Customer Questions

Hi Sally,
2020 tour seat inventory was opened only recently. I show that 2020 dates, including the first couple weeks of January, are available for booking.
Sorry for the trouble,
Alley

December 03, 2019 at 3:03 PM

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From Sally

Thanks Alley. I’ve just tried again to book the combo upper and lower tour but the 16 January shows as unavailable. The lower canyon tour on kens website is also unavailable for the first two weeks in January. However the upper tour looks available.
If we have driven from Zion that morning, given winter daylight hours, do you think we would be ok to book a late morning tour of the upper? I will try to add the lower Canyon later if the dates become available.

December 03, 2019 at 7:41 PM

Hi Anne,
So sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry. What with this past weekend being Thanksgiving, and having an out-of-town work obligation over the weekend, I’m in catch up mode, big time!
This is a great question, and to coin a phrase, there’s good news and bad news.
The bad news: photography tours have been discontinued in the main branches of Antelope Canyon, Upper and Lower.
The good news: there are many other slot canyons in Page, AZ, that are just as beautiful and a lot less crowded, which allow for tours to be conducted at a more leisurely pace for photography! For suggestions on which one you might tour, check out “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

December 03, 2019 at 2:59 PM

Good morning Francois, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry. This past weekend was the US Thanksgiving holiday, and I was out of town on a previously arranged work obligation.
Regarding traveling with a 5th wheel, people visit this area with these and other types of trailers all the time, so you should be able to find a place to park your rig without too much fuss. To be on the safe side, though, I would recommend leaving your campsite well in advance of your tour. Most tour companies require that you check in 30-60 minutes prior to your tour’s actual departure. You should allow for 45 minutes to travel from the Wahweap Campground to Page, AZ, if your tour is leaving from there. Allow for ~60-70 minutes to travel to the Antelope Canyon Tribal Park Entrance on US98 if you are taking a tour that departs directly from there, or from Antelope Point Marina.
Please feel free to write in again if you require further clarification.
Good luck, safe travels, and best wishes for a Joyeux Noël!
Alley 🙂

December 03, 2019 at 2:56 PM

Hi Kathy,
We will certainly cross our fingers and toes for you in your quest to hike The Wave! In the very likely event that you are not chosen for a permit, you might start making alternate plans to see other cool places in the area that don’t require a permit, but are still hard enough to get to that a guide service comes highly recommended. White Pocket is one of our favorites! There are several licensed guide services in Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, that cover White Pocket and other scenic areas. We are personally acquainted with Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

December 03, 2019 at 2:50 PM

Hi Rachelle,
Driving at night is strongly discouraged in Northern Arizona due to roads being very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), and the possibility of deer, elk, and other wildlife being present. Sunset occurs at ~6:30 PM at the time of year you’re visiting and it takes approximately 5 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tusayan. Assuming your flight arrives on time, and you don’t experience any complications picking up your rental car, you would indeed be on the road around the time the sun goes down and, again, assuming no complications on the drive, arrive in Tusayan at 11:00-11:30 PM. Not to say that it can’t be done, but IMO a safer plan would be to spend the night in Phoenix and make the drive the following morning. Sunrise occurs at around 7:00 AM.
If you do decide to make the drive up the night of March 14th and begin your sightseeing the following day, it’s best if you were to hit the park entrance before 9:00 AM. Lines at the entrance gate tend to get backed up between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Parking can also be an issue, especially during the peak mid-day visitation hours. If you were to visit Mather Point first, you can no longer park at the overlook, but at the Canyon View Information Plaza directly across the street from it. You could simply leave your vehicle there and use the Village Loop and Hermit’s Rest Shuttles to get around the park. Or, you could concentrate your sightseeing on the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where the majority of overlooks are open to private vehicles. If you are planning to travel to Page, AZ, to visit Antelope Canyon at any point on your vacation, you would have to drive that particular road out of the park anyway, in which case you should save your sightseeing of that section of the Grand Canyon for your travel day to Page. Hope that makes sense 🙂
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 27, 2019 at 3:14 PM

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From Rachelle L

Thanks for your input. What if we spend the night in Flagstaff instead of heading straight to Tusayan on march 14th? That means we arrive in Phoenix area by 4:50 pm then drive to flagstaff for a shorter drive time. Then we leave flagstaff on the 15th early morning and proceed to grand canyon. Check in at Best western tusayan for the night.
March 16 -travel to Page, see horseshoe bend
march 17- see antelope canyon
Will the antelope canyon marina be open by then?
Thanks again

November 27, 2019 at 7:54 PM

Hi Prasanna,
Glad our website helped you plan your trip! Hope all goes well and that you, too, have a Happy Holiday season!
Alley 🙂

November 27, 2019 at 2:58 PM

Hi Judy,
Before you go about hiring a guide to take you to The Wave, first order of business is to get a hiking permit by following the instructions on this page.
As for November weather, right now, Northern Arizona is experiencing varying degrees of snow and winter weather. If you’re looking to visit The Wave next November, you could experience conditions ranging from sunny and brisk to blizzard-like conditions. Of course, it’s too soon to call for next year, but monitor this site for weather conditions in Page, AZ, the nearest gateway community.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 26, 2019 at 4:20 PM

Hey Eddie,
If you go directly to Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours‘ website, you can book the Upper + Lower Combination tour there. Sorry for the trouble.
Alley

November 25, 2019 at 12:34 PM

Dear David,
Lower Antelope Canyon is moderately strenuous, but the stairs do have handrails. We advise watching this Full Video Walkthrough of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing to a tour. Please note that the people in the video are wearing backpacks, but this is no longer allowed.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 23, 2019 at 8:42 PM

Dear Ada,
Friday November 29th weather forecast for Page, AZ, is calling for a chance of rain and a high of 39 degrees (Fahrenheit). Bring jackets, gloves, and possibly an umbrella, but also continue monitoring the weather forecast via the above link as it could change between now and then!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 23, 2019 at 8:39 PM

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From Amber

Hi Alley – I had the same question as Ada. I just wanted to add – do you know if they’re going to let tours through if its raining? I was thinking of buying a ticket at the entrance.
thank you,
Amber

November 26, 2019 at 10:32 PM

Hi Julia,
Seeing as though your BF has not seen the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon, I would definitely prioritize those two attractions as they are considered “icons” of the American Southwest! You have also correctly deduced that hiking in Zion and Bryce may not be ideal given the possibility of winter trail conditions, so what I would suggest is maybe saving Bryce and Zion for another visit during a warmer time of year, and building Sedona, AZ, into your itinerary. It’s a beautiful area with lots of opportunities for hiking in varying degrees of difficulty, and indoor-oriented activities in the event weather puts a kink in any outdoor sightseeing plans.
With 5 days to work with, you could do something like this:
December 30th: Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5 hours), tour Glen Canyon Dam, overnight in Page **optional hike you might take en route, conditions permitting: Paria Rimrock/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail, relatively easy, short but very scenic hike, trailhead located between mile marker 19 & 20 on US89 between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, hike the Beehives Trail aka the “New” Wave to Radio Tower Rock, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ
January 1st: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in multiple scenic viewpoint stops, and the Cameron Trading Post for lunch!), overnight at Grand Canyon Village or Tusayan
January 2nd: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3 hours), stop at Walnut Canyon National Monument in Flagstaff, AZ, if desired, overnight in Sedona
January 3rd: Hiking and sightseeing in Sedona, Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona
January 4th: Drive back to Las Vegas (~4.5 hours), fly home
The feasibility of all this will likely come down to availability for Antelope Canyon tours and Grand Canyon hotels. If necessary, you can also flip-flop this itinerary easily enough.
Hope that helps!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 22, 2019 at 5:23 PM

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your clear, concise and well-phrased inquiry! Let’s get right down to it:
1. The narrowest passages in both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons range from 3-4′ wide. If you are claustrophobic, you might get a sense of both canyons by watching videos on YouTube. There’s even one that gives a quick overview of both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon.
2. Yes, the timeframe from Thanksgiving to December 2nd is busy in the Antelope Canyons, definitely make advance reservations for Page, AZ, hotels and Antelope Canyon tours!
3. The temperature range typically runs from the mid-40’s to low 50’s, but can drop dramatically should a cold front or snowstorm move in. In any case, be ready to dress warmly.
Page, AZ, weather
4. Antelope Canyon tours typically allow some time to take pictures with your cell phone camera, but if you wanted to bring a camera and tripod type set-up, you should book a photography tour, which, we just learned are being discontinued effective January 1st, 2020.
5. Upper Antelope Canyon tours are accessible for most people, including those with mild mobility issues. Lower Antelope Canyon requires a bit more effort in the way of navigating some stairs, ladders, and stepping over a few boulders. If you were referring to whether the passages were too narrow, Lower Antelope Canyon requires descending into a smallish topside opening, but again, most people (even of larger size) are able to manage it.
Hope that answers all your questions adequately! If not, please feel free to write in again.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 22, 2019 at 4:12 PM

Hi Rimi,
Unfortunately I can’t endorse this plan, especially the part where you propose to drive from Las Vegas to the South Rim, then on to Page, AZ, in one day. The main reason I advise against this is because it’s a LOT of driving for one day: it takes ~5 hours to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim — by the way, that is where you should put your stop at Hoover Dam, not coming back from Page — and then another 3.5+ hours to drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ. I know that Google Maps gives the drive from Grand Canyon to Page as being ~2.5 hours, but in reality, it ends up being much longer because it’s a very scenic drive. It would be a shame not to take advantage of all those photo ops because you were racing against the clock to make it to your destination by nightfall.
Another factor working against you at this time of year is daylength: it’s rapidly shortening, and no, it’s not safe to do any driving in this part of the U.S. in the evening. Roads in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very dimly lit, which is a deliberate decision to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky, plus deer and elk are migrating to winter grazing grounds at this time of year, which heightens your risk of an auto accident. So do ANY AND ALL driving during daylight hours. In Arizona and Utah, sunrise occurs shortly after 7:00 AM and sunset takes place at around 5:15 PM.
On November 24th, instead of driving to the South Rim then on to Page, I would advise driving directly to Page, AZ. On November 25th, visit Horseshoe Bend first thing in the morning, take your Antelope Canyon tour as scheduled, then drive on the Grand Canyon South Rim that afternoon. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, Williams, or Flagstaff, then, drive back to Las Vegas on November 26th, with a stop at Hoover Dam on that leg of the drive.
I hope you receive this in time since you are traveling in the next 24 hours!
Good luck and drive safe,
Alley 🙂

November 21, 2019 at 4:51 PM

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From Rimi

Alley, really appreciate your quick response. I made changes to my itinerary as per your suggestions. I have booked a room in South rim on 25th night and on 26th we will visit South Rim early in the morning and start back to Vegas , as we have late the night flight back to Chicago.
I have one question in here, is it possible to put a stop at Hoover Dam when we start from Vegas and take the scenic road 66 and reach Page before it becomes dark.

Thanks in advance.

November 21, 2019 at 6:48 PM

Hi Katherine,
The “official” stance of Antelope Canyon tour operators is that the slot canyon is inaccessible to individuals in wheelchairs, but as they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. I was able to find one account of a wheelchair driver who was able to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, with the right equipment and the help of a friend. The biggest challenge will be the trail through it: it can be deep sand, which may render it impassable to a wheelchair.
My advice would be to read the story referenced in the link above, call the tour companies on the phone, ask that you be transported you to the canyon in a Suburban or other SUV-type vehicle and not a buckboard truck, and, as much as I hate to say it, be prepared to do something else in the event you can’t find a tour company willing to work with you. Since Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Indian Tribal land, ADA compliance is not mandatory for them.
Please let us know how you get on. We would be very interested to learn what ultimately takes place here!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 20, 2019 at 4:24 PM

Hi Heather,
We’ve tried to establish that and the best answser we can get from the tour companies is “soon.” 😛 December is usually when they open seats for the following year, so check back in a couple weeks.
Happy Holidays,
Alley

November 19, 2019 at 4:07 PM

Photographic tours have been cancelled since 2020. All other antelope canyon tours are still available.

November 22, 2019 at 4:03 AM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hey Sean,
We just got that memo ourselves! We will of course be changing this page to reflect the changes.
Alley 🙂

November 22, 2019 at 4:25 PM

Hi Chang,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but you are correct to be concerned about potential difficulty of parking at Horseshoe Bend. The time of year you’re visiting is considered “shoulder season,” but Page, AZ, is fast becoming one of those towns that’s busy year-round. What’s more, sunset is an extremely popular time to visit the overlook. I’d recommend getting an earlier start on the drive out of Grand Canyon, then touring Antelope Canyon that afternoon. Then, hit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise the following morning, then be on yoru way to Bryce.
With a 4- and 5-year-old in tow, Upper Antelope Canyon is the safest bet for touring Antelope Canyon with kids. If you were to bump your tour to 12:00 Noon, that would wrap up sometime around 2:00 PM, but the one drawback to that is that you’d then be facing approximately a 3-hour drive to Bryce. Sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM, and you want to avoid driving after dark in this part of the U.S. due to lack of ambient lighting on area roads and the possible presence of deer, elk, and other wildlife. Another possible hazard is the possibility of snow, seeing as though Bryce is 8,000′ above sea level. Long story short, I’d recommend holding onto that 10:00 AM Antelope Canyon tour so you have adequate time to make it to Bryce by nightfall.
In Zion, there are plenty of easy but scenic hikes that younger kids can do. The Riverside Walk actually takes you to where the Narrows start, which is neat to see even from a distance. The Weeping Rock and Emerald Pools Trails are also worth considering, depending on you and your kids’ fitness levels. Hiking With Kids In Zion If you do decide to take Bryce off the agenda this time around, you might consider spending 2 days in Zion. Trust me, you won’t find any shortage of things to see and do!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 7:38 PM

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From Chang

Thanks and happy holidays to you as well!

November 19, 2019 at 8:38 PM

Hi Josette!
With 6 days, using Sedona, AZ, as your “base of operations,” you can certainly accomplish quite a lot, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend visiting Antelope Canyon as a day trip at the time of year you’re visiting. The drive from Sedona, AZ, to Page, AZ, takes approximately 3 hours each way, driving direct. So that’s 6 hour of your day gone, right off the bat. It then takes 2.5-3.5 hours to tour Lower Antelope, factoring in advance check-in time required, plus the inevitable “bottlenecking” that will occur as the day goes on, seeing as though it’s the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. While in Page, AZ, you should also take the opportunity to visit Horseshoe Bend, which can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on how fast you can find parking, the hike out to the overlook, time to take pictures, then hike back to your car. So that’s another 4-5 hours for sightseeing and maybe lunch. Sunrise in late November occurs at about 7:15 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM in late November, which means you have approximately 10 hour of daylight to work with. As you can hopefully see, a day trip from Sedona do tour Antelope Canyon and see Horseshoe Bend is going to be cutting it fine to get you back to Sedona by nightfall. That’s one drive you don’t want to have to do after dusk because of lack of lighting on local roads and the tendency for deer, elk, and other wildlife to congregate around them, which ratchets up your risk of having an accident. If you’re not locked into your lodging reservations in Sedona, I’d recommend doing the trip to Page, AZ, with an overnight hotel stay. That way, you can take your time and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way!
As for the rest of your time there, the activities you’ve already listed are great. Some other possibilities include, but certainly aren’t limited to shopping at Tlaquepaque, a Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, the Verde Canyon Scenic Railway, Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot, a day trip to Jerome, AZ. Trust me, you won’t have any shortage of fun!
Feel free to write in again if you want to bounce any other ideas off us.
Until then, good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 7:24 PM

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From Josette

Thanks for the tips! Will certainly consider an overnight stay in Page.
😉
Josette

November 27, 2019 at 1:39 PM

Hi Christine and thank you for visiting today!
The time of year you’re visiting is early winter, which has its pros and cons. One factor that kind of falls in the “minus” column is that some activities in Page, AZ, are on seasonal hiatus, which means that a 3-4 night stay in this area would probably be a bit too much. However, you can also interpret that as a bit of good news, because with an extra 2 days to work with, you can visit other attractions, such as the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park.
Hoover Dam is located Southeast of Las Vegas, whereas Valley of Fire State Park (which is absolutely stunning!) is situated Northeast of the city. Therefore, it’s not absolutely necessary to set aside a whole day to visit those areas when, depending on your itinerary, you could hit them between Point A and Point B on one of your travel days. For example, you could do something like this:
December 29-30: Enjoy Las Vegas
December 31st: Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park with stopover in Valley of Fire (~4.5-5 hour drive factoring in VOF detour and depending on traffic in a construction zone in the Virgin River Gorge), overnight in Springdale, UT.
January 1st: 2nd day/night in Zion, hike and explore the many scenic, family-friendly trails in the area
January 2nd: Drive to Page, AZ (~2.5 hours), optional hike en route: Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos; tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
January 3rd: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim, visit Horseshoe Bend on the way, late breakfast/early lunch at the Cameron Trading Post, overnight at the Grand Canyon Drive time here can range from 2.5-4.5 hours due to numerous scenic viewpoints between Desert View Point and Grand Canyon Village
January 4th: Drive back to Las Vegas w/stop at Hoover Dam (~5 hour drive), dinner and overnight in Las Vegas
January 5th: Fly home

If it happens that you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, or you’d prefer to save it for another trip, you might swap that out for a day or two in Sedona, AZ, which wouldn’t make a huge difference in your drive time going back to Las Vegas. It’s a beautiful area with lots to see and do!

It’s good that you’ve taken our advice about driving at night, it can definitely be dangerous, especially at the time of year you’re visiting! Speaking of that, you should be aware that snow is a very real possibility in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah in late December/early January, so be sure to start watching local weather about 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 7:06 PM

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From Christine

This is so great, Alley! Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions.

November 22, 2019 at 4:48 PM

Hi Izzy and thank you for visiting our site!
You are definitely taking a novel approach to your visit by flying into Albuquerque and out of Las Vegas. Like anything else in life, it has both pros and cons, so let’s start with the “cons.”
Right off the bat: your trip plan is rushed. If you can possibly carve out another 2-3 days, that would allow you to take things at a much more leisurely pace, which you wouldn’t regret in the least. But, I understand if plans have already been made and can’t be changed.
That said, going to Santa Fe, NM, that second day is going to make for a big swing out of your way. Although the drive from ABQ to SF is only 1 hour or so, the drive from Santa Fe to Monument Valley the following day is going to really long, in the neighborhood of 6 hours. No, that’s not a typo.

At the time of year you’re visiting, that wouldn’t leave you with much daylight to work with for sightseeing that same afternoon. In late November/early December, sunrise occurs at around 7:20 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM. It can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to travel the Monument Valley Scenic Loop Drive, which, by the way, you shouldn’t attempt in a rental car as it constitutes off-road driving, which could void your insurance policy and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. It is better (and safer) to go with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service. Monument Valley Guided Tours
My strong recommendation would be to take Santa Fe off the table, and instead go to either Gallup, NM, or Window Rock, AZ, that second night. That will reduce your drive time to Monument Valley considerably (to ~3 hours). That route would offer the “added bonus” of being able to pop into Canyon de Chelly National Monument, if desired. Although that might leave you wanting, here again, 1-2 days is better than a quickie “drive-by.”

Another option, if an interest in traditional Southwestern architecture was what attracted you to Santa Fe, would be to drive to Winslow, AZ, on Day 2. That would be ~a 4.5 hour drive from Albuquerque, but would allow you the opportunity to visit the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park, and either tour or stay at the beautiful and historic La Posada Hotel. You could even cap off your evening by “Standin’ On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona” for real! If you take us up on that suggestion, your drive to Monument Valley would again be reduced to just 3-3.5 hours, but wouldn’t take you by Canyon de Chelly at all.

Now, let’s get to day 4: you’re proposing to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ, which takes 2-2.5 hours. A tour of Antelope Canyon will take anywhere from 2.5-3 hours, factoring in advance time required to check in, and the possible “bottlenecking” that might occur as the day goes on and gets busier. Then, you’ll need anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, which includes time to find a place to park. You have to realize that your visit coincides with the Thanksgiving Holiday, so you can expect things to be busy! After doing all that, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. You’re going to be cutting it fine given the short daylength you’re contending with at that time of year, and the drive to Zion is best NOT done in the dark. Roads in the National Parks are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about in large numbers at that time of year as they migrate to warmer climates. However, that is REALLY cool that you’ve scored a room in Zion Lodge. So long story short, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend changing anything, but I would recommend that you get as early a start as possible out of Monument Valley that morning. Do most of your packing the night before, and maybe pick up a snack you can eat in the car instead of eating up the time by stopping to eat breakfast.
On Day 5, you’ll only have time to “scratch the surface” of Zion. It’s a huge and beautiful park that really deserves at least 2-3 days to explore and enjoy fully. Staying at the lodge though gives you the advantage of being close to the trails and so forth. Be aware that the drive to Las Vegas may take longer than you expect: there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could tack an extra 30-60 minutes onto the trip. I would strongly recommend hitting the road no later than 12:00 Noon Utah time, just so you’re assured of getting to your flight on time after contending with Las Vegas traffic, dropping off your rental car, checking in, etc. Keep in mind that Las Vegas is on Pacific Standard Time, which means you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Nevada.

As for the possibility of snow, it’s definitely something to be aware of. Current forecasts are not calling for it, but that could change in the days ahead. Start monitoring local weather now so you can be prepared by packing appropriate clothing. If on the off-chance you do get caught in an active snowstorm, your best option is to stay put, preferably somewhere warm that serves hot chocolate, and modify your plans if needed. Hotels and tour operators are usually quite sympathetic when visitors get delayed or detoured by weather.
We hope you make out OK, and would be very interested to know how you get on!
Until then, good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 6:40 PM

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From Izzy

Thank you so much, what thorough reply! Your tips are very useful, I was already considering skipping Santa Fe, so will definitely consider driving the other routes you suggested.

cheers!

November 19, 2019 at 10:28 PM

Hi Lee!
Unfortunately, the time of year you’re visiting has a very short daylength. Sunrise occurs at around 7:30 AM, sunset takes place at around 5:15 PM. That’s 10 hours of daylight, and a bare minimum of 10 hours of driving required for a day trip to Page, AZ. A tour of Upper Antelope Canyon takes 2-2.5 hours, factoring in advance check in time and the possibility for delays due to the inevitable “bottlenecking” that occurs as the day goes on. You would then need at least 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend. So that’s at least 4 hours of daylight that gets taken up with sightseeing. Although the urban light dome around Phoenix would probably illuminate the latter hour of your drive sufficiently, you’d still end up making a very late night of it, which poses its own set of hazards.
In answer to your other queries, yes, you must make a reservation for an Anelope Canyon tour, and no, the time is not flexible. As for where you’d park, that depends on which tour company you book with: Chief Tsosie’s and Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon tours operate out of offices in downtown Page, AZ; Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours and Navajo Antelope Canyon Tours depart from staging areas located on US98, just Southeast of Page, AZ.
Long story short, at the time of year you’re visiting, I do not recommend attempting to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip. With daylight hours at a premium, you won’t have enought time (or sunshine) to take advantage of the many photo opportunities that will no doubt pique your interest. It would be better, and safer, to stay overnight in Page, AZ, so you can take your time and enjoy the trip. Hopefully you’re not locked into your hotel reservations in Mesa, AZ, so you can do that.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 5:09 PM

Hey Peter,
In February, snow is a very real possibility. Not so much in the area between Las Vegas and Mesquite, NV, but once you get up into the Virgin River Gorge, the terrain rises quite fast, so you could encounter snow between St. George, UT, and Page, AZ. Of course it’s too soon to call, so start monitoring local weather about 2-3 weeks before you travel. That will give you the best idea of what to expect. If at any point in your travels, you do encounter an active snowstorm, your safest plan is to wait it out, and resume your drive when the weather has cleared. Las Vegas weather Page, AZ, weather
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 16, 2019 at 5:42 PM

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From Peter

Thank you, Alley. We really want to avoid the snow at all possible. In February, would we avoid the snow if we drive from Phoenix up to Antelope Canyon? And then, heading back to Las Vegas from Phoenix.

November 17, 2019 at 12:21 AM

Hey Tyler, and congratulations on your upcoming and/or recent nuptials!
First thing that jumps out at me is that the Grand Canyon is not on your itinerary. If you or your wife have never been there, you should prioritize it over anything else in Northern Arizona or Southern Utah. Grand Canyon South Rim is about a 5-hour drive from Las Vegas. You can visit Hoover Dam en route if you wish. It’s definitely most desirable to stay overnight in the Grand Canyon itself, or Tusayan (7 miles outside the park), if Grand Canyon Village is sold out.
If you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon, or plan on saving it for a separate trip, then your plan of doing 2 days each at Zion and Bryce is perfectly fine. However… Page, AZ, would make for a relatively easy stop between the two parks, and one you should strongly consider including so you can tour Antelope Canyon and visit Horseshoe Bend. Since Bryce Canyon is a relatively small park, square mileage-wise, you could scoot by with just staying for one night there and still accomplish a lot. So a revised itinerary could go something like this:
Day 1 – Fly into Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
Day 2 – Drive to Bryce Canyon (~5 hours), sightseeing on scenic rim drive, overnight in Bryce Canyon area
Day 3 – Drive to Page, AZ (~3 hours), maybe hike Paria Rimrocks/Toodstool Hoodoos trail en route, tour Antelope Canyon either that afternoon or following morning, overnight in Page
Day 4 – Drive to Zion National Park, visit Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town, swing down to Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area, stop at Navajo Bridge for possible California Condor sighting, visit Lonely Dell Ranch, have lunch at Cliff Dweller’s Lodge Restaurant, stop at Jacob Lake Inn to grab some home-made cookies at their bakery, overnight in Springdale, UT
Day 5- 2nd day/night in Zion, maybe hike Angel’s Landing or The Narrows (if it’s open), overnight in Springdale
Day 6 – Drive back to Las Vegas (3.5-5 hour drive depending on progress of construction project on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), optional detour through Valley of Fire State Park, fly home

So, all put together, that’s a little shy of 800 miles, but a lot of beautiful scenery!
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you wish to bounce more ideas off us.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 16, 2019 at 5:39 PM

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From Rich Valenti

Alley, your site is very informative, thank you. I was hoping to bounce our itinerary off you and get your thoughts. My wife, kids (ages 14,12,10) and I will be travelling to Vegas for a dance competition in late June / early July 2020. We would like to tour the canyons and national parks of the great South west. As I plan, my thinking was leaving Vegas on July 5 and taking 8-10 days to travel through many of the spots you recommend, including Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Lake Powell, South Rim of the Canyon, Famous route 66, Sedona and flying home from Phoenix (which I believe will get me the best flight options home to Charlotte NC). You mention Monument Valley as another option to visit (I wasn’t originally thinking about that) and that actually would get us closer to the four corners which my 10 year old son has mentioned he would like to visit one day. Perhaps that is a full day trip to hit both spots? What do you think? Would it be better if we wanted to visit Sedona that we loop back to Vegas to fly home from there? While my family likes to hike and explore, we do need some down time throughout our trip as well and was thinking in Lake Powell and Sedona were two spots where we can slow it down a bit and stay 2 nights at each area. Thank you for your time and assistance.

November 16, 2019 at 5:53 PM

Hi Hareesh, I’m doing great, thanks for asking!
Unfortunately, you really don’t have a lot of time to work with, and your vacation is literally right around the corner. I do hope you have hotels reserved, because if you don’t, you may have a rough time finding lodging in the places you wish to visit. The Thanksgiving holiday is a popular time for people to travel.
Assuming your flight arrives in SLC on time, you’re facing a 4.5-hour drive to Zion, and a daylength that’s rapidly shortening. The sun goes down at ~5:30 PM in Zion at this time of year, and you want to avoid doing any driving at night if at all possible. The roads in smaller towns are very dimly lit, quite narrow, and could be populated by deer, elk, and other wildlife. Once you land and collect your rental car, do not waste any time getting on the road. If you stop for lunch, make it quick, maybe opt for a drive-through somewhere (there are plenty to be found on I-15 as you head out of town).
The drive to Bryce is a bit shorter, ~2.5 hours from Zion, and very scenic. The drive from Bryce to Page, AZ, is a bit longer, 3-3.5 hours. A good little hike you might take along the way is the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. Tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page, then hit Horseshoe Bend the following morning en route to the Grand Canyon. Be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post, very interesting place, and they serve good food if you’re hungry by that point. Even though Google maps gives the drive time from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim as 2.5 hours, 3.5-4 hours ends up being a more realistic figure as the drive is very scenic, and there are a lot of photo opportunities that will catch your eye, especially upon entering Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point. There are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the canyon, all with differing perspectives and features, between Desert View and Grand Canyon Village. Overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim, then the next day, you can take a leisurely trip back to Las Vegas since your flight doesn’t depart untl 10 PM. The drive normally takes ~5 hours, but you can easily extend that with a stops in Williams, Seligman, or Kingman, AZ, for their Route 66 connections, and/or Hoover Dam.

As you can see, this itinerary has you packing up and driving to a different place every day, which is less than ideal, so if you are able to carve out an extra day somewhere, that would give you at least a brief window to relax. Zion would be my first choice for where I’d allocate the extra day, seconded by Page.
One more thing: keep an eye on the weather. At the time of year you’re traveling, it will be cooler, and you could even encounter snow, especially in Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon South Rim. Utah weather Page, AZ, weather Grand Canyon weather
Hope you get on OK — let us know how it went!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 16, 2019 at 5:02 PM

Hi Marie,
So assuming that 12/29 and 01/03 will be travel days, that gives you 4 full days to work with. That’s not a heck of a lot of time to work with, considering all there is to see here, but you could still accomplish quite a lot.
12/29 – Fly to Las Vegas, overnight in Las Vegas
12/30 – Drive to Page, AZ, w/detour through Valley of Fire State Park (~6 hour drive), tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page
12/31 – Visit Horseshoe Bend, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), overnight at Grand Canyon
01/01 – Drive to Sedona, AZ (~3 hour drive from South Rim), do Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, overnight in Sedona
01/02 – 2nd day/night in Sedona, possible activities: Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock Trail, Tlaquepaque, wine tasting Things To Do in Sedona
01/03 – Drive to Phoenix (~2.5 hours) or Las Vegas (~5 hours), fly home
Regarding New Year’s Eve, we tend to be a bit more low-key about marking the occasion in Northern Arizona. You won’t see things like fireworks or rowdy parties in the National Parks or surrounding areas. If you prefer your holiday celebration a bit more festive, you might reverse the above itinerary so that you’re someplace like Sedona or Flagstaff on New Year’s Eve. Then hit the Grand Canyon, then Page, AZ.
As for including any of the Utah National Parks, you could drive through Zion National Park between Page and Las Vegas, which would add another 90 minutes or so onto your drive time. If you wanted to include an overnight visit, that would require sacrificing Sedona IMO. Both places warrant at least 2 days to explore and enjoy fully. If you can possibly free up an extra day or two for your vacation, you might swing up to Bryce between Zion and Page. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll find no shortage of photo ops along the way!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 16, 2019 at 3:57 PM

Hi Monique,
Which branch of Antelope Canyon you tour depends on how active you and your children are on a regular basis. Upper Antelope Canyon is an easy 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail that is occasionally sandy. The walking portion of the tour is preceded and concluded by a 2-mile off-road ride from highway US98 to the mouth of the canyon and back. Lower Antelope is longer (~600 yards) and has a few stairs, ladders, and boulders to navigate. Children your kids’ age tour Lower Antelope Canyon without a problem every day, but to determine whether it would be manageable for your family, watch this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon. Note that the people in the video are wearing backpacks, which is no longer allowed.
For more information, visit “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids”
Be sure to reserve your Antelope Canyon tour and all hotels along your route well in advance of your vacation.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 13, 2019 at 4:57 PM

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From Jody

Alley, my husband is 6’8” and large man. We really want see the “waves” of the rocks but aren’t sure which would be easiest for him to navigate through. Do you have any suggestions

November 13, 2019 at 6:40 PM

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From Monique S

Thanks so much Alley – this is helpful. Your site is such a nice resource. We are an active, fit family. The kids can definitely handle the climbing and walking. Which slot canyon would you recommend aside from Antelope Canyon? The tales of large crowds are turning me off. And, all of our hotels are already reserved. We plan to do a slot canyon tour in the afternoon, if that makes a difference. I just hope the weather cooperates 🙂

November 14, 2019 at 3:25 PM

Hi Pearl and thank you for visiting our site!
Service animals are allowed by some Antelope Canyon tour companies, but not others. You are more likely to be able to bring a service animal to Upper Antelope Canyon and not Lower Antelope or Antelope Canyon X. The reason for the prohibition on pets of any type in the latter areas is due to the ruggedness of the terrain, that some animals are not able to handle. Having a service dog accompany your party must be pre-approved by the tour outfitter, in which case, you would be best to conduct all your dealings by phone. The 4 tour companies that manage Upper Antelope Canyon are:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928.645.5594
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928.645.9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928.380.187
Upper Antelope Canyon is 100 yards in length, located above ground, and the walking part of the tour is preceded by a 2-mile off-road ride from highway US98 to the mouth of the canyon. Lower Antelope is ~600 yards long, below ground, and requires navigating a few stairs, ladders, and some simple bouldering. Again, this section of the canyon is off-limits to service animals due to the nature of the terrain. Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon
At the time of year you’re visiting, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is on off-season operational mode. It only goes out on Saturdays, and contingent on a certain number of passengers booking. There might be another way you might see it, however, and that’s to fly over it. Fixed wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers booked. Flights over Rainbow Bridge take approximately 30 minutes and will show you a ton of other beautiful scenery in addition to the bridge!
As for other points of interest you might see, you’re on a pretty short schedule as it is, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about trying to plan every single minute of your day. Some of the best moments on a vacation come about unexpectedly, and the drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ, is very scenic as it is. That said, a couple of additions you might make to your sightseeing plans are the Paria Rimrocks and Toadstool Hoodoos hike, located between Kanab, UT, and Page, AZ, on US89. The Big Water Visitors Center is an interesting stop before you arrive in Page, AZ, and you might also take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, time permitting, after your Antelope Canyon tour.
If you want to stop in Zion National Park on your way back to Las Vegas, it’s easy enough to do, but I warn you: you will be left wanting. Zion is a stunning park, and a big one — you need at least 3-4 days to fully enjoy and explore that area. A quickie “drive-by” will only give you a tiny taste of what’s there. IMO, you should save it for a future trip when you can give it the time it deserves. A better detour to make might be the Valley of Fire State Park. It’s a short distance Northeast of Las Vegas, and has beautiful scenery that can easily be enjoyed from the road, or with a couple of quick stops for some easy but scenic hiking. Be sure to bring water with you.
Also, be sure to reserve an Antelope Canyon tour and a hotel in Page, AZ, if you haven’t done so already.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 13, 2019 at 4:52 PM

Hi Sang,
Two answer your two specific questions,
1. It is OK to drive to the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon in December. Both routes are fully-paved and well-traveled. The only thing that might render either drive unsafe is the occurrence of an active snowstorm. Should that take place during your travels, your safest option is to wait until the weather clears before driving on to your next destionation. Of course, it’s too soon to know what the weather will actually be like, but start monitoring it ~2-3 weeks before your trip. Remember that there is a significant difference in elevation that can and does affect local weather: Grand Canyon South Rim is ~7,000′ above sea level, and Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) is ~4,000′ ASL. Grand Canyon weather Page, AZ, weather Arizona Road Conditions
2. As to whether you rent a mini-van or SUV, that’s up to you. Since both routes are paved, it’s not 100% necessary to have 4WD, but then again, it does come in handy should the roads be wet or icy after a recent storm.
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour, Grand Canyon hotels and Page, AZ lodging, well in advance of your trip. The Christmas holiday is a very busy time of year, and you might find many hotels sold out already!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 13, 2019 at 4:23 PM

Hey Matt,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but if you can possibly arrange an extra day in Page, AZ, I’d highly recommend that so you can take the wonderful Glen Canyon Half-Day Family Float Trip. As the name suggests, the trip does not go through any rapids, but does offer a lot of beautiful scenery and fascinating history!
Also, an extra day for Zion is something you wouldn’t regret, either. There are plenty of good hikes to be had in Zion in varying degrees of difficulty, but the two that tie for the title of “Grand-Daddy of Them All” are Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. Mind you, Angel’s Landing is strenuous, and if you’re afraid of heights, forget it. The Narrows involves walking in water for several miles, so renting a wetsuit, water shoes, and trekking poles is highly recommended. If flash flood danger is elevated, this area may be off limits to you, but that’s too soon to call at this point.
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 11, 2019 at 6:46 PM

Hey Christian,
Wow, thank you for thinking of us for this, but our site is actually privately owned and not affiliated as a company with the Antelope Canyon tour outfitters. I would recommend you try and contact them individually to see if one of them would be interested in collaborating with you on your project.
For Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two companies operating tours to that area. They are:
– Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
– Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
For Upper Antelope Canyon, there are 4 companies you might potentially work with:
– Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
– Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928.645.5594
– Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928.645.9102
– Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928.380.187
You might also consider touching base with some of the companies that operate tours to alternate slot canyons to Antelope, as these are gaining on popularity with the increasing difficulty of getting reservations for the main branches of the canyon:
– Ta’adidi’in Tours/Antelope Canyon X/Cardiac Canyon http://www.antelopecanyon-x.com (928) 660-8890
– Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours and Alstrom Point Tours http://www.horseshoebendtours.com (435) 275-4594
– Ligai Si’Anii Tours/Antelope Valley Canyon Tours http://www.hikingslotcanyons.com (928) 640-2594
– Waterholes Canyon Experience https://waterholecanyonexperience.com/ (928) 660-2031
– Mystical Antelope Canyon Tours https://www.mysticalarrowhead.com/ (928) 640-3852
Hope that helps! Good luck with your project,
Alley 🙂

November 11, 2019 at 6:39 PM

Hi Jacque,
You are right to be concerned about road conditions at the time of year you are visiting. That is wintertime, and any of the areas on your list could have rain, snow, or ice. Or it could just be sunny and brisk. Naturally it’s too soon to call, but start monitoring local weather about 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel. In any case, be prepared to dress warmly, even in a best case scenario with regard to weather.
If for some reason you have to cancel any of your hotel stays because of a road closure or severe weather, the lodging personnel are usually very understanding of those situations and should refund your payment or allow you to reschedule.
Otherwise, your itinerary looks very well paced, with one exception: Zion. It’s a huge and beautiful park that deserves at least 2-3 days time to explore and enjoy. If you possibly can carve out another day to travel, give it to Zion. You won’t regret it!
Be sure to reserve all lodging and Antelope Canyon tours well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 11, 2019 at 5:42 PM

Hi Deepesh!
Your itinerary is perfectly fine, and not too rushed. As for visiting Hoover Dam, you’d probably be better off doing that on day 4, but while in Page, AZ, be sure to stop by the Glen Canyon Dam, which is actually taller than Hoover and is a lot easier to tour.
Be sure to book all Page, AZ, lodging and Antelope Canyon tours in advance of your arrival.
One more thing: I notice the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, you should prioritize it over Antelope Canyon, crazy as that sounds! If for some reason you overlooked it, you could work it in between Las Vegas and Page, or vice versa, depending on where you can find Grand Canyon lodging availability.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 11, 2019 at 5:36 PM

Hey Laura, thanks for visiting, and apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Your trip looks pretty fun, and well-planned. Still, there are a couple of minor adjustments and reality checks I can offer up.
First off, totally sweet that you got a reservation for a mule ride to Phantom Ranch! You’ve scored the “holy grail” of all Grand Canyon tours and you’ll love it. Anything else that happens after that is all gravy. It’s good that you’re staying overnight at the canyon the day you come back from the mule ride too, because you won’t be in any mood to drive anywhere afterwards. All you’ll have the energy to do is find some cocktails and a good dinner and crash. I know, that’s how I felt after taking that trip!
You are correct in that many of your days will involve long drives. That’s kind of how we roll in the American Southwest. Towns and cities are very spread out, and you have to go through a whole lot of nowhere in order to get somewhere. The good news is, though, that these drives are very scenic and you’ll find yourself stopping and taking a lot of pictures.
On your 3rd day, since Red Rock Canyon is so close to Las Vegas (~30 minutes away), you might get a head start on the trip and drive to Williams that night. Your daylength is relatively long at that time of year, with sunrise occurring at about 6:15 AM and sunset taking place at around 7:00 PM. The main priority is not driving in the dark once you leave Las Vegas because roads in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah are very dimly lit, on purpose to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Plus deer, elk, free range cattle, and wild horses like to move about at night, often near the roadside, and you don’t want to get into an accident with one in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty (or flat-out nonexistent), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive.
On Day 5, instead of lodging in Flagstaff, you might as well head back to Williams there, too. Williams is only ~30 minutes from Flagstaff, and that’s one less day you have to pack up and move. Grand Canyon South Rim is then ~1 hour from Williams.
On Day 9, when you leave Grand Canyon for Wupatki/Sunset Crater, be sure to depart the park via the East Rim/Desert View Drive. There are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints along this route, not including the Tusayan Ruins & Museum. Upon exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands. That has its own attractions you might visit, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stand, and the Cameron Trading Post (great place to stop for lunch!). Instead of overnighting in Winona, AZ (there’s not much there), you might drive on to Winslow, AZ, instead. There you can get your picture taken “Standin’ On The Corner” – yes, that corner! – and maybe have breakfast at the Turquoise Room at the La Posada Hotel the next morning. Time permitting, you might even hit Meteor Crater on the way there.

If not, it’s not much of a backtrack from Winslow to the Crater (~30 minutes), then you can get right back on I-40 and make decent time to Petrified Forest and then on to Chinle, AZ. BTW, if you don’t get to do all 3 trails in Petrified Forest, that’s OK. You want to avoid trying to plan every. single. minute. of your vacation; otherwise it becomes a death march rather than a holiday!
On Day 12, where you indicate you’ll “drive to Bluff, CO, for lunch just to spend a little time in Colorado,” first of all, there’s no city in Colorado named Bluff. There is one in Utah, however. There isn’t much in the way of restaurants near 4 Corners anyway, so you may indeed want to go on to Bluff, Utah, for lunch, or just grab a light snack that morning before you leave Chinle, AZ, and eat when you get to The View.

On the drive back to Vegas before you fly home, time and inclination permitting, if you’re up for one more cool place to check off your list, Valley of Fire State Park is a stunning area that’s an easy detour off I-15!

So hope all that helps. Feel free to write in again if we can be of further guidance!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 11, 2019 at 5:31 PM

Hi JCN!
If you are successful in obtaining a spot to hike The Wave via the online lottery, the actual permit will be sent to you in the mail. If you try for a permit via the walk-in lottery, which occurs the day PRIOR to when you wish to hike, you would fill out the necessary paperwork then.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 08, 2019 at 8:06 PM

Hi Ashlinn,
I’d recommend checking with Viator at this point. They have several options available out of different cities, including Las Vegas, such as this VIP package. Tours may only be offered on certain days of the week, and may be contingent on a certain number of people booking.
Viator Antelope Canyon Tours
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

November 07, 2019 at 9:18 PM

Hey Lori,
This is a great question!
Wave permits are issued under the name of the applicant. You are not required to provide the names of your party members at the time you apply for the lottery, so if someone drops out of your group in the interim between the lottery and your actual hike date, you’re welcome to invite whoever you wish to take their place.
Good luck – you’ll need it, as I’m sure you’re aware 😉
Safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 06, 2019 at 6:12 PM

Hi Tony,
All is indeed well, thanks for asking!
To start with, Antelope Canyon tours should be the first reservations you make. As far as when to visit from a photography standpoint, most assert that as close to mid-day as possible is best for lighting in the interior of the canyon, but you won’t get those sunbeams that you see in so many photographs. That timeframe has passed, but honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad time to tour Antelope Canyon. If you wish to visit both Upper and Lower, look into bundling the two tours for optimal convenience in the reservations process.
As for seeing Rainbow Bridge by boat, here again, you may be past the point where that’s possible. You see, many water-based activities in the Page, AZ, area go on seasonal hiatus after October. As of now, the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour only goes out on Saturdays, and contingent on a certain number of people booking, so you may have to cross it off your wish list this time around, or consider seeing it a different way: by flying over it. Fixed-wing airplanes depart from the Page Municipal Airport daily over Rainbow Bridge, Monument Valley, and other scenic landmarks, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers booking, which is usually 2-4. For more information on Rainbow Bridge air tours, which might also be customized to include a flyover of Horseshoe Bend, visit GrandCanyon.com: Over the Rainbow & Lake Powell Air Tour
As for how safe Page, AZ, is at night — or is not, as the case may be — no area of the country is crime-free, unfortunately. Simply take whatever precautions you would at home: be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables such as jewelry and large amounts of cash well-concealed (or better yet, leave them in your hotel safe), avoid walking in dimly lit areas at night (or carry a flashlight or headlamp), and don’t overindulge in alcohol or other intoxicants to the point that you’re oblivious to possible danger. If you prefer not to drive at night, there is a local resident who is offering rides through Lyft, so you might want to download the app. For more information, visit her Facebook page, Page Lake Powell Lyft
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 05, 2019 at 3:53 PM

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From Tony

Thank you for entertaining my questions. I really appreciate as well as the service you are providing to the tourist community.

November 05, 2019 at 11:06 PM

Hi Debbie,
I wouldn’t advise it. Since you assumedly have the same address, you’d probably get found out and forfeit both your applications. Better to just play by the rules, and start making alternate touring plans for the very likely scenario that your application is not chosen in the on-line or walk-in lottery. White Pocket or Sidestep Canyon are beautiful areas with unique rock formations that don’t require a permit, but advise hiring a local guide service with high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate their often-challenging access roads.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 05, 2019 at 3:23 PM

Hi Alicia!
Although December is a good time to visit Northern Arizona, you must realize that many activities, particularly water-based ones, are going to be on seasonal hiatus. Kayak tours definitely fall under that heading; boat tours, while still running, are scaled back in the number of departures, and are usually contingent on a certain number of people booking.
That said, you should still be able to do an Antelope Canyon land-side tour (hiking) plus a waterside boat tour in December. For optimal convenience in the reservation process, consider “bundling” the two activities via AntelopeCanyonNow.com
As for seeing Marble Canyon, the best opportunity to visit that area would probably be as a detour on your way back to Sedona. Get an early start on the day and visit Horseshoe Bend on your way out of town. The drive to the Marble Canyon area takes approximately one hour; while there, visit the Navajo Bridge and look for the California Condors that like to roost in its support beams. The Lees Ferry and Lonely Dell Ranch is a fascinating glimpse into the area’s early Anglo-American history. If you’re hungry, stop at the Cliff Dweller’s Lodge Restaurant for lunch. With a surprisingly sophisticatd menu for such a remote location, this place is one of Northern Arizona’s best kept culinary secrets! From the Marble Canyon/Lees Ferry area, the drive to Sedona will take approximately 3-4 hours.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that you get all driving done during daylight hours, especially the drive to Sedona. The last stretch of the trip through Oak Creek Canyon is very twisty, with some steep drop-offs. You definitely don’t want to tackle that road in the dark, or have a head-on encounter with a deer, elk, or other large animal in an area that’s very dimly lit, where cell service is spotty (or flat-out nonexistent), and a tow truck will be a long time coming, not to mention very expensive. In December, sunrise occurs at approximately 7:30 AM, and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

November 04, 2019 at 4:03 PM

Hey Julie!
Congrats on scoring those reservations for Phantom Ranch, and for 2 nights? SWEET!
As it stands, your itinerary is very well though-out and logical. As for where you go to cap off your trip, I’d recommend Sedona. For one, even though your family sounds very healthy and active, you’re bound to be pretty wiped out from your Grand Canyon hike. One advantage is that you’re doing it at a cooler time of the year; if you were doing it in June, then you’d really be whooped! Still, the hike will take a lot out of you, and being able to just relax and chill for two days afterward is bound to be welcome. Sedona, AZ, is the ideal place to do that! So if you and your spouse want to work out the aches with a massage or other spa services, it’s there. If you are ready for more action in the form of an ATV tour, hiking, or other high-intensity sightseing, it’s there, too. Afterwards, you only have a 2-hour drive back to Phoenix to catch your flight home.
At the time of year you’re visiting, the one thing that may put a kabosh on any plans you make is weather. Late March is in the transitional zone between winter and spring, so, best case scenario, it will be cold, and a snowstorm or two could decide to make an appearance even that late in the year. Snow and ice may be present on the top half of inner Grand Canyon trails, so you may wish to rent or bring instep crampons or other traction devices for safety on your Grand Canyon hike. What the weather will actually shake out like is too soon to call at this point, but start monitoring local weather 2-3 weeks before you get set to travel. You can use the site GrandCanyon.com to monitor Grand Canyon South Rim weather, as well as weather for the Antelope Canyon area.
Another thing: be sure that any and all driving is done during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the country tend to be very dimly lit, which is a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky. Also, deer, elk, free range cattle, and even wild horses like to roam at night, and their wanderings can and do take them near local highways, which ratchets up your risk of an accident. Not something you want to deal with in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell phone service is spotty to non-existent, and a tow truck will be a long time in coming, not to mention really expensive. At the time of year you’re visiting, sunrise occurs at around 6:15 AM, and sunset takes place at about 6:45 PM.
RE: Holiday Inn Express at the South Rim, that’s a decent place to stay, about 20 minutes from Grand Canyon Village. But, staying inside the park is always most desirable for convenience of access to the Kaibab Trailhead Shuttle (which you’ll have to take if you’re planning to hike down the South Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, as most do). Before you commit to the HIX, check hotel availability at Grand Canyon Village through Xanterra South Rim, or Delaware North Corp for Yavapai Lodge. In the likely event you find in-park lodging to be sold out already, you might go ahead and book the Holiday Inn Express, and keep checking back for cancellations in-park. HIX might charge you a fee for cancelling, so that legwork and associated cost might negate the convenience of staying inside the park. That’s, of course, your call to make (or not).
Hope that helps! Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 04, 2019 at 3:46 PM

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From Julie

Thanks SO much for the suggestions! Just a couple more questions – do you think we’ll have time to see both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and still drive to the South Rim in the same day? Or should we choose one tour? And if so which one?

Would you suggest we spend time around the rim of the Grand Canyon in addition to our hike down to the bottom?

And what about the day we’ll have down at the Phantom Ranch – any suggestions of a day hike?

Thanks!!

November 09, 2019 at 10:31 PM

Hi Donna,
2020 seat inventory for Antelope Canyon tours should be made available for booking later this month or early December. Check back then and you should be able to book your preferred Antelope Canyon tour.
Safe travels and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 03, 2019 at 10:02 PM

Hi Marie, and thank you for visiting us.
Assuming that December 29th and January 3rd are going to be travel days, that gives you 4 full days to work with on this trip. That should be plenty of time to enjoy both the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. You might even be able to work Sedona into the plan, if they still have availability at area hotels. I’d recommend saving the Utah parks for another trip. For the Utah Mighty 5, a week to ten days, or more is recommended. Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More: 14 Day Itinerary in the Grand Circle
Regarding New Year’s Eve, you’ll most likely be in either the Grand Canyon or Page, AZ. Neither place will feature fireworks or anything of that nature, but a few of the hotels in Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan/GC Village South typically have some memorable, if slightly low-key New Year’s Eve celebrations. Ditto for Page, AZ. State 48 Tavern had a good NYE party last year from what I heard. No concrete plans have been made according to a cursory Google search, but honestly, I wouldn’t sweat it. Being out in nature’s fireworks IMO beats any man-made pyrotechnics hands down!
As you’ve correctly deduced, Grand Canyon hotels and Antelope Canyon tour availability will be the key drivers of how you plan your itinerary. Which area you hit first is a six-of-one/half-a-dozen of another proposition in terms of driving distance to where you fly out of. Whether you stay at the Grand Canyon or Page, AZ, it will be approximately a 5-hour drive to Las Vegas or Phoenix. Another option, if you really want to include Sedona in your plans, is to plan something like this:
December 29th: Fly into Las Vegas
December 30th: Drive to Page, AZ (~5 hour drive, maybe slightly longer depending on traffic in Virgin River Gorge construction zone), tour Antelope Canyon that afternoon, overnight in Page
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend in the morning, drive to Grand Canyon South Rim (~3.5-4 hour drive factoring in stops in Navajo Reservation and along Grand Canyon’s East Rim Drive), overnight at Grand Canyon
January 1st: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Sedona (~3-hour drive), overnight in Sedona
January 2nd: Take Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, 2nd night in Sedona
January 3rd: Drive from Sedona to Phoenix (~2.5 hour drive), fly home

Again, whether you hit the Grand Canyon first or Page first will depend on when/where you find hotel and tour availability. If Page, AZ, ends up being first on your itinerary, push comes to shove, you could visit Zion National Park as a “drive-by” between LAS and Page, which will tack another 90 minutes or so onto your trip. The downside to that is it will leave you wanting – Zion is a huge and beautiful park that really deserves 3 days minimum of your time! My recommendation: take the detour through the Valley of Fire State Park, a short distance Northeast of Las Vegas. Whether you hit Grand Canyon or Page first, the drive to Sedona would be ~3 hours. Whether you fly out of Phoenix or Las Vegas, I recommend putting Sedona last on the itinerary, as that area is highly conducive to just chilling out, which is a nice way to end a vacation! Phoenix would be closer airport to fly out of from there, but if need be, you could fly out of Las Vegas just as easily. The drive from Sedona to LAS would be longer, ~4.5 hours.

Sorry I’ve written this in kind of a “stream-of-consciousness” fashion. Hope it makes sense, and most importantly, that it helps!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

November 01, 2019 at 1:22 PM

Hi Belz!
November weather is typically cold, with occasional rain and snow occurring. Plan to bring jackets, gloves, etc, but dress in layers whilst out sightseeing that you can easily remove and stash in a backpack or duffel bag as you acclimate to the temperature. Start monitoring local weather about 2 weeks before you get ready to travel to know best what to expect. East Canyon Weather
Be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 31, 2019 at 2:04 PM

Hi Yadira,
If your mom has a knee injury, she might want to take a pass on Lower Antelope Canyon, but if she is severely claustrophobic, Upper Antelope Canyon may be a challenge as well! To judge for yourself, I’d recommend watching one of the many videos on YouTube that show what it’s like to walk through Antelope Canyon. We also feature a Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk Through Video you might want to watch.
If you decide to rule out the walking tours of Upper or Lower Antelope, a way for your mom to tick this item off her to-do list without undue pain or anxiety would be to take a boat tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell. On this tour, the canyon walls are wider, but gradually narrow as the lake gives way to the shoreline, and no walking is required. Antelope Point Marina, where the tour departs from, has staff on-site that can transport you from the parking area down the hill to the tour boat dock.
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 3:59 PM

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From Jeslin Lee

Hi Alley,
I happened to chance upon this website while i’m planning my trip to Las Vegas with my family and friends. Not sure if this comments go to you. There is so much good information here, thank you. Now for our trip, we would like to visit as many places as possible in Vegas with our limited 3.5 day and would definitely looking forward to your your advise on a one day tour to Grand Canyon. We will be staying at Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village and this is our first Vegas trip after 24 years! This time with our children and friends. We would like to do a day trip to Grand Canyon, is it advisable for us to drive or take the one day tour? If time permits, we would like to visit Lower and upper antelope as well as horseshoe bend. Do you think it’s possible or we are too ambitious? How do i book the day tour if we drive? or if we take a day tour, will the coach pick us up at our hotel? I google the distance from our hotel to Canyon is about 4hrs drive. Looking forward to your advise and thank you so much for your time and advise in advance,

Best Regards, Jeslin

November 03, 2019 at 9:09 AM

Hi Alley! Hope all is well. I’ve been reading your posts this morning – so much helpful information! I am traveling with my husband and 6 year old over the New Years holiday (we just booked!), and hoping to get some advice from you so we plan our time appropriately.

Dec 27 – Land in Phoenix (noon)
Dec 3 – Depart Vegas (evening)

Points of interest: Sedona, Grand Canyon (South Rim?), Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Zion, & Bryce. Not sure seeing all are doable with the time we have. Perhaps we eliminate Bryce, as the weather may not be ideal for that particular drive? Monument was a consideration, but looks to be too far out of the way. Open to your suggestions!

Considerations: Looking for kid-friendly/reasonably accessible sites. My son can handle 4 miles round trip max hikes. Also, worth mentioning, I’ve been to Sedona, so I can live with shortening time there I suppose (though my husband has not been).

How would you plan this itinerary? Are there particular hikes you recommend in Zion (or Bryce), etc. if those destinations stay on the list? What towns would you stay over night in? Assuming Page for AC/HB, but not sure about best Grand Canyon lodging, etc.

Lastly, I started looking at booking Antelope Canyon tours, but when I clicked on dates late in Dec linking from your site, I was getting errors – and dates for Jan were greyed out. Note sure if this means they are not available?

I think we are considering eliminating Zion as well, and saving Zion + Bryce for another trip. Perhaps we will instead see Petrified Forest/Meteor east of Flagstaff instead? Interested in hearing your thoughts, as I am still so unsure!

Thanks,
Lauren

November 19, 2019 at 2:07 PM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hi Lauren,
The time of year you’re visiting is definitely winter, so there’s certainly no sin in taking Zion and Bryce off the agenda this time around. Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater are located at lower altitude, so you would be less likely to encounter snow in those areas, more likely a little rain and wind, worst case scenario.
Flying into Phoenix and out Las Vegas, a 6-day vacation could be planned like this:
December 27th: Land in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
December 28th: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, maybe some light hiking, 2nd night in Sedona
December 29th: Drive from Sedona, AZ, to Meteor Crater (~90 minute drive), Petrified Forest/Painted Desert (~90 minutes from Meteor Crater), overnight in Winslow, AZ (~1 hour from Petrified Forest – whether you stay there or not, be sure to check out the La Posada Hotel!)
December 30th: Drive from Winslow, AZ, to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive), lunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight in Page, AZ
December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
January 1st: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~2.5-3 hour drive), optional detour to Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon to visit Lonely Dell Ranch will add another 90 minutes-2 hours to the trip, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
January 2nd: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim, tour Grand Canyon Village Historic District, visit overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive (that time of year you can drive out there in your own car)
January 3rd: Drive to Las Vegas (~5 hour drive), optional stop at Hoover Dam, fly home

As for booking 2020 Antelope Canyon tours, seat inventory should be opened up by mid-December.
Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce any other ideas off us!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

November 19, 2019 at 8:04 PM

Hi Dave and thank you for visiting us!
Your itinerary looks very well-planned, and it’s probably a good call crossing Calf Creek Falls off the list. Not that it isn’t beautiful; it is, amazingly so, but as you can see, it’s a pretty big commitment, distance and time-wise. Plus it’s cold at the time of year you’re visiting, which is not a nice time to visit a gorgeous waterfall but not take a dip. Better to save it for another trip, perhaps a Utah Mighty 5 loop next October? 😉 The only way to make it work this time around would be to drop a day somewhere, IMO the best place to trim down would be Las Vegas or Phoenix.
If you decide against that, yet still want to go somewhere good for landscape photography that’s a bit “off the beaten path” but not such a big schlep out of your way, you might consider visiting Alstrom Point. This is a stunning spot, with a panoramic view of Lake Powell that only a small percentage of visitors get to experience! Fair warning, the road there can be rough, so if you’re in a rental car, you should go with a guide service. For more information on both self-drive and guided touring, visit our companion site, www.AlstromPoint.com Another good spot is White Pocket, in the Vermilion Cliffs/Paria Canyon Wilderness Area. Although a tour is not required to access this area, it’s still recommended since the access road is quite challenging, and easy for inexperienced drivers to get stuck on. Licensed tour guides have vehicles with the appropriate clearance and suspension systems to get you there, and back in one piece. There are several licensed tour companies in both Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, that go to this and other beautiful areas, but one I’m personally acquainted with is Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself — I notice that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your itinerary. Have you already been there? If not, you must prioritize this park over everything else. You can easily hit it between Sedona and Page, AZ, but you should spend at least 1 night for maximum enjoyment. For more information on accommodations, visit GrandCanyon.com South Rim Hotels
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 3:52 PM

Hi David and thank you for visiting us!
This is a really excellent question; unfortunately, you may not find my answer to be so, but here goes…
The area around the Antelope Canyons is RV friendly — most of the time, anyway. If you have no experience with RV’s, I would not recommend November as the time to take your “maiden voyage.” Although you can rent an RV any time of year from most outlets like Cruise America, November is considered early winter in areas such as the Grand Canyon and even Page, AZ. As a result, you may have to drive a winterized RV, which means your water lines might be unusable. Another consideration, the RV itself notwithstanding, is that RV parks may be on seasonal closure, or may scale back on amenities. In November, with nighttime lows already dipping down into the 20’s, you definitely want to have access to reliable heat.
Long story short, I’d recommend springing for hotels or motels on this vacation for your family’s comfort. Page, AZ, Hotels If you decide to postpone this trip for the warmer months of the year, you’ll find several RV parks and campgrounds in the Page, AZ, area.
If you go ahead with your visit as planned, whether you stay in a motel or RV, you’ll need to consider your Antelope Canyon touring options with a 5-year-old in tow. Lower Antelope Canyon is ~600m long and requires navigating a few ladders and staircases, as well as climbing over some small boulders. Upper is more straightforward: a 100 yard out-and-back walk on a mostly flat trail, that occasionally has some deep sand. The most exciting part of that trip is the 2-mile 4WD ride from the highway to the mouth of the canyon. To judge for yourself whether you’d be able to manage Lower Antelope Canyon, I recommend watching this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Note that the people in the video are carrying backpacks, but this is no longer allowed.
As for when to schedule your tour, mid-day is generally regarded as the best time of day light-wise, but honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad time to go. Book a tour whenever you an find available space.
One thing I do notice is that the Grand Canyon is conspicuously absent from your “wish list.” Have you already been there? If not, I’d recommend prioritizing it over everything else, even Antelope Canyon, as much as I hate to say it. For help with planning a Grand Canyon vacation, including hotels, tours, and itineraries, an excellent site is GrandCanyon.com
Feel free to write in again if we can be of further assistance!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 3:36 PM

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From David

Thank you so much Alley! That was really helpful!

This is the first time I see as patient and responsive guides as you are. Most of the guys just say “see our previous comments”. So, keep it up! Keep on helping the tourists with your precious tips.

November 03, 2019 at 10:31 PM

Hi again, Dorit!
Wow, this is some itinerary. You have obviously spent a lot of time planning it, with the help of experts here and elsewhere (as you know, I’ve responded to some of your queries on Facebook 😉
To begin with, the time of year you’re visiting is going to be busy. You absolutely must book all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Trying to “wing it” (travel without reservations, booking hotels as you go) is a recipe for a ruined vacation in this part of the U.S. where some areas don’t have much lodging to begin with, and cities and towns are few and far between. Some attractions, such as Antelope Canyon, are very popular and also book up several months or weeks in advance. Antelope Canyon tour inventory typically opens up in November or December, so start checking availability at least by the Christmas holiday.
Otherwise, this is quite an impressive plan, but still, there are some points on your “wish list” that require a bit of a reality check. Starting with Grand/Chocolate Falls: I’m assuming that you’re going to be in a rental car on this vacation. If that is correct, one thing you need to know is that rental car outlets forbid driving on unpaved roads. Doing so could void your insurance and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. Also, May tends to be “past peak” for water flow from snow melt, so even if you did defy your rental car contract rules to go to Grand Falls, you might not see much water in it. Long story short, I’d recommend taking this place off the list. Instead, give that 3rd day to Sedona. Believe me, you won’t regret that! There is plenty to see and do in this stunning area.
Your itinerary, as it stands, also involves a bit of backtracking (driving the same route more than once) in some areas, which would not be an efficient use of your time. For example, on days 4-8, you’re swinging all the way out to Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly (yes, it is worth it!), Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon, then back to Grand Canyon South Rim, then up to Monument Valley (definitely worthwhile!). It would make more sense to hit Monument Valley after Canyon de Chelly, then Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon (with a hotel stay in Tuba City, AZ), then Grand Canyon South Rim, then Page, AZ (see map).

Regarding this section of your trip, there’s not much in the way of lodging in Monument Valley (Kayenta, AZ), Canyon de Chelly (Chinle, AZ), or Ha Ho Ne Gah/Blue/Coal Mine Canyon (Tuba City, AZ) areas. You might have to get a bit “creative” here and perhaps base yourself in one town, such as Tuba City or Kayenta, and make day trips to the areas you wish to visit. Another important fact: these areas are on Native American Tribal Lands (Navajo and Hopi), and as such, the possession, transport, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. As for whether you can/should tour Ha Ho Ne Gah, Blue, and Coal Mine Canyon, they are located relatively close to one another, so it would stand to reason that you could, but then again, I have not yet had the pleasure of exploring this area. Furthermore, a Hopi Indian guide is required to visit; for the rimside of Coal Mine Canyon, you also must have a Navajo Nation hiking permit to enter that area. Yes, it’s complicated. My advice would be to contact one of the Hopi Tribe authorized guide services and see what they are capable of arranging. These lovely people have called this area home for hundreds of years and even if you end up striking one or more of those locations off your list, they will take you to areas that are just as beautiful and memorable!
When you visit Page, AZ, prioritize touring one of the main branches of Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, or X) on foot. That’s where the “iconic” Antelope Canyon scenery can be found. Time/inclination permitting, you can then tour the waterside of Antelope Canyon by boat. For optimal convenience in the reservations process, consider “bundling” one of the Antelope Canyon land-side (walking) tours with a boat tour. Horseshoe Bend can be visited either on your way into town from Grand Canyon South Rim (parking permitting) or just after sunrise on your 2nd day there. At the time of year you’re visiting, I recommend spending at least 2 days in Page, AZ, so you can also do the wonderful Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. The so-called “Page Badlands,” also known as “The Moon” are actually located near the town of Big Water, Utah, so if you wish to see that area, you can do so on the drive between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Whilst there, also check out the Big Water Visitor Center for its award-winning dinosaur displays, and maybe hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail.
As for whether 4-5 days in Kanab is too much, that’s quite subjective. Goodness knows, you can find a lot to see and do in that area. Sidestep Canyon is a beautiful area, and Kanab is a good place to stay to see that. I do happen to know an excellent guide service for that area, Paria Outpost & Outfitters. They are one of several authorized guide services that cover Sidestep Canyon, but I happen to know the owners of that company personally. Tell them “Alley says ‘hi'” 😉
In my opinion, you should drop at least 1 of those days in Kanab, and give it to Zion. 2 days is most definitely good, 3 or 4 is even better! Use at one of those days to hike The Narrows, May is a good time for it. For Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah is actually a more practical place to stay as that is the central hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, which is mandatory to use if you’re not staying at the Zion Lodge, which books out over a year in advance.
For Utah Scenic Byway 12, two days is a good time frame to allot for this incredibly beautiful drive. If you wish to drive the Burr Trail, you can do it in your own vehicle, but I’d recommend sticking to the paved parts. It’s probably best if you stay off the Hole-in-the-Rock road, though, because it’s unpaved. Instead, take a guided tour from the town of Escalante, Utah, which would make a good place to stay to break up the drive between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.
Towards the end of your trip, where you indicate “flying to San Francisco” after visiting Moab, Utah, have you considered where you’d actually fly from? There is a small commuter airport in the town of Moab, Utah, but if I remember correctly, flights are only available to Denver, CO, which would take you quite a long distance out of your way. You’d probably be best off driving to Salt Lake City, ~3 hours from Moab, UT, and flying out of there.

As for placed I’d add or drop, I wouldn’t change a thing except for the areas I’ve specifically indicated. People visiting this post in the future are bound to be extremely jealous of you for having the time and the resources to take such an extensive trip through the American Southwest! Let us know if you discover anything we’ve left off the list — it can and does happen — and feel free to contact us again if we an be of further guidance.
Best wishes, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 2:42 PM

Hi Jennifer,
A trip to Page, AZ, would make for an excellent family Cub Scout camping adventure! There’s a lot to see and do here, as you’ve probably already seen.
As for the better time of year to go, April tends to offer more stable weather than March. March is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring and is notorious for having a late season snowstorm blow through. It can happen in April as well, but statistically, April (especially the latter half of the month) offers daytime highs that are pleasant (60’s-70’s), and brisk nighttime lows (40’s). The water temperature in Lake Powell is also a bit on the cool side at that time of year (~55-60 degrees F), but the scouts probably won’t be able to resist taking a dip.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 1:26 PM

Hi Sarit, and thank you for your compliments!
I wish I knew where else you were planning to visit on your trip, as that would help me advise you better. Still, if you have sufficient time, Page, AZ, should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Ideally, you should have the ability to set aside at least one day and one night to experience it, instead of doing it as a “drive-by” between the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas or a quickie day trip from Phoenix or Las Vegas.
As for your query re: other slot canyons to visit, Antelope Canyon X is part of the Antelope Creek drainage system, and does bear some resemblance to Lower Antelope Canyon. Therefore, I do think it would be slightly redundant for you to do that slot canyon in addition to Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. The alternate slot canyon that I’m partial to is Cathedral Slot Canyon (not to be confused with Cathedral Wash). In addition to “iconic” slot canyon scenery, it has some geological features that are unique to it and no other Page, AZ, slot canyon! For more information visit Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours: Cathedral Canyon
As to whether you should worry about the weather, I’ll put it this way: “White Christmases” are common in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Of course, it’s too soon to call at this point, but I’d recommend monitoring the weather about 2 weeks before you get set to travel. That will give you the clearest idea of what to expect. In any case, it will be cold, so jackets, gloves, etc. should be packed, and layers worn when out and about sightseeing. Carry a backpack or duffel bag that you can easily stash unneeded clothing in as the day goes on and the body adjusts to the temperature.
Feel free to write in again if we an be of further guidance!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 1:19 PM

Hi Heidi, and thank you for your compliments!
Given your flight dates, you have approximately 2.5 days to work with on this trip. Assuming that you’re not wanting to spend one of those days in Mesa, here’s what I’d recommend:
Thursday 1/2/20: Arrive in Mesa, overnight in that area
Friday 1/3/20: Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim via Sedona, AZ (~2 hour drive from Mesa, then 3 hour drive to Grand Canyon, ~6-6.5 hour total drive factoring in stops ), have lunch in Sedona, overnight at Grand Canyon
Saturday 1/4/20: Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive, factoring in stops), stopping at Grand Canyon viewpoints between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, then other points of interest as desired upon exiting the park, lunch at Cameron Trading Post, tour Antelope Canyon in the afternoon, overnight in Page, AZ
Sunday 1/5/20: Visit Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon Dam, spend 2nd night in Page, AZ, or drive back to Mesa (~5 hour drive)
Monday 1/6/20: fly home
The feasibility of the above itinerary will depend on two key factors: availability (or lack thereof) of Grand Canyon hotels, and availability (or lack thereof) of Antelope Canyon tours. If needed, you can flip-flop the above itinerary, hitting Page, AZ, first, then the Grand Canyon. You might also consider saving Sedona, AZ, for another trip when you can spend more time there. It’s a stunning area with lots to see and do, and you really need 3-4 days minimum to do it justice rather than a quickie drive-by. You are visiting just after the New Year’s holiday which is a relatively busy time, too, so be sure to make all lodging and guided tour reservations ASAP.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the time of year you’re visiting is winter, so be prepared for anything weather-wise, up to and including snow. In the event any local roads are closed due to weather, your best bet is to just stay put and go with the flow. This may necessitate cancelling some plans, but hotels and tour companies tend to be very understanding of those situations and should give you a refund, if it comes to that.
Another important consideration: daylength. At that time of year, it’s short, with sunrise occurring at approximately 7:30 AM and sunset taking place at around 5:30 PM. Be sure to get any and all driving done during daylight hours. Roads in this part of the U.S. don’t have much in the way of supplemental lighting, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about after dusk, which hikes up your risk of having an accident. Definitely not a good vacation memory!
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂

October 29, 2019 at 1:11 PM