Customer Questions

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

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,
Alley

January 17, 2020 at 5:26 PM

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

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

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.
Alley

January 15, 2020 at 6:12 PM

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

Dear Xu,
She would be 12 years old.
Alley

January 14, 2020 at 5:00 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Alley

January 10, 2020 at 9:30 PM

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

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,
Alley

January 07, 2020 at 2:13 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

You are welcome Susan – have a great time!

January 03, 2020 at 8:19 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,
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

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.
Alley

December 03, 2019 at 2:43 PM

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