Customer Questions

Hi Kapper,
Hello and thanks so much for your wonderful compliments, and kudos for planning your vacation well in advance!
Boy, narrowing things down to 3 “must-dos” is difficult on this itinerary. If pressed through, I’d have to say, in no particular order:
1. Grand Canyon helicopter tour
2. Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend (Page, AZ) — I know that’s technically two, but they’re really close together 😉
3. Hike a little ways into The Narrows at Zion National Park. If you’re not real big into hiking, there are all kinds of easy, pretty walks you can do. Easy Hikes in Zion
As for cost, I really can’t make any kind of prediction there since prices tend to be subject to change without notice around here, especially during peak season, which is when you’re traveling. Gas prices can be all over the place, and lodging prices tend to be at their peak at that time of year. If you’re concerned about saving money, what I’d recommend you do is reschedule your trip for November or December. This is when things cool off significantly, in more ways than one, and discounts on hotels and other services are more readily available.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 04, 2018 at 3:48 PM

Hi Gabriela,
It is absolutely worth visiting Antelope Canyon in November, light beams or no light beams! Regarding which branch you should visit, that’s entirely up to you. If you or any member of your party has mobility issues, then Upper would be the place to go. If you’re OK climbing a few ladders and stepping over a few small boulders, then you’ll be fine in Lower. It is not necessary to tour both branches of the canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ.
Be aware that damage to a section of US89 near Cameron, AZ occurred just last night, resulting in a section of the road being closed. This may affect your plans if you’re traveling between Grand Canyon South Rim, Flagstaff, Sedona or Phoenix and Page, AZ. If this is still a problem when you visit, you’ll need to allow for extra time to get from one place to another.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 04, 2018 at 3:38 PM

Hi Elaine,
There is no one company that offers tours to both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, and both require a Navajo-authorized tour guide to enter. You cannot go to any branch of Antelope Canyon on your own, including the “alternate” slot canyons such as Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep Canyon, Ram’s Head or Wind Pebble Canyon.
That said, it is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you’re physically up for doing Lower, I’d recommend sticking with that, and using your extra time to enjoy other attractions in the area, including, but not limited to:
– Antelope Point Marina
– John Wesley Powell Museum
– Horseshoe Bend
– Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitors Center
– Hike to the Chains or the “New” Wave
– Navajo Village Heritage Center
– Lake Powell Boat Tours
– Glen Canyon Float Trip
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

October 04, 2018 at 12:51 PM

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

October 01, 2018 at 8:02 PM

Hey Krystal,
Yes, believe it or not, you will need to apply for a permit for the baby. 1 permit per ‘body’ is the rule.
Before you commit to this, however, you should consider carefully whether this will be a safe activity for your little one, especially at that time of year. February is smack-dab in the middle of winter. Best case scenario, it will be clear, but cold; worst case scenario, you could encounter a blinding snowstorm. Not exactly ideal conditions for a 6-mile hike with a 10 month old in tow. Not to say it hasn’t been done, of course, but be sure you go into this “eyes wide open.”
For more tips on hiking to The Wave, and alternate activities to consider in the very likely event you are not selected in the lottery, visit our sister site www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 01, 2018 at 6:45 PM

Hi Sandi!
If at all possible, you should do this trip as a self-drive. Bus tours, as you’ve seen, are available, but you’ll always be at the mercy of their scheduling and time constraints. There will be very few opportunities for you to “call the shots” and stop to see sites and attractions that pique your individual curiosity. Yes, long drives are a fact of life in this part of the U.S., and hotels will be rather pricey at the time of year you’re traveling, but driving yourself will give you the freedom and flexibility to explore and discover at your pace, and on your terms.
If saving money on hotels is a priority (which I totally don’t blame you for!), you might consider scooting your visit to November or even December. Though cooler temperatures and the possibility of rain or snow have to be kept in mind, you can also enjoy the benefits of fewer crowds, and more competitive prices on lodging.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 01, 2018 at 3:05 PM

Hi Christy,
Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, therefore a tribe-authorized guide service is required to tour it.
As for which branch of the canyon to tour, if all of you are in relatively good health, try and do Lower Antelope Canyon. It would probably appeal most to your boys as it requires climbing some ladders and easy bouldering. Upper Antelope is an easy 100 yard, flat walk. Whichever you decide, be sure to book your Antelope Canyon tour reservations well in advance of your arrival. 2019 dates are already selling out, believe it or not.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 01, 2018 at 3:01 PM

Hi Joyce,
You can drive to Page, AZ, the gateway town for Antelope Canyon, but you must visit Antelope Canyon by guided tour, which must be booked in advance.
Best wishes for safe travels,
Alley 🙂

October 01, 2018 at 2:43 PM

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From Greg

Hi Alley, your website and advice looks great and was wondering if you could help with advice/suggestions for upcoming holiday.

We are travelling form Australia and planning on being in LV for 4 days and were planning adding 2 days for GC south Rim and Zion.

Day 1 LV to Hoover Dam (1 hour) travel to GC Village along route No 64 taking in the viewing points along the way, then travelling to Page Az for overnight.

Day 2 Travel to Carmel Junction Route No 9 into Zion taking in view points, then onto Springdale for afternoon shuttle bus to Zion floor. Then travel back to Las Vegas.

My concern is being in Page and missing out (may never be back) like Antelope Canyon and Horsehoe bend, should we take a extra day in page for these in your opinion.

Is route 64/89A a good option for around November 25th timeframe.

Greatly appreciate any advice/suggestions.

Regards
Greg

October 05, 2018 at 4:59 AM

Must be on a tour
Can not take your own vehicle
It’s protectedland and on a reservation. Must follow the nations rules.

November 17, 2018 at 3:26 AM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Brandy,
Couldn’t have said it better!
Alley 🙂

November 17, 2018 at 4:41 PM

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

September 27, 2018 at 3:58 PM

Hi Tatyana,
Unfortunately, there are no tours from Page, AZ that include both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but really, that’s not such a big deal.
Before booking an Antelope Canyon tour, you need to decide whether you wish to tour Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. In a nutshell, Upper is easy, 100 yards walk. Lower is longer (~600 yards), requires climbing a few ladders and navigating some boulders. Whichever you decide, advance reservations are required. How To Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend can be toured at your leisure and/or convenience, using your own vehicle. If that does not appeal, or you encounter parking problems, you might consider a shuttle from Page, AZ offered by Horseshoe Bend Tours.
Good luck and have fun,
Alley 🙂

September 27, 2018 at 3:44 PM

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From Debbie Ray

We are taking a 8 day trip to Utah flying into Salt Lake City. We plan to spend 3 nights in Moah enjoying Arches/Canyonlands. Then two nights in Bryce seeing Capital Reef on the way to Bryce. Next we decided to drop down and see Horseshoe Bend , Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. Here is where I need help?? Coming from Bryce should we try to see Horseshoe Bend first before Antelope Canyon. We have a tour starting at 3:30 of Upper Canyon. What about boat tour on Lake Powell? Enough time and how cold? We will spend one night in Page. (April 28). Need directions on how to see all three interest points the most efficient!!!How long is the drive from Bryce ? We will end our trip in Zion for two nights and drive back to SLC for late flight home. Do you think our plans seem doable for this beautiful area.?

April 13, 2019 at 1:17 PM

Hi Irene,
The roads between St. George, UT and Page, AZ are fine ~95% of the time in April. However, that time of year is quite notorious for that one last snowstorm of the season moving through, so be sure to monitor weather conditions in Page, AZ and the surrounding area a couple of weeks before you plan to travel.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:55 PM

Hi Olivia,
Honestly, I don’t know as I’d recommend taking an infant that age into Lower Antelope Canyon. Carrying him/her on your chest would make it difficult to navigate the ladders; carrying them in a backpack carrier might run the risk of the baby bumping their head, and we wouldn’t want to see that happen!
I’d recommend touring Upper Antelope Canyon this time around, and maybe planning a visit to Lower Antelope Canyon when your little one is older and walking.
Hope that helps,
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:52 PM

Hi Becca and thank you for visiting our site, and planning your vacation well in advance!
Yes, this thread is still quite valid, and busy! Unfortunately, I’m going to have to start out with a bit of bad news: unless you can a. modify your trip plans for a 10-14 day holiday, or b. reduce your time in Las Vegas, I’d recommend dropping Sedona from your wish list. Why on Earth would I do that? Because Sedona, AZ is an amazing place with lots to see and do. You really need 3 days minimum in order to do it justice. Otherwise, you’ll be kicking yourself… or planning another vacation, one of the two LOL
If you really want to finish your Arizona vacation with 3 days downtime in Las Vegas, you’ll also need to do further “trimming” of your itinerary.
With 4 days to spend exploring Northern Arizona, you could manage:
1 night – Grand Canyon South Rim
1 night – Monument Valley
1 night – Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend)
1 night – Zion National Park (lodging in Springdale, UT)
Of course, that is only a suggested order in which to tour the main attractions in this area using Las Vegas as a staging city. You could also reverse the order quite easily if you find that Grand Canyon hotels are booked up for that first night. Grand Canyon lodging should be secured first, then Antelope Canyon tours, let the rest of your trip planning kind of ‘evolve’ around those two key elements.
Depending on the time of year you’re planning to visit, and who you’re traveling with, you might skip Monument Valley and plan for 2 nights in Page, AZ so you can take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. This is a wonderful family activity that allows you to experience rafting on the Colorado River without going through any dangerous rapids. It is appropriate for kids as young as 4 years old.
As for whether to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, that is really not necessary in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page, AZ. Besides, as it stands, you really don’t have time. If you are physically up for touring Lower Antelope Canyon, stick with that. Whatever you decide, though be sure you book your Antelope Canyon tour well in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:50 PM

Hi Akhila!
The Christmas holiday is a great time to be here, but you do have to be prepared for the possibility of snow, especially in the higher elevations such as Grand Canyon National Park.
That said, day trips to the Grand Canyon and Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon) are doable, but less than ideal. It takes ~2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Grand Canyon; it takes ~3 hours to drive from Sedona to Page, AZ. Both figures are “wheels turning, no stops,” which rarely happens, because both drives are very scenic and you will no doubt find yourself stopping to take photos.
Another factor in the “less than ideal” comment is daylength, which is quite short at that time of year: sunrise occurs at about 7:30 AM, sunset at ~5:15 PM. Since driving at night is discouraged in this part of the US, whether you’re comfortable with it or not, you’ll need to be sure to get an early start out of Sedona on both days, and make sure that you time your drive so that you are “back to base” before dusk.
If you are not used to hiking, you’re definitely not alone, the majority of visitors to both areas feel the same way as you do. The Grand Canyon offers the easy, paved and very scenic Rim Trail for beginners, which parallels the canyon’s edge at a safe distance. As for Antelope Canyon, the Upper branch is the easiest to tour, at only 100 yards in length and flat the whole way through. Lower Antelope requires climbing a few ladders and some simple bouldering, but is manageable for most people in reasonably good health. To gauge whether your family would be OK with it, watch this Full Video Walk-Through of Lower Antelope Canyon Whichever one you decide to tour, make an advance reservation.
As for stargazing in Sedona, there are plenty of places where you can take part in that activity, either on your own or with a guided tour. For suggestions, visit the official website of the Sedona/Verde Valley Tourism Council or ask at your hotel when you arrive.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:36 PM

Hi Maria and thank you for visiting us!
It is entirely possible to tour Grand Canyon and Page in 2 days’ time from Las Vegas.
From Las Vegas to Grand Canyon, the drive is ~4.5 hours; the same for the drive from Las Vegas to Page, therefore which place you visit first is up to you, and largely contingent on lodging availability in each area. Check Grand Canyon hotels first, then book Page, AZ lodging.
Because you’re traveling with an infant, you should probably tour Upper Antelope Canyon. That’s the easiest and shortest branch of the canyon to walk through. Take care at Horseshoe Bend to ensure that you carry enough water for your entire party, and that you all wear hats and sunscreen.
As for whether you go back to Las Vegas and fly back to SD, or just drive direct, that’s up to you. It takes ~9 hours to drive back to SD from either Grand Canyon or Page. Another option might be to fly from Page to Phoenix, then back to San Diego. Contour Airlines offers daily scheduled air service from Page to Phoenix; the only disadvantage is that they don’t have a downline baggage transfer agreement in place, so you would have to carry your own luggage and check it in at the counter of the airline you use to fly to SD.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:25 PM

Hi again, Lee!
The Las Vegas Antelope Canyon Air/Ground Tour is a structured program that unfortunately does not allow for enough time to do a boat tour in one day. If you wish to stay the night in Page and add this activity, you would need to contact the tour company directly to see if they are willing/able to customize the tour to your specifications. The tour is operated by Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines, who are based in Las Vegas, NV. Their phone numbers are: Toll Free (within US): (800) 634-6801; Local/International: (702) 638-3300 You might also try e-mailing them at info@FlyGCSA.com
Otherwise, the best way to go about this, that allows you the freedom and flexibility to do all the activities you want to do without restriction, is to drive yourself. Though it is a long-ish drive (4.5 hours one way), it is a very straightforward route that does not take you on any dirt tracks or back roads. Visiting Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas.
Best of luck to you,
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:11 PM

Hi Lee,
Sorry for the trouble finding booking information on Lower Antelope Canyon, but it is there. You must scroll down to the middle of the page to find it.
Just in case you still have issues for some reason, there are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. They are:
• Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 https://lowerantelope.com/ and
• Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 https://antelopelowercanyon.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:05 PM

Dear Uma,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site. Apologies for the delay in response to your inquiry.
Fortunately, hiking and “big” activities are not a requirement for having a fulfilling visit to the area. Grand Canyon South Rim is a very easy park to self-tour by car, and you’ll end up doing a lot of sightseeing on the drive between the South Rim and Page. Between Grand Canyon Village and Desert View Point, where you exit the park, there are over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon, all with differing perspectives and features. Upon leaving the park and entering Navajo Indian Tribal Land, there is no shortage of sights that will warrant a photo stop as well, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand and the Cameron Trading Post.
Since you indicate you will arrive somewhat late to Las Vegas on Tuesday, I would recommend spending the night there, then starting to Grand Canyon on Wednesday. It’s about a 4.5 hour drive from LV to GC, longer if you factor in a stop at Hoover Dam and/or Route 66 towns such as Kingman, Seligman, and Williams. Spend 1 night at the Grand Canyon, in the park if you can find lodging, or Tusayan/GC Village South if those hotels are booked up.
On Thursday morning, make your way to Page, AZ and plan on spending 2 nights there to tour Antelope Canyon, visit Horseshoe Bend, and, if you’re visiting between March and November and your kid is at least 4 years old, take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. Again, none of these activities are super-strenuous, but Horseshoe Bend might be pushing it if any of your party has have severe breathing or mobility issues. If that’s the case, read this article on our sister site for suggestions on how you can still see Horseshoe Bend with less exertion: “Help! I Can’t Do The Hike To Horseshoe Bend”
Then on Saturday, start making your way back to Las Vegas. Here again, it’s about a 4.5 hour drive going direct; the option is also available to make a detour through Zion National Park, but only if you have plenty of time for photo stops before you have to be at the airport. If the Glen Canyon Float Trip does not appeal, or if your visit is taking place during the tour’s seasonal hiatus, you might consider dropping that 2nd night in Page, AZ and spending it in Zion National Park instead. The town of Springdale, Utah on the Western border of the park has the best selection of hotels and motels, and would put you only ~3 hours from Vegas on that last day.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:04 PM

Hi Donald,
It is not necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope in order to have a fulfilling visit to Page. If you and your traveling party are “able-bodied” as you describe, you should have a perfectly fine time touring Lower Antelope Canyon and leaving it at that. If you have any additional time to spend, hit up Horseshoe Bend. That’s someplace you definitely don’t want to miss out on!
Have fun and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 19, 2018 at 5:46 PM

Dear Miun,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site!
Unfortunately, you don’t have sufficient time to hit all the areas on your list and spend anything resembling “quality time.” Since you are using Las Vegas as your staging city, I’d recommend dropping Sedona from your wish list. 1. It’s closer to Phoenix, so more conducive to flying in and out of that airport and 2. It really needs 3 days to do it justice. Save it for another trip, if at all possible.
A typical 7-day Southwest US itinerary would go as follows:
2 days – Zion
1 day – Bryce
2 days – Page (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Float Trip)
1 day – Monument Valley
1 day – Grand Canyon (hit Hoover Dam on the drive back to Las Vegas)
As for easy trails in Bryce and Zion, there are many to choose from. In Zion, Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock are considered the “quintessential” family-oriented hikes. In Bryce, the Rim Trail can be enjoyed for as short as 1/2 a mile, up to 5.5 miles. For more suggestions visit: Joe’s Guide to Zion National Park – Recommended Hikes and Utah.com’s Best Hikes in Bryce Canyon
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Alley 🙂

September 19, 2018 at 12:47 PM

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From Miun

Thank you so much, Alley.
It helps a lot to plan our trip. I’m so excited!!
As you suggested, i’m thinking to drop Sedona for this trip.
Thanks, again.

September 21, 2018 at 2:38 AM

Hey Bill, and thank you for visiting our site! I think your wife or other member of your family may have posted on our sister site, HorseshoeBend.com 🙂
So, seeing as though the Grand Canyon and Sedona are not on this list, I’ll go off the assumption that you’ve already been there or are perhaps saving these areas for another trip.
One piece of potentially bad news I have to relay is that the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is “technically” on seasonal hiatus at the time of year you’re visiting. All boat tours from Lake Powell Resort “officially” wrap up 10/31/18. However, it is sometimes operated on an “on-demand” basis during the off-season as long as weather conditions are favorable and that there are a minimum of 15 passengers booked. You might try calling the boat tour desk directly at 928-645-1111 a couple weeks before you come up.
Antelope Canyon Waterside boat tours will continue to be operated by Antelope Point Marina, so you can still work that in. Another idea is to substitute another popular water-based activity that is scheduled to run during the off-season, which is the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip. Since Wilderness River Adventures reacquired the concession contract, they have plans to run the trip through December 2nd.
Day 1 – The drive from Phoenix to Page, AZ, takes ~4.5 hours – according to Google Maps, anyways. That figure rarely materializes as the drive is very scenic and there will no doubt be sights that pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monument, just North of Flagstaff is one. The Cameron Trading Post at the junction of US89 and AZ64 is another; it makes a great place to stop for lunch, the Navajo tacos are awesome. Time/inclination permitting, you might also make a short detour off US89 via US160 to the Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks.
Upon arrival in Page, hit Horseshoe Bend (parking permitting), check into your hotel, and if you have extra time, maybe visit the John Wesley Powell Museum
Day 2, hit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise if you weren’t able to get there the day before, tour Antelope Canyon, then do the boat tour from Antelope Marina or the Glen Canyon float trip.
Day 3, visit Glen Canyon Dam and the Steel Arch Bridge, time/inclination permitting, maybe take one of the tours offered by the Glen Canyon Natural History Association. Then drive back to Phoenix, hitting any spots you might have missed.
Another couple of tips: with a 4-year-old in tow, you definitely don’t want to overschedule your days. For Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to carefully consider whether they’ll be able to handle the physical challenges of Lower, namely some ladders and simple boulder scrambling. Watch this video of a full walk-through of Lower Antelope Canyon before committing. If you think the little one wouldn’t be able to handle it, then you’ll want to opt to tour Upper Antelope Canyon instead.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley
P.S. If you still have your heart set on seeing Rainbow Bridge, and a boat tour is not an option, you might still be able to fly over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and/or helicopters may be chartered from the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) by prior arrangement.

September 17, 2018 at 3:48 PM

Thanks for the post, can I set it up so I receive an email when you write a new article?

September 22, 2018 at 9:13 AM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hi Laveta,
Thank you for checking out our site! I’ll have to see what I can do about setting up e-mail alerts…
Alley 🙂

September 24, 2018 at 1:50 PM

Hi Eugenia, and thank you for visiting our site!
A good 7-day itinerary using Las Vegas as your starting point and Phoenix as your ending point would go as follows:
Day 1 – Zion National Park
Day 2 – Zion National Park (both nights in Springdale, UT on the Western border of the park)
Day 3 – Page, AZ – Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend , overnight in Page, AZ
Day 4 – Monument Valley (overnight at The View, Goulding’s Lodge or Tuba City or Kayenta)
Day 5 – Grand Canyon South Rim (overnight at Grand Canyon Park Village or Tusayan/GC Village South)
Day 6 – Sedona
Day 7 – Sedona (Sedona hotels)
For Grand Canyon helicopter tours, we recommend Papillon Helicopters. We also strongly recommend flying first thing in the morning for best light and lack of wind.
In Zion, there are all kinds of possibilities for tours that offer fabulous photo opportunities. Check out Utah.com’s recommendations for Zion Tour Guides and Outfitters or inquire at your chosen hotel for suggestions on what you might do here.
For Antelope Canyon, photography tours are only offered in the Upper branch of the main canyon, or in most of the alternate slot canyons in Antelope Valley.
In Monument Valley, you can also choose from hiking, 4×4, or horseback tours. Monument Valley Tours
Grand Canyon is one of those parks that’s very conducive to self-touring, so no need to get a ground tour, per se, as you’ll do a large chunk of your sightseeing on the drive in from Monument Valley.
In Sedona, the Pink Jeep Tours are considered a definite “must-do.” After that, you have a plethora of options for scenic, educational and cultural activities you can take part in. www.VisitSedona.com is an excellent resource for suggestions of all kinds of things from lodging and dining, to hiking and “retail therapy” LOL.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

September 17, 2018 at 3:21 PM

Hi, Alley,
Thank you so much for all this info! I am wondering if you could give me some direction…
My family and I are flying into Las Vegas in just over a week. Arrive late Sunday, spending the night there before heading out on Monday. We have 4 nights booked in Flagstaff and planned to use it as a base for seeing as much as possible before flying home on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, we don’t have more time, but we want to see as much as possible! What sort of itinerary would you recommend? I am thinking maybe I need to try to change accommodations.
My kids really want to see Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon. Other spots recommended to us to see are Sedona, the Painted Desert, Zion.
What do you recommend?

September 28, 2018 at 4:11 PM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hi Christie and thank you for visiting us! I apologize for the delay in response to your inquiry.
First off, using Flagstaff as a base from which to explore Northern Arizona and Southern Utah attractions is an OK plan, but not really ideal. For Sedona and Grand Canyon, it’s not so bad, as driving distance from Flagstaff is relatively short: 45 minutes for Sedona (one way) and 90 minutes for Grand Canyon South Rim (again, one way).
For Page, AZ (Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend) and Zion National Park, you might want to book accommodations more in the immediate vicinity in order to reduce drive times. Otherwise, you’re looking at 2.5-3 hours one way from Flagstaff to Page, and 4 hours one way from Flagstaff to Zion.
Zion can be visited on the drive over from Las Vegas, or you can stay overnight in Springdale, UT, the gateway community on the Western border of the park. Honestly, though, you’ll kick yourself for not allowing more time there; ditto for Sedona. Zion and Sedona are places that really call for 2-3 days in order to do them justice. Page should also get at least 2 days of your time so you can tour Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and take part in the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip, which is a family-friendly rapids-free raft trip. If you only have 4 days to play with, though, you can do 1 day at the Grand Canyon, 1 day in Sedona, 1 day in Page and 1 day in Zion.
I’d recommend taking the Painted Desert National Monument off the table, since 1. it’s also ~ a 2 hour drive from Flagstaff and you’d have to drop one of the above items off your wish list in order to accommodate it, and 2. you’ll actually see “painted desert” type rock formations, known as Chinle formations, on the drive to Page, AZ and elsewhere. It’s very common in this part of the U.S.
Good luck and hope that helps — safe travels to you all,
Alley 🙂

October 01, 2018 at 2:58 PM

Hi Alex,
Boy, this is a loaded question!
There are plenty of great places from which to view sunset in Page, AZ. My personal favorite is the Wahweap Overlook on US89 just past the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge. Horseshoe Bend is also a popular spot for sunset, but in recent times, it’s become almost too popular, which has resulted in some serious parking issues. It’s better to hit this overlook for sunrise. Page’s Rim View Trail is also a good option, with an area known as “Potato Hill” being popular with both locals and visitors for sunset viewing. Note that the Rim View Trail offers views of Lake Powell, but no actual lake access.
Now, if you don’t mind spending a little more time and a little more money for a knock-your-socks off view, you might consider doing a guided tour to Alstrom Point. While the tour won’t be there right at sunset, you’ll get there in time to enjoy the light and shadow play on the canyon walls as afternoon transitions to evening. For more information, visit our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com Alstrom Point Tours
Wherever you go, be sure to bring a light jacket and a flashlight.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 17, 2018 at 2:11 PM

Hi Renarda, and thank you for your excellent question!
The answer depends on what time of year you’re wanting to visit.
If you’re traveling during “peak season,” which is mid-March to Mid November, walk-in permits can be obtained seven (7) days a week. During “shoulder” and “off” season periods, which occur between mid-November through mid-March, walk-in permits are issued Monday-Friday, except for Federal holidays (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and President’s Day). During this time, permits for Saturday-Monday are drawn on Friday.
For more information, visit the Bureau of Land Management Coyote Buttes Permit Information page, or our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 17, 2018 at 2:02 PM

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

September 17, 2018 at 1:08 PM

Hi Michele and thank you for your visit! Kudos for planning your vacation well in advance, and glad to hear this site is providing some good guidance.
First off, you’re not crazy, I love road trips! I mapped out the drive from Chicago, IL (see below) and you should plan for 3-4 days driving, each way, in order to get here and back. One destination you may not have factored in, but falls naturally on your itinerary is Moab, UT. This is the gateway city for not one, but two spectacular national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. You should plan on spending at least 2 days in this area, 3 if you can swing it. Then, since Monument Valley is someplace you have to pass through anyway on your way to the Grand Canyon, you might as well plan on 1 night there so you can break up the drive, and take the opportunity to visit other attractions in the area, such as the Goosenecks of the San Juan State Park, the Mexican Hat, and Monument Valley itself (don’t forget Forrest Gump Point). On the way to the Grand Canyon, hit the Navajo Code Talkers’ Exhibit at the Kayenta Burger King. The Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks are also right on your way.
Now, here is where I run the risk of sounding crazy: I’m going to recommend that you drop 1 or 2 of your 3 nights in Tusayan. The reason(s) for this are: 1. unless you’re a hard-core hiker and have long-distance hikes planned for every single day, you’ll probably find that you’ve accomplished all you can in 2 days time; 2. a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing is going to take place on the drive in from Monument Valley. Your route will naturally and logically take you along the East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints with differing features and perspectives on the Canyon. No doubt, you’ll find yourself stopping at most, if not all of them. There is also a lot to see prior to entering the park as you pass through the Navajo Indian Reservation – the Cameron Trading Post is a great place to stop for brunch and/or a little shopping, leg stretch, bathroom break, etc. If you don’t catch all the GC viewpoints on the drive in, you can hit them on your way to Page, AZ, as this drive will take you along the same route until you get to the junction of US89 and US160.
If you wish to tour Antelope Canyon and do the Glen Canyon Float Trip – which we highly recommend! – then plan on spending 2 nights in Page, AZ. Ditto for Zion National Park, then 1 night in Bryce Canyon, then head back up to I-70 via Loa and Whipup, UT, then head on home.
So, a quick breakdown of my recommendations, not factoring in drive times from IL, are as follows:
Day 1 – Moab
Day 2 – Moab
Day 3 – Monument Valley
Day 4 – Grand Canyon
Day 5 – Page
Day 6 – Page
Day 7 – Zion
Day 8 – Zion
Day 9 – Bryce

Be sure to book all guided tours and overnight accommodations well in advance of your arrival. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us again. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the U.S. for 1 year’s time. The only areas it will not work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley), and State Parks (like Goosenecks). Still, it will pay for itself on the trip you’re proposing to take. You can pre-order it by mail, or just pick it up at the first National Park you hit on your itinerary.

September 14, 2018 at 1:28 PM

Hi Matt, and thank you for visiting our site.
Yes, I think your plan is a bit too aggressive. I think you’re underestimating drive times between attractions, plus you’re assuming that your flight to Phoenix will arrive on time and that your rental car check in will go smoothly.
First off, on day 1, you’re looking at a 4.5 hour drive minimum from Phoenix to Page. However, that rarely materializes as the drive is very scenic, and you’ll no doubt find ample photo opportunities that warrant a stop, not counting Wupatki/Sunset Crater and Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks! You should allow 90 minutes-2 hours to tour Wupatki/Sunset Crater. Although the detour to Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks isn’t very long, you could very well see a 4.5 hour drive turn into a ~6+ hour trip. I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to visit, but if your trip is planned for the fall or winter months, keep in mind that daylength is rapidly shortening and you want to be sure that you’ve reached your destination well before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the country due to the lack of artificial lighting on local roadways, and the possible presence of deer, elk and other nocturnal wildlife that pose a very real hazard to drivers unfamiliar with the area.
On Day 2, your plan to go all the way to Mexican Hat and back after the Wave lottery is unrealistic. It takes 1 hour each way to drive from Page to Kanab, UT. The lottery process takes anywhere from 1-2 hours. It then takes ~2.5 hours – each way – to drive from Page, AZ to “Forest Gump Point” (Mexican Hat). Besides, it would be a shame to go all that way and not make time to stop at Goosenecks State Park. It’s like seeing not one but two Horseshoe Bends side by side! So, unless you can free up the time to spend another night, I’d save the Monument Valley area for another trip.
Good luck and hope that helps,
Alley 🙂

September 11, 2018 at 6:28 PM

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From Matt

Hi Alley,

Thanks for that super quick reply! We did revise our plan based on your suggestion. We decided to remove The Wave all together in the trip. We are going in a month! Being in the late twenties, we are really hoping to find the best place to get that photo to share to friends/family. Here’s the revised Day 2 and Day 3 plans, can you let me know if this is better (or worse)?

Day 2:
Sunrise in Horseshoe bend
Photo Tour in Canyon X (10am Tour)
Drive to Goosenecks State Park by 3:30pm! (Thanks to your idea, its right next to parking right ?)
Forrest Gump Point (Yes …we are huge movie fans and don’t want to miss that)
Back to Page (With sunset time around 6pm in Oct), leaving Forrest Gump Point by 5:00 to 5:30 should safely get us back in 2 hours. (Nautical Twilight will end around 6:45pm)

Day 3:
Lower Antelope Canyon
Glen Canyon Dam
Drive back to Phoenix

How do you feel about the plan if we really want to visit the Forrest Gump Point? We don’t mind getting in and out just to capture that picture.

In addition, could you provide a guide as to where to pay those park parking with the above plan? There’s so many guides online as to where to go but we are confused as to whether we should pay individual parking for each place.

Thanks in advance!
Matt

September 13, 2018 at 2:05 AM

Dear Alyse,
Wow, congratulations on winning a Wave permit! Not surprised that planning the trip led you down the inevitable “rabbit hole” of other cool stuff to see and do in the Grand Circle area.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but still might warrant a few modifications in order to avoid backtracking. To that end, I would suggest going to Monument Valley before hitting Page. That way you can tour Lower Antelope Canyon or Canyon X (no need to do both) on your way into town since you’ll be passing right by them as you travel on US98. By the way, Monument Valley is another one of those “lose an hour/gain it back” situations since the Navajo Reservation DOES observe Daylight Savings Time, while the rest of Arizona (including Antelope Canyon tour operators) doesn’t. Horseshoe Bend may be visited whenever you wish — in theory, anyway. Parking and traffic congestion are real problems during the peak visitation hours between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. In order to avoid all that craziness, you might plan your visit there first thing in the morning, and I do mean first thing, as in just after sunrise. If not, maybe consider some alternate means of seeing it, such as an airplane or helicopter tour, shuttle, or horseback ride.
The tour of White Pocket is amazing, but there’s no need to drive all the way over to Kanab in order to take one. There are several tour operators out of Page, AZ who are authorized to visit that area, including:
Grand Circle Tours 928-691-0166 www.VermilionCliffs.net
Vermilion Adventures (a division of Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours) 928-645-9102 https://www.antelopecanyon.com/vermilion-adventures/
Grand Staircase Discovery Tours 928-614-2199 www.GrandStaircaseDiscoveryTours.com
Paria Outpost & Outfitters (located between Page and Kanab) 928-691-1047 www.Paria.com
If you do opt to to to Kanab to pick up a White Pocket tour, then consider returning to Page via Marble Canyon and Lees Ferry in order to avoid traveling the same road twice. Whatever you do, just make sure you time your driving so you are “back to base” before sunset. Nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US.
Regarding Sedona, you might want to see if you can free up another day to spend in that area. Aside from the “usual suspects,” like Slide Rock State Park, Chapel of Holy Cross, Oak Creek Canyon, Vortexes, etc., Sedona boasts a number of fine wineries you might wish to visit and sample their wares. Several local tour companies offer wine tours, so you don’t have to worry about driving! For more suggestions, check out www.VisitSedona.com
In Flagstaff, you’ll find that microbreweries are the hip spots in the downtown area, so plan on hitting one, or two, or more. Fortunately, many are within walking distance of one another, or inquire about guided tours on FlagstaffAleTrail.com
So, your “revised” itinerary would look something like this:

Good luck and hope that helps – have fun at The Wave!
Alley 🙂

September 11, 2018 at 6:04 PM

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From Alyse Tumelson

Alley,
Thank you very much for your help! I am so glad I asked you before I booked everything. Question- I have heard of a local spot that has Rainbow Mountains/hills. Saw it on this blog (below) and in another youtube video. https://globalgirltravels.com/they-really-exist-the-rainbow-mountains-of-arizona/

My husband and I would be so grateful to experience this gorgeous place. The blog above listed a tour company she used, but I noticed on their website they don’t mention the rainbow mountains or show any pictures of it as part of the White Pocket Tour. Seems like this might be a secret spot a local might take you to if they like you (since nobody is advertising it). Is there any chance any of those White Pocket tour operators would be willing to take us there as part of the tour? I promise not to disclose the location.

Best,
Alyse

September 13, 2018 at 7:17 PM

Hi alyse! Did you book those dates? I find it funny while reading it as Ive got thoae exact days in May. I would love to hear about your schedule as I am still in the planning phase around those dates. I wanted to see how far havasu and antelope is. I’ll be arriving Vegas around the 18th and I’m looking to explore as much as possible.

March 22, 2019 at 1:53 AM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hey Steph,
Maybe you and Alyse will run into each other! BTW, Havasu Falls is a difficult place to get to, and if you don’t already have reservations for either a campsite or motel room, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to visit it this time around. For more information on Havasu Canyon and the falls, visit our companion site, www.Havasupai.AZ
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

March 22, 2019 at 2:12 PM

Dear Nikhil,
Hello and thanks for asking a great question!
The Thanksgiving holiday falls within the period considered “shoulder season.” While things are not as crowded as they are during the summer months, they will still be busy. Whichever branch of Antelope Canyon or alternate slot canyon you choose to tour, advance reservations should still be made. How To Book An Antelope Canyon Tour Ditto for hotels in Page, AZ.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

September 11, 2018 at 5:11 PM

Hello, we are planning to be in Page, AZ on December 22nd and 23rd. Wondering if it is crowded in the upper/lower antelope canyons during that time. Would you suggest Upper, X, lower or horseshoe bend canyon tour during that time. Looking for less crowded options with best views. Also, any idea on weather in the canyons during late December.

December 15, 2018 at 7:56 PM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hello Satya,
December is a great time to be here. While crowds won’t be as overwhelming as they are in summertime, it will still be busy at the time you’re here seeing as though it’s close to the Christmas holiday. As to which slot canyon you should tour, it depends on how much hiking you’re willing to do – or not do. If you’re OK with managing a few ladders and stepping over a few boulders, then you should be fine in Antelope X or Lower Antelope Canyon. If you’d prefer a smaller tour group, then Antelope X would be the way to go. If anyone in your party has mobility issues, or you’re traveling with very young children, Upper would be the better choice as it’s only 100 yards long and the trail through it is flat.
As for weather, it will be on the cooler side, so make sure everyone has at least a coat and gloves, and maybe even scarf and hat for optimal comfort.
Best wishes for safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂

December 16, 2018 at 5:35 PM

Dear Hammad,
Hello and thank you for your compliments!
Due to the time of year you’re visiting, the fact that you have a toddler in your party, and the driving distances involved, I would suggest taking Bryce Canyon off the table and saving it for another trip. Regarding Zion, it’s one of those parks that requires at least 3 days time to really explore, but you can still do a “drive through” in order to get a taste of it. Trust me, you’ll want to come back when you can spend more time, maybe when your little one is older.
The drive from LA to the Grand Canyon will take ~ 8 hours. For lodging, your best bet will be to stay inside the park, or at least in Tusayan/GC Village South, which is ~7 miles South of the park entrance. There are no rental homes in this area, plus state fire codes prohibit more than 5 people staying in a single room, so you’ll need to get 2 rooms. Despite the potential inconvenience and cost, you’ll be glad to be close to the canyon rim in order to experience sunset and/or sunrise there! Grand Canyon hotels
The drive to Page, AZ will take ~3.5-4 hours. I know Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as there are a lot of photo opportunities on the trip, especially on the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon that will no doubt warrant a stop. In Page, AZ, you will find a fine selection of vacation rental homes that can accommodate your family. Page, AZ VRBO Homes
Because you are traveling with young children, you’ll need to consider carefully which branch of Antelope Canyon you wish to tour. Upper Antelope Canyon is the easier of the two main branches, 100m long, the trail is flat the whole way. Lower Antelope is longer (600m), and requires some stair climbing and simple boulder stepping. If you do choose to tour Lower, you’ll want to bring a baby carrier for the little one (they are allowed). Whichever you branch of the canyon you choose to tour, you’ll need to make reservations in advance of your arrival. Book A Tour For Antelope Canyon
The drive back to Los Angeles from Page, AZ will take 8.5+ hours. You may wish to break up the drive by spending the night in Las Vegas. Either way, you can easily make a slight detour through Zion National Park on the way to get a taste for how beautiful it is!

Getting back to the time of year, November is in the transitional period between fall and winter. It will be colder, plus higher elevations like the Grand Canyon might see snow, although this typically doesn’t occur until later in the month. Still, it’s a good idea to pack some warmer clothing and sturdy footwear, just in case.
Good luck and hope that helps,
Alley 🙂

September 11, 2018 at 5:05 PM

Hello Jane,
Apologies for the delay in response to your question, I myself have been on vacation!
First off, the time of year you’re visiting is considered “off-season.” As a result, some activities will be on seasonal hiatus; Lake Powell Boat Tours are one of those things, unfortunately. On occasion, they do operate on an “on-demand” basis as long as weather conditions are favorable and a certain number of paying adult passengers are booked. I would recommend calling the Lake Powell Resort boat tour desk at 928-645-1111 or Antelope Point Marina at 928-645-5900 about 2 weeks before you start your vacation to see if any boat tours might run.
If you want to do a water-based activity, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip instead. The concession contract for that tour was recently re-acquired by Wilderness River Adventures, who plan to run the trip through December 2nd. Lack of wind or precipitation and a certain number of passengers will be required in order to run the tour, plus you can expect it to be cold, but you stand a better chance of being able to take part in this trip since the concessionaire already plans on operating it anyway.
Your plan for November 30th to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon then to Las Vegas (that’s how I’m interpreting that sentence) also requires some modification. That’s too much driving for one day. It takes ~3.5 hours to drive from Page to the Grand Canyon. I know Google maps gives the figures as 2.5 hours, but that’s driving direct, wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens as there are a lot of landmarks on the trip that will no doubt pique your curiosity and warrant a photo stop. The drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Las Vegas takes about 5 hours, so you should definitely try to spend the night at Grand Canyon South Rim (the North Rim is not open at the time of year you’re visiting) so you can experience a sunset and/or a sunrise on the rim. If possible, try to get lodging inside the park. If these hotels are sold out, Tusayan/GC Village South is the next best place to stay, about 7 miles South of the park entrance. Grand Canyon hotels
Sorry I’ve been kind of “all over the place” as far as offering advice on your trip planning, but I hope it helps. As for what else you might do during your time in Page, AZ, you’ll find plenty to occupy two days’ time! For suggestions on activities, attractions, restaurants and more, check out this article on our sister site, www.HorseshoeBend.com: 48 Hours in Page, Arizona
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

September 11, 2018 at 4:44 PM

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From bryan bonilla

Hello Alley,

We are looking to visit Antelope Canyon & Horse Shoe Bend. I understand that you have to pay for a permit which we are ok with but we have some concerns.

1. If we arrive at 8 am will we be able to pay the permit fee and then be transported into where the trail starts?
2. Does Horse Shoe Bend require a permit as well?

I appreciate any info you can give us…

Thank You, Bryan

September 14, 2018 at 9:10 PM

Chère Nathalie,
Ce site Web est une propriété privée et n’est pas directement affilié à l’un des voyagistes d’Antelope Canyon. Vous devrez les contacter directement pour obtenir une confirmation ou pour qu’ils renvoient la confirmation à votre courrier électronique.
Les coordonnées des compagnies de voyages Antelope Canyon sont les suivantes:
Tours du canyon antelope inférieur de Ken – (928) 606-2168
Antelope Lower Canyon Tours de Dixie Ellis – (928) 640-1761
Excursions du canyon Antelope supérieur de Roger Ekis – 928-645-9102
Excursions du chef Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon – 928-645-5594
Circuits photos aventureux du haut Antelope Canyon – (928) 380-1874
Antelope Canyon Tours Navajo – (928) 310-9458
Toutes mes excuses, nous ne pourrions pas être plus utiles,
Alley
Traduction française par Google Translate

September 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM

Hi Julie!
Seeing as though you’re planning to hit Grand Canyon South Rim first right out of Vegas, I recommend that you plan the remainder of your itinerary as follows:
* Las Vegas to Grand Canyon
* Grand Canyon to Page
* Page to Monument Valley
* Monument Valley to Moab (Arches/Canyonlands)
* Moab to Capitol Reef
* Capitol Reef to Bryce
* Bryce to Zion
* Zion to Las Vegas
For a more detailed itinerary, with day-by-day suggestions of activities and attractions in each location, check out this article on our sister site www.HorseshoeBend.com, “Grand Canyon, Zion, Moab & More: 14 Days In The Grand Circle.”
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

September 05, 2018 at 5:10 PM

Hi Denise, and thank you for your inquiry.
There are several things you might do nearby while your husband is on the photography tour. For example, you could head over to the Big Lake Trading Post and tour the Navajo Village Heritage Center right behind it. This is a small educational complex where people can learn about the traditional Navajo way of life, including a homesite tour, demonstrations of weaving and/or hoop dancing, and cultural presentations highlighting oral traditions, storytelling, history, etc. If you like Native crafts such as Navajo rugs, silver jewelry, Kachina dolls, and pottery, the Big Lake Trading Post has a nice selection of these.
You could also drive the short distance from Antelope Canyon to the Antelope Point Marina complex. There, you could tour the visitor center or just hang out down by the water. There is a long downhill walk from the parking lot to the marina (and an equally long uphill walk back to the parking lot), but workers are usually buzzing around on golf carts. One of them could probably give you a lift down – for a little “financial consideration” (aka a tip LOL), of course.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 29, 2018 at 12:18 PM

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From Denise

Thanks so much!

October 06, 2018 at 9:32 PM

Hi Kristy,
If you want to add Page, AZ to your trip, you could do it fairly easily – in theory. First off, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Williams or Flagstaff for visiting the Grand Canyon. I’d recommend trying to stay inside the park in Grand Canyon Village, or in Tusayan/GC Village South just outside the park. That way, you can be close to the rim to see sunrise and/or sunset, and not have to deal with a 60-90 minute drive back to your hotel after a busy day of sightseeing. Grand Canyon Hotels
I wouldn’t bother staying in Cameron on the way over from the South Rim, I would just go directly to Page. It’s ~150 miles, and Google maps gives the drive time as 2.5 hours, but that rarely happens as there are many scenic views that will no doubt pique your interest, both on the East Rim/Desert View Drive, and in the Navajo Indian Reservation. A more realistic figure ends up being 3.5-4 hours once you factor in all the stops. Be sure you book your Antelope Canyon tour and Page, AZ lodging in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps — good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

August 28, 2018 at 4:35 PM

Hi Kelly,
Check your e-mail, I just sent you a copy of that article that you can print more easily.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 26, 2018 at 12:54 PM

Hi Grace and thank you for visiting!
First off, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend driving from Springdale to Bryce, then driving from Bryce to Page in one day. You’re looking at ~2 hours to go from Springdale to Bryce, then another 2.5-3 hours to travel from Bryce to Page.

That’s ~5.5 hours driving in one day’s time. Another consideration is daylength, which, in November is rapidly shortening. Sunrise occurs at about 7:00 AM, and sunset is at about 5:15 PM. You must time any driving that you do in this part of the US so that you’re off the road by sunset. The reason for this is two-fold: one, the deliberate lack of artificial lighting – Bryce Canyon is quite proud of its “dark sky” park status; two, nocturnal wildlife such as deer and elk like to graze near local roadways at night and trust us, you don’t want to have a nighttime encounter with one!
Instead, we’d recommend taking one day off your Grand Canyon South Rim stay (more on that in a minute), and using it to stay overnight in Bryce Canyon or one of the the surrounding communities. That will make for a much more enjoyable visit, and one that allows for relaxation and exploration, which is what your vacation is all about anyway!
The next morning, head to Page, AZ, maybe take an Antelope Canyon tour upon your arrival (booked in advance, of course). If a photography tour is specifically what you’re wanting, these are only offered in Upper Antelope Canyon now. The Lower Antelope Canyon outfitters decided to discontinue them this year. However, there are other slot canyons you might consider touring for photography purposes simply because they purposely keep their group sizes smaller. These “alternate” slot canyons include, but aren’t limited to: Antelope Canyon X, Rattlesnake Canyon, Wind Pebble Canyon, Cathedral Canyon and Waterholes Canyon.
On the Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge Boat tour, unfortunately, you may be arriving too late in the season to take part in that. They “officially” stop running for the season on October 31st, however, they may operate on an “on demand” basis with a minimum of 15 paying passengers and favorable weather. I would advise calling the concessionaire directly when you arrive in the area at 928-645-1111 about the possibility of this. The helicopter flights may also be on seasonal hiatus, but you can visit the Page Municipal Airport to see if one can be scheduled on a walk-up basis.
If you’re still wanting to do a water-based activity, you might consider doing the Glen Canyon Half-Day Float Trip instead. The concessioner that recently took over operation of this trip plans to run the tour through November. It does not take place on Lake Powell, but travels 15 miles on the Colorado River from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam to Lees Ferry.
Regarding Page, AZ lodging, there are many options to choose from in a variety of price points and amenity classes. The main thing is to book something in advance of your arrival.
On the drive from Page, AZ to Grand Canyon South Rim, there are many stops you can make that will turn what’s normally a 2.5 hour trip (with wheels turning, no stops), into a leisurely 4-hour scenic drive. Sights that will no doubt pique your curiosity include, but aren’t limited to: The “Cut” overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Painted Desert-like rock formations, Chief Yellowhorse’s Curio Stand, the Cameron Trading Post — and that’s before you even hit the Grand Canyon! Once you enter the park at Desert View Point, you’ll have over half a dozen named viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives of the canyon, beckoning to be photographed. Since a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will occur on this drive, that’s why you can get away with just staying one night there and still having a satisfying visit. If possible try to get lodging inside the park, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s already booked up. Your next best bet would be Tusayan/GC Village South, just outside the park. Grand Canyon Hotels
So, your revised itinerary would look something like this:
11/1 – head to Bryce Canyon, overnight in Bryce Canyon
11/2 – head to Page, AZ, take Antelope Canyon Tour, overnight in Page, AZ
11/3 – 2nd day in Page, AZ, float trip or boat tour, overnight in Page, AZ
11/4 – head to Grand Canyon South Rim, overnight at South Rim
11/5 – spend 2nd day at South Rim or head back to Las Vegas
Whatever you decide to do, be sure to book ALL hotels and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Another suggestion: if the helicopter tours aren’t running in Page, they will be at Grand Canyon South Rim (they operate year-round, weather permitting). You might consider taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour instead.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 25, 2018 at 3:36 PM

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From Grace

Hi Alley

Thank you so much for all th detail recommendations. I have changed my plan as per you suggested.
11/1: stay in Bryce Canyon county. The lodge in the park sold out. I booked Best Western in the county instead.
11/2: do you have tel# to book the photography tour in advance? Do you think if I shall still visit either upper or lower Antelope Canyon besides the “alternate slot canyons”?
11/3: after glen-canyon-float-trip, I should have enough time to visit Horseshoe Bend, right?
Now I’m trying my luck to book the rest of the hotels.

Thank you so much for your help.
Grace

August 26, 2018 at 3:45 PM

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From Steve

Hi Alley,
Your wealth of information and eagerness to share is truly a gift.

I hope to share our experience when my wife and I return from our weeklong trip to Arizona in mid-October.

Your thoughts on this itinerary would be truly appreciated!

Day 1
– Fly into Phoenix
– Drive to Flagstaff
– Museum of Northern Arizona
– Easy hike
– Sunset somewhere
– Lowell Observatory

Day 2
– Drive to Chinle
– Drive along Canyon de Chelly’s North and South rims
– Hike White House Ruins trail

Day 3
– Drive to Monument Valley
– Horseback riding tour
– Drive to Page
– Check into Lake Powell Resort
– Sunset at Horseshoe Bend

Day 4
– Lower Antelope Canyon tour
– Relax at resort
– Sunset boat tour to Rainbow Bridge

Day 5
– Drive to Grand Canyon
– Enter East entrance
– Drive and stop along the rim at points
– Check into El Tovar
– Hike Hermit Road to Hermits Rest

Day 6
– Catch sunrise
– Helicopter tour
– Hike / Shuttle Rim Trail to Talk Point
– Hike back and catch sunset
– Shuttle back to Village

Day 7
– Drive to Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon
– Hike Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte
– Check into Casa Sedona Inn
– Relax
– Sunset at Crescent Moon Rec. Area or Airport Mesa

Day 8
– Pink Jeep Tour
– Drive to Phoenix for late flight home

September 15, 2018 at 3:54 AM

Hi Destiny, and thank you for visiting!
We would LOVE for you to direct potential travelers to the area to our site, however, we have to tell you that Antelope Canyon is by no means “hidden.” It has become so popular in the last few years that tours sell out weeks, sometimes months in advance.
If you’re wanting to promote slot canyons specifically, there are several such formations in the Page, AZ area that are just as beautiful, but not so heavily populated. Some of these are discussed in our article, “Antelope Canyon Alternative Tours.” Slot canyons not addressed in this piece are Wind Pebble Canyon, Ram’s Head Canyon and Ligai Si’Anii Canyon, which are managed by Ligai Si’Anii Tours. Their website is www.hikingslotcanyons.com
Another good source for information about slot canyons and similar geological formations in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is www.AmericanSouthwest.net
Good luck and happy writing!
Alley 🙂

August 23, 2018 at 5:15 PM

Hi Lisa, and thank you for your inquiry.
Props to you for planning your travels well in advance. We wish everybody did it like you! Congrats on scoring a couple of nights at El Tovar, I used to work there, I love that hotel. Hopefully you guys got a suite, or two adjacent rooms in the deluxe category, the “standard” rooms are tiny and bound to be really cramped for a family of 5.
Regarding the tour company for Lower Antelope Canyon, it really doesn’t matter which one you use. For one, the proprietors are related, and secondly, the tours they offer are going to be virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. Just find a departure time that works for you and book it. Mid-day is generally regarded as “prime time,” for which you’ll pay “prime price.” There’s really no such thing as a bad time to go.
As for Horseshoe Bend, there is a small fenced viewing platform that has been recently constructed, if that makes you feel safer, but the “money shot,” i.e., the straight-on view of the ‘Bend, remains unfenced, and rightfully so. If you opt to explore this area of Horseshoe Bend, just make sure your kids know the potential dangers, namely the 700’ drop to the river, and that they give it its due respect.
For ideas on other activities your kids might enjoy in the Page, AZ area, check out the National Park Service’s recommendations for day hikes in the area. One they don’t include is the “New” Wave, which is located across the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge near the turn-off to the Lake Powell Resort complex. Since you’re staying there, it would be an easy stop to make on the way to or from your hotel for the day.
On the drive from Grand Canyon Ranch to El Tovar, you might make the slight detour to Seligman, AZ, which was one of the towns that “Radiator Springs” in the movie “Cars” was loosely based on (the other one was Galena, Kansas). Maybe stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for lunch and a good laugh.
As for Sedona, there’s no shortage of things to do there! Go to www.VisitSedona.com for suggestions.
Last but not least — keep in mind that April is in that “transitional” zone between winter and spring. In all likelihood, the weather will be nice, mostly sunny and brisk. But, a late-season storm could still move through. While Page, Sedona and Las Vegas would probably just get rained on, the Grand Canyon could see snow. I know, I lived there for 7 years. Be sure to pack a couple of items of warmer clothing just to be on the safe side.
Hope that helps!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 22, 2018 at 7:18 PM

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From lk

Thank you very much for your reply. I will definitely check out the New Wave and now possibly Horseshoe bend now that I know there is a fence. I did not know that. I will also check out your suggestion in Seliman. I was able to reserve a deluxe room at El Tovar. that is when my whole trip planning began. very excited! One last question for you. Do you recommend Lake Powell Resort? I’ve read some not so great reviews, but I really love that fact that on the water. The other option I was looking into is the Hyatt place Lake Powell.

August 22, 2018 at 7:45 PM

Dear Sook,
Hi there! You have unfortunately discovered that guided tour options out of Las Vegas that include both Zion and Antelope Canyon are few and far between. Still, they are out there. The tour operators we’ve found to have the most in terms of tours offerings and price points are:
Viator www.viator.com (855) 611-5269
Tours4Fun www.tours4fun.com 1-866-933-7368
TakeTours www.taketours.com 1-617-500-7002 or 1-888-428-7255
Hope that helps you find a tour that works for you!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 22, 2018 at 7:02 PM

Hi Faye and thank you for visiting.
Your itinerary looks pretty fun. You just have to keep in mind that mid-November is in that transitional phase between fall and winter, so you could encounter days that are sunny but brisk, or you could have an early-season rain or snowstorm blow through. Snow is more of a concern in the higher-elevation parks like Grand Canyon South Rim and Bryce; Zion and Page are more likely to just get rained on. Obviously, it’s too soon to tell, but you should still have an enjoyable visit regardless.
The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour “officially” wraps up for the season on October 31st, but may run on an “on-demand” basis with a minimum of 15 passengers booked. If this is something you’re truly interested in, I would recommend calling the boat tour company upon your arrival in the area. Their # is 928-645-1111. If the boat tour doesn’t run, you might be able to substitute a fixed-wing airplane flight over Rainbow Bridge. Flights typically take less than half an hour, if you can believe that. These also run on a “weather permitting” and “aircraft available” basis.
Since the concessionaire for the Glen Canyon Float Trip changed back to ARAMARK, they decided to offer the trip into December, so if you’re wanting to do a water-based activity, and the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour isn’t possible, choosing this tour will by no means leave you feeling short-changed. It’s a very popular trip, and rightfully so, because it goes through some beautiful scenery and the guides are some of the most knowledgeable people in the area. I know a lot of them personally 😉
Push comes to shove, you might reduce your Grand Canyon stay to 1 night and add that 3rd night onto Zion by shifting your itinerary around a bit. The reason I say that is because a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing will occur on the drive in from Page since the route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, where there are over half a dozen named viewpoints, all with differing features and perspectives on the canyon.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up the America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass. For just $80, this card grants you access to all the National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only places it doesn’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (of which Antelope Canyon is one), and State Parks. You can pick it up at the first National Park you visit. If anyone in your party is over the age of 62 and a U.S. citizen, they would qualify for a Lifetime Senior Pass.

August 21, 2018 at 6:16 PM

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From Faye Bi

Thank you, Alley – this is SO helpful! It sounds like we have plenty to do in Page, and maybe that will give us some wiggle room in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. I did center the trip around the Grand Canyon since that was the anchor park (parents specifically requested it), but I’ll definitely keep that in mind for an extra Zion night!

August 21, 2018 at 8:49 PM

Hello Fatima and Balázs!
Thank you so much for the kind compliments on our site.
The 1-week itinerary in Northern Arizona/Southern Utah might go something like this:
Day 1 (10/24) – Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim (~5 hour drive), overnight at the South Rim Grand Canyon Hotels
Day 2 (10/25) – Drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page, AZ (~3.5-4 hour drive), hit Horseshoe Bend on the way into town, take afternoon Antelope Canyon Tour, overnight in Page.
Day 3 (10/26) – Take the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip or the Lake Powell Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour , spend a 2nd night in Page.
Day 4 (10/27) – Drive to Bryce Canyon National Park (~3 hour drive), overnight in that area.
Day 5 (10/28) – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Zion National Park (~2.5 hour drive), overnight in Springdale, Utah, ride the shuttles into the park and do some easy hikes in Zion
Day 6 (10/29) – Do some other activities in Zion, such as longer hikes like Angel’s Landing or The Narrows, or perhaps take a trail ride. Zion National Park Activities Spend a second night in Springdale, Utah
Day 7 (10/30) – Drive from Springdale, UT back to Las Vegas, NV, fly to SF
Naturally, this itinerary can be reversed in the event you find it difficult to get lodging at Grand Canyon on the date specified. Indeed, Grand Canyon Lodging should be the “lynchpin” around which the rest of your trip planning revolves, and evolves. For more suggestions on activities and sights you might visit on your trip, check out The Grand Canyon and Beyond: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure you pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks and Monuments in the USA for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (of which Antelope Canyon is one) and State Parks, but it will still pay for itself on this trip. Just purchase it at the first National Park you visit.

August 20, 2018 at 10:05 PM

Hi Dan and thank you for visiting our site.
Kudos on planning your trip well ahead of time! One advantage to your advance planning is that you can probably still get on a prime-time Antelope Canyon tour, which would be mid-day. That’s when the sun is directly overhead and the canyon is best illuminated. Lower Canyon doesn’t experience as many “light beams” as Upper, but they do get a few during the peak touring hours. Unfortunately, that’s also the time when you’ll experience the highest visitation and congestion. If that doesn’t appeal to you, you may want to tour Antelope Canyon during the so-called “off-peak” times, e.g., earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Fortunately, there’s really no such thing as a bad time to go.
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂

August 20, 2018 at 9:36 PM

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From Dan P

Hello again, Alley! Okay, I’ve looked at the Ken’s Tours website and you are right, people are starting to book up times already for next August. I was looking Aug. 13 and the 10:30 is already sold out! I’ll be driving up from GCNP that day, so I doubt I could make an early morning visit. The next day I’ll be doing the float trip in the morning, so no chance then, either. After reading some reviews, I see it can get super hot mid-day, so I may not be that interested in prime time after all. Plus I see that they might cancel tours if it gets to 105 degrees in the canyon. So I was thinking of catching the last tour of he day, at 5pm. Do you think it’s likely to be cool enough by that time of day? Also, since it’s the last tour of the day, do you think there might be less of a rush to move us out of the canyon, since there’s no one coming in after us?

August 28, 2018 at 4:23 PM

Hi Christine,
Great question! Unfortunately, I don’t have a great answer for you.
Wave permits are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you attempt to give or sell your permit to another party, rangers on-site may opt to check for ID’s at any time, and if anything is found to be amiss or in violation of BLM rules regarding transfer of permits, you and they could be fined anywhere from $1,000-$10,000. If you need to cancel your trip you can cancel the permit by mailing it back to the St. George, Utah office at: 345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.
For more information about The Wave, visit our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 17, 2018 at 3:26 PM

Dear Maisha,
Hello and thank you for visiting our site.
Honestly, I think you might be challenged to remain within that budget exactly. One reason for this is that it’s peak season. You won’t find discounts of any kind, anywhere. I’ve seen hotel rates at Motel 6 type properties in Page, AZ, as high as $250 a night. Plus every vacation always incurs unexpected expenses, such as that one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry you can’t resist, or gas prices that ratchet up out of the blue. If money truly is an issue, you might consider pushing your vacation to off-season, namely, between December and March. Although temperatures are cooler, and water-based activities are on seasonal hiatus, you can find good deals on hotels, and the land-based tours (Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend) are still in full operational mode.
Regarding going to Monument Valley from Grand Canyon en route to Page, it can be done, but as you’ve deduced, it’s going to make for a long drive.

Although Google maps puts the drive time at 3 hours, that’s wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because there are lots of photo ops along the way. The route to Monument Valley takes you along the Desert View/East Rim Drive of the Grand Canyon, where there are over half-a-dozen named viewpoints, all with different features and differing perspectives on the canyon. Upon exiting the park and entering Navajo Indian Land, there are more sights that will pique your curiosity, such as the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorses’ Souvenir Stand, the Cameron Trading Post, Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks, the Navajo Code Talkers’ Museum… just to name a few. So don’t be surprised if the drive ends up taking more along the lines of 4.5-5 hours. Then, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive to Page. As I said, it’s doable, but not ideal. Plus, you want to be sure that you do all of your driving during daylight hours. Artificial/supplemental lighting is kept to a bare minimum in this part of the country, so once the sun goes down, it gets really dark. In September, sunrise occurs at about 6:00 AM, sunset at about 6:45 PM. Keep in mind that Page, AZ is on Mountain STANDARD Time, but Monument Valley is on Mountain DAYLIGHT Time; you will “lose” an hour traveling from Grand Canyon to Monument Valley, then “gain” it back traveling from MV to Page, so if you opt to take part in a guided tour, you’ll have to factor this in.
If the prospect of doing all that driving doesn’t appeal, you might consider doing a fixed-wing airplane flight over Monument Valley from the Page Municipal Airport. These are offered by Westwind Air Service (you have to scroll a ways down the linked page to get to that exact tour). They typically go out first thing in the morning for better light and less wind.
As for kayak tours, no previous kayaking experience is required to take part in these. If you have canoeing experience, you’ll be more than a step ahead of anyone else in your group!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For $80, this card grants you access to all National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only areas it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley) and State Parks (many of Sedona’s more popular attractions are state parks). It will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take as Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and Lake Powell are all Federal Fee Areas. Just pick up the pass at the first National Park you hit on your trip.

August 16, 2018 at 5:33 PM

Hi Iris, this is an excellent question, which unfortunately doesn’t have that great an answer.
As you’ve already discovered, public transit options in this part of the country are few and far between. Page, AZ, especially is very remote and options are slim to nearly none. Inistead of relying on Greyhound and trying to connect with tours in Flagstaff, I’d recommend booking a package tour out of Phoenix or Scottsdale. Detours American West Tours has a van tour that lights out of PHX at ~4:00 AM and gets back between 8:00-9:00 PM. Detours American West Phoenix Antelope Canyon Tour
As you’ve already seen, time spent at Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is relatively short, largely due to the driving distance, which is approximately 5 hours each way. If you want to have more time in Page, you might consider flying there on the new Essential Air Service carrier, Contour Airlines. However, if you don’t drive at all, you would still have trouble getting around. Uber/Lyft rides are still hit-and-miss up here.
Another option would be to use Westwind Air Service, who offer round-trip flight service out of the Deer Valley Airport to Page, AZ, a tour of Antelope Canyon, then a flight to the Grand Canyon, where you have lunch prior to your return flight to Deer Valley. Use this link for more information; FYI, you have to scroll down quite a ways to get to the tour I’m referring to.
Sorry to be the bearer of semi-bad news.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 16, 2018 at 5:01 PM

Hi Jenny,
Great question!
Nowadays, there aren’t too many timeframes that see a dip in the number of permit hopefuls, The Wave is just that popular. However, we do tend to see a slight decrease in applicants during two distinct periods: the hottest part of summer (late June through early September), and the dead of winter (December – February). Notice the word “slight.” People still go for it, and sometimes do so unprepared. Just last month, we had a heat-related fatality involving a hiker from Belgium. These types of incidents, though rare, tend to happen most often in the summer months. With increased demand for Wave permits spilling over into the Winter months, it’s only a matter of time until we hear about hypothermia-related casualties.
Hope that helps and best of luck on your quest to see The Wave! For more information about The Wave and alternate sites that are just as beautiful but don’t require a permit, visit our sister site, www.TheWaveAZ.com
Take care,
Alley 🙂

August 13, 2018 at 12:50 PM

Hi again, Pam! 😉
I’m glad to know more about your overall trip plan, and that you’re planning on spending a good deal of time in this area at the best time of year.
As I’d indicated in my reply to your other post, it’s “six-of-one/half-a-dozen of the other” with regard to the 10.30 AM or 1.00 PM departure of the Canyon X tour. Either one would be fine. For boat tours, October remains a pleasant month for these types of activities — usually. The two most popular water-based activities are the Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip and the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour. The Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour is the longer of the two, lasting ~7 hours, and, depending on lake water levels, requiring anywhere from a 2-3 mile round-trip hike to see the bridge. The Glen Canyon Float Trip lasts ~4 hours, with a short optional hike to see a petroglyph panel. The boats used for the Rainbow Bridge Tour have both enclosed and open-air sections, while the rafts on the Glen Canyon trip are completely open and exposed to the elements. Again, October is usually a fairly stable month weather-wise, marked by mostly sunny days with pleasant temperatures on the rim, and somewhat balmier temps on the water. Still, you never know what nature has in store at this point, so start monitoring Page, AZ weather about 2 weeks before you’re ready to leave.
Hope that helps and that you have a wonderful trip!
Alley 🙂
P.S. Be sure to pick up an “America The Beautiful Federal Lands Access Pass.” For just $80, this card gets you into all the National Parks, Monuments and Federal Fee Areas in the US for 1 year’s time. The only places it won’t work are Native American Tribal Parks (such as Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon) and State Parks, but it will still pay for itself on the trip you’re planning to take. Purchase it at the first National Park you hit on your tour.

August 13, 2018 at 12:43 PM

Hey Pam!
Either departure would be fine. October is a great time to be here! Hope you’ll be spending a couple of days so you can enjoy all the town has to offer.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂

August 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM