Customer Questions

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

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.com

Ken’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 PM

Schedule 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 PM

Dixie 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 departs

2020 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 Canyon

Deluxe 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Melinda

February 21, 2020 at 4:10 AM

_________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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 + Tax

2. 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 allowed

3. 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 inclusive

4. 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 person

Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

February 17, 2020 at 5:11 PM

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.
Alley

February 13, 2020 at 4:10 PM

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

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!
Alley

February 12, 2020 at 4:43 PM

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

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

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

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From Lisa

Thank you so very much for your helpful advice! 😊

February 22, 2020 at 2:59 PM

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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
Gokul

March 14, 2022 at 2:32 AM

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you Shannon! Have a wonderful trip,
Alley 🙂

January 22, 2020 at 4:04 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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, 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

It is indeed 🙂

January 20, 2020 at 6:23 PM

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