Customer Questions

Hi Xavi,
Thanks for the kind comment.

I would say that any of the tours you listed will be crowded. Upper is the indeed the easiest option but also the most crowded.

If you want to really get a slot canyon without the crowds you will either have to go to canyon that limits the number of people per group (like Secret Canyon or Canyon X) or you have to hike by yourself to one of the lesser known canyons.

If I was driving through the area and wanted to do a canyon hike without any crowds, I would probably do Wirepass Canyon. It’s only a few miles to hike to it, and is super fun. Plus you’ll only see a few people, even in the summer. You could also try your luck and sign up for the Wave lottery, as the Wave and Wirepass trailhead share the same parking lot 🙂 Make sure to call the BLM visitor center in Kanab to see what the road conditions are if you decide to do this option

I hope that helps,
Ryan

August 24, 2016 at 8:30 PM

Hi Alex,
Ryan is out of the office, but as a former resident of Northern Arizona, I’m happy to help you!
You do not mention specifically if your wife requires a wheelchair to get around, but if she does, all parks in the U.S. National Park System publish Accessibility Guides for individuals with mobility limitations.
With 3-4 days to work with, I would recommend spending 1 day at Grand Canyon South Rim and 2 nights in Page, Arizona. At Grand Canyon South Rim, many facilities are historic, and the terrain is rough, but there are a few areas where you can enjoy flat, easy walking with beautiful views, namely, the Rim Trail and the Trail of Time. In addition, most viewpoints are accessible by car and have handicapped accessible spaces. If you have a wheelchair placard, you can drive your own vehicle to the viewpoints on the Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive. If not, the shuttle system does offer wheelchair access. Note, we’re referring to wheelchairs and not motorized scooters.
In Page, AZ, Upper Antelope Canyon would be the best bet for someone with mobility issues since it is an easy, flat walk of only 100 yards in length. You can also enjoy the Colorado River Discovery Smooth Water Float Trip and perhaps a visit to the Glen Canyon Dam Visitors Center.
For accessibility guides to Grand Canyon click here ->: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
For Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, click here ->: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm
Thank you so much for visiting our site!
Alley

February 07, 2017 at 9:59 PM

Hi Hilda,
A 6 year old can easily do Horseshoe Bend, but depending on the time of year it may be very hot. I would considering bringing shade, and water is a must during the summer. Also be careful of the edge!
Best,
Ryan

August 24, 2016 at 4:55 PM

Hi Emmy,
I think November is one of the best times to do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. The weather has cooled down, as well as the crowds. You should look to come during the first weekend of Novemeber, as that is during the Balloon Regatta. It is also a great time to visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon for the same reasons!
Best,
Ryan

August 24, 2016 at 8:20 PM

Hi Dave,
I agree that Lower Antelope Canyon is probably a better option, if nobody in your party has mobility issues. It is probably still going to feel crowded, as that time of year is pretty popular.

2 days is a little tight for those 3 locations, unless you really fly through the Grand Canyon. I think a fun itinerary would be
Day 1 – Grand Canyon
breakfast at the Bright Angel Lodge
take the hiker express shuttle to the South Kaibab trailhead
hike down to Cedar Ridge and back up
Drive to Page and overnight

Day 2 – Page
Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend
Rent kayaks and take them to Lone Rock beach

Day 3 – Marble Canyon
Take the kayaks to Marble Canyon / Lee’s Ferry and have Colorado River Discovery backhaul you and the kayaks to Glen Canyon Dam, then paddle/float back to the vehicle. It is all stillwater, with no rapids.
Return kayaks to Page

That is a pretty active itinerary, and temps will be about as hot as it gets so it will require some research and planning to make sure it is right for you. Hydration will be critical. That said, it is the itinerary I would do. 🙂

Best,
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 4:02 AM

Hi Jill,
That sounds like a great itinerary. If you have an SUV or some vehicle that can drive on dirt, you should consider checking out Alstrom Point, or hiking through Wirepass canyon. Both are on the way to Bryce, and would be excellent choices. A good option to enjoy the lake at a lower cost would be to rent some kayaks, take them to Lone Rock beach and kayak over to Ice Cream Canyon. Hidden Canyon Kayak will rent them by the day.

Hope that helps!
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 3:13 AM

Hi James, Your itinerary is mathematically possible, but it would be pretty exhausting. To drive from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon south rim would take about 5 hours. If you departed early enough to get to the south rim by 9 am, you could spend two hours at the Grand Canyon, then drive the 3 hours to Page. You would have to be there by 2-3pm at the latest, take the 2 hour tour, then head over to hike Horseshoe Bend. Depending on the time of year, you could still have enough time to catch sunset before driving the 4.5 hours back to Las Vegas via US 89 to I-15.

I don’t recommend this itinerary, especially if you are driving alone, but it could be done if you had additional drivers. I would recommend driving to the Grand Canyon south rim, spending a few hours there, then driving to Page and overnighting. You could do Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in the morning, then adding a few hours at Zion on your way back to Las Vegas. It would still be intense, but significantly more manageable.

Hope that helps!
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 3:38 AM

Hi Van,
Take a look at our page on the different tour companies and their options.

You will want to look at the “Antelope Canyon Photo” tours. They are 2.5 hours long, and the guides are very good at helping manage the flow of people so you can get your photos.

Good Luck!
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 6:22 AM

Hi Beth,
The walking tour is the only way to see the very popular images that you are probably familiar with. The water tour is a completely different experience that is much more of a lake tour. You should take a look at this video of the boat tour so you can see the difference between that the walking tour.

Best,
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 3:18 AM

Hi Anna,
They itinerary might be a little bit hot for your group. You should consider switching the boat tour for something a little more low-key. You could walk across the Glen Canyon Bridge, and then do a tour of the dam. It also has great views. Then you could do Wahweap Overlook and the Glen Canyon overlook

That would probably be a little more manageable, and would you would still see the lake and river.

Hope that helps!
Ryan

June 16, 2016 at 6:26 AM

Although this guest’s visit has already taken place, her inquiry brings up a very important point about mass transit – or lack thereof – from the town of Page, Arizona.
Page, Arizona is one of the most remote communities in the United States. Though it is within a day’s drive of major cities such as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, it is still quite isolated. Many people have found this out the hard way when they found themselves stranded in this area!
Mira asks about the possibility of
1. Renting a car in Page and driving to Las Vegas. That’s easier said than done. Avis and Enterprise Rent-A-Car do have outlets at the Page Municipal Airport (PGA), however, they both charge rather hefty drop-off fees for taking their vehicles one-way. This due in part to the relative difficulty of getting vehicles back to their dispatching origin.
2. Tour options starting in Page and ending in Las Vegas. There are none.
3. Transport options from Antelope Canyon to Page. You might be able to book one-way transport with one of the local tour outfitters that pick up in Page, but it would no doubt require a special arrangement. You would certainly need to reach out to the different outfitters by phone to accomplish this, if they’re even amenable to it. Otherwise, Buggy Taxi might be an option.
4. Other suggestions of things to see? There are almost too many to name in the Grand Circle area! The moral of the story, though, is that you’ll always have the most freedom and flexibility by driving yourself to Page, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. Otherwise, be prepared to be at the mercy of someone else’s schedule, which may not always be most convenient for you.
Happy travels, everyone, ’till next time –
Alley

February 08, 2017 at 11:16 PM

Hi Dolores,
Lower Antelope is safe for kids if they can climb steep ladders. I recommend you take a look at the walkthrough video to get a better visual of what they will need to do. Hope that helps!
Ryan

April 11, 2016 at 4:31 AM

Hi David,
Reservations are highly recommended. During the peak months of May – Oct, Upper Antelope Canyon is often sold out weeks in advance. If you have a few days in Page, you can usually find a tour if you are flexible. Lower antelope canyon also usually has space available for same day tours.

Ryan

March 31, 2016 at 5:51 PM

Hi Elaine!
Antelope Canyon is only available with a guided tour. They will also provide interpretation and will help you with finding great photographic angles. If you want to explore a canyon self-guided, I recommend you check out Wirepass on House Rock Vally road, and Lower East Waterholes which is 3 miles south of Page. Both options require some scrambling over obstacles and may not be a good option for people with mobility issues. House Rock Valley road is a dirt road about 40 miles west of Page and can be impassable depending on weather conditions. Be sure to check with the visitor center before your hike for current road conditions. Both hikes require hiking permits.

Hope that helps!
Ryan

March 23, 2016 at 5:12 PM

Hi Alice,
Are you guys Phoenix locals or just flying into PHX? If you’re travelling to Phoenix, I would recommending stopping by the Grand Canyon South Rim and going on a small hike before heading to Page. The most popular choice would be to park at the Bright Angel Lodge, and hike down the Bright Angel trail as far as you want and then turn back when you’re ready. You can grab lunch at lodge, or Cameron Trading post is also a good choice if you’re not hungry yet. Cameron Trading post is on your way from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page. It’s about 3.5 hours from Phx to the Grand Canyon, and about 3 hours from the Grand Canyon to Page.
You could do both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, but I would personally rather do something else since they look very similar. I would do Horseshoe Bend, one of the canyons, the dam overlook and maybe the Glen Canyon Dam. Then I would consider spending a day on Lake Powell, maybe rent a boat or go to Lone Rock Beach!
Hope that helps!
Ryan

March 08, 2016 at 5:28 PM

Thanks Kate! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Ryan

March 08, 2016 at 4:58 PM

Hi Ginny,
There is a saying we use in the Grand Canyon, “Going down is optional, but going up is mandatory.” 🙂 At time time I am writing this, the tours are traveling up the canyon, finishing close to the parking lot. In years past, they were going the opposite direction. In general, I would say that both directions are equally difficult. If your parents may have trouble with 2-3 flights of narrow stairs, then Upper Antelope is definitely a better choice. Upper is completely flat with no elevation change. Take a look at full walk through video of Lower Antelope, hopefully that will help you make a decision.
Hope you guys have a fun visit!

February 29, 2016 at 4:49 PM

Hi Vid,
There are a couple of great hikes that I recommend for a second day. You should look at doing Wirepass to the Buckskin confluence, which is a pretty easy 3 mile round trip. It takes you to the confluence of the largest slot canyon in North America. You should also consider Wahweap Hoodoos, a rocky but relatively flat 9 miles r/t up a wash to some great hoodoos. If you want some great exercise, then consider Spencer’s trail at Lee’s ferry. It is steeper than the corridor trails at the Grand Canyon, but only 2 miles longand takes you to a great overlook. Cathedral Canyon in the same area is a moderate hike that is about 3.0 miles round trip. Its a little cooler for temps because it is in a canyon, and takes you to the river. Finding the cairns that indicate where you have to scramble down can be difficult but it is one of the more fun hikes.
If you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, research “the ropes trail” on the other side of the Colorado River just across from Page. All I will say is that it is pretty difficult, dangerous, takes you to the river, is the original way down surveyors used for the dam, and the park will do everything in their power to discourage you from doing this hike. It is legal to do, just make sure you have the right experience and bring gloves.
Hope that helps.
Best,
Ryan

February 29, 2016 at 4:32 PM

Hi Amber,
Thanks for the questions. 4 days and 3 nights is a good amount of time to spend in the area. If some of the local hikes are not what you’re looking for (too much off-road, too much technical canyoneerings, etc) it is very common to use Page as a base camp for the near-by parks (Bryce, Zion, Monument Valley, etc.) Stopping at the Grand Canyon and exploring for a full day still gives you enough time to make it back to Page before bedtime. A lot of locals will get up early to do day hikes at Grand Canyon south rim, and be back in time for dinner.
April will be as least busy as it gets for Antelope Canyon. Keep in mind that they canyons are just a few hundred feet long, so it doesn’t take a lot of people to start crowding your shots.
Best,
Ryan

February 29, 2016 at 4:20 PM

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From Susan

Your comments/responses are great…many thanks.

I plan to visit Zion, Byrce and Arches Parks this October. I will be coming from the East and plan to enter Utah from the south. I definitely will spend at least a day in Page to do the Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell. I am allowing for 6 days to visit the 3 Parks, and I want to leave from North Utah for my return trip . Is there a good central location where I can stay for the 6 days, or would you recommend that I spend 2 days as close to each park entrance as I can.

August 04, 2016 at 7:18 PM

Hi Jenevie,
This is a common, but excellent question, and the answer depends heavily on what time of year you’re planning to visit.
Many people have seen the other-worldly photos of a surreal slot canyon bathed in soft sunlight, with a dramatic sunbeam illuminating the chamber and extending all the way down to the canyon floor. This phenomenon, which occurs in Upper Antelope Canyon, takes place during the mid-day hours (between 11 AM and 1 PM) during the late spring-summer-and early fall months due to the near-perfect angle of the sun, facilitated by the tilt of the Earth during the warmer seasons.
During the late fall-winter-early spring months, the Earth tilts away from the canyon somewhat, so the sunbeams may reach the upper levels of the canyon, but they don’t make it all the way down to the floor. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit – far from it! The canyon is still beautiful, and what’s more, you typically don’t have as many people to contend with on your tour. That’s always a plus.
As for Horseshoe Bend, it is best seen after sunrise to late afternoon. Sunset isn’t so great because once the sun goes down, Glen Canyon is in shadow. So, hitting Horseshoe Bend in the morning, then Antelope Canyon in the early afternoon is an excellent plan for enjoying a day of sightseeing in Page, Arizona!
’til next time, happy travels!
Alley

February 08, 2017 at 11:23 PM

Bhea,
At this time, there are not any tours that include Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas or Phoenix. It does require that you drive there from either Las Vegas or Phoenix. However, the tour we do recommend is the Scenic Canyon River Adventure from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim…unfortunately it doesn’t begin until March 1st. In the future, there will be a tour from Las Vegas as it is growing in popularity.
Ryan

January 19, 2016 at 4:39 PM

Hi Colleen,
It depends on which way you are traveling after you leave Page. If you are traveling west, I would recommend Wirepass Canyon (6$ per person) and Paria Toadstools (free.) If you’re traveling east, then Monument Valley is a great choice. South I would say Grand Canyon south rim! If you are looking for activities around town, I would recommend a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam, or take a 1/2 day river float trip down the Colorado river. Colorado River Discovery has a 1/2 day tour.
For RV camping, I would recommend Wahweap Campground. It is a little outside town (15-20 minutes) but it is walking distance from a swim beach on Lake Powell, so I think it is worth the extra time.
I hope that helps!
Ryan

January 04, 2016 at 3:35 AM

Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!

April 07, 2017 at 11:44 PM

Hi Paggy,
Antelope Canyon is open all year. The only reason it closes is because of flash flood warnings. Those usually happen during the summer months, so it is very unlikely you will have any issues.
Hope you have a great visit!
Ryan

January 04, 2016 at 3:28 AM

Hi Cat,
Antelope Canyon at the end of Jan will be quite chilly, but you have the benefit of a much smaller group size! I think it is a great time of year to go. You will not see lightbeams, so if that is a must, then this is not the right time for you. However, unless you are a photographer, I don’t think the lightbeams are a very important part of the Antelope Canyon experience.
Ryan

January 14, 2016 at 5:25 PM

Hi Margie,
You will need to have a tour guide for Antelope Canyon. Click here to information on how to book a tour.
Horseshoe Bend is a free hike, you can just park at the trailhead and walk to the viewpoint.

December 22, 2015 at 4:36 AM

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From Siji

Hi Ryan
In mid September I am in Las Vegas and free time for 3 days (from Friday 2 pm to Monday 11 am) and am single traveller.
I would like to visit Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon by some tours.
Ideally after visiting antelope Canyon, I want to reach Grand Canyon to see Sun Set and stay over night . Next day morning see Sun Rise and other tourist attractions . return Sunday night or Monday morning by 11 am. Vice versa way covering both place also okay
Is there any tours to cover both places (without coming back to Las Vegas). I don’t want to drive. How much it cost to hire a car to cover this tour.
Any suggestions for cheap accommodation in Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon.
your early reply is much appreciated
Thanks
Siji

July 27, 2017 at 11:08 AM

Hi Raquel, The Skywalk at East Grand Canyon is 5 hours and 40 minutes from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Here’s a map with directions.

November 28, 2015 at 5:40 AM

Hi Diana,
Unfortunately, it is not possible to go to Antelope Canyon without a tour guide.

Horseshoe Bend you can do without a permit or guide, just park and take the 3/4 mile hike. It will be cold during your visit, so dress appropriately. There will be plenty of parking during Jan, and it will take you 1-2 hours.

In addition to the ideas listed on the one day itinerary, if you are interested in budget items you should consider adding Lone Rock Beach and the Paria Toadstools.

November 26, 2015 at 6:09 PM

Great question Noor,
There is no tour bus that starts in Page that does these three attractions.
However, if you are already in town staying at a hotel, most of the Antelope Canyon companies are in the center of town, and easy walking distance from most of the hotels. These companies will drive you to Antelope Canyon.
If you are too far to walk, you should use Buggy Taxi 1 (928) 645-6664. Rates are usually 10-20$ anywhere in town. They will also take you to Horseshoe Bend during the day.
Antelope Point Marina and Wahweap Marina both have shuttles that pick up in town and take you to their location. The schedules change depending on time of year, so best to call the marinas directly to find time and pick up locations. Their websites also list their tour times for Lake Powell.

October 29, 2015 at 3:28 AM

Stop at the local market to get water and snacks for the day. You will want a day pack to carry things in since you will be gone for the entire day.

March 13, 2016 at 8:32 AM

Hi Ryan, is 0830 tour ok at the antelope canyon, Ken’s Tours, it was the only time that worked for us and other slots were booked, for march 30th, thanks, karen

March 21, 2018 at 4:13 PM

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From Alley Keosheyan

Hi Karen,
Yes, the 8.30 AM tour is perfectly fine. They wouldn’t offer tours at that time if it wasn’t 😉
Have a great trip!
Alley

March 22, 2018 at 4:21 PM