#YOLO – it stands for “You Only Live Once.” So why would you tour the waterside of Antelope Canyon shoulder-to-shoulder with a boatload of strangers? Experience the power and majesty of Antelope Canyon as it joins with Lake Powell in a way that only a select few visitors will share, with Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours!
On Hidden Canyon Kayak’s Antelope Canyon Tour, you’ll glide between red sandstone walls towering high above tranquil morning waters, inching closer and closer together as you paddle gently and quietly toward the canyon’s land side. You needn’t have any previous kayaking experience to take part. Hidden Canyon Kayak’s licensed guides will teach you how to pilot your watercraft in safety and confidence, and provide all the equipment you need to keep your personal belongings safe and dry. Depending on Lake Powell’s water level, you’ll take a simple hike to where the slot canyon portion of Antelope Canyon begins. Your guide will take keepsake photos of you and your tour group at no extra charge! Group sizes are deliberately limited for more personalized service, so book your seats today, or you may be overcome by a bad case of FOMO.
Your tour price includes:
- Kayak (2-person models will be used unless previous alternate arrangements are made)
- Paddles
- Life jackets
- Snacks
- Refillable water
- Dry bags and boxes
Tour duration: 3-4 hours, depending on water level of Lake Powell
Tour schedules:
February 15th – April 30th: 7:30 – 11:30 AM
May 1st – September 14th: 6:30 – 10:30 AM and 7:30 – 11:30 AM
September 15th – October 31st: 7:30 – 11:30 AM
All times are Mountain Standard Time
Tours depart from from Antelope Point Marina Public Launch Ramp, which is about 12 miles (19.3 kilometers) from Downtown Page. Your kayak tour guide will meet you by the bathroom at the entrance to the parking lot. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time. Antelope Point Marina is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which is a Federal Fee Area.
Tours require a minimum of 2 passengers to guarantee operation and are contingent on favorable weather conditions.
70 Responses
Hey Alley,
What do you think of our itinerary for the week of May. Also, does the hidden canyon kayak tour offer a hike onto the antelope canyon at all?
May 21 – Zion National Park
Angels Landing
The Narrows (Maybe)
Canyon overlook trail
May 22 – Bryce Canyon National Park
May 23 – drive to Page
May 24 – Page, AZ
Kayaking at Lake Powell into Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend at sunset
Hi Maha,
Your itinerary looks pretty fun, but I think you’ll regret not giving more time to Zion. Most folks need another day to attempt the Narrows after doing Angel’s Landing. Also, I should let you know that to do either hike requires the use of the Zion Canyon Shuttle, which you’ll need to purchase advance tickets for.
The Hidden Canyon Kayak tour does offer some hiking into the pre-slot portion of Lower Antelope Canyon, water level permitting.
Whatever you decide, be sure to book all hotels and guided tours well in advance.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi we are traveling to Page Az/Lake Powell area (our frost time) May 6-May 9th. What would be your top recommendations to do? We have 11 in our group ages 14-50. We want to do some hiking and water activities. What is the best way to experience lake Powell, antelope canyon …. ? Sorry so many questions. Thank you!
Hi Maribel,
If hiking and water-based activities are a priority for your upcoming vacation, a great way to accomplish both objectives is the Hidden Canyon Kayak Tour. Meeting at Antelope Point Marina, you would paddle into the waterside of Antelope Canyon (the land side is currently closed), then hike into the ‘pre-slot’ portion of the canyon on the shoreline of Lake Powell, which is Federal and not Tribal land. While the scenery in this part of the canyon isn’t the “picture postcard” slot canyon scenery yo might be expecting, it’s still beautiful, and judging from the number of sold out dates last season, lots of other people thought so too!
While in the area, you should definitely visit Horseshoe Bend, as well as:
– Page Rim View Trail
– Glen Canyon Dam/Steel Arch Bridge
– Hanging Garden Trail & The Chains
– Glen Canyon Dam/White House Overlook
– Grand View Overlook Park
– The “New” Wave and Radio Tower Rock
– Gunfighter Canyon
– Wahweap Overlook
– Wahweap Swim Beach and/or Lone Rock Beach (located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which requires a $30/vehicle entrance fee, good for one week’s time)
If you have the time and/or inclination to venture a short distance over the border of Utah, other good stops are:
– Big Water Visitors Center & Dinosaur Museum
– Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi! My husband and I are planning a trip at the end of February and are interested in the Antelope Canyon Kayak tour. With the weather and water being so cold, what do you recommend we wear to stay comfortable throughout the tour? Thanks!
Hi Bersujud,
I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the kayak tour outfitters won’t resume operating until the first week of March this year. If you are able to delay your visit a few days, you would be able to take a tour as early as March 1st. As for what you should wear, light layers are generally recommended, but you might wish to invest in a dry suit for the unlikely event your kayak capsizes. Your kayak tour company would be the best place to consult for advice on clothing and other gear. Feel free to call them at (928) 660-1836.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We will be visiting in March. Are the kayak tours available then? When I do a mock registration, it appears so, but I wanted to make sure.
Thank you!
B
Hey Brenda,
According to Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak (whose trip is featured in this article), their operating season is February 15th through October 31st. There could be some slight differences due to COVID-19, so if you want to inquire about that, you could give them a call at (928) 660-1836, or e-mail info@canyonkayak.com
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
We will be visiting in the last week of December. Is there a way to get into the lower Antelope Canyon? I see your kayak tours do not run during this time. Can a person simply park and walk in or is there transportation needed across the river? Lastly, what is your status due to the Coronavirus and lockdowns?
Hi Andrew,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the Antelope Canyons will be closed to all access at the time of year you’re visiting. You cannot simply park and walk in at will. Since the land-side of Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyons, and its other drainages such as Antelope Canyon X, etc., are situated on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, attempting to get there by any other means than a guided tour constitutes trespassing, and all that that implies.
If seeing a slot canyon remains high on your priority list — and we wouldn’t blame you at all if it did! — our best recommendation is to visit Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, Peek-A-Boo Canyon offers a short but memorable walk featuring classic slot canyon scenery, as well as some unique formations such as ancient “moqui” steps, and “Shaman’s Needle,” a pencil-thin stone column located in a small sub-drainage near the canyon’s entrance. While a guided tour is technically not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you take one anyway. The walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, but the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate deep sand. Even then, people still get stuck. If you’re driving a rental car, forget it! You will void your insurance the minute your tires part with the pavement, which means you’d be on the hook for a very expensive rescue, should you need one, and have to foot the bill for any damage you’d sustain to the vehicle. Reputable tour companies that can get you to Peek-A-Boo Canyon are:
– Dreamland Safari Tours, (435) 412-1790, http://www.dreamlandtours.net
– TC Tours, (435) 668-5262, http://www.slotcanyontourskanab.com
– Kanab Tour Company, (435) 644-5525, http://www.kanabtourcompany.com
– Forever Adventure Tours, 435-644-5700, http://www.foreveradventuretours.com
– Grand Circle Tours, (928) 691-0166, http://www.vermilioncliffs.net
For updated information on the status of the Antelope Canyons and COVID-19 lockdowns, visit http://www.NavajoNationParks.org
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂
Are you still doing the Hidden Canyon kayak tours? If so, how can I register for the trip?
Hi Mary,
The Hidden Canyon Kayak tour is offered between February 15th and October 31st. If your visit to Page, AZ, is occurring anytime before February 15th, you would unfortunately not be able to participate in this activity, but you might consider an Antelope Canyon boat tour, which runs year-round, weather permitting and contingent on a certain number of people traveling.
If you are traveling during Hidden Canyon Kayak’s operating season, you may register for a tour by visiting Hidden Canyon Kayak’s website, or phoning 928-660-1836.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I tried clicking on Book Now for the Hidden Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour but it didn’t take me anywhere? I’m looking to visit February 29th.
Hi Morgan,
Sorry about the trouble. We will try to get that booking link fixed ASAP. In the meantime, you can book the Antelope Canyon Kayak tour directly with the tour company, Hidden Canyon Kayak Tours via their website: LakePowellHiddenCanyonKayak.com
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Dear Alley,
would you be able to recommend any company that runs multisport-type tours around the national parks of Arizona, Utah and Nevada that would also include this amazingly looking kayak tour?
I’m struggling to find one and since I travel solo, I would really prefer to join a group of “like-minded individuals”:)
Thanks a lot!
Hey Alex,
This is a great question!
While you might not find a multi-sport tour that includes this exact kayak tour, companies are out there that cater to, as you aptly put, “like-minded individuals.” These include, but are certainly not limited to, Escape Adventures, Backroads, and AOA Adventures.
While these tour companies offer the benefit of full-service planning, the biggest downside is that you’re at the mercy of their scheduling, which typically allows little to no opportunities to “do your own thing.” Many solo travelers have had very fulfilling trips to the American Southwest on a self-drive basis. Surely, you could be one of them! For more information and suggestions, check out our “Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary in Northern Arizona & Southern Utah.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hey So I Have Some Questions.
So to do the kayak tour how much is it?
How long is the kayak tour?
What Time does it start ?
And Where Do We Go To Pick Up The Rental Kayaks?
Hi Aime,
The Hidden Canyon Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour is 3 hours long. During the summer months, it departs 3x daily: 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, and 1:00 PM. You meet your guide, and pick up your kayak at Antelope Point Marina.
Alley
Hello! My wife and I are taking our 2 kids (7 and 9) to Powell at the end of June. We would love to do the Antelope Canyon Kayak trip without a guide. Putting each kid with an adult in a tandem kayak, is this doable? Both kids are strong and energetic lol. Where can I find a map? Thanks in advance.
Hi Craig and thank you for your inquiry!
Yes, you are perfectly welcome to kayak into Antelope Canyon without a guide if you prefer. There are many fine kayak rental outlets in Page, AZ. As to whether it’s doable to have 1 adult and 1 child in a tandem kayak, I don’t see why not, but that’s something that should be verified with whatever rental company you choose to work with.
Regarding maps of Lake Powell, your kayak rental company should supply them, or offer them for sale. Many retail outlets in Page, AZ, sell them as well, but a decent selection of Lake Powell maps are available online. Fred’s Liquor has a surprisingly comprehensive array of maps, divided by individual side canyons and bays, including Antelope Canyon.
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂