awesome and so helpful for people like us who do not know much about these parks. 🙂
Secondly, I would like to get your opinion/suggestion, if that is possible of course. We are planning to come to Grand Canyon during the 1st week of November and are thinking to cover either both Grand Canyon & Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon combo or Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon.
As our group will have four adults & 2 kids (one 18-month toddler and one 5-year old), we are thinking to rent a house or a cottage. One option we are discussing is to stay somewhere close to Grand Canyon for the first night, and then check-out the next day. After covering Grand Canyon the first day, check-in to a different lodge/rental home for the remaining two nights. But we are very confused because we do not want to change lodges during our whole trip (specially with 2 small kids). Below is our current plan:
1. 7th November (Wednesday): Drive to Grand Canyon from Los Angeles
2. 8th November (Thursday): Cover Grand Canyon
3. 9th November (Friday): Either cover both Zion National Park & Bryce Canyon or just Antelope Canyon
4. 10th November (Saturday): Drive back to Los Angeles with few hours stay in Las Vegas
Please advise which of these do you think is a better option during November: Antelope Canyon or Zion National Park/Bryce Canyon combo. Grand Canyon is a must and we think one-whole day would be sufficient. But we want to make use of another day of stay there by covering the other parks there.
I will really appreciate your valuable advise and hope that will help us finalize our plan. 🙂
Best Regards!
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Dear Hammad,
Hello and thank you for your compliments!
Due to the time of year you’re visiting, the fact that you have a toddler in your party, and the driving distances involved, I would suggest taking Bryce Canyon off the table and saving it for another trip. Regarding Zion, it’s one of those parks that requires at least 3 days time to really explore, but you can still do a “drive through” in order to get a taste of it. Trust me, you’ll want to come back when you can spend more time, maybe when your little one is older.
The drive from LA to the Grand Canyon will take ~ 8 hours. For lodging, your best bet will be to stay inside the park, or at least in Tusayan/GC Village South, which is ~7 miles South of the park entrance. There are no rental homes in this area, plus state fire codes prohibit more than 5 people staying in a single room, so you’ll need to get 2 rooms. Despite the potential inconvenience and cost, you’ll be glad to be close to the canyon rim in order to experience sunset and/or sunrise there! Grand Canyon hotels
The drive to Page, AZ will take ~3.5-4 hours. I know Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as there are a lot of photo opportunities on the trip, especially on the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon that will no doubt warrant a stop. In Page, AZ, you will find a fine selection of vacation rental homes that can accommodate your family. Page, AZ VRBO Homes
Because you are traveling with young children, you’ll need to consider carefully which branch of Antelope Canyon you wish to tour. Upper Antelope Canyon is the easier of the two main branches, 100m long, the trail is flat the whole way. Lower Antelope is longer (600m), and requires some stair climbing and simple boulder stepping. If you do choose to tour Lower, you’ll want to bring a baby carrier for the little one (they are allowed). Whichever you branch of the canyon you choose to tour, you’ll need to make reservations in advance of your arrival. Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
The drive back to Los Angeles from Page, AZ will take 8.5+ hours. You may wish to break up the drive by spending the night in Las Vegas. Either way, you can easily make a slight detour through Zion National Park on the way to get a taste for how beautiful it is!
Getting back to the time of year, November is in the transitional period between fall and winter. It will be colder, plus higher elevations like the Grand Canyon might see snow, although this typically doesn’t occur until later in the month. Still, it’s a good idea to pack some warmer clothing and sturdy footwear, just in case.
Good luck and hope that helps,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2018 at 5:05 PM
Jane
Hi from down under. just needing your guidance for our upcoming trip on November 28 to PAGE, Arizona. We will be coming from LA and it’s our first time to drive to Arizona. I know it will be a long drive. Can you please advise or suggest which way best to go where we can stop for a good spot for photo taking and rest and at the same time refill our gas. And also, do you think it’s possible to do an early morning Lower Antelope Canyon tour and then do the Boat Tour after, go around horseshoe bend and Glen Canyon Dam on our first day in Page which is November 29. We will be staying at a hotel close to Lake Powell. And then drive to Grand Canyon the next day Nov 30 to go around South Rim, Hoover Dam etc. By the way, which one is best to see in Grand Canyon, The South Rim or the North Rim?
Any suggestions on what else to do around Page as we will be staying from Nov 28-December 1. Then we are driving to Las Vegas on December 1.
Appreciate any suggestions and looking forward to hear back from you.
Thank you so much.
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Hello Jane,
Apologies for the delay in response to your question, I myself have been on vacation!
First off, the time of year you’re visiting is considered “off-season.” As a result, some activities will be on seasonal hiatus; Lake Powell Boat Tours are one of those things, unfortunately. On occasion, they do operate on an “on-demand” basis as long as weather conditions are favorable and a certain number of paying adult passengers are booked. I would recommend calling the Lake Powell Resort boat tour desk at 928-645-1111 or Antelope Point Marina at 928-645-5900 about 2 weeks before you start your vacation to see if any boat tours might run.
If you want to do a water-based activity, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip instead. The concession contract for that tour was recently re-acquired by Wilderness River Adventures, who plan to run the trip through December 2nd. Lack of wind or precipitation and a certain number of passengers will be required in order to run the tour, plus you can expect it to be cold, but you stand a better chance of being able to take part in this trip since the concessionaire already plans on operating it anyway.
Your plan for November 30th to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon then to Las Vegas (that’s how I’m interpreting that sentence) also requires some modification. That’s too much driving for one day. It takes ~3.5 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon. I know Google maps gives the figures as 2.5 hours, but that’s driving direct, wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as there are a lot of landmarks on the trip that will no doubt pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas takes about 5 hours, so you should definitely try to spend the night at Grand Canyon South Rim (the North Rim is not open at the time of year you’re visiting) so you can experience a sunset and/or a sunrise on the rim. If possible, try to get lodging inside the park. If these hotels are sold out, Tusayan/GC Village South is the next best place to stay, about 7 miles South of the park entrance. Grand Canyon hotels
Sorry I’ve been kind of “all over the place” as far as offering advice on your trip planning, but I hope it helps. As for what else you might do during your time in Page, AZ, you’ll find plenty to occupy two days’ time! For suggestions on activities, attractions, restaurants and more, check out this article on our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com: 48 Hours in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 11, 2018 at 4:44 PM
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From bryan bonilla
Hello Alley,
We are looking to visit Antelope Canyon & Horse Shoe Bend. I understand that you have to pay for a permit which we are ok with but we have some concerns.
1. If we arrive at 8 am will we be able to pay the permit fee and then be transported into where the trail starts?
2. Does Horse Shoe Bend require a permit as well?I appreciate any info you can give us…
Thank You, Bryan
September 14, 2018 at 9:10 PM
Chenuau
Bonjour,
Nous avons fait une réservation le 15/05/2018 pour 4 personnes, d’un montant de 176.10 € au nom de CHENUAU Nathalie.
J’avais reçu un mail de confirmation mais ce dernier est introuvable sur ma boîte mail.
Nousa vions réservé pour le jeudi 13/09/2018 pour le créneau de 12h00 je crois.
Nous prenons l’avion demain, pouvez vous me renvoyer notre réservation ?
Je vous remercie par avance,
Cordialement.
Nathalie CHENUAU
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Chère Nathalie,
Ce site Web est une propriété privée et n’est pas directement affilié à l’un des voyagistes d’Antelope Canyon. Vous devrez les contacter directement pour obtenir une confirmation ou pour qu’ils renvoient la confirmation à votre courrier électronique.
Les coordonnées des compagnies de voyages Antelope Canyon sont les suivantes:
Tours du canyon antelope inférieur de Ken – (928) 606-2168
Antelope Lower Canyon Tours de Dixie Ellis – (928) 640-1761
Excursions du canyon Antelope supérieur de Roger Ekis – 928-645-9102
Excursions du chef Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon – 928-645-5594
Circuits photos aventureux du haut Antelope Canyon – (928) 380-1874
Antelope Canyon Tours Navajo – (928) 310-9458
Toutes mes excuses, nous ne pourrions pas être plus utiles,
Alley
Traduction française par Google TranslateSeptember 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM
Julie Coldwater
Your site looks great!!! We are planning on flying into Vegas (staying overnight) next summer and then going straight to Grand Canyon South Rim (booked already). Then hitting these:
Page – 2 nights for Monument Valley and float tour at Glen Canyon
From Page to Bryce
From Bryce to Zion
Can you tell me where I should fit in Arches, Capitol Reef, Moab and Canyonlands and how long to spend at each of those? There is so much to do and I’m overwhelmed trying to get a great itinerary together!
Thank you so much!
Julie
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Hi Julie!
Seeing as though you’re planning to hit Grand Canyon South Rim first right out of Vegas, I recommend that you plan the remainder of your itinerary as follows:
* Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
* Grand Canyon to Page
* Page to Monument Valley
* Monument Valley to Moab (Arches/Canyonlands)
* Moab to Capitol Reef
* Capitol Reef to Bryce
* Bryce to Zion
* Zion to Las Vegas
For a more detailed itinerary, with day-by-day suggestions of activities and attractions in each location, check out this article on our sister site www.HorseshoeBend.com, “Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More: 14 Days In The Grand Circle.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 05, 2018 at 5:10 PM
Denise
Ryan- I am planning on taking my husband for a 2-3 day weekend road trip (we live in Scottsdale) to Antelope canyon ( cannot believe we have not been!) and i want to book him a photography tour. He does photography but I do not. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for something for me to do while he is on that tour? I believe it is about a 2 hour deal. Just thought you might have a cool idea of something I can do to pass the time but not something that he would miss out on 🙂 Keep in mind I have had 3 back surgeries so I, unfortunately, cannot do anything too physical.
thanks.
Denise
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Hi Denise, and thank you for your inquiry.
There are several things you might do nearby while your husband is on the photography tour. For example, you could head over to the Big Lake Trading Post and tour the Navajo Village Heritage Center right behind it. This is a small educational complex where people can learn about the traditional Navajo way of life, including a homesite tour, demonstrations of weaving and/or hoop dancing, and cultural presentations highlighting oral traditions, storytelling, history, etc. If you like Native crafts such as Navajo rugs, silver jewelry, Kachina dolls, and pottery, the Big Lake Trading Post has a nice selection of these.
You could also drive the short distance from Antelope Canyon to the Antelope Point Marina complex. There, you could tour the visitor center or just hang out down by the water. There is a long downhill walk from the parking lot to the marina (and an equally long uphill walk back to the parking lot), but workers are usually buzzing around on golf carts. One of them could probably give you a lift down – for a little “financial consideration” (aka a tip LOL), of course.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 29, 2018 at 12:18 PM
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From Denise
Thanks so much!
October 06, 2018 at 9:32 PM
Kristy
Hi –
My husband and I have booked a 9 day/8 night trip to the Southwest flying into Las Vegas on September 25th. We are staying 1 night at Hoover Dam (hotel booked), nights 2-4 in Sedona (hotel booked), night 5 in Flagstaff (hotel booked) and still have nights 6 and 7 unbooked before arriving back in Las Vegas for the 8th night to fly home on the 9th day. Our original plan was to stay in Williams on the 6th night, after visiting the South Rim on day 6, thinking we would return to LV the same way we left. Now, I think we should change the Flagstaff reservation on night 5 to Williams, cancel Williams night 6, and travel east from the south rim to Cameron. Perhaps stay in Cameron on night 6, then drive to Page and visit Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell on night 7? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Hi Kristy,
If you want to add Page, AZ to your trip, you could do it fairly easily – in theory. First off, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Williams or Flagstaff for visiting the Grand Canyon. I’d recommend trying to stay inside the park in Grand Canyon Village, or in Tusayan/GC Village South just outside the park. That way, you can be close to the rim to see sunrise and/or sunset, and not have to deal with a 60-90 minute drive back to your hotel after a busy day of sightseeing. Grand Canyon Hotels
I wouldn’t bother staying in Cameron on the way over from the South Rim, I would just go directly to Page. It’s ~150 miles, and Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens as there are many scenic views that will no doubt pique your interest, both on the East Rim/Desert View Drive, and in the Navajo Indian Reservation. A more realistic figure ends up being 3.5-4 hours once you factor in all the stops. Be sure you book your Antelope Canyon tour and Page, AZ lodging in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 28, 2018 at 4:35 PM
Kelly Day
Hi Alley — we are arriving in Phoenix 8/27 late, driving to Sedona 8/28 am, and staying there 28th & 29th. Leaving morning 30th and heading up to Page. How can I print your article to carry with us? We fly out 9/7 from Phoenix and want to tour all these spots. Kelly
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Hi Kelly,
Check your e-mail, I just sent you a copy of that article that you can print more easily.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 26, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Grace
Hello Alley,
Thank you so much for your wonderful site. It is very informative and helpful. I’d like you advise to finalize my trip intenary.
I’m going to have a photograph workshop in Zion Park and it will end on 11/01/18. I’m planing to extend my trip and here is the detail. I’m traveling solo and I guess no choice but rent a car.
– 11/1: heading to Bryce Canyon fm Springdale. Then drive to Page. Any recommendation for Lodging in Page?
11/2:Antelope Canyon- is there any photography tour?
Horseshoe Bend-both ground and helicopters tour if
available and possible.
11/3:Lake Powell & Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour.
11/4:heading to Grand Canyon South Rim. Any recommendations for attractions on the way and lodging in South Rim?
11/5: Grand Canyon South Rim
11/6:heading to LV airport. My flight is 4:30pm
Pls help to fine tune my intenary with your knowledge and expertise.
Thank you very much and your help is greatly appreciated
Grace
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Hi Grace and thank you for visiting!
First off, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend driving from Springdale to Bryce, then driving from Bryce to Page in one day. You’re looking at ~2 hours to go from Springdale to Bryce, then another 2.5-3 hours to travel from Bryce to Page.
That’s ~5.5 hours driving in one day’s time. Another consideration is daylength, which, in November is rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, and sunset is at about 5:15 PM. You must time any driving that you do in this part of the US so that you’re off the road by sunset. The reason for this is two-fold: one, the deliberate lack of artificial lighting – Bryce Canyon is quite proud of its “dark sky” park status; two, nocturnal wildlife such as deer and elk like to graze near local roadways at night and trust us, you don’t want to have a nighttime encounter with one!
Instead, we’d recommend taking one day off your Grand Canyon South Rim stay (more on that in a minute), and using it to stay overnight in Bryce Canyon or one of the the surrounding communities. That will make for a much more enjoyable visit, and one that allows for relaxation and exploration, which is what your vacation is all about anyway!
The next morning, head to Page, AZ, maybe take an Antelope Canyon tour upon your arrival (booked in advance, of course). If a photography tour is specifically what you’re wanting, these are only offered in Upper Antelope Canyon now. The Lower Antelope Canyon outfitters decided to discontinue them this year. However, there are other slot canyons you might consider touring for photography purposes simply because they purposely keep their group sizes smaller. These “alternate” slot canyons include, but aren’t limited to: Antelope Canyon X, Rattlesnake Canyon, Wind Pebble Canyon, Cathedral Canyon and Waterholes Canyon.
On the Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge Boat tour, unfortunately, you may be arriving too late in the season to take part in that. They “officially” stop running for the season on October 31st, however, they may operate on an “on demand” basis with a minimum of 15 paying passengers and favorable weather. I would advise calling the concessionaire directly when you arrive in the area at 928-645-1111 about the possibility of this. The helicopter flights may also be on seasonal hiatus, but you can visit the Page Municipal Airport to see if one can be scheduled on a walk-up basis.
If you’re still wanting to do a water-based activity, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip instead. The concessioner that recently took over operation of this trip plans to run the tour through November. It does not take place on Lake Powell, but travels 15 miles on the Colorado River from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry.
Regarding Page, AZ lodging, there are many options to choose from in a variety of price points and amenity classes. The main thing is to book something in advance of your arrival.
On the drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim, there are many stops you can make that will turn what’s normally a 2.5 hour trip (with wheels turning, no stops), into a leisurely 4-hour scenic drive. Sights that will no doubt pique your curiosity include, but aren’t limited to: The “Cut” overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Painted Desert-like rock formations, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand, the Cameron Trading Post — and that’s before you even hit the Grand Canyon! Once you enter the park at Desert View Point, you’ll have over half a dozen named viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives of the canyon, beckoning to be photographed. Since a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will occur on this drive, that’s why you can get away with just staying one night there and still having a satisfying visit. If possible try to get lodging inside the park, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s already booked up. Your next best bet would be Tusayan/GC Village South, just outside the park. Grand Canyon Hotels
So, your revised itinerary would look something like this:
11/1 – head to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce Canyon
11/2 – head to Page, AZ, take Antelope Canyon Tour, overnight in Page, AZ
11/3 – 2nd day in Page, AZ, float trip or boat tour, overnight in Page, AZ
11/4 – head to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at South Rim
11/5 – spend 2nd day at South Rim or head back to Las Vegas
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to book ALL hotels and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Another suggestion: if the helicopter tours aren’t running in Page, they will be at Grand Canyon South Rim (they operate year-round, weather permitting). You might consider taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour instead.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 25, 2018 at 3:36 PM
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From Grace
Hi Alley
Thank you so much for all th detail recommendations. I have changed my plan as per you suggested.
11/1: stay in Bryce Canyon county. The lodge in the park sold out. I booked Best Western in the county instead.
11/2: do you have tel# to book the photography tour in advance? Do you think if I shall still visit either upper or lower Antelope Canyon besides the “alternate slot canyons”?
11/3: after glen-canyon-float-trip, I should have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend, right?
Now I’m trying my luck to book the rest of the hotels.Thank you so much for your help.
GraceAugust 26, 2018 at 3:45 PM
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From Steve
Hi Alley,
Your wealth of information and eagerness to share is truly a gift.I hope to share our experience when my wife and I return from our weeklong trip to Arizona in mid-October.
Your thoughts on this itinerary would be truly appreciated!
Day 1
– Fly into Phoenix
– Drive to Flagstaff
– Museum of Northern Arizona
– Easy hike
– Sunset somewhere
– Lowell ObservatoryDay 2
– Drive to Chinle
– Drive along Canyon de Chelly’s North and South rims
– Hike White House Ruins trailDay 3
– Drive to Monument Valley
– Horseback riding tour
– Drive to Page
– Check into Lake Powell Resort
– Sunset at Horseshoe BendDay 4
– Lower Antelope Canyon tour
– Relax at resort
– Sunset boat tour to Rainbow BridgeDay 5
– Drive to Grand Canyon
– Enter East entrance
– Drive and stop along the rim at points
– Check into El Tovar
– Hike Hermit Road to Hermits RestDay 6
– Catch sunrise
– Helicopter tour
– Hike / Shuttle Rim Trail to Talk Point
– Hike back and catch sunset
– Shuttle back to VillageDay 7
– Drive to Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon
– Hike Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte
– Check into Casa Sedona Inn
– Relax
– Sunset at Crescent Moon Rec. Area or Airport MesaDay 8
– Pink Jeep Tour
– Drive to Phoenix for late flight homeSeptember 15, 2018 at 3:54 AM
Destiny Hagest
Hi there!
I am a blogger writing a round up about hidden natural wonders, and I would love to include Antelope Canyon in my article. May I have your permission to use a few of your photos and direct folks to your site? I know our readers will love this!
Warmly,
Destiny Hagest
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Hi Destiny, and thank you for visiting!
We would LOVE for you to direct potential travelers to the area to our site, however, we have to tell you that Antelope Canyon is by no means “hidden.” It has become so popular in the last few years that tours sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance.
If you’re wanting to promote slot canyons specifically, there are several such formations in the Page, AZ area that are just as beautiful, but not so heavily populated. Some of these are discussed in our article, “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.” Slot canyons not addressed in this piece are Wind Pebble Canyon, Ram’s Head Canyon and Ligai Si’Anii Canyon, which are managed by Ligai Si’Anii Tours. Their website is www.hikingslotcanyons.com
Another good source for information about slot canyons and similar geological formations in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is www.AmericanSouthwest.net
Good luck and happy writing!
Alley 🙂August 23, 2018 at 5:15 PM
lk
hi. I love reading about all your advise for visiting the area! We are planning a trip for next April and trying to finalize some plans.
While we’re in Page the plan is to stay for two nights at the Lake Powell Resort. On day one we will book Lower Antelope Canyon. Which tour group do you recommend? Are there any differences between Kens or Dixie? Day two we will do the 1/2 day float trip and maybe watch sunset somewhere (recommendations needed) Third day maybe see the dam or horseshoe bend (afraid of heights so worried about this stop) before heading to Sedona
would love your advise on must do things with 2 adults 3 children ages 7, 12, 14)
also dining options
itineraries as follows:
Las Vegas(Venetian)- 1 night
Grand Canyon western ranch-1 night
El tovar-2 nights
Lake Powell Resort-2 nights
Sedona (Renting house)- 4 nights
Phoenix (Arizona grand hotel)- 1 night fly out
thanks!!
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Hi Lisa, and thank you for your inquiry.
Props to you for planning your travels well in advance. We wish everybody did it like you! Congrats on scoring a couple of nights at El Tovar, I used to work there, I love that hotel. Hopefully you guys got a suite, or two adjacent rooms in the deluxe category, the “standard” rooms are tiny and bound to be really cramped for a family of 5.
Regarding the tour company for Lower Antelope Canyon, it really doesn’t matter which one you use. For one, the proprietors are related, and secondly, the tours they offer are going to be virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. Just find a departure time that works for you and book it. Mid-day is generally regarded as “prime time,” for which you’ll pay “prime price.” There’s really no such thing as a bad time to go.
As for Horseshoe Bend, there is a small fenced viewing platform that has been recently constructed, if that makes you feel safer, but the “money shot,” i.e., the straight-on view of the ‘Bend, remains unfenced, and rightfully so. If you opt to explore this area of Horseshoe Bend, just make sure your kids know the potential dangers, namely the 700’ drop to the river, and that they give it its due respect.
For ideas on other activities your kids might enjoy in the Page, AZ area, check out the National Park Service’s recommendations for day hikes in the area. One they don’t include is the “New” Wave, which is located across the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge near the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex. Since you’re staying there, it would be an easy stop to make on the way to or from your hotel for the day.
On the drive from Grand Canyon Ranch to El Tovar, you might make the slight detour to Seligman, AZ, which was one of the towns that “Radiator Springs” in the movie “Cars” was loosely based on (the other one was Galena, Kansas). Maybe stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for lunch and a good laugh.
As for Sedona, there’s no shortage of things to do there! Go to www.VisitSedona.com for suggestions.
Last but not least — keep in mind that April is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring. In all likelihood, the weather will be nice, mostly sunny and brisk. But, a late-season storm could still move through. While Page, Sedona and Las Vegas would probably just get rained on, the Grand Canyon could see snow. I know, I lived there for 7 years. Be sure to pack a couple of items of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2018 at 7:18 PM
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From lk
Thank you very much for your reply. I will definitely check out the New Wave and now possibly Horseshoe bend now that I know there is a fence. I did not know that. I will also check out your suggestion in Seliman. I was able to reserve a deluxe room at El Tovar. that is when my whole trip planning began. very excited! One last question for you. Do you recommend Lake Powell Resort? I’ve read some not so great reviews, but I really love that fact that on the water. The other option I was looking into is the Hyatt place Lake Powell.
August 22, 2018 at 7:45 PM
Sook
Hello Alley,
Seems like you are an expert in the Grand Canyon regent. I would like to know more about a tour from Vegas to Antelope Canyon, and possible to Zion. Which tour do you recommend since I don’t drive.
In June this year, I visited Flag Staffs for 5 days, solely to joint a tour to Antelope Canyon (I really like it, except it was a bit rush by tour company). I was told that this is a closer distance compare to departing from Vegas to Antelope Canyon. What do you think? does it make any different in terms of distance which city’s tour will depart? There are many cheap flights to Vegas, and flights to Flagstaff are expensive and rare. When I was in Vegas in 2016, I couldn’t find any tour company which offer bus tour from Vegas to Antelope Canyon. If there are new tour company offering such tour, can you please write down the website & phone number? I am a solo traveler and I don’t drive long distance.
Thank you.
Sook
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Dear Sook,
Hi there! You have unfortunately discovered that guided tour options out of Las Vegas that include both Zion and Antelope Canyon are few and far between. Still, they are out there. The tour operators we’ve found to have the most in terms of tours offerings and price points are:
Viator www.viator.com (855) 611-5269
Tours4Fun www.tours4fun.com 1-866-933-7368
TakeTours www.taketours.com 1-617-500-7002 or 1-888-428-7255
Hope that helps you find a tour that works for you!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 22, 2018 at 7:02 PM
Faye
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for the insight you have in this post. You mention that the itinerary you listed is for peak tourist season, and I’d love some advice parsing out the bits good for a mid-November 2018 trip. I’m travelling with my adult family, 5 people total, and everyone is fairly active and unbothered by the cold–though my parents might opt out of the super long hikes.
I currently have two nights reserved for Page, AZ (with priorities on Horseshoe Bend, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Rainbow Bridge) but I’m wondering if there is enough to do at that time of year – specifically, can I do a rafting trip and see Antelope Canyon in 2 days, 1 night? If so, I would hope to book another night in Zion. I’m doing a similar trip as Gina, except in reverse (based on when I could get lodging in GCNP). My current itinerary is below.
Warm wishes, and thank you!
Faye
November 10 – arrive in Las Vegas in AM, drive to Zion National Park (2 nights, Desert Pearl Inn)
November 11 – Zion National Park
November 12 – Drive to Bryce Canyon (1 night, still need lodging)
November 13 – Drive to Page, AZ (2 nights, still need lodging)
November 14 – Activities near Page, AZ
November 15 – Drive to Grand Canyon (2 nights, Thunderbird Lodge)
Novmeber 16 – Grand Canyon
November 17 – Drive back to Las Vegas, redeye flight out
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Hi Faye and thank you for visiting.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. You just have to keep in mind that mid-November is in that transitional phase between fall and winter, so you could encounter days that are sunny but brisk, or you could have an early-season rain or snowstorm blow through. Snow is more of a concern in the higher-elevation parks like Grand Canyon South Rim and Bryce; Zion and Page are more likely to just get rained on. Obviously, it’s too soon to tell, but you should still have an enjoyable visit regardless.
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour “officially” wraps up for the season on October 31st, but may run on an “on-demand” basis with a minimum of 15 passengers booked. If this is something you’re truly interested in, I would recommend calling the boat tour company upon your arrival in the area. Their # is 928-645-1111. If the boat tour doesn’t run, you might be able to substitute a fixed-wing airplane flight over Rainbow Bridge. Flights typically take less than half an hour, if you can believe that. These also run on a “weather permitting” and “aircraft available” basis.
Since the concessionaire for the Glen Canyon Float Trip changed back to ARAMARK, they decided to offer the trip into December, so if you’re wanting to do a water-based activity, and the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour isn’t possible, choosing this tour will by no means leave you feeling short-changed. It’s a very popular trip, and rightfully so, because it goes through some beautiful scenery and the guides are some of the most knowledgeable people in the area. I know a lot of them personally 😉
Push comes to shove, you might reduce your Grand Canyon stay to 1 night and add that 3rd night onto Zion by shifting your itinerary around a bit. The reason I say that is because a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will occur on the drive in from Page since the route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives on the canyon.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up the America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only places it doesn’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (of which Antelope Canyon is one), and State Parks. You can pick it up at the first National Park you visit. If anyone in your party is over the age of 62 and a U.S. citizen, they would qualify for a Lifetime Senior Pass.August 21, 2018 at 6:16 PM
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From Faye Bi
Thank you, Alley – this is SO helpful! It sounds like we have plenty to do in Page, and maybe that will give us some wiggle room in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. I did center the trip around the Grand Canyon since that was the anchor park (parents specifically requested it), but I’ll definitely keep that in mind for an extra Zion night!
August 21, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Fatima Varga
Hi Alley,
We-my 14 years old son and I- are visiting Los Angeles, San Francisco, and some of the famous Southwestern National Parks this autumn.. I’ve read plenty of sites about how to manage a trip to the Canyons but your are the best for sure
I would like your recommendation on how I should plan my trip. We arrive to Las Vegas on 23th of October, and I want to fly from Las Vegas to San Francisco the 30th of October. We rent a car of course.
We hope to see Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon, and Zion or Bryce
Would really appreciate your work and time
Fatima & Balázs (Hungary)
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Hello Fatima and Balázs!
Thank you so much for the kind compliments on our site.
The 1-week itinerary in Northern Arizona/Southern Utah might go something like this:
Day 1 (10/24) – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), overnight at the South Rim Grand Canyon Hotels
Day 2 (10/25) – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive), hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, take afternoon Antelope Canyon Tour, overnight in Page.
Day 3 (10/26) – Take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour , spend a 2nd night in Page.
Day 4 (10/27) – Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park (~3 hour drive), overnight in that area.
Day 5 (10/28) – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, Utah, ride the shuttles into the park and do some easy hikes in Zion
Day 6 (10/29) – Do some other activities in Zion, such as longer hikes like Angel’s Landing or The Narrows, or perhaps take a trail ride. Zion National Park Activities Spend a second night in Springdale, Utah
Day 7 (10/30) – Drive from Springdale, UT back to Las Vegas, NV, fly to SF
Naturally, this itinerary can be reversed in the event you find it difficult to get lodging at Grand Canyon on the date specified. Indeed, Grand Canyon Lodging should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your trip planning revolves, and evolves. For more suggestions on activities and sights you might visit on your trip, check out The Grand Canyon and Beyond: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure you pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the USA for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (of which Antelope Canyon is one) and State Parks, but it will still pay for itself on this trip. Just purchase it at the first National Park you visit.August 20, 2018 at 10:05 PM
Dan P
Hi! Starting my planning for a trip next August. When would be the best time of day to visit Lower Antelope Canyon, as far as light on the walls go? Any time to absolutely avoid?
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Hi Dan and thank you for visiting our site.
Kudos on planning your trip well ahead of time! One advantage to your advance planning is that you can probably still get on a prime-time Antelope Canyon tour, which would be mid-day. That’s when the sun is directly overhead and the canyon is best illuminated. Lower Canyon doesn’t experience as many “light beams” as Upper, but they do get a few during the peak touring hours. Unfortunately, that’s also the time when you’ll experience the highest visitation and congestion. If that doesn’t appeal to you, you may want to tour Antelope Canyon during the so-called “off-peak” times, e.g., earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Fortunately, there’s really no such thing as a bad time to go.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 20, 2018 at 9:36 PM
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From Dan P
Hello again, Alley! Okay, I’ve looked at the Ken’s Tours website and you are right, people are starting to book up times already for next August. I was looking Aug. 13 and the 10:30 is already sold out! I’ll be driving up from GCNP that day, so I doubt I could make an early morning visit. The next day I’ll be doing the float trip in the morning, so no chance then, either. After reading some reviews, I see it can get super hot mid-day, so I may not be that interested in prime time after all. Plus I see that they might cancel tours if it gets to 105 degrees in the canyon. So I was thinking of catching the last tour of he day, at 5pm. Do you think it’s likely to be cool enough by that time of day? Also, since it’s the last tour of the day, do you think there might be less of a rush to move us out of the canyon, since there’s no one coming in after us?
August 28, 2018 at 4:23 PM
Christine Shelby
Question. If you submit an application for the Wave. And you get picked. But you cant go. Can you give your ticket to another Person? Or is it then void if the original winner cant go?
Thank You
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Hi Christine,
Great question! Unfortunately, I don’t have a great answer for you.
Wave permits are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you attempt to give or sell your permit to another party, rangers on-site may opt to check for ID’s at any time, and if anything is found to be amiss or in violation of BLM rules regarding transfer of permits, you and they could be fined anywhere from $1,000-$10,000. If you need to cancel your trip you can cancel the permit by mailing it back to the St. George, Utah office at: 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.
For more information about The Wave, visit our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 17, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Karen
Hi Alley and Ryan
I will be travelling from Australia and want to visit the Grand Canyon in December. We have set aside the 9th and 10th of December. We are planning to leave Vegas early on the 9th morning and drive to the Grand Canyon National Park which please correct me if I am wrong, is on the South Rim. Once there we would like to perhaps do a small hike or take a scenic flight. We plan to sleep overnight and then dive to Page the next day. After visiting the major sites in Page we then wanted to drive back to Vegas for the 10th night. We will be travelling with two teenage children 16 and 18 who are active and love adventure.
Some of the things that we hope to include are a scenic flight over the canyon- If possible we would love to land at the bottom and look up. We would also love to see the sun set and sun rise. In Page we would like to visit Antelope Canyon. Most likely the lower Canyon as I think it is a little more challenging and our kids would enjoy this aspect. In addition we also want to see Horseshoe Bend and perhaps take a kayak trip or boat ride on Lake Powel. I would dearly love to see the wave but not sure if we could pack all of this in to a two day trip to the Canyon/Page from Vegas.
Alley I really need your help and advice. What would you recommend? What scenic flight do you think we could possibly take and where? Are boat tours available in December or do they close??? Will we have enough time to drive back to Vegas from Page???
Maisha
Hi!
My husband and I are flying out to Phoenix on Sept 2 and doing a road trip through the Grand Canyon. It felt like a daunting task to plan this trip out, but I think we have narrowed down where we want to go for the days we will be there. Your blog along with reddit helped us plan it out to the best of our abilities. However, based on this itinerary, we are not sure what activities to book. Our budget will allow us to do 2 max 3 activities. Could you help us decide?
Here is a short summary of our stay:
Sept 2: Fly in to Phoenix in the morning. Pick up our rental and drive to Sedona. Spend the night in Sedona.
Sept 3: Leave Early Morning from Sedona before sunrise, and drive to the South Rim. All day in the South Rim and spend the night in Grand Canyon Village.
Sept 4: Leave again before sunrise and Option A: Drive to Monument Valley, do the loop and see the Forest Gump Point and drive back to Page Spend the rest of the evening and night in Page. Option B: Drive along the East Rim to Page and see horseshoe Bend and maybe do an afternoon Antelope Canyon tour. We will spend the night in Page.
Sept 5: Do either a Kayak tour or boat cruise (Not sure which one yet) and do whatever we couldn’t do the previous day in Page. (I need help planning out these two days). Again spend the night in Page.
Sept 6: Leave early morning and drive to Bryce Canyon. Spend all day and night there.
Sept 7 & 8: Spend both these days hiking and sightseeing in Zion National Park.
Sept 9: Leave Zion and drive back to Sedona and spend the rest of the day there. Stay the night in Sedona.
Sept 10: Will spend all day in Sedona again, but drive to Phoenix in the overnight and spend the night.
Sept 11: Fly out to Toronto.
Now, based on the accommodations we booked, this is our itinerary. I need help planning out the 4th and 5th. So far this is what we have spent on. All prices in CAD:
Accommodation: $1000
Plane tickets: $700
Car Rental: $425
Park Pass: $104
Gas: ~$200
Food:
Activities:
Gratuities:
Total so far: $2429
We want to stay within $3500 but can stretch to $4000 if we absolutely have to. So based on these estimates, what activities can we do? I definitely want to do Antelope Canyon (~200 CAD) and a water activity in Lake Powell (Boat tour: $320, Kayak: $260 My husband and I have actually never did Kayaking before but we Canoe a lot). With our tight budget, what will you suggest?
Also do you think going to Monument Valley the morning of the 4th will be a good ide? I know it will be a lot of driving that day. Also we booked a sedan so no 4X4. Please help!!
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Dear Maisha,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site.
Honestly, I think you might be challenged to remain within that budget exactly. One reason for this is that it’s peak season. You won’t find discounts of any kind, anywhere. I’ve seen hotel rates at Motel 6 type properties in Page, AZ, as high as $250 a night. Plus every vacation always incurs unexpected expenses, such as that one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry you can’t resist, or gas prices that ratchet up out of the blue. If money truly is an issue, you might consider pushing your vacation to off-season, namely, between December and March. Although temperatures are cooler, and water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus, you can find good deals on hotels, and the land-based tours (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend) are still in full operational mode.
Regarding going to Monument Valley from Grand Canyon en route to Page, it can be done, but as you’ve deduced, it’s going to make for a long drive.
Although Google maps puts the drive time at 3 hours, that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because there are lots of photo ops along the way. The route to Monument Valley takes you along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half-a-dozen named viewpoints, all with different features and differing perspectives on the canyon. Upon exiting the park and entering Navajo Indian Land, there are more sights that will pique your curiosity, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorses’ Souvenir Stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, the Navajo Code Talkers’ Museum… just to name a few. So don’t be surprised if the drive ends up taking more along the lines of 4.5-5 hours. Then, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive to Page. As I said, it’s doable, but not ideal. Plus, you want to be sure that you do all of your driving during daylight hours. Artificial/supplemental lighting is kept to a bare minimum in this part of the country, so once the sun goes down, it gets really dark. In September, sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM, sunset at about 6:45 PM. Keep in mind that Page, AZ is on Mountain STANDARD Time, but Monument Valley is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time; you will “lose” an hour traveling from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, then “gain” it back traveling from MV to Page, so if you opt to take part in a guided tour, you’ll have to factor this in.
If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, you might consider doing a fixed-wing airplane flight over Monument Valley from the Page Municipal Airport. These are offered by Westwind Air Service (you have to scroll a ways down the linked page to get to that exact tour). They typically go out first thing in the morning for better light and less wind.
As for kayak tours, no previous kayaking experience is required to take part in these. If you have canoeing experience, you’ll be more than a step ahead of anyone else in your group!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley) and State Parks (many of Sedona’s more popular attractions are state parks). It will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take as Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and Lake Powell are all Federal Fee Areas. Just pick up the pass at the first National Park you hit on your trip.August 16, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Iris
Hi!
Thank you for all the information.
I’m planning to go Phoenix for a conference end of September. I want to go Antelope Canyon. The problem is I don’t drive. And I can’t find your from Phoenix. My time is flexible for 2-3 days.
This Is what I found is from Phoenix airport to Flagstaff with greyhound.
Then join a tour from flagstaff. However it is short time in Antelope.
I saw more option on lower and upper Antelope Canyon and also Kayaking from Page.
I wonder any public transportation from flagstaff to page or any Car ride from flagstaff to page.
Thank you
Iris
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Hi Iris, this is an excellent question, which unfortunately doesn’t have that great an answer.
As you’ve already discovered, public transit options in this part of the country are few and far between. Page, AZ, especially is very remote and options are slim to nearly none. Inistead of relying on Greyhound and trying to connect with tours in Flagstaff, I’d recommend booking a package tour out of Phoenix or Scottsdale. Detours American West Tours has a van tour that lights out of PHX at ~4:00 AM and gets back between 8:00-9:00 PM. Detours American West Phoenix Antelope Canyon Tour
As you’ve already seen, time spent at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is relatively short, largely due to the driving distance, which is approximately 5 hours each way. If you want to have more time in Page, you might consider flying there on the new Essential Air Service carrier, Contour Airlines. However, if you don’t drive at all, you would still have trouble getting around. Uber/Lyft rides are still hit-and-miss up here.
Another option would be to use Westwind Air Service, who offer round-trip flight service out of the Deer Valley Airport to Page, AZ, a tour of Antelope Canyon, then a flight to the Grand Canyon, where you have lunch prior to your return flight to Deer Valley. Use this link for more information; FYI, you have to scroll down quite a ways to get to the tour I’m referring to.
Sorry to be the bearer of semi-bad news.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 16, 2018 at 5:01 PM
Jenny
When is the “low season” to increase the chance of getting a permit?
I’m sure that you can see 500 people in one day in July in front of visitor center but much less in other months… What month(s) has less visitors?
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Hi Jenny,
Great question!
Nowadays, there aren’t too many timeframes that see a dip in the number of permit hopefuls, The Wave is just that popular. However, we do tend to see a slight decrease in applicants during two distinct periods: the hottest part of summer (late June through early September), and the dead of winter (December – February). Notice the word “slight.” People still go for it, and sometimes do so unprepared. Just last month, we had a heat-related fatality involving a hiker from Belgium. These types of incidents, though rare, tend to happen most often in the summer months. With increased demand for Wave permits spilling over into the Winter months, it’s only a matter of time until we hear about hypothermia-related casualties.
Hope that helps and best of luck on your quest to see The Wave! For more information about The Wave and alternate sites that are just as beautiful but don’t require a permit, visit our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Take care,
Alley 🙂August 13, 2018 at 12:50 PM
Pam Wool
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!
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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.August 13, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Pam Wool
Thanks for sharing so much wonderful information.
We are visiting Canyon X in Page this October and I am wondering whether you have a recommendation whether the light would be better on a 10:30 or 1pm photo tour? Each tour lasts 2-3 hours.
Thanks!
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Hey Pam!
Either departure would be fine. October is a great time to be here! Hope you’ll be spending a couple of days so you can enjoy all the town has to offer.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM
Anita S
Hello, my family is coming to Vegas in late August. Planning to stay 2 nights in Vegas before driving to Antelope (overnight), then Grand Canyon (overnight) and then another 2 nights in Vegas. After reading your post, Zion National Park sounds like a good place to stop over. But will it be too rush (as I have reserved a 10am tour in Antelope already) and will we will be seeing similar things — different shapes of rocks or canyon? Also, head of Route 66, is it worth to take that route on way back from Grand Canyon.
Just a note, already booked all hotels and no changes allowed.
Thank you very much for your help.
AS
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Hi Anita,
Antelope Canyon and Zion National Park are not similar to one another at all: the former is a slot canyon, the latter is a wide, spectacular and multi-faceted canyon carved by the Virgin River. If your hotels and trip logistics indeed cannot be changed, I don’t see how you can include a stopover there, which is a shame. The most logical place to include Zion would be as a “detour” on the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ.
Regarding your 10 AM Antelope Canyon tour, I’m assuming you have that booked for the morning after you arrive in Page, just before you depart for Grand Canyon? I hope so, because if you’re wanting to do it on your arrival day from Las Vegas, you’ll need to light out at 4:30 AM at the latest – the tour companies want you to check in 30 minutes prior to departure.
Allow for at least 4 hours to make the drive to the Grand Canyon from Page. I know Google maps gives the timeframe as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as the trip is very scenic and you’ll no doubt find lots of photo opportunities that pique your interest, especially once you enter the park at the East Rim/Desert View Drive. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon en route to Grand Canyon Village, all with different features and perspectives on the canyon. Be sure you time your trip so that you’re not doing any driving at night, due to lack of supplemental lighting and the tendency of deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate around local roadways.
As for Route 66, it’s a worthwhile detour if you’re a history buff and/or like old cars. Taking this small loop off I-40 will add about an hour onto an already long-ish drive (4.5 hours direct). If you do take us up on it, be sure to stop at Delgadillo’s Snow-Cap Drive-In in Seligman, AZ for a burger and a laugh. Kingman, AZ is where the road will rejoin the interstate, and where you’d turn off onto US93 to head to Las Vegas.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 13, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Gina Bostic
Hi Alley!
I am so excited to have found your website. We are planning our travels to AZ and UT for next summer (early June) and have started to build a framework, but wanted to get your insights. I know in order to stay inside the parks early reservations are key. I was able to secure reservations in all three parks! I did have a few questions though… here is our itinerary so far.
Day 1: Arrive in Vegas
Day 2: Leave for the Grand Canyon (reservations at Thunderbird Lodge)
Day 3: Grand Canyon
Day 4: Leave for Page/Lake Powell (what hotel do you recommend?)
Day 5: Page/Lake Powell
Day 6: Leave for Zion (reservations at Zion Lodge)
Day 7: Zion
Day 8: Leave for Bryce (reservations Bryce Cannon Lodge)
Day 9: Head back to Vegas
Questions:
I had read that one night was plenty for Bryce, but now read in your blog that one night might be more than enough for the Grand Canyon? We just didn’t want to feel rushed, but should we add that day somewhere else?
Is the Mule Ride at the GC a must? What are other musts there?
I read about your musts for the Page/Lake Powell area! That is so incredibly helpful. Does it matter where you stay? On the lake? We are more interested in the canyons around there, versus lake amenities… should we stay in Page then? Without having been there, it is just so hard to know!
Any other feedback on our itinerary?
I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your insights. With these kind of trips, you want to soak up all that the area has to offer, without missing any must sees. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Gina
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Hey Gina and thank you for visiting!
Wow, you get the “blue ribbon” for an excellent itinerary, and for planning your trip well in advance. You’ve scored all the best hotel locations and have allowed enough time to really enjoy your trip. We wish all visitors were more like you!
On to your specific questions:
If you have two days to spend at the Grand Canyon, and have already booked lodging, go ahead and keep it as it is. The “one day is enough” recommendation is more like a “push comes to shove” for the many visitors who are pressed for time, yet want to see as much as they can. You are apparently not one of them. The only advice I’d give is to concentrate your South Rim sightseeing on the Grand Canyon Historic Village area and the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. You can utilize the free shuttles to see all of these areas. Save the viewpoints on the East Rim/Desert View Drive for the drive to Page, AZ, since you have to go that way anyway. Plan to stop at the Cameron Trading Post for “brunch” — the Navajo Tacos are awesome!
Regarding the mule ride, IMO, if you’re not doing the 2-day/1-night trip to Phantom Ranch, I wouldn’t bother with the Canyon Vista ride. It simply takes you through the forest up to a single viewpoint, which you can access via the free shuttle. The Phantom Ranch trips are already booked up for next year, and getting a cancellation via the in-person waiting list will throw a wrench into your whole trip plan. Instead of messing with all that, maybe take a short hike down the Bright Angel Trail. You don’t have to go too far, or spend too much time, to get a feel for how different it is below the rim. Just get an early start so you avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Another activity you might consider is a sightseeing flight by airplane or helicopter. These allow you to see inaccessible areas of the canyon, and get a sense of how big it really is. We’re partial to the Imperial Tour on the Eco-Star EC130. Mornings are the best time to fly for better light and less wind. You might also pop down to Tusayan to see the IMAX presentation, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.”
Concerning lodging in Page, AZ, staying on the lake is great, but the one disadvantage is it situates you ~20 minutes from town, meaning you have to get in the car and deal with local traffic to tour Antelope Canyon, eat at local restaurants, etc. If you’re OK with that, go ahead and book at the Lake Powell Resort. If you prefer to be “where the action is,” then book lodging in Page. The town offers everything from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between in terms of prices and amenities.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon) and State Parks (like Kodachrome Basin or the Coral Pink Sand Dunes [near Kanab]), but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take.August 11, 2018 at 1:29 PM
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From Gina Bostic
Wow, Alley! That additional insight is priceless. I truly can’t thank you enough for taking the time to respond back.
I am sure I will think of other questions along the way, but the only other question I have right now is timing re: booking tours. How far in advance should we do that?
Thank you! 🙂
August 15, 2018 at 9:55 PM
Karen
Hi Alley.
I love the work that you and your team do so insightful and helpful to all of your readers.
This is the third time that I am leaving a message I hope I am sending it correctly as I have not had a response from you yet!
I will be travelling from Australia and want to visit the Grand Canyon in December 2018. We have set aside the 9th and 10th of December. We are planning to leave Vegas early on the 9th morning and drive to the Grand Canyon National Park which please correct me if I am wrong, is on the South Rim. Once there we would like to perhaps do a small hike or take a scenic flight. We plan to sleep overnight and then dive to Page the next day. After visiting the major sites in Page we then wanted to drive back to Vegas for the 10th night. We will be travelling with two teenage children 16 and 18 who are active and love adventure.
Some of the things that we hope to include are a scenic flight over the canyon- If possible we would love to land at the bottom and look up. We would also love to see the sun set and sun rise. In Page we would like to visit Antelope Canyon. Most likely the lower Canyon as I think it is a little more challenging and our kids would enjoy this aspect. In addition we also want to see Horseshoe Bend and perhaps take a kayak trip or boat ride on Lake Powel. I would dearly love to see the wave but not sure if we could pack all of this in to a two day trip to the Canyon/Page from Vegas.
Alley I really need your help and advice. What would you recommend? What scenic flight do you think we could possibly take and where? Are boat tours available in December or do they close??? Will we have enough time to drive back to Vegas from Page???
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Hi Karen,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry, but thank you very much for your wonderful compliments. It really makes me hate to say this, but unfortunately, I’m going to have to “temper” some of your expectations.
First off, your second day’s plan involves too much driving. It takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. You’ve probably seen a shorter time estimate on Google maps, but that’s wheels turning, no stops, which rarely happens on that drive. There are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints along that route (the East Rim/Desert View Drive), then once you exit the park and enter Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, there are more sites that will no doubt pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. When you get to Page, AZ, you’ll want to allow ~60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend (which you can hit on your way into town), then ~2 hours to tour Lower Antelope Canyon. Then, after all that, you’re facing a 5-hour drive back to Las Vegas! You really need an overnight in Page, AZ as well. It will make for a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience for you all.
Regarding boat tours, all water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus at that time of year, plus, as your plan now stands, you don’t have time anyway. The Wave? Not gonna happen. You need a permit, which are insanely hard to get, plus it’s a 6+ mile hike that requires a full day, which, as of now, you don’t have to spare.
Another thing to keep in mind is that we strongly discourage nighttime driving in this part of the US due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local roadways, and the tendency of nocturnal wildlife such as deer and elk to congregate around them. In December, your days are going to be short: sunrise occurs at ~7.30 AM, sunset at ~5:00 PM.
As for scenic flights, the ones that allow you to land at the bottom are not offered at Grand Canyon South Rim. Those types of experiences are only offered at Grand Canyon West, a Native American Tribal Park located ~2.5 hours from Las Vegas. Helicopter and airplane flights from the South Rim are restricted to just flying over, but that’s by no means a tick in the minus column: the South Rim is where the vast, colorful “picture postcard” views of the Grand Canyon can be had. Those at Grand Canyon West are nowhere near as sweeping and dramatic, but they do allow for the kinds of experiences you can’t have in the National Park. That’s the “trade-off” between the two Grand Canyon parks. If you do want to take a scenic air tour from Grand Canyon South Rim, we recommend the Imperial Flight on the Eco-Star EC130 helicopter, and we recommend you take it first thing in the morning for better light and less wind.
I know this is a lot to digest! The main takeaways: SLOW DOWN. You’re trying to cram too much sightseeing into too short a time, which I know is tempting to do when you’re coming from a long ways away and your trip might be a once-in-a-lifetime shot. If at all possible, try to modify your schedule so you can allow for an overnight in Page, AZ as well as Grand Canyon South Rim. If it’s not possible to do so, much as I hate to say it, you’ll need to choose “quality over quantity” on your destinations; choose one or the other. If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, then that should be the priority, and it should be the South Rim, not the West Rim. However, if you have a spare day in Las Vegas, you can easily fit a Las Vegas Grand Canyon West Rim tour in in half a day’s time or less.
Hope that helps. Sorry again to have to relay potentially disappointing news, but, as some old song from the ’70’s went, “I’d rather hurt you honestly than mislead you with a lie.”
Feel free to write back again if you have any questions. I can’t always get to them the same day, but I will get to them!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 11, 2018 at 12:34 PM
Tania
Hi Alley! Thanks for your guidance it is very helpful!
We are actually planning a trip and will appreciate your advice a lot!
The plan is:
Day 1. Traveling from Redwood city to Las Vegas ( 10-11h drive)
Overnight in Las Vegas.
Day 2. Recovery day at Las Vegas, overnight.
Day 3. Las Vegas – Tusayan – Grand Canyon Village South ( 5-6h drive) Overnight in Grand Canyon.
Day 4. Sunrise in Grand Canyon, sightseeing, overnight.
Day 5. Grand Canyon – Monument Valley (4-5h drive). Monument Valley sightseeing, Forrest Gump Point, overnight.
Day 6. Monument Valley – Page (3-4h drive) – Low Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Band
Overnight in Page.
Day 7. Page, the Wave onsite lottery, Lake Powell/ Alstrom Point/
White Pocket/
Day 8. Page, the Wave onsite lottery, (the Wave in case of winning), or Page – Zion (2-3h drive)
Day 9. Zion sightseeing and overnight
Day 10. Zion -Las Vegas (3-4h drive). Flight or overnight.
Would you recommend us to modify or switch anything, considering the fact that we can permit ourselves to stay an extra day somewhere? Are there some other “must see” spots?
Speaking about Zion what would you recommend to do there if we cannot do a lot of hiking?
Are there substitute options for the Wave or Antelope Canyon that have similar(around $40) price or are free of charge at all?
Thank you so much in advance!
Tania
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Hi Tania,
Wow — you get the prize for best planning!
Your itinerary as it stands looks awesome, I wouldn’t change a thing, unless, of course you don’t win the walk-in Wave lottery (which statistically, is the most likely outcome). On your “extra” day, you might see if you can snag a cancellation on a room at Bryce Canyon. That’s about the only “must-see” site that’s missing from your itinerary. Since it’s a small park square mileage-wise, one day is sufficient to have a fulfilling visit. I don’t recall seeing what time of year you were traveling, but keep in mind that Bryce is 8,000′ above sea level. Evenings are already starting to get cold up there, so bring a jacket just in case. Bryce Canyon is ~ a 3-hour drive from Page; it would then be ~a 2-hour drive from Bryce to Zion. Bryce Canyon Lodging
As for alternate areas in the vicinity of The Wave you might visit, there are literally dozens of them. Many are free to visit; then again, many are not. Antelope Canyon Alternate Slot Canyons, for example, tend to be a bit more expensive to tour than Antelope Canyon itself, but that’s because the tour companies deliberately keep tour groups smaller. For more suggestions on other things you might do in the likely event you strike out on The Wave lottery, afterwards, you might hop over to the Kanab Utah Visitors Center and see what the employees there might suggest. Lake Powell Boat Tours are another good option.
Regarding non-hiking activities in Zion, hiking shouldn’t be necessarily ruled out as there are lots of scenic but easy walks you can take. If hiking is a definite “no-can-do,” you might check out the Zion Ponderosa Ranch near the Western entrance of the park. They offer all kinds of activities from ATV tours to ziplining! Or, simply ride the park shuttle from Springdale, UT (I take it that’s where you’re staying?) on the Zion Canyon main scenic drive and hop-on/hop-off as you wish.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon) and State Parks (like Kodachrome Basin or the Coral Pink Sand Dunes [near Kanab]), but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take.August 11, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Sean
Hi Alley,
Wonderful itinerary with great detail. Thank you.
What are your thoughts on visiting in December, specifically the week of Christmas (Dec 23-29)?
Thanks!
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Hey Sean,
Thanks for your compliments on the itinerary!
A Christmastime visit can be wonderful, as long as you’re aware that this time of year can be just as busy as the summer months in the major parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. Booking hotel rooms and guided tours in advance of your arrival remains a must. Water-based activities in Page, AZ, such as the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip and Lake Powell Boat Tours, are on seasonal hiatus, so if you were hoping to take part in these tours, you might consider rescheduling your visit.
Last but not least, cold weather is the norm, and White Christmases are not uncommon in the higher elevations, such as the Grand Canyon and Bryce. Be prepared with warm clothing, sturdy footwear, and a flexible schedule in case you get delayed or detoured by a big storm.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 04, 2018 at 6:33 PM
Robert
Travelling to Page in May 2019. How far in advance can I book upper Antelope Canyon. I already have my accommodation organized, but am unable to book a tour. Can you help?
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Hi Robert!
Next year’s tour inventory will probably be opened up around November or December of this year. However, you’re welcome to call your chosen tour outfitter and see if you can book your tour over the phone.
See this article for contact information of Antelope Canyon tour outfitters: How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂August 04, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Janice Gillespie
I am doing a 3 week trip (Hotels all booked) In November and part of this will be in Utah/Arizona for 8 days and I was just looking for some advice on any bits you are familiar with in my itinerary. I will put below my where I am staying and what I have planned and I would appreciate your advice. I’m not 100% sure about driving times and what there is to see and do enroute and also about sunset and sunrise times and time differences and are any of the roads ok to drive after dark or do I need to ensure we are off them all.
Mon 5th Nov Leave Baker and visit death valley before arriving in Vegas for night
Tues 6th Nov Leave Vegas and go to valley of fire and then head to Springdale for 3 nights
Wed 7th Nov Zion National Park
Thurs 8th Nov Zion National Park
Fri 9th Leave Springdale and head to Bryce for a few hours before heading onto Capitol Reef and then onto Moab for the 2 nights.
Thinking this might be a bit much so wondering if I should drop doing valley of fire and head straight to Zion N.P and then do day trip to Bryce on Thurs 8th from Springdale leaving Friday 9th to do Capitol reef on the way to Moab.
Sat 10th Thinking of doing either day trip to arches/canyonlands or half trip to one and explore the other one ourselves.
Sun 11th Travel to Monument Valley via Mexican Hat/Four corners. Is there anything else we need to stop at on way down? Was thinking on booking latest 1.5he trip at monument valley. (or do I not need to book at this time of year) Stay overnight in Kayenta.
Mon 12th Travel to Page for Overnight. Plan on doing Lower Antelope Canyon tour and Horseshoe bend. Not sure what time to book canyon tour for. Thinking it will take me about 1.5/2hours to get to Page from here, and was planning on doing horseshoe bend afterwards. Guessing that will be about as much as I will have time for.
Tues 13th Head to South Rim for Overnight. Any bits worth a visit enroute.
Want to visit desert view tower as it was closed last time we were there so we will do that on way in.
Wed 14th Leave Grand canyon and possibly visit Williams before heading to Sedona via oak creek for the night.
After that we are off to Palm Springs, San Diego and back to LA for our flight home. All places we have been before.
Alex
Hi,
My husband and I (in our 20s) will be traveling to Sedona in November. We will visit for 5 days (4 nights). We would like to visit the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon on the same day. Is this doable and or recommended? Any suggestions for what is possible in 5 days would be greatly appreciated. We are up for trying anything.
Thank you for your help!
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Hi Alex and thank you for your inquiry.
I would not advise trying to hit Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon South Rim in one day, especially in November, since your days are getting shorter (sunrise is at 7:00 AM, sunset is at 5:15 PM). Driving distances are also an important consideration: it takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon South Rim, 2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, then 3 hours to drive from Page to Sedona. However, those figures are for direct drives, which means wheels turning, no stops. That’s unlikely to happen on either leg since the trip is very scenic and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping to take pictures.
Assuming that you’re locked into those 4 hotel nights in Sedona, I’d recommend touring these attractions on 2 separate days. On your Grand Canyon day, enter the park via the East gate, then exit via the South gate, or vice versa. The East Rim/Desert View Drive has over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, all with different features and perspectives. The East Rim detour will add another 60-90 minutes onto your drive time from Sedona. Time your trip so that you are not doing any driving in the dark. Roads are very poorly lit out here, plus deer, elk and other wildlife tend to be nocturnal, which poses another hazard.
The trip to Page, AZ takes ~3 hours, each way. Hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, then tour Antelope Canyon. Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon Tour in advance of your arrival.
If you’re not already committed financially to the 4-night Sedona stay, I would recommend changing your arrangements so that you can overnight in Grand Canyon and Page. That would save you a lot of time behind the wheel, and free up more time for sightseeing and relaxing.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 02, 2018 at 3:06 PM
Cathy Slusser
We are planning a trip to the canyon in 2020. When should we make reservations? The on line reservation forms say that tours are not available.
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Hi Cathy,
KUDOS for planning your vacation well in advance. Antelope Canyon Tour outfitters will make their online inventory for 2020 available sometime in 2019. If you wish to make a reservation further out than that, you might try calling your chosen tour company to see if they might take a reservation over the phone.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 02, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Jan
I am coming to Page as part of a road trip and was looking for some advice.
We will be leaving Monument Valley on the morning of 12th November and heading to Page for an Overnight stay before moving onto Grand Canyon for another overnight stay and then Sedona.
Do we visit horseshoe bend before or after antelope Canyon and do we book a lower or upper tour. How long should we allow for drive from MV to Page.
Is there any other must sees in Page.
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Hi Janice!
The drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ typically takes ~2 hours, but it’s a good idea to allow for extra time in case a viewpoint or rock formation piques your curiosity and warrants a photo stop.
Since you’re coming in from Monument Valley, I would recommend touring Antelope Canyon on the way into Page, since it’s right on your way. Regarding whether to tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, it depends on how much physical exertion you’re willing to put forth. Upper is easy and short; Lower is longer and requires climbing a few ladders and stairs, and stepping over a few boulders. Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk-Through Video
If you opt to tour Upper, go with Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours or Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. Their headquarters are right next to the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. If you prefer to tour Lower, then Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours or Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours would be the outfitter(s) to book with. No need to be too choosy about the tour outfitter; they basically offer the same tours, right down to the footsteps, and the penny.
I would then recommend hitting Horseshoe Bend on the drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Again, it’s right on your way. The sooner you can get there after sunrise, the better, as traffic tends to pick up a lot between the hours of 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The drive to Grand Canyon South Rim takes 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. You’ll no doubt find photo ops galore on the trip, so here again, it’s a good idea to pad your time by another 60-90 minutes.
As for other “must-sees” in Page, these would include, but not be limited to, the John Wesley Powell Museum, the Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitors Center, Navajo Village Heritage Center, and the “New” Wave. For suggestions on other sights and activities, check out this article on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com: “24 Hours in Page, Arizona”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 02, 2018 at 2:48 PM
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From Jan
Thanks Ally you are a wealth of knowledge.
Would I not be better doing Horseshoe after canyon so I can get to grand canyon earlier. What time is sunrise and sunset in Nov?. Is there a time difference between Monument Valley and Page?
Apologies if you have received duplicate posts but I didn’t think they were posting. I did try posting my longer itinerary (see below) but not sure if it posted and would welcome any additional advice you can give as I haven’t been to Utah or Page before.
I am doing a 3 week trip (Hotels all booked) In November and part of this will be in Utah/Arizona for 8 days and I was just looking for some advice on any bits you are familiar with in my itinerary. I will put below my where I am staying and what I have planned and I would appreciate your advice. I’m not 100% sure about driving times and what there is to see and do enroute and also about sunset and sunrise times and time differences and are any of the roads ok to drive after dark or do I need to ensure we are off them all.
Mon 5th Nov Leave Baker and visit death valley before arriving in Vegas for night
Tues 6th Nov Leave Vegas and go to valley of fire and then head to Springdale for 3 nights
Wed 7th Nov Zion National Park
Thurs 8th Nov Zion National Park
Fri 9th Leave Springdale and head to Bryce for a few hours before heading onto Capitol Reef and then onto Moab for the 2 nights. Is it possible to do some of this drive on interstate in dark?
Thinking this might be a bit much so wondering if I should drop doing valley of fire and head straight to Zion N.P and then do day trip to Bryce on Thurs 8th from Springdale leaving Friday 9th to do Capitol reef on the way to Moab.
Sat 10th Thinking of doing either day trip to arches/canyonlands or half trip to one and explore the other one ourselves.
Sun 11th Travel to Monument Valley via Mexican Hat/Four corners. Is there anything else we need to stop at on way down? Was thinking on booking latest 1.5he trip at monument valley. (or do I not need to book at this time of year) Stay overnight in Kayenta.
Mon 12th Travel to Page for Overnight. Plan on doing Lower Antelope Canyon tour and Horseshoe bend. Not sure what time to book canyon tour for. Thinking it will take me about 1.5/2hours to get to Page from here, and was planning on doing horseshoe bend afterwards. Guessing that will be about as much as I will have time for.
Tues 13th Head to South Rim for Overnight. Any bits worth a visit enroute.
Want to visit desert view tower as it was closed last time we were there so we will do that on way in.
Wed 14th Leave Grand canyon and possibly visit Williams before heading to Sedona via oak creek for the night.
After that we are off to Palm Springs, San Diego and back to LA for our flight home. All places we have been before.August 03, 2018 at 8:10 AM
Mariam
Hey Alley! First I wanted to thank you for all the help and information you have been giving, we really do appreciate it! I have been reading from all these posts about the itineraries but wanted to see if you could help break things down for us as well . My husband and I are visiting for the first time and although we may not have a huge chunk of days on our hand, we still wanted to squeeze in as much as we can. We fly into Vegas on Sept 15 Saturday night and leave Wed morning. We wanted to have at least one whole day to spend on the vegas strip and the rest of the days can be touring.
Originally we werent thinking of renting a car but I think it would be easier to drive ourselves instead of taking a whole bus tour to visit everything? (save money and have freedom to stop/go as we please). This is what I was thinking to do :
-Sat night: fly into vegas and spend night
-Day 1 (Sunday morning) : drive from Vegas to Grand canyon – see hoover dam on the way?
—Stay the night at Grand canyon south rim, maybe Grand canyon plaza hotel
-Day 2 (Monday morning) : drive from Grand canyon to Page, AZ – see horseshoe bend, lake powell and lower Antelope Canyon (will book tour)
—Stay the night in Page, AZ
-Day 3 (Tuesday morning): drive from page AZ to Vegas
Do you think there are other attractions that we can squeeze in on those 2 days? like the glen canyon dam?
Thanks so much once again!!!
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Hi Miriam and thank you for visiting us!
As you’ve correctly deduced, you don’t have a heck of a lot of time, so squeezing in other attractions will be strictly on a “time permitting” basis.
I’m glad to hear that you’re planning to self-drive, since relying on a tour would severely limit your options, and your flexibility. I’m also happy to hear that you’re planning to spend the night at Grand Canyon South Rim, so you can experience a sunset and maybe a sunrise on the canyon rim.
On Day 2, try to get as early a start as possible on the drive to Page so you can maximize your sightseeing time. Sunrise occurs at ~6:00 AM. The trip to Page naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the South Rim, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives on the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park at Desert View Point, you’ll then be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, which also has worthwhile places to stop, including the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand, the Cameron Trading Post and Painted Desert Formations. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page is listed as taking 2.5 hours on Google Maps, but with all the stops you’re likely to make, don’t be surprised to find it takes you more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. Time your visit to Page, AZ accordingly. You can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town, or plan on taking a shuttle or tour with Horseshoe Bend Tours in the likely event you can’t find a parking space at Horseshoe Bend. Be sure to reserve your Antelope Canyon Tour in advance of your arrival as well.
As for seeing Lake Powell, you probably won’t have time to do anything as in-depth as a boat tour, but you can certainly get a good look at it by venturing into one of the two Marina complexes in the area: Lake Powell Resort & Marina, or Antelope Point Marina. Both are located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which means you’d have to pay the $30/vehicle entrance fee to access them. If you prefer not to fork out that kind of money for what will invariably be a short visit, then you might consider getting a look at the lake from the Steel Arch Bridge adjacent to the Dam, by visiting The Chains swimming area (which involves a bit of a hike), or at the Wahweap Overlook, near the Arizona State Point of Entry Station. The Page Rim View Trail also offers good lake views, but no lake access.
On Day 3, again, strictly time permitting, you might consider making the drive to Las Vegas with a detour through Zion National Park. The drive from Page to LAS normally takes ~4.5 hours. Swinging through Zion can add another hour or more onto the drive, especially if you opt to stop, which you very likely will.
For more suggestions on how you might use your time in Page, AZ to full advantage, check out this article on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com “24 Hours in Page, Arizona”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 02, 2018 at 2:36 PM
Donna
Hi Ally,
I am trying to plan a trip to Antelope canyon for 4 young retirees! One wants April and another wants May. Which would be best?
Thx. Love this website-very informative
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Hey Donna,
Thank you for your visit, and your compliments!
Both April and May are nice times to visit Page, Arizona, but if you want my honest opinion on the absolute best time to be here, it’s October. Temperatures are cooling down, crowds are thinning out, and all the popular activities are still in full swing.
If spring is your only option, however, I’d have to say that May offers more stable weather. April is still in the “transistional” zone between winter and spring, and late season snow or rain storms are notorious for popping up when you least expect them.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 31, 2018 at 7:18 PM
Emily
Hi! I had some last minute time off and I’m looking to come to Arizona the week of 8/19. I don’t really have any plans yet. I will be traveling alone. I am 23, from CT, and moderately fit.
After reading a lot of these posts, I was thinking about flying into Page and doing a lower tour of antelope canyon. Does it matter what time of day I go? A lot of times are booked already.
After, I was thinking of renting a car to do the south part of the Grand Canyon. I have about 5 days to travel in that window. Do you have any hotel recommendations or other site seeing opportunities?
Thank you!!
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Hi Emily,
First off, planning on flying into Page isn’t the greatest idea right now. Scheduled air service was abruptly suspended earlier this year; Contour Airlines is scheduled to take over the contract, but we’re not certain when this will be. I would recommend flying into Phoenix or Las Vegas, and depending on how much time you have, visiting Grand Canyon South Rim, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and if you have more time, maybe hit Zion and/or Bryce Canyon.
As for what time of day to tour Antelope Canyon, go whenever they have space. As you’ve correctly deduced, you’re planning something of a last minute trip, so the prime spots (mid-day) are bound to already be booked up. Of course, you can always book an off-prime spot, then check back for cancellations. That’s one of the perks of traveling solo, your odds of slipping into a cancellation are better than if you were wanting to book a family of 5.
Regarding hotels, here again, best not to be too particular about it. At Grand Canyon South Rim, staying inside the park is always optimal, but those rooms tend to book up months in advance. Your next best option is Tusayan/GC Village South, about 7 miles South of the park entrance. If that area is sold out, then Valle, Williams and Flagstaff should be your alternates, in order of proximity to the rim and desirability. Grand Canyon hotels
For Page, AZ hotels, you’ll find everything from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between, in quality, amenities and price points.
Time permitting, other sight-seeing activities you might consider include, but aren’t limited to the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip, Lake Powell Boat Tours, taking a hike on the Page Rim Trail or the “New” Wave. For more suggestions, check out this article on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com “48 Hours in Page, Arizona”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 31, 2018 at 7:08 PM
Jami
Hi Ryan,
I have a visit planned to Page for August 22nd – 24th. Our thoughts were to head to the Wave for the lottery in the early morning (7am) on the 23rd and then head over to Antelope Canyon to spend the rest of the day – with a tour in mind. With the lottery for the Wave being called at about 9am and the ride over ( The Wave – Antelope Canyon, 50 Miles), I’m thinking it would be safe to say our arrival time to Antelope Canyon would be about 11:30am?!?
There are only two of us and I’m having troubles deciding on which tour to book. I don’t really understanding the real difference or which tour would be best suited for us (both youngish + adventurous + good quality camera). Do you have any suggestions or help with the break down of the upper and lower canyon differences? If everything is booked until 2-3pm would your suggestion still be the same? Is it worth trying to do both the upper and lower?
I finding there to be very few time slots for the tours so, I’m trying my best to understand all options and how I can get the best experience this late in the planning game.
Your help is much appreciated.
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Hi Jami, and thank you for your inquiry.
We wish you the best of luck with The Wave lottery! Keep in mind, however, that Kanab, UT, where the lottery is called, DOES observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas Page, AZ and Antelope Canyon DO NOT. You’ll “lose” an hour driving from Page to Kanab (be sure to factor in the time difference for the lottery so you don’t miss it!), then “gain” it back driving from Kanab, UT back to Page, AZ. So if the lottery is called at 9 AM Kanab Time, it will actually be 8 AM Page, AZ Time. So you should be safe shooting for an 11:30 AM Antelope Canyon tour.
As for which branch of the canyon to tour, it is not necessary to do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re in relatively good health and are OK with some stair/ladder climbing and simple boulder scrambling, you’ll be fine with Lower. Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon If you find that Lower Antelope Canyon Tours are booked up at your desired time, consider one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
And in the very likely event you do not get hiking permits for The Wave, there are plenty of other things to see and do in and around that area, or you might even consider flying over it. Whatever happens, you’ll still have a great time.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 30, 2018 at 5:24 PM
Jivin
Hi, I’m planning to drive from Las Vegas, with a kid 11 years old on first week of Dec (2/3 Dec).
Shall I go for Grand Canyon first before staying at Page then go for Antelope Canyon? Or the other way?
Is it tough to do the walk for lower Antelope and Horseshoe Bend for 11 year old kid?
Shall I head back to LV for another night before heading to LA?
Shall i do upper or lower antelope during that period?
What’s the temperature like during that period?
Much appreciated. Thanks
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Hi Jivin and thank you for your visit!
The order in which you visit the Grand Canyon and Page will revolve around hotel availability at Grand Canyon South Rim. It is most desirable to stay inside the park. If there are no rooms available there, then Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South is the next bet option. Grand Canyon Hotels
After arranging Grand Canyon Lodging, then look at Antelope Canyon tour availability. As for the difficulty of the walk through Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, most 11-year-olds are able to handle both without a problem. Lower Antelope Canyon requires climbing some ladders and stairs and stepping over and around a few boulders. The walk to Horseshoe Bend is 1.2 miles round-trip. It has both uphill and downhill walking, which, depending on recent weather, may be mostly in deep sand. If you have any doubts about you or your child’s ability to make the walk to Horseshoe Bend, there are alternate ways of seeing it, including flying over it, horseback tours, or guided tours from Page, AZ. The hours just after sunrise tend to be less crowded. Fortunately, at the time of year you’re visiting, hot temperatures shouldn’t be an issue. Afternoon highs should be in the 50’s-60’s, with occasional rain and light snowstorms possible.
As for whether you break the drive back to LA up with a night in Las Vegas, that’s entirely up to you. If you hit Page last on your trip, then you’re looking at a 9-hour drive back to LA, so a mid-way night in Vegas would probably be welcome. The drive back to LA from Grand Canyon Village is a little shorter, 7.5-8 hours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 30, 2018 at 5:14 PM
Esther
Hello Ryan. We are travelling from Australia to spend just over two weeks driving from Phoenix to Seattle via Grand Canyon and Yellowstone NP between 27th August and 11th September. Our accomodation is booked but I’m hoping you can help with our stay in Lake Powell. We will be travelling from Grand Canyon via Monument Valley (O/N to catch the sunset)…arriving Thursday 30th August around Lunch time at Lake Powell Resort. We depart for Zion NP on Saturday 1st Sept. We would like to do Lower Antelope Canyon and a boat trip and whatever else may be recommended. Just not sure how to organise this and what we can actually fit in to two half days and one full day. Thanks for any suggestion….have enjoyed reading all the comments and your replies.
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Hi Esther!
It’s great that you have that much time to work with. You can definitely hit a lot of great places on your trip, including a lot of National Parks, so be sure you pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass at the first one you hit (Grand Canyon?). For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time. The only places it won’t work are State Parks and Native American Tribal Parks, the latter category encompasses Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon, but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take.
Since you’re coming to Page, AZ from Monument Valley, plan to tour Antelope Canyon before you get to Lake Powell Resort. It’s right on the way, and you can catch a tour directly from the Tribal Park Entrance on US98, about 5 miles SouthEast of Page. For Lower Antelope Canyon, both Dixie Ellis and Ken’s Tours pick up in the same general area and offer virtually identical programs right down to the footsteps, so pick one that has availability at a time that works. One thing that can make things potentially confusing is that Monument Valley and the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Saving Time, whereas Page DOES NOT, which includes the Antelope Canyon Tour companies. Page will be one hour BEHIND Monument Valley, so you’ll “gain” an hour passing from one place to the other. Allow ~2.5 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page.
For boat trips, Lake Powell Boat Tours at Lake Powell Resort offers a variety to choose from. The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is the longest, takes 6-7 hours depending on the water level of Lake Powell at the time of your visit. Whatever the case, be ready to walk anywhere from 1.5-3 miles round-trip in order to view the Bridge. If that doesn’t appeal, you might consider a shorter trip such as the 90-minute Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise or the 3-hour Canyon Adventure Tour.
Another popular water-based activity in Page, AZ is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. This popular rafting trip does not traverse any rapids, but offers a lot of beautiful scenery and fascinating history.
Be sure to include the Horseshoe Bend Overlook in your trip plans as well. This can be visited anytime you wish as it’s open 24/7, but the hours just after sunrise tend to offer less parking hassles. Or, you might choose an alternate means to see it such as flying over it, taking a horseback ride, or hopping on a shuttle from Page. “Help! There’s No Place To Park At Horseshoe Bend”
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 30, 2018 at 5:06 PM
Stephanie
Hi! Thank you for all this information. I’m planning a trip to Phoenix around October 6-13 and thought it would be nice to see Antelope Canyon. I don’t have a lot of plans made so my schedule is pretty wide open for the week I’m there. Do you think I need to drive to Page the day before and spend the night or could this be a day trip there and back? Also is there a day of the week that’s a little less crowded than other days? I see that a lot of the early morning and late afternoon tour times are already booked up but is there a time that’s better than others to go? Thanks for your help!
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Hi Stephanie and thanks for your inquiry.
The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ takes 4.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because the drive is very scenic and you’ll no doubt find yourself stopping frequently. Therefore we always recommend whenever possible that you plan to spend at least 1 night in Page, AZ. You could tour Antelope Canyon on your arrival day, or the following morning before heading back to Phoenix. Plan to hit Horseshoe Bend as well, preferably just after sunrise to avoid the crowds that begin to accumulate as day tour traffic rolls in from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Vegas and surrounding cities.
October is a great time of year to be here because temperatures are cooling down and crowds are thinning out. Since school’s back in session, it’s mostly adults out touring. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tend to be busier than weekdays, but most find that difference negligible. Tour Antelope Canyon whenever it works for you, and wherever you can find availability. If you can’t find a desirable time slot, maybe consider touring an alternate slot canyon that is just as beautiful as Antelope, but admission is deliberately limited to a handful of people per departure for a better quality experience.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 30, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Julie Diven
Hi – my family (5 adults) are driving from Michigan to California. We are stopping at the Grand Canyon for 2 nights. I have reservations at Bright Angel. The day we drive to the Grand Canyon we are starting from Grand Junction, CO on August 7th. Do you think we would be able to get a tour for Antelope Canyon before we continue on to Bright Angel or is that going to be too much. Also what tour would you recommend? We wanted to do both upper and lower but think that is too much? The next day at the Grand Canyon what tour(s) would you recommend since we have such a short time? Overwhelmed by all the tours.
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Hey Julie,
Trying to fit in an Antelope Canyon tour on the way from Grand Junction to Grand Canyon is WAY too much driving. The trip from Grand Junction to Page, AZ takes ~6 hours; the drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim takes ~2.5 hours. Both figures are wheels turning, no stops, but that’s unlikely to happen on either leg of the trip since the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be points of interest that pique your curiosity. Not to mention, the route takes you through Moab, UT and that area warrants at least a couple of days to explore!
If you can modify your plans so that you can spend the night in Page, then head to Grand Canyon, that would make for a more comfortable and IMO satisfying experience for you. As for touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, it really isn’t necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to the area. If you’re physically able to handle Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with it.
Since the trip from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim will take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon, you won’t need a tour once you get to Bright Angel. The route you drove in will have already taken you past over half a dozen scenic overlooks, which you are free to stop at with your own vehicle. The next day, you can then use the free shuttles, or take the guided (but not free) Hermit’s Rest Bus Tour, to explore the overlooks on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Drive. For the bus tour, visit the Transportation Desk at Bright Angel Lodge to purchase tickets, and tell them Alley said “hi” – I used to work there 😉
Good luck and safe travels!July 29, 2018 at 5:39 PM
Paul
Hi.
I would like to ask a fellow photographers how it is with selling occasional prints or stock photo of Antelope Canyon. Does a person need the same permit as for example wedding photo shoot / images for advertisement purposes ?
Linda
My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to Antelope and Zion our time frame is short we were thinking of flying into Phoneix AZ on Sept 7th (evening) and flying out of Phoenix Or the closet airport on Sept 11th. What would be our best plan of action.
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Hi Linda!
With 3 days to work with, you can certainly pull this off, but I can’t help but notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Assuming that you’ve been there before, or perhaps are saving it for another trip, I’ll work with your desire to visit Zion and Antelope Canyon.
In light of that, I’d actually recommend flying into and out of Las Vegas instead of Phoenix. It will shorten your drive times by quite a bit.
Your logistics will most likely revolve, and evolve around hotel room availability at Zion. Staying inside the park is probably not going to be an option as those rooms tend to book up months, sometimes a year or more in advance. You’re probably going to have to stay in Kanab, UT, about 1 hour from the Eastern border of the park, or Springdale, UT, on the Western border of the park. Plan to spend 2 nights in the Zion National Park area, then Page, AZ for 1 night to not only visit Antelope Canyon, but the Horseshoe Bend Overlook as well.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Zion has experienced some heavy flash flooding this summer, which has resulted in some significant damage to area roads and trails. Be sure to check all park advisories before committing to certain activities.
Book all hotels and guided tours, especially Antelope Canyon tours, in advance of your arrival as well.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2018 at 5:10 PM
Eszter Torok
Dear Alley,
You have a great site, and it awsome how you reply to all the comments!
I would also like to ask for some help regarding the planning of our trip with my fiancé to Grand Canyon and area :).
We will have 2 days (coming from Las Vegas early morning by car), sleeping in Flagstaff between the two days. We will have the car for the whole 2 days (very end of August)
What we would like to see:
– North Rim
– Antelope Canyon
– Lake Powell
– Monument Valley
– Somewhere where we could swim a little bit (maybe Lake Powell?)
– Any other idea/program would be highly appriciated. 🙂
We are reasonably fit, although heat can be a concern for me.
What do you think would be the best way to explore this area?
Thank you so much!!!
Best Regards,
Eszter from Hungary
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Hi Eszter and thank you for visiting our site!
I am sorry to have to start things off with some bad news, but you are going to have to scale back/modify your expectations a bit for what’s possible to accomplish in two days. Long drives are a fact of life in this part of the US, and your present plan would involve too much of it.
First off, using Flagstaff, AZ as a “base” from which to explore all the attractions on your wish list is not ideal. If you do this, you’re looking at spending 4+ hours each day in the car, when you could be using the time for sightseeing. If possible, alter your plans as follows:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (4.5-5 hours) — the North Rim only has limited lodging, and it’s already booked — overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim. If possible, try to get a hotel room inside the park, if not, then Tusayan/GC Village South is the next best option. Grand Canyon hotels
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Driving direct, meaning wheels turning, no stops, the trip takes ~2.5 hours. Realistically, though, it will most likely take you 3.5-4 hours because there are many Grand Canyon viewpoints and other points of interest you’ll invariably want to stop at and get pictures of. Visit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, tour Antelope Canyon either that afternoon or early the next morning. Time permitting on this day, you might pop down to The Chains, a popular local swimming spot. It does involve a bit of hiking (about 1 mile round-trip), but it’s outside the recreation area, so you don’t have to pay the entrance fee to get in. The Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center is just over the bridge from there, so again, time permitting, you might visit it as well.
Stay overnight in Page, Arizona, then drive back to Las Vegas the following day (~4.5 hours).
Notice Monument Valley is off the list. That’s because you simply don’t have enough time to do it justice. It’s too big a detour out of your way, wherever you end up staying, and you’d end up just doing it as a “drive-by.” The North Rim has been eliminated from your itinerary for the same reason, however, if you really have your heart set on seeing it, you might consider taking an early morning helicopter flight out of Grand Canyon South Rim. The North Canyon tour, for example, is a 30-minute flight that will take you across the deepest part of the canyon, over the North Rim, then back to the South Rim. Flights start running at ~8:00 AM, and that time slot is best for light and lack of wind. North Canyon Helicopter Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 24, 2018 at 2:53 PM
Ravi
Hi,
I plan on visiting Arizona in December with my wife and parents for 3 days. This is our first time in Arizona so we really want to see the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. What else would you recommend that we can fit in our time frame? Also, we can’t really do anything that involves extensive hiking because of my parents. We are flying in and out of Phoenix.
Thanks
Ravi
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Hi Ravi,
Fortunately, December is considered “shoulder season” in Northern Arizona, meaning that while it’s still busy, it’s not as crowded or as hot as it is during the summer months. Nevertheless, you should book hotel rooms and guided tours well in advance of your arrival.
How your itinerary evolves will probably revolve around hotel room availability at Grand Canyon South Rim, so you should check on that first. It is always most desirable to stay inside the park so you can experience sunrise and sunset on the canyon rim. The next best option is Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, about 7 miles outside the park. Grand Canyon Hotels
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim, then 2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. However, those figures are “wheels turning, no stops,” which rarely happens. There are sights on both legs of the drive that will no doubt pique your interest and necessitate a photo stop, so don’t be surprised if it takes you ~6 hours to drive from Phoenix to the South Rim, then 3.5-4 hours to drive from the South Rim to Page, AZ (where Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend area located).
If your folks cannot do any extensive hiking, then your best bet will probably be to tour Upper Antelope Canyon. It is only 100 yards long, the trail through is flat the whole way. The trip to Horseshoe Bend might be more of a challenge. The trail is .6 miles one way, and involves some uphill and downhill walking through potentially deep sand. It is manageable for most people in good health, who do not have significant mobility impairment. Plus it will be cooler in December, which is a definite plus. If you think they may not be able to make the walk, though, you might consider an alternate means to get there, such as a shuttle service from Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, or flying over it. “Help! I Can’t Do The Hike To Horseshoe Bend”
Plan to stay overnight in Page, AZ as well. Page, AZ hotels
With the limited time you have to work with, you unfortunately don’t have the leeway to squeeze many extra activities or attractions into your visit, but you can still accomplish quite a bit. For other suggestions on how to make the best use of a one-day visit to Page, AZ, check out this article on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com “24 Hours in Page, Arizona”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 24, 2018 at 2:37 PM
Phuong
Hi,
My friend and I are flying into Phoenix for a conference and we only have a full day off on the arrival day end of Sept. we won’t get in until 10 or 1030, and picking up a rental car prolly take another hr or more. We really wanted to see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope. Do you think it is possible to do all that on the same day? I know we are really pushing it, but hoping with some great advice and itinerary from expertise like you would help us make it possible. Anything would help. Thank you in advance.
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Hi Phuong,
As the old saying goes, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
While one day is not ideal for visiting Page from Phoenix, it can be done with a willingness to get an early start, and spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page, but that figure is one for “wheels turning, no stops.” That rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be sights that pique your curiosity and necessitate a photo stop. So, realistically, it can take you up to 6 hours. That’s why I strongly recommend setting out as early in the morning as you possibly can so you can maximize your time in Page. Sunrise in late September occurs at about 6:15 AM.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located just South of Page, AZ at mile marker 545. It is well-signed and easy to find, plus it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, therefore, you may visit it whenever you wish. Allow 60-90 minutes to visit and enjoy this landmark.
Antelope Canyon is the part that’s going to require planning ahead. A guided tour is required to visit Antelope Canyon, and they are often booked up weeks, sometimes months in advance. Lower Antelope Canyon is the more physical of the two, involving some stair climbing and simple boulder navigation. Upper Antelope is much shorter, and easier. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon Touring Antelope Canyon will take anywhere from 2-3 hours depending on which branch of the canyon you choose to tour.
Sunset in late September occurs at about 6:15 PM, and you’ll want to time your drive so that you’re not driving in the dark. Try to finish up your sightseeing in Page, AZ by 2:00 PM at the very latest.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 24, 2018 at 2:22 PM
Ali
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
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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 🙂July 24, 2018 at 2:01 PM
Barbara L Leparulo
Hi, my girlfriend and I will be staying at the Lake Powell Resorts and Marina from Saturday, Oct. 20 through Tuesday Oct. 23. ( we are taking the red eye back from Sky Harbor). We booked a reservation at the “Into the Grand” for 7:15 pm. We are hoping that is a good reservation time since we will be driving from Phoenix on Saturday. Let me know if that plan makes sense. For Sunday and Monday and maybe something on Tuesday we are unclear and overwhelmed of how to best organize our time. Ideally we would prefer private tours. We have done lots of research but don’t know how to proceed. We don’t know which companies we should follow up with either. We know we want to hike Antelope Canyon and do a Regular Boat tour of Lake Powell. We are also interested in a Float Trip and UTV experience. We also want to visit Horseshoe Bend (at least the overlook view). What is your best advice to make all of this happen? I would be interested in speaking with you directly if that is possible too. Also, what is the taxi and uber system like in the area?
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Dear Barbara,
I’m actually going to work backwards with your inquiry, starting with the taxi/Uber situation in Page. In a word, OK, three: it’s not great. There’s only one taxi company in town, Buggy Taxi, and at the moment, the reviews on them aren’t that great. Uber has yet to make enough inroads into the local area in order to be reliable. Plus, if you’re looking to an Uber driver to take you into any of the National Park areas, they won’t be able to do so as they have to have a Conditional Use Permit, and most Uber drivers don’t have that kind of budget.
Long story short, if you’ll have your own vehicle whilst you’re in Page, that will be your primary transport mode.
As for private tours, you’ll most likely have a hard time organizing these as well, since the tour outfitters in the area already have their daily departures scheduled, and reservations in place. They are not apt to want to disrupt their timetables for a private tour, but you never know for certain unless you try. You’ll want to contact the outfitters by phone to pose this to them. For Upper Antelope Canyon (the easier part):
Antelope Canyon Tours
928-645-9102
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
(928) 310-9458
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours
928-380-1874
Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie
928-645-5594
To inquire about a private Lake Powell Boat Tour, phone 888-896-3829 (that’s ARAMARK’s corporate office in Phoenix)
For the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, call 800-992-8022
To visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and bypass the parking snarls, give this a read: “Help! There’s No Place To Park at Horseshoe Bend!” If you’d rather not drive there, that article has a few suggestions, including a local tour company that offers a shuttle.
As for UTV tours, there is one company offering them out of the town of Big Water, UT (13 miles NW of Page, AZ), and according to their website, their tours are all private or semi-private. Epic Adventure Rides Lake Powell
As to your reservation at “Into The Grand,” if you arrive at Lake Powell Resorts at a decent hour, you should be able to make that no problem. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page, then another 15 minutes from Page to Lake Powell Resorts. Regarding Lake Powell Resort, it’s a great place, and the views can’t be beat, but logistically, it’s going to mean a 15-20 minute drive, each way, to get from where you’re staying to where most tours stage out of (Page, AZ). Keep that in mind when making plans.
At the time of year you’re visiting, the Glen Canyon Float Trip departs only once daily, at 10 AM, so any other activities you do will need to be planned around that. Regarding boat tours, since there are so many options, it’s difficult to factor where exactly that will fit into your trip plan, but if you’re wanting to do the Rainbow Bridge tour (~6-7 hours), that goes out at 7:30 AM at the time of year you’re visiting.
A typical 2-day trip plan for the area looks like this: 48 Hours in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 21, 2018 at 12:11 PM
Daniel C
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
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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 🙂July 21, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Julie Howard
I have a question. My sister and I are planning to do the Glen Canyon half-day float trip in the morning, so it ends around 11:30. We want to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, also. There is a 3:00 tour for that. I’m not sure how far apart the two are. Would we have time to finish the boat tour, grab a bite to eat and make the Upper Canyon tour at 3:00?
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Hi Julie,
Since Page is a relatively small town, things tend to be 10-15 minutes apart from one another, at most. Therefore, you’ve allowed ample time to enjoy the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip, return to town for a leisurely-paced lunch at one of Page, Arizona’s fine restaurants, then check in for your Antelope Canyon tour.
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 16, 2018 at 1:29 PM
Mark Citsay
Self-driving sounds a lot more fun and you are definitely right that it offers more flexibility. Who wouldn’t a fun road trip with a couple of good friends right? Although we do have to be cautious just like you mentioned especially when driving at night, but there’s always a challenge to everything! So, that’s gonna make the trip much more exciting. Antelope Canyon sounds like a great place to visit after all.
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Mark,
It is indeed! It’s even better if you can spend the night, or better yet, spend two!
Take care,
Alley 🙂July 16, 2018 at 1:23 PM
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Hi Alley
We are planning a driving trip w/the 3 teenage boys starting from SA in early August and finish at The Grand Canyon in 6-7days. We like to cover Grand Canyon (W and/or S Rim), Antelope Canyon plus something along the way, in no particular order. Would appreciate any advice. Thanks!Antelope Canyon
Lake Mead
Zion
and maybe Hoover DamJuly 30, 2018 at 5:36 PM
_________________________________________
From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Veronica,
I feel kind of dumb here, but I’m not sure what area “SA” refers to! San Antonio? South Africa? I’m assuming the former is getting warmer.
As for the order in which you tour the sites you list, hotel room availability at Grand Canyon South Rim will most likely by the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your plans will revolve, and evolve, so check that first. Staying inside the park is most convenient, but those rooms are likely to be booked already. Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South, 7 miles from the park entrance, is your next best option, and may offer more amenities that appeal to teenage boys, such as pools, game rooms, etc. If those are already full, which is entirely possible, then Valle, Williams and Flagstaff, AZ will be the next best alternate locations, in order of both proximity to the rim, and desirability. Grand Canyon hotels
The next element to book should be Antelope Canyon tours. Decide whether to tour Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon (Upper = 100 yards, flat, easy/Lower = longer, some stair and ladder climbing) then reserve an available time that works for you. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon
For Zion, here again, in-park rooms are probably booked, but you might consider staying in Springdale, UT, just outside the Western border of the park, and a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas.
Whenever you can work Las Vegas into your trip would be the time to visit Hoover Dam.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 31, 2018 at 7:15 PM
Sue
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
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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 🙂July 16, 2018 at 1:22 PM
Christina Nguyen
Hey Ryan! My boyfriend and I are planning to head to antelope canyon around labor day weekend. We are unsure to tour the upper or lower antelope canyon. I’ve done my own research and still can’t decide. It is both of our first time there. What would you recommend for first timers? What time should we do the tour that you recommend?
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Hi Christina,
The Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon debate usually comes down to physical fitness: if you and your boyfriend are reasonably fit and able to handle some stair climbing and navigating a few small boulders, then Lower would be the tour I’d recommend. If either of you have any mobility issues or breathing problems, then go for Upper. It’s only 100 yards long (200 if you count the out-and-back walk), and the trail through it is flat. As to best time to tour, in an ideal world, mid-day is generally regarded to be the best time for lighting conditions, especially if you’re wanting to see the world-famous light beams. However, in light of how popular Antelope Canyon has become in recent years, the best time of day is whatever time has availability and works with your schedule.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 16, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Denine
Hello Ryan, this page was very helpful. My mother and I will be visiting Vegas first week in August. We arrive in Vegas on August 5th plan to drive to the South Rim early Tuesday morning and then drive t Page AZ. We plan to book a tour for Wednesday to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. After the tour drive to Sedona spend all day Thursday before driving back to Vegas on Friday for our late night flight back to Philly.
What do you think?
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Hi Denine,
What do I think? I think you’re trying to cram too many destinations into too short a short trip.
The drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim takes approximately 4.5 hours. Then, the drive to Page will take another 3-3.5 hours. I know Google Maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. There are a lot of scenic overlooks and other points of interest that will no doubt pique your curiosity. It would be a shame to pass them by because you’re pressed for time. Normally, I would recommend overnighting at Grand Canyon South Rim, then driving to Page the following morning, but then again, you’d be doing another long drive the following day: 3-3.5 hours from GC to Page, then from Page to Sedona takes ~3 hours. The next day, you’re proposing to do yet another long drive – about 5 hours – back to Las Vegas.
Another thing, too, Sedona is the kind of destination that really needs at least 3 days to do justice to, but 2 can suffice if you’re determined. Try to free up one more night to pull this all off. If you can’t, I recommend skipping Sedona this time around. Spend 1 night at the Grand Canyon, 1 night in Page, then take a leisurely drive back to Las Vegas via Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake and the Virgin River Gorge.
No matter what you decide to do, be sure to book all hotels, Antelope Canyon tours and other scheduled activities in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 13, 2018 at 12:35 PM
_________________________________________
From Denine
Thank you very helpful.
July 16, 2018 at 10:48 PM
Norma S Buhrman
Thanks for all the great info. I live in Glendale and am planning a trip to Page for this December. Will it be too cold to go to Antelope Canyon and/or take a boat ride? How soon should I make reservations? And it is possible to take the Upper and Lower tours in the same day and hit the best time for photographs at a least one of the areas?
Thanks in advance for any help.
PS Your site is great!
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Hi Norma, and thank you for your inquiry, and your compliments.
December is a fine time to be here. Yes, it will be colder than other times of the year, but that can be a blessing: you’ll have fewer people to contend with on tours, on the roads, in hotels, etc.
All Antelope Canyon tours are in full operational mode at that time of year, with some adjustments to the hours they’re offered. As for touring both Upper and Lower in one day, it’s possible, but not necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with that, and use your extra time for other activities, such as doing a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, taking a short hike around The “New” Wave, visiting Horseshoe Bend, etc.
As for water-based activities, these tend to be on seasonal hiatus during the winter months. However, some tours may run as long as 15 paying passengers are booked on them, and weather conditions are favorable. I would suggest contacting Lake Powell Boat Tours at 928-645-2433 or Antelope Point Marina at 928-645-5900 when your trip date gets closer, or when you arrive in Page, to see if they have anything scheduled to go out.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 13, 2018 at 12:24 PM
Noel
Nice video on lower Antelope canyon walk & gave us a good idea of the walk, but I noticed you’re not offering this tour , and only Upper ? Is there a video also of the Upper Canyon that you offer ? Thanks
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Hi Noel,
Really good question! The simple answer is basically because lots of other people have beaten us to it (posting videos of Upper Antelope Canyon). You can find plenty of them on YouTube, Facebook and on the different tour outfitters’ websites. The other reason: Upper Antelope Canyon is a piece of cake to tour. 100 meters, flat trail, super-easy. Here’s a video that shows not only the walk-through, but the buckboard truck ride leading up to the canyon’s entrance. Upper Antelope Canyon – Arizona USA
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 13, 2018 at 12:17 PM
Justin Bowen
I’d like to throw my two cents in from someone who hiked to The Wave last week (yes, it was hot).
Choose your hiking partner(s) wisely.
I traveled with my family to Utah for six days between this week and last to do some hiking. The Wave was not part of the itinerary, but I figured that since we were in town it couldn’t hurt too much to apply in-person. If we won we would then have an awesome opportunity to see a one-of-a-kind phenomenon; if we lost, then we’d just be late in getting to our destination (Zion). Imagine my surprise, then, when I learned that we’d won (I actually forgot my number so I had to go up and look after the drawing was over).
Fast forward to the trip, the whole day didn’t start out great. The other half isn’t a morning person. So getting her and the kid up at 4:00 AM (after having had less than 6 hours of sleep because they refused to listen to me about the need for sleep) to get ready for the trip and to drive to the trailhead proved to be almost too much; had I known where the keys were I literally would have left them and went alone. The road, as has already been mentioned, is rough. So driving over the bumpy road with a grumpy person next to me made the morning even worse.
Once there, things were literally no better. I tried to convince her that she needed long sleeves and pants. Nothing I said mattered.
“Why would I wear long sleeves and pants in the desert?”
She put on her shorts and a sleeveless shirt and donned her pack – which did NOT have the gallon of water in it that the ranger recommended (I wasn’t going to make my 11-year old – whose pack only carried 1.5L – carry a full gallon of water, so I attached eight extra 1.5L hydration packs onto my bag – which already contained 3L of water and snacks – so that we wouldn’t run out of water).
On the actual trail, things only got worse. She complained about the uphill slogging through the sand. She complained about the heat. She wanted to go off-trail to find a shorter route to the place that she’d never been to before…in the desert. And then there were the variations on “How much longer?” and “I’m not going any further!” whines from her (my 11-year old was actually perfectly fine for almost the whole trip). Once there, her reaction was essentially “This is it?”.
The outbound was no better than the inbound. More whining. More wanting to take “short cuts”. More complaints about the heat. More comments about not going any further. Suffice it to say, we’re never hiking together again.
Now, you might ask: why would you bring someone on a hike who didn’t like to hike? Well, the answer is this: I didn’t know that she was going to be like this. Based on previous hikes, I actually figured that this would actually be a step down. A couple years prior, we actually hiked into Bryce Canyon FROM Tropic. We took a back road to the outskirts of Bryce Canyon, hiked all the way to Sunset Point, refilled, and hiked back to our car (round trip: over 13 miles – in August). We’ve climbed mountains in Yellowstone, did the Angels Landing trail in Zion, hiked and snorkeled in the Galapagos, and have done so much more that led me to believe that she could easily handle this. I was totally taken aback by her reaction to the hike.
So my lesson that I want to impart to you is, again, to choose your hiking partner(s) wisely. If you are not absolutely 100% confident that your hiking partner(s) will be as excited as you are about the trip, find a different partner. Given that you have a small chance of winning the lottery once, don’t let someone else ruin what might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for you.
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Holy crap, Justin, I’m so sorry you had to go through that, on what should have been a joyous, once-in-a-lifetime occasion. I, too, would have thought that after doing Angel’s Landing, and some of the other activities you describe, The Wave should have been a piece of cake for your “other half.” Oh well, the desert heat cam turn a lot of people cranky who wouldn’t be otherwise. Your points are well-taken and hopefully, will be of some benefit to future travelers considering a trip to The Wave! It does sound as though your 11 YO is a natural-born hiker and would make for a much more agreeable companion on future adventures — perhaps a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim? 😉
Take care, and despite this experience, I hope you get to come back to the area again someday.
Alley
P.S. If your SO is with you on a return trip, she won’t say “is this IT?” if you guys do this.July 11, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Melissa W
We have a 9:30-11:00 tour planned for Upper Antelope canyon. We’d like to do the half-day float of Glen Canyon but would need to check in by 12pm for the 1pm rafting trip. Can we realistically arrive in time for the boat trip? i don’t want to book it if the timeline doesn’t work.
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Hi Melissa and thank you for your question.
IMO, that’s cutting it a bit too close. Delays do happen, especially during peak travel season (spring, summer and fall), and if you get held up and fail to make your check in time for the float trip, you’d lose not only your space, but your money. If possible, I would try to book an earlier time slot for Antelope Canyon, or do the Glen Canyon Float Trip the following morning. If you’re visiting during the peak heat period of mid-summer, you might find that to be a blessing in disguise anyway. The morning departure (7:00 AM) is far more bearable temperature-wise.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2018 at 2:25 PM
Diedre Morris
We are visiting the Grand Canyon in October. I’m finding all the tour company options for Antelope Canyon confusing. Do they all do the same area. For instance I was booking through Navajo tours but reviews are awful where as Antelope slot canyon has great reviews.This may be a once in a lifetime trip so want the best.
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Hi Diedre,
You are correct in that all Antelope Canyon tour companies cover the same area, so if Antelope Slot Canyon’s better reviews gives you more confidence in booking with them, go ahead and do so. The main thing is to reserve something ASAP. One thing I do feel the need to clarify is that Antelope Canyon is located in Page, AZ, which is ~150 miles from the Grand Canyon. It’s essentially a totally separate area (although it’s also situated on the Colorado River), so you should plan on spending at least 1 night here. 24 Hours In Page, Arizona
BTW, October is a great time to be here, you’ll love it.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 10, 2018 at 2:23 PM
Greta
Hello! I love this itinerary! I wonder if you could guess a ballpark cost range for this week’s intinerary for a low-maintenance family of five in budget-friendly hotels. I have one year to save for our trip. Would this itinerary be doable in an RV instead of hotels?
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Hi Greta!
I hesitate to throw out a price figure as 1. it could change between now and when you travel and 2. when you travel can make a significant difference in your trip cost.
Unfortunately, if you’re traveling during peak season (spring/summer/fall), you’re going to be hard-pressed to find “budget-friendly” hotels. Granted, you’ll find your share of Motel 6’s, EconoLodges, and similar properties in Page, AZ, but in the summertime, you shouldn’t be surprised to find even those kinds of properties running in the $250+ per night range. I just checked myself and couldn’t believe it!
If you were to use Flagstaff, AZ as a base and use the “hub-and-spoke” approach (where you do day trips to the different attractions), that could save you money on lodging, but you might eat up those savings on gas, depending on prices at the time you travel (and, as we all know, gas has an uncanny knack for being more expensive during the summer months). Another viable option might be to stay a few days in Flagstaff, then move to St. George, UT for a few days.
There’s also the matter of meals to consider. Here, you could save money by staying in a vacation rental home vs. a traditional hotel room. The former typically have full kitchens, so you can do your own cooking instead of eating out all the time.
As for doing the trip in an RV vs. hotels, that ends up being a “wash” in my experience. My husband and I have a small camper, so have some experience in that regard.
If you are really concerned about saving money, here’s my advice to you: visit us in the off-season. That means the late fall/winter/early spring months. Yes, you could encounter snow, and you’ll most certainly have cooler weather for most of your trip, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find the majority of days are sunny, and hotels tend to be a little more realistic with their prices. For example, I just checked Page hotels for December 1-3, and found prices at budget chains as low as $50/night.
Hope that helps — good luck, and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 07, 2018 at 5:33 PM
Tatiana
Hi Alley,
We are planning to travel for 4 days from Aug 31 to Sep 3 and want to start in Las Vegas going to Zion-Bryce-Antelope-Page and back to Las Vegas . We are thinking to spend Aug 31 in Zion, Sep 1- in Bryce, Sep 2- in Antelope and Horseshoe bend and drive back to Vegas on Sep 3 . Our Google map gives us I-15, US- 89 and AZ-389 to get there so could you advise if another route from Horseshoe to Vegas can be taken . Is anything else we can see on our way back.
Thank you very much,
Tatiana
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Hi Tatiana and thank you for visiting us!
An alternate route for getting back to Las Vegas from Page would involve traveling South on US89 to Bitter Springs, then heading North on US89-A through Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon and the Southern edge of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. At Lees Ferry, you can actually drive up relatively close to the bank of the Colorado River and dip your feet in it. There are some cool balanced rock formations in that area, too. I highly recommend Cliff Dwellers Restaurant as a lunch stop, then a stop at the Jacob Lake Inn for some delicious home-made cookies for later. Afterward, continue on to Fredonia, AZ, where you would resume travelling West on AZ389-59-9 to I-15.
This route would take roughly 6 hours, factoring in stops for photos, bathroom breaks, etc.
Hope that helps — best wishes for safe travels! 🙂
Alley
P.S. I notice the Grand Canyon is absent from your itinerary; have you already been there? If not, you could swing down to the North Rim from Jacob Lake, but that would add another 2 hours onto an already long drive.July 04, 2018 at 3:48 PM
Danette
Is canyon x the friendlier option for families as an alternative?
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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 www.AntelopeCanyon-X.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 04, 2018 at 3:34 PM
Alyssa
Hi! I’m visiting Lower Antelope Canyon at the end of July. There are only two time slots 6:15am or 3:30pm (I guess I’m booking late). Which time do you recommend for the best lighting and/or less crowds?
Also, when is the best time to view Horseshoe Bend based on lighting? I wish I was a good photographer and I love taking pictures so lighting is a huge factor for me.
Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thank you!
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Hi Alyssa, and thank you for your inquiry.
I would grab the 6:15 AM time slot for Lower Antelope Canyon for cooler temperatures and fewer people to contend with. As for lighting, you won’t get the “divine” light beams you might be expecting, but you will get deeper, richer colors of the rock walls… and fewer people to contend with. The afternoon tours frequently end up getting cancelled due to excessive heat, which you’d run more of a risk of with the later departure.
As for the best time to see Horseshoe Bend, well… opinions are all over the place on that one! In terms of lighting, many agree that late afternoon is just about ideal, but be prepared to deal with a lot of people with the same idea as you. Here again, due to the time of year you’re visiting, and concerns about heat, you might want to also schedule this activity for early in the morning, as in just after sunrise. You’ll enjoy more moderate temperatures, have an easier time parking, and still get some great photos. If you want to see an hour-by-hour comparison of photos taken at Horseshoe Bend, check out our Horseshoe Bend Photo Series by Brian Klimowski
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 03, 2018 at 1:19 PM
Ben
Hi Alley, we are planning a driving trip starting from LV in mid September and finish at Los Angeles in 7-8 days. We like to cover Grand Canyon (N and/or S Rim), Antelope Canyon plus something along the way, in no particular order. Would appreciate your input.
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Hi Ben and thank you for stopping by today.
Mid-September is a great time to be here. Temperatures are cooling off and crowds are thinning out, albeit just slightly. It’s still busy, so you need to get on making hotel and Antelope Canyon tour reservations quickly.
The typical 7-8 day itinerary in Northern AZ/Southern UT, using Las Vegas as a “staging” city, goes something like this:
Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~4.5 hours), overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3-3.5 hours), hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, overnight in Page, AZ
Day 3 – Tour Antelope Canyon, perhaps take a Lake Powell Boat Tour or the Glen Canyon 1/2-Day Float Trip , spend another night in Page
Day 4 – Drive from Page, AZ to Bryce Canyon, UT (~3-4 hours), overnight in Bryce
Day 5 – Drive from Bryce to Zion (~2 hours), overnight in Springdale, UT (on the Western border of the park)
Day 6 – Explore Zion, take the free shuttle system to the main scenic drive, maybe hike part of the Narrows, or do some river tubing (water level permitting), spend another night in Springdale, UT
Day 7 – Drive back to LA, ~6.5-7 hours. Or, if desired, maybe make a detour to Death Valley NP and spend the night there before heading home.
Hope that helps! For a more detailed itinerary and suggestions on what to do each day, read “The Grand Canyon and Beyond: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern AZ & Southern UT”
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 03, 2018 at 1:12 PM
Sandi
Hi, I just found your page a couple pf hours ago and have been working on a plan but it is overwhelming to me still. 1. What is the best time of year to go when its not terrible hot? 2. Is Sedona more popular than Las Vegas? 3. If you had to pick 4-5 things to do and stay a little longer in a couple of places what would you do? I realize its a lot of driving ust worried about spending so much time in the car.
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Hi Sandi,
Being overwhelmed is a common reaction when people realize all there is to see and do in this part of the U.S., so you’re by no means alone!
In answer to your specific queries:
1. The best time of year to visit is late-September through mid-October. Temperatures are cooling down and crowds have thinned out. It’s still busy, but with kids back in school, it’s mostly just us “grown-ups” out there.
2. Sedona vs. Las Vegas – in terms of sheer number of visitors, Las Vegas is the more popular destination, hands down. In terms of quality of attractions, activities and views, many people would definitely say they like Sedona better. If you’re actually wondering about which city to fly into and out of, Phoenix would make for a good “staging” city for a Southwest visit that included Sedona. A typical 1-week itinerary would consist of 3 days in Sedona, 1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim, then 2 days in Page. You could also use Las Vegas as your staging city and substitute Zion National Park (in Utah) for Sedona. Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern AZ/Southern UT
3. As for things to do, while in Sedona, plan on doing a Pink Jeep Tour and maybe a hike in Oak Creek Canyon or to Devil’s Bridge if you’re up for more of a challenge. In the Grand Canyon, taking the free shuttles to the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest viewpoints and a walk around the Grand Canyon Village Historic District are the two basic “must-do’s.” If desired, a short hike on the Bright Angel Trail might round out your visit well, just realize that Inner Canyon hiking has its challenges. In Page, the “big three” activities are the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, which can be visited at your leisure, or via a couple of different tour packages, including safari jeep and/or horseback riding , and the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip.
As for the driving, it’s a six-of-one/half-a-dozen-of-another proposition whether you fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix. It’s 4.5 hours from either airport to Grand Canyon South Rim, 3-3.5 hours from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, then 2 hours from Page to Zion National Park/Springdale, then 3 hours and change back to Las Vegas.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travel,
Alley 🙂July 02, 2018 at 7:20 PM
Tami Fagan
Do they only allow 20 permits per day or 20 people on the trail per day? If I am hiking with two friends, do we all need a permit or does just one of us need a permit? If one wins a permit and the other two don’t, do they have to sideline?
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Hey Tami,
It is indeed only 20 people per day allowed on the trail. 1 permit = 1 body. If you apply for the online permit on behalf of a party 3 people, that means only 7 more spaces will be left for the BLM to grant for that particular day. Another 10 spaces will be given out by walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT the day prior to when you wish to hike.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 29, 2018 at 5:38 PM
Carla Werning
Hello – this page is SO awesome. Can you please give me some advice. We are headed your way on Friday via Iowa through South Dakota. Then we have from July 6-13 in the area. Below is my time near the North Rim and the Antelope Canyon. Could you possibly shed some light on what may be the best options for my family since we have not booked anything in advance for this portion of our trip. We are driving and we have my husband and myself in our 40’s and two teenage girls 13 and 16. All of us are active and I would say love moderate hikes and are very good on water. My youngest does not love to kayak, but we could probably convince her. It seems the lower and upper Antelope canyon trips may all be filled per what I am reading, but I heard this is a must not miss. We are wondering about what else may be just as lovely and maybe not as crowded. Or if you can shed any light on some places to stay (we have a tent with us, but can also book a hotel). Below is our itinerary. If it makes more sense to do these in reverse order that is okay too. Any advice on North Rim and Page would be appreciated.
July 10th: Leave early morning from St. George and head to North Rim of Grand Canyon spend the day here (what to do) and then head up to Page AZ/Lake Powell for nice dinner check out the town.
Things to do at North Rim:
Take Shuttle
North Kiabab Trail??
Hikes
Things to do near Page area:
Antelope Canyon
Wallweep Marina
Glen Canyon Dam
Lake Powell Lake Tour Boat Ride?
July 11th: Leave Page later in the day and head to Moab via Monument Valley and Mexican Hat route (5 hour drive) explore part of the day in Moab (biking?) or one of the parks.
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Hi Carla and thank you so much for your inquiry.
First off, it takes ~ 3 hours to drive from St. George, UT to Grand Canyon North Rim. You’re then looking at about the same time/distance from the North Rim to Page, AZ at the end of the day. You could cut your morning drive in half or thereabouts, and IMO have a more pleasant time, if you were to stay in Kanab, UT the night prior. St. George is a small, but crowded town that feels like a city. Kanab, UT still maintains that nice small town vibe. If you are able to change your arrangements at this point, I would strongly recommend doing so.
Unlike Grand Canyon South Rim and Zion, Grand Canyon North Rim does not have a shuttle system. All viewpoints there are open to private vehicles. If you like to hike, you might indeed go a short way down the North Kaibab Trail. Just be sure to carry plenty of water, wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, and remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours out. Time your trip accordingly and keep an eye on your watch.
If you manage to make it to Page, AZ in time for sunset (which you should strive for — nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country), you might hit Horseshoe Bend then, spend the night in Page, then tour Antelope Canyon or alternate slot canyon first thing the following morning.
With the goal of driving to Moab via Monument Valley that same day, you’re not likely to have time for much else. Again, driving at night is potentially dangerous in this part of the US due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the possibility of deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife congregating around them. You might be able to slip in a kayak tour as you’d mentioned, or perhaps a short walk and lunch down at Antelope Point Marina. If you can possibly spend a second night in Page, AZ, that would enable you to take part in some other activities you might enjoy, such as the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, a tour of Glen Canyon Dam, etc. 2-Day Itinerary in Page, Arizona
One more thing regarding camping: it’s HOT both here and in Moab, UT right now. Daytime temperatures are getting up near 110 and nighttime temperatures aren’t cooling down much. I wouldn’t want to camp in those conditions, so I’d definitely recommend booking hotels in these areas ASAP.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 28, 2018 at 8:01 PM
Ed
Hey, thanks so much for the great information in your articles – most helpful!
The 4 of us will be touring the area around the 10th of November and are trying to plan for Antelope canyon and the surrounding areas – can you tell me how long (time wise) is the Lower Canyon Tour? The morning tour at 9am would fit our schedule best, but would the canyon be still too dark then? Any insights would be appreciated!
Also, we would love to do the water activities, but seems like that the couple of weeks around Nov 10th are the “dead” weeks where nothing happens – are there really no tours we could go onto for Lake Powell?
Thanks so much!
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Hi Ed, thank you for visiting today!
It is advisable to allow about 2 hours for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour. At the time of year you’re traveling, there will be plenty of light in order to enjoy the beauty of the canyon.
As for the water activities, you are correct, that boat and kayak tours do not run on a scheduled basis since that is shoulder season, which is marked by colder temperatures and thinning crowds. However, with enough paying passengers, some boat tours occasionally do go out on an “on-demand” basis. I’d advise calling the tour companies directly upon your arrival in the Page, AZ area and inquiring about what tours they might have sufficient interest in to operate.
One exception to the rule: the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Weather permitting, and with a minimum of 6 paying passengers, it is set to go out daily at 10:00 AM between 10/01 and 12/02.
Hope that helps. Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 27, 2018 at 5:50 PM
Tita
How’s the weather in the month of july? We are planning to visit next month. How much is the entrance fee?
Thanks!
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Dear Tita,
The weather at this time of year can be summed up in one word: HOT!
Be sure you carry ample water at all times, for yourself, your family and any pets traveling with you.
As for the “entrance fee,” if you’re referring to that of Antelope Canyon, it is $8 per person, however, it will be included in the ticket price of your Antelope Canyon tour.
Hope that helps – best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 27, 2018 at 5:43 PM
Mark
Hi Alley,
We will be passing through and were hoping to visit on Sunday July 1st (will be waking up in South Campground, Zion National Park, and checking out Antelope Canyon on our way to Grand Canyon, camping that night) — do we need to book a tour in advance, or can we show up, pay, and jump in line?
Thanks,
Mark
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Hi Mark,
As stated early on in the article you’ve commented on, advance reservations are a MUST for Antelope Canyon tours, especially at this time of year. If you find that Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons that are just as beautiful, but a lot less crowded.
Good luck and safe travels. Be sure you carry lots of water!
Alley 🙂June 27, 2018 at 5:39 PM
ina
Hey Ryan, i need some help planning my trip.
I fly into Phoenix AZ AT 10AM on friday. I was planning on renting a car and driving 4 hrs up to Horseshoe bend and Antelope Canyon. I think i might arrive to either location around 3pm on Friday. Do you recommend me doing Horseshoe bend on Friday and then visit the antelope canyon the next day in the morning? Or i could still have time to visit both? How long does each one last? and do you recommend visiting the antelope canyon by boat or just regular?
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Hi Ina,
If you mean that you’re planning on flying into Phoenix THIS Friday, then theoretically, you could do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend IF your flight arrives on time, and your rental car pick-up goes smoothly. Unfortunately, in reality, those things rarely happen. Plus there’s the matter of traffic on I-17, which is always crazy. The main thing to consider, though, is that the drive from Phoenix to Page rarely takes the 4-4.5 hours you’ll see given as the timeframe on Google Maps. There are many scenic views, historic markers and photo opportunities that will no doubt pique your interest, not to mention the inevitable bathroom break. So don’t be surprised if you find that the trip ends up taking more like 6-6.5 hours.
Visiting Horseshoe Bend on your way into Page is easy enough to do since it’s only 5 miles South of town. If you find the overlook too congested, or simply are too tired to deal with it on your arrival day, just check into your hotel, plan to make it an early morning the next day, and visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise. Cooler temperatures and fewer people make a morning visit to this iconic overlook a much more pleasant experience. Then schedule your Antelope Canyon tour for whenever you can find availability. On that subject, we recommend prioritizing a landside (walking) tour of Antelope Canyon over a boat tour. The landside tours offer the “iconic” slot canyon scenery you’re probably expecting to see. The Antelope Canyon boat tours are cool, but should be considered kind of a “bonus” activity to help you appreciate the true complexity of the Antelope Canyon drainage as it relates to Lake Powell and the Colorado River as a whole. Advance reservations are a must for Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps — enjoy your visit to Page, AZ!
Alley 🙂
P.S. For other valuable tips and travel planning information, visit our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.comJune 26, 2018 at 4:22 PM
Tonya
Do you have to take a tour to Antelope Canyon or are you able to get there on your own ?
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Hi Tonya,
Antelope Canyon is situated on the Navajo Indian Reservation, so yes, a tour is required to visit it. You cannot go there on your own. Hope that clarifies things. For guidance on which branch of Antelope Canyon would suit you best, read “How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon.”
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 26, 2018 at 4:12 PM
Kyna Byerly
Hi Alley-
We (2 adults 2 teens )are visiting the North Rim in July, and will be stopping in Page on our way in. We camp and hike a lot, and would like your advice. We would love to see Antelope canyon, and have a tour of the lower booked for 3:45. The morning was booked. I am concerned it may be closed to heat, or not so enjoyable due to crowds and heat. We’ve looked at Canyon X or a tour of multiple canyons including Owl, but that is pretty expensive. We also plan to rent kayaks for a morning. Is going to another less crowded canyon a better idea? Antelope looks so stunning, but not sure if we would be better off going elsewhere at a better time, or if it’s worth the price to see the multiple canyon tour. Any suggestions?
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Dear Kyna,
You have correctly deduced that it will be hot in the afternoon in July, which increases the risk of tours being cancelled for safety reasons. Touring in the morning is definitely preferable. You can check with the Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies periodically for cancellations, but that can never be guaranteed. My advice, if you wish to avoid paying the price of a multiple-canyon tour, would be to book Antelope Canyon X. It bears enough of a resemblance to Lower Antelope, both in physicality and the formations, so that you wouldn’t feel short-changed. Besides, it’s just an alternate drainage of Antelope Canyon anyway.
Another alternate slot canyon you might look at is Cathedral Slot Canyon. It has both “iconic” slot canyon scenery plus a few features that are unique to it alone. You might also consider touring Lower Waterholes Canyon. It is not mentioned on our website yet because until quite recently, all you had to do was get a permit from the Navajo tribe and go in at your leisure. It now requires a tour to enter, but it’s quite reasonably priced. For more information, visit Waterhole Canyon Experience LLC on Facebook. Last but not least, there’s also Wind Pebble Canyon, which is another slot canyon in the Antelope Canyon system, managed by Ligai Si’Anii Tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 22, 2018 at 2:14 PM
Bethanne Baretich
Hello! I have enjoyed reading all the lovely suggestions and insights! I am an avid horseback rider and was hoping to do a riding tour anywhere in between Antelope and Zion or surrounding areas. I will be there July 6-9 so trying to do some last-minute planning with fingers crossed!
Any recommendations for four-legged companions?
Thanks so much 🙂
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Hi Bethanne and thank you for your excellent question!
There are several horseback riding outfitters in the area between Page, AZ and Zion National Park. One that I am personally familiar with is the Paria River Ranch, located near mile marker 22 on US89 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT. Horseback riding is also offered at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch just outside the Eastern entrance to Zion National Park. A Google search also indicates there’s a place called Jacob’s Ranch in the same area as Zion Ponderosa. I’ve never done a tour with them, so can’t vouch for their quality, prices or anything of that nature.
In Zion National Park itself, Canyon Trail Rides offers 1- and 3-hour trail rides. They are the same concessionaire that operates the mule rides at Grand Canyon North Rim.
Hope that helps — giddy up!
Alley 🙂June 22, 2018 at 2:06 PM
Bonnie
Hi Ryan:
Trying to use your 1-Day Itinerary for Page, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend. We would be driving from Williams that morning. Should we still follow that itinerary..this is very helpful. Any thoughts on whether to do Upper or Lower because of 1 day? Lunch still at that Marina?
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Hi Bonnie and thank you for visiting us!
Not knowing where you’re headed after Page, AZ, I’m kind of “flying blind” as to recommending an itinerary, but, the main point is that you don’t have to follow it EXACTLY in order to make it work.
For one, I’m assuming that you’ll have already been to the Grand Canyon. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Williams to Page, AZ via Flagstaff (the most direct route). Recommend a stop at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89 for at least a leg stretch/bathroom break/a little souvenir shopping; if you’re hungry, it makes for a good stop for “brunch.” The Navajo tacos are amazing! TIP: unless you’re CRAZY hungry, get the “mini.” The so-called “regular” is HUGE.
Since the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is just 5 miles South of Page, AZ, it is most convenient to hit it on your way into town, however, expect it to be crowded. Mid-day hours (between 10 AM and 3 PM) seem to be the worst as that’s when tour bus and day trip traffic is rolling in from outlying areas. In the summer months, it will also be really hot at that time of day since the overlook is almost completely exposed save for a couple of small shade pavilions. If you happen to be spending the night in Page, AZ, you might save that activity for first thing in the morning, as in, right after sunrise. That’s when crowds tend to be thinnest, and temperatures coolest.
As for Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon, it takes a little bit longer to explore Lower, but not by so much as to warrant going to Upper in order to save time. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend sticking with it. Whatever you decide, be sure to make your Antelope Canyon tour reservations in advance. Then, if you’re inclined, go to Antelope Marina, if not for a meal, then to do a little exploring or maybe take a short boat tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Just remember that Antelope Point Marina is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so you’ll have to pay a $25/vehicle entrance fee. If you’d prefer not to spend that kind of $ for a short visit, other activities you might consider should you have more time include, but are not limited to, the Navajo Village Heritage Center (at the corner of US98 & Coppermine Road), the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum, a short hike to the “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock, or tour the Glen Canyon Dam.
Hope that helps! For other great travel tips and information on local attractions, visit our sister sites www.HorseshoeBend.com and www.TheWaveAZ.com
Hope that helps! Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 20, 2018 at 3:29 PM
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From Bonnie Jenkins
Thanks for update. I should have included this: We are renting a house for 6 nights 20 miles from Flagstaff. We are young 60 year olds. We decided on lower Antelope Canyon. So, you mentioned a 1 hour boat ride and I was trying to find that to book that. recommended tour. In any event, it would be a 1 day up to Page, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and back to house,. Here is what we have planned so far:
Day #1, Arrive Phoenix Airport, noon. take in:
• Montezuma Castle first and then
• Montezuma Well (take the ½ mile trail)
• Tuzigoot National Monument
• Head to Jerome to house
Day #2 Sedona. Reservation: 11 a.m. 1.Palatki Heritage Site, Honanki, Catherdral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge Trail, then head back to house. Any thoughts on Day #2.
Day #3: Take train from Williams into Canyon, arrive 11:30 and plan itinerary for the 4 hrs. since train departs at 3:30. Would that be a good “Overlook day or a hike day?” Do we need another full day in Canyon for Day #4?. Day #5, Our next Day we were trying to decide between Walnu Canyon National Monument, Wupatki Monument and Sunset Crater or do a day trip to Petrified Forest, Painted Desert, Homolovi Runs and Meteor Crater? Then we were planning to spend Day 6 going your way to Horseshoe Bend, Lower Canyon, Page. I was trying to have you help us plan Day #6, knowing we don’t mind getting up early and hitting the road, no small children to worry with. Thanks for all your help,. BonnieJune 23, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Tena Hargrove
Alley,
Have you ever done the Dark Ranger Telescope Tours at the Dark Ranger Observatory in Bryce Canyon?
Tena
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Hi Tena!
Unfortunately, I have not taken part in this particular activity, but according to the reviews on Yelp, TripAdvisor and elsewhere, it sounds incredible. Let us know how you liked it,
Alley 🙂June 14, 2018 at 6:36 PM
Saptaparni
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!
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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 🙂June 13, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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From Saptaparni
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?
June 13, 2018 at 7:06 PM
Kristine
Hi Alley,
My family are planning a visit to Grand Canyon and Page in August. We were planning to spend 4 days, with the following route:
Day 1 – Arrive @ PHX , drive to Grand Canyon and stay overnight
Day 2 – Grand Canyon
Day 3 – Antelope Canyon (3pm tour), Lake Powell
Day 4 – Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, drive back to PHX airport
Do you think we should drive out to Page in the afternoon of Day 2 or early morning of Day 3? Or should we flip our itinerary and have Page first before Grand Canyon? Open to suggestions. Thanks!
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Hi Kristine!
Honestly, the order in which you visit Page and the Grand Canyon doesn’t make a huge difference. In either case, you’d be looking at about a 4.5 hour drive back to Phoenix at the end of your trip. Where each destination falls on your itinerary will most likely revolve around lodging availability. You should start checking availability for Grand Canyon Hotels first, since there are fewer of them to choose from, then Page, AZ Hotels. After you line these up, then book your Antelope Canyon tour.
If you do decide to just stay one night at Grand Canyon South Rim, what you might do is keep those two nights in Page, then spend that last night in Sedona, AZ. That will reduce your drive at the end of the trip to just over 2 hours. Dropping a night at Grand Canyon South Rim won’t detract in any way from the quality of your visit since a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will occur during the course of the drive to Page. Google Maps lists the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens due to the number of stops you can potentially make. 3.5-4 hours tends to be a more accurate figure. Just time your trip so that you’re not driving after dark.
Another thing: you mentioned this is a “family” visit, so I assume that means you’re traveling with children? If so, you might consider adding the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip to your schedule whilst in Page, AZ. This 15-mile raft trip from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry is a popular activity for families, and since it traverses no rapids, it can be taken by kids as young as 4. In August, the AM departure tends to be the more comfortable one since morning temperatures are cooler.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 11, 2018 at 12:25 PM
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From Kristine
No, we’re not travelling with children. It’s just an all girls trip. Do you think we should drive out to Page in the early evening of Day 2 or morning of Day 3? Not sure what is the driving condition out there during the summer and if we could make it in time for our 3pm Antelope Canyon tour (if we decide to drive out in the morning of Day 3).
June 13, 2018 at 3:53 AM
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Hi Ryan!
I gained information from the past post, thank you!!!
My family of 7 is planning a 10 day stay in this area coming up soon. It’s been very much a learning experience trying to organize our trip!
We’re driving out from Texas with some flexibility in our schedule, as I don’t want to overcomit. The 3 reservations we do have are: a house in Duck Creek, a half day float trip Glenn Canyon upon our arrival, a boat rental upon our departure.
The house dates are set and choose this location for cooler temps and a wildflower festival. We’re planning to arrive a day or two early to the area and camp, same on our departure.
I like the idea of Lone Rock campground. With beach and water fun, close to float trip, Antelope canyon tour, horseshoe. Then on our way back to Tx, same camp location w North Rim Grand Canyon, the next day a boat on lake Powell.The 8 days we have the house we’d like to visit: Bryce, Cedar Breaks, Escalante ( calf creek) and the Rt 12 drive, Peublo state park and of course Zion.
My questions:
Zion sounds so confusing and makes me nervous, should we even attempt? The North Rim sounds amazing as do the mule rides, what’s ur thought on the rides? Last question, is this all doable lol!!!!
Kids are super fit and LOVE LOVE to explore ages 10, 13,14,16, 21. Four boys one girl. And husband and I.
I’m on some helpful Facebook pages w good info on Zion, Escalante NM etc….
This is why Zion sounds crazy too me….. thinking just one day bc of craziness and enjoying other beautiful places.Thank you for any help!!!
June 12, 2018 at 12:26 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Dear Janet,
Hello and thank you for your inquiry.
You have been very thorough in your trip plan, but one element that is conspicuously absent is a tour of Antelope Canyon on the land side. While the boat tour is beautiful, it won’t show you the truly “iconic” slot canyon scenery that the walking tour would. We strongly recommend that you make a reservation for one of these, then, time permitting, consider doing a boat or kayak tour of Antelope Canyon. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Another observation is your plans to camp may not be practical, but this is highly dependent on the time of year you’re traveling, and doesn’t apply to all your stops. If you’re planning on traveling during the summer months, for example, Lone Rock will be VERY hot, and sleeping in a tent while it’s still 70-80 degrees out may not be as comfortable as you might think. If your trip is indeed planned for anytime between now and mid-September, you might splurge on a hotel or Page, AZ vacation rental in order to ensure your family’s comfort. Camping at the North Rim shouldn’t be too bad since it’s at ~8,000′ ASL and nights there still get relatively cool.
On the North Rim, you might be able to do a mule ride, as these do not tend to book up as far in advance as the South Rim mule rides. Due to the size of your party, though, I would highly recommend looking into advance reservations, and also to familiarize yourself with the policies of the concessionaire. Grand Canyon North Rim Mule Rides
As for whether you should attempt to tour Zion, if you fancy this trip to be a once-in-a-lifetime or at least a once-in-a-blue-moon experience, I’d try to work it in. For best results, get to Springdale early to get on the shuttles into the park. For first-hand reports from visitors who have been there recently, you might check out and join the Zion National Park Connection on Facebook, as well as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument And Adjacent group .
Good luck and hope that helps — best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass at the first National Park you visit on your itinerary. For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee areas in the US for 1 year. The only places it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon.June 12, 2018 at 9:29 PM
Dewi
We plan to visit Antelope Canyon and we have 5 years old boy. Is this a good idea to do both of tour Upper & Lower Canyon? Is it going to be difficult for my son in the Lower canyon?
What is the best time to visit the Upper & Lower Canyon in the summer?
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Dear Dewi,
Hello and thank you for excellent inquiry.
Visiting both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is not necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. If you think you are physically in good enough shape to handle Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d visit it, then use the remaining time you have for other activities such as taking a swim in Lake Powell, going to The “New” Wave, touring the Glen Canyon Dam, or visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum… just to name a few.
As to whether your 5-year-old can handle Lower Antelope Canyon, kids that age tour it every day and like it, but you know your son best. Does he like climbing? Would he be able to step over the occasional boulder he might encounter in Lower Antelope? To judge for yourself, watch this video of a Full Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon. If you have any doubts, then book a tour for Upper. Whichever you decide, be sure to book it well in advance of your arrival.
As to which time is best, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to tour slot canyons, but those time slots may already be booked up. Another consideration is mid-day heat during the summer months is quite oppressive. For this reason, I’d recommend touring either Upper or Lower Antelope first thing in the morning. There really is no such thing as a bad time to tour the slot canyons 😉
Hope that helps! Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 08, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Nerea
Hi, i have a problem i make a reservation in the website that i give you.
Its for 15Aug, at 11:00a.m. And the problem is that when i saw your website, that its the official i dont see this hour and the hours that this web offers.
before buying these tickets I tried in another websites, the the nearest hour to 12:00 but in this dates its very difficult
Do you know this website?
Do you think that with those tickets we can enter without problems?
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Dear Nerea,
I’m terribly sorry, but I am not certain what you’re trying to accomplish. You did not list the exact website you used to book the tour, so I cannot speculate on whether your tickets will be honored. I’d strongly recommend revisiting the website you used to make the booking. If you did indeed make a booking, your credit card should have been charged for the price of the tour. Your credit card statement should give the name of the company. I’d then suggest contacting them by phone or e-mail to confirm your reservations.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
AlleyJune 08, 2018 at 4:50 PM
april azarian
What month is the best to visit Antelope Canyon?
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Hi April!
By and large, early- to mid-October is the favorite time of year for those of us who have spent any length of time in Northern Arizona, which includes me (20+ years) 🙂
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley KeosheyanJune 07, 2018 at 9:48 PM
QUYNH NGUYEN
Hello Alley,
Thank you for answering questions. I would like to ask you few questions. I am planning to take my mom to grand canyon south rim, antelope canyon, and horseshoe bend. I have 2 days. I am planning to drive from Las Vegas to Grand canyon south rim to . After that I will arrive to Page on the same day Day 1. Day 2 I will start visit antelope canyon and horseshoe bend from 8-1 pm. I will drive back to Las Vegas that day around 2 pm and will reach Las Vegas around 8 pm.
1/ Should I visit Lower or upper Antelope?
2/ Can I visit Antelope without a tour? I see the tour is about 90 minutes or more.
3/ Will I be able to visit Antelope, horseshoe bend and drive back to Las vegas on a same day?
4/How long to visit lower Antelope.
Thank you very much and I appreciate your kindness.
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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, www.HorseshoeBend.com “Help! I Can’t Make The Hike To Horseshoe Bend”
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 07, 2018 at 9:47 PM
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From JANE
Hello!
I also plan to take my parents to see the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. I am allotting 2 days for the trip (Dec30-31); we’d be back to Vegas on the night of Dec31. Reading through the conversation and other questions, I figured West Rim has a shorter distance from Vegas than the South Rim. Knowing this, would my plan be more feasible doing the 2-day tour?
Option 1: Day1 would be Grand Canyon West Rim; Day 2 Upper Antelope.
Option 2: Day1 Grand Canyon West Rim; Day2 Upper Antelope for older people (in their 70s); Lower Antelope for younger ones (30s).I have a few questions:
1. Is Option 1 feasible?
2. Is it relatively safe for older people (in their 70s) to enjoy Upper Antelope while younger ones go to the Lower Antelope?
3. Can you recommend tour groups who do this route?Thanks a lot!!
December 14, 2018 at 9:18 AM
Lilja H Ingibjargardottir
Hi,
I wanted to ask if it is necessary to book a tour in advance for the lower canyon or is it possible to book it when we arrive?
We are thinking of coming on Saturday around 12/1pm and we want to take pictures and take our time looking but we are not professional photographers.
Would you advise to book the photography tour then? Or will it be as packed as the other one?
Best regards,
– Lilja
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Hi Lilja,
You absolutely must book a tour in advance for Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon and other slot canyons in Page, AZ.
As for photography tours, they are no longer offered in Lower Antelope Canyon. They are still allowed in Upper, but as you’ve guessed, can be quite crowded. If you prefer to have a tour that allows for more time for photos, observation or contemplation, you might consider touring Antelope Canyon X, Cathedral Canyon or one of several other Antelope Canyon Alternates.
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful visit!
Alley 🙂June 07, 2018 at 4:19 PM
Christine
What is the best time of day in September to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon?
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Hi Christine,
Mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to visit the slot canyons, regardless of time of year. That’s because the sun being directly overhead illuminates the canyon most brightly. That being said, there is no such thing as a “bad” time to tour Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon or alternate slot canyons. Mid-day tours tend to book up the fastest, so if you find that to be the case on your chosen date, simply pick a time that best fits your schedule and enjoy. “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out”
Hope that helps.
Alley 🙂
For more excellent travel tips and information, visit our sister sites: www.HorseshoeBend.com www.TheWaveAZ.comJune 07, 2018 at 4:14 PM
Renju
Hi Alley ,
We are planning 3 day trip .We start from Las vegas and planned to cover Antelope ,horse shoe bend, Zion National Park ,Monument valley and Grand canyon .we arrive on friday night and planning to start on saturday early morning to antelope.I still have a doubt whether it is doable .We need to return to LV airport on Monday night .
Would you please suggest an Itenary .Also what all this we need to book in advance if we are taking a rental car (thinks like permit).Will we be able to take own vehicle to all the attractions ?or Do we need to depend on guided tour ?.Please suggest
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Dear Renju,
Sorry, but you won’t be able to hit all those attractions and spend any amount of quality time with only two full days to work with.
What you can do is this:
Day 1 (Saturday) – Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ via Zion National Park. Drive time: approximately 5 hours. Overnight in Page, AZ.
Day 2 (Sunday) – Visit Horseshoe Bend Overlook after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon at mid-day, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim. Drive time: 3-3.5 hours. Overnight in Grand Canyon South Rim.
Day 3 – (Monday) – Sunrise on the rim, drive to Las Vegas. Drive time: 4.5 hours.
As for the things you need to book in advance, those are:
Antelope Canyon Tours
Page, AZ Hotels
Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
Of course, this itinerary can be reversed depending on availability of Antelope Canyon Tours and Grand Canyon South Rim lodging.
Now, one way you MIGHT be able to work Monument Valley into your trip, is to
1. Get an early start from Las Vegas into Page on Day 1 and take a late afternoon Antelope Canyon Tour
2. Take a 90-minute fixed-wing airplane flight over Monument Valley first thing in the morning, then hit Horseshoe Bend just South of of Page, AZ as you head toward Grand Canyon South Rim.
All parks are open to private vehicles, with the exception of Antelope Canyon, that requires a guided tour regardless of whether you have your own vehicle.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. For more helpful travel tips, visit our sister sites, www.HorseshoeBend.com and www.TheWaveAZ.comJune 07, 2018 at 4:08 PM
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From Irene
Hi Alley
I would like your recommendation on how I should plan my trip. We are planning on 6 nights 7 days and those days are also including traveling back to and from NY.
Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Zion
Grand Canyon
and maybe Hoover DamShould i fly into Nevada or Arizona.
What should i go to first etc. I am planning this trip for next year.
Thank you.
IreneJune 12, 2018 at 4:49 PM
Ashley
Hello, I am looking at having engagement photos taken at Antelope Canyon. Do you know if there is a specific tour or website that I could find information about this?
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Hi Ashley –
Give this a read: Commercial Photography Permits At Antelope Canyon
Congratulations on your engagement!
Alley 🙂June 05, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Carol
how can I find out who won the lottery for August 2018?
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Hi Carol,
If you applied for The Wave lottery, and were successful in obtaining a permit, you should have received an e-mail from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notifying you of such by now. For further inquiry, you would need to contact the Bureau of Land Management’s Kanab Field Office at (435) 644-1200 or utknmail@blm.gov If you were not drawn in the on-line lottery, you may also apply in-person for a walk-in permit the day prior to when you wish to hike at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Visitors Center in Kanab.
Good luck,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 4:24 PM
Bobbi-Sue Harrington
Hi Alley
I do a ton of research for my roadtrips and your blog is amazing. Tell me what you think of this and please give some suggestions on tweaking or adding. We don’t want to shop, would like to avoid hikes over 1.5 hours and would take the road less travelled to see more scenary even if it took longer and wasn’t well known 🙂
We are coming Oct 10-17th
We have the NP annual pass, We are renting a vehicle(type tbd by roads we will travel)
Staying in Phoenix Night 1
Day 2 Drive to Sedona stopping at Montezuma castle on the way
Night 2 Stay in Sedona
Day 3 Drive to Grand canyon south Rim and then to page, with hopes to see horseshoe bend on the way up( what is the hike time to see the overlook?) ,maybe new wave??
Night 3 Staying in Page,
Day 4 Lower Antelope early morning, drive to zion, (SOO torn on what route to take!)?? Help
Night 4 Stay in St.George
Day 5 Drive to Vegas(I have no stopping points this day…. Help again!)
Night 5 Staying in Vegas
Day 6 TBD…..
Night 6 TBD……
Day 7 Drive back to Phoenix
Night 7 Staying by the airport
Thank you So much for any help!!
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Hi Bobbi Sue and thank you for your compliments!
I’m going to “reverse-engineer” your itinerary, in other words, go “backwards” from the end of your trip.
Since you are flying into and out of Phoenix, and plan on swinging by Las Vegas before flying home, I would use your two “TBD” days for Sedona. The place needs at least 2 nights to do it justice, 3 is even better. Since it is only a 2-hour-and-change drive from Sedona to Phoenix, instead of staying by the airport on your last night, I would simply drive all the way from Sedona to Phoenix that day… unless you have a really early flight out, in which case, staying by the airport would be more convenient.
Day 5 – instead of staying in St. George, which IMO has become just another congested, crowded city, I would recommend staying in Springdale, UT, on the Western border of Zion National Park. Much prettier, more peaceful, and places you in a more conducive location to enjoy Zion. If you can free up another night, do so — Zion has a lot to see and do.
Day 4 – on what route to take to Zion from Page, going via Big Water and Kanab, UT is shorter, about 1 3/4 hours, but for scenery, I’d recommend taking the “long way” around, via Lees Ferry — you can actually drive up to the Colorado River and wade in it — Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake (stop at the Jacob Lake Inn for lunch and get some cookies to go!) and Mt. Carmel Junction. This will add another hour onto your drive time, but the scenery and photo ops IMO make it well worth the drive.
Day 2 – instead of driving to Sedona, because you’ve moved it to the end of your trip, drive all the way to Grand Canyon South Rim and overnight there. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive, but well worth being able to be on the rim for sunrise and/or sunset. The drive to Page, AZ would then be ~2.5-3.5 hours depending on the number of stops you make. Grand Canyon South Rim Lodging
So — here’s what your modified trip plan looks like:
Day 1 – fly into PHX, overnight
Day 2 – drive to GC South Rim, overnight
Day 3 – drive to Page, AZ, hit Horseshoe Bend on way into town (allow 60-90 minutes), visit The New Wave time permitting, overnight in Page
Day 4 – Tour Lower Antelope in the AM, head toward Zion National Park via Lees Ferry, Marble Canyon, Jacob Lake, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 5 – Drive to Vegas (possible stops: Virgin River Gorge, Mesquite, NV, Valley of Fire State Park), overnight in Vegas
Day 6 – Drive to Sedona (~4.5 hours), with stop at Hoover Dam if desired, overnight in Sedona
Day 7 – Tour Sedona (Chapel of the Holy Cross, Oak Creek Canyon, Tlaquepaque), overnight in Sedona again, or drive back to Phoenix that afternoon if next morning flight is earlyHope that helps! Oh, re: the vehicle you rent, you can’t take any of them off-road per your rental contract, but there is still some hilly terrain to navigate, so I’d recommend getting something with some “heft” to it, like a small SUV.
Wishing you safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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From Lucy Hammond
We have reservations (driving from Vegas Red Rocks Resort) for three nights at Grand Canyon South Rim (first time in Southwest), three at Sedona, one at Bryce, and then back to Vegas for an 11:30 pm flight home. We are traveling this August and want to add on Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Horsehoe Bend, and maybe even a boat tour of Lake Powell/Glen Canyon. Is that possible? We are trying to do this in the way it will be least impactful on our other reservations. Would it be best to cut our Grand Canyon stay to two nights and then drive to Monument Valley, stay over night in the Page , do Antelope Canyon , Horseshoe Bend, maybe a boat tour the next day before driving to Sedona for our next leg? Is there a different order that would better fit in AC, HB, and the boat tour? Where would you suggest we stay in the Page area ( I like to run in the morning and just read about the trail around Lake Powell which I’d love to do part of in the am….not a deal breaker tho, just a pleasant bonus). We would really appreciate any advice. Thank you!
,July 06, 2018 at 12:08 PM
Beth and Bob Grubbs
Hi Ryan! This might be an ambitious question to ask, but I saw all your great suggestions regarding itineraries. My husband and I are planning on a trip in late Sept.-we can spend up to 2 weeks. We will probably fly into PHX and would like to hit Sedona, antelope Canyon and a boat trip on the lake, and whatever else we should see in that area,North Rim of the Grand Canyon-we have been to the south rim and then going to the national parks in Utah. Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyon lands and Capital Reef. Do you have a suggestion for the order of our stops. Because of the huge cost difference in returning a car at a different location, we will have to make a loop. We will do some hiking in the parks, but not too ambitious-we are in our late 60s-70’s. Maybe about 5-6 miles a day. Thanks for your thoughts! Beth
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Dear Beth and Bob,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site!
With 2 full weeks, you should be able to hit all the sites on your “wish list” fairly easily. Ultimate 14-Day American Southwest Itinerary
As to the order in which you make the stops, availability of lodging at Grand Canyon North Rim will by the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your plans revolve, and evolve. Since the North Rim only has a few lodging options, you’ll need to get on that ASAP. If you can’t find availability inside the park at the sole hotel, Grand Canyon Lodge, your next best options will be the Kaibab Lodge and Jacob Lake Inn respectively in order of proximity to the park. If those are full — and it’s quite likely they are — you might have to stay further away, such as in Kanab, UT or Page, AZ, and visit the North Rim as a “day trip.” Grand Canyon North Rim Lodging
Using Phoenix, AZ as your “staging” city, you could do:
3 days – Sedona, AZ
2 days – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Float Trip and/or Lake Powell Boat Tour)
3 days – Moab, UT (Arches/Canyonlands)
1 day – Torrey, UT (Capitol Reef)
1 day – Bryce Canyon
2 days – Zion National Park (lodging in Springdale, UT)
1 day – Grand Canyon North Rim
1 day – Flagstaff, AZ
Or, you might reverse the order of these in order to get the longer drives out of the way early on. Again, the availability (or lack thereof) of North Rim lodging will probably be the most significant determining factor in how you plan your trip.
Hope that helps! For more trip planning information, visit our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 5:32 PM
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I so badly want to see so much of the southwest, i was fixed on the grand cayon or arches NP,but the more i look,the more interesting things i see and want to do.I live in PA, not sure if i would drive or fly.But defenitely need lodging for 2 adults,2 children,8 and 16. Id love to see Antelope,Lake Powell and possibly anything else close to that area.Should i work with a travel agent?
July 22, 2019 at 2:49 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Jovita,
First off, travel agents are not as easy to find as they were in years past. Even if you do manage to find one, chances are they have not travelled to the area themselves, and may unwittingly give you incorrect information. I’ve been in this business a long time, and can tell you my share of horror stories!
Fortunately, it is very easy to plan a trip to the American Southwest by doing research online. I recommend the Travel Forums of Trip Advisor to start with. I myself am a contributor to these, and you’ll find lots of helpful, experienced folks very willing to share their insight and expertise! There are also numerous groups on Facebook where you are welcome to bounce ideas off people.
Coming from PA, you’ll probably want to fly to Las Vegas. Otherwise, you’re looking at a 3-5 day drive, each way, which can be fun for those with the time and inclination to take on such a trip, but not so much for those unprepared for long days on the road.
If you want to see Arches, Canyonlands, and the “Utah Mighty 5” as well as Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, you’ll want to allot at least 2 weeks out here. Ultimate 14-Day Grand Circle Itinerary
Phoenix can also be used as your “staging city” if you wanted to add Sedona to your itinerary; another option would be to fly into Phoenix, then out of Las Vegas, or vice versa. Before you commit to that, however, make sure one-way rental car drop-off fees won’t be prohibitively high.
Hope that helps. Please feel free to ask further questions if/when you feel the need to!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 23, 2019 at 3:46 PM
Sindy
Hi Ryan,
I have never been to Antelope Canyon so I am very excited about our trip next week but at the same time, I’m a little clueless. I will be traveling with my husband, three teenagers and 4 elderly parents – my parents and my in laws. Some questions for you:
– Is Antelope Canyon suitable for my elderly parents (between 65 – 70 years of age)? If so, lower or upper canyon?
– As a first timer, should I choose lower or upper canyon or both?
– We will also be visiting Horseshoe Bend too. Should we do Antelope Canyon first then Horseshoe Bend or vice versa?
– Any general tips you can give me for the above locations?
Thank you so much!
Kind Regards,
Sindy
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Hi Sindy and hope you’re looking forward to your visit to Page, AZ!
In answer to your specific inquiries:
– For older folks and those with limited mobility, Upper Antelope Canyon is the best option. It’s 100 yards long, mostly flat, and doable for 99% of visitors.
– If your teens want more of a challenge, you might send them to Lower Antelope. It’s longer, a bit more physical (some stair climbing, boulder scrambling), but they would need to be travel with an adult.
– The order in which you do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend isn’t really that big a deal, since Horseshoe Bend is open 24/7 and can be visited any time of day. Sunrise is a nice time to be there as it’s a bit cooler and hasn’t been slammed by tour buses from Las Vegas and Phoenix yet. Also, it depends on where Page, AZ fits into your total itinerary. If you’re coming from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ, for example, you can easily hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town. If you’re going from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona or points South, you can pop in on your way out of town.
– General tips: it’s the desert, so that means it’s hot. Be ready. Wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen at all times. Carry water and drink it. Have a scarf or bandanna handy that you can wet down and put around your neck or on your shoulders – it acts as an “evaporative” cooler of sorts. Keep an eye on your folks as the heat tends to affect older people more quickly and drastically. Try and time any activities that require physical exertion for the cooler times of the day, i.e., morning.
Hope that helps!
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 5:09 PM
Judy
Hello Alley, so glad that I come across your web page here. And hope you can give me some suggestions.
We are planning a few days trip (5-6 days) from Las Vegas in July. Target must go are the Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and the Horseshoe Band.
Since it is high season in July, we have to secure hotels and antelope tours first. We have already booked hotels at Bryce for July 6, two nights, and then at Page for July 8, two nights. Booked Lower Antelope Tour on July 9 morning, and Upper Antelope Tour in the afternoon.
We will arrive Las Vegas and stay nearby on July 5, and target to leave Page and stay near Las Vegas on July 10, going back to SF the following day.
Where should we chip in the Horseshoe Band visit?
Any other ‘must see’ that are on our way that we can include?
Is our route sensible and feasible?
What are the things that we should pay attention to?
Would very much appreciate your suggestions and comments. =)
Judy
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Hi Judy and thank you for your compliments!
Your itinerary looks pretty solid. I’d make a few adjustments as follows:
1. Most visitors find 1 night sufficient for enjoying Bryce Canyon. In terms of square mileage, it is the smallest of Utah’s National Parks, which is why it can be experienced fully in relatively short order.
2. Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is not necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with it, then plan some other activities for the time you would have given to Upper Antelope Canyon. Horseshoe Bend Overlook would be an obvious choice since it’s only about a 10 minute drive from Lower Antelope.
3. 2 places conspicuously absent from your itinerary: the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. Grand Canyon — North or South Rim — is ~2.5-3 hours from Page, AZ, or 4.5 hours from Las Vegas. Zion National Park is about a 90 minute drive from Page, or a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas. If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, you could take those last couple of days and give them to Zion. The most practical lodging at this point will probably be Springdale, UT, which would put you again about a 3 hour drive from Vegas toward the end of your trip.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 4:59 PM
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From Judy
Thanks so much Alley for your advise.
For Zion, heard that you need to hike some difficult trails to get to the beauty of it, and I must tell you that we have some seniors, but still ‘strong’ in our group, so, we, kind of, cannot make it a prime site to visit. However, we have planned our drive from Las Vegas, to go through Zion in Hwy 9, will we be able to glimpse some of the beauty of Zion?
As for the Antelope, which one do you think we should go for, the Upper or Lower? then we can give the half day to the Horseshoe Bend.
As from the return drive from Page to Las Vegas, do you think it is possible for us to take the Hwy 98a, through Vermillion Cliff, Jacob Lake, then to St George and Vegas? is it a paved highway?
Once again, we are more into driving than hiking, =)
And thanks again for your advises.Judy
June 07, 2018 at 1:23 PM
Christine
Hi,
Currently planning a trip to Grand Canyon and area in August. You mentioned the 4.5 hr Float Tour which we’re planning to do. Is it really not advisable to do the one that starts at 1pm at this time of year (Aug 27 – 28). I did want to do the morning tour but to fit in other things to do, the afternoon one might fit better. How hot does it get? Heat stroke level? Hot enough it lessens the enjoyment?
We’ll be driving from Bryce Canyon National Park on the morning of the 27th and leaving the area afternoon of the 28th, hoping to reach Wupatki National Monument around 4pm.
So I thought to do the Float Tour when we get to Page and see Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon the next day.
A lot of the tours are fully booked at this time already. And the only time for Upper Antelope we can do is either 3 pm on the 27th or 8:45 am on the 28th. Neither of which are when you can see the popular beams of light. There are more options for the Lower Antelope Canyon but I gather from what I’ve read, are more chaotic and longer wait times.
So I thought we could do the Upper Antelope at 8:45 to 10:15 am and then the Lower at either 11:30 or 11:45. Check out Glen Canyon Dam Overlook either before 8 or after the Lower canyon tour.
I guess this long tale leads to these questions, is this plan realistic and doable?
And is it worth it to see both upper and lower canyons, esp if it’s not during the time when the beams are seen? And how much time between the two tours should I allow? With this plan it’s 45-60 mins although I gather they are abt 5 min drive apart from Upper canyon tour site to the Lower.
Thank you for any info, tips or guidance you can give.
Christine
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Hi Christine, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. As you can hopefully see, this is a popular site with lots of people asking questions!
If the PM departure of the Glen Canyon Float Trip is all that will work for you, then by all means, don’t hesitate to sign up for it. It will be hot on the river — 100+ degrees Fahrenheit typically — but one advantage to the time of year you’re visiting is that it’s monsoon season, and late afternoon cloud cover and/or thunderstorms can cool things down nicely. If you happen to hit a day that’s 100% sunny with no chance of moisture, there are steps you can take to increase your comfort level:
– Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
– Drink water at regular intervals (it is provided on the raft)
– Stay wet: bring a towel or a bandanna or scarf that you can dunk in the cold river water and lay across your legs or shoulder — it acts as an evaporative cooler of sorts
– Dip your feet in the river — the water’s cold, but it feels nice
As for touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, it it not necessary to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower, I’d recommend doing it, but if Upper is more conducive to your schedule, then, here again, grab those spots. As for wait times, both branches of the canyon have them nowadays, but plans are being made that I can’t go into detail on, but will hopefully alleviate some of the congestion.
Long story short, your plan is doable, but one highlight that is conspicuously absent is the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. It’s a definite “must” on any visit to Page, and is easily visited on your way out of town as you head toward Flagstaff. You might even visit it at sunrise before it gets totally cray-cray.
Hope that helps! Again, sorry for delay in response.
Best of luck for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 4:52 PM
Anurag Vishnoi
Hello, we are a family of 3, me, wife and 6 year old kid. We plan to visit Utah/Arizona in 4th july week for 5 day trip. We have been to Grand canyon and Vegas before. We have got good information from this post and the comments and your prompt responses.
I plan to fly to Vegas, then start with Zion national park, followed by Page (antelope canyon, monument valley), then arches national park and then bryce canyon before travelling back to vegas.
I am not sure if I am planning too much for a 5 day trip or if there is a better plan. What are the best places to be visited alongwith them? Would any of these be tough for a 6 year old kid to go to? I earlier thought of Buckskin Gulch but it seems tough for a kid after reading the reviews.
Since I am in the planning phase, the inputs will help.
Thanks
Anurag
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Hi Anurag and thank you for your visit.
For a 5-day trip, you might be taking on too much driving trying to include all these areas on your very short itinerary, which would probably try the patience of a 6-year-old. I would recommend taking a “quality over quantity” approach and spending more time in fewer places.
With 5 days, you could spend:
2 nights in Zion
1 night in Bryce
2 nights in PageWith 2 nights in Page, you could enjoy not only touring Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but the Half-Day Glen Canyon Float Trip, which is a family-friendly rafting trip that does not traverse any rapids. Kids as young as 4 go on this if that gives you any idea. It’s generally regarded as one of the “must-do” activities in Page, moreso than Monument Valley. 4th of July week, I’d strongly recommend taking the morning departure as it will be cooler and more comfortable.
As to Buckskin Gulch, you are correct in that that would probably be pushing the endurance levels of a 6-year-old. Another hike you might do instead: the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools Trail. This is a moderate 1.8 mile hike to a small, scenic cluster of “hoodoo” rock formations whose trailhead begins at mile marker 19 of US89, almost smack dead center between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ. Something you can easily fit in between Zion and Page.
Remember that at the time of your visit, Utah will be on Daylight Savings Time, but Arizona won’t be, so you’ll “gain” an hour crossing the border from Utah into Arizona, or “lose” one going from Arizona to Utah.
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour and all lodging in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 4:44 PM
Chrys
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!
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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 😉
AlleyJune 04, 2018 at 4:35 PM
Mariann
Hi Alley,
Thank you for this detailed information. I am part of a group of four that is trying to get tickets for October 2018. We have a fairly flexible schedule, so can plan our trip around our Wave permits (if we get them.)
My questions are:
1. Do you increase your chances of getting a permit if you enter May 1 as opposed to May 31 or is the lottery based on the entire month and what day you apply doesn’t affect your chances? If so, would it be better to wait until the last day and see which days have the least applications?
2. Can each of our party of 4 submit a different application or can only one person from the group apply?
Thank you,
Mariann
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Hi Mariann and thank you for your excellent inquiry regarding Wave permits.
1. The day you apply for the online lottery does not affect your chances whatsoever of getting (or not getting) a permit. Apply when it’s convenient for you, or, as you suggest, wait until later in the month to guage which dates have fewer applicants.
2. Only one permit request per party is allowed.
If you are not chosen via the online lottery, you may apply in-person for the walk-in lottery the day prior to when you wish to hike at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab, UT.
For more information about The Wave, and other activities to pursue in the likely event you are not successful in obtaining a permit, visit our sister site, TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 04, 2018 at 4:29 PM
Zaldy
July 2018 Trip : 1st timer planning to visit with a 14 & 8 y/o . Arriving Vegas July 5 from Connecticut and driving to Gilbert, AZ to visit a relative. Planning a July 6-8 antelope & horse shoe tour (maybe Sedona ) using your recommendation then stay in Las Vegas 7/8 – 7/12..
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Dear Zaldy,
Greetings and thank you for your inquiry.
To visit Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Sedona, you’ll ideally need more than 2 days. Many people correctly assert that 3 days is the minimum amount of time you should spend in Sedona in order to do the area justice, there is that much to see and do there. VisitSedona
You would then want to plan for at least 2 days in Page to take part in the 3 “must do” activities there, which are:
The Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip
Antelope Canyon Tour (or alternate slot canyon)
Horseshoe Bend Overlook
On the way from Page to Las Vegas, you should plan on visiting Zion National Park — it’s right on your way — and staying a day or two there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 29, 2018 at 3:57 PM
Patti
Ryan
Thank you for the video it’s the best so far! Do you have any videos of hiking down Havasupi?
Or could you recommend anything? I saw the only way down to the fall was climbing down a chain link ladder.
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Hi Patti,
We do not have any videos of the Havasu Falls hike on our website, but a search on YouTube will yield plenty of these. You might also visit Facebook and join one or more of the many Havasu Falls/Havasupai hiking-related groups. The hike to Havasu falls does not require navigating any chains or ladders; the one that does is Mooney Falls.
FYI, Havasupai is another highly coveted hiking experience in Arizona and requires at least 1 year’s advance planning.
Hope that helps — best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 29, 2018 at 3:52 PM
Lisa
This site has been so incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise!
Our family of four (2 adults and 2 kids ages 10 and 12) will be in Page in early June for two nights between Bryce and Zion and are trying to make some decisions. We are hoping to do Horseshoe Bend, one or two canyons, the dam, and a water activity. Here are our questions:
1. Water activity, which one? – Guided kayak (to either Antelope Canyon or Lone Rock), Glen Canyon Float, Antelope Canyon boat tour? We would likely do it either in the morning or afternoon of our one full day in Page. Is morning best for this? If we can only get an afternoon time for the Glen Canyon Float, will it be too hot? Afternoon of that same day, thinking to tour either Canyon X (or another canyon) or Glen Canyon Dam (is it easy to walk up and get on a tour fairly quickly?).
2. Canyons – We were able to get a fairly last minute tour at Lower Antelope for the day we depart at 11:45. Should we do one other canyon? If so, would you recommend Upper Antelope (if we can get a time; most likely very early), Canyon X, Secret Canyon, or something else? We could either do it on the morning of afternoon of our full day there or the morning we depart before Lower Antelope. I know Lower Antelope will be crowded, but was thinking we should go to either upper or lower Antelope since they just seem so amazing.
We will likely do Horseshoe bend on the afternoon/evening that we arrive.
Also wondering – I think the kids want to sled/slide at Coral Pink Sand Dunes if we stop there on the way from Page to Zion. As we will be flying in and driving a rental car, what is the best way to get something to slide on? Do you know if it is it easy to get cardboard or rent a sled there?
Thank you so much for any suggestions you can provide!
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Hi Lisa and thank you for visiting our site!
On to your inquiries:
1. The Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip is generally regarded as one of the Page area’s “must-do” activities. This leisurely float trip will take you through the sole remaining intact section of Glen Canyon, and gives the kids an opportunity to swim in the Colorado River. During the month of June, the morning departure is recommended for passenger comfort. Regarding the Glen Canyon Dam tours, those are first-come/first-served. For Antelope Canyon X, advance reservations are strongly recommended. For these, contact Taadidiin Tours at https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/
2. 11:45 AM is prime time for touring Lower Antelope Canyon and honestly, it’s not necessary to tour more than one slot canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. If you do opt to tour another slot, Canyon X bears enough of a resemblance to Lower Antelope (it is, after all, just another drainage of the same creek system) where you might find it redundant. An alternative slot canyon that is manageable for most hikers and bears features unique to it and no other is Cathedral Canyon. For more information, visit Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours at https://antelopeslotcanyon.com/cathedral-canyon-tour/
3. RE: Coral Pink Sand Dunes, there are no on-site rentals of sliding toys, but these can be picked up in the nearby town of Kanab, UT. Tips for visiting Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Hope that helps — best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. On the drive from Page to Zion, you might also consider stopping by the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools Trail and taking the moderate/easy hike to the hoodoo garden. The trailhead is well-marked at mile marker 19 on US89 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT.May 29, 2018 at 3:50 PM
Fio
Hello, We’re going on a Lower AC tour in mid June. Unfortunately, We were only able to book a 6:30am tour. It looks like the sunrise time is a little after 5am. Logically, it’s bright enough at 6:30am. However, could you please reassure me that there will be some light shine * into * the lower AC at 6:30am?? I don’t think we could come back to AC anytime soon or ever… We really wish to see this amazing place at the best lighting possible.
Many thanks.
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Hi Fio and thank you for your excellent question.
There will absolutely be enough light in Lower Antelope Canyon at 6:30 AM for you to enjoy your tour. Mid-day is generally – and in some respects, rightfully – regarded as the best time to tour the slot canyons, so you might try calling your tour outfitter from time to time to see if they’ve had any cancellations for the prime time slots. You will be required to pay a bit more for these coveted spaces, but you might find it a worthy expenditure.
Another option might be to consider touring an alternate slot canyon that is just as beautiful as Lower Antelope but less crowded. Antelope Canyon X is an example of such a slot canyon, and during the mid-day hours in summer, “X” gets the light beams that Upper and Lower Antelope are so famous for. For more information visit Taadiddiin Tours at https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/
If you prefer to simply hang on to the arrangements you have, though, we’d understand completely and doubt you’ll leave with any regrets.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 29, 2018 at 3:38 PM
Lydia
Hi Ryan & Alley,
I have relatives from Italy who will be in Canada in August and have expressed an interest in visiting Arizona. They want to visit Aug 6 – 11 and want to see Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon Skywalk / Grand Canyon area. I’m trying to determine the best itinerary for them as well as the best airport to fly into…Las Vegas or Phoenix. I’d love your help.
Thanks a bunch.
Lydia
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Hi Lydia and thank you for your inquiry!
The first thing I feel the need to point out is the difference between the Grand Canyon Skywalk/Grand Canyon West and Grand Canyon National Park. They are in fact two very distinct and separate areas, and not necessarily conducive to including in a single drive. Grand Canyon West, where the Skywalk is located, is a Native American Tribal Park about 2.5 hours drive (one-way) from Las Vegas. There are no hotels in the immediate vicinity of the Tribal Park save for a handful of cabins at Grand Canyon Ranch; your next best option would then be in Kingman, AZ, about 90 minutes away.
Before you plan on visiting Grand Canyon West, however, you should first prioritize Grand Canyon South Rim, the National Park, which is where the best views of the Grand Canyon can be had. These are the “picture postcard” views you’re expecting to see. Grand Canyon South Rim is ~4.5 hours drive, one way, from Las Vegas. An overnight stay, two if you can manage it, is sufficient to enjoy the park to the fullest.
From there, Monument Valley is approximately a 3-4 hour drive; Page/Lake Powell is about 2 hours from Monument Valley. From Page, the return trip to Las Vegas is ~4.5 hours, or you could also make a stop in Zion National Park for a night or two.
As you have probably deduced, I’d recommend Las Vegas as your “staging city” to fly them into and out of.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels to you all,
Alley 🙂May 29, 2018 at 3:33 PM
Telynn
Hey Ryan,
We are leaving Vegas very early on June 11 and driving to see the GC, then to Horseshoe Bend and ending the day with a tour into Lower Antelope Canyon. We plan to stay in Page overnight before continuing on to our next adventure Yellowstone). What would be the best part of the Grand Canyon for us to visit before coming to Page? It will be our first trip to the GC and Page area.
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Hi Telynn,
For first-time visitors to the Grand Canyon, we recommend the South Rim since there are more visitor facilities and a larger area of the Grand Canyon that is easily accessible to vehicular traffic. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, then 3.5-4 hours to drive from the South Rim to Page (factoring in stops). Advance reservations for all lodging and Antelope Canyon Tours are a must.
It then takes about 11 hours to drive to Yellowstone from Page, AZ, so you might want to break up the drive in Salt Lake City, UT or Idaho Falls, ID.
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 3:42 PM
Alijay
I am so glad I found this site. I am planning my Utah Arizona border trip this Sept.
The plan is to fly to Vegas on a Thursday and head east and make a round trip. I am hoping to hit Zion, Horseshoe Bend, Lower (or Upper?) Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and one day passing through the Grand Canyon. Is it possible to cover all of these sites (and perhaps Lake Powell) in about 6 (or 7) days?
Also, would driving to Grand Canyon first be better or Zion? Would love to “hike” a little.
If you also have lodging recommendations for one that are reasonable (or if either Airbnb or camper car be an option?) – that would be helpful.
I am hoping it won’t be over ambitious for a road trip.
Finally – for car rentals, would a regular sedan be doable or would you recommend a van or SUV?
I appreciate your suggestions in advance. 🙂
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Dear Alijay,
If it’s OK, I’m going to address your specific inquiries in reverse order.
RE: rental cars – pick whatever suits your family, needs and budgets best. If you have a large traveling party, a van or SUV might be more comfortable for you, but if you do get an SUV, that doesn’t give you carte blanche to take it off-road. Doing so would void your insurance policy and leave you liable for any damage you might sustain.
For lodging, honestly, it matters not what I “recommend” at this point. All that matters is what’s available. That will also be the determining factor as to whether you visit Grand Canyon or Zion first. Check Grand Canyon, and let the rest of your trip revolve and evolve around when you can find availability there. Grand Canyon hotels Air B & B type properties will be few and far between in and near the National Parks, but you can find a good selection of VRBO properties in Page, AZ. Most of them will require a 2-night stay minimum.
As for the Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon question, if you’re physically OK with doing Lower, that’s the one I’d go with. It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon to have a fulfilling visit to Page. With your extra time, I’d recommend the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This is a family-friendly raft trip that does not feature any rapids, but offers plenty of beautiful scenery.
Flying into and out of Vegas, you can easily do:
1 night at Grand Canyon South Rim
1 night at Monument Valley
2 nights in Page
1 night in Bryce Canyon
2 nights in Zion
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be aware that the Navajo Reservation and Monument Valley DO observe Daylight Savings Time while the rest of Arizona DOES NOT. You will “lose” an hour driving to Monument Valley from Grand Canyon South Rim or Page, but “regain” it passing from Navajo Land to non-Navajo land.May 23, 2018 at 3:37 PM
Jessica Sugar
Hello, I’m wondering what happens if there are ever cancellations? Thank you!
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Hi Jessica,
If you’re referring to cancellations for Wave permits, these are given away during the walk-in lottery held the day prior to when you wish to hike at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, UT.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 3:24 PM
_________________________________________
From Jessica Sugar
I was and thank you!
May 23, 2018 at 10:45 PM
Rani
Hi Alley,
Your itinerary suggestions have helped us chalk out a plan for our visit really well. Thanks for the same.
We have overlapped a lot of your suggestions as shown below. However we are undecided for Day 5 & 6. Is it better to skip Bryce and go straight to Zion on Day 5 OR skip Monumental Valley and add in Bryce plus Zion, so we have more quality time there and save driving time as well?
Day 1 (June 7):
Arrive in Las Vegas @ 8AM
Sightsee Las Vegas, stay the night
Day 2 (June 8) :
Drive to Williams, AZ via Hoover Dam visitor center
Hotel check-in?
OR
Drive straight to Grand Canyon South Rim
Lunch at El Tovar with reservation
Free shuttle to viewpoints on West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road
Sunset watch and stay in Williams
Day 3(June 9):
Drive to Monument Valley, UT (3-5 hrs)
Stop at Little Colorado River Outlook
Visit Cameron Trading Post / Navajo Taco 🙂
Stop at Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks OR Navajo National Monument / Sandal Hike / Puebloan Architecture
Stop at Tribal Park Visitor Center at MV for views
Stay at MV
Day 4 (June 10):
Guided tour of MV (Book in advance)
Drive to Page (2-3 hrs)
Antelope Canyon afternoon tour (Book in advance)
Stop at Horseshoe Bend, trail
Stay at Page, AZ
Day 5 (June 11):
Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (Book in advance)
Have lunch
Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (2-4hrs)
Stay at hotel
Day 6 (June 12):
Do horse or ATV ride at BC
Drive to Springdale UT / Zion National Park (2-3hrs)
Hike the Narrows (1 hour)
Stay at Springdale
Day 7 (June 13):
Drive to Las Vegas (3-5 hrs)
Depart to Atlanta @ 3:45pm
Craig Budde
Hi Ryan and Alley –
I’ve learned a lot by reading your suggestions! Would you be able to suggest an itinerary for 2 days (including all driving time round trip)? Three (3) people leaving early morning from North Phoenix – we are first timers and would like to tour Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon (in whatever order makes the most sense and staying at a cheap hotel one night maybe in Page). Also, any ideas on how to best experience the Grand Canyon, for example is there a partial hike in/out? Or a key spot part way in? Thanks!
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Dear Craig,
Frankly, you’re not allowing enough time to do this itinerary justice. It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to either Grand Canyon or Page. Then, it takes another 3.5-4 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon or vice versa. I know that Google maps gives the drive time from GC to Page as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens because there are so many viewpoints and other stops you’ll invariably end up making. You need to stay one night in Grand Canyon and 1 night in Page in order to experience enough “quality time” in both destinations, especially if you want to do any hiking in Grand Canyon. Otherwise, you’ll need to “sacrifice” one park as a “drive-by.”
As for “cheap” hotels, you probably won’t find any at this time of year. Even Motel 6 is going for $150+ per night right now. Spring-summer-fall are considered “peak” season and hotel rates will rise accordingly. If you’re looking to save money on your lodging costs, you might consider traveling in the wintertime. Yes, it’s cold, but most area attractions are open, and hotel rates drop considerably.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 3:23 PM
_________________________________________
From Craig Budde
Thanks Alley – we’ve settled on PHX direct to Antelope Canyon for a tour and then to Horseshoe Bend for late afternoon / sunset photos. Then a drive down to the GC for a one night stay with a hike next morning on South Kaibab Trail to Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge, lunch at El Tovar and then drive back to PHX. A full 2 days for sure but we have limited time and are accustomed to the AZ driving. Thanks!
June 02, 2018 at 10:29 PM
Rani`
Hi Alley,
Your itinerary suggestions have helped us chalk out a plan for our visit really well. Thanks for the same.
We have overlapped a lot of your suggestions to our visit given below. We are undecided for Day 5 & 6. Is it better to skip Bryce and go straight to Zion on Day 5 OR skip Monumental Valley and add in Bryce plus Zion, so we have more quality time there and save driving time as well?
Day 1 (June 7):
Arrive in Las Vegas @ 8AM
Sightsee Las Vegas, stay the night
Day 2 (June 8) :
Drive to Williams, AZ via Hoover Dam visitor center
Hotel check-in?
OR
Drive straight to Grand Canyon South Rim
Lunch at El Tovar with reservation
Free shuttle to viewpoints on West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road
Sunset watch and stay in Williams
Day 3(June 9):
Drive to Monument Valley, UT (3-5 hrs)
Stop at Little Colorado River Outlook
Visit Cameron Trading Post / Navajo Taco 🙂
Stop at Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks OR Navajo National Monument / Sandal Hike / Puebloan Architecture
Stop at Tribal Park Visitor Center at MV for views
Stay at MV
Day 4 (June 10):
Guided tour of MV (Book in advance)
Drive to Page (2-3 hrs)
Antelope Canyon afternoon tour (Book in advance)
Stop at Horseshoe Bend, trail
Stay at Page, AZ
Day 5 (June 11):
Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip (Book in advance)
Have lunch
Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (2-4hrs)
Stay at hotel
Day 6 (June 12):
Do horse or ATV ride at BC
Drive to Springdale UT / Zion National Park (2-3hrs)
Hike the Narrows (1 hour)
Stay at Springdale
Day 7 (June 13):
Drive to Las Vegas (3-5 hrs)
Depart to Atlanta @ 3:45pm
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Hi Rani,
Honestly, I’d keep your itinerary just as it is! I know it’s a hard choice as to whether to schedule more time in Zion at the expense of Bryce or Monument Valley, but you’ve planned it well, and hopefully made your tour reservations in advance.
The only “red flags” I see are for the first leg of your trip, is there any particular reason you’re staying in Williams instead of Grand Canyon Village? If it was due to lack of availability in the park, I understand that, but if you can possibly make a switch to a hotel inside the park or Tusayan/GC Village South 7 miles South of the park, that will situate you better to catch sunset and/or sunrise at the South Rim. If you stay in Williams, it’s 1 hour’s drive each way to the park, and driving at night is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to lack of supplemental lighting and the tendency of deer, elk and other wildlife to congregate around them after dusk. Something to consider. Grand Canyon South Rim Hotels
RE: the El Tovar dining room, reservations are not taken for lunch, it’s first-come/first-served. We strongly recommend you time your arrival there for 11:30 AM, right when the restaurant opens. The reason for this is because the Grand Canyon Railway pulls in at 11:45 AM, and once those passengers hit the rimside restaurants, you’ll find it nearly impossible to get a table.
Keep in mind that while most of Arizona does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time, the Navajo Reservation DOES, so you will “lose” an hour driving from Grand Canyon South Rim to Monument Valley. Fortunately, it doesn’t look as though you have anything time-sensitive scheduled for your day of arrival in MV. Upon returning to Page, you’ll “gain” the hour back as Antelope Canyon tour operators run on Page, AZ (Mountain Standard) time.
Be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass at the first National Park you hit on your trip. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. It does not work at Navajo Tribal Parks, but it will still pay for itself on this trip.
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 3:09 PM
Teresa
Hi Ryan!
So I’m planning on getting into Page in the afternoon on a Friday, and leaving Saturday late afternoon to head to Monument Valley. I already have both an upper and lower tour scheduled. Do you think also doing Canyon X will have us canyon-ed out? lol. Would it even be worth it to do all 3 or will upper and lower suffice. Also trying to decide if we have time to fit in horseshoe bend and a boat tour too. What do you think?
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Hi Teresa,
You are correct in that adding Antelope Canyon X to your already “well-slotted” itinerary would end up being somewhat redundant for you. In fact, we’ll take it a step further and suggest you narrow it down to one slot canyon. If you’re physically up for doing X or Lower, choose one of those. That will free up more time for you to enjoy more of what Page, AZ has to offer, including Horseshoe Bend and perhaps a boat tour. Re: the latter, a boat tour or kayak tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside will allow you to more fully appreciate Antelope Canyon’s length and complexity as it shows you where the creek empties into Lake Powell.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 2:07 PM
Catina
Hey Alley, I am so glad that I found your website and suggestions!
We live in Phoenix, AZ and my niece will be visiting us from NC in July.
We are looking to plan a 3/4 day trip to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend(and any other suggestions you can give).
We will be traveling by RV.
Question, from Phoenix should we start our trip with the Grand Canyon or Page?
Also, I am open to visiting Slot Canyon vs Antelope Canyon since it will be during July and I know that Antelope can get very crowded. I was looking at using Horseshoe Bend/Slot Canyon Tours??
I would appreciate any suggestions!
Thank you so much for your help!!
Catina
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Hi Catina,
The drive from Phoenix to Page takes approximately 4.5 hours; the same for the drive from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon. Which one you should hit first will probably depend on where you can find availability for an RV park site. July is HOT, so you’ll most likely want one with hook-ups so you can run an air conditioner.
At Grand Canyon, your choices are Mather Campground, which doesn’t have hook-ups, or Trailer Village, which does have hook-ups. In Page, the Page/Lake Powell Campground is conveniently located to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend and does have hook-ups. Wahweap Campground also has hook-ups, but is located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which puts you a bit further away from the main attractions of Page, but situates you well to go for a swim at Lake Powell or take a boat rental or tour. Lone Rock Beach is also a fun place to camp, but no hook-ups. Camping and RV options near Page, AZ
If you are considering other slot canyons besides Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon is certainly a viable choice and isn’t too hard physically. Other ‘contenders’ are Antelope Canyon X, Cathedral Canyon, Owl Canyon, and Wind Pebble Canyon, just to name a few. Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 2:02 PM
Carol
Hi Alley,
Great website, lots to see, so little time.
Our highlight of this 4 night family trip will be staying in page for 3 nights.
We will arrive from Mexico to Phoenix and drive to Sedona for our 1st night.
1) Any reccommendations at what to see and not miss in Sedona. We will arrive at about 7pm. Depart the next day early…. but can drive through anywhere you tell us is a must.
2) from Sedona to Page; do you reccommend either a) going through Sunset, Trading Post, Dinosaur and Horseshoe Bend (if yes, why and where to eat and what to see); or b) going through Grand Canyon Village, take a peek at GC, Trading Post, Horseshoe Bend.
And then arrive at Page for sunset.
3) we go to Antelope Canyon the next day to see Owl, Rattlesnake and Upper Canyon; should we also see other canyons i.e. X, Waterholes, Secret?
We are not really crazy about riding a boat or kayak…. where can we “enjoy” the view of Lake Powell without the on-water experience…. or it is a must?
Any suggestion for last day?
We return from Page to Las Vegas… we need to catch a plane at 3… however any suggestion to see on our way? Probably now is a good time to see GC? From where?
Thanks
We want to make the best out of this trip to this marvelous site
Thanks for your prompt response! We leave tomorrow
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Dear Carol,
Since your trip has already taken place, I’m not going to be much help to you, but hope to be such to future travelers to the area.
Sedona: you need at least 2-3 days to do justice to this area. The majority of those who stay only one night end up determining that timeframe to have been woefully inadequate and plan a future visit to catch the sights they missed. Highlights of Sedona include, but are not limited to, Oak Creek Canyon, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Tlaquepaque, Broken Arrow Jeep Tour, wineries, balloon rides and much more. VisitSedona.com
Another mistake IMO is not allowing for an overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, and if you’ve never been there, you should at least go see it. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to GC Village; it then takes another 3.5-4 hours to drive from GC to Page. I know that Google Maps gives the time frame for the drive from South Rim to Page as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens since there are so many viewpoints to stop at along the way. You could have easily dropped a night in Page and given it to the Grand Canyon, depending on availability of rooms, but trying to cram it in as a “drive-by” between Sedona and Page is less than ideal.
If you already have the Owl/Rattlesnake/Upper Antelope Canyon tour booked, it is not necessary to see other slot canyons. In fact, you’d probably find that to be somewhat redundant.
It is not necessary to take a boat in order to enjoy the views of Lake Powell. You can do so a quick trip on the Lakeshore Scenic Drive in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to get a sense of the lake’s size and beauty (although there is a $25/vehicle entrance fee to access this area), maybe have a small picnic on Stateline or Lone Rock Beach.
Even though you’re not keen on the prospect of water-based activities, I’d recommend setting those feelings aside to enjoy the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip . This family-friendly, smooth water rafting trip encompasses some breath-taking scenery and history, and is regarded as a “must-do” activity in the Page, AZ area.
Hope you had a good trip!
Thank you for visiting,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 1:54 PM
Josh
Thank you for your sincere commitment on helping these lost ppl including myself. I hope we could get your comment before we touch down in Phoenix in few hours!
Our plan is this,
1st day: arrive @ 3:30pm Sedona(cathedral rock-devils bridge) spend a night at sedona
2nd day: Page(horse shoe, antelop canyon lower) dinner at Mariannes? Sleep @ page
3rd day: Grand Canyon hike from south rim, sleep @ flagstaff
4thday: Grand Canyon activities(flight tour, maybe zip lime or mule ride) sleep at flagstaff
5thday: going back to airport at 2:00pm
Its for our first anniversary and we want to make the most out of it. Any suggestion for dinning, brunch, activities, filling in stop-bys, are super appreciated. If i dont get to hear from you in time, all of us are still grateful for your help!
Thx
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Hello Josh and congratulations on your anniversary!
From the looks of your inquiry, your trip has already taken place and we hope you had a wonderful time.
Still, I’d like to provide some observations after the fact in order to help future travelers to the area.
Sedona: you need at least 2-3 days to do justice to this area. There is so much to see and do here that most visitors who only spend a quick overnight find it to be woefully insufficient.
The drive from Sedona to Page, AZ takes approximately 3 hours, so get an early start if you’re wanting to accommodate both an Antelope Canyon Tour and a visit to Horseshoe Bend in a single afternoon. I am not familiar with a restaurant called Marianne’s in Page.
The drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim theoretically only takes about 2.5 hours, but in reality, it will take you more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours due to the abundance of of viewpoints and other points of interest that will no doubt pique your curiosity. Don’t be surprised if you find that by the time you arrive at Grand Canyon Village, you don’t have enough time for a hike, then you’re looking at a 90-minute drive to Flagstaff. Which brings me to another observation: staying in Flagstaff is not the best way to go about visiting the Grand Canyon. In the case of the original poster, they may not have had sufficient lead time to book accommodations inside the park, but for those who do, it is always most desirable to stay either at Grand Canyon Village (inside the park) or Tusayan/GC Village South (7 miles outside the park). This way, you’ll be close enough to the canyon rim to catch sunrise and/or sunset without doing too much driving in the dark.
Regarding Grand Canyon mule rides, these are sold out 1 year in advance, so doubtful one will happen for you this time around. As for zipline activities, this is something you can do in Flagstaff, but not Grand Canyon South Rim.
Airplane and helicopter tours should be taken first thing in the morning for optimal lighting and lack of wind.
Good luck and safe travels to all,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Dianna
Hello,
Me and my husband are planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, Horse shoe bend and a lake around there . We have all day Friday and Saturday and we would leave on Sunday. I love the 1 day itinerary you’ve put up but I was wondering should we add more stops (lakes, food, hikes ext.) and spread out the 3 ( Antelope Canyon, Horse shoe bend, and the lake tour) over the course of Friday and Sat or should we keep it as one day and spend one of the other days full of other tours.
My thoughts were that we would head out Friday morning do the one day intinerary you have posted then Sat we could do more exploring (any recommendations for Sat?) and Sunday morning we head back .
Does this sound good? If so any recommendations for Sat and if not what would your ideal itinerary be?
Thank you!
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Hi Dianna,
With 2 days time in Page, AZ, you can definitely accomplish a lot in addition to the activities suggested here. Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary Page, AZ As to the order you do them in, that will probably revolve around when you can find availability for Antelope Canyon tours (land side).
As for other activities to consider for your second day, suggestions include but certainly aren’t limited to:
Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour
Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip
Alstrom Point 4×4 Tour
White Pocket 4×4 Tour
Whichever you decide, be sure to book your hotel accommodations and tours in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 1:29 PM
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From Yana Leventon
Alley what do you reccomend if we have 4 days from Las Vegas if we only want to visit Antelope Canyon, Lake powell on a boat and maybe Zion or Monument Valley and get back to vegas or phoenix to fly home.No grand canyon. Whats the best route? We will stay on Lake Powel in a lodge and depending on which way we go on the way. Going August 18th returning 22nd. Please help with ideas where to fly into and what to see and return 22nd later in the evening to San Francisco. Thank you!!
yanka.sf@gmail.comJune 02, 2018 at 3:46 AM
William
Hi, Ryan and all,
Thank you so much for sharing with us the information right here. We are a family of four and planning for a trip to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and adjacent areas in late July this year. We will go to Grand Canyon by driving from La Jolla and have booked the Arizona Highlights Day Trip: Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Glen Canyon with River Rafting and intend to book one day Grand Canyon river rafting. For these two tours, we need to stay in Tusayan for two days and Peach Spring for two days as both of them start in early morning and finish in late afternoon. I just wonder and would like to seek your recommendations if we can stay in Page for one or two days instead to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell or even Monument Valley so that we can cut travelling back and forth and then stay longer in Grand Canyon and Peach Spring later on. Or we should join a 2-3 days tour covering these locations and activities?
Thank you!
William
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Hi William,
It’s six-of-one/half-a-dozen-of-another as to the best way to go about seeing these attractions, but the option that will ultimately give you the most freedom and flexibility is to self-drive.
The Arizona Highlights Day Trip, though it originates in Tusayan, takes you to Page, AZ, as you’ve deduced. Since you’re driving to Tusayan anyway, you could theoretically drive to Page, AZ and take part in these activities directly from there. The only downside is you’d have to coordinate the Antelope Canyon Tour and Glen Canyon Float Trip yourself with two different companies. That means factoring in logistics between tours, drive times, the possibility that Antelope Canyon tours might be sold out, etc. At least with the package tour you’ve booked, that’s all taken care of for you. BTW, the Viator Arizona Highlights Day Trip is also known as the Scenic Canyon River Adventure, and a cursory price comparison indicates that the Viator trip is more expensive. If you do decide to stick with the day trip, you might want to do a price comparison yourself to make sure you’re not getting taken advantage of.
You could then swing down to Tusayan/GC Village South, spend a night there, then head over to Peach Springs for the White Water Raft Trip. It’s really not necessary to spend more than two nights in Peach Springs once you do the raft trip. On your way back to La Jolla, though, you might consider stopping at the Grand Canyon Caverns.
Keep in mind that July will be HOT in all of these locations, so be sure to wear/bring plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 1:22 PM
Michelle Touriz
Hi! We are staying in Henderson, NV for a few days at the beginning of August and planning on driving out to Page, AZ. Looking for recommendations of places to see/visit along to way. We are taking I-15 North and according to map we’ll drive by St. George and Colorado City. It’s quite a drive, so we will be staying in Page overnight. Our plans in Page include Antelope Canyon, a boat ride from antelope point marina, and horseshoe bend. Anything else we should visit while in Page?
How about places to eat?
Appreciate your input.
-Michelle
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Hi Michelle,
You are correct in that the drive to Page, AZ from Henderson, NV is a long one. Fortunately, there are places you can stop at to break up the drive.
Valley of Fire State Park features amazing rock formations and is just a slight detour off I-15 near Glendale, NV. In reality, that particular place warrants a separate day, so a quick stopover won’t do it justice, but the option’s there. Near Mesquite, Whitney Pockets and Little Finland also offer some spectacular scenery, but would make for a long detour. Depending on recent road conditions, also, they may not be so easy to get to.
The Virgin River Gorge, just before St. George, UT, is quite dramatic and offers several opportunities to pull off and take pictures. The town of Kanab, UT is also a worthwhile stop for a little history, and maybe some shopping and a bite to eat.
At Mile Marker 19 on US89, the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools hike is an easy and scenic diversion. Just before you cross the Utah-Arizona border, the Big Water Visitors Center can keep you occupied for awhile with fascinating displays on dinosaur digs done in the local area.
As for restaurants, you’ll find everything from fast food to semi-fine dining and everything in between in Page, so you’ll be able to take your pick once here. TripAdvisor Top Restaurants in Page, AZ
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 23, 2018 at 1:08 PM
Lena
Hi, thank you for this great itinerary. Do you think there’s enough time to drive from the GC, see the sites in Page, then drive to Monument Valley all within the same day?
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Hi Lena,
It depends on the time of year you’re visiting. In the late spring through fall months, for example, daylengths are longer, so theoretically, with an early start, you could drive from GC to Page, hit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, then drive on to Monument Valley. In reality, however, we don’t recommend it.
First off, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page is ~140 miles. Driving direct, you could make the trip in about 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens, because there’s so much to see on the way that you’ll invariably end up making more stops than you plan for. There are over half a dozen Grand Canyon viewpoints you can visit prior to exiting the park on its Eastern border. After that, there are points of interest on Navajo Indian Land that will no doubt pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. The Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89 is a ‘don’t miss.’ As you head North on US89 toward Page, views of the Painted Desert and Echo Cliffs are worth your time, too. So, after all’s said and done (and photographed), don’t be surprised if you find it has taken you upwards of 4 hours to make a drive that normally would take only a couple of hours and change.
Once in Page, you should then allow 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend, then another 2 hours to tour Antelope Canyon, then you’re facing a 2 hour drive to Monument Valley.
If you absolutely have no choice but to do it this way, you can pull it off, but if your vacation plans still have room for modification, we would strongly recommend overnighting in Page, AZ, then heading to Monument Valley the next morning.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 10, 2018 at 5:51 PM
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From Natalie
Hi There,
I wish to round up a various group of friends(10-12) to reconnect with personally, not through electronic devices. Most in their 40’s. I was hoping to plan a day trip for us, due to personal/work restraints.
Do you have any recommendations for a group hike and/or picnic area that would help us reconnect and make the most of our limited time? Coming from Phoenix. Planning Miss June/August. I know it will be hot, but wanted advice.May 10, 2018 at 8:36 PM
Luca
Thanks so much for creating this site! I thought I’d ask for guidance. We will be driving from Grand Canyon South Rim and our intention is to check out of the hotel there in the morning and end our day at sunset at Monument Valley. So naturally we want to hit Page on the way…it seems that the best sequence of things would be Horseshoe Bend, then upper and then lower antelope before continuing our trek. Is that too ambitious? We don’t mind the drive – mostly I am trying to figure out how much time to allow for each site, and also hopefully some food at some point 🙂 Is there anywhere to eat around the canyons? If not, we may just get something on the road…
Thanks!
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Hi Luca –
Glad to hear that you don’t mind driving, because you’ll be doing a lot of it. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ if you drive direct, which rarely happens. There are many viewpoints of Grand Canyon South Rim and in the Navajo Indian Reservation you’ll invariably stop at along the way, so don’t be surprised if the drive ends up taking more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours. You can easily hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into Page, as it’s just a few miles South of town. The drive from Page, AZ to Monument Valley will then take you approximately 2 hours.
Due to the time you’ll be spending behind the wheel, I’d discourage you from trying to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. It is not necessary to tour both branches of the canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, and doing so may end up feeling somewhat redundant after all’s said and done. If you are fit enough to manage Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d stick with that. It’s recommended to allow 2 hours to tour Lower Antelope Canyon. You should also allow 60-90 minutes to tour Horseshoe Bend.
As for meals, a memorable stop would be the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 East and US89 North. The Navajo tacos are their “signature” dish. If you’re not hungry by that point, the Trading Post makes for a good bathroom break/leg stretch stop. Page, AZ would be the next available choice with the greatest number of restaurants ranging from fast-food to fine-dining. There are restaurants in Monument Valley, most of them attached to hotels. Speaking of hotels, be sure to make your reservations well in advance. You might have a better experience if you overnight in Page, AZ, then head to Monument Valley the next morning. Something to think about.
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 08, 2018 at 7:13 PM
Jeff
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?
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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.May 07, 2018 at 12:41 PM
Laura
Hi. The video is very helpful, thank you. Between March and end of September, what would be a better choice from a weather perspective?
Could a 8 year old visit the canyon?
Thank you!
Laura
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Hi Laura, and thank you for visiting us today!
Weather-wise, late September is the better choice. Temperatures are cooling, and the risk of monsoon storms is tapering off.
March is in that transitional period between winter and spring. Temperatures are still borderline cold, and early spring is notorious for late-season snowstorms.
As to whether an 8-year-old can visit Lower Antelope Canyon, yes, they are perfectly welcome, but there must be one adult for every child under 8 traveling in a single. A blogger recently posted about that very thing, you might take a look at her trip report.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 03, 2018 at 10:49 PM
Connnie
Hi, and thanks for the wealth of info, plus taking the time to answer questions! Totally appreciated!
We’re spending a bunch of time up in the Virgin, Utah area in September and wanted to visit either The Wave or Antelope Canyon. We’ve applied for the Wave, but that’s a long shot.
How far in advance would we want to book ahead for either an Upper or Lower canyon tour at Antelope Canyon for September? Are the tour groups pretty big? I ask because I see so many beautiful photos online but that would be hard to do if you’re in a large group… We don’t have a DSLR camera, so that tour is out.
What would be the best time of day at that time of year (I’ve made note that Utah observes DST while Arizona does not)? Would the upper or lower canyons be cool at that time or warm?
I have some respiratory limitations and can get winded with bike riding hills for example but I’ve looked at the video and, while there are some stairs, it looks like a lot of it is pretty flat and not at a rushed pace. Am I reading this right?
Thanks again!!
Oooooh! Maybe we should do upper and lower if we’re coming that far??
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Hi Connie and thank you for visiting us today!
We’ll definitely cross our fingers for you in The Wave lottery. As far as when to book an Antelope Canyon tour, now would not be too soon to make reservations if you’re coming in September. That’s a popular time for visitation to the Southwest US and tours are already selling out. As for the sizes of the tour groups, they’re anywhere from 20-40 people a pop, but the tour outfitters stagger their groups so that you’re not stepping on each other — not too much, anyway. If you want to avoid the crowds of Antelope Canyon, you might consider touring one of several alternate slot canyons, which offer scenery that is just as beautiful (some might even say moreso) and fewer people to contend with.
As for the best time of day, that’s generally regarded to be mid-day as the canyon will be best illuminated with the sun directly overhead (or close to). The canyons’ interiors tend to remain cool since the sun only hits the walls directly for only a few hours a day. Once you get past the stairs in Lower Antelope, the trail through the canyon does tend to be fairly even, but you might have to step over a few boulders. If you have the time to do both Upper and Lower, you won’t regret doing so, but it isn’t 100% necessary to do both in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page.
With one day in Page, you can tour Antelope Canyon, visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and maybe even do the half-day float trip from the base of Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry. Ultimate 24-Hour Itinerary in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂May 01, 2018 at 6:37 PM
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From Connie
Thank you!!!
May 01, 2018 at 8:53 PM
dan
Hi Alley,
Thank you for being so patient and thorough in reading and answering all the comments on your website.
We will be driving from Moab through Monument Valley and spend the night in Page on the 10th of September. We plan to visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook and the Lower Antelope Slot Canyon the following day before we continue on to Jacob Lake.
I am hoping to get your expert opinion on what places to visit in Page to get the most out of our day. What is the best time to go to the the slot canyon and the overlook? Will it be better to get the first hour tour of the slot canyon in the morning then drive to the overlook or the other way around?
There are 6 of us in our group between the ages of 50-65 and an amateur photographer in our group who’s hoping/wanting to take pictures of this beautiful area you call home.
As you mentioned in your website, book a tour ahead to get the time slot we want. Any suggestion will be very much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Dan
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Hi Dan and thank you for stopping by.
You know, I think another member of your party wrote me at about the same time — is anyone in your group named Gina? LOL
Since you are coming into Page from Moab via Monument Valley, you should first be aware that the drive will take anywhere from 5-6 hours. As I advised Gina, you might want to stop Gooseneck State Park just Northeast of Monument Valley, as well as the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit at the Burger King in Kayenta, AZ. Of course, don’t forget the “Forrest Gump” shot on the backside of Monument Valley.
With an early enough start out of Moab, you might be able to hit Lower Antelope Canyon on your way into Page. It’s right on your way on US98 just Southeast of town. Even if you were to catch one of the later departures of the day, the light and colors of the canyon would still be beautiful. It would most likely still be busy, but that’s kind of a given these days, especially at the time of year you’re visiting. There are two tour companies operating directly from the Lower Antelope Canyon entrance, both offering trips of identical length, logistics and price. Time permitting, you might even be able to squeeze Horseshoe Bend Overlook into that same day. Sunset occurs shortly before 7:00 PM in September. If that doesn’t work, plan on hitting Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town the next morning since it’s a) it’s right on your way and b) open 24/7 and you can visit it whenever you wish.
If you find yourself with extra time to work with, other activities/sites you might consider include, but aren’t limited to:
– The John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum
– The Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge & Carl Hayden Visitors Center
– The “New” Wave
– The Page Rim View Trail
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful time!
Alley 🙂
P.S. On your way to Jacob’s Lake, be sure to swing by Lees Ferry. You can actually drive down relatively close to the Colorado River and dip your feet in it! Albeit for a short time… water’s cold. Time permitting, you might also take a walk to the Lonely Dell Ranch and historic site. The orchard there still produces fruit, which people can pick – it may be just about ripe by the time you visit.May 01, 2018 at 6:02 PM
Gina
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
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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.May 01, 2018 at 5:45 PM
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From Gina
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
May 06, 2018 at 12:04 AM
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From Charlie Kelly
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.
July 03, 2018 at 12:28 PM
Thomas
Hi Alley,
am so glad to stumble upon your site… I am planning a trip to visit the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in November. My initial plan is to drive from Vegas to Page on Day One, spend a night there and move on to the Grand Canyon on Day Two and spend a night there, and on Day Three to drive back to either Vegas or Phoenix to catch a late night flight to Orlando. Can u give me some suggestions on the itinerary as this will be our first trip there! Thank you in advance!
Thomas
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Hey Thomas,
Suggestion #1: make more time! There is so much to see in this area that you could spend a week here and only scratch the surface. But, if 3 days is all you have, then, that’s the way it is.
The drive from Las Vegas to Page takes approximately 4.5 hours. With an early enough start, make the slight detour through Zion National Park. Without reservations in the park, you would not be able to take your vehicle on the main scenic drive, but you could still have an enjoyable trip on the sections that would be open to you. Upon leaving Zion, make a stop in Kanab for a bathroom break/leg stretch or even a meal. There are lots of good restaurants to choose from, but the Kanab Creek Bakery seems to be a big hit these days.
Heading East toward Page, at Mile Marker 19, you’ll find the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstools Trail. Worth a stop for a fairly easy and scenic hike.
Again, with an early enough start, you can accomplish all this and get in an Antelope Canyon tour late that afternoon before settling in at your hotel.
As you head to the Grand Canyon the next morning, hit Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town. As you head South through the Navajo Indian Reservation, you may encounter roadside kiosks where the tribe members sell jewelry and other wares. You can also do some souvenir shopping, or have a meal, at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of US89 and AZ64. Turning West on AZ64, you’ll enter Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point. Stop at the Watchtower, as well as at the half-dozen-plus viewpoints along the East Rim Drive before arriving at Grand Canyon Village. The drive from Page to GC typically takes 2.5 hours driving direct, but that rarely happens what with all the stops you’ll inevitably make. Plan on spending anywhere from 3.5-5 hours realistically.
The next morning, get ready to drive to Phoenix with a detour through Sedona, AZ. Here again, you won’t be able to do much, but you might be able to squeeze in a Pink Jeep Tour or a stop at Tlaquepaque.
Hopefully this sounds like a fun and doable itinerary. Before you commit to it, though, make sure your rental car costs for picking up in one city and dropping off in another won’t be cost prohibitive. I’ve heard that if you book from overseas, they waive the drop-off fees, but am not positive, so do check on it. Secondly, be sure you make ALL reservations in advance of your arrival, for hotels, tours, everything. You may have heard that November is considered “off-season” in this part of the US, but that really isn’t the case anymore.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 29, 2018 at 1:30 PM
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From Thomas
Hi Alley,
It’s finally happening…we are due to embark on the GC/Page journey like u suggested. Leaving on Nov 9 from Vegas, we will stop by Zion National Park/Kanab/Paria Rimrocks and Toadstools Trail b4 heading to Lower Antelope Canyon, the thing is, I was just wondering, if I were to book the last tour for the day, the 3.30pm, would there be sufficient sunlight to enjoy the full beauty of the Canyon?
Also, as we make our way from Page to GC Village the next day, and stop by the places u suggested, what time do u think should we ideally reach GC Village?Thank you once again….
October 05, 2018 at 6:30 PM
Komal
Hi! I am so happy I found your website because I need some serious guidance.
I am flying into Phoenix Tuesday night, August 7 and flying out Sunday night, August 12th.
This is my plan thus far:
Stay in Phoenix Tuesday night.
Drive to the Grand Canyon Wednesday morning.
Stay at the GC Wednesday night and Thursday night.
Drive to Antelope Canyon Friday morning (figure out a time to see the Horseshoe – I’m thinking about the Canyon tour)
Stay in Page Friday night.
Drive to Sedona Saturday morning. Spend the day. Not sure what to do. Maybe go to a vortex, the desert.
Spend the night in Sedona.
Sunday afternoon drive to Phoenix. Spend the day there and fly out at night.
Any recommendations are welcome.
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Hi Komal, and thank you for visiting our site.
Your plan actually sounds quite good! The only change I’d recommend making is dropping one night at the Grand Canyon and either spending it in Page or Sedona. Odd as it may sound, most people find that one night at the Grand Canyon is quite sufficient, especially in cases like yours, where you’re going to Page afterward. You’ll end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page since it will require that you travel out the East Rim/Desert View Drive. There are lots of good viewpoints on this drive, plus many points of interest after you exit the park and enter Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. Be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89, at least for a bathroom break/leg stretch, or even “brunch” of Navajo tacos. Going direct, the drive from GC to Page takes ~2.5 hours, but with all there is to see, most people end up taking ~3.5-4.
Since Horseshoe Bend Overlook is just South of Page, you can easily stop there on your way into town. Be sure to make all reservations, for hotels, Antelope Canyon tours, etc. in advance of your arrival. If you take us up on the suggestion to spend another night in Page, you could do the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or a Lake Powell Boat Tour on your second day. If not, then head to Sedona. As for what to do there, there’s no shortage of beautiful sights and fun activities. For guidance, go to www.VisitSedona.com
The drive from Sedona to Phoenix would then take about 2 hours.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 28, 2018 at 2:38 PM
Kristie
Hello There
We will be traveling from Zion National Park, Springdale area to the Flagstaff area towards the end of June. I would really like to try and fit Antelope Canyon, Upper or Lower, into the plans but I’d like to know if this is doable?
If so do you recommend the Lower or Upper Canyon? and which company to tour with?
We are only checking into a hotel that evening in Flagstaff for our Grand Canyon Railway trip which is the next morning. Thank you for your help!!
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Hi Kristie –
So are you traveling from Springdale, UT to Flagstaff, AZ all in one go? If so, you’ll need to get an early start out of Springdale in order to fit Antelope Canyon into your plans. It takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Springdale to Flagstaff. Page, AZ is almost exactly at the half-way point (~2.5 hours from Springdale). Whether you book Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon boils down to physicality: Upper is an easy, flat 100 yard walk; Lower is longer and requires some stair-climbing and light boulder stepping. Full video Lower Antelope Canyon walk-through As to which company to tour with, all the companies offer virtually identical tours, right down to the footsteps (and the penny). Go with whoever has availability at your desired time. Remember, too, that while Utah DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, Arizona DOES NOT, so you’ll “gain” 1 hour as you pass from Utah into Arizona. Antelope Canyon tours all operate on Arizona time.
Allow 2-2.5 hours for your Antelope Canyon tour, then time permitting, you can hit Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way out of town. Flagstaff will then be about 2.5-3 hours drive from Page depending on how many stops you make.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 28, 2018 at 2:31 PM
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From Kristie
Alley
Thank you very much for your information. I was able to book a 10:30 tour 🙂April 30, 2018 at 6:55 PM
Tricia Oakes
Hi
I’m sort of doing a hybrid of the 7 day tour you have mapped out here. My question is : I will be flying into Phoenix and driving up to Williams. Staying in Williams for 3 nights and using it as a base to visit Grand Canyon. I probably waited too long to make my accomodations, therefore, the reason for staying in Wiliams (actually a VRBO cabin outside of Williams). I plan to leave the cabin on day 4 (July 7) and travel to Bryce. I have 3 grandchildren with me (ages 10, 13 and 15). I believe Williams to Bryce is too much / long of a drive for all of us. I need an overnight stay. My thoughts are to drive either to Page (seems to be the shorter distance) or to Kanab (a little bit longer drive) and spend the night. Up eary to drive to Bryce. So, I have basically 1 day in Bryce which would be July 8. I plan to leave Bryce on July 9 and travel to Zion. Will be in Zion for 9,10,11 and leave early on the 12 for Vegas and fly home on July 13th.
What would your suggestion be – stay in Page or Kanab? And how could we use our time wisely and see the most of Bryce as we can? Thanks!!!
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Hi Tricia, great question!
As you have seen, Grand Canyon lodging does tend to book up quite far in advance, but thankfully, Williams isn’t that far a drive (~1 hour). Just make sure you get your sightseeing done well before sunset so you avoid driving in the dark. Sunset occurs at about 7:15 PM in July.
That said, I believe you’ll find 3 nights to be too long. Most families like yourselves find 2 days to be plenty of time to have a fulfilling visit to the Grand Canyon. What’s more, you can do a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive to Page. If possible, I’d recommend dropping one night in Williams and spending 2 nights in Page.
On your first sightseeing day, concentrate on Grand Canyon Village Historic District, then take the free shuttle out to the viewpoints on the West Rim/Hermit’s Rest Road. Then when you get ready to head toward Bryce, drive into the park once again, then take the East Rim/Desert View Drive out of the park. Along the way, you can stop at one of a half-dozen plus Grand Canyon overlooks, including, but not limited to, Pipe Creek Vista, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Lipan Point, Zuni Point, and finally Desert View Point and the Watchtower before exiting the park. In Cameron, at the junction of AZ64 and US89, plan on stopping at the Trading Post for at least a leg stretch/bathroom break and maybe even brunch. The Navajo tacos are awesome! Upon leaving Cameron, head North on US89 to Page, stopping at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town. With an early enough start, you might also be able to get an Antelope Canyon tour in, but these too must be reserved well in advance. Stay at a hotel or VRBO property , then the next day, take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. In July, you should choose the morning departure as afternoons tend to get very hot.
Since Bryce Canyon is a relatively small park, one day is sufficient for most families to see it. Good call on 3 nights in Zion, though. You’ll be glad you did that.
Long story short, I’d suggest Page over Kanab as a place to break up the drive from Williams to Bryce, but you can certainly stop in Kanab on the way to Bryce if you wish. Kanab Creek Bakery comes highly recommended as a breakfast stop.
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful vacation!
Alley 🙂April 27, 2018 at 2:05 PM
Elizabeth B.
Hi,
My brother and I will be driving in from Zion in mid-May and just have that one day in Page before driving onward to Texas. I expect that we’ll get on the road by 7 or 8am with a 3 hour drive to Page. I’m looking at tours of Upper Antelope Canyon, and it looks like our best option is either at 2:30 or 3. What would you recommend for our one day? We would like to see Horseshoe Bend as well, but I wasn’t sure if sunset that day or sunrise on our drive out of town would be better. Our Airbnb host also recommended Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon or the Rim View Trail that’s near where we’re staying, but I mainly wanted to see one of the Antelope Canyons unless you think the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon would be of similar experience. We are open (hiking, kayaking, boating, etc) as long as we get to some beautiful canyons!
I appreciate your help!
Thanks,
Elizabeth
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Hi Elizabeth, and thanks for stopping by.
If you can get a reservation for Antelope Canyon (Upper or Lower), I’d recommend sticking with that, and letting the rest of your plans kind of “evolve” around it. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon, though beautiful in its own right (and certainly less crowded), does not feature that “iconic” slot canyon scenery that Antelope Canyon is so famous for. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (formerly known as “Secret” Canyon) tends to be one long slot, no “chambers” like Antelope Canyon.
As for when you should visit Horseshoe Bend (the Overlook), there’s really no such thing as a “bad” time to go, but since the ‘Bend faces West, it will be in shadow and the sun will be in your eyes during sunset. You might want to hit it on your way out of town as you make the drive to Texas. Even if you were wanting to drive into New Mexico via US98 Southeast (vs going down US89 then connecting to I-40 in Flagstaff), it would be just a short detour. Sunrise in mid-May occurs at about 5:15 AM.
As for that walk on the Rim View Trail, you could fit that in later in the afternoon after your Antelope Canyon tour. The beauty of that trail is that you can make the hike/walk as short or as long as you wish. Either way you go, it’s a nice trail, and as the name suggests, offers great views of the lake (although no lake access).
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂April 26, 2018 at 1:13 PM
Tee Goh
Thanks very much for this info. I have been wanting to do something like this for a long time, with some adjustments. I am wondering why you did not recommend a stop at the Grand Staircase Escalante Natl Monument since the routing goes right past it. I am also thinking of making it a 10-12 day itinerary.
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Dear Tee Goh,
That is an excellent question, and you are right, our proposed itinerary takes one right past Grand Staircase-Escalante!
There were several reasons why we didn’t actively promote it in this piece, one being that its future is uncertain what with the current government’s proposed reduction of its size, and intentions of splitting it off into 3 different monuments: the Grand Staircase, Escalante Canyons and Kaiparowits Plateau.
The main reason, though, is the ruggedness of the terrain, which certainly has a strong appeal for many visitors. But, for the average family driving a rented vehicle they cannot take down an unpaved backcountry road, with young children, seniors or anyone else who’s not a hard-core hiker in tow, it’s just not feasible to really delve that deeply into it. For those with the time and inclination, though, opportunities abound for exploration and discovery. If nothing else, the drive from Bryce Canyon to Torrey (Capitol Reef National Park’s gateway community) via Scenic Byway 12 is absolutely stunning.
Hope that answers your question sufficiently and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Since you have more time to work with, check out this piece on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com on 14 Days in the Grand Circle!April 25, 2018 at 6:29 PM
Shannon
Hi! Just curious, why do you discourage nighttime driving in the area??
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Hi Shannon,
That is a really good question.
Northern Arizona is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the Southwestern U.S.. In fact, a good chunk of it is either Indian Reservation land or part of a National Park or Monument of some sort. As such, highway and street lighting is kept to a bare minimum, and folks around here like it that way! Flagstaff, Arizona, for example, about 140 miles South of Page, AZ is recognized as an International Dark Sky Community.
Once the sun goes down around here, it gets REALLY dark, and driving from one town to another (and there’s usually quite a long distance between towns in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah) can be quite a scary experience. Throw deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife in the mix and that only compounds the danger. So – that’s why we encourage those visiting the area to keep wheels on the road while the sun’s still in the sky!
Hope that helps.
Have fun and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 25, 2018 at 6:10 PM
Lynn B
I might have missed this, but how many miles did you end up traveling (with a start and end in Vegas)?
This is a great plan!
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Hi Lynn,
Nope you didn’t miss it, I am ashamed to say I didn’t think to include the mileage figure: it’s 973!
Have fun 😉
AlleyApril 24, 2018 at 9:05 PM
Laurie
My husband and I are both overweight, are there areas that are very narrow to get through? Watching the video it is hard to get perspective in a few places of how small the trail gets?
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Hi Laurie and thanks for your question.
The area you might find troublesome is the entrance to the canyon where you have to climb down in. Forward to the 2:05 mark on this video to gauge whether you’d be able to manage it. If it helps, many people who are more generously-proportioned have enjoyed this tour without a problem. The issue that tends to come into play more often than one’s size is claustrophobia, but the narrower sections are usually short. Once you get through them, the trail widens out sufficiently to alleviate any concerns.
Hope that helps 🙂
AlleyApril 23, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Lorraine
Hi Alley! Your website is extremely helpful! We live just west of Phoenix, and we have seen the south rim a bit. We have a couple visiting from NYC at the beginning of May and will be taking my 9 year old daughter. Unfprtunately, we only have 2 full weekdays, but I was hoping to take them to the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, maybe the New Wave. I am thinking about camping overnight, but might be easier to stay at a hotel. Anyway, my thoughts were: Thursday am: drive to south rim, then drive to Page, stay overnight, and Friday, do Antelope Canyon tour and Horseshoe Canyon, drive back. We have to be back by Saturday 9 am. Do you think this is feasible with our 9 year old? As i believe you mentioned, we have to hike 12 miles at Horseshoe Canyon. We could alternatively do some of the activities backwards. We will have a regular sedan.
Thank you for all your thoughtful responses on this page. It has been useful! Any tweaking or recs or thoughts on New Wave would be great!
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Hi Lorraine and thank you for your compliments!
Unfortunately, your timeframe is too limited IMO to accommodate both destinations. You’re talking about way long drives by trying to cram both Page and the Grand Canyon into your trip.
The drive from Phoenix to the South Rim takes approximately 4.5 hours; you’re then facing about a 3-4 hour drive to Page. I know Google maps gives the figure as 2.5 hours, but that’s driving direct, which rarely happens on that route. There are a lot of scenic overlooks, points of interest, etc. that will no doubt pique your curiosity. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up driving in the dark through some of the most remote country in the U.S., which is rarely conducive to an enjoyable vacation. The drive back from Page to Phoenix is another 4.5 hours.
Honestly, if your guests from NYC have never been to the Grand Canyon, I’d suggest dropping Page and concentrating on the Grand Canyon. After all, it is a “must-see destination” and if they aren’t able to return to the area in the foreseeable future, they’d most likely regret not spending enough time there to do it justice. If they have been there, and are satisfied with what they’ve seen/done, then drop GC and concentrate on Page. Whether you do Grand Canyon or Page, you’d still be looking at ~4.5 hours driving time each way, but that would at least give you some quality time at your destination.
One thing: the hike to Horseshoe Bend is NOT 12 miles! It’s ~1.2 miles round-trip. I think a period must have been accidentally omitted 😉 You can hit Horseshoe Bend on the drive to Page just South of town, as it’s right on your way. The “New” Wave is a short distance outside of town. To get to it, you would cross the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, then the road veers sharply to the right. Almost immediately, you’ll see an unmarked road that crosses US89. Turn left, then almost immediately, turn right, park your vehicle wherever you feel safest doing so, then you could spend 1 hour or so exploring around.
One “caveat:” if you encounter any signage stating “no admittance” or forbidding you from going any further, please obey it. The road is unmaintained and can wash out if rain or snow has recently occurred. Also, the “New” Wave should be a “time permitting” thing and not a “must-do.” Prioritize Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, then if you have time, pop over to the New Wave. If you’re running late, skip it.
Better yet – modify your schedule so you can free up an extra night so you can visit both the Grand Canyon and Page without trying your road tolerance and/or that of your daughter.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 22, 2018 at 5:47 PM
Ma
We are planning to visit middle of June, but with a big group, families from cali. Not sure how many, but we have kids ranging from 5 and up as well. There will be about 25+. What’s the best way to do…this? Do we have to have reservations and tour guides? Are there camping grounds we can set up and stay in?
Any info would be greatly appreciated. We are excited to experience this as a family.
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Dear Ma,
Hello and thank you for visiting us today!
With a group that size you definitely need to have advance reservations for everything – tours, accommodations, etc.
RE: camping, you may want to rethink that, especially in the Page, AZ area as daytime high temperatures in June will be very hot. A traditional hotel or vacation rentals may be more comfortable for you as they will have comforts such as air conditioning and proper beds. Vacation rental home could potentially save you even more money as you would be able to do your own cooking in a fully-equipped kitchen.
If you do prefer to camp, there is a decent selection of both tent and RV campgrounds in the Page, AZ area, but again, given the size of your group, advance reservations are a must.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. An activity your family would probably enjoy is the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Children 4 and up are welcome to take part and there is no danger as the stretch of river is devoid of rapids.April 21, 2018 at 8:58 PM
Jill Romano
The description of the author is priceless!
Julie
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
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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 🙂April 20, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Joe McDermott
Hey there,
So much info here. I am looking at getting into Page May 5th from flagstaff and staying until the 7th. I would like to do Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend, Lake Powell, and the Grand Canyon. I will get into Page in time to see Horseshoe bend on Saturday. But looking for advice to hit the rest..
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Hi Joe and thank you for visiting our site!
The Grand Canyon is a totally separate area from Page. It warrants a night’s stay of its own to do it justice. To see it as a “day trip” from Page requires a 3-hour drive – each way – timed so that you don’t end up driving back to Page in the dark. If you have no other option than to do it that way, then you automatically forfeit one of your sightseeing days in Page. Try to arrange it so that you can at least spend one night at the South Rim. Grand Canyon hotels.
Push comes to shove — and again, this is totally a “last resort” recommendation — since you’re coming from Flagstaff, if you get an early start, you could visit Grand Canyon South Rim en route to Page.
The drive from Flagstaff to GC takes 1.5 hours; the drive to Page would then take about 3. Again, avoid driving in the dark at all costs since roads around here are so poorly lit.
You could then hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town before checking into your hotel. The next morning, you could then do a Lake Powell Boat Tour and tour Antelope Canyon. As to the order in which you hit them, that depends on availability of tours. Check Antelope Canyon tours first, then schedule the rest of your day around that.
Hope that helps.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 20, 2018 at 1:52 PM
Noel
Hi Alley-
Hope all is well. We are planning to visit GC and surroundings in Mid June (6.12 – 6.18). I am sure the weather will be very mild. We’ll be arriving on 6.12 at night in LV. Thinking to stay 3 days in Flagstaff so it’s closer to visit GC and surroundings. Our schedule to visit; South rim, Horse shoe bend, Antelope Navajo, Cathedral rock trail, Devil bridge and may be Zion or Bryce canyon in Utah. Do you think, we schedule enough time to do all of that? Beside that, what do you think staying at airbnb in flagstaff? Do you think it is worth it, to buy “America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass”?
From 6.16 to 6.18, schedule to visit Phoenix, Tucson and surroundings. Any recommendations, since we are from East Coast.
Thanks.
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Hi Noel and thank you for visiting our site!
Not sure what you consider “mild” weather, but in areas like Phoenix, Tucson, and even Page, “mild” could mean daytime high temperatures above 100 Fahrenheit! As for Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion, that description would tend to be more accurate as temperatures will range between the ’70’s-’80’s due to the higher altitude of those locations.
Another suggestion: try and see if you can stay at Grand Canyon South Rim and Page instead of Flagstaff. It takes 90 minutes each way to drive from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon, then 2.5 hours – again EACH WAY – to drive from Flagstaff to Page. Staying closer to these locations would make for a much more comfortable time, and allow you to avoid driving in the dark, which we strongly discourage in this part of the country. Page, AZ Hotels Grand Canyon Hotels
The Devil’s Bridge Trail is located in Sedona, which is only about 30-45 minutes from Flagstaff, so staying in Flag to visit that location isn’t too bad, but most Sedona visitors end up wishing they’d spent more time there, along the lines of 3 days.
If you do end up visiting Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell, then buying the America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass would be a wise purchase. It would pay for itself on this trip.
As for visiting Phoenix and Tucson, again, these areas will be very hot, so you may want to skip them.
Hope that helps. Have a great time!
Alley 🙂April 18, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Katherine
Hello Alley,
We are planning our trips to Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon on May. We will fly to Las Vegas and stay for 2 days there. On May 14, we will drive from Las Vegas to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon. We will stay in Page (close to Lone Rock Ct.) for one night, and drive back to Las Vegas on May 15. There are 7 adults, and we will rent two vehicles. I don’t know if we need to book a tour for any of these places in advance. We have no idea which one we should go first. I appreciate if you can give me some advices for our trips.
Thank you!
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Hi Katherine and thank you for your inquiry!
Unfortunately, you’re planning to cram too much driving in a very short time.
The trip from Las Vegas to Page takes approximately 4.5 hours. The drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim, going direct, takes 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens as there’s a lot to see on the way from one place to the other. A more realistic figure ends up being 3.5-4 hours. All that traveling will cut things too close to sunset, and we strongly discourage driving in the dark in this part of the country.
With the limited time you have, I would advise either a. dropping one night in Vegas so you can spend the night at Grand Canyon South Rim, or b. if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, drop Page and concentrate on the Grand Canyon. If you do opt to visit Page and tour Antelope Canyon, then an advance reservation is an absolute must for that.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 18, 2018 at 8:40 PM
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From Katherine
Hello Alley,
Thank you so much for your advices. I think we might take Grand Canyon out of our plan. Then it will be Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. We probably leave in the early morning from Vegas, and drive to Page, and in this case we should arrive page in the early afternoon, and we can go either Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, then in the next day morning, we can go the other one. After lunch, we drive back to Vegas, and we should be able arrive Vegas before sunset. Does this sound a reasonable plan? I checked https://www.antelopecanyon.com and tired to book a tour for Upper Antelope Canyon, however, it shows sold out for both May 14 and May 15. Is there another website I can book the tour? If we don’t book a tour in advance, and just go directly to Upper Antelope Canyon, are we be able to get a tour in the entrance?
Thank you again for your help!
April 19, 2018 at 3:23 AM
JD
Hi there, hoping to get some advice on how to best schedule an itinerary from Sedona to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. I have a 5-day itinerary (end of May) and wondered about Days 2 and 3:
Day 1: Fly into Phoenix and drive to Sedona. Afternoon and overnight here.
Day 2: Drive to the Grand Canyon early morning and spend half a day. Drive to Page for the afternoon and try to see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe bend. Stay overnight in Page.
Day 3: Perhaps do a Lake Powell excursion or hike surrounding area in the morning if it isn’t too rushed. Drive back to Sedona mid-afternoon. Stay overnight in Sedona.
Day 4: Sedona all day. Overnight here.
Day 5: Drive back to Phoenix for my flight out.
Alternatively, wondering if I should drive to Page from Sedona on Day 2 and try to get in Antelope canyon and Horseshoe bend. Then drive from Page to the Grand Canyon for sunset, overnight, and sunrise. Spend about half the day here before driving back to Sedona for the afternoon and the rest of the day.
Would appreciate your thoughts.
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Hi JD and thank you for your question.
We never recommend trying to cram the drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon then Grand Canyon to Page in a single day. The trip from Sedona to GC takes ~2.5 hours; the drive to Page from GC theoretically takes 2.5 hours as well, but that figure rarely materializes since there is so much to see on the drive from GC to Page. A more realistic figure is ~4 hours.
Instead of splitting up your visit to Sedona as you have proposed, I would recommend this:
Day 1: fly into Phoenix (hopefully sometime in the morning?) and drive to Page, AZ, about a 4.5 hour drive. Overnight in Page
Day 2: Tour Antelope Canyon first thing in the morning, then hit Horseshoe Bend on the way out of town as you make your way to Grand Canyon South Rim. Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon.
Day 3: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, maybe stopping in Flagstaff en route, overnight in Sedona.
Day 4: Activities in Sedona, such as Pink Jeep Tours, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Airport Mesa, some hiking, stay in Sedona a 2nd night.
Day 5: Drive from Sedona back to Phoenix (~2 hours drive) for your flight out.
I think that would make for a much more relaxed and pleasant experience for you. Hope that helps. Be sure to make your hotel and tour reservations well in advance of your arrival.
Alley 🙂April 18, 2018 at 8:34 PM
Liana
Hi, do you think it would be possible to do this whilst holding a nearly 2year old?
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Hi Liana,
Possible, but probably not advisable. There are many rock overhangs that could strike a child being held by a parent (or in a backpack carrier) in the head. We’d hate to see that happen 🙁 Upper Antelope Canyon would be the safer way to go, and is still a beautiful sight. Just be sure to make reservations well in advance of your arrival.
AlleyApril 18, 2018 at 8:26 PM
Peter V
Hey Alley,
My wife and I are planning a summer or early fall week in Page. Flying into either Las Vegas or Phoenix. We’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Monuments and Lake Powell. Other than Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, what else is within easy driving distance of Page
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Hi Peter and thank you for your inquiry!
Since you’ve already been to Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, aka, the attractions frequently visited using Las Vegas as a “base,” I would suggest flying into Phoenix and visiting some of the parks and scenic areas between it and Page. First on the list, IMO, should be Sedona. It’s only 2 hours from Phoenix, and has enough to see and do to reasonably occupy 3 days. Visit Sedona Other areas worth a stop include, but are not limited to, Flagstaff (for the Lowell Observatory, Museum of Northern Arizona, Riordan Mansion, Arboretum, Walnut Canyon, etc.), Montezuma Castle/Well and Tuzigoot NM’s (which are accessible from Sedona, too), the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Meteor Crater and the “Standin’ On The Corner In Winslow, Arizona” tribute statue in the town of the same name.
Another suggestion, if you’re inclined, is to try for a walk-in permit for The Wave. You would do this at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, UT the day before you wish to hike. While the odds are slim of you actually getting one, in the likely event that you don’t, you can find plenty to see and do in the area, like take a tour to the White Pocket Fold, or some of the attractions around Kanab, such as Mystical Slot Canyon, Peekaboo Gulch, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, just to name a few.
Regarding the timing of your visit, since Phoenix is still rather hot during the later part of summer, definitely try and time your trip for the fall, at least until after the kids are out of school, so you’ll just be amongst grown-ups (usually 😉 while you’re out touring.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂April 18, 2018 at 8:24 PM
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From Peter V
Alley,
Thanks for the quick response and the many suggestions. Can’t wait to visit your beautiful area and doing some kayaking while out thereApril 23, 2018 at 12:14 AM
Brian
Helllo we will be in the Wahweap RV resort for five days starting April 25th. After reading about the area, Canyon X , Horseshoe bend(secret canyon) and Cathedral sound interesting to me. I would also consider the 1/2 day float trip and a boat trip to Rainbow bridge. We are also golfers so would consider a round of golf. Would you recommend doing any, all 3 of the canyons or possibly just the lower antelope canyon. We do like somewhat adventurous hiking but would really like to make sure we see what would be considered the “best “ canyon visually. Thanks
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Hi Brian and thank you for your visit.
With 5 days to work with, you have a rare opportunity to get into some amazing scenery. The slot canyons are only a small part of it!
First off, seeing more than one slot canyon really isn’t necessary to have a fulfilling visit to this area. If you’re physically up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon and can get a reservation for it, then stick with it. Otherwise, Canyon X and/or Cathedral Canyon would be the “alternates” I’d pick, in that order.
The water-based activities like the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour and the Glen Canyon Float Trip would need to be done on separate days due to the departure times of the two tours in April, so there’s 3 days gone.
If you like golf, the Lake Powell National Golf Course is right in the town of Page and probably has the best view of any golf course in Arizona! I myself don’t golf, but from what I’ve heard, the course is not particularly fulfilling, but it is challenging.
If you’re looking for other activities to fill your time, you might consider a scenic airplane or helicopter tour from the Page Municipal Airport, or perhaps a 4×4 tour to White Pocket, or just take some downtime — Wahweap RV Resort is right by the lake, so you’re in the perfect spot!
Hope that helps you get started. Be sure to reserve all your tours and other activities in advance of your arrival.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 18, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Maria Turner
I would like more information on the two day trip.
Thanks!
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Hi Maria,
Tell us specifically what information you need and we would be happy to advise you!
Alley 🙂April 17, 2018 at 7:21 PM
shannon
Hi, my sister and I are planning a trip to Page and Antelope Canyon. We are definitely interested in the Kayaking tour but I’m wondering, will we see all of Lower Antelope Canyon the same as we would with one of the foot tours? We were looking at the Hidden Canyon Kayak tour (4 hours). Or would we need to schedule a foot tour in addition to the Kayak tour? We want to see as much as we can without having an insanely packed day. We are driving in the evening prior and staying the night of – May 10th would be our outing day. Any recommendations of what all to squeeze into the day?
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Hi Shannon,
The scenery on the kayak tour of Antelope Canyon and the walking tour of Lower Antelope Canyon are completely different. That’s not to say that they’re not both worthwhile, but for the “classic” slot canyon scenery that has been made so famous in pictures and postcards, you’ll need to do the walking/foot tour. The perspective on the kayak tour is of the waterside of the canyon, where it connects with Lake Powell.
As for what else you should try and see, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is a definite must. Depending on your itinerary, you might hit that on the way into town if you’re coming in from the Grand Canyon, or on your way out of town if you’re heading that way after leaving Page.
Other sites worth visiting include but are not limited to the Glen Canyon Dam and Steel Arch Bridge, the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum, the “New” Wave, the White House Overlook, Lakeshore Drive and Lake Powell Resort.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
Alley 🙂April 17, 2018 at 7:21 PM
Freeman Wu
Hi there!
My family and I are hoping to visit Antelope Canyon in early May. I myself have been to both Lower and Upper Canyon, and my family doesn’t have very strong preferences over which one to visit, but my brother is hoping to bring my 5 month old niece on the tour, so I was wondering if you had any suggestions on the type/kind of tour you’d recommend for parties traveling with an infant. My gut tells the Upper Canyon would probably be more doable, since it doesn’t involve all those stairs, but I’ve been looking for different Upper Canyon tours and it doesn’t look like all of them accept infants. Any insights/suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!
Freeman
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Hi Freeman,
With a baby that age, you would definitely want to stick with Upper. The tour companies do accept infants, but you’ll need to be prepared to supply a car seat. For safety reasons, the tour companies are limited on the number of kids under 6 they can take on a tour (3), so your best bet is to make an advance reservation and if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to contact your chosen tour company by phone a few days before you’re set to take the tour. Another suggestion is request that the baby and parent be seated up front with the guide in order to minimize any hazards from the jostling they might otherwise receive in the back of the truck.
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:32 PM
_________________________________________
From Freeman Wu
Thank you so much for your insights, Alley, I really appreciate it!!!
Freeman
April 17, 2018 at 10:39 PM
JD
Hi, Alley,
Thank you for your itinerary. It is exactly what I am looking for. I plan to have a trip from June 1 to 10. I will travel with my 9-years daughter from Cincinnati to arrive late night at 8:20 PM in Las Vegas. I will mainly follow your itinerary with slight adjustment, instead of stay one night at Grand Canyon, I am thinking to stay two nights at Grand Canyon, which means, spend a entire day to explore those points that you suggest to stop on the way heading to Monument Valley:
Grand View
Zuni
Moran
Lipan
Desert View Watchtower
etc
Any advise are welcome.
Thanks
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Hi JD,
With a 9-year-old in tow, you want to be careful to avoid overscheduling your itinerary.
Since you’re arriving late to Las Vegas, I’d plan on spending the night there, then heading to Grand Canyon first thing the next morning. There really isn’t much for folks under 21 to do in Las Vegas.
While you’re in Page, be sure to plan on touring Antelope Canyon, visiting Horseshoe Bend, and perhaps taking the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip.
Best regards for safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:23 PM
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From Jiandian Ni
Alley,
Thank you for your advise. I skipped the Monument Valley entirely to have more time on other places.
Roughly here is the plan:
6/1 Arrive at Las Vegas from Cincinnati, Oh
6/2 Drive to Grand Canyon
6/3 Stay in Grand Canyon
6/4 Morning, drive to Page
Reserved Lower Antelope tour at 12:30 (Check in 12:00)
Reserved Upper Antelope tour at 3:00 PM (check in 2:30)
Visit House bend
6/5 Float Trip in Glen Canyon
6/6 Morning, drive to Bryce
Horseback riding (To be reserved)
6/7 Drive to Springdale
6/8 Hiking
6/9 – 6/11 In Las Vegas. The flight takes off at 3:40 PM 6/11I have not booked the hotel in Springdale. I may drive back to Las Vegas after hiking in Zion 6/8. How do you think?
Thanks
JDApril 18, 2018 at 7:57 PM
Peter
Hey Ryan
My wife and I are planning a trip to Page. We can fly into either Las Vegas or Phoenix. We’re planning on staying for a week. Is there enough there to do for that length of time. We’re planning on going to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend and doing some kayaking. We’ve already been to the Canyon, Bryce, Zion and Lake Powell. What else is there to do?
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Hi Peter and thank you for visiting our site!
With one week to work with, you can certainly experience some other sites besides the ones you’ve already been to. Moab, Utah, for example, offers enough to do to warrant 3 days of your time. You might also consider spending some time in Sedona, AZ. If you like hiking, you may want to try for a walk-in permit to The Wave. Only 10 permits per day are given out in this manner the day prior to when you wish to hike, but you certainly seem to have the time to spare, and if you get lucky, you won’t regret it.
Have fun and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:19 PM
Debra cysiewski
Hello Ally!
I’m doing some research on this area and wondering if you can answer a few questions.
I see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon closes mid October. At the end of November, would we be able to do any touring in the area of Antelope Canyon? If not is there anything else of interest in the area that time of year?
Thank you!
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Hello Debra and thank you for visiting.
Antelope Canyon is located near the town of Page, Arizona, which is a totally separate area from Grand Canyon North Rim and open year-round. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is also open all year, and for a first-time visitor, that’s the side of the Grand Canyon we recommend seeing.
As for other sites you might consider including in your vacation, depending on how much time you have, you could also tour Monument Valley, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park.
Hope that helps. Best regards and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Hannah
Hi Alley/Ryan,
I am planning to arrive at Page between 4-5 pm and will stay at Hyatt Place Page/Lake Powell. My goal is to visit the Horseshoe Bends and the Antelope and Grand Canyon. Will it be possible to complete all of these attractions by 5 pm the next day.
Thank you for your expertise advise!
Hannah
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Hi Hannah,
Not knowing your full trip plan (when you’re visiting, where you’ll be coming from before arriving in Page, whether you’re flying into Las Vegas or Phoenix, from overseas or the US, etc.) it’s hard to advise you with 100% confidence. On your day of arrival, you could hit Horseshoe Bend provided you arrive before sunset. You could then tour Antelope Canyon first thing the following morning, then head to the Grand Canyon immediately afterward. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon, if you drive direct, but that rarely happens. There are a lot of points of interest you’ll inevitably end up stopping at on the way, so it’s not unheard of for a 140 mile drive to take 3.5-4 hours. The main thing is to be sure you avoid driving in the dark due to the lack of artificial/supplemental lighting on local roadways and the presence of deer, elk and other wildlife.
Good luck and safe travels.
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:12 PM
Toni
Hi there,
I live in Mesa and am planning a trip for may 4-8th to page. Unlike most people on here I would like to camp. I was wondering about a place to make base camp and then from there go to all the different places. There will be a group of us of about 8. Definitely want to do Horshoe Bend and a canyon tour. I have been reading on canyon X and secret canyon and then a few others that are three canyons on the same tour. Then the rest is up in the air. Possibley kayaking at Lake Powell. Can you please make suggestions on camping and then possible itenerary for our time frame and maybe some additional suggestions. We would like to see as much as possible in that time in that area and along the way but without being rushed.
Thank you so much!
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Hi Toni and thanks for this excellent question!
I’m assuming that by “camp,” you mean tent camp and not RV camping. Fortunately, there are several options for tent and RV camping in the Page/Lake Powell area. The Wahweap/Lake Powell Resort campground is the nicest, IMO, since it’s within walking distance of Lake Powell, has a nice view, and offers easy access to the dining outlets and other activities. Lone Rock Campground is also right on the lake, but restaurants and stores are further away. Page/Lake Powell Campground is located in Page itself; the views aren’t that great, but it’s just minutes away from Antelope Canyon, Antelope Point Marina and all the conveniences of the town.
While you’re here, you should also plan on visiting Horseshoe Bend Overlook, the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center (maybe take a tour), then do a couple of day hikes in the area. Be sure to plan for some “unscheduled” time to just relax, unwind and discover.
For more good information and tips, be sure to visit our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 16, 2018 at 8:05 PM
Muhammad Irfan
Hi Alley Keosheyan ,
The site is really interesting and informative. We (my wife) plan to stay one night at Vegas and then next day to Grand Canyon and Antelop. Also staying in Grand Canyon or Antelop (no idea where to stay), for next day trip. So in total 2 days and one night. We can’t self drive. Suggestions required please. Also we plan to leave for Chicago on second day evening or night.
Thank you.
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Dear Muhammad,
Hello and thank you for your compliments.
With the limitations you describe (not being able to drive and having only 2 days to spend), your don’t have many options. Tours are out there that can accomplish your goals, but you may have to modify your plans somewhat, especially the bit about flying out to Chicago on your 2nd day. The majority of package tours will return to Las Vegas too late to accommodate that, and even if they did, interruptions to the schedule could arise such as an accident on the highway or heavy traffic. It would be best to stay another night in Las Vegas, then fly out the next morning.
Overnight tours typically have lodging included, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. The tour that sounds most conducive to your trip goals and timeframe is TakeTours’ 2-day Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon Tour. Tours4Fun offers a similar program.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Alley 🙂April 14, 2018 at 3:50 PM
Imma
Hi hi!
I will be travelling to LAS very soon and we have rented a car for visiting the area.
I am arriving to Page in the afternoon so I will be visiting The Horseshoe on that day 29/04.
I want to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley on 30/04. Not sure if I could do both Upper and Lower in the morning and then heading MV? Upper takes 90min but can you please confirm how long the Upper takes? In case these fits in one day, can you please confirm if starting with Lower would be more convenient?
I am planning to sleep in Page on 29/04 and visiting Gran Canyon on 30/04.
Can you please help me and let me know if this is feasible or crazy?
Thank you very much!
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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 🙂April 14, 2018 at 4:02 PM
Phillip L.
Hi,
First off, this site is incredibly helpful! Thank you! Given your experience, I would like your advice:
I fly into Phoenix next Saturday, April 21, arriving at 1 p.m. I will then drive to Page directly and spend the night at a hotel. As such, I have all day Sunday free. I want to see the “must sees” in your 1 day itinerary but not sure how to best go about it. At the minimum, I want to see Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell (I believe my hotel has a view? or closeby? Its the Hampton Inn) and Antelope Canyon. I am leaning towards the Lower Canyon and also want some really good photos. I was reading about Canyon X too as an alternative since that is less crowded. Should I do that instead or try to do Lower + Canyon X? I plan on driving back to Phoenix on Monday but I can do anytime (preferably late morning) so I could theoretically squeeze something in the morning too.
Many many thanks!
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Hi Philip and thank you for your compliments!
If your flight arrives on time, it will probably take an hour or so to pick up a rental car, get your luggage, etc., so plan on leaving Phoenix between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. Sunset at the time of year you’re visiting is about 7 PM, and we strongly discourage driving after dusk due to lack of artificial lighting on local roads, and the tendency of nocturnal wildlife to congregate around them. If there is enough light left when you pull into Page, you might stop at Horseshoe Bend on your way into town. If not, then plan on seeing it the following morning. Your hotel is fairly close to the overlook. Antelope Canyon is also fairly close by, about 15 minutes from Hampton Inn, East on US98.
Regarding which slot canyon to tour, it’s not necessary to do more than one in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. Antelope Canyon X bears enough of a resemblance physically and visually to Lower Antelope Canyon in order to render good photos, so if you’re keen on dealing with less crowds, I’d do X and call it good.
As for your hotel having a view of Lake Powell, that won’t be the case. The Hampton Inn is located on the Southern edge of town, and while you may have a nice view of the surrounding rock formations depending on where you’re placed, you still have to drive ~20-25 minutes to get to Lake Powell.
If you have the time and/or inclination to “squeeze” another activity in en route back to Phoenix, you might consider swinging through Sedona, AZ. The scenery there is beautiful, but it will add another 90 minutes-2 hours onto your drive time.
Have a great trip and thank you again!
Alley 🙂April 13, 2018 at 1:23 PM
_________________________________________
From Phillip L.
Alley,
Thank you so much! After considering your thoughts and more research, I am leaning towards the below but still have a few questions:
I will drive straight into Page after Phoenix. From there, I will take it easy for the night. The next morning (Sunday), I plan on going to Horseshoe Bend then taking a Hiking Tour (or a Photography tour) of Canyon X. There are still lots of availability for Lower Canyon but I think Canyon X is better. I tried googling and no avail but do you know if there are any affordable photographers in town to help take photographs? I want some really good photos and do not have a professional camera. I was only able to find extremely (and I’m sure well deserved) expensive professional photographers for weddings, etc. but I was just looking for someone that knows what angles to take, how to take photos in that setting, etc. that is affordable.
If I take the photo tour, I should be done by early afternoon (2 p.m.). Is there anything else I should do in town (boat ride on Lake Powell) or should I drive to Sedona/Phoenix? Would it be safe to drive back there given the wildlife situation at night (or is that only driving into Page)? I currently have a hotel booking in Page that evening but can change based on the above.
Thank you so much again!
April 16, 2018 at 1:47 AM
Amy
Hi Alley,
this itinerary looks wonderful! I learned about many hidden gems in AZ that I didn’t see from other itineraries.
I am planning for a 7-8 day trip in late May, and I really want to include Sedona in this trip. So I modified your suggested plan and the following is the draft.
D1. Phoenix (early afternoon arrival)-Sedona
D2. Sedona
D3. Leave for GC in the morning, thinking about staying at the north rim lodge. It still has availability.
D4. Spend morning in GC, leave for MV around lunch
D5. MV Tour in the morning, leave for page
D6. horseshoe band / antelope, white pocket, leave for Bryce
D7. Bryce.
D8. Bryce to LV or Phoenix. Will determine based on the flight ticket price
Does this plan look reasonable? We will not do any evening/night driving. I feel like I should drop one of these – MV /Bryce/Sedona. I’ve only been to GC (long time ago) and all the other places are new to me. If my trip should be 7 days, which one do you think should be dropped? I’m more prone to skip GC, but skipping Bryce looks more reasonable given the total driving hours (then I think I’ll do the rainbow bridge boat tour!).
I’d appreciate your opinion on this schedule. Thank you so much in advance!
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Hi Amy!
Thank you so much for your compliments.
First off, I’d recommend switching your plans from the North Rim to the South Rim, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. Not only does it make more sense given your plans to fly into Phoenix, it also has more to offer in the way of lodging, restaurants, and activities. The drive from PHX to the South Rim takes about 4.5 hours; the drive to the North Rim takes about 6.
2 nights in Sedona is a good call as there is a lot to see and do there.
On Day 6, you have “White Pocket” in your plans, along with Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and leaving for Bryce. This won’t happen, I can guarantee you. White Pocket is an activity that will take the better part of the day. Also, it’s not recommended for a “self-drive/hike.” The so-called “road” there goes through some deep sand and getting stuck isn’t uncommon. It’s best to go there with an authorized tour outfitter like Paria Outpost & Outfitters. Another consideration, is that Bryce Canyon is a relatively small park. One night is sufficient for most people to have a fulfilling visit there. As for where to fly out of after visiting Bryce, Las Vegas would be the more convenient option. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Bryce to Las Vegas, whereas it takes about 7.5 hours to drive from Bryce to Phoenix.
Before you commit to this plan, be sure you check drop-off fees for rental cars. Hefty surcharges for dropping vehicles off anywhere other than where you picked them up from are standard procedure in this part of the country.
Hope that helps! I know it’s a tough choice. Please don’t hesitate to to contact us again if we can be of further help.
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Jillian
Hello, I have found your site very helpful so I thought maybe you would have some suggestions for my trip. My friend and myself will be drive up to Lake Powell on 4/27 from Southern California and will stay there until 4/29. I have already booked a room at the Lake Powell Resorts, we wanted to check out the Lower Antelope Canyon and the Horseshoe Bend, yet I’m not sure how much time we will actually have.
Thank you
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Hi Jillian and thank you for visiting our site!
With 2 days to work with, you should have no problem visiting both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
Assuming that “Southern California” means LA, the most direct route would have you go North of the Grand Canyon to get to Page, but you also have the option of going the Southern route on I-40, through Joshua Tree, via Kingman and Williams AZ (old Route 66), then North from Flagstaff. This will allow you to hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into Page, AZ. However, this has you bypassing the Grand Canyon, which you may not want to do.
Lower Antelope Canyon can be visited whenever there is availability for tours and/or when it best fits your schedule. Keep in mind that mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to visit, but those time slots are probably booked up already. Simply take the time slot that has availability and appeals to you most — there is no such thing as a “bad” time to visit. Another consideration is that Lake Powell Resort is located about 30 minutes away from the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance, and the tour outfitter will probably require that you check in about 30 minute prior to your actual tour departure, so be sure you factor the drive time into your scheduling.
Hope that answers your questions sufficiently! If not, don’t hesitate to contact us again 🙂
Alley
P.S. For more valuable tips and information, visit our sister site, HorseshoeBend.comApril 12, 2018 at 9:33 PM
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From Jillian
Thank you so much Alley,
We have actually decided to drive to Las Vegas on Thursday night, so we don’t have to make the whole drive in one day. With that said we will get to Page early on Friday, I already have the hotel and tour for the Lower Canyon booked, what else would you recommend to do? We have already been to the Grand Canyon so we do not need to go there.
Jillian
April 18, 2018 at 10:39 PM
Manish
Hi,
We are starting our trip from Phoenix on Saturday and we need to return back to Phoenix by Monday noon to catch the flight. On this trip we are planning to visit Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Sedona (ATV ride). It is indeed a short trip to cover all these beautiful places. I appreciate if you can help us to finalize this itinerary.
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Hi Manish and thank you for visiting our site.
You are correct in that you don’t really have enough time to do your “wish list” justice, but you can make it happen with a bit of advance planning.
It takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim. If possible, do your packing on Friday night so you can get a good early start on Saturday morning. Spend the night at the park Grand Canyon hotels , then get an early start on the drive to Page, AZ Sunday morning. The drive, going direct, typically takes about 2.5 hour, but that rarely happens. There are about half a dozen viewpoints on the Grand Canyon enroute to Desert View, including Horseshoe Bend, as well as many interesting stops along the route from Cameron to Page that you’ll surely wish to stop at. If possible, try and book a tour for Antelope Canyon Saturday afternoon, then spend the night in Page, AZ.
On Monday morning, get an early start out of Page, AZ, then head to Sedona, AZ to do your ATV ride. It is about a 3 hour drive from Page, AZ to Sedona, then another 2 hours from Sedona, AZ to Phoenix.
If this sounds like you could cut it a bit close, you are right. If you don’t want to take the risk of missing your flight, then take one of these activities/places off your list, or perhaps consider moving your flight back to the evening.
I do hope that helps. Take care and don’t hesitate to contact us again if we can be of further assistance.
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 9:22 PM
Erin W
Hi Ryan!
Couple questions. I will be departing las Vegas on 4/27 and have two nights stay in Page, AZ. Is there anything you can recommend we can see on our drive from Vegas to Page on 4/27? Is stopping at Zion or Bryce too ambitious?
We plan to do an antelope canyon tour and leaning towards the lower canyon. What the best time to visit ? Any recommendations on a tour company?
Lastly, are there any boat tours for Lake Powell?
Thank you!
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Hi Erin and thank you for visiting our site!
Normally, the drive from Las Vegas to Page takes ~4.5 hours. Detouring through Zion is feasible, but will add some time to your drive, especially in light of recent news about the park’s overcrowding problem. I wouldn’t recommend detouring all the way to Bryce, that will turn a 4.5 hour drive into an 8 hour one easily. Unless you can add another night to your vacation, or change your plans to spend one night at Zion and one in Page, I’d stick with your original plan.
Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to visit, but those are also the first time slots to sell out. Take whatever time slot appeals to you and/or is available. There really is no such thing as a bad time to visit. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Lake Powell Boat Tours start running regularly on 4/15, so you should have your pick of the full range of offerings. Rainbow Bridge is a pretty much a full day undertaking; shorter tours, such as the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise or the Canyon Adventure Tour are also fulfilling.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 9:14 PM
Raffaella
Hi Ryan, I’m keen on dancing and I like to take videos of my dance at every place I visit as memories. They are all for myself not for commercial, and usually are about a minute. Can I also do it in antelope canyon and do I need to fill the form as well? Thank you so much and best regards. Raffaella
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Dear Rafaella,
Wow, that’s a good question! For a definitive answer, I would recommend asking the tour company you plan to use to go into Antelope Canyon directly. This may or may not be in conflict with their religious or other beliefs in regards to Antelope Canyon.
Good luck,
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 12:05 PM
Mindy
Hi, I’ll be in Bryce for a race on 6/2nd and drive to Antelope canyon after race. I have about 2-3hr early AM on Sunday. I would like to do a tour (1st tour available in early AM) cause I have to drive back (about 6hr drive back to Salt Lake international Airport) my flight leave 6pm
And I want to do a lower tour.
What would you recommend?
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Hi Mindy,
I would recommend booking a hotel in Page, and a Lower Antelope Canyon tour ASAP! Pack your things the night before and try to get on the first departure of the morning so you have plenty of time to make your flight out of SLC. Remember that you’ll be hitting I-15 during rush hour.
Good luck!
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 12:03 PM
Rose Miranda
Hello! We are a family of 4 our kids are 10yrs old and 13yrs old. We would love to visit Antelope Canyon, we will be driving up from Tempe, Az. Which location would be more beneficial for us? Lower or upper and would Page be the best place to stay verses Sedona or Flag? Which tour would you recommend? We are not experience hikers but we can manage. Any other recommendations for our crazy Az roadtrip? Thanks for your help!
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Hi Rose and thank you for visiting our site.
To get the most out of your experience, I would recommend staying in Page, AZ for at least 2 nights if you can manage it. If for some reason you can’t secure accommodations in Page, then Flagstaff would be your next best option; however, it’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Page, so any sightseeing would require an early start in the morning, then timing the return trip so you’re not driving in the dark. Sedona is about 3 hours away, so the same requirements would apply.
As for which Antelope Canyon tour to do, if you’re all reasonably fit, then Lower would be the one I’d recommend. It does involve some stair climbing and stepping over a few boulders. To determine whether it’s appropriate for your family, watch this Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon
While you’re here, be sure to visit the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and if you have time, enjoy the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip.
For other ideas for getting the most out of your trip, check out The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 12:27 PM
John E Dobbins
Ryan, thank you for the awesome video!
Fran
Are service dogs allowed?
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Hi Fran,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry, but yes, service dogs are allowed with proper documentation. However, do your homework as to the physical requirements of all local slot canyons before committing. Many involve some steep staircases, trail hiking and/or boulder scrambling, which may or may not be practical for your dog. Your dog must also be leashed at all times and you must be prepared to pack out their waste.
Hope that helps!
Alley 🙂April 12, 2018 at 12:00 PM
Caroline
Thank you for your video, this is really helpful !
I am wondering, what was the camera you were using in order to film this video ?
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Hi Caroline!
That video was made before I began helping out on this site, but I will try and find out and contact you personally with whatever answer I am able to discover 🙂
AlleyApril 08, 2018 at 2:42 PM
CONSEIL
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.
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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, www.HorseshoeBend.com
Have a great day, and an even better trip!
Alley 🙂April 06, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Silke
Hi,
We are planing on staying on Page from Friday to Sunday next week and we would like to see upper and maybe lower Antelope canyon. We have a 1 1/2 half year old son traveling with us. Is it okay to take him on a tour? He would probably ride in a child back carrier with my husband all the time. Is there any particular tour you can recommend to do with children? Thanks,
Silke
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Hi Silke and thank you for your inquiry.
With a toddler, I would strongly recommend touring Upper and sticking with that. Lower Antelope Canyon involves some stair climbing, boulder scrambling and has some potentially dangerous overhangs that might strike a child in a backpack carrier in the head. On the Upper Antelope Canyon tour, a buckboard truck ride from the point of origin to the entrance of the canyon is involved. That part of the trip is potentially bumpy. You might inquire if your guide will permit one parent and the child to sit in the cab of the truck so as to avoid injury.
Hope that helps and have a great day!
Alley 🙂April 06, 2018 at 5:50 PM
amalesh
Hi
I want to tour Grand Canyon, Monument valley, Antelope, if possible(zion and bryce). I am planning with my wife and a kid of 2 yrs. I know driving but it will be single driver. So want to check if any good tour company within $2000 budget for 2Adult and 1 kid.
Is it possible ?
I checked for Bundu Bus hop on hop bus but it doesn’t show any reservations from GC to Page or Page to Bryce, Zion etc. It only shows Vegas to GC and GC to Vegas.
Can anyone tell me how should I plan ?
You can contact me directly amalerchithi@gmail.com
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Dear Amalesh,
Hi and thank you for visiting our site today.
First off, I wouldn’t recommend using Bundu as I’ve read some pretty bad reviews about them in the past. There are other tour companies whose programs would fall within your budget, but their itineraries will be very rushed and require a lot of time on the road. This may not be ideal for a family with a 2-year-old. Driving yourselves would offer your family more freedom and flexibility to explore at a slower pace, and on your own terms.
If a guided tour is indeed the way you prefer to go, Take Tours is one company that offers a 2-day package that includes everything on your “wish list.” Take Tours 2-Day Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Antelope Canyon Tour from Las Vegas
Viator also offers a 3-day package that includes everything on your list except for Bryce, but their site indicates this tour is only offered during the off-season. Viator Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Zion 3-Day Tour from Las Vegas
Please note that our providing you with the information about these tours does not constitute an endorsement in any way and that choosing one of these or any commercial tour offering is done at your own risk.
Good luck and let us know how you get on,
Alley 🙂
P.S. For more tips and information about traveling in the American Southwest, visit our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com!April 04, 2018 at 5:04 PM
mel
Hi Alley,
I have 3 days trip. My family is coming from Tucson ( Univ. of Arizona) and plan to visit Antelope Valley and need to be back in LA by Monday evening. Can you give us suggestions for planning our trip. Thanks
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Hi Mel and thank you for visiting our site!
Due to the fact that you’re starting your trip in Tucson, this is going to make for a long drive at the beginning of your trip and another long drive at the end.
With 3 days to work with, I’d recommend driving from Tucson to Page, AZ on Day 1. It’s going to be at least a 6 hour drive, but could stretch to about 8 due to the scenic nature of the drive and inevitable sights that will pique your interest. “Must” stops on this drive include, but certainly aren’t limited to, Sedona, AZ, Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post, the “Cut” scenic overlook and the Horseshoe Bend Overlook.
On Day 2, do a tour of Antelope Canyon in the morning, then start driving to Grand Canyon South Rim. The drive takes about 2.5 hours if you go direct, but here again, that rarely happens since there are many Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at on the way into Grand Canyon Village, the main commerce area in the park. Stay at Grand Canyon South Rim, either inside the park (GC Village) or Tusayan/GC Village South. Grand Canyon hotels
On Day 3, start driving back to LA, which will also take you about 8 hours. If you can possibly free up another day, you might break up the drive to LA in Las Vegas, Laughlin or Bullhead City.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 04, 2018 at 4:53 PM
Carolyn
Hi Alley,
Husband and I are visiting Las Vegas & Arizona in Sept. driving from Las Vegas to Page on Monday morning and flying out of Phoenix on Friday evening. Wanting to stop at horseshoe bend, antelope canyon etc, then drive down to Phoenix via Sedona. Do you think 5 days (Monday afternoon to Friday afternoon) is enough time? What would you recommend to see after leaving Page?
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Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for visiting our site today!
With 5 days to work with, you certainly can accomplish a lot. Before you commit to the plan to fly into Las Vegas and out of Phoenix, I would verify what rental car drop-off fees will be like. They can be pretty hefty for dropping vehicles anywhere other than where you picked them up. If you do proceed with that plan, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1, Monday: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park (~3.5 hours), overnight in Zion National Park, or Springdale, Utah Zion National Park Hotels
Day 2, Tuesday: Drive to Page (~2 hours), tour Antelope Canyon, overnight in Page Page, AZ Hotels (scroll to the middle of the page)
Day 3, Wednesday: Drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5 hours), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way Grand Canyon hotels
Day 4, Thursday: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona, overnight in Sedona Sedona hotels
Day 5, Friday: Drive from Sedona to Phoenix (~2 hours)
If you have already been to the Grand Canyon, then I would recommend taking that night and giving it to either Page, AZ or Sedona, AZ.
Hope that helps! Be sure you reserve all your hotels and Antelope Canyon tours well in advance of your arrival.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure you plan on purchasing an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this pass grants you and your traveling party access to all the National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. It’s not valid at some State Parks, and Native American Tribal Parks (like Antelope Canyon), but it would still pay for itself for you on this trip.April 02, 2018 at 9:54 PM
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From Carolyn
Fantastic suggestions Alley, thank you very much. Will research your suggestions further. Can’t wait for this trip, should be awesome!!
April 03, 2018 at 7:30 AM
Navish
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the excellent 1 day itinerary suggestion.
We were planning to do the South Kaibab Trail head upto Cedar Point in South GC and then drive up to Page. I reckon we would be there by 3 or maybe 4:30 and probably take the 3:30 or 5 oclock boat tour; then go to horseshoe bend for sunset perhaps?
Would this be feasible? Also, is it rather recommended to do the boat tour in the morning or any time of the day is good? Our travel dates are 28th April – 29th April for the above.
Thanks!
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Hi Navish, and thank you for visiting.
You may want to rethink your plan a bit.
Driving up to Page after doing the hike to Cedar Ridge may not be the best plan. The hike to Cedar Ridge takes anywhere from 3-4 hours round-trip, and keep in mind, the latter half of the hike, you’ll be going uphill on a very steep trail, not to mention managing the logistics of having to take the hiker’s shuttle to the trailhead and back to your vehicle. Then you’re proposing to make a 3+ hour drive, make the walk to Horseshoe Bend (which is nothing compared to the South Kaibab Trail, but still will take a couple hours of your time), then do a 2+ boat tour? Honestly, I don’t think this will happen.
Depending on your fitness level, and how accustomed you are to uphill hiking, after you complete the trip to Cedar Ridge, you may not be in any mood to do anything other than go back to your hotel room and sleep. I’d recommend staying at the South Rim, then making the drive the Page, AZ the next morning. The drive to Page takes 2.5 hours going direct, but that rarely happens since there is a lot to see en route, including the Grand Canyon viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, roadside kiosks where the Navajo Tribe sell their jewelry and other wares, just to name a few. Horseshoe Bend is then located just South of Page, so you can easily stop there on your way into town. Spend the night in Page, AZ, then do your boat tour the following day. Plan on touring Antelope Canyon as well.
Hope that helps!
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂April 02, 2018 at 2:50 PM
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From Pavani
Hi Ryan, Thank you for your post!! I had a few questions. We have 1.5 days in Page. I would like to cover both the upper and lower canyon, the Horse-shoe bend as well as a tour of the lake/or some lake activities. How do you think I should go about scheduling my 1.5 days to accommodate all of these activities? Thanks for your help, much appreciated!!
April 02, 2018 at 11:03 PM
Leo Zabala
Hi Ryan,
My wife and my two daughters are planning to take a long drive from San Diego California starting April 19, Thursday through April 22, Sunday. We hope to visit Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend during the dates I mentioned with Sunday reserved for our travel back to San Diego. Can you advise us of a viable itinerary? Thanks
Leo
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Hi Leo and thank you for visiting. Ryan is out of the office at the moment, but having lived in the area for many years — and made the drive from San Diego many times! — I can help you.
First of all, if you’ve never visited the Grand Canyon, I definitely recommend you do so. It takes approximately 8.5-9 hours to drive over from San Diego, so after that long drive, plan on spending the night either in Grand Canyon Park Village or Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South. How To Book A Grand Canyon Hotel
On Friday the 20th, plan to get up early and spend that morning doing some sightseeing in the immediate vicinity of Grand Canyon Park Village, such as walking the easy, paved Rim Trail, and taking the shuttle out to some of the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. Later that afternoon, start heading toward Page, AZ. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours going direct, but that rarely happens, because there’s a lot to see along the way, including the Grand Canyon Viewpoints along the East Rim/Desert View Drive, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post and kiosks where Navajo Tribe members sell jewelry and other wares. Since the Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located just South of Page, AZ on US89, you can easily hit it on your way into town. Realistically, you could spend 4 hours making the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. Just be sure you time it so that you’re arriving before sunset (7:00 PM). Driving in the dark is discouraged due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local roadways, and the chances of encountering deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife.
Saturday, April 21st, plan on touring Antelope Canyon, then maybe doing another activity such as the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip or a Lake Powell Boat Tour.
Sunday, April 22nd, make the drive back to San Diego, which takes 9+ hours. If you can add another day to your trip, you might break up the drive by overnighting in Las Vegas.
Be sure you book your Page, AZ hotel reservations and Antelope Canyon Tour in advance.
Hope that helps — enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂
P.S. If after doing all that driving, you’d rather just stay out of your car for a couple days, you can do that AND still work Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and the Glen Canyon Float Trip into your itinerary. Spend 2 nights at Grand Canyon South Rim, and take the Scenic Canyon River Adventure Tour on your 2nd full day there.April 02, 2018 at 2:42 PM
Deepak
Hi,
We are planning a 5 day trip flying to las vegas with 4yr & 11 yr boys in April, definitely want to go to antelope & grand canyon, would really appreciate any suggestion so as to best utilize the time & enjoy the drive.
Thanks much.
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Hi Deepak and thank you for visiting!
With 5 days to work with, you can certainly see a lot in this area, starting with the Grand Canyon.
On Day 1, drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, which is about a 4.5 hour drive. Plan on spending the night either in Grand Canyon Park Village or Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South. How To Book A Grand Canyon Hotel
Day 2, drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, which takes about 2.5 hours if you drive direct, but that’s unlikely to happen as there are many points of interest at which to stop along the way, including Grand Canyon Viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim Drive, the Little Colorado River Overlook, the Cameron Trading Post, various kiosks where Navajo Tribe members sell jewelry and other wares, the “Cut” scenic overlook, just to name a few. Horseshoe Bend is located just a few miles South of Page, so you can easily hit it on your way into town. Spend the night in Page.
Day 3, tour Antelope Canyon, and take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. For Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to determine whether to visit the Upper or Lower branch. In a nutshell, Upper is easy, manageable for just about everyone; Lower is more physical, requiring some stair climbing and boulder stepping. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon . Spend the night in Page again.
Day 4, drive from Page to Zion National Park, which takes about 2 hours. Maybe stop at the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool trail for a brief hike. After doing some sightseeing in Zion National Park, then drive to Springdale, Utah, a town on the Western border of the park, overnight there, then drive back to Las Vegas the next day. Springdale, Utah hotels The trip from Springdale, UT to Las Vegas, NV typically takes about 3 hours.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels to your family!
Alley 🙂April 02, 2018 at 2:12 PM
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From Deepak
Hi Alley,
Thank you very much for taking the time and providing valuable suggestions, this is extremely helpful. We were also thinking to take the Hoover dam tour on the way to Grand canyon, do you think it would be possible?
Our flight from Las vegas is on day 6 so, any suggestion as to visiting Bryce canyon before heading to vegas for an overnight stay? or anything else we should do?Thanks.
April 02, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Amy Hirschoff
Help! I’m overwhelmed! lol. We are visiting the area, flying into Vegas, with our four children this summer and want to see GC, Bryce, Zion, Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, etc. We are staying in flagstaff for 5 nights and are cool with day trips so we were thinking we’d do Sedona, South Rim, etc. Then we move up to Cedar City for 3 nights and could hit Zion, Bryce then. Then moving to Monticello for two nights (Arches, Canyonland) and finally flying out of SLC after the fourth of July.
When should we do Antelope and Horseshoe? And what part of Antelope should we do? Not being from the area or knowing the area at all, it is all a little daunting.
What are the MUST SEE’s for us? Like the things I’d be disappointed if I found out later I missed… Oh, and we aren’t the type that likes to have everything scheduled out minute by minute, but is that a must for a trip like this? Thank you for any help you can give!!!!
Amy
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Hi Amy and thank you for visiting our site. You’re not the first to report feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of planning a trip out here!
First off, your plan to use Flagstaff as a base camp from which to explore some areas is OK, as Grand Canyon is only 90 minutes (1-way) and Sedona is only a half-hour (1-way) away. When it comes to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, however, I would recommend staying in Page, AZ. It takes approximately 2.5 hours one way to get from Flagstaff, AZ to Page, and that’s driving direct, which rarely happens, because there are quite a few points of interest on the way that people invariably end up stopping at. These include, but certainly aren’t limited to: Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post, the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks (which are a slight detour off US89 onto US160), the various kiosks where Navajo Tribe members sell their jewelry and other wares, various scenic overlooks, etc. Horseshoe Bend is located just South of Page on US89, so you can easily hit it on your way into town. Since driving in the dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the country, overnighting in Page will make for a more comfortable experience here.
As for which part of Antelope Canyon you should tour, as this article alluded to, Lower is more physical, Upper is more accessible, so if you’re OK with some stair climbing and stepping over a few boulders, you should be OK with Lower. Other activities you might consider adding to your agenda, time permitting are the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip or a Lake Powell Boat Tour. For the Glen Canyon Float Trip, kids have to be at least 4 YO to take part.
Even though you typically roll without “having every single minute scheduled out,” advance reservations for Antelope Canyon and other guided tours are a must, so be sure you at least have this, and any hotels you’ll be staying at, booked ahead of time.
Also: be sure you buy an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. It will more than pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take, but doesn’t apply to Native American Tribal Park areas such as Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. You’ll still have to pay the tribal park permit fee for those, but the National Park Pass is still a good investment.
For more ideas on how to get the most out of your visit, give this a read on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com The Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More: 14 Days In The Grand Circle
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂April 02, 2018 at 2:01 PM
Alley Keosheyan
Hi Lisa,
Glad those helped! Good call on making a reservation in Page, and on eating at In-N-Out Burger. They’re not available where I live either, and I miss them terribly LOL
RE: having dinner at El Tovar, guests of other hotels in the area can and should make reservations 30 days out. Call 928-638-2631 and ask to be transferred to x6432 when you’re ready. Dinner is the only meal they take reservations for, breakfast and lunch are first-come, first-served.
Have fun!
Alley 🙂
Courtney Canady
Hi, I am planning on flying into Vegas either in May or June of this year to visit antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. The plan is for a 3 day 2 night trip total, with our flight getting in around 9-10 the first day and leaving on a late night flight the third. I was planning on leaving Vegas after lunch time the first day to head towards page and go to antelope canyon and horseshoe bend the second day and either head to phoenix or back to vegas to fly home the third day. Do you have any suggestions for stops along the way? I was considering Zion National park if we have time.
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Hi Courtney and thank you for visiting our site!
The drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ typically takes ~4.5 hours. If you make a slight “detour” through Zion National Park, that will obviously extend the drive time, but at least you could cross that Park off your “wish” list. Going through Zion on the way back to Vegas is also an option, again, time permitting. You might also add the Coral Pink Sand Dunes just outside the town of Kanab, UT. It’s quite the surprise in relation to the surrounding terrain. Off-road driving, however, should be avoided in rental cars.
As to where you should fly out of, I recommend flying out of the same place you fly into. Rental car outlets in the area typically charge substantial fees for dropping vehicles anyplace other than where you pick them up from. This is due to the remoteness of the area and distances between cities.
The Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools (located between Page, AZ & Kanab, UT at Mile Marker 19 of US89) also make for a nice little addition to your itinerary.
Be sure you make advance reservations for your Antelope Canyon tour and Page, AZ hotel.
Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂March 27, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Lisa
We are planning a trip for the end of June – early July and just came across your website and am finding it so very helpful. This was last minute so I know things are booking up like crazy! I was wondering what you thought of our itinerary so far and if you have any suggestions. We have older children 19 and 16.
Day 1 – Arrive PHX airport from Detroit (approximately 4-hour flight) at 9:37 am.
We are not sure if it would be too much to drive to Tunaysan after we eat lunch and rent a car or if we should stay the night in Phoenix and start in the morning?
Day 2 – Arrive at Grand Canyon and check in hotel. The only thing planned so far is a sunset Jeep tour at 5:30 and will spend the night in Tuyasan.
Day 3 – We definitely want to head to Page and see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend but don’t know if we should check out of the hotel in Tuyasan and get one in Page for the night and drive to Sedona the next day?
Day 4 – We have hotel reservations in Sedona available at 3:00 pm
Day 5 – Sedona
Day 6 – Sedona – checkout of hotel and head to PHX
Day 7 – Flight home from PHX at 12:00
I would really like to avoid checking in and out of hotels but if the travel is too much, I can do it!
Thanks in advance for any ideas or suggestions!
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Hi Lisa, and thank you for visiting our site.
We’re glad that you’re finding it helpful as you plan your trip!
You definitely have a lot of questions, and areas where your itinerary can be “tweaked,” so, let’s get on with it 😉
Since you have “oz” in your e-mail address, I’m assuming you’re flying in from Australia? If so, then I’m also assuming that you’ll go through customs in Detroit or beforehand. One thing that hasn’t been established however, is will you have some “downtime” before flying into Phoenix to adjust to the different time zone, etc. If the answer is “no,” then I’d suggest spending the night in Phoenix and decompressing a bit before taking on the 4.5 hour drive to the Grand Canyon.
If you have had some time to get over your jetlag, etc., and if your flight from Detroit arrives either on time, or at least by early afternoon, then you might be able to swing the drive to Tusayan that night. The trip from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes about 4.5 hours if you drive direct, but that rarely happens as the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be sights that pique your interest and warrant a stop. If your day goes according to plan, you can certainly take the drive at a fairly leisurely pace since sunset occurs at about 7:45 PM local time. In-N-Out Burger just North of Phoenix makes for a good stop for lunch, or if you can hold off a bit longer, maybe have lunch in Flagstaff.
After checking into your hotel in Tusayan, think about catching the IMAX movie, “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets.” The final showing of the film is at 7:30 PM, so if your day has gone according to schedule, you should be able to make that no problem. In Tusayan, there are other opportunities for shopping, etc.
On your 2nd day, plan on getting up early, driving into the park and exploring Grand Canyon Village. Visit the Canyon View Information Plaza, maybe take a walk along the easy, paved Rim Trail, then hop on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Shuttle and going out to those viewpoints. Lunch at El Tovar might be a nice treat for your family, but try and arrive there before 11:30 AM as that’s when the Grand Canyon Railway train pulls in from Williams and from then on, rimside restaurants will be slammed. Head back to Tusayan, catch the Sunset Jeep Tour (which is a lot of fun), then head for bed.
On Day 3, check out of the hotel in Tusayan and head for Page. Here again, the drive, if you go direct, takes about 2.5 hours, but you’ll likely end up taking more along the lines of 4-5 hours because there are many Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at on the trip. Maybe have a late breakfast/early lunch at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of AZ64 and US89. Hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, then check into your hotel. Time permitting, and with an early start, you could do an Antelope Canyon tour that afternoon. Otherwise, plan on touring the following morning, then make the drive to Sedona. As you can see, we recommend that you overnight in Page, AZ instead of doing a day trip from the Grand Canyon due to the distance and points of interest on the way. Page, AZ Hotels The drive to Sedona from Page will then take approximately 3-3.5 hours.
HOWEVER — if you want to avoid all that driving, there is a way you can accomplish what you want in Page, plus a bit of a “bonus:” keep your hotel in Tusayan and take the Scenic Canyon River Adventure tour. This is a dynamite full-day package tour that starts with a sunrise airplane flight over the Eastern portion of the Grand Canyon, including Horseshoe Bend, a tour of Antelope Canyon, and a half-day float trip on the Colorado River. If you do this, then you can just go directly to Sedona the following day, which is about a 2-hour drive.
It’s good that you’ve planned 3 days in Sedona, there’s a ton to see and do there, and most visitors end up wishing they had a week — or planning a return trip 😉
Hope that helps and that you and your family have a wonderful vacation!
AlleyMarch 27, 2018 at 3:59 PM
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From Lisa
Alley,
I can’t thank you enough for your suggestions for our trip! We are actually from Michigan so I don’t think we will be too jetlagged for the car trip from Phoenix to Tuyasan on Day 1. The plan to stop at In-N-Out Burger sounds good to me since it’s not available here! 🙂
I’ve been reading a lot about eating at El Tovar, so I was pleased to see you mentioned it for Day 2. I will try and get reservations there when they are available.
Day 3 sounds great and I’ve adjusted my hotel reservations to spend the night in Page! I will be making reservations for an Antelope Canyon tour right after I finish typing this!
Thanks so much for taking time to read my questions and provide suggestions!
Warm regards,
Lisa
March 28, 2018 at 9:50 PM
Kristin
Hi. We’d like to book some alternative tours for tomorrow on Tuesday morning. Who should we call?
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Hello Kristin,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. Contact information for tour outfitters is provided in this article.
Alley 🙂March 27, 2018 at 3:27 PM
Aldaron
Do you have a map of the area that the tour traverses? Do you kayak up the canyon and back down?
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Aldaron,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site. Below is an approximate map of the area covered on the Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour. Note that Antelope Point Marina is included, since that’s where you would meet your guide. And yes, you kayak a ways up the canyon, then back down. For more detailed information, or to book your tour, visit Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours or call (928) 660-1836
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂March 25, 2018 at 8:33 PM
Yaniv
Can we visit the lower or upper canyon without a tour? or you must be part of a tour in order to enter?
Thanks a lot!
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Hi Yaniv,
Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon require a guided tour to explore. As to which one you tour, it depends on how much physical exertion you can handle. Lower Antelope Canyon is ~600m long and requires some stair climbing and a little boulder scrambling; Upper is easy, flat the whole way and is only 100m long (although a 2-mile buckboard truck ride down a dirt path is required to get to the canyon’s entrance).
How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂March 25, 2018 at 8:17 PM
Fernando Moreno-Castillo
Can pets (on a leash of course) come?
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Hi Fernando,
Dogs are not allowed in Lower Antelope Canyon, unless they are certified service animals for those with disabilities. Proper certification of such would be required in that case, as would prior approval from the Antelope Canyon tour outfitter you go with. If your pet does not meet this requirement, and you’re looking for boarding while you tour the slot canyons, contact the Page Animal Hospital at 928-645-2816. I personally boarded my dogs there many times when I lived in Page, and never had a problem.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂March 23, 2018 at 3:45 PM
Stephen
Hi Ryan and Alley,
I will be flying into Phoenix, Arizona later this month, arriving at around 11:30am on a Friday. I’ve read lots of great stuff about Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Zion Park. Unfortunately I will be very short on time and need to end up in Las Vegas by Saturday night. I’m really looking for some help with putting together a little itinerary. Want to make sure that that the places I do visit are done at a good time of day, and that I don’t get stuck out on the roads after dusk. Thanks!
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Hi Stephen and thank you for your question.
Before you commit to flying into Phoenix and out of Las Vegas, you might want to verify rental car drop-off fees. Due to the distance between cities and general remote nature of this part of the US, many rental car outlets charge pretty high fees for dropping a vehicle anywhere other than where you picked it up.
Whether you decide to go ahead with this plan, or fly into and out of Phoenix, you’ll still be very limited on what you can accomplish in a reasonable amount of time.
Not sure if you’re flying in from overseas and having to go through customs, but assuming you’re not, and that your flight lands on time, you should still plan to spend another 60-90 minutes at the airport to claim your bags and pick up your rental car. That would put you on the road at roughly 1:00 PM. Stop at In-N-Out Burger just North of Phoenix and grab some lunch, then continue toward Grand Canyon South Rim. The drive from Phoenix to GC takes about 4.5 hours going the most direct route, but factoring in stops for meals, restrooms, things that catch your eye, etc., you could easily extend that to 5.5 hours. That would put you at Grand Canyon South Rim at about 6:30 PM, which happens to be just before sunset. Recommend you make lodging reservations at Grand Canyon Park Village, or at least in Tusayan/GC Village South just outside the park. Grand Canyon hotels As it sounds like you’ve deduced, driving in the dark is not recommended in this part of the US due to lack/scarcity of supplemental lighting on local roads.
The next day, drive back to Las Vegas, which is also about a 4.5 hour drive if you go direct. Before you hit the road in earnest, though, take a helicopter or airplane flight over the Grand Canyon. This will allow you to see areas of the canyon you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see by car, or by foot, even if you did have the time. Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour Morning flights are recommended for better light and less wind.
After your flight, you can choose to take the drive to Las Vegas at a leisurely pace by stopping in Route 66 fixtures such as Williams, AZ or Seligman, AZ, or driving over Hoover Dam.
Notice I’ve left out Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Zion. You simply don’t have time to fit all that into your trip. You’ll need to choose one destination and focus on it for the best quality experience, and if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that’s the one I recommend you focus on and save the other attractions for when you have the time to do them justice. Ultimate 1-Week Itinerary in Northern AZ/Southern UT
Good luck, I know it’s a tough choice.
Alley 🙂March 22, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Andy
Alley,
You are a fountain of knowledge and extremely kind to spend the time helping us strangers out.
Here are, hopefully, a couple of different questions for you about the Page area:
1. I was going to get a permit to go to Waterholes Canyon in the late afternoon, particularly to get some pictures of the wall near sunset. If we hike the canyon can we get out at the wall or do we have to walk along the edge to get to the wall area?
2. I wanted to get to the second slot area, further south, but it’s about 8 miles round trip and I simple don’t have the time for this hike. Is there an accessible route/entrance off of Coppermine Rd? I’ve seen one outfit that does tours here, Horseshoe Bend Tours, might be the only option?
3. Given decent, dry weather, how’s Smoky Mountain Road from Big Water to Escalante? Hopefully our rental car will be at least an AWD SUV.
4. at the least, if we go up to Alstrom Point for sunset is it safe/smart to drive back to Page in the dark?
Thanks for opinion and advise.
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Hey Andy,
Thank you for your compliments, and for your very excellent question. You yourself seem to be a fountain of knowledge, not to mention courage!
First off, you can obtain your permit for Waterholes Canyon at the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours office, so if we don’t answer any questions to your satisfaction, rest assured the personnel there could. According to our sources, there is a possibility to get out of the canyon near the “Wall,” near a power line. The Wall is on the north rim of Waterholes Canyon. It’s not far, maybe a 20 minute (?) walk. Some more good sources of information on this area: TheWave.info USHikes.com (German language site)
As for a “back way” into the second slot area, if there is one, we could not in good conscience promote it since it would probably cross over onto private property in the town of LeChee. Here again, the folks at Horseshoe Bend Tour (the sole authorized concessionaire into Secret Canyon) would be the ones to give you guidance on this.
The Smoky Mountain Road under the best of circumstances can be a white-knuckler. If you take a rental car on it, you will be voiding your insurance policy once you get off pavement, and if you sustain any damage or get stuck, you will be on the hook for it financially. Frankly, we cannot advise taking the chance. If you wish to go to Alstrom Point, the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon folks also run tours to this area. Doing that drive back to Page in the dark is another risky proposition we don’t recommend. I’ve personally driven around that area at night (back when I was young and foolish LOL) and saw my life flash before my eyes a few times!
Let us know how you get on, and if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask 🙂
AlleyMarch 22, 2018 at 8:33 PM
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From Andy
Alley,
First, thanks, we’ll avoid Alstrom at night, for sure.
Visited SO, Mid UT last Sept and jumped at the chance to come back in mid-April after a meeting popped up in Phoenix.
Snagged a couple spots for South Buttes area (I put in as a single for the Wave, but did not get) and have a hike planned for GSENM in the Big Horn canyon/Zebra slot area and am excited about hunting for Moqui balls (with my camera) there.
Plan to go up Cottonwood and come back down via Smoky but maybe I should ask you if someone in Page rents 4×4 jeeps? Ideas?
Thanks for the Wave.info site. I’ve used that for planning photo stops at South Buttes and I see other links now that will use for future planning. Great source for info.
two more questions:
1. do you consider Secret Canyon a good alt to Antelope since my wife isn’t a photographer and wouldn’t go on “photo” tour?
2. where’s a good spot, not Alstrom, for sunset at the lake?
Thanks so very much : )March 23, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Leanne Paul
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
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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.March 22, 2018 at 4:19 PM
Axel
Dear Alley,
we are planning our trip in August. Our schedule is to arrive from Grand Canyon with an RV on Aug 14th. Since I’m a passionate photographer I plan to do Horseshoe bend in the morning of Aug 15th. Afterwards I was thinking of joining a photo tour of the upper antelope canyon- which operator can you recommend (who is giving me the best chances of getting “the perfect shot” ;).
Since I’m traveling with my wife and our little daughter (aged 3 1/2 by that time) I was wondering whether it is possible to take both of them on a tour to the lower antelope canyon on that day or early morning the next day? Both won’t join me on the photo tour on Aug 15th.
Thanks for your advice in advance!
Best
Axel
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Hi Axel, and thank you for visiting our site.
Strange as it may sound, the outfitter you choose for your photo tour of Upper Antelope Canyon isn’t super-important. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the dollar. During the summer months, the timeframe between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM is regarded as best for getting the light beams and best colors in your shot. The guides are all well-trained in how to accomplish good shots and will help you set up your camera and tripod. Pick the outfitter who has availability at the time that works best for you and book a spot. Don’t delay or overthink it, or you could find tours sold out.
As for Lower Antelope Canyon, you should consider carefully whether your daughter can handle the physical aspects of it. It involves some stair climbing and stepping over a few boulders. Some pre-school age children have hiked it without a problem; others have had to have their parents carry them. You might watch this video walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon before making a decision.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 18, 2018 at 6:03 PM
Rick Bazemore
Hi Alley!
We are planning a trip to the Page area in October 2018 and need some specific help in planning where to fly in to.
We covered Vegas and Zion this past spring and don’t want to do that area again.
Spots we’d like to cover include Page, Grand Canyon North Rim, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, etc.
Since my friend Lee McMichael, was tourism director for Page for a couple of years we’d like to spend at least 48 hours there.
What would you recommend as a fly in point and 8-day intinerary say like October 6-13?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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Hi Rick,
Thank you for your visit, October is a great time of year to travel in this area!
For the itinerary you are proposing, Las Vegas or Salt Lake City would be the best airports to fly into. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that visitor facilities at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon close October 15th, and if you haven’t made lodging reservations there yet, you’re quite likely to find them sold out.
Another thing: your itinerary is overly ambitious given an 8-day timeframe.
A more realistic itinerary would be something like this:
Day 1 – Arrive @ Las Vegas, drive to Grand Canyon North Rim (4.5 hours), overnight either at one of the North Rim Lodges or Kanab, Utah Grand Canyon North Rim Hotels
Day 2 – Drive from Grand Canyon North Rim to Page (2.5 hours), visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, overnight.
Day 3 – Take 90-minute airplane sightseeing tour over Monument Valley, and/or Lake Powell boat tour or Glen Canyon Float Trip, overnight in Page.
Day 4 – Drive from Page to Bryce Canyon (approximately 3 hours), take day hike or tour in the area, overnight in Bryce Canyon area.
Day 5 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef (2.5 hours), overnight in Capitol Reef area.
Day 6/7 – Drive from Capitol Reef to Moab (2.5 hours), visit Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.
Day 8 – Drive from Moab to Salt Lake City (3.5 hours), fly home.
This itinerary has you flying into Las Vegas and out of Salt Lake City for the sake of convenience, but price-wise, it may be somewhat inconvenient if rental car drop-off fees are too high, so definitely check into that before committing. If you do opt to fly into and out of SLC, note that the drive from SLC to Grand Canyon North Rim will be significantly longer, about 6.5 hours instead of 4.5.
Note also that I’ve left Monument Valley off the itinerary since it is “tourable” from Page and would allow for more quality time around the Lake Powell area.
Hope that helps. Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 18, 2018 at 5:55 PM
Marichu Lim
Hello Ryan,
We are planning to go to Vegas end of May and would like to do a day trip to Antelope Canyon. Pls. suggest an itinerary. I am with husband and 2 kids (ages 20 and 10). I know we won’t have much time so please only suggest the “must see” attractions.
Thank you so much.
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Hi Marichu,
To visit Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas, one can choose to self-drive, or take a guided tour.
Since the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ is about 5 hours one-way, you won’t have much time for peripheral sightseeing, but the drive itself is very scenic and you’ll have no shortage of photo ops. If you get an early enough start, you can make a short detour through Zion National Park, which will add another 60-90 minutes onto an already long drive.
Once in Page, you can tour Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend first. The order in which you visit will depend on when you can get reservations for an Antelope Canyon Tour (they are a must).
If you have more time to work with, you might consider visiting the Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitors Center, the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum or the Big Water, Utah Visitors Center.
If all that sounds like a bit of a pain, frankly, it is. So if you’d prefer to have someone else make the tour arrangements and coordinate logistics, you might consider a guided tour from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon. Options include motorcoach or airplane/ground tour combination.
Honestly, though, the best way to go about this is to stay overnight in Page, AZ. Due to the driving distance and other factors, an overnight stay will make for a much more comfortable experience for you and your family. Page, AZ hotels
Hope that helps – good luck and travel safe!
Alley 🙂March 15, 2018 at 1:16 PM
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From Marichu
Thank you so much for the information.
March 22, 2018 at 5:56 PM
Donna
This was very helpful for a trip I’m planning this summer! I had a question about the marina. I’ve been reading that there is a $25 7-day parking pass that people had to pay for just spending lunch hour at the marina. Is this true?
Thanks.
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Dear Donna,
Hello and thank you for your question.
If you wish to enter either Antelope Point Marina or Lake Powell Resort and Marina, they are both located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so you would indeed be required to pay that $25 per vehicle entry fee, even if you were just having have lunch.
If you were planning on visiting the recreation area anyway to do a boat tour or rental, you would have to pay that fee anyway. Another consideration: if you are visiting any other National Parks or Monuments on your vacation, such as Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, etc., you might consider purchasing an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this pass grants you access to ALL National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas for 1 year’s time. In the typical week’s vacation in Northern AZ and Southern UT, the pass pays for itself. It would also carry over to Glen Canyon, but NOT Native American Tribal Parks like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. If you decide against having lunch at the marina, there is a good selection of restaurants within Page, AZ. No entry fee required there.March 14, 2018 at 2:38 PM
Irina
Dear Ryan,
Could you give me a hint on how I can get from Page to the Monument Valley, considering that I don’t drive a car and can only go with a bus. I plan to make this route on May, 3rd this year. I have seen on the map that it’s just a 2 hour drive. Are there any regular or tourist buses / couches going there from Page? If not, can it be somehow possible to hitchhike on that route? And after visiting the Monument Valley I will have to make my way back to Kanab ( not Page) on the same day and get there by midnight latest. Kanab is within a 3 h10min drive away from the Monument Valley, so it all seems to be feasible regarding timing. The thing is that I plan to travel as a member of a small tourist group which is not going to the Monument Valley while for me this place is a must see, so I’ll have to get there on my own somehow.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance !
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Dear Irina,
Hello and thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, Page, AZ is located in one of the most remote areas of the US, and as such, there are no coaches that go to Monument Valley from Page. Even if there were, making your way to Kanab, UT would be another challenge. There is no bus or scheduled air service between the two towns and relying on services like Lyft or Uber is iffy at best. Regarding hitch-hiking ANYWHERE in this area, forget about it. It is illegal within National Parks, and downright dangerous everywhere else.
The only other feasible option for including Monument Valley in your trip plans would be to take a tour flight out of the Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Flights typically run in the morning, so your tour group may be able to accommodate this somehow. If not, I recommend exploring other options for a guided tour that does go to Monument Valley. Trying to work it into a tour program that’s already tightly scheduled is going to be a losing battle.
Sorry to be the bearer of semi-bad news,
Alley 🙂March 14, 2018 at 2:33 PM
Kimberly
Do you know anything about getting a permit for West Canyon? I know it is on Indian land.
Know of any boat shuttles to get there?
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Hi Kimberly,
If you’re referring to West Canyon on Lake Powell, it’s technically part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and not Navajo Indian Land, so permits aren’t required to get there. There are no boat tours that go there, either, but you can rent a boat from either Lake Powell Resort or Antelope Point Marina and go see it that way. It’s about 25 miles uplake from Glen Canyon Dam and you simply hike in as far as you desire. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear, sun protection and carry plenty of food and water.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 13, 2018 at 7:23 PM
Michele
Thank you so much for your wonderful site. I have been reading all the articles as I am planning for our upcoming trip this June to the Southwest. I will be with my husband and 2 boys (age 9, 15). We have never been to the area and are taking 3 weeks in a campervan going to Zion, Bryce, Page, Monument Valley, 4 corners (boys insist), Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Death Valley,, Yosemite, and Alcatraz. We will end up in Page 6/9-10 Any general advice is most welcome, but my specific question has to do with the Page tours you recommend. I am thinking the ww.horseshoebendslotcanyonadventures.com you recommend for one day and then being on the water a second day. At first I was thinking Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours but then reading this post was wondering if we should do Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. What is your advice with the kids? Also do you have any recommendations for campgrounds? Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!
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Hi Michele and thank you for your compliments!
First off, I’d recommend taking Petrified Forest and Death Valley off the list. In June, these areas are simply too hot to be enjoyed IMO. Take the time you might have spent there and allocate it to Sedona. Plenty to see and do, including Slide Rock State Park (natural waterslide), simple but scenic hiking and lots more.
If you’re going to 4 Corners, be aware that you won’t spend much time there as there’s not much to it, but you’ll pass by Monument Valley, and we’d definitely recommend spending at least a day there.
As for water-based activities in Page, the float trip is nice, and the kids are given an opportunity to swim (although the water is REALLY cold!). The kayak tour is more “hands-on” and your boys might find that more enjoyable than sitting on a raft for 3 hours.
Camping is another thing you might want to rethink in Page. Nights don’t get that cool in June, and you might appreciate having some A/C. If your campervan is powered, you might want to stay at an RV park that has electrical hook-ups. In Page, those are the Wahweap/Stateline RV Park & Campground at Lake Powell Resort, which is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (entrance fees required) and the Page/Lake Powell Campground in the town of Page itself. Page, Arizona RV & Camping Options
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 12, 2018 at 5:06 PM
MICHELLE
I will have two days trip. I will drive from Phoenix to antelope canyon on first day, and drive back to phoenix on later afternoon second day. Can somebody give me some suggestions for planning my trip.
Thank you
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Hi Michelle,
First off, decide whether you want to visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. In a nutshell, Upper is easy, 100 yards, flat the whole way; Lower is a bit more difficult, involves some stair climbing and boulder-stepping. Upper Vs. Lower Antelope Canyon When you choose which branch of Antelope Canyon to see, make a reservation for a tour.
Be sure to stop by Horseshoe Bend as well, either on your way from Phoenix to Page, or on the trip back. Try to avoid driving at night if at all possible.
Other activities you might consider, depending on time of year you’re visiting and daylength, include but are not limited to:
* Hidden Canyon Kayak Tour
* Lake Powell Canyon Adventure Boat Tour
* Rainbow Bridge Air Tour
* Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 12, 2018 at 4:56 PM
Jacqueline
Can you tell me the difference between upper and lower? Which has better views? Also, is there a tour that contains both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend? My friend and I are considering a trip and are very outdoorsy, so difficult hikes won’t be a problem. Just looking to experience the best Mother Nature has to offer!
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Hi Jacqueline and thank you for visiting our site.
Upper Antelope Canyon is short and easy, 100 yards long, pretty flat the whole way. It involves a short ride in a “buckboard truck” from your pick-up location to the entrance of the canyon.
Lower Antelope Canyon is longer (~600 yards), involves some stair climbing and boulder-stepping, but it sounds as though you’re fit enough to handle it. Video: Lower Antelope Canyon Walk-Through
As for tours that include both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, there are several out of Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix and Las Vegas, but if you’re planning on going Page, AZ, you can self-drive to Horseshoe Bend, then take a tour to either Upper or Lower Antelope.
Hope that helps. Best regards and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 12, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Andrea
Hello, Alley!
Thanks so much for the amazing itinerary. We’re planning on going to the national parks this July, it’s going to be a 7-8 day trip. I’m wondering if it’s feasible to shorten the itinerary you gave if we’re just wanting to focus on seeing the national parks and the views, but not much on the museums and other activities? And is it feasible to go to arches also and when? So my draft itinerary is something like this—
Day 1
AM arrival to vegas, drive to grand canyon, watch the sunset.
PM drive to monument valley. Check in
Day 2
Monument valley
PM drive to Page. Check in.
Day 3
Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend overlook. Leave for Bryce canyon. Check in.
Day 4
Bryce and Zion
And then we go back to vegas and spend the rest of our days there
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Hi Andrea,
Thank you for your compliments on our itinerary. Unfortunately, I cannot endorse this plan as is because it is too rushed and involves too much driving, especially at night.
On Day 1, for example, you’re proposing to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, which takes approximately 4.5 hours. You’re then wanting to view sunset at the Grand Canyon, which occurs at about 7:30 PM, then drive from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, which takes approximately 3 hours. That would put you at Monument Valley at approximately 11:00 PM. You have to realize that in Northern Arizona, local roadways are not very well lit, and in the Navajo Indian Reservation (where Monument Valley is located), some are not lit at all. I myself have made the drive from the Grand Canyon to Monument Valley at night and suffice it to say, I’ll never do it again. I saw my life flash before my eyes a couple of times.
Stay at the Grand Canyon instead on Day 1.
On Day 2, drive to Page (which takes approximately 3 hours), stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way into town. If you get an early enough start out of the South Rim, you might catch an afternoon tour of Antelope Canyon.
On Day 3, you could take an overflight of Monument Valley, then proceed to Bryce Canyon (also about a 3 hour drive).
On Day 4, you won’t have time to do much in Bryce Canyon because the drive to Las Vegas via Zion will take you about 4.5 hours.
As for Arches, forget it — you simply don’t have enough time.
Since you allude to “spending the rest of your days” in Las Vegas, that tells me you might be able to allot more time to this trip. I suggest you try to do so.
Best regards and safe travels!
Alley 🙂March 12, 2018 at 4:43 PM
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From Andrea
Hi alley! I just saw your response. Thanks so much for all your help!! I really want to go to arches, maybe I’ll ask for one or two more days to spend so we can see it also. Again thanks so much! We’ll definitely use your suggestions. 🙂
March 23, 2018 at 8:01 PM
Victor Albanese
Hey Ryan,
I’m planning a solo trip through AZ. Im starting Sedona- a few spots there , then the Grand Canyon, horseshoe bend, Antelope canyon, I wanna see Lake Powell if possible.. followed by the petrified forest. I guess I’d like to know if you think thats a good plan? Also do I need to purchase permits ahead of time? or do you think doing those tours are worth it? Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Victor
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Hi Victor,
Ryan is away from the office at the moment, but I am happy to help you!
Knowing when you were traveling would help me advise you a bit better with regard to Petrified Forest. In the summertime, that area is VERY hot and doesn’t offer a lot of shade, so if you’re traveling during the warmer months of the year, I’d recommend skipping it.
Also, knowing where you’re flying into would put things in better perspective. Certain destinations are more conducive to using Phoenix as a staging city; others are in closer proximity to Las Vegas.
As for the rest, I’d recommend:
Sedona – 3 days
Grand Canyon South Rim – 1-2 days
Page/Lake Powell – 2 days
If you do decide on going to Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, 1 day is sufficient for that area.
Certain tours should be reserved in advance, such as Antelope Canyon. Hotels in these areas should also be booked ahead of time.
Another thing to plan on purchasing: an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the US for one year’s time. If you visit Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon/Lake Powell and Petrified Forest/Painted Desert on this trip, it will pay for itself. However, it does not carry over to Native American Tribal Parks such as Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley.
Hope that helps. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if you need further assistance.
Safe travels to you and yours,
Alley 🙂March 07, 2018 at 9:11 PM
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From Victor Albanese
Hi Alley,
Thank you for getting back to me. I’m flying into Flagstaff. I have 8 days in total. I’m was planning on staying 2 days at time in each location. I was planning on flying in getting my rental and start in Sedona. Hike for the day and then relax and do it again. then Travel to the Grand Canyon.. I guess my question- what is the smartest way to go about seeing horseshoe bend and antelope canyon- do I see lake Powell? and where would you suggest after that? I would have 2 more days.. and I would have to work my way back towards flagstaff. What do you suggest?
Thank you for all your help,
VictorMarch 08, 2018 at 4:22 AM
Neeka27
Thank you for your itinerary & tips- this has seriously been my favorite road trip write up I have seen so far (and there has been many!). *high five*
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Thank you so much, Neeka! Have a wonderful trip. For more tips you might find useful, visit our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com too 🙂
March 06, 2018 at 6:20 PM
Mrs.Hemali Mehta
Dear Alley,
Hello,
We are a group of three people( my husband,myself and my 10yr old son) traveling from INDIA to LA on 24th May.We are coming to LAS Vegas on 28th April by flight.Further we are going to stay 5 nights in Las Vegas till 3rd May.From 3rd may we are joining 15days Trafalgar Summer scenic package 2018 (which we have already booked)……Trafalgar is going to provide us stay for 1 night on 3rd May at hotel Tropicana…
Now can u assist/suggest us for the best hotel (4* or 5*) with no resort fees and best package for 5 nights for the group of 3 people!!! on the center strip with lots of vegetarian food options in the surrounding walkable distance….Since we are from INDIA we eat Pure vegetarian food only without eggs.
Also we want to do 1 day trip of Hoover dam……1 day trip Grand canyon west rim air+ ground+sky walk , 1 day trip Death valley, 1 day trip antelope canyon(whichever side u suggest us)….. and 1 day night tour of Las vegas strip….Also if any best family entertainment shows available in Las vegas during our stay then please suggest us for sure.
I hope u can help us for sure!
Awaiting your immediate reply!
Thanks and Rgds,
Mrs.Hemali Mehta
(INDIA)
+91 98981 91250
(whatsapp no)
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Dear Ms. Mehta,
Hello and thank you for your inquiry!
We hope you’re looking forward to your upcoming trip to the US. Assuming that the Trafalgar package tour you’re referring to is the 15-day trip through Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone, Billings, Rapid City and Moab, you’re going to be seeing and doing a lot during those two weeks, so you might want to refrain from booking an activity every single day of your stay in Las Vegas. If that’s the way you wish to go, you can book most of the activities on your “wish list” through the Papillon Helicopters Group and its subsidiary, Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines. For the Las Vegas Death Valley Tour, Pink Jeep Tours is a good outfitter with comfortable vehicles and comprehensive programs.
For Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk, consider the Indian Country Adventure Airplane Tour or the Skywalk Helicopter Getaway
For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, the only day trip options from Las Vegas are by plane or bus. If you prefer to travel by plane, choose the Antelope Canyon Expedition . If you prefer to travel by bus, TakeTours offers a reasonably priced package, but to our understanding, it’s only available on certain days of the week.
For a Las Vegas Strip helicopter tour, you can choose one with or without limousine transfers.
By the way, all of the air tours that originate from Las Vegas include a flyover of Hoover Dam. If you’re wanting something more in-depth, you can opt for a close-up flyover of Hoover Dam and the bypass bridge, or combination air/ground tours, some that even include a smooth water rafting trip from the base of the Dam. Hoover Dam Tours
With all you’re wanting to do, you may not have the time or inclination to do much more, but if you’re looking for family-friendly entertainment, Las Vegas has a lot to offer.
Regarding hotels without resort fees, unfortunately, they’re hard to come by and the ones that don’t charge them are typically on the lower end market. Since you prefer 4- and 5-star accommodations anyway, I wouldn’t sweat the resort fees too heavily and just concentrate on having fun. Better hotels showing availability for your desired dates include, but aren’t limited to:
Encore
Mandarin Oriental
ARIA
Vdara (non-gaming/non-smoking)
Red Rock
Elara
Bellagio
JW Marriott
Signature at MGM GrandHope that helps you get started in your planning! Have a wonderful trip and best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Regarding your diet, Las Vegas welcomes many visitors from India, so local restaurants are very well-prepared to accommodate your needs. If you go any of the tours mentioned, which typically include a meal, be sure to let the tour company know about your preferences.March 01, 2018 at 6:13 PM
Lily Chau
Hi Alley, I enjoyed your page so much! all the tips are really useful. And I would like to ask for your comments about my plan.
My family are planning to visit the region in September this year. Our plan is:
Day 0: Fly in to Vegas
Day 1: Drive out from Vegas to antelop canyon and visit Horseshoes bend on the first day. (Not sure which one to go first tho), Stay in Page
Day 2: Drive to GC south rim, and stop by hoover dam on the way back to Vegas.
May I ask:
1) If this will be too physical for my parents (They are not too old, just almost 60), or I can add a little bit hiking in between?
2) Is there anything you recommend us to visit as well?
Any advice/suggestions are very much appreciated! Thank you very much!
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Hi Lily,
Thank you for your compliments on our page!
I’m going to take a slightly different approach and “reverse-engineer” your itinerary, meaning, start from the end and work my way back to the beginning.
First off, Day 2 involves too much driving. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim, then another 4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas, and that’s driving direct, which adds up to 8-9 hours driving time at minimum. That, in my opinion, would be too trying for not only your folks, but for you. Another concern is nighttime driving is best avoided in this part of the country due to the scarcity of artificial lighting on many roadways and the tendency for deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate around them.
As for whether I recommend anything else for you to visit, no — you simply don’t have enough time.
If two days is truly all you have, then I recommend choosing one destination and making the most of it. If you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, then that’s the one you should go with. Stay overnight in the park, if possible. If not, book a hotel in Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South. Grand Canyon Hotels
The drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim takes approximately 4.5-5 hours one way driving directly. With an early enough start, you might stop at Hoover Dam, and also take a slight detour to Seligman, AZ to visit some Route 66 attractions. That would extend your drive to 6-7 hours. Check into your hotel, maybe do some easy walking along the easy, paved Grand Canyon Rim Trail, catch sunset at one of the viewpoints, and maybe treat yourselves to a nice dinner at the El Tovar Hotel (reservations required) or the Coronado Room at the Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn in Tusayan.
The next morning, get up early, maybe take the free shuttles out to the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive, or walk a short distance down the Bright Angel Trail, or take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour before heading back to Las Vegas. Sunset occurs at about 6:30 PM in September, so time your drive accordingly.
If you still wish to visit Page, AZ, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend during your visit, add another night to your trip. That way you can enjoy everything on your “wish list” comfortably.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 27, 2018 at 2:38 PM
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From Lily
Dear Alley,
That sounds like a really good recommendation! Thank you very much for your recommendation! It is so nice of you in spending so much time in helping others out!
In such way, I will plan with my brother again, so that we won’t be driving too much!
Cheers!
LilyMarch 06, 2018 at 2:07 AM
Venkat
Hi,
We are planning to visit both the lower and upper canyon the upcoming weekend. I was wondering if there will be enough sunlight during the day to enjoy the views of the canyon. Also, if the lower canyon tour at 9:30am will be good time to visit the canyon. We plan to visit the upper canyon early afternoon.
Thanks!
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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 🙂February 26, 2018 at 9:21 PM
Erin Leduc
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for this great info it’s very helpful! I noticed the boat tour of Waheap is closed in March? We’re planning to visit Monday March 12th and I’d like to follow your advice of a boat tour on Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon exploring.
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Hi Erin and thanks for your question.
Lake Powell Boat Tours don’t run on a regularly scheduled basis until April 1st because of the weather. March is typically cold and windy — not exactly optimal conditions for boating. Occasionally, though, a boat tour will run if there are at least 15 people willing/able to book it. You might try contacting the boat tour office directly a few days prior to your visit to see if anything is confirmed to operate.
For Lake Powell Resort Boat Tours, call 928-645-2433
For Antelope Point Marina Boat Tours, call 928-645-5900
Good luck and hope that helps!
Alley 🙂February 26, 2018 at 12:42 AM
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From Erin
Thank you Alley, that’s very helpful!
February 28, 2018 at 12:51 AM
kathy
Hi Alley,
Thank you for the quick response. Yes, I know staying in Flagstaff is not optimal but there are absolutely no accommodations to be found in the Grand Canyon, closest was Williams. I guess I need to think about adding another day and perhaps spend 1 night in Page.
Thank you for the recommendations, it’s difficult trying to fit everything in a weeks time.
Disregard my last entry, I didn’t think my first one went through….thank you again for your time Alley! 🙂
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Hi Kathy,
Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. Cancellations for lodging inside the park do occur, and many don’t make it back into online inventory. You might try phoning Xanterra South Rim (the main lodging concessionaire) and Delaware North (concessionaire for one of the in-park lodges) periodically to check and see if any rooms have freed up.
Their phone #’s are:
Xanterra Parks & Resorts: 888-297-2757
Delaware North: 877-404-4611
If you prefer to stick with your original plan of basing out of Flagstaff, you won’t have enough time on Day 2 to squeeze Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch into your day. These are located a 45 minute drive one-way from Page, and with the days being short as it is, you could run out of sunlight at a rather inopportune time. If you have some extra time to work with that day, you might stop by The “New” Wave, a small, but interesting cluster of rock formations located a short distance Northwest of the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge.
Have a great trip and let us know how things go!
Alley 🙂February 27, 2018 at 2:51 PM
kathy
Hi guys,
I’m wondering if you could verify the plans I’ve tentatively made for when my family will come to the area the first week of April.
Day 1: Fly into Phoenix at 9 am. Make our way via car to flagstaff, stopping along the way to take in the sights.
Day 2:Wake early and take in Horseshoe bend and make 11:30 tour of upper Antelope Canyon. Check out Glen Canyon Dam and perhaps wine pass to Buckskin hike. Head back to Flagstaff.
Day 3: Early start to Grand Canyon south rim, explore and hike and take in all there, heading back to Sedona.
Will 2 nights give us time to do all that or would you suggest anything different?
Thank you!
kathy
Hi Ryan,
My family of 4 (boys 17 and 14) will be flying into Phoenix April 1. I thought we’d drive to Flagstaff and stay 2 nights to explore the area.
Monday, I thought we’d drive to Page and take in upper Antelope Canyon … reading that the midday tour is best for taking pictures , so working around that…..any suggestions at what else we should add for that day and then back to Flagstaff. Tuesday explore South rim and then head to Sedona for the night. Just trying to plan our 2 days and keep it exciting for the boys:)
Thanks!
Kathy
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Hi Kathy,
If you and your boys are relatively fit, you might consider touring Lower Antelope Canyon instead of Upper. Upper is a 100 yard, mostly flat walk whereas Lower requires some stair climbing and simple boulder scrambling. Here’s a video of a full-walk through that might help you decide. As for other activities you might do in the Page, AZ area, Horseshoe Bend is a definite must, which you can hit easily enough on your way into town from Flagstaff. You might also visit Glen Canyon Dam and time permitting, take one of the tours. Or perhaps the short, scenic Lakeshore Drive which offers outstanding views of Lake Powell. It is in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, however, requiring a $25 per vehicle entrance fee.
Keep in mind that the driving distance/time from Flagstaff to Page is ~2.5 hours each way (not factoring in stops), and driving in the dark is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the tendency of wildlife to congregate around them after dusk. Sunset occurs a bit after 6:00 PM during the month of April.
Same deal for your South Rim day – it takes about 90 minutes to drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon South Rim, then ~2.5 hours to drive from the South Rim to Sedona. The section us US89A from Flagstaff to Sedona is really windy and is crazy-scary to drive at night.
As you’ve probably gathered by this point, using Flagstaff, AZ as a “home base” is not really optimal. Staying there necessitates a long drive on either end of a full day of sightseeing, which has its own drawbacks. You might consider staying in Page, AZ for your day there, then at Grand Canyon South Rim for the day you choose to explore that area.
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful vacation, whatever you choose to do!
Alley 🙂February 23, 2018 at 8:01 PM
Ania
Hello Alley,
this is awesome! So so helpful!
Thank you for sharing!
Best,
Ania
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You’re welcome, Ania! Best to you,
Alley 🙂February 22, 2018 at 11:13 PM
Ronnya
Hey Allie what hike do you recommend for Zion National Park. One of the girls is scared of really difficult trails. Also for the new wave do you have an address we can put in ? We are flying in now!
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Hi Ronnya,
There are lots of easy hikes in Zion that don’t involve big drop-offs. A few “iconic” hikes that are also family friendly include the Riverside Walk, the Weeping Rock Trail and Emerald Pools Trail.
Regarding an address for the New Wave, there is no official one, but approximate GPS coordinates are 36.937177, -111.495294. Driving from Page, AZ, you would cross the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge, round a bend to the right, then just before the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex on the right, you’ll see a turn-off to the left. That’s where you would go to start exploring the New Wave.
If you see any signage instructing you not to drive on that road, however, be sure to obey it.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 21, 2018 at 5:06 PM
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From Ronnya
Thank you! We are driving to Zion National Park. Would the new wave be on the way to Page Arizona? Is there any other National Park on our way to Zion National park
February 21, 2018 at 7:48 PM
Rekha
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the one day schedule to do at Page. I was wondering if at all adding Bryce and Zion to day 2 of this schedule is doable. We will be driving from Vegas on Day 1 and need to return to Vegas end of day 2. Thanks.
Rekha
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Hi Rekha,
With one additional day to work with, you’ll need to choose one park. Attempting to drive to Bryce and Zion in one day would be too much, especially if you have to return to Vegas on Day 2.
Since Zion National Park would make for a short detour on your way back to Vegas, it would make for the most logical add-on to your itinerary.
One possible glitch is if you’re visiting during the spring, summer or early fall months is that you’ll need to take a shuttle into the park from the town of Springdale, UT, which will add more time onto an already long drive. Only those with lodging reservations are allowed to drive their own cars into the park during the peak visitation period.
Hope that helps. Have a fun trip!
Alley 🙂February 21, 2018 at 5:09 PM
Pallavi
Wonderful itinerary. We were looking for one like this.
We are planning to make a visit in First week of March.What we had was antelope canyon and horseshoe bend for a days visit. We have booked 10:30 tour for lower as well as upper antelope canyon. We are still confused which one to visit ? Do you have any suggestions for this time of the year ?
Also Lake Powell boat tour was not in our list. But it seems a good ride seeing your itinerary. Will we get enough light in horse shoe after the boat trip in March first week?
We do not want to miss anything in your itinerary. Everything looks so good.
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Hi Pallavi,
Glad you’ve found the information you were looking for on our site!
First of all, it is not necessary to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Since both slot canyons are different segments of the same intermittent creek that drains into Lake Powell, the scenery will be very similar. Where they differ is terrain: Upper is an easy 100-yard, mostly flat walk, whereas Lower Antelope Canyon involves some stair climbing and easy bouldering. If you’re physically OK with doing Lower, I would stick with that and cancel the reservation for Upper Antelope Canyon. 10:30 AM is an excellent time to visit, by the way.
Regarding Horseshoe Bend, the view from the rim is completely exposed, so lighting is not an issue… except maybe at night, LOL 😉 Opinions vary on the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend, but according to ours, there’s no such thing as a “bad” time.
If the “boat ride” you refer to is the Glen Canyon Smooth Water Float Trip, here again, lighting won’t be an issue as the width of the canyon allows plenty of sunlight in.
If you find yourself with more time to work with, you might consider visiting the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum or the Glen Canyon Dam Carl Hayden Visitors Center.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂February 14, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Nancy
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
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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 🙂February 13, 2018 at 6:52 PM
Ronnya Peter
Hi Alley!
I’m making a trip out in A couple weeks and wanted some advice on the tours.
I’m doing the hike tour at Zion National Park on February 21st. After the tour, we are driving to Page, Arizona and spending the night. The following day, 22nd, me and two friends wanted to do both upper/lower Antelope canyon as well as visit the horseshoe bend. I was wondering if you can help me make out this itinerary. For upper Antelope canyon, the open slots are 8:30am, 1030, 1:00pm, And 3:00. For lower Canyon, there are slots open every half hour all morning and afternoon on the 22nd. When do you rwant commend to do the upper and lower? Also, do you recommend us to go to horseshoe bend before the canyon starts or after?
Is there anyway you can give me an idea of what the horseshoe be d hike consists of? Are we taking a hike or are we driving to that scenic visual? How long does will we be at horseshoe bend?
We are driving to Vegas the night of the 22nd.
Thank you! 🙂
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Hi Ronnya!
I’m going to ‘reverse-engineer’ your itinerary, in other words, work backwards from the 22nd.
The drive from Page to Las Vegas takes ~4.5 hours. You want to avoid driving after dark if you can possibly help it due to the lack of supplemental/artificial lighting on area roads, and the tendency of deer, elk and other wildlife to congregate near local roadways. Sunrise is a little bit after 7 AM in February; sunset occurs at about 6:15. So, you want to start heading for Las Vegas at around 2:00 PM, maybe 3:00 PM at the latest. You will, after all, have LOTS of light to work with as you get closer to Las Vegas LOL
Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is OK in theory, but in reality, not so much. They are both drainages of the same intermittent creek that flows into Lake Powell, so touring both of them would probably seem redundant after all was said and done. If you’re physically up for touring Lower Antelope Canyon, which requires some stair climbing and simple bouldering, stick with that. Though mid-day is generally regarded as the best time to tour Antelope Canyon, truthfully, any time is a good time. Find an open slot at a time that works for you and grab it.
Horseshoe Bend can be visited on either side of your Antelope Canyon tour (before or after). It is open 24/7. And yes, you are taking something of a “hike,” and not driving directly to the viewpoint. The distance from the parking lot to the overlook is 0.6 miles (1.2 miles round-trip) and is manageable for most people in reasonably good health. If anyone in your party feels like they can’t make the walk, there are other ways of seeing Horseshoe Bend, in your case, flying over it would be your other alternative. Visiting on foot, average/recommended time for experiencing Horseshoe Bend fully is 90 minutes-2 hours.
On the drive down from Zion National Park to Page, AZ, some sites you might consider stopping at, time permitting, are:
**The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: at mile marker 19 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 you’ll find a moderate 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to a Mars-like landscape of whimsical hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities. Don’t be fooled by what looks like the end of the trail; a short rock scramble leads to the main hoodoo garden.
**The Big Water Visitor Center: located 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ over the Utah border on US89, this small but impressive facility features locally-excavated dinosaur bones, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and award-winning paleontology and geology displays.
**The “New Wave:” approximately one mile past the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, opposite the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex, turn left instead and you’ll come to a small but interesting cluster of rock formations that bear more than just a passing resemblance to “The Wave.” Unlike the “Old Wave,” the “New Wave” requires no permits, and at the moment, no admission fee. The only caveat: the road is not regularly maintained and prone to washing out. If you see any signage stating “no admittance” or the like, obey it.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂February 12, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Thomas Reuting
Hi,
how long is one tour in hours? I will stay in july with two other families.
Kind regards, Thomas
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Hi Thomas,
The Antelope Hidden Canyon Kayak tour runs between 3-4 hours depending on the water level of Lake Powell and how much (or little) hiking it allows for.
Keep in mind that July is peak of summer, therefore daytime temperatures will be very hot. For maximum comfort and personal safety, taking this tour in the morning is strongly recommended.
Hope that helps! Book your Antelope Hidden Canyon Kayak tour now.
Alley 🙂February 12, 2018 at 3:11 PM
Tessa
Hello Alley!!
Just reading your posts makes me excited 😊
So, we were planning babymooning in Page. March 8 th weekend is the only available time we can visit. 6 mnths prego and would love to see the horseshoe bend and upper antelope ( since you suggest it to be less physical).
Can you please suggest a boat / bus tour that will cover theses attractions and be ok for a pregnant woman? ( probaby its a crazy idea but I would love to do it now than latter😊)
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Hi Tessa,
Thank you for visiting our site and apologies for the delay in responding to your inquiry.
Congratulations on your “bundle of joy,” and kudos for making the decision to tour Page, AZ and its attractions while you still have the time and/or inclination LOL
Antelope Canyon is the only attraction you mention that requires reservations for a tour. You can catch one from the town of Page, or drive directly to the Tribal Park entrance on US98. Either way, it’s the same price and tour durations and logistics are virtually identical. Whichever way you choose to go, advance reservations are essential. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend can then be visited at your leisure, with your own vehicle. Regarding Horseshoe Bend, the walking distance round-trip is 1.2 miles, and at the present time, you might encounter deep sand and some somewhat steep uphill terrain. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and bring plenty of water. If you find yourself tiring, sit down to rest (there are benches on the trail), or skip this activity altogether. What To Do If You Can’t Make The Hike to Horseshoe Bend
As for a Lake Powell boat tour, probably best to keep such activities on the shorter side, and take them during the cooler part of the day (morning) in light of your pregnancy. Longer trips, such as the Rainbow Bridge boat tour, might push the limits of your endurance right now. Popular boat tours of duration of 3 hours or less include the Canyon Adventure Boat Tour and the Canyon Princess Dinner Cruise.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂February 12, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Lorna
Hi we were planning to go to upper or lower canyon this coming Feb 18 what are the requirements. we are coming from Vegas.
Thanks,
Lorna
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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 🙂February 10, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Armando Silva Jr
Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much for all the information you have given us. We will be going to Sedona from 2/21-2/25/18 and want to go out to Page on that Thurs. We are staying in Kachina Village which says it’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive. We have one day to spend there and want to get as much as we can in, what do you recommend as far as time effective and being that it’s late Feb.? Thank you so much
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Hi Armando,
First off, going to Page as a “day trip” from Sedona is less than ideal due to the driving distance. Google Maps indicates the drive time from Sedona to Page as 2.5 hours, but in reality, it ends up being more like 3.5+ hours because there are many points of interest along the way that you’ll no doubt want to stop at. Staying overnight in Page is best, but I imagine you’re locked into those reservations at Kachina Village, so there’s probably no choice in the matter.
Seeing as though daylength in February is relatively short (sun rises at 7 AM and sets at about 6 PM), and we strongly discourage driving in the dark, get as early a start as possible out of Sedona. Swing by Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff if you wish (they’re connected by a loop drive), then stop for breakfast/brunch at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of US89 and AZ64.
Continuing North to Page, Horseshoe Bend is just South of town and a definite must-see, so make a stop there, allow for 1-2 hours to experience it.
Afterward, take a tour of Antelope Canyon. Now, here’s where you need a little advance planning because Antelope Canyon is extremely popular and advance reservations for tours are a must. You’ll need to decide whether to tour Lower Antelope Canyon (more physical, requires some stair climbing and simple bouldering) or Upper Antelope (shorter, easier, the better choice if you’re traveling with elderly or mobility compromised individuals). Mid-day is generally regarded to be the best time to tour the canyon, but any time is good. If you’re unable to secure reservations at Antelope Canyon, or have no desire to contend with the crowds, you might consider an alternate slot canyon tour, which will mean a longer, more physical tour, and a bit pricier, but a more intimate and personal experience is what you get in exchange.
In order to get back to Sedona by dusk, you should plan to leave Page no later than 3:30 PM. If you have more time to work with after your primary sightseeing objectives are completed, you might consider visiting the John Wesley Powell Museum or the Navajo Village Heritage Center. Another possibility would be a short trip on Lakeshore Drive to take in some views of Lake Powell. This area is within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so an entrance fee of $25 per vehicle would be required.
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂February 08, 2018 at 5:23 PM
Alex
Hi Alley,
Your page has been extremely helpful in planning an upcoming vacation my friends and I want to take to the Grand Canyon/Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend & possibly Zion. I was wondering if I could run my itinerary by you and get your opinions/suggestions. We are going to be travelling in the mid-end of May and have 4 full days.
Option 1:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Drive to Page for Lower Antelope Canyon Tour, Kayak Lake Powell, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 3: The Wave/Zion
Day 4: The Wave/Zion, Fly out of LAS
*With this option, we are not sure if we will be able to see the Wave but we have heard of the “New Wave”?
Option 2:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Drive to Page, Kayak on Lake Powell
Day 3: Lower Antelope canyon tour, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 4: Drive to Zion Utah, Fly out of LAS
*Can we do Zion in one day? We would try to take an overnight flight home in order to do so, but it seems like a lot of driving in one day?
Option 3:
Day 1: Drive from PHX airport to hike Grand Canyon
Day 2: Grand Canyon Sunrise, Breakfast in canyon, Drive to Page, Kayak on Lake Powell
Day 3: Antelope canyon tour, drive to Utah side of Lake Powell, Sunset Horseshoe Bend
Day 4: Sedona/Flagstaff, Fly out of PHX
Since we are so close to Utah we really want to see the state if at all possible!
Have heard great things about Zion. Any travel tips you have would be greatly appreciated!!
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Hi Alex, and thanks for your compliments!
Before you commit to a plan that involves you flying into one airport and out of another, I would strongly recommend checking out costs of rental car fees. Due to the relative remoteness of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, and major cities being somewhat few and far between, most rental car outlets charge rather hefty surcharges for dropping a vehicle anyplace other than where you picked it up.
The “great things” you heard about Zion are absolutely true! What’s more, it’s a huge park that deserves 2 days or your time in order to do it justice. Keep in mind though that if you’re not staying inside the park, you will be required to catch a shuttle out of the town of Springdale, UT in order to explore it, which isn’t a detriment necessarily because we recommend staying in Springdale if Zion comes at the end of your trip since it puts you closer to Las Vegas (~3 hours).
Regarding The Wave, chances are, you’re not going to get there. If you haven’t gone through the application process for an on-line permit, which took place in January, you’ll have to try for a walk-in permit the day prior to when you wish to hike. The walk-in permit process takes place in Kanab, UT, so you’d have to plan to be there first thing in the morning (8:00 AM local time IIRC), then when you fail to get a permit (which, statistically, is the most likely outcome), figure out other things to do that day. The “New” Wave would probably be a more realistic option. It’s a small but interesting cluster of rock formations, some of which bear a slight resemblance to The Wave but are more “monochromatic” in color. Here’s a map of how to get there from Page. Remember, though, that the road is unmaintained, and prone to washing out in storms, so be careful where you drive and if signs are posted stating “no admittance,” obey them.
So, long story short, an itinerary we’d recommend is:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at GC
Day 2: Drive from GC to Page early, hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, take Antelope Canyon tour or Lake Powell Kayak tour, overnight in Page
Day 3: Take Antelope Canyon or Lake Powell Kayak Tour, hit “New” Wave, drive to Zion, overnight Springdale, UT
Day 4: More sightseeing in Zion if desired, fly out of Las Vegas
Are you sure you can’t arrange for a Day 5 in there somewhere? LOL
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂February 08, 2018 at 5:09 PM
Aemillia
Hello,
We will either flying to Las Vegas and drive to Page and Sedona or fly to Phoenix and drive there. Which is a shorter drive or what do you recommend?
In Page and Sedona, what do you recommend to do? We will be there 5 days and traveling with two kids 5 and 10 years old.
Thank you for your time.
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Hi Aemillia,
If you’re definitely wishing to include Sedona in your trip plans, Phoenix would be the most logical airport to fly into. It’s 2-2.5 hours from PHX/Sky Harbor to Sedona, then another 3 hours to Page, then if you were to drive from Page back to PHX, the drive is approximately 4.5 hours.
In Page, popular activities include: the Glen Canyon Smooth Water Rafting Trip, Antelope Canyon Tours, Horseshoe Bend Overlook, boat tours on Lake Powell and tours of the Glen Canyon Dam. Availability of activities does depend on season; during the cooler months of the year, most water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus, but you can still find plenty to occupy 2 days’ time.
Popular activities in Sedona include jeep tours, a variety of hiking trails in varying degrees of difficulty, Chapel of the Holy Cross cultural site, Tlaquepaque shopping center and Slide Rock State Park. Here again, season of travel determines which activities are best for your family; Slide Rock State Park is essentially a swimming hole, which wouldn’t be much fun in February, but would be a welcome relief from the heat in June.
Have fun and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 03, 2018 at 3:51 PM
Beth
What company does these tours? We are going down Feb 19th and all we can find companies don’t start tours until March.
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Hi Beth,
Unfortunately you won’t be able to take part in a kayak tour in February. It’s simply too cold to be on the water and be comfortable.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! 🙁
AlleyFebruary 02, 2018 at 10:43 PM
Melissa D
Love all your suggestions and would love your perspective on ideally what would be good to do with a limited time frame. I am taking my college age brother on a trip for Spring break and due to my time constraints can’t be gone that long. So, we are flying into Phoenix early on Sunday, March 11th and Leave Wednesday the 14th. Currently, I absolutely want to do Sedona, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend…outside of that, I would love your suggestions and I would love your opinions and thoughts on order and timing. Any food places to stop are good too! We are true foodies…Elote is already on the list in Sedona because it’s amazing.
Thank you in advance!!!
Mel
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Hi Mel and thank you for visiting our site today.
First thing: the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? I’ll assume you have, and base my advice on Sedona and Page being the primary objectives of your March trip.
So: since you’re flying in “early” on Sunday, I’d suggest making the drive to Page that day. It takes about 4.5 hours to make the trip if you drive direct, but that rarely happens as the route is very scenic and you’ll no doubt find places you want to stop. Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, just North of Flagstaff are quite fascinating. An Ancestral Puebloan complex and a dormant volcano respectively are the predominant features at these monuments that are connected by a convenient loop drive.
If you get underway early enough, you might consider stopping at the Cameron Trading Post at the Junction of AZ64 and US89 for lunch. The Navajo Tacos are amazing, but caution: unless you’re absolutely starving, get the mini. The regular is huge! Or get the regular and take a to-go box for a snack later LOL.
On the way into Page, stop at Horseshoe Bend just South of town. For dinner, I’ve always been partial to Bonkers and Blue Buddha, but then again Page, Arizona restaurants offer quite a surprising variety to choose from. Tour Antelope Canyon the following morning (be sure to make reservations), then sometime early in the afternoon, head down for Sedona. It’s about a 3-hour drive if you don’t stop. If you didn’t get to tour Wupatki/Sunset Crater or do the Cameron Trading Post stop the day prior, you might do it then. Get settled in at your hotel in Sedona, do dinner at Elote, then the next day, consider doing a Pink Jeep Tour or walking tour around downtown Sedona.
Get a good night’s sleep, then head down to Phoenix for your flight out. By saving Sedona for the back half of your trip, you’ll only have a 2-hour drive to the airport.
Of course, this is contingent on lodging availability in both locations. Be sure you square that away first, then make reservations for your Antelope Canyon tour, as well as your table at Elote.
Also, sunset occurs at about 6:30 PM that time of year. Be sure you avoid driving after dark since artificial/supplemental lighting is kept to a bare minimum in this part of the country. The road from Flagstaff to Sedona in particular is very windy, which is crazy-scary driving in the dark (trust me, I’ve done it!).
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂February 02, 2018 at 4:15 PM
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From Melissa
Alley,
Thank you so much for the quick response! So, I have been to the Grand Canyon, but my brother has not. With such a short period of time do you think there is a route from Phoenix to Page that would give a good opportunity for me to stop and see the Grand Canyon with my brother? I know there is no time to actually hike the Canyon, so it wasn’t on the list, but if you think that there is a driving route to take that has us give him a good “look” I would be absolutely game to making the trek that way. Or if you said on the way from Page to Sedona it would be good to “swing by” the Canyon. I don’t want to spend all the time in the car, but then again if we are just that close it’s dumb not to show him I would do it. I have done Sedona and Grand Canyon in the past and loved Sedona so much. Love the suggestions and the tips! THANK YOU again for taking the time to educate and give great guidance to all of us!!!
MelFebruary 03, 2018 at 4:41 PM
Thomas Fung
I’m flying over with a frd from Hong Kong. I would like to make a reservation on either 14/15 Feb. How is there any chance to get 2 lottery?
Thank you
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Hi Thomas,
If you’re referring to how to get to Kanab, UT to try your hand at the walk-in lottery for Wave permits for the following day, your best bet is to drive. If you’re flying into Las Vegas, the approximate drive time is 4 hours. Connecting flights from Las Vegas to St. George, UT are also available that would reduce your drive time to approximately 90 minutes. In either case, though, you should plan to arrive in Kanab, UT the day prior to when you want to try the lottery, and stay in a hotel for a minimum of 2 days time: 1 night prior to the lottery, then another night after you complete your hike to The Wave, should you be successful in obtaining a permit. In the likely event you are not successful, there are several tour companies in the area that can take you to other beautiful places that aren’t so hard to get access to, such as White Pocket, the “White” Wave, Mystical Slot Canyon and others.
Hope that helps and good luck,
Alley 🙂January 31, 2018 at 6:47 PM
Bonnie Z
Hi – thanks for all your helpful information. We are going to spend one night in Page in late March 2018 and would like to visit both lower and upper antelope canyon. It sounds like we should do the 10:30 tour of Upper Antelope to catch the light but I am not sure what time to book for the lower canyon. you mention that tours have often been delayed and that our reservation won’t be honored if we arrive late so…. What time can we reasonably book the lower canyon tour and not arrive late? We will be driving on to the southern rim at the end of the day so we don’t want to leave it too late. Or should we go on an earlier tour as the light beams may not happen in March anyhow? Additionally, I did not see any one company offering tours of both canyons, is that correct? So if we have to use two different companies, we won’t want to have to drive back into Page between tours…. Which companies should we use to allow us to park somewhere near both? And where ? Or is there a shuttle? Not sure how to handle the logistics of this. Thank you for your advise!
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Hi Bonnie,
Personally, we wouldn’t recommend touring both Upper and Lower. Once you see one, the other will probably seem somewhat redundant or superfluous. At present, the Navajo tribe is doing some brainstorming to see how they can alleviate or ameliorate the congestion problem in both canyons. That said, though, I’d say if you’re physically up for doing Lower, stick with that. Choose a time that fits your schedule best. As you’ve deduced, the light beams probably won’t be there fully in March anyway.
Now, if you decide that you absolutely must tour both canyons, you are correct in that no single company tours both canyons. What you’ll need to do is drive down to the Tribal Park Entrance on US98 and tour the canyon with the outfitters that are based there. For Upper, the company is Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. For Lower, there are two companies to choose from: Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours. Both companies are good, offer basically the same tour, right down to the footstep – and the penny.
Be sure to make time to visit Horseshoe Bend while you’re here, too!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 27, 2018 at 6:28 PM
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From Bonnie Z
Thank you for your quick reply. I really do think we want to do both as this is our only chance to visit. What do you suggest for the timing issue so as to make sure we don’t get delayed at one and miss the other?
thank you!
January 29, 2018 at 5:14 AM
Sarah
Which (upper or lower) do you suggest if we will have our 20month old son with us?
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Hi Sarah,
Upper Antelope Canyon would probably be the best bet for a family with a toddler in tow. Lower, I would imagine, is a bit too long and too physical. Plus it would probably be awkward carrying your son through some of the tighter squeezes.
Hope that helps. Whatever you choose, be sure to make your tour reservations well in advance of your arrival.
Have a great day!
Alley 🙂January 26, 2018 at 8:15 PM
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Hi Sarah,
Could you tell me what was your choice?
Do you finally visit lower Canyon with your toddler?
Was it a good idea?Thanks a lot.
Regards
February 21, 2018 at 4:40 PM
Margaret
We are planning a trip to Antelope Canyon in March during spring break. What is the best time of day to schedule a tour. Which would you recommend: upper or lower canyon? How strenuous is the hike? Thinking of bringing my 70 year old (in pretty good shape) mom along. There are several tour companies out there. Can you suggest which one to go with?
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Hi Margaret, and thank you for visiting our site today!
For most parties with seniors, we tend to recommend Upper Antelope Canyon as the safer bet of the two, but then again we have folks 70-80+ hike Lower Antelope Canyon every day without trouble. In order to gauge its feasibility accurately for yourselves, we recommend watching this video of a Lower Antelope Canyon Walk-Through. If you decide against Lower Antelope, then Upper it is.
As for which tour company we recommend, in all honesty, it’s whoever has availability at the time closest to when you want to go. Between the different outfitters, the tours themselves are virtually identical, right down to the footstep, and the penny 😉 How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
AlleyJanuary 25, 2018 at 8:35 PM
Alli K.
Hello!
I am trying to plan a trip to go in the beginning of March, around the 5-9 (our spring break, so maybe it will be a little busier then?). How will the light and pictures be around that time? And it won’t be super busy right? I’m guessing not because it will probably still be a little chilly? What are your thoughts?
Thank you!!
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OMG, I’m Alley K too! That’s awesome.
In answer to your questions, early March is a fine time for taking pictures in Antelope Canyon, as well as at Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. As to how busy it will be, that remains to be seen, but using 2017 as a gauge, it won’t be uncrowded by any means. The Page area doesn’t have much of an off-season anymore, so expect to share the area with other “spring breakers.” Regarding the weather, yes, it can still be quite chilly as March is in that transitional zone between winter and spring. Be prepared to dress warmly, and you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy your visit to the area.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley K 🙂January 25, 2018 at 8:32 PM
Jessnom
Hi , I stumbled across your website today and found your post very helpful for planning our upcoming honeymoon visit to the US. I am planning to spend about 5-6 days in the Utah/Arizona. I wish to visit the lower antelope canyon, horseshoe bend, monument valley and zion national park. Also, I saw that there is a nice glamping in moab (under canvas moab) in the dessert area.
i have two options here :
option A – (do you think there will be too much of driving for option A?)
day 1 Vegas -Zion national park
day 2 under canvas moab (have to do more research for places to go in this area)
day 3 Monument valley (have to do more research for places to go in this area) – page
day 4 Lower Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend
day 5 back to Vegas
Option B-
day 1 Vegas -Zion national park, under canvas Zion
day 2 Zion national park – page
day 3 Lower Antelope canyon, horseshoe bend – Vegas
Could you please give me some advice on it?
Thank you very much !
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Dear Jessnom,
Hello and congratulations on y our upcoming wedding!
A couple of things that stick right out about your itinerary:
1. The Grand Canyon is missing. Was that an unintentional oversight, or have you already been there?
2. Trying to include Moab in this itinerary is probably a little too ambitious. It’s a 3+ hour drive from Las Vegas to Zion, and then a 5 hour drive from Zion to Moab. Another consideration? Zion warrants at least 2 days of your time, and Moab deserves at least 3 days. With 5-6 days total to work with, using Las Vegas as your starting point, I’d recommend trimming Moab off the list this time around and save it for another visit, and possibly Monument Valley, too.
So, with 5-6 days to work with, here’s what I’d recommend:
Day 1 – fly to Vegas, spend the night
Day 2 & 3 – Zion National Park
Day 4 – Page, AZ (Horseshoe Bend/Antelope Canyon)
Day 5 – Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 6 – Back to Las Vegas
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon and have no inclination to go back, you could always take it off the itinerary, substitute Monument Valley, than save Zion for the end of your loop.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 25, 2018 at 8:28 PM
Jin Choo
Hello …been googling but cannot find the website of the provider of this Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend Air Tour? Can you email me a link for me to get to book it. tks/ jin
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Hi Jin,
The tour company is Grand Canyon/Scenic Airlines. For reservations, visit https://www.papillon.com/las-vegas-tours/airplane-air-tours/antelope-canyon-expedition#/#retail-book
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 23, 2018 at 5:32 PM
Adrianne
Hi. I am planning a visit to Antelope Canyon with my kids, and came upon the kayak tour which looks cool. Does the kayak tour offer you equivalent views as either the upper or lower canyon tour? We won’t be there when the beam of light touches the floor anyway, but as far as the colors and they other majesty of the canyon, can we get that on the kayak tour, or do we need to do both? Also, do we have to have a guide to hike Cathedral Canyon or can we do that on our own?
Thanks!
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Hi Adrianne, and thank you for your inquiry.
The Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour offers a totally different perspective than the landside tours (Upper and Lower). The colors, by virtue of being more exposed to the sun, will probably appear more monochromatic than they would in the landside of the canyon, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The main benefit, IMO, of taking the kayak or any waterside tour is to get a better sense of the true complexity of the Antelope Creek drainage, and its connection to Lake Powell. Plus, if you’ve never kayaked before, it’s a lot of fun!
Regarding Cathedral Canyon, it is on Navajo Tribal Lands and as such, requires a guide to see. Cathedral Canyon is cool because it has some geological features you won’t find in other slots.
Hope that helps. Enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2018 at 9:47 PM
Deedra
Hi Alley – this is really great. I’ve been scouring the internet and maps trying to figure everything out. But I think I made a mistake when I booked our lodging at Grand Canyon many months ago. We are flying into Vegas Friday evening or Saturday (March 23 or 24), and flying out the next Wednesday or Thursday (March 28 or March 29). But we have reservations for GC on Sunday and Monday (March 25 and 26) We don’t necessarily need to stay both though. How much can we see with these parameters? And it what order? Also we are traveling with our nine year old and I don’t want to be too ambitious. Any suggestions??
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Hi Deedra and thank you for visiting our site today.
It is probably too late to move your lodging reservations at the Grand Canyon up a day. That said, though, since you already have two nights reserved, you could feasibly drop one night at Grand Canyon South Rim and still have a fulfilling visit to the area. A good chunk of your sightseeing at the South Rim will actually take place on the trip East out the Desert View Drive of the park. There are several viewpoints you can stop at before exiting Grand Canyon and entering Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. A stop at the Cameron Trading Post is well-placed for a leg stretch/bathroom break, or even a late breakfast/early lunch.
On your way into Page, hit Horseshoe Bend, then plan for a tour of Antelope Canyon if you can get an early enough start. Antelope Canyon tours must be reserved in advance.
If you opt for a 2nd night in Page, you could take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Or, you could just spend one night in Page and spend your last night in Springdale, UT after sightseeing at Zion before driving back to Las Vegas for your return flight home.
So your trip plan would look something like this:
March 23rd and/or 24th: Las Vegas
March 25th: Grand Canyon
March 26th: Page
March 27th: Zion (Springdale)
March 28th: fly out
If you can somehow arrange your flight for March 29th, that would open up the option to stay 2 nights in Page and do the float trip, or spend a 2nd night in Zion.
Hope that clarifies things. Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2018 at 4:50 PM
Vishal
Hi,
Can you please advise us which tour time should we choose for Lower Antelope and Boat tour for Feb 25th?
Tour for Lower Antelope Canyon Check in by 11 and Depart by 11:30 is sold out. Should we choose check in by 10:30 and Depart by 11:00 or Check in by 11:30 /depart at 12:00?
We also wanted to cover Boat tour and horseshoe bend on same day.
We will be staying in near by hotel.
Thanks
Vishal.
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Hi Vishal,
Your plan is somewhat ambitious for one day, but doable with a little pre-planning.
Since you are will be staying in Page, AZ (hopefully), I would recommend visiting Horseshoe Bend as soon after sunrise as possible, then head down to Lower Antelope Canyon for the tour that checks in at 10.30 AM and departs at 11:00 AM. Afterward, head down to Antelope Point Marina for the Antelope Canyon waterside boat tour that departs at 2:30 PM. Or, you could opt to have lunch beforehand and take the tour that departs at 3:45 PM. For more information, visit https://www.antelopepointlakepowell.com/recreation/tours-2/
Be prepared to dress warmly, especially for morning activities. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 22, 2018 at 4:38 PM
Ellen
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!
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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 🙂January 22, 2018 at 4:32 PM
Larry H
Hi Alley. Your website is the BEST! Wealth of great info. On 5/21/18 we are driving from Williams to GCNP South Rim. Plan to hike 1 mile or less down Bright Angel trail. Then drive to Page, stopping at Cameron Trading Post for lunch. Doing 4:30 pm Upper Antelope Canyon tour (booked), staying 1 night Best Western Plus at Lake Powell. Horseshoe Bend on way to Cedar City, UT and points north. 4 senior citizens who start early, pack light, and go go all day! (me and my gal celebrating 50th anniversary, bringing our best friends)
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Hi Larry and congrats on your upcoming big anniversary!
You’ll definitely need to get an early start to pull all this off in one day. The drive from Williams to Grand Canyon South Rim takes about 1 hour. Factor in another 30 minutes or so to find a place to park, then 2-2.5 hours round-trip to make the hike you’re proposing to do. After that, it’s another hour to Cameron (good call on stopping there for lunch, the Navajo Tacos are amazing!), then 90 minutes further to Page. However – that 2.5 hour figure to make the drive from the South Rim to Page rarely translates to reality. Invariably, you’ll find yourself wanting to stop at the various Grand Canyon overlooks on the way out of the park, or any points of interest that catch your eye as you travel North to Page.
If you were to stay the night of 5/21/18 at Grand Canyon Village inside the park, or Tusayan/Grand Canyon Village South 7 miles outside the park, that would cut an hour off your total drive time, which might make a significant difference in how you feel by the time you get to Page. Remember that Grand Canyon South Rim is 7,000′ above sea level, which means the air is thinner. That tends to take a lot of anyone if they’re not accustomed to it. On your hike down Bright Angel Trail, just remember that 30 minutes down = 1 hour out. Even going a short distance down the trail will give you a good sense of how different things look and feel below the rim. Long story short, if you don’t hit that 1 mile goal, don’t sweat it too much. 😉
Again, happy anniversary and happy traveling!
Alley 🙂January 20, 2018 at 3:24 PM
cara
Hi Alley,
I’m a bit confused with the Wave tours… Do we need to apply for the lottery if we are on a tour? Wouldn’t that be included on our tour? Also, do you recommend any tour companies that take you in?
Thank you so much!
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Hi Cara,
Sorry for the confusion. As it states in the notes, toward the bottom of the article“Using a guide does not exclude you from the permit requirement, nor does it increase your chances of getting one.”
So you would still need to go through the online lottery process, unfortunately, or try your hand at getting a walk-in permit if you strike out there. In the likely event you do not get a Wave permit, the tour companies that go to this area would be able to take you to alternate sites via prior arrangement, such as White Pocket, Steamboat Rock, Cobra Arch, Buckskin Gulch or you could visit The “New” Wave near Page, AZ on your own.
As for the best tour company to use, that would probably hinge on where you were staying. For example, if you were staying in Page, Arizona, Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours is licensed to go to these areas. If you’re staying in Kanab, Utah, Dreamland Safari Tours comes highly recommended. Right between the two towns on US is Paria, Utah, home of Paria Outpost & Outfitters. They have also been going to The Wave and surrounding attractions for many years.
Hope that helps! Have fun and safe travels,
Alley 🙂January 19, 2018 at 5:58 PM
Alex
Hi Alley!
We were planning to do a tour of upper and lower antelope canyon, but we saw that one of the tour companies has additional private canyons that can be bundled with a tour of upper canyon. We are going in May 2018 so we thought it might be nice to go in the private canyons because they might be fewer crowds, but then we would miss lower canyon. What would you recommend? Is lower antelope canyon something we should not miss?
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Hi Alex and thank you for stopping by today!
If you were wanting to do one of the “semi-private” canyons in the “bundle” with Upper Antelope, then IMO you would be fine skipping Lower. The main reason is because the lesser-known slots such as Mountain Sheep and Rattlesnake possess some of the attributes of Lower, such as stair climbing and simple bouldering, without the oppressive crowds sometimes experienced in Lower. For more details about these and other alternate slot canyons, give this a read Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
Hope that helps! Have a wonderful trip,
Alley 🙂January 17, 2018 at 6:34 PM
Ashley Ocampo
Hi,
I’ll be in Tucson on 2/24 to speak on a panel and would like to see the canyon’s while in the state as I have never been and have always wanted to go! The plan would be to fly into Tucson and fly out of Phoenix as I believe that’s the best option, right?
But, and correct me if I’m wrong, this seems to be off season so a tour would not be available? If so, is there anything I can do at this time?
Appreciate any help!
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Hi Ashley and thank you for visiting our site today!
Actually, Tucson is only about a 90 minute drive from Phoenix. If you were planning to rent a car anyway, I would recommend just flying into and out of Phoenix.
Speaking of Phoenix, winter and spring are actually peak season in that area. As for Northern Arizona, it’s a little slower, but not much. Most tours are operating, with the exception of water-based activities such as the Colorado River Float Trip and Lake Powell Boat Tours. It’s a little too cold for those.
Hope that’s the information you were looking for!
Have a wonderful trip and good luck with your speaking engagement.
Alley 🙂January 15, 2018 at 5:12 PM
Helen
My friend and I are visiting Arizona in mid March, staying for a day in Page. We plan to do the lower antelope canyon around 10 am on the 17th of March and possibly another short slot canyon before we off to the South rim of Grand Canyon. Can you recommend one (possibly X canyon or horse shoe canyon?) for us? We are in 50s and feel like the lower antelope may not be enough to experience the slot canyon but wonder if its worth to try another canyon due to time constraint as we dont want to drive too late to the grand canyon. Thanks much
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Hi Helen and thanks for stopping by today.
It’s not really necessary to do more than one slot canyon ground tour in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. Indeed, it might seem redundant. I’m assuming you plan to hit Horseshoe Bend at some point on your trip, but if you do have more time to work with, I’d recommend a tour that gives you a different perspective on the area, such as a Lake Powell boat tour, float trip on the Colorado River, perhaps an airplane or helicopter tour.
Air tours are best done in the morning for better light and less wind. It takes approximately 3 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon and sunset is at about 5:30 PM in March, so plan your day accordingly.
Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂January 13, 2018 at 8:57 PM
Trudy
I am trying to plan a trip to Antelope canyon with my husband and 3 kids. Is there someone who can help me put together an itinerary?
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Hi Trudy!
If you’re looking for a travel agent, you might inquire in your local community for a reference. Sadly, these once-valued and knowledgeable professionals are ‘going the way of the dodo’ in the digital age, but they can still be found.
Another great source of trip planning information is the travel forum of TripAdvisor. There, you can ask specific questions, or read answers to questions previously posted that are similar to yours. I am a regular contributor on the Arizona and Utah forums and occasionally the Nevada and Idaho forums. Just look for the gal with the hat 😉
Good luck and safe travels!
AlleyJanuary 11, 2018 at 5:58 PM
Erica Spears
Hello wanting to go visist antelope canyon in april or may for maternity photos. Do you have recomendations how/when to get the best pictuers. As well as recommendations for a local photagrapher around the area
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Hi Erica,
Congratulations on your “bundle of joy!”
For recommendations for photographers, I would recommend contacting one of the Antelope Canyon tour outfitters. Some of their employees do photography on the side, or could recommend a good photographer.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂January 04, 2018 at 7:16 PM
Jen
Hi – I’m wondering how to increase my chances of winning the lottery?
I’ve been listing my party as 4 people. Does this give me a smaller chance of winning, than if my party size was only 2 people?
Aside from my husband, I’d like to bring our two good friends (who we often hike with).
Do they mean they draw passes for 10 parties (of varying sizes), or 10 unique individuals? In other words, if my party of 4 got a pass, would they draw for 9 other parties, or just 6 other people?
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Hi Jen,
Unfortunately, there’s no way to really increase your odds of winning the lottery. Names are drawn at random and so many people apply on any given day that it’s a huge stroke of luck if you win. And yes, when they draw 10 passes, it’s 10 people, not 10 parties. So if your party of 4 won, only 6 other people would get to hike that day. Of course, you’re welcome to apply for 2 people, but that’s no guarantee that your friends would get drawn the same day.
Now, one tiny exception: plan your hike during bad weather periods. That means dead of winter/heat of summer. Hiking at either time is risky, but summer is especially, because daytime high temperatures can exceed 110 degrees, increasing your risk for heat-related maladies, including dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death (it’s happened). The Bureau of Land Management, naturally, assumes no responsibility for these incidents as lottery winners are well-informed of the potential risks beforehand.
I know that probably doesn’t help, but we wish you the best of luck! Be sure to plan for some alternative activities in the likely event you do not win the online or in-person lottery.
Take care,
Alley 🙂January 04, 2018 at 7:15 PM
Tina
Hi Alley
Our group of 10 people want to book a tour to canyon x. We are driving from las vegas to the tour place and got a tour time of 1:00 pm. On december 28. Just want to ask is that a good time of the day to hike, consider the light. And how difficult it is as our youngest member is a 10 years old
Thanks
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Hi Tina and thank you for visiting our site.
On December 28th, temperatures will be on the cooler side, but the light should be sufficient to enjoy Antelope Canyon X fully. Keep in mind that during the winter months, Nevada is on Pacific Standard Time and Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time, so Page is one hour “ahead” of Las Vegas. Be sure to time your drive accordingly.
As for difficulty of the hike, improvements to the entrance to the canyon made in recent years have made it a lot more manageable for tourists. If your 10-year-old is reasonably fit and has no mobility issues, he/she should be able to handle it without a problem.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at AntelopeCanyon.AZ!
Alley 🙂December 23, 2017 at 6:00 PM
Tracy
Hi Alley,
I accidentally clicked on your site and found it’s superb – a lot of useful information. A job well don!
We (husband, 20 yo daughter and I) are planning to drive from Lake Havasu City to Hurricane on 12/27, overnight stay there. 12/28 visit Zion NP, then drive to Page before dark. Stay two nights in Page. 12/29 visit Upper or Canyon X, then Lower Antelope Canyon, HSB, Lake Powell. 12/30 drive to Bakersfield, CA.
First of all, is our plan realistic? Any good stops on our drive to/from Page? Should we do Canyon X instead of Upper (both booked, but need to cancel one ASAP)?
Any advice/suggestions are very much appreciated!
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
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Hi Tracy, and thank you for the compliments!
Your trip plan looks pretty good. Still, I’d suggest a couple small modifications.
1. It is not necessary to visit both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. The scenery in both – though beautiful – would probably seem a bit redundant. If you’re physically up for doing Lower or Canyon X, and already have reservations, choose one, enjoy it, then hit Horseshoe Bend and any other sights that may be on your wish list! A tour of Glen Canyon Dam or the John Wesley Powell Museum could round out your day nicely.
2. At the time of year you’re visiting, there won’t be much going on at Lake Powell in the way of water-based activities. Many of these are on seasonal hiatus, but may operate with a minimum of 15 passengers. If you’re interested in any Lake Powell boat tours, you might phone Lake Powell Resort & Marina at 928-645-1027 or Antelope Point Marina at 928-645-5900. If a boat tour isn’t practical or possible, you can always drive down to either marina complex and just take a look and/or a walk-around. Remember that both are located within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so entrance fees will apply.
3. That last leg of your trip (Page, AZ-Bakersfield, CA) is an awfully long drive, anywhere 8.5-9.5 hours depending on what route you take. If you want to break that up, consider taking the route that goes via I-40 and stop in Laughlin, NV or Bullhead City, AZ.
Oh, some stops you might consider making en route from Zion to Page include, but are certainly not limited to:
– Kanab, Utah: once the on-location darling of Western movie producers, Kanab, Utah is a charming small town with plentiful shopping and dining opportunities. Locals and visitors alike are partial to the Rocking V Cafe and Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant.
– The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: at mile marker 19 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 you’ll find a moderate 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to a Mars-like landscape of whimsical hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities. Don’t be fooled by what looks like the end of the trail; a short rock scramble leads to the main hoodoo garden.
– The Big Water Visitor Center: located 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ over the Utah border on US89, this small but impressive facility features locally-excavated dinosaur bones, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and award-winning paleontology and geology displays.
– The “New Wave:” approximately one mile past the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, opposite the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex, turn left instead and you’ll come to a small but interesting cluster of rock formations that bear more than just a passing resemblance to “The Wave.” Unlike the “Old Wave,” the “New Wave” requires no permits, and at the moment, no admission fee. The only caveat: the road is not regularly maintained and prone to washing out. If you see any signage stating “no admittance” or the like, obey it.
Have a wonderful trip, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂December 21, 2017 at 5:57 PM
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From Tracy
Thank you so much, Alley, for all the useful advice! It’s very nice of you to spend so much time and effort helping other people. God bless your good heart!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!!
December 23, 2017 at 6:30 AM
Iza
Hi!!
I’m going to California next month and I’m wondering if it’s a good time to visit Antelope (Upper or Lower?) and Horseshoe Bend. What is the best time of the day for each one, where can I find the guided tour to purchase (in advance or at the entrance)?
Thanks for your help!
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Hi Iza!
January is a perfectly good time to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. We can’t lie about the fact that it will be cold, but we can tell you that you will have fewer visitors at both places to contend with.
As for best time of day, Antelope Canyon is regarded to be best visited at mid-day when the sun is as close to being directly overhead as possible. Due to the tilt of the Earth at this time of year, that will be a somewhat angular proximity, so the light beams you no doubt have seen pictures of won’t be present, but the colors of the canyon walls will still be beautiful.
The choice of Upper vs. Lower often comes down to physical fitness. If you’re OK with navigating stairs, a few boulders and some tight spaces, you’ll be fine with Lower Antelope Canyon. If you need/want something easier, then choose Upper. At only 100 yards in length and flat the whole way through, it’s manageable even for people with moderate mobility issues. How to book a tour for Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend may be visited at your leisure, any time you wish. Fortunately, there is no such thing as a bad time to visit (except for maybe at night), so simply visit when it suits your schedule best. If you happen to be coming to Page from Grand Canyon South Rim, you can easily hit it on your way into town.
Good luck, safe travels and Merry Christmas!
Alley 🙂December 19, 2017 at 12:02 AM
Vui
Do you think seniors ~70 will be able to make to the lower Antelope?
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Dear Vui,
Hello and thank you for your question! We are happy to report that individuals 70+, 80+ and above enjoy touring Lower Antelope Canyon every day. However, they must be relatively fit in order to do so. Those who rely on wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other mobility aids will not be able to navigate the stairs, ladders and small boulders present in the canyon. If you’re visiting during the summer months, when daytime high temperatures are up in the 100’s, touring the canyon is best done in the morning when it’s cooler. If you have any doubts at all about your ability to make it through Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon would be your best bet. At 100m in length and a flat trail throughout, it is manageable for most people.
Good luck and happy travels,
Alley 🙂December 16, 2017 at 3:02 PM
Sam Cohen
Enjoy reading the information you provide. Thank you. My wife and I just returned back after kayaking Antelope Canyon , then taking the Lower tour as we’ve done on a number of occasions. I was advised by a visitor to our center
( Springdale Visitor Center) just outside of Zion Nat’l Park about a Slot canyon on native property , just North of Page and you don’t require a tour. You do need a paid permit receipt though. On our way back , I was searching for signage , but no luck. Wracking my brain for the name of it and just can’t. She said you don’t have to go in a long ways , but the canyon can be as long as 16 miles…. it had a catchy name and I did look it up on Google while we were talking… dang it all !
Ring any bells for you ?
Thanks.
Sam- Hurricane,UT
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Hi Sam,
Boy, I, too am stumped here…
Native American Tribal Lands belonging to the Navajo Tribe are actually situated just Southeast of Page. Water Holes Canyon is a famous slot canyon that doesn’t require a tour per se, but does require a tribal permit to enter. Some deeper sections of this canyon require rappelling. The Navajo reservation has many slot canyons that have been closed to the public for going on 20 years due to problems such as vandalism, littering, etc. These include, but aren’t limited to, Butterfly Canyon, Starting Water Wash and Kaibeto Creek.
Just North of Page, the terrain tends to be part of either Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell), Bureau of Land Management, or Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument.
Buckskin Gulch is a very long slot canyon, with a shorter bypass possible via Wire Pass Canyon. This canyon has a sign-in station on-site where you pay your entrance fee via an “honor system.”
Hope that has helped! Apologies if it hasn’t.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Alley 🙂December 11, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Marie
Hi Alley,
Thnx for the info. I live in NY and we do get snow so I am used to it.
I wondered how bad or should I say how much snow do you guys get over there at the Canyon?
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In Page, AZ, usually just an inch or two, 4-6″ on very rare occasions, but the Grand Canyon can sometimes get up to a foot in a single storm!
December 15, 2017 at 5:38 PM
mrose
From LV, we are driving and will stay in Page for the night. Will first week of January be also a good time to see the Canyons?
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Dear Mrose,
Any time of year is a wonderful time to see the canyons! January will feature cooler temperatures, and the possibility of snow, but most days are sunny, and having fewer people to contend with than during the summer months is always a plus. Even though crowds are typically smaller during the winter months, do book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂December 11, 2017 at 5:04 PM
Marie
How about early January, it is worth visiting the canyons?
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Hi Marie,
It’s absolutely worth it to visit the canyons in January! Although cold weather and the possibility of snow might put a minor wrench in your plans, you’ll have fewer people to contend with than you would during the summer months, and IMO, that’s always a plus.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!December 08, 2017 at 10:50 PM
laurent
Hey Alley,
We are planning on driving from Vegas to see Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in two days and one night if possible. Any recommendations, tips, and or advice would be appreciated. Which place would you recommend we stop and stay over night?
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Hi Laurent,
That’s an awful lot to cram into a 2 days/1 night trip. It’s doable, but not desirable, we’ll put it that way. On day 1, you could drive from Las Vegas to Page, which will take 4.5-5 hours. If you make a “drive-by” detour of Zion, you could easily extend that to 6 hours. Take a mid-day tour of Antelope Canyon, then stay overnight in Page. Get up early on day 2, proceed to Grand Canyon South Rim (with a stop at Horseshoe Bend) which is a 2.5-3 hour drive. Fortunately, you’ll do a lot of sightseeing on the drive over, which is good, because you won’t have much time to do much else. It will then take you another 4.5-5 hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas.
Honestly, with the time you have to work with, you’re better off choosing one destination and enjoying “quality time” there, and if you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that wins out over Antelope Canyon any day of the week.
Good luck, I know it’s a hard choice.
Alley 🙂
P.S. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!December 08, 2017 at 10:48 PM
Oyin
Hi!
Thank you so much for this post.
I’m looking for some recommendations.
Will be coming to Arizona Dec 31 – Jan 4
Planning Grand Canyon, Page and Sedona. Initially had a plan but switched itinerary around a bit as my travel partner has to be back at work on the 2nd (Leaving from Flagstaff at 2am!!)
Flying into Phoenix, landing at 12
Any tips on how I should work this? (With the idea that Sedona is closest to Flagstaff I think).
Thinking Page, Sedona, Grand Canyon.
Not sure what to do in Page on 31st as we will likely arrive around 5pm (renting car). Saw something about Glen Canyon overlook. Maybe Cameron Trading Post?
1st – Antelope canyon and Horseshoe bend (anthing else to do?).
Drive to Sedona (Anything to do since it is evening time).
2nd – Pink Jeep Tour, Montezuma Castle and well (Anything else).
Drive to Grand Canyon. See the sunset at the South Rim.
3rd – Bright Angel Hike, maybe walk about town/Tusayan.
4th – Head home.
Any tips/itinerary ideas would be appreciated.
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Dear Oyin,
Hello and thank you for your inquiry. So let’s get right to it:
1. If you do indeed stick to your plan of arriving in Page at around 5 PM, you might as well pack it in for the day, or maybe go get some dinner then proceed to your hotel. Sunset takes place at about 5:20 PM that time of year, so you won’t have much daylight to work with.
2. If you opt to tour both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on the 1st, try to get your sightseeing done by about 2:00-2:30 PM so you don’t get caught driving after dark. Driving at night in this part of the US is strongly discouraged due to lack of supplemental lighting, and the tendency of deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife to congregate near roadways at night.
3. If you’re flying out of Phoenix at the end of your trip, I’d recommend flipping the order in which you visit Grand Canyon and Sedona. Visit Grand Canyon South Rim after Page, then go on to Sedona the next day. 4. Hiking on Bright Angel Trail may not be feasible at that time of year due to the possible presence of ice on the trail. If it is clear, go ahead and do it (remember that 1 hour down = 2 hours up). If the trail has already iced over, stick to rimside trails in Grand Canyon Village and maybe take a drive along the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive.
5. A Pink Jeep Tour and a visit to Montezuma’s Well will certainly occupy the better part of a day in Sedona. For more ideas on what to do in that area, go to www.visitsedona.com
6. Make ALL lodging and guided tour reservations in advance! You are proposing to visit over the New Year’s Eve holiday, which is a busy time of year in Northern Arizona tourist destinations.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂December 02, 2017 at 4:19 PM
HL
Hello Ryan/Alley!
I have always wanted to go to Antelope Canyon and horseshoe bend, but due to various reasons I’ll only be able to visit for two days.
I’ll be arriving at PHX friday morning (around 10:30AM) and my flight to leave PHX is at 6AM Sunday (I’m going to spend a night at the airport).
The plan right now is to visit GCNP for a few hours (I can’t hike, but I’m hoping to get a glimpse of it) then drive to our hotel near the antelope canyon at night. Saturday morning I would go on the antelope canyon tour & horseshoe bend, and drive back to PHX at night.
The only issue I have right now is the driving. I’ve read a few posts about how dark is it at night and how there are animals roaming around and now I’m kind of scared. I don’t really have any experiences with driving in really rural places and I’m wondering if you think I should skip GCNP all together and just drive to antelope canyon when I arrive at PHX, and return to PHX the following day in the afternoon.
I apologize for the lengthy post. Thank you for your help!
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Hi HL,
You are proposing to cram a LOT of sightseeing into a very short timeframe. While not the most desirable way to go, it is doable with some determination and the self-discipline to resist the urge to check things out that will invariably pique your interest along the way.
Not knowing when you are traveling, I can’t say for certain how much daylight you’ll have to work with, but if your trip is within the next few weeks time, you won’t have much. Sunrise these days is at about 7:15 AM; sunset is at about 5:30. Driving in the dark should definitely be avoided due to the factors you have read about (wildlife, lack of artificial lighting).
All that said, if a weekend (a short one at that) is all you have to work with and you’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that’s the place I’d suggest you go. Antelope Canyon is a 90 minute-2 hour tour; Horseshoe Bend takes about that long to experience as well. Traveling from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim takes approximately 4.5 hours; it then takes another 3 hours or so to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. So, that’s approximately 8 hours of driving to experience 4 hours of sightseeing, whereas at the Grand Canyon, you can spend the better part of two days taking in the views there.
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, then by all means skip it and concentrate on Page, AZ. Drive time from Phoenix to Page is approximately 4.5 hours each way, if you go direct, but that rarely happens due to the many points of interest the road has to offer.
By the way, sleeping at the Phoenix airport itself isn’t as easy as it sounds. You might want to read this: “Sleeping In Airports: Phoenix/Sky Harbor”
Good luck. I know it’s a hard choice.
We wish you safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 29, 2017 at 10:54 PM
Dooie Kim
Is it worth going to both Lower and upper? or not worth visiting both?
If one is good enough, what’s better?
it will be for 3 adults, 2 in 30s, 1 in 60s.
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Dear Dooie Kim,
Hi and thank you for your inquiry today.
Though both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are beautiful, it’s not 100% necessary to see both in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Which branch of the canyon you should see boils down to your party’s physical fitness level: if everyone is OK doing a little stair climbing and scrambling around some small boulders, then you should be fine doing Lower Antelope Canyon. If one or more of your party members has mobility issues and might be hard-pressed to manage the stairs, then Upper would be the better choice as the trail is only 100 yards long and fairly flat.
If you’re looking for other activities to fill your time in Page, consider Horseshoe Bend Overlook, a Glen Canyon Dam tour, visiting the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum or the Navajo Village Heritage Center, or taking a short drive to the Lake Powell Resort Complex inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Hope that helps. Safe travels to you all!
Alley 🙂November 29, 2017 at 10:42 PM
Sou
Hi,
We are planning to visit Antelope Canyon and Horse shoe bend next month for 1 day tour, would you recommend to self drive , please provide any suggestions.
Thanks
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Dear Sou,
Yes, we recommend self-drive for optimal freedom and flexibility, however, package tours are available from several nearby cities, including Phoenix, Las Vegas, Flagstaff and Sedona. Not knowing where you would be starting your tour from, it’s impossible to say which one would be best, but a good place to start researching options is this site. Another good resource is our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
If you are self-driving, a good example of a 1-day Page, AZ itinerary would cover Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, just for starters. The main thing you have to decide is whether you’re going to tour the Upper or Lower branch of Antelope Canyon. In a nutshell: Upper is easy, 100 yards in length, and can be managed by 99% of the population. Lower is more physical, requiring some stair climbing and light bouldering. Individuals reliant upon wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility aids would not be able to experience this section of the canyon. Antelope Canyon tours must be booked in advance.
Thank you for visiting today and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 25, 2017 at 5:02 PM
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From Sou
Thanks for ur reply, we plan to start from Las vegas. I need to understand how we proceed after we reach the Antelope Canyon, is there any entry fee and do we need to pay for a tour guide or is it allowed to look by ourself? How much would it cost if we drive as to compared to a bus tour?
November 26, 2017 at 5:16 AM
Jeannie Lam
Hi Ryan/Alley
So glad I found your page here, We will visit Phoenix in this coming Dec 16-24.
We already booked hotel in Phoenix, I think we will waste a lot of travel time by return trip every day.
We have 4 days for sight seeing & 3 days golf. Do you think we can make it ?
We plan to go Sedona, Lake Powell, GC National Park & Sky walk, Meteor Crater, Hole in the rock etc. Is it possible to visit Horseshoe, Antelope upper & Lower within 1 day ?
Can you please advise, what is the best way to cover all our destination.
Best,
Jeannie
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Hi Jeannie and thank you for stopping by today!
You are correct in that you will have a lot of time traveling using Phoenix as a base. You would have a much better quality experience if you could overnight in the places you wished to see.
For example you could travel to Sedona, then Grand Canyon South Rim, the Page (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), then back to Phoenix.
A couple of things I suggest taking off your itinerary: Meteor Crater because it’s a long ways out of your way, and Hole In The Rock, because it’s an even longer way out of your way plus is very remote.
Regarding doing both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, that’s not really necessary. If you’re up for doing Lower Antelope Canyon physically, then Upper would probably seem a bit redundant. Visit Lower Antelope, Horseshoe Bend, then maybe take a drive near Lake Powell, or visit the Glen Canyon Dam.
Whichever you choose, be sure to be prepared for cooler weather.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 22, 2017 at 11:38 PM
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From Jeannie Lam
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for your suggestion.
We were driving to Horseshoes bend yesterday but we missed to Antelope, due to the tickets sold out.
It was really long way and tiredly. my husband doesn’t want to do it again !
So we decided to go again next time start from las vegas to skywalk then stay around Grand canyon for couple days. I might be need your advise again later on.
What month is the best to visit include the wave ?
Again thanks for your kind guidance.Jeannie.
December 20, 2017 at 7:15 AM
Sol
Hi Alley, we are planning a visit in March to the Utah-AZ National Parks. Antelope Canyon area is certainly a “must-see-must-do” on your list. We have a few questions which will help us plan properly. Is there an email address we can communicate our questions?
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Hi Sol,
Check your e-mail for my contact information.
Thank you for visiting our site!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2017 at 8:37 PM
Michael
Alley, the 7 day trip in Northern Arizona / Southern Utah is well done – I really appreciate the detail and links. If we travel the end of November, would there be any weather issues to be concerned with… especially with driving a rental car in icy/snowy conditions?
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Hi Michael, and thank you for your compliments!
Snow is a very real possibility in late November, but obviously it’s too early to tell. I’d recommend keeping an eye on the weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel. If there are a few flurries or light snowfall present, that probably won’t affect the roads, but if there’s a full-on blizzard, that will result in road closure. In which case, you shouldn’t attempt to drive, just wait the storm out and adjust travel plans accordingly. A good website to use to check weather and road conditions is www.az511.com
Even without precipitation, conditions will be cooler, so be prepared by packing jackets, gloves, etc., and clothing that you can layer and remove easily when or if the temperatures warm up.
Good luck and safe traveling!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2017 at 8:34 PM
Georgia L.
Hi Ryan & Alley,
Thanks so much for this website post and answering all of the comments so thoroughly. It is so helpful!
So we’re planning a trip to Northern AZ in a couple weeks and at the last minute discovered Antelope Canyon and decided to make a detour there. Couple of questions, I tried to look in the comments but nothing addresses at least my first question in particular. I saw something regarding older/not physically fit folks probably not being able to do the lower canyon, but I didn’t see anything with regards to the upper canyon. We are taking my parents (age 70) & my kids ages 9, 7 & 4. My mom & kids I am not worried about. My dad uses a walker and walks slowly and I just assumed he would not be able to do either canyon and we were gonna leave him at the hotel while the rest of us did the lower canyon tour, but upon reading about the walk to upper canyon being a flat walk, (it still seems like a long one though), would it still be advisable that he not try to do that (upper canyon) tour? And as another option, are you actually able to see into the slot canyons on a boat tour?
Second question, does this itinerary sound doable? – Day 1 leaving Cottonwood, AZ, leisurely driving through Sedona and taking in the sites and getting to Horseshoe bend before Sunset, staying overnight in Page. Day 2 early morning antelope caynon tour (just one tour, but probably lower, depending on your answer to question above), lunch at cameron trading post, then through the grand canyon, mostly stops at different viewpoints but not too much hiking/walking around because of grandpa, drive to flagstaff with enough time to hit up the lowell observatory for a couple hours (we have free tix). they close at 10 pm, my kids are fine with staying up late.
another question with regards to horseshoe bend. If we are there for the sunset, how is the lighting for the walk back to the car? Is it a dangerous walk at that point?
Thank you so much for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Hi Georgia and thank you for compliments on our site.
I’m actually going to answer your inquiries in reverse order, if that’s OK.
I’d recommend restructuring your trip if possible to allow for not only more time in Sedona, but Grand Canyon South Rim as well. Most people spend 3 days in Sedona, and end up wishing they had more time. Seeing it on a “drive-by” basis probably won’t satisfy, even with young children and older adults in tow.
If it’s not possible to accommodate an overnight in Sedona, and you see it en route from Cottonwood, AZ to Page, keep in mind that the 3.5+ hour drive that Google maps shows for that drive is unlikely to materialize in reality. It’s bound to be more like 5-6 hours since you’ll invariably be stopping for photos, restroom breaks, etc.
Horseshoe Bend is a stop you can make easily before you arrive in Page, as it’s right on your way, just South of town. By the way, if you have doubts about your Dad being able to do the walk in Antelope Canyon, he’s definitely going to have a problem at Horseshoe Bend. As to whether it’s “dangerous” after sunset, not really, but you might want to have flashlights handy if you’re visiting during a waning phase of the moon.
Day 2, here again, you’re looking at a VERY long day, with most of it spent driving. It takes 2.5-3 hours to get from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim, driving directly (which, again, rarely happens); then 1.5 hours from GCSR to Flagstaff. Would it be possible to break things up by staying overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim so you can see sunset? At the very least, we’d hope you’re planning to stay overnight in Flagstaff with a late arrival at Lowell Observatory. Driving at night in this part of the country is not recommended due to the dearth of artificial lighting on the roads here.
Now regarding Antelope Canyon, you rightfully assume that Lower is not going to be feasible for your Dad. Upper, though, might be doable. It’s only 100 yards in length and fairly flat the whole way. People using canes and walkers tour it all the time. If you’re still apprehensive, a boat tour might be a good compromise, but the slot canyon scenery would not be the same. Another thing to keep in mind is that boat tours typically go on seasonal hiatus in November, or at least require 10-15 people minimum to guarantee operation.
I know that’s a lot to digest, but I hope it helps somewhat.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2017 at 8:31 PM
cindy
When did you take this video? We are planning to visit it in December. Will we see the different scenes or the same? Will the weather be good for this? Many thanks.
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Hi Cindy and thank you for your inquiry!
This video was taken during the summer months, however, visiting in December, chances are quite high that you’ll have good visibility and be able to enjoy your tour as much – possibly more – than if you’d visited in the summertime. One definite advantage of traveling during the off-season is not as many people to contend with in the canyon.
The weather is likely to be cooler; rain and light snow are very real possibilities, but these seldom result in the delay or cancellation of Lower Antelope Canyon tours. Just bring a jacket and gloves and you should be good to go.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2017 at 8:17 PM
Aniketh
Hi! Thanks for this information.
I’m planning to visit antelope canyon and grand canyon this december. My itinerary is as follows:
I’m planning to start from Las Vegas on 21st December morning. I’m planning to stay in Page for 2 nights. I would want to cover upper antelope canyon tour, horseshoe bend on 21st.
On 22nd I have planned a drive down to Grand Canyon South Rim do a small hike if possible and drive back to Page.
I was thinking to avoid stay at Grand Canyon village because it is relatively colder than Page and I would definitely want to avoid the chill as much as possible. Or the weather doesn’t differ much between these two places ? In such case I can spend night at Grand Canyon so that I can view sunrise next day morning in Grand Canyon.
I would want to return to Las vegas by 23rd evening and cover hoover dam on the way.
Is this itinerary good enough and doable ? Please suggest if I need to make any changes ? And also how is the visibility in December generally ? I’m visiting this part of US for first time and I surely want my first visit a life time memory and experience.
Thanks in Advance 🙂
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Hi Aniketh, and thank you for inquiring about your itinerary.
So, the drive from Las Vegas to Page is approximately 4.5 hours. Another consideration is that Arizona will be on Mountain Standard Time whereas Nevada will be on Pacific Standard Time; therefore, Arizona is one hour “ahead” of Nevada, meaning you’ll “lose” an hour upon crossing the border. What with daylength being quite short in December, visiting both Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on your arrival day from Las Vegas might be something of a stretch. With an early enough start, you could manage an Upper Antelope Canyon tour on your first day out, the hit Horseshoe Bend on your way to Grand Canyon South Rim. It’s right on your way, so it’s logical and convenient.
Regarding your plan to make Grand Canyon National Park a daytrip from Page, it’s doable, but not necessarily desirable. It takes 2.5-3 hours each way to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim, and if you want to do any hiking, you wouldn’t want to be constrained by short daylength and have to hop back in your car just as you were starting to enjoy yourself. I’d recommend staying the night at Grand Canyon South Rim. Grand Canyon Hotels
Granted Grand Canyon South Rim is going to be somewhat colder than Page, but the convenience of being there for sunrise and sunset, IMO, outweighs the discomfort of cooler temperatures.
As for visibility, again, this is going to be wintertime, and you could encounter a day when the Grand Canyon is “socked in” by low cloud cover, but then again, you could luck out on a bluebird day that’s brisk and clear. I would start checking weather a couple of weeks before you get set to leave.
Hope that helps. Thank you and safe travels!
Alley 🙂November 13, 2017 at 8:14 PM
Cindy
Going to try tour lower antelope canyon Thursday, what time are they? How far from Page
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Hi Cindy,
Lower Antelope Canyon tours are offered by two outfitters, Dixie Ellis Tours and Ken’s Tours, both about 10 minutes from Page. Tours depart every 2-2.5 hours throughout the day. Mid-day is generally regarded to be the best time to tour due to the angle of the sun overhead, but any time you can find availability will be fine.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂November 01, 2017 at 4:19 PM
CurtissAnn Birdwell
Thanks for sharing. This is on my bucket list and I’m not getting any younger so I had better get it done after watching this.
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CurtissAnn,
We couldn’t agree more 🙂
Good luck and happy travels,
AlleyNovember 01, 2017 at 4:18 PM
Toni Bright
Hello Ally,
We are planning to be in the area the first week of January. We will only be able to do the Upper Canyon tour due to my wife’s physical limitations.
My question is how far in advance do we need to book a tour? We will be driving up from Sedona early in the morning on Wed or Thurs so I believe we can get a tour as early as 11 A.M.
This trip is to expose our daughter from the Philippines to the wonders of the Southwestern U.S. She is a travel and tour adviser there. and I will be adding to our own travel website thebrightwayrvrs.com.
Your website is very informative and will aid us in our travels in your area.
Thanks in advance for your advice,
Toni and Sally Bright
thebrightwayrvrs.com
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Hi folks, thank you for visiting our site! Hope you’re looking forward to your visit to Arizona.
The month of January is considered “off-season” due to it being wintertime. Cooler temperatures are a given, and rain and snow are distinct possibilities, but fewer people out touring is a definite plus.
That said, what with the popularity of Antelope Canyon exploding last tourist season, advance reservations for tours are still strongly advised. The time you’ve expressed an interest in is peak visitation hour in the canyon, so now would not be too early to check availability. In the event that time slot is not available, tours are offered throughout the day, so be open to visiting earlier or later in the day.
Also, be sure to allow at least 3 hours to drive from Sedona to Page.
Thanks again and keep us posted on when your website is up and running!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂October 31, 2017 at 2:19 PM
Chana rachel
Hi,
I am planning a trip to las Vegas and would really just live to see antelope canyon- and stay in Page for 2 nights while I’m there. What’s the best tour option- from last Vegas and how can I book in advance?
Thanks so much,
Chana Rachel
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Hi Chana, thank you for visiting our site today!
Unfortunately, touring options from Las Vegas are quite limited, and those that do include an overnight stay usually include just one. If you really want to stay for two nights, then your best option is to drive yourself. If that’s not an option, then Tours4Fun is a well-rated company with a wide variety of offerings that include Antelope Canyon, from day trips to week-long national park loop trips.
Good luck and hope you enjoy your trip, whichever way you choose to travel!
Alley 🙂October 18, 2017 at 8:01 PM
Myke Edwards
So if I am just a hobbiest, and never plan on selling any images, am I still required to fill out an application for a permit. Also does this apply for Horseshoe bend as well? And I can only assume if it does apply for both locations I’d have to process an application for each location.
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Hi Myke,
If you plan on taking photos for your own personal use, i.e., e-mailing to friends, sharing on Facebook and so on, you would not be required to file for a permit but as a photographer, you might want to spend the extra money to take the photography tour.
The same goes for Horseshoe Bend: unless you’re planning to do a photo shoot for a wedding or other special function, or take photos for the purpose of making money, you are not required to apply for a permit.
However, since Antelope Canyon is manged by the Navajo Tribe and Horseshoe Bend by the National Park Service respectively, if you were to file for commercial photography/special use permits, you would have to get two separate ones.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂October 15, 2017 at 1:07 PM
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From sasha
hello, I am planning on going to do a pre-wedding photoshoot next week. the crew would be 5 people. and i know that id have to fill out the form. is it the form that on the bottom of this website?
for the group of 5 how much do I have to pay in total?
Do I just email back the form and pay it upfront/get the permit before i enter the park?thank you.
March 08, 2018 at 7:22 AM
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From Paul
Hi.
I have a folow up question 🙂 . I am too just a hobbiest, but what interests me is how it is with selling prints / or stock photos? Does photographer need for this the same permit as for example wedding photo shoot or images for advertising purposes ?There is a lot of confusion about this and I would like to hear some opinions 🙂 Thank you
July 28, 2018 at 12:44 PM
Rahul
Thanks for this post – it is super helpful. You have mentioned three touring companies, but there seems to be a fourth one (https://navajotours.com/) which is offering tours to the upper antelope canyon. How are they different? And not listed here? Is it the same tour that they are offering?
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Hi Rahul,
Thanks for catching that omission, we will look into getting it corrected ASAP.
Navajo Tours does offer the same Upper Antelope Canyon Tour as the other outfitters listed, with one significant difference: instead of being picked up and dropped off in the town of Page, AZ, you would be required to drive down to the Tribal Park Entrance on US98 just Southeast of Page and begin your tour from there. This option tends to be more convenient for visitors who are planning to travel to Monument Valley, the Four Corners and other points East after the tour, but otherwise, it is the exact same tour as the other three companies offer, right down to the footsteps, and the price.
Hope that answers your query. Thanks again for visiting us!
Alley 🙂October 11, 2017 at 12:21 PM
Tracy
Hello. We are staying in Page AZ in early October and would like to do the North Rim. From Page what sites can we take in on our way to the North Rim or on our way back to Page (same day). Thanks
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Hi Tracy, thanks for coming by today.
There’s a plethora of possible sites to take in on your way to or from Grand Canyon North Rim. Before I get too far into it, just want to make sure you know that Grand Canyon North Rim’s visitor services close for the season on October 15th.
The most direct way to go is via US89A through Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry.
Just South of Page is the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. It’s a moderate .6 mile walk each way from the parking lot to the viewpoint. Allow for at least 1 hour here.
Continuing on, many travelers like to stop at the scenic viewpoint just past “The Cut,” which provides a sweeping panorama of the Colorado River as it cuts through the plateau leading to the Grand Canyon. You might even be able to pick up some jewelry or other souvenirs from one of several Navajo families who sell their wares at the overlook.
As you get off US89 onto 89A, you might take stroll over the historic Navajo Pedestrian Bridge. California Condors are fond of sunning themselves on the steel support girders under the bridge. Time permitting, take a slight detour to Lees Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch Historic District, site of one of the earliest settlements on the banks of the Colorado River. Some of the original buildings are still standing, and the adjacent orchard still produces delicious fruit, which visitors are welcome to pick (if there’s any left 😉 Proceeding West on US89A, you’ll find a cluster of gravity-defying balanced rock formations near Marble Canyon that will no doubt be a photo op you can’t pass up.
You’ll also be able to enjoy views of the Vermillion Cliffs prior to arriving at the Jacob Lake Inn, where a stop for lunch, or at least some of their world-famous home-made cookies is a definite must. From Jacob Lake, you then proceed South on AZ67 to Grand Canyon North Rim.
This drive, done directly, typically takes 2.5 hours, but as you can see, there are plenty of points of interest that can easily turn this into a half day’s adventure. Get an early enough start back to Page from the North Rim so you can avoid driving in the dark. Sunset occurs at ~ 5:30 PM in October.
Have a fun time, and thanks for visiting our site!
Alley 🙂October 09, 2017 at 2:45 PM
Stephanie
Hi Alley, You are amazing and superb in providing information on Arizona. I’m planing on a trip to Antelope and after reading your blog i have figured out where and what i can do.
I’m plaining for 7 days trip in 28th Jan. Take a flight to Las Vegas and spend 2 night there then rent a car to Grand Canyon South rim for 2 nights then head to Page for 3 nights and head home from Page airport.
But i have problem finding car rental to drop off the car at Page airport.
Any suggestion on my trip or what other options do i have ?
Thank You
Stephanie
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Hi Stephanie,
I’m gonna jump in on this question just because I happen to be staring at my e-mail when it came in 🙂 Maybe Alley will have something to add afterwards.There is only one national car rental company in Page, which is Avis. If you make your reservation through them, you should be fine. If you have trouble booking it online, you might want to give the local page office a call at (928) 645-2024.
Happy travels!
RyanOctober 05, 2017 at 1:40 AM
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Hey Stephanie!
Unlike Ryan, I rarely find myself up and about at 2:40 am, but I will chime in on your question 🙂
As Ryan states, the only car rental outlet at the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) is Avis. So if you reserve through them, you should be able to pick your car up in Vegas and drop it off in Page. HOWEVER, be prepared to pay a bit extra for doing so.
Due to the distance between major cities in the Southwest US, many rental car companies impose sometimes hefty surcharges for dropping a vehicle off anywhere other than it was picked up from. Even if you drop it off at the same company’s outlet in another city, the originating city where the car was picked up is eventually going to want it back, and for them, that costs money. So you may want to compare costs and see if you’d be better off simply dropping your rental car back off in Las Vegas and flying home from there.
The drive from Page to Las Vegas takes approximately 4.5 hours one way, comparable to the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim.
Another thought: since you’re visiting during the off-season, some activities in the Page area are going to be on temporary hiatus, namely boat tours and airplane and helicopter tours. You might be hard-pressed to fill 3 days. Consider altering your plans so that you just spend 2 nights in Page, then go on to Zion National Park (about 90 minutes-2 hours away), explore around a bit, then spend your last night in Springdale, UT. That’ll put you only 2.5-3 hours from Las Vegas (sorry, a 2.5-3 hour drive is considered relatively short to us here, hence the “only” qualifier!) on your last travel day.
Hope that helps too – and happy traveling!
Alley 🙂October 05, 2017 at 5:35 PM
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From Stephanie
Thank you so much for the suggestions. It is great and now i can cover Zion 🙂
October 05, 2017 at 11:38 PM
Kevin
Hey Rick/Alley,
We are planning to be in Page on Sunday, Oct. 8th and all tour companies are sold out (no surprise, we decided last minute to make this detour on our way to Phoenix). I read on a few other blogs (i.e. Tripadvisor, Fodor’s, etc.) that you can simply drive to the Upper Canyon parking lot/entrance, pay your fees and hire a guide form there? Is this still true? Appreciate your assistance. Thank you! Kevin
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Hi Kevin and thank you for visiting today.
This is a wonderful time of year to be touring Page, AZ and its slot canyons, so we’re not the least bit surprised to hear that tours are sold out.
Just a few short years ago, you could indeed just show up at the entrance to either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon on US98, sign up for a tour, and get on the next one available. But, as the saying goes, “that was then, this is now.” There are certain things we suggest you do in case you’re finding Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, including calling on the phone, making sure you check with all available outfitters, and be open to going at so-called “off times” (i.e., early in the morning or later in the afternoon). Another option is to consider touring a different slot canyon, such as Canyon X, Mountain Sheep, Rattlesnake or Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Many of these alternate slot canyons are part of the same drainage system as Antelope Canyon, are just as beautiful, and far less crowded.
Good luck and enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂October 02, 2017 at 2:23 PM
Pia
Hi Alley,
We are visiting AZ on Thanksgiving week (Nov 22-26). Planning to visit Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Red Rocks, and Grand Canyon. Will there be tours operating during those dates?
Also, where is the best place to stay to photograph the sunrise and sunset? Is there any overnight tours available on Thanksgiving week?
Thanks,
Pia
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Hi Pia and thank you for visiting today!
If what you’re trying to accomplish is visiting the attractions you listed from Phoenix, Las Vegas or other gateway city, your options are going to be somewhat limited. Thanksgiving, though a relatively busy time for traveling, is considered “off-season” in this part of the country, so many commercial tours are on hiatus at that time of year, or require a certain number of passengers in order to guarantee operation.
The best way to tour the Southwestern US is to drive yourself. Once you get to the parks, you’ll find that the majority of tours and activities are still running, but there will be some exceptions. In Page/Lake Powell, for example, boat tours and air tours will have ceased operations until spring, but Antelope Canyon tours will still be running. Horseshoe Bend can be visited at your leisure in your own vehicle, or can be combined with a slot canyon tour if you prefer to go with a guide. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tour
As for the best place to stay to photograph sunrise and sunset, in the Grand Canyon, that’s anywhere inside the park. There are 6 hotels to choose from, all situated within convenient walking or driving distance from the canyon rim. For Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you’ll find a plentiful selection of hotels in the town of Page, Arizona. For “Red Rocks,” I’m assuming you mean Sedona, in which case, you’ll also find a wide range of accommodations from basic to ultra-luxurious and everything in between. Sedona, Arizona hotels
It is imperative that you reserve your lodging in advance at all of these popular destinations, and that you are prepared for cooler weather, and the possibility of snow at higher elevations.
Good luck and travel safely,
Alley 🙂September 29, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Ricardo
Hi Alley,
My name is Ricardo and would like to visit Antelope on 16th December 2017.
Besides driving, are there any transportation services which I can use to go to Page or Antelope ?
I will be staying in Vegas.
Thank you.
Ricardo
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Hi Ricardo, thanks for visiting our site today!
Unfortunately, options are somewhat limited for visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas via public/mass transportation. The driving distance (5 hours each way) is probably the primary prohibiting factor. Still, a few ground tour companies offer day tour packages by motorcoach or mini-bus, which you can read about in this article: Visiting Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas
One option not listed in the above-referenced piece, which has only recently come online, is a private airplane charter service offered by Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines. Flight time one-way is about 1.5 hours and due to the time you’d save by not driving, you’d have enough time on the ground to tour both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Learn more about it here: Private Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Expedition
Right now, the best option, but in terms of personal flexibility and cost, is to drive yourself and stay a night or two in Page, Arizona.
Good luck and best wishes for safe traveling,
Alley 🙂September 27, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Stacey
Hi! Thanks for all this great information!
My boyfriend and I are planning to travel to Page from Las Vegas around Nov 20. We are unclear if we should do the upper or the lower antelope canyons or both. We are both physically fit so the ladders don’t scare us. Can you do both in one day? What tour company do you recommend – is there one that does both canyons? At that time of the year (Nov) what time of day is best to visit the canyons?
We are then going to drive to the Grand Canyon South – any recommendations on how long to visit there? We are not hardcore hikers but would love to see the views.
Thank you!!!
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Hi Stacey and thank you for visiting our site.
If you are both physically fit, you’ll like Lower Antelope Canyon. As for whether you can do both Upper and Lower sections of the canyon in one day, you can, but you may not find it to be the best use of your time. You’d probably find the scenery similar enough to be redundant, so you might consider doing a different kind of activity, such as a Lake Powell boat tour, hiking the Rim View Trail, or visiting the Glen Canyon Dam or John Wesley Powell Museum.
There is no one company that tours both Lower and Upper Antelope, so you’d have to work with two different companies. Best time of day is generally regarded as mid-day when the sun illuminates the canyon brightest. In November, you won’t see the shafts of light shining all the way to the canyon floor, but the canyon will still be beautiful.
As for how long to stay at Grand Canyon South Rim, most people find 1-2 nights sufficient. In your case, you’d probably be content with 1 night since you can do a good chunk of your sightseeing on the drive over from Page, AZ. It typically takes 2.5-3 hours to drive to the South Rim from Page, but most tend to take a little longer as there is a lot to see and you’ll find yourself stopping more often than you think.
Whichever you choose to do, we strongly recommend making your hotel and tour reservations in advance, and be prepared to encounter cooler weather, including snow at the South Rim.
Best wishes for safe traveling,
Alley 🙂September 26, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Thomas
Is Take Tours a good tour company trying to book a day trip to Antelope Canyon?
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Hi Thomas,
Thanks for posing your question today. I have personally searched for first-hand reviews, and, to be expected, there are some good, some bad, some ugly. A review on TripAdvisor concerning a different tour package indicates that their tours are geared primarily toward the Chinese market, but it seems as though their guides are multi-lingual.
Are they the “only game in town?” Hardly – but the fact remains that they’re one of only a handful of companies offering a day tour package from Las Vegas. Other outfitters worth considering are: Tours4Fun, GlobeRouter, and Viator. Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines has also begun offering charter airplane service from Las Vegas to Page, which can be a time-saver, but an expensive one.
Long story short: the best way to go is to drive yourself over and spend a night or two in Page, AZ.
Good luck, hope that is of some help.
Alley 🙂September 25, 2017 at 9:43 PM
Sourav
Hello Alley,
This is Sourav here, I and my Wife , we will be going for Leisure trip to Las Vegas on Dec-23-2017 to Dec-29-2017, while each evening and Night we are planning to spend in Vegas only. This is our first trip to Vegas
During the day, I am planning to visit Horseshoe bend and Antelope canyon,
Can you kindly add some more to my list during the day visit..
Regards
Sourav
+19016029371
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Hi Sourav,
Thank you for visiting our site today!
I hesitate to add more to your list on the day you tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend simply because if you intend to drive yourself, you’re going to be spending most of the day driving – it’s 5 hours each way. Another things to consider is that in late December when daylength is short. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, sunset is at 5:15 PM.If you are able to get an early enough start, some stops you might include in your trip include but are not limited to:
1. The “New Wave:” approximately one mile past the Glen Canyon Dam Steel Arch Bridge, opposite the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex, turn left instead and you’ll come to a small but interesting cluster of rock formations that bear more than just a passing resemblance to “The Wave.” Unlike the “Old Wave,” the “New Wave” requires no permits, and at the moment, no admission fee. The only caveat: the road is not regularly maintained and prone to washing out. If you see any signage stating “no admittance” or the like, obey it.
2. The Big Water Visitor Center: located 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ over the Utah border on US89, this small but impressive facility features locally-excavated dinosaur bones, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and award-winning paleontology and geology displays.
3. The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: at mile marker 19 between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 you’ll find a moderate 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to a Mars-like landscape of whimsical hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities. Don’t be fooled by what looks like the end of the trail; a short rock scramble leads to the main hoodoo garden.
4. Kanab, Utah: once the on-location darling of Western movie producers, Kanab, Utah is a charming small town with plentiful shopping and dining opportunities. Locals and visitors alike are partial to the Rocking V Cafe and Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant.If you’d rather spend more time sightseeing and not driving, you might consider chartering a plane from Las Vegas. It’ll cost a bit more, can’t lie about that, but the flight time from Las Vegas to Page is about 1.5 hours each way, giving you more time to sample the many sights in Page, AZ!
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 21, 2017 at 11:51 PM
JoAnna
Dear Alley!
Thank you so much for the advice! I completely forgot about this walk to the Bend in the middle of nowhere 🙁
That would definitely make me end up driving to GC at night… which I definitely don’t want to do.
Your comment about potential nightly escapade brought back a frightening memory. When I was serving in the Army and stationed at Fort Huachuca, I took the trip with a friend from the base to Lake Powell, staying in Page, then in Flagstaff, visiting everything at fast pace, only to be stuck on the scenic route towards Sedona. My friend and I didn’t make reservation there and of course by the time we made it to town it was way after midnight and no place to stay. So we kept on driving through the night looking for any hotel, which we finally found, at 7 am, in… Phoenix. It was after the sunrise, so the heat was already scorching. I don’t even remember how we even made it back to Fort Huachuca… !
No thanks, never again. This drive in pure darkness, sharp switchbacks, fairly narrow roads – was beyond frightening.
My lesson learned was quite simple: always reserve places to spend night and be familiar with the terrain (distances to drive/walk and the time it takes to travel these distances depending on the time of the day).
Now, 16 years later, I intend to fix my reckless mistake; I’m planning ahead, measuring twice, and asking for advice. Thankfully, I have more time now to visit than back in 2001 (4-day pass). Miraculously, I just reserved a hotel in Page, on exactly the same day as all those years ago… arriving there on May 26, ha, ha! It must be a sign, right?
Anyway, thanks so much for bringing me back to reality, I’m making adjustments to my original plan 🙂
Best!
Jo
JoAnna
Alley,
Thank for this wonderful website and information! I need your priceless advice!
I will be in Page on May 28, 2018. I’m planning the following for this day:
Page area:
Heli Butt Landing Tour @ 730 am,
Upper Canyon Tour (Ekis) @ 1130 am, and maybe
Antelope Canyon Tour on Lake Powell (by boat) @ 230 pm…
Then, drive South to GC Village while stopping by Horseshoe Bend (spend there an hour or so?)
Is this feasible? Or should I skip the boat trip?
I understand, from the Horseshoe Bend to the GC Village is about 2.5 hr drive…
Please help…
Thanks!
Jo
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Hi Jo,
Thanks for stopping by today! Kudos to you on planning your Arizona vacation well in advance, too.
With the activities you’re proposing to do, you can theoretically drive to Grand Canyon South Rim with a stop at Horseshoe Bend on the way, but you may not want to do that. May temperatures are typically quite warm, which, even if you take proper precautions to stay hydrated, can take a lot out of you. The walk to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook may be quite taxing especially as there’s some uphill walking required and the trail is completely exposed. But then again, some of these problems may be solved by the time you arrive since improvements to the trail, overlook and parking area are in the works.
The main thing is to avoid driving at night – artificial/supplemental lighting is deliberately kept to a minimum in this part of the country, so once the sun goes down, it gets really, REALLY dark. Plus deer, elk and other wildlife are quite nocturnal with a tendency to congregate near roadways. Running into one can wreck your vacation, let alone your car. Sunset at Grand Canyon Village occurs at about 7:15 PM, so you’ll want to time your drive (~3 hours) accordingly.
Long story short, I don’t recommend skipping any of the activities you have planned, per se, I would just recommend staying the night in Page and then making the drive over the South Rim the next morning, so you’re not pressed for time.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 20, 2017 at 2:06 PM
Angie C
We’re flying to Vegas Thursday next week and will be starting our hike early from Valley of the Fire in Nevada Friday then drive same day to spend two nights in Page for Horseshoe bend/Antelope Canyon. Can you recommend other interesting stops along the way before we hit Page? I saw Grand Staircase Escalante but it’s so huge and can’t find any info if there’s any entrance along 89.
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Hi Angie, thank you for stopping by today.
Hope you realize it takes 4.5-5 hours to drive from Las Vegas, NV to Page, AZ. I don’t know how much time you plan on spending hiking around Valley of Fire, but daytime high temperatures are still running in the high 90’s – low 100’s in Las Vegas, NV and the surrounding area. You might be zapped by the time you get done, and in no mood to face a 1/2-day’s drive afterward.
You might consider cutting down on your driving distance that first day, and spend the night in Springdale, UT, which is ~ 2.5 hours from Valley of Fire. Springdale, UT is the gateway town to Zion National Park, which is a stunning area and makes for a beautiful and interesting drive to Page, AZ the next morning.
Other stops you might make include but are not limited to the Kanab, UT, the Paria Rim Rock Trail and Toadstools, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Big Water, UT. And you’re right about Grand Staircase, it is huge, but the folks at the visitor center can give you some good suggestions for areas you might realistically see in the limited time you have.
Hope that helps. Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 12, 2017 at 3:56 PM
Vivl
Our family of 4 (almost 5 and 10 yr old boys) + 69 year old grandma are planning to go during Thanksgiving week. I was thinking of both the upper and lower antelope canyons and also Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Is that too much for 2 days? When would be the best times to book the tours for each one?
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Hi Viv and thanks for stopping by!
With the traveling party you describe, especially a 5-year-old, I do believe that doing Lower and Upper Antelope and Horseshoe Bend Slot will be too much. Even the older members of the party might find themselves getting “canyon’ed out.” If all of you are in relatively good health and are OK with climbing a few stairs and doing some light boulder scrambling, I would pick Lower Antelope Canyon and call it “good” as far as slot canyons go. If anyone in the party has mobility issues, then go with Upper. In either case, the best time to book a tour would be mid-day for best light.
Don’t worry, you’ll find plenty more fun things to do in the Page, AZ area to fill up the two days you have. For more suggestions, check out The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary in Page, AZ.
Since you’re visiting during what’s referred to as “shoulder season,” be prepared for cooler temperatures and fewer people, but also be prepared for a few activities to not be running. Mainly, boat tours and airplane and helicopter tours (read: high-ticket items) may either be suspended altogether, or require a certain number of passengers and favorable weather to guarantee operation. This should in no way, though, negatively affect your enjoyment of this area.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂September 04, 2017 at 3:54 PM
Ashley
Ryan,
My husband and I are taking a day trip to Page in 2 weeks. We plan to dive from Sedona that morning, with a 10:30 tour of Canyon x as the first stop.
We will then drive to lower antelope, eat lunch at the marina and hopefully catch a tour of lower antelope prior to 1:30. (The visitor center told us they’re first come, first serve.)
I’m wondering how far of a drive it is to Horseshoe Bend from Lower Antelope?
Secondly, we want to make part of the drive to Scottsdale that night, but want to avoid too much diving in the dark. Is Flagstaff the best place for us to stay between Page and Scottsdale? Looking for a nice place.
Thanks!
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Hi Ashley and thank you for visiting our site!
First off, good call on booking Antelope Canyon X, it’s a beautiful canyon, and much less crowded than Upper Antelope.
Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon, though, I’m afraid you have been given some incorrect information. Antelope Canyon’s popularity has skyrocketed this year. It is no longer a “first-come/first-serve” situation by a long shot. Advance reservations are not only possible to make, but strongly advised. There are two outfitters that manage this branch of Antelope Canyon: Dixie Ellis and Ken’s . No need to worry too much about who does the better tour, they will be identical in price and logistics. You also might want to aim for something slightly later, as you might be cutting it fine fitting in lunch at Antelope Point Marina between the two activities.
As for the driving distance from Antelope Canyon to Horseshoe Bend, it’s 10-15 minutes tops. If you get an early start out of Sedona, you might even hit it on your way into town instead of after touring Lower Antelope.
If you wanted to get a jump-start on the drive to Scottsdale that night, Flagstaff would indeed be a logical choice. That would put you about 2 hours from Scottsdale. Some of the better hotels in Flagstaff, AZ include, but are not limited to the Little America, Drury Inn & Suites, the Hilton/Doubletree, Hilton Garden and Embassy Suites. For more suggestions, you might check out TripAdvisor’s 65 Best Flagstaff, AZ Hotels.
Hope that helps.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂September 04, 2017 at 3:46 PM
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From Ashley
Thank you!
So if we planned to stop at Horshoe Bend on the way into town, then drive to Lower Antelope first since it says you can wait HOURS past your tour time, could we still do lunch at the Marina? Is it closer to lower antelope or canyon x?
Then thinking a late afternoon Canyon X tour. Should we be scared to drive to Flagstaff in the dark with the animals?
September 04, 2017 at 11:17 PM
El
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for the informative post.
I am looking to travel to Grand Canyon NP in December 20/21/22/23. I will be staying over at Page on the night of 21 Dec, and looking to tour the Antelope Canyons and Horseshoe Bend on 22 Dec.
May I ask you for advice on the following:
1) Is there any one tour provider that handles both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, or is it usual of other travellers to engage two separate tour providers for Upper and Lower sections?
2) Any recommendation for the tour provider(s)?
3) In terms of timing, I was told before that it will take the morning to tour Lower Antelope Canyon and the afternoon to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, leaving a bit of time to drive over to catch sunset at Horseshoe Bend. Is this a feasible plan?
4) Finally on lake powell ride. Since it is winter, I suppose we can give this a miss, both from the perspective of weather and feasibility.
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Dear El,
Hello and thank you for your inquiry! We hope you find it helpful as you plan your Arizona vacation. Now, on to your specific questions:
1) Is there any one tour provider that handles both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, or is it usual of other travelers to engage two separate tour providers for Upper and Lower sections? There is currently no single tour operator that offers package tours of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. What we would suggest you do is tour the branches of Antelope Canyon with the tour companies who operate directly at the canyon’s entrance on Highway 98. For Upper Antelope Canyon, that would be Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; for Lower, you can choose from Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours or Dixie Ellis Antelope Lower Canyon tours.
2) In terms of timing, I was told before that it will take the morning to tour Lower Antelope Canyon and the afternoon to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, leaving a bit of time to drive over to catch sunset at Horseshoe Bend. Is this a feasible plan? Definitely! Keep in mind that you should allow approximately 2 hours for each branch of Antelope Canyon, then be at Horseshoe Bend approximately 30 minutes prior to sunset for the best photo opportunities. In late December, sunset occurs at about 5:15 PM in Northern Arizona.
3) Finally on Lake Powell ride, since it is winter, I suppose we can give this a miss, both from the perspective of weather and feasibility. You’ll probably have to give it a miss anyway since boat tour operations are drastically curtailed in wintertime. A minimum of 10-15 passengers is usually required to guarantee operation of tours.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your trip! One more thing: Late December is off-season in the Lake Powell area, which has tons of advantages. The only inconvenience you’re likely to encounter is colder weather. Be sure you pack accordingly, and keep in mind that the tour operators reserve the right to cancel or reschedule tours in the event of inclement weather.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 19, 2017 at 5:10 PM
France Fehr
Hello. I have read many of the questions/answers here and I have learned many things. I am planning to be in Page at the end of March. I would like to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Is it possible to do it in one day ? is there a combo (package) if we want to do both? what is the best website to reserve our visit ? Should I do it now (7 months ahead to be sure I have a spot)?
I was told that Lower Canyon can be a little difficult for someone who is not comfortable in tight space ( claustrophobia), can it be a problem ?
If later during that week I visit Monument Valley , the fee payed for the Navajo Tribal Park would be already done ( is it good for one week) because we need to pay it when we visit Antelope Canyon ?
thank you so much for helping me making sure my planning goes well.
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Dear France Fehr,
Thank you for visiting our site, we’re glad you’re finding it helpful in planning your visit to Page, AZ!
On to your questions:
1. Is it possible to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day? Is there a combo (package) if we want to do both? Yes, you can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day! Unfortunately, no tour company yet offers a package tour to both. What we would suggest you do is tour the branches of Antelope Canyon with the tour companies who operate directly at the canyon’s entrance on Highway 98. For Upper Antelope Canyon, that would be Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours; for Lower, you can choose from Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours or Dixie Ellis Antelope Lower Canyon tours.
2. I was told that Lower Canyon can be a little difficult for someone who is not comfortable in tight space (claustrophobia), can it be a problem? Not knowing the severity of your claustrophobia, it’s difficult to make an accurate judgement. Have people had problems? Yes, but not often. In order to gauge whether you might have difficulties in Lower Antelope Canyon, watch this video that depicts a full walk-through.
3. If later during that week I visit Monument Valley, the fee paid for the Navajo Tribal Park would be already done? That is correct, so be sure to retain your receipt after your Antelope Canyon tour.
Another suggestion: be sure to make all your reservations for your trip well in advance, hotels, tours, everything.
Take care and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 19, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Laura
Hi Ryan,
I want to get some good photos of Rainbow Bridge. I noticed a lot of tours leave around 7:30am and last around 6-8hrs. This is way too long and also this will be a non-ideal time to take photos. Do you know of any shorter tours that also leave later in the day?
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Hi Laura,
There are no shorter boat tours to Rainbow Bridge. It is 52 miles Uplake from Lake Powell Resort, the sole concessionaire authorized to conduct boat tours to the Monument.
As for availability of later departures, it depends on the time of year you’re traveling. For instance, if you’re visiting between May 15th and August 31st, there’s a later departure of the tour at 12:30 PM. It would also be a 6-8 day for you depending on the level of Lake Powell at the time. The lower the level of the lake, the longer the walk from the boat dock to the Bridge. If your visit falls outside the 05/15-08/31 timeframe, though, the early morning departure would be your only option for a boat tour.
Another option would be to fly over Rainbow Bridge. Airplane tours and helicopter flights depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport, usually in the morning. Tours typically last only 30-45 minutes. One disadvantage to these is that they are not allowed to land at the bridge (no airstrip), plus they are required by law to fly at a certain altitude, which may not be ideal for photography purposes.
Hope that at least helps. Enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂August 17, 2017 at 7:04 PM
Bonita
Hi, We are planning to visit Lower Antelope on Sep. 5th 2017. If we book an early am tour(before 8am) , can we avoid the long wait times and tour buses? Will there be enough light in the canyon at that time for decent photography? Thanks for your thoughts ! Bonita Kolb
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Hi Bonita, thank you for your inquiry!
The 8 AM tour is popular, but as you have deduced, tends to be a bit less crowded than mid-day tours. If you truly wish to avoid large numbers of people, though, the best way to go is with an Antelope Canyon Alternative Tour. Though more expensive than tours of the main branch of Antelope Canyon, some occur in lesser-known drainages of the same canyon, plus tour group sizes are deliberately kept smaller for a more personalized experience.
At any rate, though, there is plenty of light in Lower Antelope Canyon at 8:00 AM. In fact, some people say that the colors of the canyon walls are much richer and deeper at that time of day. Your tour guide will give you whatever assistance you require to get good photos.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂August 16, 2017 at 4:11 PM
Zina Dolzikova
Hi,
Let me start off by saying that I think you are doing a great service for helping people who visit your area 🙂 Hoping that you will be able to help us out too.
A quick overview of our plan so far: We are planning to visit the Grand Canyon, Page, Monument Valley, Sedona and, if possible, maybe stop by the Marble Canyon on the way to Page. We are hoping to see the sunset in Monument Valley. We are not experienced hikers but like to do so at a reasonable length and would also like to take a short boat tour in the Page area. We are driving from Hoover Dam on October 7th (Sedan car, if that helps) and are planning to leave just after 9 am. We booked 1 night in Williams (Grand Canyon is too expensive), 2 nights in Page, 1 night in Flagstaff, and 2 nights in Sedona.
What specific sightseeing spots, that you can recommend, can we fit in these days?
Do we need to book a tour to the Lower Antelope Canyon through the tour company in Page or drive directly to the canyon and get a ticket there?
Does the Grand Canyon have a specific website for tourists?
Thank you for your help,
Zina
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Hi Zina,
Thank you for your compliments on our site! October is a great time to be here.
A couple of things that stand out about your itinerary:
1. You don’t have a night booked at Monument Valley. You really should stay overnight there for the best quality experience and in order to have time to do one of the tours there. Unfortunately, the best hotels there tend to book up months in advance, so you might be too late. You might have to cross it off your wish list, or resign yourself to taking a day tour there. Swinging through on your way from Page to Flagstaff would be doable, but would make for a long day: 2 hours from Page to Monument Valley, then 3 hours from Monument Valley to Flagstaff. Another option might be taking an air tour from Page, AZ. Fixed wing airplanes depart daily from the Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Contact Westwind Air Service if interested in this activity.
2. If you’re going to Sedona anyway, it’s only 45 minutes-1 hour further from Flagstaff. You might as well just go all the way there and give Sedona 3 nights. Most people recommend spending at least that many nights there anyway.Regarding Antelope Canyon tours, yes, they absolutely must be booked in advance. This attraction has become extremely popular of late, so here again, don’t be surprised if tours are sold out. If you find that to be the case, there are other slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful but nowhere near as crowded. Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours
For boat tours in the Lake Powell area, visit Lake Powell Resort & Marina at www.lakepowell.com
Lastly, yes, the Grand Canyon does have a website for tourists: www.GrandCanyon.com or the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov/grca
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂August 16, 2017 at 4:04 PM
kosaku
Hi. I have found this site really useful! Thanks for all the info!
I understand that tours to Antelope are crowded and I need reservations well in advance. I plan to visit Page in February 9, next year. I am driving from Sedona and what is the weather like? And do you think there will be a pack of people as usual in February?
I saw a TV program in Japan last August about Secret Canyon, and it said the tour was operated by Slot Caynon Hummer Adventures ONLY. I sent an email but I haven’t heard from them. I also tried to reach by phone, and it has been disconnected. I guess they are not in business any more. Do you know what happend to them?
Thanks to this website, the tour operator to Secret Cantyon now seems Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Adventures. In February, their Slot Canyon PLUS Horseshoe Bend Overlook tours are offered at 7:45 am and 2:45 pm. Which one would you recommend?
I appreciate your help and tips!
Thanks again,
Kosaku
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Dear Mr. Kosaku,
Thank you so much for your compliments on our site!
You are correct in that Antelope Canyon is usually very crowded. However, since your visit is taking place in February, you might not find it so. February is considered shoulder-season; cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain and snow tend to keep a lot of people away, so you could be fortunate enough to travel with a smaller group, or just your party! We still recommend making reservations in advance just to be safe.
The drive from Sedona to Page AZ takes about 3 hours driving direct, however, you might find yourself wanting to stop at Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post and several scenic overlooks and Native kiosks where jewelry and curios are sold.
You are correct in the Slot Canyon Hummer Adventures is no longer in business. The owner was simply ready to move on to other things. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours is now the authorized concessionaire for Secret Canyon, which is now going by the name “Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon” due to its proximity to the overlook. During the month of February, I’d recommend the later tour as mornings are quite chilly, plus the light might be better in the afternoon.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit to Arizona!
Alley 🙂August 16, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Clax Basso
I understand the necessity to preserve this beuatiful spot. But I live in Europeand I came 3 times in three different years to Kanab to try to see the Wave, and I never got a permit, in a total of 12 attempts.
To be honest is rubbish, especially becaue you have to be every day in it to have a walk in permit ( after failed the online lottery obisuly) for 12 mornings I wasted most of my morning to attend a lottery. I am sorry but I think that in the 21st century there should be a better system. Even because then the few pwoplw allowed to get to the wave they make every single stupoid pictures the a man mind is allowed to think of, making it probably more dangerous for the wave than 100 toruist per day consciousnly respecting the place. I am sorry but I have seen now hundreds and hundreds of stupid pictures on internet of people going to the Wave, bringing no respect. and I am a photographer. This is very, very disappointing
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Dear Clax,
Trust us, we feel your pain on this. Between us and our friends, family and associates we probably have over a hundred failed attempts at getting Wave permits.
The Bureau of Land Management has tried several methods in order to ensure that not only does the fragile area get protected, but everyone gets a fair shake at getting a permit, and right now, this is the best they can offer. If you have an idea for a “better system,” by all means, pitch it to them – but be prepared to deal with an entrenched, convoluted bureaucracy.
That’s why we suggested alternative activities, such as White Pocket, Steamboat Rock, Buckskin Gulch and Cobra Arch at the end of the piece.
Wishing you all the best,
Alley 🙂August 16, 2017 at 3:30 PM
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“I live in Europe”…”people…make stupid pictures”…”I am a photographer” If I understand this correctly, we should therefore grant a special privilege to this foreigner? Karma is a b*tch!
April 24, 2018 at 11:29 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hey Mike,
No one’s saying that at all, but then again, we understand how that particular “foreigner” feels. Scores of people come from all over the world and sometimes spend weeks (and a lot of money) in Kanab, UT, Page, AZ and the communities near The Wave, trying, trying again, and trying again, etc., etc., ad nauseum for just a few highly coveted and hotly competed for permits. And more often than not, they go home disappointed. That’s why we’re working on a sister site to this one, www.thewaveaz.com to help promote alternate sites that offer sightseeing that’s just as good, if not better, than The Wave, yet aren’t so strictly regulated. Check it out if you’re inclined.
Best wishes for continued good karma,
Alley 🙂April 25, 2018 at 6:00 PM
Ricky
We are planning to see Antelope Canyon 1st week of Oct. What would the weather be like then? Does it usually rain during that time ? Can you recommend a good iterinary for us we have 2 girls, 7 and 10. Thanks.
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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 🙂August 13, 2017 at 3:01 PM
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From Ricky
Thanks for the fast reply. One more question though, what is the best time of the day to go see the upper and lower canyon? I checked the tours and upper canyon has 8:45 am and 4:00 pm available toir for now. We will be there for 2 days by the way. Thanks.
RickyAugust 13, 2017 at 10:11 PM
Sophia
Hi! I’m planning 5 days trip to Grand Circle early Oct start from Phoenix or Las Vegas. Noted it’s tight, so the key spots will be Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Moument Valley, Arch National Park, Canyonland and Bryce. Does it works in terms of distance?
Also any recommendation for me in transportation as I don’t drive. Believed it’s tough.
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Hi Sophia!
Well, there’s good news and bad news here. The good news is that October is a great time to travel to this area.
The bad news is, because you don’t drive, you’re going to be extremely limited on your options. Arches is probably going to have to come off your wish list because of the distance involved in getting there from Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, etc. I was able to find a tour that included it, but it takes 7 days, plus there’s no guarantee that it would operate in October. Golden Bus Tours Las Vegas Grand Canyon Antelope Canyon Bryce Canyon Arches Tour
Bindlestiff Tours offers a 3-day package that covers Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce and Zion National Parks, but knowing the distances between these attractions personally, I can tell you that this will be a very rushed itinerary. Here again, you’ll be at the mercy of their schedule, and possibly be limited on dates.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you’ll soon discover that in this part of the US, mass transit options are indeed few and far between. The best and only way to plan a trip to this area on your terms, and your timetable, is to drive yourself, of travel with someone who can drive you.
Alley 🙂August 11, 2017 at 11:01 AM
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From Sophia
Thanks Alley,
Thanks for your quick response. Total understand “N O CAR, NO LIFE” in US. I tried to looking for friend to come but failed. So that’s why I fall into the tough situation but I really want to come. Is there any tour
From Page covers Antelope Canyon, Montument Valley, Arch, Bryce and back to Page?August 12, 2017 at 11:08 PM
Michael Lim
Thanks Alley! Your website is a real life-saver and informative too. I’m from Singapore and I’m afraid I booked a little too late so didn’t get a good time slot and from what I hear of the crowds, I felt like I had little choice but to get ready for a wonderfully awful experience. Finding the options and tour operators on your site got my adrenaline pumping as I am bringing my sister and daughter and want to give them the best experience possible. Hope to meet you in person and thank you face-to-face. Thanks again.
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Hi Michael, and thank you for your compliments on our site! We hope you have a wonderful visit to Page, AZ and that you enjoy whichever slot canyon you decide to tour. Be sure to post a review on TripAdvisor, Yelp or whatever consumer review site you prefer to use so the tour company can know how they did, and future travelers to the area can collect recommendations for their trips.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2017 at 4:53 PM
Brenda
We are coming to Page in September, arriving Friday afternoon Sept 8. We have reservations at Best Western Plus at Lake Powell.
First, about how long does it take to climb Horseshoe Bend? Perhaps we could do that after our arrival from GCNP that day.
Then, on Sat, Sept 9, we want to do Upper Antelope and the calm river rafting that we will have to meet at 12:30 PM. I’m concerned the 10:30 canyon tour will be too close in time to be able to get to Colorado River Discovery Center……how far apart are the two venues? Will we be likely to see any light if we take the 8:30 or 9:30 AM slot Canyon? Thanks!!
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Hi Brenda, and thanks for visiting our site!
The trip to Horseshoe Bend isn’t so much a climb, more of a moderate hike of .6 miles each way. The typical visit is anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours, including time to walk to the overlook and back. If you’re coming into town from Grand Canyon South Rim, Horseshoe Bend is an easy stop on your way to the hotel, about 5 miles South of Page, AZ.
As for your Antelope Canyon tour/Colorado Float Trip day, I agree that you have the two activities a little too close for comfort. Check-in time for the 12:30 PM float trip is 12:00 Noon, which is precisely when your Antelope Canyon tour would conclude under ideal circumstances. Not knowing which tour outfitter you’re going with, I assume it’s one of the companies that pick up in Page, in which case, the venues aren’t too far away from each other, but with Antelope Canyon’s popularity exploding this year, you might end up waiting beyond your scheduled tour time. IMO it would be prudent to schedule one of the earlier tours. The light will be fine, you probably won’t see the beams penetrate all the way down to the canyon floor, but it definitely won’t be a case of “lights out, money blown.”
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit!
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Ted johns
Can you recommend anyone that will set up the hotels for a driving 7 day trip around the canyon and surrounding area like your 7 day trip?
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Hi Ted, thanks for visiting our site.
Unfortunately, travel agents are something of a vanishing breed due to the ease of making reservations online. If you have one in your local community, by all means utilize them, but keep in mind they may charge a fee for their services. If memory serves, I did include links to many of the hotels in the areas featured in the article. A good place to start is the Grand Canyon, since lodging there tends to book up the quickest. This site lists area hotels in order of proximity to the canyon rim, and hence, desirability. Grand Canyon Hotels
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂July 26, 2017 at 4:51 PM
Stefano RUZZINI
My wife and I will be in Las Vegas on October 20, evening flight from Salt Lake city. So we will start our tour Oct. 21 early morning and we have until Oct. 24 :Late afternoon flight to San Francisco.
What should we not miss in 4 days? And would Arches Canyon be too far to consider? We will be driving a rented SUV from LAS.
Thank you for your very useful tips.
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Hi, Stefano!
Here’s the good news: you’ve chosen a lovely time to visit Northern Arizona and Southern Utah! Temperatures are cooling, crowds are thinning, and all the activities you may want to enjoy are still going on.
The bad news? Well, not necessarily bad, just probably not what you were hoping to hear: with 4 days to work with, and the distance involved, Arches is not going to be realistic this time around. It’s a beautiful park, and one that deserves 3 or more days to fully experience. Hopefully you’ll make it back to this area in the future so you can give Arches the kind of time it deserves.
Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of amazing things to see and do in 4 days time!
October 21st – drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, maybe stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim. Grand Canyon Hotels Drive time: 4.5-6 hours depending on stops, etc.
October 22nd – drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. Stop at Grand Canyon viewpoints along the way, maybe have lunch at Cameron Trading Post. Stop at Horseshoe Bend Overlook on your way into town. Drive time: 2.5-4 hours depending on pace. Stay 2 nights in Page.
October 23rd – Tour Antelope Canyon and take the Colorado River Discovery Float Trip. Depending on availability and tour times, the order in which you take these tours could go either way, Float Trip first, then Antelope Canyon, or vice versa. 2nd night in Page.
October 24th – Drive back to Las Vegas via Zion National Park. Drive time ~5 hours.
Another variation on this itinerary is on your second day, you could get a very early start from Grand Canyon to Page, visit Horseshoe Bend and tour Antelope Canyon on your arrival day, then spend one night in Page. Skip the float trip, then drive to Zion National Park (about a 2 hour drive from Page) and spend the night in Springdale, UT. The drive back to Las Vegas on the 24th would then be reduced to about 3 hours.
Hope that helps – good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 19, 2017 at 12:07 PM
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From Shelly DuLong
Amazing itinerary! Thank you for taking the time to lay everything out! I don’t suppose you have a 2 week itinerary spelled out for this whole area? 😉
April 26, 2018 at 1:15 PM
Franziska
Hi there!
We will be in Page for two full days on October 13th and October 14th 2017 and would like to see at least one of the slot canyons during our stay. As we are not very fond of large crowds but don’t want to spend a fortune on our tour either, we were thinking about taking the Canyon X tour. We were wondering though, what would be the best time of the day to visit Canyon X? Hope you’ll be able to help us with that. Thanks!
Franziska
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Hi Franziska!
October is a wonderful time to be here, you’ll have a great time. Good call on the Canyon X tour, too. Mid-day is generally regarded as the best time of day to view slot canyons, and Canyon X is no exception. Thought the “light beam” phenomenon won’t occur, the canyon will be well-illuminated for photos.
In addition to thinning crowds in the Page area, October is marked by cooler temperatures, and the interiors of slot canyons tends to be cooler than the outside area, so you’ll probably want to bring a sweater or light jacket.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 18, 2017 at 6:40 PM
james hallett
Hi,
Thank you for your info. I AM making a flying visit with a friend in early march next year. It sounds like even then Antelope canyon will be very busy. And sadly we are due to be there for a Saturday. Of all the ones you list which would you say is the best one to see. We are both up for some fairly strenuous visits – especially if it means no crowds. Cardiac canyon sounds like a good one! Happy to d a couple of excursions before moving on. Any help gratefully received.
Look forward to hearing from you.
James.
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Hi James, and thanks for your visit.
Antelope Canyon’s popularity has certainly grown, so I wouldn’t be surprised if tours are already filling up for next March. But, the fact that you’re planning your visit well in advance will work in your favor! As to which slot canyon is the best one, well… that’s a hard question to answer!
Seeing as though you are up for something fairly challenging, Cardiac Canyon would certainly fulfill your desire for adventure, and beautiful scenery, including a waterfall. For Cardiac Canyon Tours, visit https://www.antelopecanyon-x.com/tours.html
You might also consider Mountain Sheep Canyon, which has been compared to a “mini Coyote Buttes” and does require some creative scrambling. https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/Mountain.asp
Another player on the slot canyon scene not mentioned in this article since they are relatively new is Ligai Si’Anii Tours. They tour some beautiful slot canyons called Wind Pebble, Ram’s Head and Ligai Si’Anii Canyon. Ligai Si’Anii is said to be quite challenging also. For information on these visit www.hikingslotcanyons.com
Hope that helps – safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 13, 2017 at 6:28 PM
Amy Dexheimer
Alley – I am so happy I came across your information! I booked a Canyon X tour with one of the links you provided. Thanks for the info!
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You’re welcome Amy! Hope you enjoy your tour, and your visit to Page, Arizona. Be sure to let your tour outfitter know how they did by posting a review on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google or your personal favorite consumer review site when you get home.
Alley 🙂July 12, 2017 at 4:45 PM
Debra Miller
We were just talking about doing something like this in the beginning of June. Looks like a great trip.
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Debra,
It definitely is! Kudos to you for planning ahead. June is peak travel season in this part of the country, so all lodging and tours should be booked well in advance. If you do this itinerary, or something similar to it, be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this handy little card gets you into all National Parks, Monuments, and other Federal Fee areas for one year’s time. If you visit the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell (Glen Canyon NRA), Zion and Bryce Canyon, it will pay for itself. The only areas it won’t get you into are Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon (or other slot canyons) as these are on Indian Tribal Land.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂July 09, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Yiling
Hi! I am planning to visit Antelope Canyon in this August and have already booked a Upper Antelope tour at 2:30 pm. However, I have just found a same tour available at 1:30 pm. Since I would very love to see the famous light beam, I am wondering whether it is possible for the tour at 1:30 pm to see the light beam and whether it is necessary for me to book it.
Thanks!
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Hi Yiling and thank you for visiting our site.
If you can get on an Antelope Canyon tour at 1:30 PM, grab it. And yes, it is necessary to book it. Antelope Canyon tours are selling out this summer, especially at peak times.
Happy traveling!
Alley 🙂July 07, 2017 at 5:32 PM
Rose Smith
what would be the best and easiest hiking trail 4 my kids and me?
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Hi Rose, thanks for writing us.
Wish we knew what time of year you were visiting, because that would help us advise you better. If your trip is occurring during the summer months, you might want to walk the paved trail that extends from the Lake Powell Resort to Stateline Launch Ramp. It’s relatively flat, has some shade, plus you and your kids would have opportunities to swim.
Upper Antelope Canyon is also an easy walk, 100 yards in length, relatively flat and the interior of the canyon stays relatively cool year-round. The trail leading up to the canyon is sandy, so that part might be a bit of a challenge, but that’s about it. Antelope Canyon tours should be booked in advance.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook trail, which is less than 1.5 miles round-trip, is doable for most people in good health, but it does have some relatively steep uphill grades and some deep sand. Its most challenging aspect is exposure – there is no shade whatsoever on it, and during the summer months, it’s really hot out there. In fact, a gentleman recently died on the trail 🙁 Granted there were mitigating factors, namely age in his case, but it stands as a cautionary tale for the rest of us. Go early in the morning, take enough water for your entire party, and be sure to wear a hat, sunscreen and appropriate shoes for walking. In fact, that’s good advice wherever you choose to hike in Page, Arizona.
Hope that helps – safe travels to you!
AlleyJuly 07, 2017 at 5:31 PM
Ricardo
Hi, thanks for all your ideas on trips to antelope canyon.
Unfortunately due to time constraints, I arrive in LV on 13 july and am taking a flight out on 16 july. Is there anyway I can squeeze in a trip to Grand Canyon, antelope canyon and horseshoe bend? Will the drives be too long and tiring, or which should I take out.
Thanks for the help!
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Hi Ricardo!
Unfortunately, your time is very tight. Fortunately, there’s a way you might be able to work in everything you desire without too much driving.
Book 2 nights at Grand Canyon South Rim, wherever you can find availability. Grand Canyon hotels in order of proximity to the park and desirability. Get an early start out of Las Vegas on July 14th. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive, so you’ll want to arrive at a decent hour so you can do as much sightseeing as possible in the Grand Canyon Village area.
On July 15th, take the Canyon River Adventure Tour. This is an awesome 3-in-1 combo package that includes a plane flight from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, and flies over Horseshoe Bend; an Antelope Canyon 4×4 tour; and a half-day float trip on the Colorado River. It’s about a 12-hour day, but at least you don’t have to drive!
If the tour doesn’t appeal, you can instead book one night at Grand Canyon South Rim and 1 night at Page (for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend). It takes 2.5-3 hours to drive from the South Rim to Page, but in that time, you can do some quality sightseeing along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon since you pretty much have to pass that way anyway. It then takes 4.5-5 hours to drive from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim.
It’s a lot of driving, but with determination and patience, it can be done. If you have to choose one over the other, obviously the Grand Canyon should win out, especially if you’re visiting from abroad and don’t think you’ll be able to get back to this area in the foreseeable future.
Good luck and safe traveling!
Alley 🙂June 30, 2017 at 8:52 PM
Rick Reicker
Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. Exactly what we were looking for!!
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Thank you Rick – hope you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂June 26, 2017 at 3:03 PM
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From Rani
Hi Alley,
We are planning a visit to the GC area on June 7th for 6 days. We are deciding between Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon as we may have time to only do one. Which one would you recommend? Also sent you our itinerary in an earlier post. Thanks.
May 23, 2018 at 12:16 PM
Astrid
Hi,
thank you for listing these alternative tours.
We have already booked the Lower Antelope Canyon for July 20th. Now I am thinking of either:
– doing Canyon X additionally
– cancelling Lower Antelope and visiting Canyon X only
– cancelling Lower Antelope and visiting Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon only
What would be your personal preference?
I would be glad to receive your comment.
Kind regards from Germany,
Astrid
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Hi Astrid,
Thanks for stopping by and reading our piece on Antelope Canyon Alternative tours!
Regarding your plans, I don’t think you’d be disappointed whichever course of action you decided to take, but doing more than one slot canyon isn’t 100% necessary in order to get the most out of your trip. If you would prefer not to contend with large crowds, though, cancelling Lower Antelope and touring one of the alternates would definitely be worth considering.
If the “physicality” of Lower Antelope is what appeals to you about it, Antelope Canyon X would make a good alternative as it does require navigating some downhill/uphill grades, and a few ladders. If that aspect of it was something you could do without, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon is relatively flat with a few tight spots to squeeze through.
As for how to round out your time, you might consider the Colorado River Discovery Half Day Float Trip, or a short boat tour on Lake Powell.
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful trip!
Remember to drink plenty of water. That time of year is hot.
Alley 🙂June 26, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Jan
Hello!
Please could you confirm my planned trip, is possible to do it in one day? We plan our trip on the end of june.. Our group has 3 children (10-13 Y). We will be in Page overnight. We want to visit Antelope Canyon in the morning (8:00?), which one is better for us, upper or lower? How much time does the visit take? Then we want to go to the Monument Valley. During the way to MV, where do you recommend to take lunch? And again how much time do we need for the visit of MV? After MV we want continue to Moab, where we want stay for two nights.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Jan
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Hi Jan, thanks for stopping by.
Your “planned” trip is possible, but advisable? Not so much…
Let’s say you take an 8 AM Antelope Canyon tour. Your kids might find Lower to be the more desirable of the two since it involves some ladder climbing and boulder scrambling. Your tour will take approximately 2 hours, so you’d start driving to Monument Valley at 10 AM local time (Mountain Standard). The drive there will take another 2 hours, and since they DO observe Daylight Saving Time, you’ll “lose” an hour crossing over to the Navajo Indian Reservation, so, best case scenario, you’ll arrive at 1:00 PM. You can grab lunch at a number of restaurants in the area. I’m personally partial to the one at Goulding’s Trading Post. Assuming that ordering and eating lunch takes about 1 hour, it’s now 2:00 PM. Doing any kind of tour of Monument Valley would also take a bare minimum of two hours. It’s now 4:00 PM. Then you’re facing a 2.5 hour drive to Moab, UT, putting you there at 6:30 PM at the earliest. Again, these are “best case scenarios.” Accounting for restroom breaks and unexpected stops to photograph something that catches your eye (and there’s a lot here to catch your eye), it’s best to pad driving estimates by 25-30%. I’m getting tired just thinking about it!
The fact that you have two days in Moab does help, but in my opinion, you’re trying to cram too much sightseeing into one day. Another factor to consider is that June is very hot in this part of the country, which will take its toll on your energy level. I don’t recall seeing where you’ll be in the days prior to visiting Page, but you might consider re-working your schedule so you can tour Antelope Canyon the day prior to driving to Moab.
Another consideration? If you don’t already have reservations for an Antelope Canyon or Monument Valley tour, or for lodging in Moab, you might find things sold out already! If you find that to be the case with Antelope Canyon tours, consider touring one of the many alternate slot canyons in Page, AZ or traveling with Ligai Si’Anii Slot Canyon Tours out of LeChee, AZ .
Good luck and best wishes for safe travels!
Alley 🙂June 19, 2017 at 2:01 PM
Mike
Hello,
Spending a week in Kanab so we can stay in one spot and still see lots. Curious your thoughts on our itinerary and feel free to give feedback or suggestions.
Spend 2 days in Zion- one day doing the Narrows and one day doing Angel’s Landing. (Have done them both and the reason we are going back)
1 day driving up to Bryce and Hike the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. If time we might go to Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area.
1 day of complete relaxation in Kanab
Thinking of combining Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Navajo Bridge and North Rim all in one day. 6 hours of driving which makes for a long day but then frees up another day.
My main question is do you think that the North Rim deserves its own day or does it make sense to combine them all because if we go to Navajo Bridge then to head back to Kanab we go through Jacob’s Lake which is about an hour from the North Rim? We did the south rim 2 years ago and my kids got bored after a few hours so not sure if the North rim is worth it’s own day or just make it a long day.
Thank you!
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Hi Mike, thanks for stopping by!
IMO the North Rim deserves a dedicated day. All that driving just to cram in a bunch of sightseeing doesn’t sound appealing in the least and your kids would probably agree with me.
There are plenty of activities in the Page, AZ area that can help round out your Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend day, such as a boat tour on Lake Powell, or perhaps a stand-up paddleboard tour. On your way back to Kanab (or on your way to Page from Kanab), definitely stop by the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstools Trail. Easy to find between mile markers 18 & 19 on US 89, it’s a fun little hike. Remember that Utah is on Mountain Daylight Time and Page is on Mountain Standard Time, so you’ll “gain” an hour as you go from Utah to Arizona, then “lose” it again going back.
At the North Rim, you might check out some ranger led activities and if your kids are younger, let them earn a “Junior Ranger” badge. You might also look into some of the mule rides there, they’re typically easier to get on than at the South Rim. Kids have to be at least 7 for the 1-hour rimside ride, or 10 for the half-day ride into the canyon. Grand Canyon North Rim Mule Ride On the way there, definitely stop at the Jacob Lake Inn and pick up some of their home-made cookies. They’re awesome!
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip! Remember to make advance reservations for your Antelope Canyon tour.
AlleyJune 16, 2017 at 10:24 AM
jamie
Hi Alley,
We will visit Page in the end of July. Like to tour both upper and lower antelope canyon. So I already book the 12:00 tour for lower, what is the best time to book for upper canyon? 9:30?
Thank you for all your tips of travelling,
Jamie
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Hi Jamie,
In light of the fact that you have already booked a 12:00 Noon tour to Lower Antelope Canyon, I’d recommend booking an Upper Antelope Canyon tour that departs afterward. The reason why is that we’ve received reports of Upper Antelope Canyon tours not departing on time due to extreme popularity this season. A 9:30 AM tour would theoretically end at 11:00 AM, giving you enough time to get lunch, then go down to the entrance of Lower Antelope to catch your tour. If the tour didn’t depart on time, though, you’d potentially miss your tour, and not be eligible to get your money back.
Another consideration: since you’d already be at Antelope Canyon’s entrance on the highway, it makes no sense to traipse back to Page to pick up a tour that will just take you down to where you already were, so I’d recommend catching one of the tours that departs directly from the Tribal Park entrance on highway 98. Visit Navajo Tours for availability and reservations.
Should Upper Antelope tours be sold out (which is a distinct possibility), all is not lost. You might consider touring an alternative slot canyon such as Antelope X, Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon or Cathedral Canyon, or touring Antelope Canyon from the waterside by Stand-Up Paddleboard or Tour Boat from Antelope Point Marina.
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!
Alley 🙂June 13, 2017 at 5:56 PM
Elena
I and 3 others friends are planning to visit Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon, south rim of Antelope, horseshoe bend, and Powell river in 4 nights/ 5 days ( June 30-July 4). We are planning to fly to Las Vegas and drive through those places. In what order should we take to make most of our time? Also, do We need to sign up for a tour or we can hike alone? Do we need permits? Where are the best places to stay for those places? Thanks, Elena
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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!
AlleyJune 09, 2017 at 11:56 AM
Mandar
Hi,
Could you please suggest a good company for helicopter tours in Grand Canyon? Thanks in advance
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Hi Mandar,
There are 3 companies that offer Grand Canyon helicopter tours: Papillon, Grand Canyon Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters. Since Grand Canyon Helicopters is actually a subsidiary of Papillon, that narrows it “technically” down to two.
Which one should you choose? Well, their flight routes are going to be virtually identical since these are regulated by the FAA. The type of aircraft they fly are also very similar. Two tours are offered, one 25-30 minutes in length, and a 45-50 minute flight.
Our suggestion? Select the operator who has availability at the time slot you desire, and at the best price. We recommend flying in the morning for better light and less wind.
Hope that helps – happy traveling!
AlleyJune 09, 2017 at 11:44 AM
Erin M
I stumbled across your website today and found many posts so very helpful for planning our upcoming visit to Page. Thanks for all the guidance!
Beth
I’m planning to visit Antelope Canyon this year and was wondering if there is a season that makes the canyon more beautiful. I did see in the comments that the light beam is present in late spring, summer, and early fall, and strongest… I have a very flexible schedule for travel and wanted to know if have a recommendation for a time of year that affords better conditions/weather or fewer people. I appreciate any help you can provide!
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Hi Beth, and thanks for visiting our site!
You have correctly deduced that the late spring-summer-early fall time period is best if you have your heart set on seeing Antelope Canyon’s famous light beams. However, there is a price to be paid for the experience, namely, paying higher prices for tours, and having to contend with more people for seats. Indeed, there are reports all over the internet of peak-time tours being sold out well into October.
If you don’t care one way or the other about seeing the light beams, and would prefer to experience the canyon in more moderate temperatures with fewer people, you might consider visiting in late March/early April or mid-October/early November. Mind you those are transitional periods from winter to spring and fall to winter respectively, so you might encounter inclement weather, but usually not so extreme as to result in cancellation of tours. Daytime temperatures are typically pleasant and crowds are thinning, too. At least with kids back in school, it’s just us grown-ups out there 😉
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
AlleyJune 05, 2017 at 4:31 PM
Cindi
Alley, any ideas on my above comment…where to add another day?
Thanks!
Cindi
I understand how a long-winded question can get buried…no problem. I appreciate your help immensely! So if I am able to cut out a night a Bryce, where would be the best place to add on? I chose two nights for Bryce because I figured after flying to Vegas, getting luggage, getting rental car and then driving at least 4 hours to Bryce, we wouldn’t have any time to see or do much that day. I thought we’d spend the next day at Bryce and then start out fresh and early the next a.m. to Capitol Reef. What do you think? Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Cindi Holgash
any answer on my itinerary posted before Sal’s?
Thanks!
sal
Hello,
I have found very useful information here. Thank you.
I will be driving from Las Vegas to Page on Saturday. Planning to visit Lower Antelope Canyon then head to Horseshoe Bend. Is it possible/ advisable to both lower and upper canyons on the same day? I’ll be heading back to Las Vegas on Sunday with no rush. Is there anything else to see/visit near Page or on the way back to Las Vegas that doesn’t require advance preparations?
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Hi Sal,
Thanks for visiting, and for your compliments!
This is a great question, and fortunately there is no shortage of free and/or cheap attractions to visit on the drive from Page to Las Vegas. If you go via the most direct route (map below), through Kanab, Colorado City and St. George, some popular places to visit include:
The “New Wave:” just past the Glen Canyon Dam and opposite the Lake Powell Resort turn-off on US89 is an unmarked road to a small cluster of rock formations that bear an uncanny resemblance to “The Wave.” Unlike the “Old” Wave, the “New Wave” doesn’t require a permit, or charge admission. Because the road is not regularly maintained, it does wash out occasionally. If signage states “no admittance,” you’ll have to skip it.
The Big Water Visitor Center: 15 miles Northwest of Page, AZ and just over the Utah border on US89, this unassuming facility offers up some impressive surprises, such as dinosaur bones excavated locally, a topographical relief map of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and paleontology and geology displays kids and adults will love.
The Paria Rimrocks-Toadstools Trail: Between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89 between mile markers 18 and 19 is a 1.5 mile round-trip trail leading to an unearthly rock garden where bizarre hoodoos, balanced rocks and other geological oddities grow. A moderate walk, don’t stop at what appears to be the end of the trail; the main hoodoo area is located up a short rock scramble.
Kanab, Utah: a charming small town with a star-crossed path of a different sort, Kanab was once a popular site for Western movies and television shows. These days, tourism gets top billing on the economic marquee. A good stop for shopping or dining, the Rocking V Cafe and Houston’s Trail’s End Restaurant are popular among locals and visitors.
Another possibility would be to make a slight detour via Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry (map below). On this route, good stop-off points include:
The Cut Overlook: At this pull-out off US89 approximately 30 minutes South of Page, a panoramic view of a vast expanse of the Colorado Plateau is laid at your feet. You might also purchase some jewelry or other souvenirs from the Native American families that run outdoor curio stands in the area.
Lees Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch: For decades, this was the only place possible to cross the Colorado River. Named for its owner/operator, John Lee, who resided at a nearby farm. Legend has it that his wife took one look at the isolated outpost and exclaimed, “Oh, what a lonely dell!” Today, you can tour the ferry crossing site and the ranch, and wade in the Colorado River itself.
Marble Canyon: Also an important river crossing site, here you’ll see two bridges side-by-side. The old Navajo Bridge, dating back to the 1920’s, and the new Navajo Bridge, completed in 1995. The old Navajo Bridge was refurbished as a pedestrian walkway, and you might see some California Condors sunning themselves on the rocks below! Stop in to the Visitor Center to learn more about the history of the bridge, and the challenges faced by the people who built it. Impossible-looking balanced rock formations are another scenic highlight of this area.
Vermillion Cliffs: The Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry detour will take you past the far Southern border of this National Monument, famous for formations like The Wave, White Pocket Fold and the Buckskin Gulch.
Jacob Lake Inn: nestled in the cool pines of the Kaibab National Forest 67 miles from Grand Canyon’s North Rim, this historic cabin hideaway makes a great stop for a bathroom break/leg stretch, or for a meal. If nothing else, grab a milkshake, or some of their legendary cookies, baked right on-site from time-honored recipes!
As for whether you can tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon in one day, it is totally possible. Whether it’s “advisable” depends largely on you. While some visitors feel that touring both branches of the canyon is worthwhile, others report after the fact thinking that their time might have been better spent doing other activities, such as seeing Antelope Canyon from the waterside on a Stand-Up Paddleboard or boat tour. Can You Tour Both Upper And Lower Antelope Canyon In 1 Day?
Whichever way you go, advance reservations are a must!
Hope that helps – have a wonderful trip!
AlleyMay 30, 2017 at 12:48 PM
Kathy
We’re going to go to Antelope on September 5th of this year. What is the best time of day for light and photos??
Thanks!!
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Hi Kathy, thanks for your inquiry.
Mid-day is generally regarded as prime time to visit Antelope Canyon for quality of light and photos. That is when you’re most likely to experience those famous light beams everyone is so fond of. However, you’ll also find it to be crazy-busy as a result. I would not be surprised if tours for all time slots were sold out, but be sure you check with all the outfitters before assuming that to be the case. What To Do If Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out
Best wishes for safe travels!
Alley KeosheyanMay 29, 2017 at 1:14 PM
Cindi Holgash
I am still trying to streamline my itinerary…
Please let me know if this works…
Fly to Vegas (arrive 11 a.m.)
Drive to Bryce –4 hours (stay 2 nights)
Drive to Capitol Reef – 2 hours (stay one night)
Drive to Moab – 2 1/2 hours (stay 2 nights) Arches,* Dead Horse State Park, Canyonlands
*I realize there will be construction starting 7 p.m. on the road to Arches
Drive to Monument Valley – 2 1/2 hours (stay one night) Sunset Navajo Spirit Tour
Drive to Lake Powell — 2 hours (2 nights) Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell Boat tour, Horseshoe Bend
Drive to Desert Pearl in Zion – 2 hours (2 nights)
Zion to Las Vegas – 2 1/2 hours (2 nights in Vegas)
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Cindi,
Hi and sorry I missed this, it kinda got lost in the mix.
Long story short, yes, this is more workable than what you had previously proposed. I would strongly recommend padding your driving figures a bit, not because they’re not accurate, but invariably there are going to be stops for bathroom breaks and points of interest between places. As you can see from Sal’s itinerary, there are a lot of “little” things to see before the “big” attractions!
Many visitors find one night to be sufficient at Bryce since it encompasses a relatively small area, so if you have trouble finding lodging for 2 nights, that can be a “saving grace.”
I don’t recall when you were visiting, but if it’s during the summer or fall months, remember you’re going to have to factor in time changes. Las Vegas is on Pacific Daylight Time; Arizona is on Mountain STANDARD Time (we’re weird); Utah and the Navajo Indian Reservation are on Mountain Daylight Time. You’ll “lose” an hour going from Las Vegas to Bryce, be on the same time going from Capitol Reef to Moab and Monument Valley, then “gain” the hour back when you get to Page, AZ.
Thanks and sorry again for the delay in reply,
AlleyJune 02, 2017 at 10:53 AM
Suzette
Hi Alley! So glad to have found this site – your responses are a wealth of information!
My friend and I have 2 days/1 night planned in the area and we want to visit GC South Rim and Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend. We’re flying into Phoenix the first day, and probably staying in Page for the night. What do you suggest we visit/do to make the most of our trip??
Your expertise and insights are welcomed! Thank you in advance!
Suzette
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Hi Suzette, and thanks for visiting our site today!
2 days and 1 night really isn’t a lot of time to work with, but making the most of your trip won’t be hard in spite of that.
The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ takes approximately 4.5 hours if you drive direct. However, if you get an early enough start, you might swing through Sedona, or stop at Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments just North of Flagstaff. Further North is the historic Cameron Trading Post which is a good bathroom break/leg stretch stop, or if your tummy is growling by this point, maybe have lunch there. The Navajo Tacos are da bomb!
Antelope Canyon is best seen during the mid-day hours, but these tours are usually sold out, so don’t fret if you have to go later in the day. Antelope Canyon is beautiful any time of day. Don’t forget to hit Horseshoe Bend Overlook on the way into town as well.
The next morning, rise early and head for Grand Canyon South Rim. The drive takes 2.5 hours if done direct, but again, it rarely happens because of all the viewpoints you can stop at along the way. Don’t be surprised if it ends up running you 3.5-4 hours. Then, you’re looking at another 4 hours or so to drive back to Phoenix.
Is there anyway you can modify your schedule so you can spend the night at the South Rim? That would make for a much more comfortable experience IMO.
Good luck and happy travels,
Alley 🙂May 22, 2017 at 3:09 PM
_________________________________________
From Suzette
Awesome, thanks so much, Alley!
Suzette
May 24, 2017 at 2:47 AM
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From Suzette
Alley,
Need your expert opinion again! We have a 3pm Lower Antelope tour scheduled the day we fly into Phoenix, then overnight in Page, then an 8am mule tour in GC the next morning. Is this the best use of our limited time, (I know you mentioned the overnight in South Rim)?? Maybe we need to flip our itinerary – GC first day, overnight there, then Page the next day? Any advice would be helpful! I’m feeling like our current setup is a little much driving and rushing around.
Thank you in advance!
SuzetteMay 27, 2017 at 2:54 PM
Janice Lipshy
Planning to go to Antelope Canyon from Detroit Michigan the last week in October2017…and wondering where we should fly into…..have previously been to Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Vegas, etc….but would not be opposed to a revisit….just want to get to Page the most scenic and beautiful route…have have nine days, eight nites start to finish…please assist and thank you for your time.
jan
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Hi Janice!
October is a wonderful time to visit Arizona. Since you’ve already done the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon/Bryce/Zion loop, I would recommend flying into Phoenix. The drive from Phoenix to Page is stunning, going through expansive stands of saguaro cacti, the Verde Valley, Coconino National Forest, and Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments.
A logical and wonderful stop to make on this trip would be Sedona, AZ, which is just 2 hours from Phoenix. Many people recommend staying there at least 3 days and rightfully so! There’s a lot to see and do, including just chilling out 🙂
With the time you have, you can easily revisit Grand Canyon South Rim if you wish, or maybe add Monument Valley to your itinerary.
Whatever you do, be sure to book all your lodging and tours in advance. Like I said, October is prime time to visit Arizona, and that secret got out years ago!
Hope your travels are safe and happy,
AlleyMay 22, 2017 at 3:02 PM
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From Liz
Hello Alley,
WE have a mule trip booked for Oct 20/21 and would like to include a visit to antelope canyon. I have 4 women all healthy and active but I have one with a fear of heights (she is not doing the mule trip). We have a whole day tos pend at antelope canyon. What do you suggest for the best way to tour? I hve seen upper canyon, lower canyon and kayak tours so not sure which way would be best to go. thank you!
May 31, 2017 at 4:10 PM
Teresa
Hello all!!
Thank you so much for all the very useful information!!!
I am planning a trip for my parents and myself, we plan to drive to Antelope Canyon and take one of the upper tour.
However, that’s all I have planned, wondering if there is any advise on what’s the best way to see the other amazing spots in the area? Perhaps not too tiring as they are not young?
I see there’s the Rainbow Bridge, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell (whats the best way to see them?)
Thank you so so much, you very kind people!!!
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Hi Teresa, and thank you for writing!
Hopefully you have made reservations for your Antelope Canyon tour. It is a very popular attraction and tours have been selling out.
As for visiting the other area attractions you mention, unfortunately, they do involve a bit of a hike that many people are not able to make, especially Rainbow Bridge. To see Rainbow Bridge the traditional way also involves a 6-hour boat tour that your folks may not be up for.
There is, however, a way to see Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge quickly and easily, without breaking a sweat and that’s to fly over them. The Lake Powell/Rainbow Bridge air tour will cover all that and more in just 30 minutes time!
Another popular activity that is not strenuous is the Colorado River Discovery Half Day Float Trip through Glen Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. During the summer months, you should definitely take the early morning departure.
Hope that helps. Safe travels to you and your family!
AlleyMay 16, 2017 at 11:22 AM
Shab
Hi, love your website and all the articles!
I am planning a solo trip from Vancouver, BC to visit Antelope Canyon and Horse Bend from June 1-5. My plan is to rent a car from Vegas to Page although a bit nervous about the drive. Any recommendations for this first time solo traveler? Love to make the most of my time while there and hopefully get to do the things you suggested in Ultimate 2-day Itinerary.
So lucky to have come upon this site. Thank you for all your guidance!
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Hi Shab,
Thank you for visiting, and for your compliments!
The drive from Las Vegas to Page is a fairly straightforward one, taking place on paved, well-traveled roads. Driving directly, the trip usually takes 4.5 hours or so, but people rarely drive straight through as there are many beautiful sites and points of interest along the way.
In your case, you might consider driving through Zion National Park in Utah. It doesn’t add much to your drive in terms of mileage, but for scenic quality, it definitely beats the more direct route.
The only thing I would caution you or any driver about is not to drive in this area at night. Supplemental/artificial lighting is kept to a bare minimum on local roadways, so once the sun sets, it gets really dark, plus deer, elk and other wildlife like to congregate near the roads at night, and trust me, you don’t want to get in an accident with one of them!
Here’s a question for you: if you have 4 nights total, did you plan to spend them all in the Page area? You might consider splitting your time between Zion and Page.
Hope that helps. Feel free to write again!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂May 12, 2017 at 12:10 PM
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From Shab
Hi Alley,
Thank you so much for writing back and all your advise. You made my day!
To be honest, I do not have much of clue or itinerary planned. It’s my 45th birthday on June 2nd and have this strange calling that I need to be in Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Other than that I don’t have to stay in Page. But not having been in these areas or ever travelled on my own, feeling pretty nervous and lost. I hope to arrive in Vegas late morning or early afternoon of June 1st so to get a head start. Would like to keep it simple and make most of my days.
Would it be too much to ask if you have any suggestions or ideas for an itinerary?
Thank you again for everything. You have no idea how much it means to me.
Hoping not to chicken out,
ShabMay 13, 2017 at 3:28 AM
Cindi
Thanks so much, Alley. I appreciate your bringing the construction problem to my attention. I will certainly keep it in mind when planning. I checked into it after you wrote about it and people have commented that they made sure they visited first thing in the morning to avoid the most traffic.
Yes, you are correct about the Grand Canyon-I have visited a few years ago, so I will concentrate on other national parks and sites besides the Grand Canyon and Sedona.
Would it make any difference if I reversed your proposed itinerary? Start with Vegas, then Bryce, then Escalante, then Capitol Reef, etc. Any advantage one direction vs. the opposite?
Thanks for all your help!
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Hi Cindi, thanks for writing back! As to the order in which you visit the parks, monuments, etc. on your itinerary, it doesn’t really make a huge difference. Availability of lodging in the different locations may be the primary determining factor for how you plan your trip. Since you’ll have done a lot of driving on this vacation, you may want to coordinate it so your last stop puts you closer to Las Vegas, in which case, that would be Bryce.
🙂 Thanks again for stopping by!
Alley
P.S. Remember to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass” at the first park on your itinerary. It will save you a ton of money on park entrance fees! https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htmMay 12, 2017 at 11:54 AM
Cindi Holgash
This is an amazing site! Thanks for all your wealth of information. I need help with my planning of our Utah trip. We plan on flying to Vegas –not sure whether to start at Zion/Bryce or go to Lake Powell first.
Vegas to Lake Powell– one night in Lake Powell (boat tour)
Lake Powell to Monument Valley –one night in Monument Valley. My dream is to do a sunset jeep tour if possible here.
Antelope Canyon, Horshoe Bend
Monument Valley to Canyonland to Moab
One – Two nights in Moab (Arches, Canyonland, 7 Dead Horse State Park)
Moab to Capitol Reef (Arches
Capitol Reef to Escalante
Escalante to Bryce/Zion (portion of The Narrows) other various sites there
2-3 nights in Zion
2 nights in Vegas
I am in fair shape but I do have rheumatoid arthritis in my legs. I am 60 and my husband is 63. I would say hiking in the moderate range would be the best bet. Also when would be the best time to go to the Antelope Canyon? Which would be best for us to tackle?
Thanks so much for your help!
Does this sound like a plan? If you have a better itinerary, please give me your better ideas.
forgot to mention that we are thinking of taking the trip mid-July or early August. Thanks!
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Hi Cindy, thank you for visiting our site, and your compliments!
First of all, you might want to consider taking Moab off your itinerary. Not that it isn’t beautiful (it is), but there is a major road construction project going on in Arches this year that will significantly impact the quality of your visit. Here’s more information on the project ->: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/construction.htm
Not knowing how long you actually have for your trip, I’ll venture to suggest an itinerary as follows:
Las Vegas to Zion – 2 nights in Zion
Zion to Page/Lake Powell – 2 nights in Page (boat tour, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
Page to Monument Valley – 1 night in MV
Monument Valley to Capitol Reef – 2 nights in Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef to Escalante – 1 night in Escalante
Escalante to Bryce – 1 night in Bryce
Bryce to Las Vegas
For suggestions of good hikes you and your husband can do, I recommend going to https://www.nps.gov and visiting the sites for the individual parks. For Antelope Canyon specifically, Upper would probably be your best bet as that branch of the canyon is flat, 100 yards long (or short, as it were) and manageable for 99% of people who visit. Lower requires some stair climbing and boulder scrambling. Whichever you choose, make sure you book your trip in advance of your arrival. This has become a very popular attraction. In your case, since you’re planning to go to Monument Valley, you can easily do your tour on the way from Page to MV by catching it at the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. Visit www.navajotours.com for more information.
One last thing, keep in mind that it’s going to be hot at the time of your trip, and it’s monsoon season, which means afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily. It’s nothing to fear, just something to be aware of.
OK, one more last thing: I notice the Grand Canyon is absent from your trip plan. Have you already been there?
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyMay 09, 2017 at 12:50 PM
JR
Will be in Antelope Canyon area abt 16th or so of May. Please tell me what tours/outfitters have easier DoD cuz my husband has foot pain. which he can bear but we do limit hiking & climbing.
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Hi JR, thanks for your question!
Upper Antelope Canyon is definitely the easiest of all local slot canyon tours. It’s a 100 yard trail through the canyon itself, mostly flat and fairly well compacted. People who use walkers, canes, etc. have been able to manage it, so that should tell you a lot right there.
The main thing is to reserve your tour well in advance. Antelope Canyon has become a very popular attraction and many tours are reportedly sold out already. How to Book A Tour of Antelope Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
AlleyMay 04, 2017 at 4:12 PM
John McKearney
Alley:
Do you have to book a tour to visit antelope canyon? or can you go there on your own? It seems that you can only book a tour. However, if I can do it on my own with a friend (even if there is a fee involved) where can I find that information.
Thank you
John M.
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Hi John, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. Therefore, it is necessary to go to the canyon with a licensed guide and/or tour operator. Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on one’s point of view 😉 – Antelope Canyon has become a very popular attraction, so advance reservations are strongly recommended for touring. How To Book A Tour Of Antelope Canyon
In the event Antelope Canyon tours are sold out on your desired day, here are some tips on how to handle that situation ->: “Help! Antelope Canyon Tours Are Sold Out”
Take care and safe travels,
AlleyMay 02, 2017 at 2:09 PM
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From John McKearney
That is what I thought. Thank you for the update
May 02, 2017 at 9:18 PM
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From Sue laviolette
Hello we r in town and would like to book antelope upper tour for friday at 11:30 , 1230 or 130. Who do i contact
ThxMarch 15, 2018 at 8:26 PM
Matan
Hi..
Just a quick question – I have a full day in page, and I was wondering if I should do both upper and lower canyons or just one of them… either way I plan on doing horseshoe bend at sunset.. would love to hear your opinion..
Thanks, Matan
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Hi Matan,
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are different enough from one another to ensure that you won’t be bored by any means exploring both. Lower Antelope Canyon requires some stair climbing and mile boulder scrambling whereas Upper is a straightforward 100-yard walk.
As for seeing Horseshoe Bend at sunset, remember that the overlook faces due East so the sun might be in your eyes at that time. Still, people seem to agree that there’s no such thing as a “bad” time to see it! Best time to visit Horseshoe Bend article
Good luck!
AlleyApril 27, 2017 at 2:26 PM
Ashley Fisher
Do you have a recommendation on a hotel that is nearby this area? I’m doing the full hike with the antelope canyons, horseshoe bend and Zion all included. If you have a suggestion on a unique place to stay that would be most helpful. I’d rather a more rural, rustic place rather than your typical hotel.
Thank You
Ashley
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Hi Ashley and thanks for stopping by.
If you’d prefer to avoid chain hotels and motels, you’ll be happy to know that there are many options for doing so in the Page, AZ area. Start by checking on vacation rental homes. Granted, the majority are within the town of Page itself, but our location in and of itself is very unique and rural, with beatiful views around every turn. Vacation Rentals By Owner, or VRBO for short, is a good site with a variety of options, from rooms within a home, to luxury “villas” with all the bells and whistles.
If you want to go a little further off the beaten path, check out the Paria Outpost, situated between Page, AZ and Kanab, UT on US89. They have a small room that they rent out to travelers, and the price includes a cooked-to-order breakfast. Paria Outpost Bed & Breakfast
Hope that gives you some ideas to start your planning.
AlleyApril 18, 2017 at 1:10 PM
mina
thanks Alley, can you confirm drive from southrim to horseshoe bend boat trip ( do you know how long drive woul be)then I could drive from end ofboat trip to antelope canyon (do you know how long this drive would be and from what point?. Also are we able to drive any car on these roads?
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Hi Mina,
The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to the check-in point for the Colorado River Discovery Float Trip (I assume that’s the one you’re referring to?) in Page, AZ is approximately 2.5 hours driven direct, but people seldom do that as there are a lot of good views to stop at along the way.
As for the drive from the “end of the boat trip,” what happens is that when you pull off the river at Lees Ferry, you’re then driven by motorcoach back to the Colorado River Discovery office where you checked in. The drive to Antelope Canyon would then be 10 minutes or so. You can drive as far as the Tribal Park Entrance Gate on Highway 98, but then you are required to be escorted back to the canyon entrance by an authorized guide.
Map:April 17, 2017 at 1:52 PM
mina
hi can you do a tour of the upper and lower antelope canyon? Also would like to get down onto river to do boat tour including horseshoe in boat? Would travel from south rim to stay overnight in page and get up early to do these 2 tours if it all fits in one day?
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Hi Mina,
Thanks for stopping by today. It is theoretically possible to do all these activities in one day, but it depends on the time of year you’re traveling. The Colorado River Discovery Smooth Water Float Trip (the boat tour that travels through Horseshoe Bend) only departs once daily at 11 AM from March 1st – 31st and October 1st through November 30th. Due to the shorter day length, you would probably only have time to do either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon prior to the float trip, then do the second one afterwards.
During the spring, summer and fall months, you could catch the 7:30 AM float trip, which would end at approximately 11:30 AM. Allowing an hour for lunch, you could then catch the two Antelope Canyon tours in the afternoon.
Honestly, though, that’s going to make for a day that’s very rushed. Consider getting an earlier start from the South Rim so you can hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, then maybe take one of the tours on your arrival day. That way you’ll have more time between tours on your second day.
Whichever you choose to do, and in whichever order, we strongly recommend booking both the float trip and Antelope Canyon tours in advance. The links above will give you the appropriate contact information.
Good luck and happy traveling!
AlleyApril 12, 2017 at 4:28 PM
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From mina
hi the hop on hop off tour at south rim – do you know how long this takes? does the half day canyon river discovery tours on boat go through horseshoe bend?
April 17, 2017 at 3:56 AM
Scott
Hi Ryan. We will be spending 3 days and two nights in early may in the Page area. Of coarse plan on visiting Antelope canyon and Lake powell. We would like to camp and have a four wheels drive vehicle. Can you recommend any 4×4 accessible remote beautiful places to set up camp?
Thanks
Scott
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Morning Scott,
Thanks for visiting our site! There are a plethora of camping options – both developed and primitive – in the Page/Lake Powell area. The reason I mention both options is because you did not expressly state whether your 4WD vehicle was your personal vehicle or a rental. If you’re renting your vehicle, most rental car companies forbid off-road driving, even if the vehicle you rent is a 4×4 or SUV. If you venture off paved roadways and sustain any damage to the vehicle, you would void your rental insurance and be held liable for potentially costly repairs. In this case, you’d be better off sticking to managed campgrounds, such as the Wahweap Campground inside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, or the Lake Powell Campground in the town of Page, AZ.
If the vehicle is yours, then you’re free to camp wherever you wish! Popular camping options for those with 4×4 vehicles includes, but is not limited to, Lone Rock Beach on the AZ/UT border near the town of Greenehaven, and Alstrom Point, which can be accessed via a dirt road from the town of Big Water, UT. For the latter, it is strongly advised to get a map of the local area or discuss your planned route with knowledgeable local residents, such as the employees of the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum.
Another option you might not have considered is to get off your wheels and get on the water. Rent a boat at Lake Powell Marina and Antelope Marina, find a nice cove or beach, pitch your tent and enjoy! However, for this option, you must provide or rent some type of portable sanitation device. Ditto for places such as Alstrom Point, which have no facilities. Be sure to pack out all trash, as well.
For more information on camping in the Page area, visit our page “Camping and RV Options Near Antelope Canyon.”
Have fun!
AlleyApril 10, 2017 at 12:40 PM
Audra Johnston
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for this one day intinerary! I am planning my first day (and first time) in Page with it! I’ve enjoyed your website about Antelope Canyon and all the post and comments so much. After two days in Page, I am heading to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I hope you don’t mind me asking about the South Rim. Any suggestions? Must dos and don’t dos?
Can’t wait to visit. Thanks for this website, it has been very helpful!
From Texas,
Audra J.
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Hi Audra,
As someone who lived and worked at the South Rim for 7 years, I don’t mind at all answering your question!
First off, the most logical route from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim is to take US89 South, then get on AZ64 West. At the junction of these two highways is the Historic Cameron Trading Post. It makes for a good bathroom break/leg stretch at the very least, but if you have the time or inclination, maybe stay to do some souvenir shopping, or enjoy their restaurant’s signature dish, the Navajo Taco.
Upon departing the Navajo reservation and entering the park, there are several Grand Canyon viewpoints you should stop at: the Desert View Watchtower, Lipan Point, Moran Point, and Zuni Point, just to name a few.
When you get to Grand Canyon Village, the main commerce area at the South Rim, find a place to park, then take the free Village Loop Shuttle up to the stop across from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, then climb the staircase to the rim. There, you can walk the easy, paved Rim Trail through the Historic District, featuring Verkamp’s, the Hopi House, El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, and Kolb Studio. Yavapai Geological Museum is a fascinating stop as well, also accessible by the Village Loop Shuttle, as is the Canyon View Information Plaza. Outside the park in Tusayan/GC Village South, the IMAX presentation “Grand Canyon: The Hidden Secrets” is also fun.
For more good suggestions on planning a Grand Canyon trip, visit www.grandcanyon.com or www.nps.gov/grca
Happy traveling from Arizona,
AlleyApril 06, 2017 at 8:14 PM
Ivy
Hi Ryan,
We’re planning on visiting Antelope Canyon both upper and lower in late Oct to early Nov. What is the best time for lights at both upper and lower canyons at that time of the year?
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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,
AlleyApril 06, 2017 at 11:49 AM
cynthia
I am interested in staying inside the park for one night around the 8th of October. What facilities or links to lodging do you know of that provides lodging inside the park?
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Hi Cynthia,
October is a wonderful time to be at the Grand Canyon, and a lot of people know that, so don’t be surprised to find lodging inside the park booked up. Nevertheless, check for availability anyway, as cancellations do happen. If Grand Canyon Park Village is indeed already full, next best alternative would be Tusayan, aka Grand Canyon Village South, about 3 miles South of the park gates. Here is a really good link for information on Grand Canyon South Rim lodging in order of proximity to the park and ostensibly, desirability ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/
Good luck and happy traveling,
AlleyApril 06, 2017 at 11:39 AM
ml
by the way Alley,
suggested hotels above will be very useful the next visit!
thanks very much indeed!
ml
Thanks Alley:-)
Appreciate the tips!
so, our final trip will be:
-staying at scottsdale overnight upon arrival
-early morning heading and exploring Sedona for one day (rock slide -swimming/holy cross chapel
-in the early evening, heading to flagstaff hotel (2nights)?
-early morning next day heading to horseshoe bend and entelope
-overnight stay again in flagstaff
-early morning heading to grand canyon south rim and explore
-leave grand canyon by 2pm ? and headback to scottsdale (4.5hrs drive)
is grand canyon south rim explorable by 3hrs max??
thanks Alley
any inputs will be much appreciated.
God speed!
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Hi again!
Staying in Flagstaff, it is possible to see quite a bit of Grand Canyon in 3 hours time, especially if you were to arrive and/or depart via the East Rim/Desert View Drive.
Driving direct from Flagstaff (or “Flag” as we locals call it) to the Grand Canyon takes 1.5 hours; going and/or coming via the East Rim route adds another hour onto the trip. If you want, you can make a “loop” out of it like so ->:
Be sure to stop at the Historic Cameron Trading Post for a bathroom break, leg stretch, maybe a little souvenir shopping or even a meal! www.camerontradingpost.com
Good luck and God speed to you,
Alley 🙂April 06, 2017 at 11:46 AM
ml
Hello Ryan,
Thank you for your amazing replies and comments, these sure are a great help especially for first time travellers like ourselves.
we are arriving in Phoenix and staying in scottsdale hotel. Our trip is for five days. travelling with kids (9 and 3 yrs old).
Planned itineraries:
day 1 – exploring/driving to sedona then back to scottsdale
day 2 – driving to page for horseshoe bend and antelope canyon in one day (back to scottsdale end of day), although looking for a night to stay in page but hotels are either fully booked or pricey
day3- grand canyon
any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Thanks!
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Hi ml, and thanks for visiting our site.
Your plan looks pretty good, except for the two days exploring Grand Canyon and Page. The drive from Scottsdale to both of these locations is 4.5 hours minimum – one way. Doing day trips out of Scottsdale is going to mean a lot of time spent driving, which is likely to get old pretty quick.
I know what you mean about Page hotels being a bit on the pricey side, but there are a few that tend to ‘fly under the radar’ due to their location off the main drag of the town, and the fact that they are independently owned properties who don’t take reservations via the usual channels. Lulu’s Sleep Ezze Motel, the Lake Powell Motel, the Red Rock Motel and Debbie’s Hide-A-Way (I’ve personally stayed at Debbie’s several times) are located in a residential area of Page and are actually converted apartments. So for the price of a traditional motel room – sometimes less – you get a bigger space with a separate living area, fully stocked kitchen, and more personal service. Do a Google search of the above-referenced properties and maybe do a price comparison.
As for the Grand Canyon, you’ll find the same situation re: lodging prices holds true, but by going a bit ‘off-the-beaten-path,’ you can sometimes find a good deal. Click on this link and scroll down for hotels in Valle, AZ (25 miles South of the park) or Williams, AZ (1 hour South of the park) ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/ Otherwise, get an early start out of Scottsdale, AZ and likewise, start back to Scottsdale well before nightfall.
Good luck and have a wonderful visit in Arizona!
AlleyApril 04, 2017 at 2:46 PM
Arby
Hi Ryan or Alley,
We are flying into Flagstaff and have 4 days and we want to see Grand Canyon,-1day, 1day- antelope canyon, horseshoe bend and 1day-Sedona.
1. Please suggest the sequence?
2. And also suggest the sequence for antelope canyon and horseshoe bend?
3. Also suggest must places to see in Sedona? Thanks a lot
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Hi Arby,
Alley here! So let’s get right down to it:
Question #1: The sequence in which you visit the various attractions you have on your wish list will revolve around lodging at the Grand Canyon. Sort that out first, and the rest will easily fall into place. For example, if you’re able to secure a hotel at the Grand Canyon directly upon your arrival, you can then go to Page afterward, then hit Sedona last. If you’re not able to find anything suitable until toward the end of your 4 days, then go to Sedona first, then up to Page, then Grand Canyon and back to Flagstaff. For more information on Grand Canyon hotels, this link lists them in order of preference and proximity to the South Rim. grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/ Don’t fret too much about “what’s best,” just grab what’s available and go from there.
2. As for the sequence for visiting Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, this can also be done in either order. The consensus on the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend is either just after sunrise or late afternoon just prior to sunset. The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is generally regarded as mid-day when the light in the canyon is brightest and the chance for observing the light shafts is greatest.
3. Must-see places in Sedona – hope you have at least 2 days, because there’s a lot, including, but by no means limited to, Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock State Park, Pink Jeep Tours, Red Rock State Park, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, scenic air tours. Just do a Google search on “top things to do in Sedona, AZ” and you’ll come up with all kinds of suggestions.
Hope that helps. Good luck and happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 31, 2017 at 2:13 PM
Paul Kristoff
Ryan,
Thank you for all the wonderful information. I was wondering if the light beam would be available in late April (29th-May 2) and also if the beams appeared in the lower canyon?
This is not quite on the slot canyon but on horseshoe bend. Is it better to do sunrise of sunset as far as photographing?
Thank you so much.
Paul
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Hi Paul and thank you for visiting our site. Ryan is out of the office at the moment, but I’m happy to answer your question! The light beams typically begin appearing in Upper Antelope Canyon at mid-day in mid-March and continue through early October. They do occur in Lower Antelope Canyon, too, but not to as dramatic effect as they do in Upper. In late April/early May, you might also find that while the shafts of light make an appearance, they might not extend *quite* all the way to the canyon floor, but I wouldn’t let that be a deterrent by any means. The canyon is beautiful any time of year, or day!
As for Horseshoe Bend, opinions differ on best time to visit, but the general consensus is that mid-day is something of a bust for photography because the sun overhead washes out the colors of the canyon walls. Just after sunrise and just before sunset are recognized as prime time to visit due to the angle of the sun. Just before sunrise, and just after sunset, the ‘bend will be in shadow, but that still doesn’t stop people from snapping away. For more details on the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend, read this piece on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com https://horseshoebend.com/best-time-visit-horseshoe-bend/
While you’re here, think about taking part in other fun activities such as the Colorado River Discovery Smooth Water Float Trip or a scenic air tour
Happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 27, 2017 at 1:49 PM
_________________________________________
From Paul Kristoff
Alley,,
Thanks,
Paul
March 28, 2017 at 12:00 AM
Charles DEBRAH
Hi Ryan,
Can’t praise you and your team enough for the insightful info on your site. Very much appreciated by all who stumbles on your site.
My wife and I are taking a 7 day trip to see the Utah’s Mighty 5 and Antelope canyon (lower and upper), Horseshoe bend and a tour on Lake Powell (at least we hope).
We are renting a car and drive from Las Vegas to Page on Jul 8th then spend a night in Page and do the Antelope etc then drive to Arches etc to Zion then back to Las Vegas to catch a flight back to Iowa on 7/14 at 8pm
Could you please advice as how best to maximize our time and a suitable itinerary. Thank you so much in advance.
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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.
AlleyMarch 21, 2017 at 6:24 PM
Sally
Hi Alley/Ryan,
Thanks so much for the wonderful information. This is a great website! We plan to visit Grand Canyon/Page/Bryce/Zion end of this April. 2 adults and 2 kids (age 14 and 10). We will head out from Las Vegas early morning on Monday to Grand Canyon. Currently I have 2 nights in park lodging and don’t have overnight at Page, we plan to drive to Page then to Bryce same day on Wednesday. Will one night at Grand Canyon be enough (we would love to hike down to the canyon a little bit and don’t want to rush) so I can allocate one night to Page? Instead of leaving Wed morning to Page, doing Horseshoe Bed and Antelope Canyon tour, then to Bryce, should we leave Tuesday afternoon from Grand Canyon and get to Page, so we can have a bit relaxed time on Wednesday exploring Antelope Canyon and enjoy the scene/hike while heading to Bryce before sunset? Please let me know. Thanks!
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Hi Sally, thank you for visiting our site, and for your compliments!
I would strongly advise revising your schedule a bit so you can spend at least one night in Page. Driving from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page direct, without stopping, takes 2.5 hours. The same for driving from Page to Bryce Canyon, but these drives are seldom done direct since they are very scenic and folks end up stopping to take pictures. Another consideration: we don’t recommend driving at night due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local roadways, and the tendency of deer, elk and other wildlife to congregate around them at night.
Dropping a night at the Grand Canyon would allow you a night to allocate to Page without detracting from your Grand Canyon experience because a good chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon occurs on the drive to Page. The route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon where there are several beautiful viewpoints worth stopping at. Upon exiting the park and entering the Navajo Indian Reservation, there are even more. Be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of Highway 64 and 89 for lunch or just to stretch your legs/visit facilities. Then hit Horseshoe Bend Overlook 5 miles South of Page.
As for hiking at the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail would be the most easily accessible from Grand Canyon Park lodging and should be timed so you don’t bite off more than you can chew. 1 hour down = 2 hours out. Water and food must be carried if you’re planning on spending any more than 1 hour’s time.
Hope that helps. Have a great time!
AlleyMarch 21, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Diana
Thanks for this great itinerary. We’re visiting Page next month with our 6 and 9 year old sons as part of our Sedona and Grand Canyon trip. We have booked the half day raft trip and have one more day to plan. Based on your recommendation we’ve booked Lower Antelope Canyon and will definitely check out Horseshoe Bend. Do you think it still makes sense to do the Lake Powell boat trip being that we’ll be on the water for half of the previous day? We were thinking of squeezing in a hike between Lower Antelope and Horseshoe Bend. The boys like scramble on rocks but I don’t want any dangerous ledges for them.
Thanks!
Diana
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Hi Diana, and thanks for visiting our site!
Your current trip itinerary sounds great for your family. As for doing a Lake Powell boat trip, it would certainly offer a different kind of perspective than the float trip, but I wouldn’t try to fill up 100% of your time just for its own sake. A little bit of “down time” might be welcome here. If you’re still looking for things to do at that point, you might visit the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum or the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center.
As for other hikes you might take during your stay, here is a list of some good suggestions from the National Park Service ->: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm
Speaking of “dangerous ledges,” do keep in mind that Horseshoe Bend Overlook has NO guardrails and it’s a 700′ drop to the river. Make sure your sons are under your control, which means “walk, don’t run!”
Good luck and happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 20, 2017 at 3:09 PM
Aggie
Ryan
We will be in Page in early August. Is there a better time of day to hike the lower and upper canyon?
Thanks
Aggie
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Hi Aggie and thank you for visiting our site!
The general consensus on best time to hike Antelope Canyon is mid-day, especially for Upper Antelope Canyon because of the sunbeams that project down to the canyon floor. The only downside is that there are lots of other people hoping to witness this phenomenon, so crowds will be an issue. If you’d rather pass on that, you might consider touring the canyon during one of the “off-times,” such as early morning or later in the afternoon. You won’t see the light beams, and the canyon won’t be as brightly lit, but the colors will still be beautiful.
Another thing to consider is that August is monsoon season in Northern Arizona, which means that flash floods can occur. This can lead to very dangerous conditions inside Antelope Canyon, which can result in delays or cancellation of tours. The Navajo tribe will inform you if flash flooding is a risk on the day you wish to tour.
Hope that helps. Happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 14, 2017 at 5:09 PM
Janeese Lewis
Hey, Ryan and Alley! My husband and I are planning a trip from March 31 – April 3 but keep running into logistic problems. We want to see Upper Antelope Canyon when the light is shining through so preferably midday, lower antelope canyon, Horseshoe Bend either at sunrise or sunset and Monument Valley at either sunrise or sunset. The problem is we haven’t decided where we should fly in and out of as far as Utah, Phoenix or Vegas? And we don’t know where we should set up a base as far as the hotel to be able to see these three at times we want to see them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi Janeese and thank you for visiting our site!
Most visitors to this part of the country use Phoenix or Las Vegas airport as their starting point. Either airport is 4.5-5 hours from the town of Page. Salt Lake City is about 6 hours away from Page. Frankly, I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you were wanting to visit places like Dinosaur National Monument, Arches/Canyonlands or Bryce Canyon, it would be the most logical place to fly into/out of.
As for where to stay in order to maximise your sightseeing time at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, pretty much any hotel or motel in Page will do. Page is a small town so staying on one side of town vs. the other will only result in a few minutes time saved, or wasted as it were. Page hotels run the gamut from Motel 6 to Marriott and everything in between, so you can pretty much take your pick. Just book in advance as spring break is a busy time for travel. Visit this link and scroll down to the paragraph with the headline “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim.” https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
Good luck and happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 14, 2017 at 5:02 PM
Lorena
Hi,
I’m considering take a family trip during spring break (last week of March). My kids love exploring and I think Antelope Canyon would be beautiful and education for our kids (and us parents too!). I like that the lower Antelope Canyon is less crowded but the stairs may be too difficult for my kids (ages 3.5 and 6). Do you have any other recommendations for places to visit in the area that are good for little kids?
Thank you!
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Lorena,
Hello and thanks for visiting our site!
If you think the stairs in Lower Antelope Canyon might be too much for your kids to handle (and you’re probably right about that), plan to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s an easy 100-yard that’s mostly flat, so it’s good for people of all physical fitness levels. If you wish to avoid the crowds in Upper Antelope Canyon, consider touring at one of the “off-times,” such as early morning or mid-afternoon. The interior of the canyon isn’t as brightly illuminated at those times, but still beautiful.
As for other activities to do with young children, the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum and the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center have displays tailored to children. They can also earn their “Junior Ranger” badge at any National Park or Monument. Different parks have different programs, so check upon arrival as to what’s being offered, or visit https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm to learn more.
Happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 14, 2017 at 4:54 PM
Jade Delarosa
Hello,
Is there an itinerary on the best way to hike just Antelope canyon and Horseshoe Bay in one day?
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Hi Jade and thanks for visiting our site!
There is no “best way” to visit these attractions in a single day, but depending on your trip itinerary and the time of year you’re visiting, there are certainly recommended ways to do so.
For example, if you are traveling to Page from Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff or Sedona, Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located just 5 miles South of town, so it’s a convenient stop on your way here. If you’re driving in from Monument Valley, Four Corners or Colorado, Antelope Canyon is conveniently located on Highway 98 just Southeast of Page, so you can easily hit that attraction on the way into town as well.
If you’ll have stayed the night prior in Page and have the full day to work with, you can visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning, after sunrise, then head towards Antelope Canyon at mid-day, when the light is brightest. Another option is to sleep late, take a mid-day tour of Antelope Canyon, then pop by Horseshoe Bend at mid-afternoon.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, keep in mind that Horseshoe Bend is completely exposed to the sun, so if you or any of your traveling party are sensitive to extreme heat or sunlight, you might wish to time your visit for the cooler part of the day.
Good luck and happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 14, 2017 at 4:47 PM
sandy
Hi,
Planning on coming in July & was just wondering if I was interested in doing the following 3 activities and trying to fit it all in one day: Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon & the Horseshoe Bend. What order of those 3 do you suggest that I should start off with and end with to make use of the best lightening, time, weather and heat during that time frame? I notice that only Lower is offered; is there none for Upper? Please kindly advise. Thanks!
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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!
AlleyMarch 14, 2017 at 4:41 PM
Nakul Bhadoria
Hey Ryan,
Very informative web page.
I need your help in preparing my itinerary, My dates are 30th April & 1st May and I want to Cover Grand Canyon, upper & lower antelope canyon and horse shoe band. Please help me in my itinerary. I will be driving my personal car with my wife and daughter.
Any other option to see any good place and if possible will be good.
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Good morning, Nakul — or good evening in India!
In order to give the best advice on an itinerary, we would need to know in which order you are wanting to visit these attractions. Assuming that you will visit them in the order given on your enquiry, here is what I would suggest:
Traveling from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, Arizona will take you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon (AZ64). There are many beautiful viewpoints you can stop at on this route prior to exiting the park. Once you are through the park gate, you are now on Navajo Indian Land. The Cameron Trading Post is a good place to stop for a meal or a quick leg stretch/bathroom break. Leaving Cameron, continuing North on Highway 89 will take you into the town of Page.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located approximately 5 miles South of Page, so you can easily hit this spot on the way into town before settling into your hotel for the night.
The next morning, drive out to the Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park entrance on Highway 98. This is where the tours of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon depart from. Geographically, it makes more sense to hit Upper Antelope Canyon first, but, if you have your heart set on seeing the light shafts the place is so famous for, doing Lower Antelope first may be the better option. It’s up to you, but whichever you choose, we strongly recommend booking your Antelope Canyon tours in advance as late April/early May is a very busy time of year. Visit this page for complete information on how to go about it ->: https://antelopecanyon.az/how-to-book-a-tour-for-antelope-canyon/
If you have time, you might consider stopping off at Glen Canyon Dam for a fascinating tour of this monumental and historically important structure.
Thank you for visiting and please don’t hesitate to write again if you have further questions!
Happy travels,
AlleyMarch 06, 2017 at 1:53 PM
Shoba
Is it safe to drive to antelope canyon from Vegas and back same day .
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Hi Shoba,
This is one of those questions to which the answer is “yes” and “no.” The drive takes approximately 5 hours – that’s one-way. Antelope Canyon tours, whether to Lower or Upper, typically take 90 minutes to 2 hours. While in the Page area, you should also plan on stopping at Horseshoe Bend, which is nearby. Factoring in time for lunch or dinner, and fuel stops, you could be driving back to Las Vegas at night, which we don’t recommend due to lack of supplemental lighting on the roadways, and the tendency of wildlife to congregate around them. Staying for a night or two in Page will give you a much more relaxed experience, not to mention time to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Hope that helps. Happy traveling!
AlleyMarch 01, 2017 at 3:26 PM
Rick
Thanks Ryan! Coming in April! Can’t wait! Think about a week there before going on to zion with the rv. Another other great hikes i need to do??
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Hi Rick,
Ryan is out of the office, but I’d be happy to help you!
The fact that you have a week there is great, Northern Arizona and Southern Utah have a lot to offer. As for other hikes you might do, the Paria Wilderness Area is considered the “holy grail” of hiking experiences in the Page/Lake Powell area, and for good reason. The scenery is astounding, some might say other-worldly, especially at an area known as The Wave. It also has such revered status because entry to this area requires a permit, which can be somewhat difficult to obtain. Here’s more information on it if you’re interested https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes.html
If you’re not able to snag a permit for Paria – April is a popular time to visit that area, so that’s very likely to be the case – visit this site for more suggestions of memorable hikes that are more accessible — https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/day-hikes.htm
Good luck and happy traveling,
AlleyFebruary 28, 2017 at 4:27 PM
Neal
Ryan – Thank you for all the helpful information! Is there an ideal time of day you recommend scheduling a tour for the best lighting in the canyon? Best regards! Neal.
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Hi Neal,
Ryan is on holiday, but I lived in that area for many years, so I’m happy to help you!
Prevailing wisdom is that Antelope Canyon is best seen at mid-day when the sun is almost directly overhead. If you’re wanting to see the shaft of light in Upper Antelope Canyon, that holds especially true. However, be prepared to share the canyon with a lot of other people with the same thing in mind! If you don’t care for crowds, then consider touring Antelope Canyon during one of the “off” times, such as earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. No light beams, but the colors of the canyon will still be beautiful, though slightly darker. Also, the light beam phenomena only occurs in late spring-summer-early fall. If you’re traveling here in the next couple of weeks, the shaft does make an appearance, but doesn’t extend all the way to the canyon floor.
Hope that helps ~ have fun!
Alley KeosheyanFebruary 21, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Eric
Very informative website, thank you. Apologize if you have answered a similar question before, but if the lower and upper Antelope Canyon are very similar, would you advocate hitting both of them in the same day (one in morning, one in the afternoon) or would we be basically seeing the same thing? We’re staying in Flagstaff on March 9th and have hotel in Page for the 10th and 11th right now – I’m wondering if Lower Antelope morning of the 10th, lunch then Horseshoe Bend in the afternoon might be enough?
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Hi Eric, thank you for visiting, and for the compliment! And no apologies necessary for your question 😉
Actually, Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Antelope Canyon do have significant differences from one another which would justify trying to see them both. https://antelopecanyon.az/can-you-do-both-lower-and-upper-in-a-day/ Seeing both in one day would be quite feasible and easy since they are located relatively close to one another. We advise allowing 90 minutes to 2 hours to see each one, but if you were to choose one or the other, we’d definitely advocate for Lower.
Another option is you could visit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town from Flagstaff, then tour both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon on your second day. https://horseshoebend.com/how-to-get-here/ If you take us up on that, be sure to keep your tribal park entrance fee receipt so you don’t have to pay it twice going from one side of the canyon to the other.
For lunch, consider Antelope Point Marina, which is just minutes away from Antelope Canyon and right on the shore of Lake Powell. https://antelopepointlakepowell.com/dining/
Thank you again for visiting. Have a wonderful trip!
Alley
P.S. Be sure to dress warmly as temperatures in March are still apt to be quite cool.February 13, 2017 at 3:15 PM
Irene Miranda
HI Ryan,
Your website is very useful!
I would like to show the itineray I am planning for June 2017.
20th of June leaving Las Vegas early in the morning to Grand Canyon south rim ( helicopter tour) Sleep at Cameron overnight.
21st Leaving Grand Canyon around lunch time to go to Monument Valley.
After being there driving to Page and sleep there.
22nd Rafting +Antelope, Horseshoe bend
23rd Leaving Page early in the morning to Las Vegas (Our flight back home is at 9 pm)
I would like to know what you think or if u have any suggestions! thank you
Irene
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Hi Irene,
Thank you for visiting our site, and for your compliments! Ryan is away from the office, but as a long-time former resident of both the Grand Canyon and Page, I am happy to help you.
Your itinerary is feasible, but be prepared: you’re going to spend a lot of time driving.
Day 1: It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, longer if you decide to stop at Hoover Dam. A Grand Canyon helicopter flight is a great idea, but keep in mind that you will be required to check in 30 minutes prior to departure. Be sure to book your flight well in advance ->: https://grandcanyon.com/tours/south-rim-tours/north-canyon-tour/
You should then set aside at least 2 hours to explore Grand Canyon Village Historic District and the Rim Trail before departing for the Cameron Trading Post, which takes 1.5 hours to reach from GC Village if you drive directly, which you probably won’t, because there are several beautiful canyon viewpoints you’ll no doubt want to stop at. Whatever you do, make sure you’re in Cameron before nightfall, or at least by dusk. Driving at night is not recommended due to the scarcity of artificial/supplemental lighting and the tendency of deer, elk and other animals to congregate near the roadside.
Day 2: It takes approximately 2 hours to drive from Cameron to Monument Valley, then another 2 hours to drive to Page. If you manage to leave Monument Valley at a reasonable hour, you might be able to get in a tour of Antelope Canyon en route to Page, however, optimal lighting time will probably have passed. Most people prefer to be there around noon, but that is the most crowded time of day. Arriving later, you’ll still have good lighting conditions and less crowds to jockey with.
Day 3: Take the Colorado River Discovery Rafting trip at 7:30 AM. During the summer months, the river gets quite hot during the afternoon hours, making the 1:00 PM departure quite uncomfortable. After the tour, drive to Horseshoe Bend. If desired and/or if you have time, you might also visit the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum or the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors’ Center.
Day 4: Drive from Page to Las Vegas. The direct route takes approximately 5 hours. You might also consider going there via Zion National Park, which will add another 60-90 minutes to your drive, but the scenery will make it time well spent.
Hope that helps! Have a wonderful trip.
AlleyFebruary 07, 2017 at 9:09 PM
Ankit
Hi Ryan,
Your itinerary looks great. It is super useful for folks visiting the area for the very first time and have a little idea about how to plan an itinerary (google has too much info). We are planning to visit Las Vegas and Utah for 10 days (June 1 – 10). Parents (about 60 yrs old), brother, his wife and 2 yr old kid, myself and my wife. Total of 6 adults, 1 kid. After reading your post, I definitely want to visit Page, but wondering how long should I plan to stay at Page. Here is what my current itinerary looks like:
Planning to rent class C RV.
1. June 1 – 3: Vegas, leave for Grand Canyon South Rim, stay overnight
2. June 4: 1 day at South Rim, locations still to be finalized, leave for Page in evening, overnight at Page
3. June 5 and 6: Page. Upper / Lower Antelope, Horseshoe bend and probably boat tour because of parents. Leave for Bryce National Park
4. June 7: whole day at Bryce National Park, leave for Zion
5. June 8: whole day at Zion National Park, overnight at Zion
6. June 9: most likely leave back to Vegas depending on when I book my flight
I was wondering if June would be too hot and how long should we stay at Page, especially because we might not be able to hike everywhere given that parents are with us. Also, is one day good enough for South Rim? Initially I had planned Arches National Park from Page and then drive to Bryce, which could mean we extend the trip by a day and leave back home on June 10 from vegas.
Your help will be very much appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi Ankit,
Ryan is out of the office, but as a long-time former resident of Page, I am happy to help you!
Your itinerary actually looks quite good. A few things to keep in mind:
1. If you’re renting an RV because you’re under the impression that it will save you money on hotel costs, you may be surprised – unpleasantly – to learn that those savings will negated by the cost of gas. Plus, summertime RV park rates are sometimes just as much as budget- to mid-range hotels. I know, I sometimes travel in a Class B camper myself. Also, I’m thinking that a Class C RV will be a bit cramped for 6 adults and 1 child, so if you do decide to proceed with the RV rental, make sure the unit you rent is big enough to accommodate all of you comfortably. Here’s a video that explains the differences between the RV classes in more detail ->: https://youtu.be/51ct-ZHWQ9Q
2. Driving at night should be avoided in this part of the US. Roadways in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah have a bare minimum of artificial/supplemental lighting, plus deer, elk and other wildlife have a penchant for congregating near roads and sometimes colliding with cars. Try to arrive at your various destinations during daylight hours, or around dusk at the latest. So on Day 3, for example, I’d recommend overnighting in Page again then driving to Bryce in the morning, then overnighting in Bryce that night.
3. Zion National Park is a very large park, so 2 nights minimum there are recommended.
4. If you can squeeze another couple of days out of your trip, Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are beautiful, so do try and get there, but it will be hot.
5. Speaking of hot, yes, June is one of the warmer months of the year. Make sure you carry water with you wherever you go, and wear plenty of sunscreen, hats and good walking shoes. Keep a close eye on the 2-year-old as children become dehydrated more easily than adults. Limit your more vigorous walks to the morning hours. If you do take a boat tour on Lake Powell, make it a shorter one, such as the Antelope Canyon Waterside Tour ->: https://antelopecanyonboattours.com/
6. Pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass” which grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the US for a year for just $80.
7. Remember that even if you travel in an RV, camp spot reservations must be made in advance just like hotels. You’ll definitely want to stay in a park so you have access to an electrical hook-up for air conditioning. Here is some information on RV and camping spots near Antelope Canyon ->: https://antelopecanyon.az/camping-and-rv-options-near-antelope-canyon/
Hope that helps. Have a great trip!
AlleyFebruary 06, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Julie
Hi Ryan,
Love your incredible website. You are generous with advice and hoped you could help us as well.
Visiting end of April. Our arrival and departure cities are set, but the order of everything else is flexible. Here’s what we want to do, but not certain how to fit it all in.
Day 1/2: Drive from SLC to Arches. Catch many views of Arches and hikes.
Day 3: Drive to and Tour Monument Valley. ? Where to stay?
Day 4: Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon (we will split into 2 groups due to ability at Antelope Canyon) ?where to stay?
Day 5: Drive to Zion
Day 6: Angels Landing at Zion
Day 7: Bryce, drive to Las Vegas, arrive late at night
Thanks so much for your help. This is a beautiful part of our country!
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Hi Julie,
Ryan is out of the office, but as a former resident of this beautiful part of our country, I’m happy to help you!
So the drive from SLC to Moab, UT (gateway city for Arches/Canyonlands) is about 3.5 hours, so having 2 days to spend there is definitely a plus.
The drive from Moab to Monument Valley is about 2.5 hours. As for where to stay, Goulding’s Lodge (www.gouldings.com) or The View Lodge (www.monumentvalleyview.com) are most desirable, but they may be sold out already, so your next best option for lodging would be Kayenta, AZ, about 30 minutes South. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g31256-Kayenta_Arizona-Hotels.html
The drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ takes approximately 2 hours. Since you will actually come to Antelope Canyon first, I recommend you take advantage of that opportunity. You indicate that you have two different groups with differing abilities. For those that are more adventurous and athletic, Lower Antelope is the one to choose. For those that wish to take things a little easier, Upper Antelope Canyon is the ticket. The entrances to either section of the canyon are a short distance across Highway 98 from one another. As for where to stay, Page offers everything from budget accommodations (Motel 6, EconoLodge) to higher-end (Hampton, Marriott) and everything in between. For a complete list of hotels in this area, visit this site and scroll down to the middle of the page where it says “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim” ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
2 days at Zion is also a good plan, especially since you wish to hike to Angel’s Landing.
On your last day, I would not recommend trying to drive to Las Vegas at night, especially from Bryce Canyon. This part of the country has minimal supplemental/artificial lighting, plus deer, elk and other wildlife tend to congregate around the roads (and jump in front of cars). If you can, get an early enough start to Bryce so that you can time your drive to arrive in Las Vegas during daylight hours or at dusk at the very latest. Keep in mind it takes approximately 1.5 hours to drive from Zion to Bryce and 4 hours to drive from Bryce to Las Vegas.
Hope that helps. Have a great time!
Alley
P.S. Make sure you pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass” when you get to Arches! For just $80 you get access to ALL National Parks and Monuments in the US for 1 year’s time.February 03, 2017 at 7:53 PM
Enrique
Hi Alley or Ryan,
I will be in Arizona in August and I have some doubts about my trip. I will be in Flaggstaff all my days so I would like to know if its possible to see Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley (or “The wave” if it’s not possible the first option) the same day (and comeback to Flagstaff).
It’s only me so I don’t mind to waking up early and come back to Flagstaff late.
Another question is if there is any atraction between Flagstaff and Page on the road besides Antelope and Horseshoe Bend.
Thank you so much and sorry for my english 🙂
Enrique,
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Hi Enrique,
Thank you so much for writing, and your English is fine 🙂
A short answer to your question:if its possible to see Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley (or “The wave” if it’s not possible the first option) the same day (and comeback to Flagstaff).
is no. First off, The Wave is very far away from Flagstaff, 3+ hours one way. Second of all, access to this area is by permit lottery, which is very hard to get. Third, the drive in is difficult and the hike is as well. So, it’s best if you cross this item off your list. For more information, visit this site https://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes/plan.html
The drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ is approximately 2.5 hours one-way. It is feasible to visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the course of a day and drive back to Flagstaff. Adding Monument Valley to the trip is doable, but would make for a V-E-R-Y long day. It takes two hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley, then another 3 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Flagstaff. We do not recommend driving in this part of the country at night due to the fact that it’s extremely dark and animals like deer and elk congregate along the side of the road a lot.
As to whether there are any other attractions between Flagstaff and Page you might like to stop at, most definitely yes! About 15 minutes North of Flagstaff are Wupatki and Sunset Crater National Monuments, whose predominant features are an Ancestral Puebloan village and a dormant volcano respectively. The two monuments are connected by an easy-to-follow loop drive. At the Junction of Highway 64 & 89 is the Cameron Trading Post, which, as its name suggests, is an actual Native American commerce center dating back to the early 1900’s. https://www.camerontradingpost.com/
Hope that helps. Thank you so much for visiting our site!
February 03, 2017 at 8:06 PM
Vassily
Hi Alley or Ryan,
I thought maybe you could comment on our plan, too. My wife and I are thinking about doing Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon in one day (in mid-April). The plan is to stay overnight somewhere as close to Monument Valley as possible and next morning go on a sunrise tour (pre-booked, of course), then drive to Page and go on a tour of Upper Antelope Canyon (also pre-booked), and then stay overnight in Page. Do you think it’s feasible? If so, what time do you think we should book the Upper Antelope Canyon tour for?
Thank you,
Vassily
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Hi Vassily,
Thank you for visiting our site!
Your plan is feasible in theory, but might require a little bit of modification depending on how long your chosen Monument Valley tour is.
There are several reasons why I point this out: 1. Because Monument Valley is on the Navajo Indian Reservation, and they observe Daylight Saving Time. However, the town of Page (where Antelope Canyon tours originate) does not. 2. It takes a full 2 hours to drive from Monument Valley to Page, Arizona. But, since Page is not on Daylight Savings Time, you would “gain” an hour upon arrival in town.
Let’s say, hypothetically, that you choose a 1.5-hour that departs at 8 AM. That would finish up at 9:30 AM. Allowing half an hour to check out of your hotel and load your vehicle, that would put you on the road at 10:00 AM Reservation Time. However, this is highly contingent on what tours are being offered at this time of year. There are over a dozen tour outfitters in Monument Valley whose tours can vary just as widely, so it’s worth checking out. Here is a page that lists them all ->: https://monumentvalleyview.com/navajo-guided-tours/Let’s say you are successful in booking a morning tour. Estimating for two hours to make the drive to Page, you would arrive at 12:00 Noon Daylight Savings Time, but 11:00 AM local/Mountain Standard Time. Anytime between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM is a very good time to tour Upper Antelope Canyon because that’s when the sun is positioned perfectly to beautifully illuminate the canyon. Since you are driving in from Monument Valley, your best is to simply stop at the Upper Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance Gate on Highway 98 and get a tour directly from there.
If for some reason you opt for a tour of Monument Valley that departs later or lasts longer, simply plan on doing your Antelope Canyon tour the next morning around 10-ish. If you go this route, there are 3 outfitters based in the town of Page offering local pick-ups and round-trip transport. Click on this site to view the complete list of outfitters and tour times ->: https://antelopecanyon.az/how-to-book-a-tour-for-antelope-canyon/
Hope that helps. Have a wonderful trip!
February 02, 2017 at 5:45 PM
Pam
Hi Ryan,
I tried looking for the answer to this on in your previous answers and couldn’t quite find it. So, here it goes: We will be in Williams and were planning on doing Grand Canyon south rim (we are not too outdorsy so, maybe just a quick hikes at some point to snap some pics and that’s it) and I really really want to go up to antelope canyon to do both a lower antelope tour and the lake powell boat tour. I checked this all with google maps and it seems possible, although I’m not sure how much time would the grand canyon take. Any thoughts on this? we only have 1 day to do this and we are staying that night at Page to leave the following day to horseshoe bend, zion park and drive to Mesquite to stay the night before getting to vegas. Basically the question is: is this possible?
hope that was clear enough 🙂
Thanks!
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Hi Pam, thank you for your question. Ryan is out of the office, but as a longtime former resident of Northern Arizona, I can definitely help you!
First off, when visiting Grand Canyon South Rim, it is definitely more desirable to stay inside the park. Williams is 1 hour, each way, from the South Rim, so not having to deal with that commute would be a definite plus, especially when going to view sunrise or sunset. If in-park lodging is sold out, then Tusayan/GC Village South is your next best option. For complete information on all possibilities, visit https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/
As for doing both a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon and a Lake Powell boat tour in one day, it is possible in theory, but depends a lot on the time of year you’re visiting. Most Lake Powell boat tours require a minimum of 15 passengers to guarantee departure. That’s typically not a problem during the busy spring-summer-fall timeframe, but if you were traveling in, say, February or early March, you might have a problem fulfilling that requirement. Also, if you were wanting to do one of the longer Lake Powell boat tours, such as the Rainbow Bridge tour, that would take up most of your day, so you’d probably have to do your Lower Antelope Canyon tour the day before or after. For more information, visit https://www.lakepowell.com/things-to-do/boat-tours/ or https://antelopepointlakepowell.com/recreation/tours-2/Lower Antelope Canyon walking tours do not adhere to such a strict minimum, and are conducted on a first-come/first-served basis. By the way, Page is about a 2.5 hour drive one-way from Grand Canyon South Rim, but you’ll probably take longer than that since there are many beautiful viewpoints you should definitely stop at along the way. Consider stopping for lunch at the Cameron Trading Post, too! It’s the perfect “mid-way” point between Grand Canyon South Rim and Page at the junction of Highway 64 and 89.
Hope that was clear enough 🙂 Please don’t hesitate to write again if we can be of further assistance!
January 31, 2017 at 5:33 PM
Dani
Hey Ryan,
I just had some question and I was wondering if you can help me out. My friends and I are staying in Lake Powell and trying to cover Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon (lower or upper which ever is best?), and Havasa Falls . I was wondering how you would suggest about planning the day and what are the most affordable tour you would suggest to see all these places, we all are from NYC and we just don’t want to get lost, thank you.
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Hi Dani, thank you for your question. Ryan is out of the office, but as a longtime former resident of Northern Arizona, I am happy to assist you!
First of all, let me get the “bad news” out of the way. Havasu Falls is located a long ways away from Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon and what’s more, it’s quite difficult to get to. Access is via an 8-mile trail that is only accessible to horses and hikers, so it’s definitely not a “day trip.” Lodging and camping options are extremely limited and require advance reservations, which must be secured with the Havasupai Tribe, and are typically booked out 1 year or more in advance. Long story short: 99.99999999% probability that you won’t be going there.
Now for the “good news.” Getting to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell is easy! Both attractions are located about a 15-20 minute drive from Lake Powell. No commercial tours go to Horseshoe Bend since it’s so easy to get to (about 5 minutes South of the town of Page on Highway 89). Keep in mind that the trail to the overlook has some areas with fairly deep sand, so good walking shoes are a must. Plus there are no guardrails at the overlook, so take care near the edge, it’s a 700′ drop!
As for Antelope Canyon, both Lower and Upper are beautiful! Lower is a bit more physical as it requires navigating a few stairs and boulders. Upper is an easy, flat walk of approximately 100 yards. If anyone in your party has difficulty walking, Upper would probably be best, but if you’re all in reasonably good health, you can probably manage Lower Antelope Canyon. In either case, you simply drive up to the Tribal Park entrance gate on Highway 98, pay your entrance fees and a tour guide will meet you shortly thereafter.
Here is a link to a map of the area ->: https://goo.gl/maps/cq8QKKYffHx
Hope that helps 🙂 Please don’t hesitate to write again if you have further questions!January 31, 2017 at 5:45 PM
Shira
Hi,
I’m super excited to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend, and was hoping for some help with our itinerary. We are a group of 3 fit girls and planning on driving up from Phoenix early friday morning, staying the night in Page, and driving back to Phoenix either Saturday night or Sunday morning. Any recommendations on how best to plan this out?
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Hi Shira, thank you for visiting our website!
First of all, it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Page. Before you get to town, stop at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook approximately 5 miles South of Page. Keep in mind that the trail is relatively short (less than 3/4 of a mile), but has some deep sand in some areas, so good walking shoes are a must, as is water since this is a dry, desert environment. Also, there are no guardrails at the overlook, so take care when approaching the edge – it’s a 700′ drop to the river!
After enjoying Horseshoe Bend Overlook, you can then head to Page and check into your hotel. If you’re still feeling somewhat energetic, maybe take a walk along the Rim Trail. This is a favorite among the locals and offers beautiful views of Lake Powell. https://www.glencanyonnha.org/hiking-page-area/
The next morning, pay a visit to the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum to learn more about the natural and human history of Page and the surrounding area, then head down to Lower Antelope Canyon. Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours to walk through the canyon and take in all of its beauty. Here is a link to a map of the area ->: https://goo.gl/maps/kekfwjBXW542 Be sure to book your accommodations in Page well in advance if you haven’t already. For more information on Page hotels, visit this link and scroll down to the section on Page, AZ hotels. https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
Hope that helps – if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again. Have fun!January 31, 2017 at 5:54 PM
Lisa Friebel
Your website is awesome. My family and I are flying into Phoenix on Wed, March 15th. If I told you Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon are a must on our list, could you recommend a day by day itenary? We have until Monday March 20th. I’m overwhelmed what to see first, what city to drive too, etc. Happy to have other suggestions of what to see also. Horseshoe Bend? We’re an active, outdoorsy kinda family.
Much success and blessings to you-
Lisa
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Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the compliments on our website. With 5 days to work with, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon will be just a small sampling of the scenic beauty you can enjoy in Northern Arizona!
After arriving in Phoenix, I would recommend visiting Sedona, Arizona. Located approximately 2 hours from Phoenix, Sedona is home to some of the world’s most famous and beautiful red rock formations, exquisite art galleries and retail shops, and some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan sites in the state. With so much to offer, you’ll have no trouble spending 2 fun-filled days in this area! For more information, visit www.Sedona.net
After Sedona, proceed to Grand Canyon South Rim approximately 2.5 hours North of Sedona. Staying at one of the 6 hotels inside the park is most desirable, but if these are sold out (which is quite possible at this point), Tusayan/GC Village South is the next best option just 3 miles outside the park gate. For complete information on Grand Canyon hotels, visit https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/ Because much of the Grand Canyon can be experienced on the drive to Page, we suggest staying just one night there.
From Grand Canyon South Rim, proceed East on Highway 64 along the Desert View drive. Plan to stop at a few of the viewpoints along the way. After exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal lands. The Cameron Trading Post makes a good lunch stop or at least mid-way bathroom break stop at the junction of Highway 64 & 89.
About 5 miles South of the town of Page, Arizona, you’ll arrive at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Allow about an hour for the walk there and back, and for viewing time at the overlook. Take care as some parts of the trail are very sandy, plus there are no guardrails at the overlook. Upon leaving Horseshoe Bend, head North to the town of Page for your overnight accommodations. Scroll down to the section marked Page AZ on this link https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
After a leisurely start to your next morning, you can plan to visit Antelope Canyon. You’ll need to decide whether to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, which is a short, easy walk; or Lower Antelope Canyon, which is a bit longer and requires some climbing (staircases, a few boulders). Tours to Upper Antelope Canyon are offered from the town of Page, or at the Tribal Park entrance gate on Highway 98. For Lower Antelope Canyon, pick-ups in Page are not offered, but the drive to the park entrance gate is a short 5-10 minutes.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit! BTW, here’s a map of the drive I’ve proposed ->: https://goo.gl/maps/fgoQwjAdSfS2
Success and blessings back to you,
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 6:15 PM
Alexander
Hi, Ryan! My girlfriend and I are going to Phoenix from NJ on Feb 4, for 8 days. Going back on 2/12. I want to take her to Antelope, Lake Powell, Zion, Grand Canyon, Sedona and whatever other natural wonders we can make in 8 days. What’s the best way to do it? We can skip Las Vegas.
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Hi Alexander!
Thank you for writing. Ryan is out of the office, but as a longtime former resident of Northern Arizona, I can definitely help you.
With 8 days to work with, you can definitely accomplish a lot, as long as the weather cooperates. We do receive snow, and sometimes a lot of it, in this part of Northern Arizona, so keep an eye on the weather as your trip date approaches. You can use this site for Grand Canyon South Rim ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/weather/south-rim-weather/ and this one for Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon area weather ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/weather/east-weather/
From Phoenix, I would suggest hitting Sedona first. It’s approximately 2 hours from Phoenix and you can easily spend 2-3 days enjoying what the area has to offer, from red rock formations to unique art galleries and retail shops and some of the best preserved Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Nation!
After Sedona, head to Grand Canyon South Rim and plan to spend 1 night. If possible, book your lodging inside the park. If these facilities are sold out, Tusayan/GC Village South is your best “back-up” option. For complete information on Grand Canyon South Rim hotels, visit this site ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/
From Grand Canyon South Rim, head to Page and Lake Powell via the Desert View/East Rim Drive. Normally, this drive takes 2.5 hours without stops, but there are many beautiful viewpoints you should definitely take time to enjoy along the way. Plan to stop at the Cameron Trading Post for at least a bathroom break, or a delicious lunch. The house specialty is the Navajo Taco!
Plan to spend 2 nights in Page to enjoy Horseshoe Bend (which you can catch on your way into town), Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. From Page, Zion National Park is approximately 2.5 hours. 2 nights in this area is also warranted as there is a lot to see and do.
So far, this proposed itinerary is taking 7 of your 8 days, so you might consider adding Bryce Canyon to your itinerary, or Monument Valley. Since these are relatively small parks, geographically speaking, 1 day is usually sufficient for most visitors. However, the drive from either one back to Phoenix would be 7 hours. If the prospect of that does not appeal to you, you might consider shifting Sedona to the end of your visit so the drive back would be shorter.
Hope that helps – have a great time! We’ll keep our fingers crossed for good weather 😉January 31, 2017 at 6:29 PM
Noi
Hello Ryan,
Thank you so much for your ursful review. I do now need help as i have booked flight to Phoenix on 1st Jan 2017 and will arrive at noon. I have no idea or plan for this but what i want to do are to visit Antelope canyon and horseblend follow by your review plan. Im not really sure what to do! I found a one day tour but it costs up to $200 and it picks up at Flagstaff. Are there any recomend from must be much more appreciate. Im thinking on stay overnight at Page at the arriving day but my question is how to get from airport to Page i couldnt drive so far. What tour or what should i do to get to the places from page are there recomend one day tour which cover all with reasonable price?
Thank you alot
Noi
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Dear Noi,
I am so sorry that we were unable to reply to your question prior to your visit! Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays we were closed for an extended period of time. We hope you were able to sort out which tour company to use and that you had a good time. We would be very interested to know how you got on.
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 6:32 PM
Prashant
Hello Ryan,
Could you pls recommend itenarary for 2 days and 1 night covering Page and Monument Valley. How are roads to MV? Is it safe to drive through own car?
Thanks,
Prashant
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Hi Prashant,
Apologies if your visit has already taken place, but other travelers are surely considering the same trip.
First off, Monument Valley is in a very remote area straddling the border of Northern Arizona and Utah. It takes approximately 2 hours to drive from Page to Monument Valley, so it makes for a long “day trip.” Likewise if you try to visit on your way back to Phoenix or other destination, it’s still a long drive. If at all possible, we recommend trying to free up enough time in your itinerary to stay overnight at Monument Valley.
As for the roads, they are fully paved from Page to Monument Valley, but the road through the Valley itself is not paved. I drove a Nissan Sentra through there many years ago, but if you’re driving a rental car, you’d be safer opting for a guided tour since off-road driving is prohibited per your contract. Tours are offered by several outfitters. We recommend Goulding’s Lodge https://www.gouldings.com/tours/ or the View Lodge. https://monumentvalleyview.com/navajo-guided-tours/
Hope that helps – have a wonderful time in Arizona!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 6:42 PM
Bryan Armstrong
Ryan,
End of January is our industry annual convention in Las Vegas. Myself and 4 other colleagues are arriving the Friday beforehand and driving to Page to complete this exact itinerary on Saturday and then back to Vegas for the convention on Monday.
What suggestions do you have for the drive there and back. We are looking for great views, sights, hikes and experiences! Feel free to email me for more details.
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Hello Bryan,
So sorry that we were not able to answer your inquiry before your arrival. We hope you had a great time in Las Vegas and Arizona!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 6:44 PM
Akshay
Hi Ryan,
First of all thanks a ton for posting the 1 day itinerary for Page. I am planning to do the same. I shall be driving from Kanab to Page . Plan is to do Upper and Lower Antelopes, Horse show bend and Lake Powell at Page and leave for Flagstaff by evening. I would be there December 27th or 28th.
Do you think I can cover all those part and still be able to drive back to Flagstaff? The reason I am planning to stay at FLag staff is that I shall be going to grand canyon the following day.
Thanks again and I would deeply appreciate your suggestions
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Hi Akshay,
Apologies for not getting back to your inquiry prior to your visit, but since future travelers will certainly be pondering the same question, we’ll go ahead and reply for their sake!
Long story short, although what you’re proposing can be done, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. The drive from Kanab, UT to Page, AZ takes about 1.5 hours. Touring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons takes a bare minimum of 3-4 hours. Factor in about 60-90 minutes for Horseshoe Bend, and so far we haven’t even put Lake Powell into the equation. A quick “look-see” can be accomplished in 60-90 minutes, but won’t really do the place justice. Something like a boat tour or perhaps a flyover would allow you to really comprehend its size, magnitude and beauty.
Driving from Page to Flagstaff (or anywhere in Northern Arizona for that matter) at night is not recommended. Artificial/supplemental lighting is deliberately kept to a bare minimum in this part of the country, so when it gets dark, it gets DARK. Plus deer, elk and other wildlife tend to congregate around the roadways and are notorious for jumping in front of cars without warning or provocation. Staying overnight in Page would definitely be safer, and offer a better quality experience for you.
Instead of going to Flagstaff, going directly to Grand Canyon South Rim would be more efficient and practical.
Hope that helps. Hope you had a good trip, Akshay!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Johanna
Hi Ryan,
Is it worth the drive to go grand canyon south rim from antelope canyon going back to vegas? I’m thinking of this itinerary
Day 1 : land to las vegas and drive to zion and do a quick hike at riverside trail. Stay the night. Or just stay the night in vegas and drive early morning to zion?
Day 2: hike at zion, maybe emerald pool . Stay there for atleast 4hrs. Then head to bryce canyon then head to Page
Day 3: antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. Stay at page again.
Day 4: grand canyon south then head back to vegas
Should I jusy eliminate one of the park? If so, which one? Is grand a canyon a must? For sure I want to antelope canyon. How about lake powell?
Thank you in advance. We’ll be travelling this coming week… winter time. I’d appreciate your advice.
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Hello Johanna,
Ryan is out of the office, plus it looks like we weren’t able to get to your comment in time for your trip. We hope you had a good time, though your itinerary did look a little rushed. We’d be curious to see how things turned out for you.
For other travelers to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, keep these things in mind:
1. Drive times that Google Maps or Mapquest gives you are rarely what materialize in reality! There is so much to see that you can count on making multiple stops to take photos, buy souvenirs, purchase meals and drinks, etc., not to mention the inevitable restroom stops. In any case, long drives are a fact of life in this neck of the woods and if you’re not used to them, your vacation will feel like drudgery by the time you’re ready to head home. Who wants that?
2. The bigger the park, the longer you should plan on staying. Zion National Park, for example, is huge and multi-faceted, and warrants at least a 2 day stay. Bryce Canyon, on the other hand, is less than 40 square miles in area, so 1 night tends to be sufficient for most visitors. Lake Powell is another “biggie,” calling for 1-2 nights at the very least. Grand Canyon South Rim can usually be experienced fully with an overnight stay, especially for those coming from or going to Page; a good part of your sightseeing will be experienced on the drive to or from GC.
In wintertime, it’s important not to schedule yourself too tightly as inclement weather can throw a wrench into your plans.
Happy travels to all!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:05 PM
Chris Molina
Hey Ryan,
First off, I just wanna say great site! A lot of useful info. My wife and I are interested in visiting Antelope Canyon in Jan. She’ll be 3mos pregnant by then. Between upper and lower, which do you recommend? And how is touring in January?
Thanks,
Chris
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Hi Chris,
Thank you for the compliments on our site. Ryan is away from the office, but I’ll be sure to pass along your compliments. Congratulations on your impending bundle of joy! In light of your wife’s pregnancy, Upper Antelope Canyon would probably be the better choice for touring. It is a flat, easy walk at only 100 yards in length. Lower Antelope requires some stair climbing and navigating over and around boulders.
As for touring in January, it can be quite nice due to the lack of crowds, but then again, inclement weather can put the “kabosh” on plans in relatively short order.
Hope the two of you got on OK.
Take care and best of luck to you and your new family!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:08 PM
Karl Dubravs
Hi Ryan
We will be staying in Page for 2 nights and have the entire day (June 9th, 2017) to experience this amazing place. I liked your one day itinerary. Would you be able to suggest the best way to maximise our experience – we will have a rental car available to us? Any advice greatly appreciated.
regards
Karl
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Hi Karl,
Thank you for writing, and kudos to you for planning your trip well in advance! We also compliment you on allowing 2 days to experience the many things Page has to offer.
As to how to maximize your experience, having more of a “big picture” of your overall trip plan would help us advise you best. For example, will you be coming to Page from Las Vegas or Phoenix? If you are visiting from Phoenix, for example, it takes approximately 4.5 hours to drive to Page. Coming in from the South, you can modify the suggested itinerary. Since you’d come to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook prior to arrival in Page, you could stop there first, then head down to Antelope Point Marina for lunch and a boat tour of Antelope Canyon’s waterside. Time permitting, and if you desire, you could then explore Lower Antelope Canyon before heading back to Page and retiring for the evening.
If Upper Antelope Canyon is more to your liking, mid-day is the ideal time to view this part of the canyon, and you could do that the next day and maybe compliment it with a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center or the John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum.
If you’re open to a rather novel way to see Horseshoe Bend, consider flying over it! https://horseshoebend.com/see-horseshoe-bend-air/
I hope that helps in your planning. Please don’t hesitate to contact us again if we can be of further assistance!
AlleyFebruary 02, 2017 at 5:57 PM
Michelle
Thank you for all the great info! What are your thoughts on Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Page vs. the one in Utah ?
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Hi Michelle,
There is only one Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and it is in Utah. There are, however, several Visitors Centers, including one in Big Water, Utah, which is 13 miles North of Page, AZ. Visitors Centers for this monument are also located in Kanab, Utah and the Paria River Contact Station between Page and Kanab.
Keep in mind that Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument comprises some of the most remote areas in the country and many roads are unpaved and can become impassable when wet. Be sure to check road conditions locally before setting out.
For more information, visit https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/most-visited-parks/grand-staircase-escalante or https://www.blm.gov/nlcs_web/sites/ut/st/en/prog/nlcs_new/GSENM_NM.html
Thank you for visiting our site!
AlleyJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:31 PM
Ken
Hi Ryan,
I am planning to visit Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas by car. What would the best route to and from and where I can stay one overnight.
Probably leaving Vegas around noon in mid-December.
Thank you for your suggestion.
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Hi Ken!
Ryan is out of the office, but I’d be happy to help you. I lived in the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon area for many years and have made the drive you’re proposing to make many times 😉
From Las Vegas, head South toward Kingman, AZ on Highway 93. If your priority is making the best time, proceed directly over the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Going this way, the drive is about 4.5 hours. If you’d like to stop at Hoover Dam, prepare to spend about 5.5 hours total on the drive to Grand Canyon Village. In Kingman, AZ, you then head East on Interstate 40. If you’re into history, particularly Route 66 history, maybe make a stop in Seligman, where the 50’s are frozen in time! In Williams, AZ, you would then proceed North on AZ64 to Grand Canyon Village.
As for where to stay overnight, it is most desirable to stay inside the park. There are 6 hotels situated on or near the canyon rim. If these properties are sold out, then Tusayan/GC Village South would be your next best option. For a complete list of Grand Canyon area hotels, visit this site ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/
The next day, head to Page, AZ, the town nearest to Antelope Canyon. It takes approximately 2.5 hours to make this drive if you go straight through, but there are a lot of beautiful viewpoints to stop at, so don’t be surprised if it takes longer. Head East on AZ64 along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon. Then in the town of Cameron, AZ, you would turn North on Highway 89. FYI, Cameron Trading Post is a perfect place to stop, if not for a quick bathroom break, then for lunch and some shopping!
If you arrive in Page by mid-day, you can easily join a tour of Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, or perhaps both!
Since the drive from Page to Las Vegas is a full 5 hours, we strongly recommend that you stay an additional night in Page. If this is not possible, then make sure you get on the road in plenty of time to avoid driving at night. This part of the country has minimal supplemental/artificial lighting, so once the sun goes down, it gets really dark. Deer, elk and other wildlife like to congregate alongside the road and trust me, you don’t want to collide with one of these animals.
Hope that helps – have a great trip!February 02, 2017 at 6:07 PM
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From Ola
HI Alley,
Could you pls advise how to visit most of these places from LVegas if I’m not driving? Are there any public transportation or bus tours that would bring me there and back in a few days?
Or I would better arrive first from Vegas to AZ and there searched for the bus tours?
I think of going there in about 2 weeksThanks a lot for your suggestions / ideas.
OlaOctober 19, 2017 at 9:45 AM
Nirali
Hi Ryan,
Thank you so much for having this site up for us curious folk. I’d like to pick your brain a little bit too 🙂
I live in Tucson, and my parents (68 and 57) are finally going to visit me from the East Coast. This will probably be their only trip to the SW, and I really want to make it memorable. I want to show them Grand Canyon South Rim, Antelope Canyon Upper, and horse shoe bend at least. Lake Powell sounds excellent too, and I’d like to add that in some how if feasible. We will be leaving Tucson on November 25 and returning on November 27- two nights and 3 days. I really want to break up the driving and avoid night time driving. I was contemplating overnighting in Sedona. I’d also like to try some guided tours, bus vs jeep vs etc– so we can learn things! I found a few bus tours to GC from sedona, and also to antelope canyon from sedona. But I can’t afford to do both, and I also can’t figure out the logistics of when to do what.
What are your thoughts? My parents are not the most adventurous, and I will certainly be pushing them a bit but I don’t want to overdo it either. If the above spots are not feasible in my time frame, what should I nix? Where should we overnight?
Thank you in advance, and Happy Thanksgiving!!
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Hi Nirali,
Two nights and three days is a little rushed IMO to get all this in. If you can possibly free up one more night, that would make a lot of difference.
It takes approximately 4 hours to drive from Tucson to Sedona. Overnighting there is definitely a good idea, but there is a lot to see and do there, so you’ll wish you had more time, trust me!
To get to the Grand Canyon, Pink Jeep Tours offers an excellent package in very comfortable vehicles https://www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com/sedona-to-grand-canyon-tour/ However, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the easiest parks in the Southwest to self-tour, and you can still learn a lot since the rangers hand you a park guide and other educational materials upon entrance to the park. If you opt for a tour with Pink Jeep or some other outfitter, though, your tour will take essentially all day. That’s why a 3rd night is highly recommended.
To experience Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, it is also possible to take a package tour to these two attractions from Sedona. https://grandcanyon.com/tours/south-rim-tours/antelope-canyon-horseshoe-bend-from-flagstaff-and-sedona/ This tour is about 7-8 hours hotel-to-hotel.
Thank you for visiting our site and hope you got on well.
AlleyFebruary 03, 2017 at 8:22 PM
Abby
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for the 1 day trip iternary. Me and my pals are planning a 2 days trip with overnight stay in page.
We want to visit Grand Canyon south rim, Horseshoe bend, lower antelope canyon. We will be be driving from Phoenix on Saturday early morning.
We are not that much into hiking. Return back on Sunday evening to Phoenix.
Can you please suggest us a good 2 day itinerary with good hotels to stay in Page.
Thanks
Abby
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Hi Abby and thanks for writing!
Due to the driving distances between Phoenix, Grand Canyon and Page, I’d recommend rethinking your itinerary a little bit. It takes ~ 4.5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Grand Canyon South Rim, then 2.5 hours to go from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. If you can possibly free up another night to stay at the South Rim, that would make for a much more pleasant experience. Then you can take your time driving to Page and stop at the many beautiful Grand Canyon viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim drive and the historic Cameron Trading Post. Since Horseshoe Bend is located about 5 hours South of Page, you can easily make a stop there on your way to town. Depending on when you arrive, you might also be able to visit Antelope Canyon before retiring for the evening.
As for where to stay, Page has ample choices of lodging from budget-priced to higher-end and everything in between. For a complete list of hotels in Page, visit this site and scroll down to the section titled “Page, AZ – 133 miles to the South Rim, 153 miles to the North Rim” ->: https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
Happy travels!
AlleyFebruary 03, 2017 at 8:35 PM
Antonia
Hey Ryan, your website is awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing it. We are a couple with a 11 months daughter and we have a weekend (2 nights) to explore GC, Page (Antelope, lake powell and horseband) and zion.
I was planning to leave early on Friday visit GC, overnight in Page, in the morning Antelope, lake powell and horseband. Overnight in Springdale, morning in Zion and return to LV.
What part of the grand canyon do you recommend to visit for this plan? Can you recommend a short hike to do in GC? Do you have a better idea of schedule?
Thanks a lot
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Hi Antonia,
Thank you for the compliments! We definitely appreciate your feedback.
In answer to your query regarding which part of the Grand Canyon you should visit, the South Rim is recommended for families like yourself for several different reasons. For one, there are more visitor facilities available in this area of the park, including hotels, restaurants, retail shops and informational centers. Secondly, this area is open year-round, whereas the North Rim is only open from May 15th through October 15th. Lastly, there is more of the Grand Canyon that can be seen from this area by car. In fact, you can do the bulk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, which takes you along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are several beautiful viewpoints you should stop at!
Unfortunately, I have to tell you honestly that your schedule is a little too full for 2 days’ time. It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim and 2.5 hours (driving straight through) to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, another 2 hours from Page to Zion National Park, then 3 hours to drive from Zion to Las Vegas. Going from LV-Grand Canyon-Page in the course of one day is tiring at best, and possibly dangerous if your travels take you along local roadways at night. Artificial/supplemental lighting is deliberately kept to a minimum in this part of the country to preserve the natural darkness the area is famous for. Deer, elk and other wildlife also like to congregate along the side of the road at night and trust me, you DO NOT want to have a deer vs. vehicle encounter in the dead of night!
With 2 days to work with, I would recommend going from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnighting there, then heading to Page the following day, hitting Horseshoe Bend just before getting to town and spending the night. Depending on when you arrive, you might be able to squeeze an Antelope Canyon tour or a Lake Powell tour in before settling in for the evening. With an 11-month-old in tow, overscheduling your days is not a good idea.
And, I’m also recommending that you drop Zion from your “wish list.” You simply don’t have time to do it justice. 2 days at the very least is the minimum amount of time you should allot for a Zion National Park visit.
Hope that helps. Best wishes and Happy Travels!
AlleyFebruary 06, 2017 at 4:57 PM
Susanna
What a super site and such great inside knowledge one would never get from a travel agency! We will visit West Coast US late July – probably from around 20 July onwards and having such hard time trying to decide what to visit! Our list seems to get longer and longer.. Travelling with 3 kids of 17, 15 and 13. Current thinking to get a flight to Salt Lake City, drive southbound and start the visits from Zion, followed by Bryce then Antelope followed by Grand Canyon. One night in Las Vegas before moving to the coast. Hubby wants to also include Monument Valley. It would be great to combine different types of activities as well; hikes, even horses to keep kids also interested – therefore what should we definitely NOT miss, how much time should we foresee for different canyons, parks and places (e.g. places not to miss the sunset or alternatively the sunrise; set XYZ as the base and do different trips from one there; a lodge not to miss etc). Happy for any suggestions you may have to get us started with something more concrete than a never ending list of more and more names.
Susanna from Belgium
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Dear Susanna,
Wow, thank you for the wonderful compliments on our site! We compliment you as well for planning your trip to the Grand Circle well in advance.
I agree that narrowing down what to see and what to skip is crazy-hard! Not knowing how much time you have to work with makes it a bit difficult to advise you accurately, but I’ll do my best 🙂
The prospect of driving from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas may look good on paper, but in reality, may be somewhat inconvenient and costly. Most rental car outlets prefer that customers drop vehicles off at the same location from which they picked them up. Fees for one-way drop-offs can be quite expensive, and I certainly could think of better things to do with that money!
I recommend instead using Las Vegas as your “staging” city. From Las Vegas, a popular itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim, maybe stop at Hoover Dam, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim. Drive time: 4.5-6 hours
Day 2: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, taking the opportunity to stop at the viewpoints along the Desert View/East Rim Drive and perhaps lunch (or at least a bathroom stop) at the Cameron Trading Post. Stop at Horseshoe Bend prior to arriving in Page. Overnight in Page. Drive time: 2.5-4 hours
Day 3: More sightseeing in the Page/Lake Powell area. Start with the 7:30 AM departure of the Colorado River Discovery Glen Canyon Smooth Water Raft Trip. Segue into an Antelope Canyon tour. The company that conducts the raft trip offers several tour packages that include Antelope Canyon, so check out all their tour offerings. https://horseshoebend.com/see-the-canyon-from-the-river-colorado-river-discovery/ Spend another night in Page.
Day 4: Page to Bryce Canyon National Park. Possible stops at the Glen Canyon Dam, the “New Wave,” Lakeshore Drive of Lake Powell, Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Big Water, UT. Overnight at Bryce Canyon. Drive time: 3-5 hours.
Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park to Zion National Park, overnighting in Springdale, UT. During the summer months, the main visitor services area of Zion Canyon is only accessible by shuttle from Springdale. Use it to visit the Weeping Rock overlook, Emerald Pools, Visitor Center and Museum. In Springdale, there is also an IMAX theatre with an entertaining and educational presentation on the park.
Day 6: 2nd day in Zion. Maybe take on a more involved hike such as Angel’s Landing or Observation Point, or drive to the Kolob Canyons section of the park. For more information, click here ->: https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/upload/2016-Winter-MG-Final-Web.pdf
Day 7: Head back to Las Vegas. Drive time: 3 hoursAs you can see, we’ve easily filled up 7 days. If you wish to include Monument Valley, it’s best to free up another day, or if that’s not possible, take a scenic flight over it from the Page, AZ Municipal Airport. For more information on Monument Valley air tours, visit https://www.westwindairservice.com/tours-from-lake-powell/monument-valley-air-tour/
Hope that helps! One more thing: be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this handy card grants you access to all the National Parks and Monuments in the U.S. for one year’s time. It would easily pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take.
Happy travels!
AlleyFebruary 06, 2017 at 5:28 PM
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Het beste is om deelnemen in een wedstrijd voor tot de beste blogs op het web. Ik zal suggereren website!
April 11, 2017 at 11:46 AM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Translated by Google Translate
Dank u voor uw bezoek aan onze website. Goeie reis!
April 11, 2017 at 5:44 PM
Sheenz
Hey Ryan!
My friend and I are planning to do this ultimate one day itinerary you’ve laid out (which is great btw!), but starting from Vegas on Nov 7th.
Do you think it’s possible to do it all in one day, and drive back to Vegas at the end? Or do you recommend staying overnight in Page?
Any recommendations for activities during night time at Page?
Thanks!
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Hi Sheena,
Driving to Vegas and back in the same day would make for a really long trip. I think you would be a lot better off staying the night. Then you could stop by Zion on the way back, or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon if you wanted too. At night, I would either go to Lone Rock Beach or into the desert and build a bonfire!
Best,
RyanOctober 05, 2016 at 7:46 PM
Irene
Hi Ryan,
Do you know what the opening business hours are for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (if there are any)?
Also, I read that you have to book a tour guide to Antelope Canyon. Is it possible to just drive to Antelope Canyon by yourself and pay there?
Thanks in advance! You’re post is helpful!
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Dear Irene,
Depending on the time of year, the first tours to Antelope Canyon are conducted between 8 AM and 9 AM. The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is open 24 hours a day, but attempting to go there at night is not advisable. Outside lighting is kept to a minimum and the overlook has no guardrails. It is a 700′ drop to the river!
Regarding Antelope Canyon, it is mandatory to go there with a tour guide endorsed by the Navajo Indian Tribe. There are 3 outfitters offering round-trip tours from the town of Page, AZ and 1 that offers tours from the Tribal Park entrance gate on Highway 98. The latter would be the closest to “just driving to Antelope Canyon by yourself and paying there.”
Hope that helps!
AlleyFebruary 07, 2017 at 9:19 PM
Colette
Hi Ryan
My partner and I are coming to Kanab Oct 4-7. We are trying to balance doing the touristy stuff with some ultimate experiences. I had originally thought I wanted to do the upper antelope canyon, but the more I read about the crowds, the less inclined I am to want to do it. Is it a must do while we are there? Is there a different experience you would recommend? What would your 3 day itinerary look like if you were a first time visitor and had picked Kanab as your home base for the 3 days?
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Hi Colette,
I would say that doing a slot canyon is a “must do” but that it doesn’t have to be Antelope Canyon. Kanab and Page are both great places to base from. I would apply every morning I could for a permit to “The Wave” and hope you get it for the next day. You might get lucky.
The first day I would go hike Wirepass to Buckskin, and spend most of the day exploring Buckskin. Hit the Paria Toadstools on the way out.
If you got the Wave permit the first day, the second day you’ll spend hiking it. It is very common for over a thousand people to apply for any given day; 10 permits are given out online, and 10 are given in person the day before at the Kanab office.
If you don’t get lucky, I apply for the Wave permit again, and then head out to Page to do Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. A half day boat rental is a great way to explore the lake, or perhaps a still water float down the Colorado River.
The third day kind of depends on what interests you more. If you like offroading, I would consider going out to Alstrom Point. I would also consider driving in the opposite direction and exploring Zion National Park. Angel’s landing if you’re feeling pretty ambitious, or just riding the shuttle and doing some of the short hikes would be very enjoyable. Zion is mostly closed to private vehicles in Oct so you will need to drive through the whole park to the visitor center and jump on the shuttle.
If you want a slower day, I would drive from Kanab to the Grand Canyon North Rim and make dinner reservations at the lodge. Watch sunset over the veranda. Hike down as far as you want and start planning for your return visit to hike to the bottom and out the North Rim 🙂
I hope that helps!
RyanSeptember 20, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Rick
Ryan, I want to let you know how much I appreciate all this very valuable information you have posted about the Page area. My wife and I are planning a trip there in October and I have spent quite a bit a time here preparing for our trip. Thank you very much!
Rick
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Rick,
I’m glad the information was useful, Feel free to ask on here if you have specific questions. It is a great way to help us think of future articles!
Best,
RyanSeptember 20, 2016 at 6:05 AM
Madisen
Hi!
My friend and I are in our early 20s and looking for a weekend from LA to do Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and hopefully the Grand Canyon as well. We’re active and full of energy so don’t mind long days at all! Ideally, we want Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon at optimal time for photos. Which city would be easiest to fly into/leave from? Page and Flagstaff don’t have flights into them so I’d assume either fly into Vegas or Phoenix? Can we do both Antelope/Horseshoe from either of those locations in a day or two? Or should we fly in then drive to another city to complete the trips before flying out of Vegas or Phoenix?
Thank you!
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Hi Madisen,
You can fly to Page via Phoenix, but the schedule can be difficult. Check greatlakesav.com for pricing and times. You should also know that they wind up cancelling the flights a lot.
You can also fly in through Vegas then drive the 4.5 hours to Page, which is probably what most locals do, but at that point you’re getting pretty close to just driving from LA (9 hours).Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are less then 10 minutes from each other and take about 2 hours each so it’s very easy to do both in a day.
You might also consider flying into Flagstaff (via Phoenix hourly flights) doing the Grand Canyon South Rim for one day, and then doing Page for a day and driving back to Flagstaff.
I hope that helps! Let us know how it went when you get back:)
RyanSeptember 14, 2016 at 4:53 PM
Matt
Ryan-
Best website I’ve seen on this topic, thanks. The wife and I are planning a week long (spring break) trip to Utah/Grand canyon/page April 8-16. I like your itinerary for a day. What are your thoughts on this: We will be in Grand Canyon the day before, only have one fullish day there could you recommend a hike? Spend the night outside GC and leave for page early in the morning, do your itinerary, and then head to monument valley to hopefully see the sunset and spend the night. Is this doable? We’re mid 30’s, good shape, love to hike. We’re doing an 8 day road trip from Vegas airport, what would be your “must see” attractions during this time? Trying to do the “mighty 5”, but looks like we might cross arches and capital reef off the list.
Also, is it crowded during this time? Wife is a school teacher, and we try to avoid crowds (kids) during her spring break.
Thanks!
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Hi Matt,
I’m glad you found the information helpful!If you are physically able to do so, the bucket list item for the Grand Canyon is to hike down to the Colorado River. April is a great time to go, and you still have a good chance to get a reservation at Phantom Ranch; try to get a cabin. If you guys regularly do marathons, then you could consider doing it as a day hike, but the park strongly recommends against this. I always recommend hiking down the South Kaibab and hiking back up the Bright Angel Trail. Total distance would be 16 miles, but its the elevation change that gets you. That would take you two days (hike down, overnight at Phantom Ranch, hike up) then drive to Page and doing Horseshoe Bend for sunset.
Wake up and do Antelope Canyon. The boat tour may not be running at that time because it is still off season. Then I would drive to Monument Valley, do the tour and come back.
Then I would drive to Bryce and do the Queens Garden hike, overnight there.
Next day drive to Zion, do Angel’s landing if you still have the energy for a vertigo inducing hike. If not, take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava and hike the narrows.
Drive back to Vegas.What I’ve described is a pretty popular circuit of what is called the Grand Circle. It is a pretty efficient route for Vegas – Vegas.
Summary
Day 1
-Drive from Vegas to Grand Canyon, stopping at Hoover Dam
-Walk along the rim at Grand Canyon village and mentally prepare for the hikeDay 2
-Wake up early and take the shuttle to the South Kaibab Trailhead
-Hike 7 miles all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and stay at Phantom Ranch lodge.Day 3
-Realize that you have to hike all the way out, and start early up the Bright Angel trail (9 miles)
-Drive to Page and stretch your legs going to Horseshoe Bend for sunsetDay 4
-Antelope Canyon in the morning
-Monument Valley and back
-Stay in Page againDay 5
-Drive to Bryce
-Hike the Queens Garden TrailDay 6
-Drive to Zion
-Hike Angels landingDay 7
-Drive back to VegasThat’s a pretty serious trip, but is what I would consider the must-do’s of each park. You don’t have to worry too much about crowds, as the season really stars around Memorial day. There will still be people, but much less than peak of season.
Give us an update after you get back! Safe travels!
RyanSeptember 12, 2016 at 2:49 AM
Jared
Hi Ryan,
Your quality content and personal responses to each comment are amazing.
I’m going to visit the Page and Grand Canyon area (driving up from Tucson, AZ) in late October. My group is 4 active adults in good shape. Half the group have never been to the Grand Canyon so we want to make that a full experience. We have about 3.5 days to explore both areas.
How would you recommend splitting the time/ where to spend more time hiking?
Thanks!
Jared
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Hi Jared,
Thank you for your kind words!
I would consider two options. I believe that one of the best parts of going to the canyon is to get below the rim. The end of October is the best time of year. Temperatures will be manageable, and the days still barely long enough to do some long hikes.If you are really ambitious, then research hiking all the way to the bottom and spending the night there. I like going down the South Kaibab trail and then up the Bright Angel. You will need to have reservations for the Phantom ranch lodge or the Bright Angel Campground.
Alternatively, I would spend one day in the Grand Canyon and 2 days in Page. In the Grand Canyon I would walk the rim near the Bright Angel lodge (lots of things to see and places to stop) and then I would do a short hike. A short hike might be taking South Kaibab down to Cedar ridge, which should only take a few hours.
Then drive to Page and do Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and perhaps a day hike.
Let me know some more details about how adventurous you’re feeling and I’ll list some hikes I think you might enjoy!
Best,
RyanSeptember 02, 2016 at 1:50 PM
marie
Hi Ryan!
Thanks for this post! extremely helpful. You note on lines and busy days is useful. We’ll be in Zion-Page from Sep 2-6, Labor Day weekend to do tours and perhaps moderate hikes. Can you suggest when to do what, considering the possible crowd? Thanks!!!
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Hi Marie,
I would recommend doing Antelope Canyon first during August and early Sept. During the monsoon season, afternoon rains are very common and will cause the canyon to shut down for safety reasons. Horseshoe Bend is a great afternoon or sunset hike.
If you want to do other local hikes, you might consider doing Catherdral Wash by Lee’s Ferry. It would take an hour to drive to from Page, and is a moderate hike to the Colorado River. There is a beach at the end that is a great place to have lunch or fish. There is some scrambling involved, so make sure to research the obstacles and see if it is appropriate for your group. It is my new favorite local hike!When you are driving from Zion to Page, it is worth the stop to do the Paria Toadstools. The trailhead is just off the highway between Page and Kanab, and is an easy 1.5 mile hike round trip.
Hope that helps!
RyanAugust 25, 2016 at 9:55 PM
_________________________________________
From Marie
Awesome! Thanks a lot for the recommendations.
August 25, 2016 at 11:26 PM
Nessie
Hi ryan,! Thanks for your post. 3 of us are going on a roadtrip from vegas to phoenix this nov 8-20. We start in vegas-zio-bryce and i was planning a day in page then grabd canyon-sedona-phoenix. Can we do upper and lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend in a day or just one one canyon the n horseshoe bend? If i have to choose between upper or lower which would u recommend? Can u recommend a tour company as well? We are staying in page then plan to start antelope tours/horseshoe bend and end of the day drive to grabd canyon. Is this doable?
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Hi Nessie,
You can easily do both upper and lower canyon as well as Horseshoe Bend in one day. If you have nobody with mobility issues in the group, I find that lower canyon is more fun because of the stairs. If feels like you are descending into a canyon. Upper is considered to be a little more photogenic, but I would doubt most people could tell from a photograph which canyon it came from.I would ballpark 2 hours each for upper, lower, and Horseshoe Bend. That should leave you plenty of time to drive to the South Grand Canyon. From Page to the Bright Angel Lodge takes about 2.5 hours. Keep in mind that on busy days the lines at the entrance to the park can add a lot of time.
Hope that helps!
RyanAugust 24, 2016 at 4:14 PM
Ernie
Hi Ryan,
My wife and I are driving up to Flagstaff or Page on Monday September 19th and would like to see Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and still do the Grand Canyon. We need to be in Las Vegas on Wednesday September 21th to see a evening show. We also thought about a short stay at Zion National park. What would your recommendations be to do this. Vegas is not so important as we are just heading there for the show and then heading back east to Indiana. We will be in Tucson, AZ before driving up to Page or Flagstaff.
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Hi Ernie,
I would start from Flagstaff and go straight to the Grand Canyon and spend the day there and then drive to Page. Page prices can be significantly cheaper. That day would be about 5 hours of driving, and however much time you spend at the rim.Overnight in Page, then wake up and do Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, then drive to Zion. You should get there for dinner (maybe a late dinner.) This would be about 3 hours of driving and 4 hours of walking attractions.
Overnight in Zion (or Springdale.) Wake up and take the shuttle to the various hikes. Most of Zion is only accessible via the shuttle. I would also do some research on which hikes you would be comfortable with. The Temple of Shinawava bus stop is very popular. I would consider getting off on that stop and walking along the river as it winds through the canyon.
Best,
RyanAugust 24, 2016 at 4:22 PM
Shruthi
Hi Ryan,
We are a group of 10 with one child of 2years age and one Old couple whose age is above 60 years.
It would be great if you could let us know the best tour option in the Antelope Canyon considering the age factors.
Thank you!
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Hi Shruthi,
That is an excellent question!
As long as everyone in the party is in reasonably good physical condition, you could probably manage either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy, flat walk of approximately 100 yards. Lower Antelope Canyon is longer and requires navigating a few staircases and around some boulders. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting, you may wish to avoid the mid-day hours during the summer months as these can be quite hot.
If anyone in your party has mobility issues, Upper Antelope Canyon might be the best option. For a more detailed comparison of the two, visit https://antelopecanyon.az/lower-vs-upper-antelope/
Thank you for visiting our site!
AlleyFebruary 07, 2017 at 9:22 PM
Xavi
Hi Ryan,
First of all, congrats for your site! Here I’ve found really interesting information that didn’t find in other sites.
We are planning to visit Antelope or Cathedral Canyon, but don’t have enought time to see both places. So the question is: Which one should we choose, Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope or Cathedral Canyon? I’ve read in past comments that Upper seems to be the easiest option, but also the most popular (and crowded too), we don’t have problems to climb/walk for a couple of hours, furthermore if we can avoid big groups of people.
Reagards,
Xavi
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Hi Xavi,
Thanks for the kind comment.I would say that any of the tours you listed will be crowded. Upper is the indeed the easiest option but also the most crowded.
If you want to really get a slot canyon without the crowds you will either have to go to canyon that limits the number of people per group (like Secret Canyon or Canyon X) or you have to hike by yourself to one of the lesser known canyons.
If I was driving through the area and wanted to do a canyon hike without any crowds, I would probably do Wirepass Canyon. It’s only a few miles to hike to it, and is super fun. Plus you’ll only see a few people, even in the summer. You could also try your luck and sign up for the Wave lottery, as the Wave and Wirepass trailhead share the same parking lot 🙂 Make sure to call the BLM visitor center in Kanab to see what the road conditions are if you decide to do this option
I hope that helps,
RyanAugust 24, 2016 at 8:30 PM
Alex
Hi Ryan,
we are from Israel & love the desert, We travel in the Israeli desert with our ATV as my wife has mobility problems (can walk up to 1 mile). We are planning on visiting your area in October. Can you suggest a 3-4 day tour of the area with the above limitations?
TNX BR
Alex
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Hi Alex,
Ryan is out of the office, but as a former resident of Northern Arizona, I’m happy to help you!
You do not mention specifically if your wife requires a wheelchair to get around, but if she does, all parks in the U.S. National Park System publish Accessibility Guides for individuals with mobility limitations.
With 3-4 days to work with, I would recommend spending 1 day at Grand Canyon South Rim and 2 nights in Page, Arizona. At Grand Canyon South Rim, many facilities are historic, and the terrain is rough, but there are a few areas where you can enjoy flat, easy walking with beautiful views, namely, the Rim Trail and the Trail of Time. In addition, most viewpoints are accessible by car and have handicapped accessible spaces. If you have a wheelchair placard, you can drive your own vehicle to the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. If not, the shuttle system does offer wheelchair access. Note, we’re referring to wheelchairs and not motorized scooters.
In Page, AZ, Upper Antelope Canyon would be the best bet for someone with mobility issues since it is an easy, flat walk of only 100 yards in length. You can also enjoy the Colorado River Discovery Smooth Water Float Trip and perhaps a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center.
For accessibility guides to Grand Canyon click here ->: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
For Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, click here ->: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
Thank you so much for visiting our site!
AlleyFebruary 07, 2017 at 9:59 PM
dahil
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for creating this page, very helpful. My question is would you recommend Horseshoe bend to a 6 y.o kid (were planning on going to Antelope canyon -upper and the Marina), and maybe going to Horseshoe bend.
kudos,
Hilda
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Hi Hilda,
A 6 year old can easily do Horseshoe Bend, but depending on the time of year it may be very hot. I would considering bringing shade, and water is a must during the summer. Also be careful of the edge!
Best,
RyanAugust 24, 2016 at 4:55 PM
Emmy
Hi Ryan,
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this website loads of full info about this macnificent place. Will November around thanksgiving week too cold to tour around antelope canyon? When is the nice weather to visit? Spring break? My group will include seniors and young kids. Thanks!
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Hi Emmy,
I think November is one of the best times to do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The weather has cooled down, as well as the crowds. You should look to come during the first weekend of Novemeber, as that is during the Balloon Regatta. It is also a great time to visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon for the same reasons!
Best,
RyanAugust 24, 2016 at 8:20 PM
Dave
Hi Ryan:
Came across your website and really like what you had to say. Taking my 3 boys to see Antelope Canyon, GC and maybe Marble Canyon from 7/28-7/30. Seems like Lower Antelope Canyon is better. Not sure I really need the sunlight pictures plus will be less crowded and more to see. Agree?
Can you suggest the best itinerary for 2 full days knowing the canyons we want to see and if there is anything else? Much appreciated.
Dave
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Hi Dave,
I agree that Lower Antelope Canyon is probably a better option, if nobody in your party has mobility issues. It is probably still going to feel crowded, as that time of year is pretty popular.2 days is a little tight for those 3 locations, unless you really fly through the Grand Canyon. I think a fun itinerary would be
Day 1 – Grand Canyon
breakfast at the Bright Angel Lodge
take the hiker express shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead
hike down to Cedar Ridge and back up
Drive to Page and overnightDay 2 – Page
Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Rent kayaks and take them to Lone Rock beachDay 3 – Marble Canyon
Take the kayaks to Marble Canyon / Lee’s Ferry and have Colorado River Discovery backhaul you and the kayaks to Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle/float back to the vehicle. It is all stillwater, with no rapids.
Return kayaks to PageThat is a pretty active itinerary, and temps will be about as hot as it gets so it will require some research and planning to make sure it is right for you. Hydration will be critical. That said, it is the itinerary I would do. 🙂
Best,
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 4:02 AM
Jill
Ryan, I appreciate your site and find your advice very helpful. My family and I (family of 4 w/ 17- and 13-year olds) will be traveling in Arizona/Utah for 10 days later this month. I’ve planned 3 nights in Sedona, 2 at Grand Canyon south rim, a night at the north rim, 2 at Bryce, and 1 at Zion. After reading about Page, we’ve decided to skip the north rim and head to Page instead.
We’ll be traveling from the south rim, so I figure we could see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon on our drive north. After spending the night in Page, any suggestions for a day in the area before driving to Bryce that evening? So many great things to do on the water, but they are rather pricey.
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Hi Jill,
That sounds like a great itinerary. If you have an SUV or some vehicle that can drive on dirt, you should consider checking out Alstrom Point, or hiking through Wirepass canyon. Both are on the way to Bryce, and would be excellent choices. A good option to enjoy the lake at a lower cost would be to rent some kayaks, take them to Lone Rock beach and kayak over to Ice Cream Canyon. Hidden Canyon Kayak will rent them by the day.Hope that helps!
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 3:13 AM
James
Hi Ryan,
Thanks for providing the great info. If driving from Las Vegas, would it be possible to see part of Grand Canyon in addition to visiting Antelope (upper), and the Horseshoe bend in a single day? If so, in what order would you recommend organizing the itinerary?
Thank you!
James
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Hi James, Your itinerary is mathematically possible, but it would be pretty exhausting. To drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon south rim would take about 5 hours. If you departed early enough to get to the south rim by 9 am, you could spend two hours at the Grand Canyon, then drive the 3 hours to Page. You would have to be there by 2-3pm at the latest, take the 2 hour tour, then head over to hike Horseshoe Bend. Depending on the time of year, you could still have enough time to catch sunset before driving the 4.5 hours back to Las Vegas via US 89 to I-15.
I don’t recommend this itinerary, especially if you are driving alone, but it could be done if you had additional drivers. I would recommend driving to the Grand Canyon south rim, spending a few hours there, then driving to Page and overnighting. You could do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the morning, then adding a few hours at Zion on your way back to Las Vegas. It would still be intense, but significantly more manageable.
Hope that helps!
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 3:38 AM
Van
Ryan,
The wife and I are going to be in Peoria for the week of July 17-23, 2016. I am a shooter and want to get images in South Antelope. I’ve read where I can purchase a permit to shoot “commercially” and get extra time in the lower canyon. Is that true? Let me know as soon as you can so I can prepare. I want to shoot Horseshoe as well that late afternoon/sunset.
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Hi Van,
Take a look at our page on the different tour companies and their options.You will want to look at the “Antelope Canyon Photo” tours. They are 2.5 hours long, and the guides are very good at helping manage the flow of people so you can get your photos.
Good Luck!
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 6:22 AM
Beth
if you had to choose, the boat tour or a walking tour, which do you recommend? We will be coming from Holbrook in the morning and going on to Vegas that evening so I know it will be a long day and I’m not sure we will be able to do both tours but really want to see the canyon!
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Hi Beth,
The walking tour is the only way to see the very popular images that you are probably familiar with. The water tour is a completely different experience that is much more of a lake tour. You should take a look at this video of the boat tour so you can see the difference between that the walking tour.Best,
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 3:18 AM
anna
hi Ryan!
thank you so much for one day programm!) it is what i was looking for!)
we are planning to visit page on 25 of june. there will be 2 older ones (60 yo) and 1 – 5 yo. is it tooo hot in the end of june? can we manage 1 day programm and not die?)
thank you in advance!
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Hi Anna,
They itinerary might be a little bit hot for your group. You should consider switching the boat tour for something a little more low-key. You could walk across the Glen Canyon Bridge, and then do a tour of the dam. It also has great views. Then you could do Wahweap Overlook and the Glen Canyon overlookThat would probably be a little more manageable, and would you would still see the lake and river.
Hope that helps!
RyanJune 16, 2016 at 6:26 AM
Mira
Hi Ryan,
Thanks so much for the informative post! After reading through all the comments and answers and not finding what I am looking for I decided to post my own question 🙂
My friend and I will be traveling to Las Vegas from 31 May – 4 June. We booked a two day tour on 1-2 June, from Las Vegas that visits Zion and Bryce Canyon on day 1 and Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon on day 2 before heading back to Las Vegas.
However, we are considering staying an extra night in Page instead of heading back to Vegas as we would like to do a third day in the desert to visit Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon (either South Rim or Grand Canyon National Park?)
What would be the best option considering we need to be back in Vegas by Friday evening, 3 June:
– Rent a car in Page and drive to Las Vegas, stopping at Horseshoe Bend and Grand Canyon
– Tour options starting in Page and ending in Las Vegas?
– Transport options from Antelope Canyon to Page (the tour we booked ends here before heading back to Vegas so we would need to find our own transport to Page if we want to stay an extra night)
– If you have any other suggestions of things to see I would greatly appreciate the recommendations!
Thanks again!
Mira
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Although this guest’s visit has already taken place, her inquiry brings up a very important point about mass transit – or lack thereof – from the town of Page, Arizona.
Page, Arizona is one of the most remote communities in the United States. Though it is within a day’s drive of major cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, it is still quite isolated. Many people have found this out the hard way when they found themselves stranded in this area!
Mira asks about the possibility of
1. Renting a car in Page and driving to Las Vegas. That’s easier said than done. Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car do have outlets at the Page Municipal Airport (PGA), however, they both charge rather hefty drop-off fees for taking their vehicles one-way. This due in part to the relative difficulty of getting vehicles back to their dispatching origin.
2. Tour options starting in Page and ending in Las Vegas. There are none.
3. Transport options from Antelope Canyon to Page. You might be able to book one-way transport with one of the local tour outfitters that pick up in Page, but it would no doubt require a special arrangement. You would certainly need to reach out to the different outfitters by phone to accomplish this, if they’re even amenable to it. Otherwise, Buggy Taxi might be an option.
4. Other suggestions of things to see? There are almost too many to name in the Grand Circle area! The moral of the story, though, is that you’ll always have the most freedom and flexibility by driving yourself to Page, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. Otherwise, be prepared to be at the mercy of someone else’s schedule, which may not always be most convenient for you.
Happy travels, everyone, ’till next time –
AlleyFebruary 08, 2017 at 11:16 PM
Dolores
is the lower tour safe for kids?
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Hi Dolores,
Lower Antelope is safe for kids if they can climb steep ladders. I recommend you take a look at the walkthrough video to get a better visual of what they will need to do. Hope that helps!
RyanApril 11, 2016 at 4:31 AM
David
We’ll be visiting the area in September of this year. Are reservations required for this tour?
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Hi David,
Reservations are highly recommended. During the peak months of May – Oct, Upper Antelope Canyon is often sold out weeks in advance. If you have a few days in Page, you can usually find a tour if you are flexible. Lower antelope canyon also usually has space available for same day tours.Ryan
March 31, 2016 at 5:51 PM
elaine mei
Hi Ryan
Do we have to go to the antelope canyon with tours?? Is there self guide option???
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Hi Elaine!
Antelope Canyon is only available with a guided tour. They will also provide interpretation and will help you with finding great photographic angles. If you want to explore a canyon self-guided, I recommend you check out Wirepass on House Rock Vally road, and Lower East Waterholes which is 3 miles south of Page. Both options require some scrambling over obstacles and may not be a good option for people with mobility issues. House Rock Valley road is a dirt road about 40 miles west of Page and can be impassable depending on weather conditions. Be sure to check with the visitor center before your hike for current road conditions. Both hikes require hiking permits.Hope that helps!
RyanMarch 23, 2016 at 5:12 PM
Alice
Hi Ryan,
7 of my friends & I will be driving to Page, AZ from Phoenix metro next weekend….Staying for 2 nights…..Not so much into hiking but we’d love to see beautiful sights around the area……..Do you recommend doing both lower & upper Antelope Canyon?…..We are leaving around 7am, any suggestions along the way?…..Plan to see the sunset on Saturday….Would really appreciate your feedback……Good day…..
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Hi Alice,
Are you guys Phoenix locals or just flying into PHX? If you’re travelling to Phoenix, I would recommending stopping by the Grand Canyon South Rim and going on a small hike before heading to Page. The most popular choice would be to park at the Bright Angel Lodge, and hike down the Bright Angel trail as far as you want and then turn back when you’re ready. You can grab lunch at lodge, or Cameron Trading post is also a good choice if you’re not hungry yet. Cameron Trading post is on your way from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. It’s about 3.5 hours from Phx to the Grand Canyon, and about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon to Page.
You could do both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, but I would personally rather do something else since they look very similar. I would do Horseshoe Bend, one of the canyons, the dam overlook and maybe the Glen Canyon Dam. Then I would consider spending a day on Lake Powell, maybe rent a boat or go to Lone Rock Beach!
Hope that helps!
RyanMarch 08, 2016 at 5:28 PM
Kate
Awesome information Ryan! Thank you so much for creating this website! This is the most helpful website I’ve found so far for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Going alone for my first time and SO looking forward to it. Going to use as many of your tips as possible!
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Thanks Kate! Enjoy your trip 🙂
RyanMarch 08, 2016 at 4:58 PM
Ginny
Ryan,
If I understand what I have read correctly, the entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon is a set of staircases you have to climb down. Is that correct? And it is one-way. So, what are the details on the exiting. I am traveling with older parents who are in fairly good shape and could hopefully manage the climb down, but I wanted to know how we get back out and how difficult that might be. Is it back up more stairs?
Do you think traveling with older folks that going to upper might be a better idea.
Thanks for the info.
Ginny
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Hi Ginny,
There is a saying we use in the Grand Canyon, “Going down is optional, but going up is mandatory.” 🙂 At time time I am writing this, the tours are traveling up the canyon, finishing close to the parking lot. In years past, they were going the opposite direction. In general, I would say that both directions are equally difficult. If your parents may have trouble with 2-3 flights of narrow stairs, then Upper Antelope is definitely a better choice. Upper is completely flat with no elevation change. Take a look at full walk through video of Lower Antelope, hopefully that will help you make a decision.
Hope you guys have a fun visit!February 29, 2016 at 4:49 PM
Vid
Ryan,
Great info. This is exactly what I was looking for. One question, we are driving from Phoenix and are planning to spend 2 days in Page and then drive to Sedona. We like to hike. Do you have any recommendations for the 2nd day that we have at Page? It looks like there are some nice hiking opportunities there.
Thanks again.
Vid
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Hi Vid,
There are a couple of great hikes that I recommend for a second day. You should look at doing Wirepass to the Buckskin confluence, which is a pretty easy 3 mile round trip. It takes you to the confluence of the largest slot canyon in North America. You should also consider Wahweap Hoodoos, a rocky but relatively flat 9 miles r/t up a wash to some great hoodoos. If you want some great exercise, then consider Spencer’s trail at Lee’s ferry. It is steeper than the corridor trails at the Grand Canyon, but only 2 miles longand takes you to a great overlook. Cathedral Canyon in the same area is a moderate hike that is about 3.0 miles round trip. Its a little cooler for temps because it is in a canyon, and takes you to the river. Finding the cairns that indicate where you have to scramble down can be difficult but it is one of the more fun hikes.
If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, research “the ropes trail” on the other side of the Colorado River just across from Page. All I will say is that it is pretty difficult, dangerous, takes you to the river, is the original way down surveyors used for the dam, and the park will do everything in their power to discourage you from doing this hike. It is legal to do, just make sure you have the right experience and bring gloves.
Hope that helps.
Best,
RyanFebruary 29, 2016 at 4:32 PM
Amber
Hey Ryan!
Your post is awesome and I am so excited to have come across it. I see that i can do this great trip in one day, so if I have four days and three nights (April 8-11) is that too much time in which I should include a hike elsewhere? I was hoping to start at the Grand Canyon South Rim and drive up to do your above itinerary. In addition, I wanted to possibly do a photo shoot with a bride/groom in Antelope Canyon… So I’m guessing I should maybe try to do Antelope Canyon on Monday so I won’t have too many people around for the shoot? I don’t know how busy Antelope Canyon is in April.
Thanks!
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Hi Amber,
Thanks for the questions. 4 days and 3 nights is a good amount of time to spend in the area. If some of the local hikes are not what you’re looking for (too much off-road, too much technical canyoneerings, etc) it is very common to use Page as a base camp for the near-by parks (Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, etc.) Stopping at the Grand Canyon and exploring for a full day still gives you enough time to make it back to Page before bedtime. A lot of locals will get up early to do day hikes at Grand Canyon south rim, and be back in time for dinner.
April will be as least busy as it gets for Antelope Canyon. Keep in mind that they canyons are just a few hundred feet long, so it doesn’t take a lot of people to start crowding your shots.
Best,
RyanFebruary 29, 2016 at 4:20 PM
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From Susan
Your comments/responses are great…many thanks.
I plan to visit Zion, Byrce and Arches Parks this October. I will be coming from the East and plan to enter Utah from the south. I definitely will spend at least a day in Page to do the Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. I am allowing for 6 days to visit the 3 Parks, and I want to leave from North Utah for my return trip . Is there a good central location where I can stay for the 6 days, or would you recommend that I spend 2 days as close to each park entrance as I can.
August 04, 2016 at 7:18 PM
Jenevie
Hi Ryan,
Do you recommend a certain time to hike Antelope Canyon, when the sun hits in between the slots the best?
I was thinking of hitting Horseshoe Bend first then going to Antelope Canyon.
Thanks!
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Hi Jenevie,
This is a common, but excellent question, and the answer depends heavily on what time of year you’re planning to visit.
Many people have seen the other-worldly photos of a surreal slot canyon bathed in soft sunlight, with a dramatic sunbeam illuminating the chamber and extending all the way down to the canyon floor. This phenomenon, which occurs in Upper Antelope Canyon, takes place during the mid-day hours (between 11 AM and 1 PM) during the late spring-summer-and early fall months due to the near-perfect angle of the sun, facilitated by the tilt of the Earth during the warmer seasons.
During the late fall-winter-early spring months, the Earth tilts away from the canyon somewhat, so the sunbeams may reach the upper levels of the canyon, but they don’t make it all the way down to the floor. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit – far from it! The canyon is still beautiful, and what’s more, you typically don’t have as many people to contend with on your tour. That’s always a plus.
As for Horseshoe Bend, it is best seen after sunrise to late afternoon. Sunset isn’t so great because once the sun goes down, Glen Canyon is in shadow. So, hitting Horseshoe Bend in the morning, then Antelope Canyon in the early afternoon is an excellent plan for enjoying a day of sightseeing in Page, Arizona!
’til next time, happy travels!
AlleyFebruary 08, 2017 at 11:23 PM
Bhea
Hi Ryan,
I am planning to go to Las Vegas on Feb.2-6 and will take Grand Canyon tour and would love to go for Antelope Canyon as well. I am a solo traveler who cannot drive in your place so I’m thinking how will I do my itinerary covering Grand Canyon, Antelope, Lake Powell, and Horse Shoe bend. I can adjust the departure location in either Las Vegas or Phoenix, depends on accessibility and availability of the tours.
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Bhea,
At this time, there are not any tours that include Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas or Phoenix. It does require that you drive there from either Las Vegas or Phoenix. However, the tour we do recommend is the Scenic Canyon River Adventure from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim…unfortunately it doesn’t begin until March 1st. In the future, there will be a tour from Las Vegas as it is growing in popularity.
RyanJanuary 19, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Colleen
Love this itinerary!!! We are planning our visit for early June with 3 kids (10, 13, 15) We will have a little more time. Maybe another half of a day. What would you add for an activity? Also which RV campground would you recommend?
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Hi Colleen,
It depends on which way you are traveling after you leave Page. If you are traveling west, I would recommend Wirepass Canyon (6$ per person) and Paria Toadstools (free.) If you’re traveling east, then Monument Valley is a great choice. South I would say Grand Canyon south rim! If you are looking for activities around town, I would recommend a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, or take a 1/2 day river float trip down the Colorado river. Colorado River Discovery has a 1/2 day tour.
For RV camping, I would recommend Wahweap Campground. It is a little outside town (15-20 minutes) but it is walking distance from a swim beach on Lake Powell, so I think it is worth the extra time.
I hope that helps!
RyanJanuary 04, 2016 at 3:35 AM
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Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
April 07, 2017 at 11:44 PM
Paggy
Hi Ryan, do you know if Antelope Canyon still open in January 2016? I plan to visit it on 1/1 or 1/2. Happy new year!
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Hi Paggy,
Antelope Canyon is open all year. The only reason it closes is because of flash flood warnings. Those usually happen during the summer months, so it is very unlikely you will have any issues.
Hope you have a great visit!
RyanJanuary 04, 2016 at 3:28 AM
Visitor
Hello, I find your introduction from Google, very useful. Would you like to share some experiences about going to Antelope Canyon in the end of January? I planned to go there but finds some comments say it’s NG for Antelope Canyon in winter due to the sunshine concern… Thanks for your advise! 🙂
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Hi Cat,
Antelope Canyon at the end of Jan will be quite chilly, but you have the benefit of a much smaller group size! I think it is a great time of year to go. You will not see lightbeams, so if that is a must, then this is not the right time for you. However, unless you are a photographer, I don’t think the lightbeams are a very important part of the Antelope Canyon experience.
RyanJanuary 14, 2016 at 5:25 PM
Margie
My husband is driving to Antelope Canyon from GC. We would like to see the lower and horse shoes bend. Is it a must to join a tour or We are able to tour ourselves?
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Hi Margie,
You will need to have a tour guide for Antelope Canyon. Click here to information on how to book a tour.
Horseshoe Bend is a free hike, you can just park at the trailhead and walk to the viewpoint.December 22, 2015 at 4:36 AM
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From Siji
Hi Ryan
In mid September I am in Las Vegas and free time for 3 days (from Friday 2 pm to Monday 11 am) and am single traveller.
I would like to visit Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon by some tours.
Ideally after visiting antelope Canyon, I want to reach Grand Canyon to see Sun Set and stay over night . Next day morning see Sun Rise and other tourist attractions . return Sunday night or Monday morning by 11 am. Vice versa way covering both place also okay
Is there any tours to cover both places (without coming back to Las Vegas). I don’t want to drive. How much it cost to hire a car to cover this tour.
Any suggestions for cheap accommodation in Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.
your early reply is much appreciated
Thanks
SijiJuly 27, 2017 at 11:08 AM
raquel hurst
how far is skywalk to antelope canyon and the horsebend
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Hi Raquel, The Skywalk at East Grand Canyon is 5 hours and 40 minutes from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Here’s a map with directions.
November 28, 2015 at 5:40 AM
Diana
HI Ryan,
First of all thank you for this wonderful one-day itineirary in Page, AZ. Would like to verify some things regarding doing upper and lower antelope. We are a big family of 9 people, and we’re on a budget, so as much as possible we want to do research first before going and not hire tour guides once we get there on January 3rd. (I believe the antelope and horseshoe bend are open already during this time). We will be driving a private car coming from Grand Canyon South Rim. I was wondering if on Jan. 3 the road to upper antelope is open and can we park there? Is trekking both upper and lower antelope is do-able on our own, without hiring any tour guide? Also how much would permit costs for day-trek? how long does it take to do each leg? Same for horseshoe bend is parking available? Hike do-able on our own? Any permits to pay?
Also, any other suggestion that we can do while in Page for a day, that does not involve so much paying for tour guides, instead spending on local food, things, scenic views?
Thank you!
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Hi Diana,
Unfortunately, it is not possible to go to Antelope Canyon without a tour guide.
If you are interested in doing a great slot canyon with a small budget, I suggest you consider Lower East Waterholes canyon. This is the only part of Waterholes that you can do without a guide, although you will need a backcountry use permit. You can get a permit at Navajo Parks and Rec office, located next to the LeChee Chapter House, which is three miles south of Page, Arizona on Coppermine Rd. (Navajo Route 20). The hike should take you a few hours to a half-day. As with all slot canyons besides Antelope Canyon, you should consider the technical difficulty of the canyon and the ability of your group before doing the hike. You can read the reviews of Waterholes on TripAdvisor.
Also, Waterholes is just a few miles south of Horseshoe Bend at mile post 542 (Horseshoe Bend is 545.)
Horseshoe Bend you can do without a permit or guide, just park and take the 3/4 mile hike. It will be cold during your visit, so dress appropriately. There will be plenty of parking during Jan, and it will take you 1-2 hours.In addition to the ideas listed on the one day itinerary, if you are interested in budget items you should consider adding the Dam Overlook, Lone Rock Beach and the Paria Toadstools.
November 26, 2015 at 6:09 PM
Noor
Hi Ryan,
Hope you are well. Is there any way to cover Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend through a tour bus? Are there any tour companies that might have packages for these 3 spots combined. I’m asking because I don’t have a license, so can’t drive to these locations. Please let me know.
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Great question Noor,
There is no tour bus that starts in Page that does these three attractions.
However, if you are already in town staying at a hotel, most of the Antelope Canyon companies are in the center of town, and easy walking distance from most of the hotels. These companies will drive you to Antelope Canyon.
If you are too far to walk, you should use Buggy Taxi 1 (928) 645-6664. Rates are usually 10-20$ anywhere in town. They will also take you to Horseshoe Bend during the day.
Antelope Point Marina and Wahweap Marina both have shuttles that pick up in town and take you to their location. The schedules change depending on time of year, so best to call the marinas directly to find time and pick up locations. Their websites also list their tour times for Lake Powell.October 29, 2015 at 3:28 AM
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Stop at the local market to get water and snacks for the day. You will want a day pack to carry things in since you will be gone for the entire day.
March 13, 2016 at 8:32 AM
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Hi Ryan, is 0830 tour ok at the antelope canyon, Ken’s Tours, it was the only time that worked for us and other slots were booked, for march 30th, thanks, karen
March 21, 2018 at 4:13 PM
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From Alley Keosheyan
Hi Karen,
Yes, the 8.30 AM tour is perfectly fine. They wouldn’t offer tours at that time if it wasn’t 😉
Have a great trip!
AlleyMarch 22, 2018 at 4:21 PM