The Antelope Canyons have fast risen to Top 5 status among the Page, Arizona area’s “must do” activities. You are required to tour them with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service, and advance reservations are an absolute must! Why You Should Book In Advance…
So where does one start? To book a tour for Antelope Canyon, you must first decide whether you want to tour Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon, or both.
Upper Antelope Canyon is an above-ground slot canyon. It’s an easy, flat 100 yard walk, following a 2-mile off-road ride from the Navajo Tribal Park Gate on US98 to the canyon’s entrance. Upper Antelope Canyon is also where you can catch those world-famous sunbeams between the spring and fall months, but only during peak time tours. If you are traveling with infants, young children, seniors, or anyone with mobility limitations, Upper Antelope Canyon would be the best choice for your slot canyon touring experience, however, only 3 of the 5 Upper Antelope Canyon tour operators allow children under 6 on their tours. Also, wheelchairs and strollers are not allowed due to the difficulty of maneuvering these devices through potentially deep sand and the newly installed network of walkways from the exit of the canyon back to the tour vehicle parking area.
Lower Antelope Canyon is a longer slot canyon (~600 yards), situated below-ground. Touring it requires descending and ascending a series of ladders, and stepping over a few boulders. Access to the canyon is directly from the Tribal Park Gate on US98. If everyone in your traveling party is in reasonably good health and can handle moderate exercise, you should be fine in Lower Antelope Canyon. Although infants and younger children are allowed on Lower Antelope Canyon tours, parents should consider carefully whether this would be an appropriate or safe activity. Although backpack and chest child carriers are allowed, low rock ledges and other hazards could detract from the enjoyment of this experience for all concerned. Consider these facts carefully before booking a tour of Lower Antelope Canyon with your baby or toddler.
For more information on touring Antelope Canyon with young children, read “Antelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids.” Also check out our Full Video Walk Through of Lower Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, is the most famous slot canyon formation in all the world, and for good reason: Book a tour today and capture the magic. Find out why the American Southwest is considered the Canyon Capital of the World!
Book your party of up to six people and get your own Exclusive Tour vehical to yourself, a guide for your group and first access to the canyon. *Check for Limited availability after selecting Date and Time.
Maybe you are coming from Las Vegas the South Rim or Phoenix. Perhaps you are looking for things to see besides just Antelope Canyon. Here are a few of our recommendations
We know you didn’t come all this way just to see one part of such a magnificent Canyon. In the past it has been difficult to book more than one canyon run at a time due to the hassles of having to book through different vendors. Well no more! We have done all the hard work so you can Book your bundle today and enjoy the natural wonders that are the Upper & Lower Canyons as well as by boat! Find out why these canyons are some of the most photographed canyons in the world! The advantage of booking here on Antelopecanyon.az is that many times bundle deals are available when stand alone tours are not!
Benefits of a Bundle Deal…
#1 – All inclusive booking price. Don’t get caught with hidden fees!
#2 – Our service does all of the work finding any possible booking combination and times. Saving you valuable time.
#3 – Our bundle deals take into consideration how far you have to travel and how long you may have to wait to enter the Park or add time for lunches.
#4 – Many times bundle deals are available when stand alone Tours are not!
1,018 Responses
Hi, I am planning to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Monument Valley in a day. Could you clarify whether the tour package includes all necessary permits, or does it only cover the tour itself? If not, what additional permits or requirements are needed for visiting these sites?
Hi Tenzin,
Any package tour that goes to these sites typically includes all park entrance fees, which are Navajo Tribal Park for Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, and the City of Page, AZ, for Horseshoe Bend. Some companies may require that these fees be paid in cash on the day of the tour, but if so, that should be specified in any confirmation email or other literature you receive.
No additional “permits” or permissions are required, but tours should be booked well in advance of your arrival.
Hope that helps. Please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello, I am planning a trip to visit in January 2025 but I don’t see that 2025 dates are available yet. When will they open up?
Hi Susan!
2025 inventory is expected to be made available to the public in November or December of this year.
Since many folks like yourself are anxious to book for next year, I have started a priority contact list so you can be notified immediately when seats are opened up. I would be happy to put your name on it. Feel free to email me directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if interested.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I booked a Lower Canyon tour for Thursday, October 3 for 10:30. But checking driving times, I don’t think we’ll be able to get there on time. Can I change to the 11:30 tour?
–Gail Duncan
Hi Gail,
I will respond to your inquiry directly. Please check your email shortly.
Thank you!
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
Your responses are quite in detail, thank you for that.
I am planning a trip from Dec 18th (PHX) to Dec 22nd (LAS).
Reaching at Flagstaff by 6 pm. Dec 19th planning to cover South Rim.
On Dec 20th go to covering Lower Antelope and Horseshoe bend and stay at Page. –> Do you suggest any additional activities.
On Dec 21st morning leave for Las Vegas.
Please suggest how should I plan for Dec 19th to see South Rim if I am coming from and staying at Flagstaff. What all can be covered in South Rim.
Also, if you may help suggest what to do in Las Vegas with kids on Dec 21st and 22nd.
Thank You,
VP
Hi VP,
Thank you for contacting us!
Using Flagstaff as a base for visiting Grand Canyon South Rim, I recommend taking the “long way in” to the park so you can get the most out of your sightseeing time. Proceed North on US89 to the town of Cameron, AZ. Stop at the Cameron Trading Post for breakfast/brunch, the breakfast Navajo Taco must be seen (and eaten) to be believed! Or save that time by pre-packing some provisions in your cooler the night prior or grabbing some fruit, pastries, etc., at your hotel breakfast bar. Even if you take me up on the latter option, at least stop at the Cameron Trading Post for a bathroom break/leg stretch or to top off your gas tank. It’s a historic place and something of a regional institution. From Cameron, proceed West on AZ64. Time/desire permitting, stops you might make before entering the park are the Little Colorado River Overlook and Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands. Enter Grand Canyon National Park at Desert View Point and get your first look at the Grand Canyon “proper” from the Desert View Watchtower. Continuing West toward Grand Canyon Village (the main sightseeing and commerce area of the park), there are over half a dozen named Grand Canyon viewpoints you can stop at, all with varying perspectives and dominant features. Stop at as many as you wish. When you get to Grand Canyon Village, park your vehicle wherever you find space available and utilize the Village Loop Shuttle to get to the hotels, restaurants, and retail shops in the area. Or, you can drive your vehicle out to the overlooks on the West Rim Drive, aka the Hermit’s Rest Road.
The key to making that plan work at the time of year you’re visiting is to be aware of when sunrise and sunset are. On December 19, sunrise takes place at around 7:30 am and sunset occurs just before 5:15 pm. Leaving the park via the South gate, the drive to Flag (that’s what we call it around here) takes approximately 90 minutes, which means you’ll want to be on the road out of the park at approximately 3:45 pm, 4:00 pm at the latest. The reason this is so important is because nighttime driving is strongly discouraged in this part of the US. This is partly due to local roads being very dimly lit, but also the possibility of encountering deer, elk, livestock, and other animals which elevates your risk of a car accident. That’s definitely not something you want to experience in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, freezing cold, where help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive. Another factor that could affect your travel plans is winter weather. It’s not uncommon for it to be snowing at that time of year, so much so that it could result in road closures. Although that’s relatively rare, you should still keep an eye on local road conditions when you get here. Visit http://www.az511.gov or download the app on your phone before you make your trip.
In Page, AZ, winter is off-season, which definitely has its advantages, but one drawback is that water-based activities will be on seasonal hiatus, so those are effectively ruled out. Still, you’ll find lots of scenic, family-friendly hikes you can take part in, time and inclination permitting. These include, but are not limited to the Big Lake Sand Cave (aka the Wave Chamber), the New Wave, the Hanging Gardens, the Page Rim View Trail, and the Red Mesa Rim Trail.
On the drive to Las Vegas from Page, stops you can make along the way are the Big Water Visitors Center and Dinosaur Museum, ~20 minutes West of Page on US89, the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, and Valley of Fire State Park (stunning area!).
As for kid-friendly activities in Las Vegas, you’ll find a surprisingly large number of them! The Downtown Container Park in the Arts District, the arcades at Excalibur and Circus Circus, rollercoasters at the STRAT, and the Bellagio Fountains, all are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Note that some attractions may also be on seasonal hiatus at the time of your visit. For more suggestions check out VisitLasVegas.com: 26 Things To Do With Kids in Las Vegas
Hope that helps! Please contact us directly at reservations@antelopecanyon.az if you have further questions.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂