The Antelope Canyons are located in Northern Arizona, a few miles Southeast of the town of Page, Arizona.
Driving distances from major cities and tourist destinations are as follows:
Los Angeles, California – 9 hours
Phoenix, Arizona – 4.5 hours
Las Vegas, Nevada – 4.5 hours
Flagstaff, Arizona – 2.5 hours
Sedona, Arizona – 3 hours
St. George, Utah – 2.5 hours
Zion National Park, Utah – 2 hours
Grand Canyon South Rim – 2.5 hours
Grand Canyon North Rim – 2.5 hours
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah – 3 hours
Moab, Utah – 5 hours
Monument Valley, Utah – 2 hours
Note that the times given reflect driving directly, with minimal stops. This rarely happens since most of these drives are very scenic, and you will be stopping to take pictures, guaranteed! For planning purposes, it’s a good idea to pad these figures by 20-30%.
Upon arrival in Page, AZ, you will be required to take a guided tour to Antelope Canyon. You cannot simply drive up to the canyon’s entrance and walk in at will. Well before making the trip to Page, AZ, you should do some research on which section of Antelope Canyon you wish to tour, and make a reservation. Depending on which tour company you book with, you will be required to check in anywhere from 30-60 minutes prior to your Antelope Canyon tour.
If you opt to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, there are 4 tour companies in all that tour this branch of Antelope Canyon: 2 that depart from the town of Page, AZ, and 2 that depart from near the Tribal Park Entrance on US98. If you choose to go to Lower Antelope Canyon, there are 2 companies that manage this section of the slot canyon, both located on the North side of US98 near the defunct Navajo Generating Station. Tour both Lower & Upper Antelope Canyons
If you would like to add an Antelope Canyon waterside boat tour onto your slot canyon tour(s), these depart from Antelope Point Marina, just a short distance down US98 from the Lower Antelope Canyon tour entrance.
If you are staying someplace like Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon South Rim, or Las Vegas, and aren’t keen on doing all that driving, guided tours from these areas to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are available by bus, van, or fixed-wing airplane.
258 Responses
Hey Rick/Alley,
We are planning to be in Page on Sunday, Oct. 8th and all tour companies are sold out (no surprise, we decided last minute to make this detour on our way to Phoenix). I read on a few other blogs (i.e. Tripadvisor, Fodor’s, etc.) that you can simply drive to the Upper Canyon parking lot/entrance, pay your fees and hire a guide form there? Is this still true? Appreciate your assistance. Thank you! Kevin
Hi Kevin and thank you for visiting today.
This is a wonderful time of year to be touring Page, AZ and its slot canyons, so we’re not the least bit surprised to hear that tours are sold out.
Just a few short years ago, you could indeed just show up at the entrance to either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon on US98, sign up for a tour, and get on the next one available. But, as the saying goes, “that was then, this is now.” There are certain things we suggest you do in case you’re finding Antelope Canyon tours are sold out, including calling on the phone, making sure you check with all available outfitters, and be open to going at so-called “off times” (i.e., early in the morning or later in the afternoon). Another option is to consider touring a different slot canyon, such as Canyon X, Mountain Sheep, Rattlesnake or Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon. Many of these alternate slot canyons are part of the same drainage system as Antelope Canyon, are just as beautiful, and far less crowded.
Good luck and enjoy your visit!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley/Ryan,
Thanks so much for the wonderful information. This is a great website! We plan to visit Grand Canyon/Page/Bryce/Zion end of this April. 2 adults and 2 kids (age 14 and 10). We will head out from Las Vegas early morning on Monday to Grand Canyon. Currently I have 2 nights in park lodging and don’t have overnight at Page, we plan to drive to Page then to Bryce same day on Wednesday. Will one night at Grand Canyon be enough (we would love to hike down to the canyon a little bit and don’t want to rush) so I can allocate one night to Page? Instead of leaving Wed morning to Page, doing Horseshoe Bed and Antelope Canyon tour, then to Bryce, should we leave Tuesday afternoon from Grand Canyon and get to Page, so we can have a bit relaxed time on Wednesday exploring Antelope Canyon and enjoy the scene/hike while heading to Bryce before sunset? Please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Sally, thank you for visiting our site, and for your compliments!
I would strongly advise revising your schedule a bit so you can spend at least one night in Page. Driving from Grand Canyon South Rim to Page direct, without stopping, takes 2.5 hours. The same for driving from Page to Bryce Canyon, but these drives are seldom done direct since they are very scenic and folks end up stopping to take pictures. Another consideration: we don’t recommend driving at night due to the lack of supplemental lighting on local roadways, and the tendency of deer, elk and other wildlife to congregate around them at night.
Dropping a night at the Grand Canyon would allow you a night to allocate to Page without detracting from your Grand Canyon experience because a good chunk of your sightseeing of the Grand Canyon occurs on the drive to Page. The route naturally takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the Grand Canyon where there are several beautiful viewpoints worth stopping at. Upon exiting the park and entering the Navajo Indian Reservation, there are even more. Be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post at the junction of Highway 64 and 89 for lunch or just to stretch your legs/visit facilities. Then hit Horseshoe Bend Overlook 5 miles South of Page.
As for hiking at the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail would be the most easily accessible from Grand Canyon Park lodging and should be timed so you don’t bite off more than you can chew. 1 hour down = 2 hours out. Water and food must be carried if you’re planning on spending any more than 1 hour’s time.
Hope that helps. Have a great time!
Alley
Is it safe to drive to antelope canyon from Vegas and back same day .
Hi Shoba,
This is one of those questions to which the answer is “yes” and “no.” The drive takes approximately 5 hours – that’s one-way. Antelope Canyon tours, whether to Lower or Upper, typically take 90 minutes to 2 hours. While in the Page area, you should also plan on stopping at Horseshoe Bend, which is nearby. Factoring in time for lunch or dinner, and fuel stops, you could be driving back to Las Vegas at night, which we don’t recommend due to lack of supplemental lighting on the roadways, and the tendency of wildlife to congregate around them. Staying for a night or two in Page will give you a much more relaxed experience, not to mention time to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Hope that helps. Happy traveling!
Alley
Your website is awesome. My family and I are flying into Phoenix on Wed, March 15th. If I told you Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon are a must on our list, could you recommend a day by day itenary? We have until Monday March 20th. I’m overwhelmed what to see first, what city to drive too, etc. Happy to have other suggestions of what to see also. Horseshoe Bend? We’re an active, outdoorsy kinda family.
Much success and blessings to you-
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the compliments on our website. With 5 days to work with, Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon will be just a small sampling of the scenic beauty you can enjoy in Northern Arizona!
After arriving in Phoenix, I would recommend visiting Sedona, Arizona. Located approximately 2 hours from Phoenix, Sedona is home to some of the world’s most famous and beautiful red rock formations, exquisite art galleries and retail shops, and some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan sites in the state. With so much to offer, you’ll have no trouble spending 2 fun-filled days in this area! For more information, visit http://www.Sedona.net
After Sedona, proceed to Grand Canyon South Rim approximately 2.5 hours North of Sedona. Staying at one of the 6 hotels inside the park is most desirable, but if these are sold out (which is quite possible at this point), Tusayan/GC Village South is the next best option just 3 miles outside the park gate. For complete information on Grand Canyon hotels, visit https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/south-rim-hotels/ Because much of the Grand Canyon can be experienced on the drive to Page, we suggest staying just one night there.
From Grand Canyon South Rim, proceed East on Highway 64 along the Desert View drive. Plan to stop at a few of the viewpoints along the way. After exiting the park, you’ll be on Navajo Indian Tribal lands. The Cameron Trading Post makes a good lunch stop or at least mid-way bathroom break stop at the junction of Highway 64 & 89.
About 5 miles South of the town of Page, Arizona, you’ll arrive at the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Allow about an hour for the walk there and back, and for viewing time at the overlook. Take care as some parts of the trail are very sandy, plus there are no guardrails at the overlook. Upon leaving Horseshoe Bend, head North to the town of Page for your overnight accommodations. Scroll down to the section marked Page AZ on this link https://grandcanyon.com/category/hotels/east-hotels-1/
After a leisurely start to your next morning, you can plan to visit Antelope Canyon. You’ll need to decide whether to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, which is a short, easy walk; or Lower Antelope Canyon, which is a bit longer and requires some climbing (staircases, a few boulders). Tours to Upper Antelope Canyon are offered from the town of Page, or at the Tribal Park entrance gate on Highway 98. For Lower Antelope Canyon, pick-ups in Page are not offered, but the drive to the park entrance gate is a short 5-10 minutes.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit! BTW, here’s a map of the drive I’ve proposed ->: https://goo.gl/maps/fgoQwjAdSfS2
Success and blessings back to you,
Alley
Hi Ryan,
Is it worth the drive to go grand canyon south rim from antelope canyon going back to vegas? I’m thinking of this itinerary
Day 1 : land to las vegas and drive to zion and do a quick hike at riverside trail. Stay the night. Or just stay the night in vegas and drive early morning to zion?
Day 2: hike at zion, maybe emerald pool . Stay there for atleast 4hrs. Then head to bryce canyon then head to Page
Day 3: antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. Stay at page again.
Day 4: grand canyon south then head back to vegas
Should I jusy eliminate one of the park? If so, which one? Is grand a canyon a must? For sure I want to antelope canyon. How about lake powell?
Thank you in advance. We’ll be travelling this coming week… winter time. I’d appreciate your advice.
Hello Johanna,
Ryan is out of the office, plus it looks like we weren’t able to get to your comment in time for your trip. We hope you had a good time, though your itinerary did look a little rushed. We’d be curious to see how things turned out for you.
For other travelers to Northern Arizona and Southern Utah, keep these things in mind:
1. Drive times that Google Maps or Mapquest gives you are rarely what materialize in reality! There is so much to see that you can count on making multiple stops to take photos, buy souvenirs, purchase meals and drinks, etc., not to mention the inevitable restroom stops. In any case, long drives are a fact of life in this neck of the woods and if you’re not used to them, your vacation will feel like drudgery by the time you’re ready to head home. Who wants that?
2. The bigger the park, the longer you should plan on staying. Zion National Park, for example, is huge and multi-faceted, and warrants at least a 2 day stay. Bryce Canyon, on the other hand, is less than 40 square miles in area, so 1 night tends to be sufficient for most visitors. Lake Powell is another “biggie,” calling for 1-2 nights at the very least. Grand Canyon South Rim can usually be experienced fully with an overnight stay, especially for those coming from or going to Page; a good part of your sightseeing will be experienced on the drive to or from GC.
In wintertime, it’s important not to schedule yourself too tightly as inclement weather can throw a wrench into your plans.
Happy travels to all!
Alley
Ryan, I want to let you know how much I appreciate all this very valuable information you have posted about the Page area. My wife and I are planning a trip there in October and I have spent quite a bit a time here preparing for our trip. Thank you very much!
Rick
Rick,
I’m glad the information was useful, Feel free to ask on here if you have specific questions. It is a great way to help us think of future articles!
Best,
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Thank you for creating this page, very helpful. My question is would you recommend Horseshoe bend to a 6 y.o kid (were planning on going to Antelope canyon -upper and the Marina), and maybe going to Horseshoe bend.
kudos,
Hilda
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
Awesome information Ryan! Thank you so much for creating this website! This is the most helpful website I’ve found so far for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Going alone for my first time and SO looking forward to it. Going to use as many of your tips as possible!
Thanks Kate! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Do you recommend a certain time to hike Antelope Canyon, when the sun hits in between the slots the best?
I was thinking of hitting Horseshoe Bend first then going to Antelope Canyon.
Thanks!
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
My husband is driving to Antelope Canyon from GC. We would like to see the lower and horse shoes bend. Is it a must to join a tour or We are able to tour ourselves?
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.
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
Hi Siji,
Due to the logistics involved – namely, the 5-hour drive from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon and/or Grand Canyon – tours that do exactly what you’re wanting to accomplish are going to be few and far between. Tours4Fun offers a 2-day package that starts in Las Vegas, goes to the Grand Canyon, then on to Page, AZ where you would spend the night, see Horseshoe Bend the following morning, then head back to Las Vegas. Tours4Fun 2-Day Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon Tour
Bear in mind that these tours only operate on certain days of the week, and are usually contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. They will not go with just one person, I can tell you that much.
As for “hiring a car,” I have no idea what that would cost, but you might see if you can make an arrangement through Uber or Lyft out of Las Vegas (there are no Uber/Lyft drivers in Grand Canyon or Page). Quite frankly, though, the best quality experience is going to be one where you drive yourself. If you’re apprehensive about doing so because you come from a country where you drive on the left, you’ll be glad to know that literally millions of first-time US drivers visit this area every day and are OK making the adjustment to right-side driving. By driving yourself, you can see all the attractions you want, when you want. With a tour, you’ll be at the mercy of their schedule, which is usually quite inflexible due to everything they try to cram into a short time.
Regarding “cheap accommodations,” mid-September is peak travel season in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Hotels do not reduce rates during that time frame. Another consideration is that if you haven’t already made hotel reservations, you’ll find the lower-priced properties are already full. If you really and truly want to save money on accommodations, visit during the winter. That’s the only time of year you’ll find lower rates, along with fewer people because it’s really cold outside, possibly snowing!
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Here are more suggestions on How To Visit Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas.
Take care and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Thank you Alley for quick reply and information to my queries. will help to plan my trip
siji
HI Alley
I’m back with some more query. I did bit of google and workout how to see Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon with tour operators from Flagstaff.
There is Amtrak from LV to Flagstaff , but reaches early morning 4.30 am. Wondering is there good car rental /taxi from Flagstaff train station to hotels in early morning.
2. How safe Flagstaff and taxi service in this odd hours.
3. Do Amtrak train punctual and run in time.
I thought of GC sunset tour which starts at 12 noon from Flagstaff one day and next day GC full day tour both with Viator tours
Looking to hear from you. Thanks
Siji
Hi Siji,
Thanks for writing again!
First off, the AMTRAK service into Flagstaff is notoriously unreliable. 4.30 AM is the scheduled arrival time, but it is often late, or sometimes early, believe it or not.
There are a few taxi companies in Flagstaff, which advertise as running 24-hours-a-day, and a few hotels near there as well, but the check-in time at area hotels is usually around 3:00-4:00 PM, so you’ll have hours to kill before getting access to a room.
It is less than ideal, but if driving is not an option, it is what it is. As for your plan to do a full day GC tour one day and then a sunset, I would advise against. Doing two tours will seem redundant. I would instead use one day to tour GC, then another day to tour Page and Antelope Canyon.
Regards,
Alley 🙂