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How to book a tour for Antelope Canyon

The Antelope Canyons have fast risen to Top 5 status among the Page, Arizona area’s β€œmust do” activities. You are required to tour them with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service, and advance reservations are an absolute must!Β  Why You Should Book In Advance…

Canyon Overview

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.Β 

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.Β 

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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 β€œAntelope Canyon FAQ: Bringing Kids.” Also check out our Full Video Walk Through of Lower Antelope CanyonΒ Β 

Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

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!

Exclusive Excursions now available

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.

If Upper Antelope is full on the dates you are looking for. Check Lower Antelope Canyon

Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

So you’ve decided to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on your upcoming vacation to Northern Arizona. Great Let us help you find the tours that work for you!
Most Popular

Antelope Canyon X

If you are looking for a more intimate experience we recommend you take a look at Canyon X. This is one of the newer tours located in the Antelope Canyon Wash. Seating is limited so book your tour today.
Intimate Groups

Lower Antelope Canyon

At one time this canyon was not as well known as Upper Antelope. However those days are long gone. Discover the natural beauty and vibrant Colors that make Lower Antelope so Popular
Hot Tour

And there is more than just Antelope Canyon!

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

Hoop Dancing & Dinner

Once you are done exploring the area spend the night with the Red Heritage performing arts theater. This show includes PowWow Dancing, Flute and live drums plus culturally inspired cuisine.
Dinner & Show

Deals from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon

2 Million people a year travel to the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Many of them start their adventures from Las Vegas. These are Day Trips
From Las Vegas

Horseshoe Bend / Tower Butte Landing

This 45 Minute Tour shows off many of the best attractions in the area including Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Tower Butte! Book your ride now.
Helicopter Tour

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!Β 

Why go with Bundle Deals?

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!

Upper& Lower Antelope Canyon Videos

Upper, Lower and Boat Gallery

Upper Antelope Schedule of Times

Lower Antelope Schedule of Times

Download this Map of Page and the surrounding area, compliments of Antelope Canyon Now

Comments Section

969 Responses

  1. Hi Alley,
    I stumbled across this site while looking for info on Antelope Canyon tours and found it immensely informative. Was hoping to run our Thanksgiving itinerary by you to see if there are any things to look out for, or extra driving time to factor in, as it’s quite packed. Also, my main question is regarding the weather and driving conditions during those dates (Nov 27 – Dec 1). Is it possible that there will be snow? We’ll have a small rental car (not 4×4). Would this pose problems? I don’t have much of an idea of the elevation and road conditions. Is traffic during Thanksgiving weekend extra bad?

    Day 1- fly into Albuquerque, stay overnight
    Day 2- drive to Santa Fe, stay overnight
    Day 3 – drive to Monument Valley, stay at View Hotel. Hoping to do the 17-mile scenic loop drive, time permitting.
    Day 4 – drive to Page, do Antelope tour at midday, check out Horseshoe bend, continue driving to Zion and sleep there (Zion lodge)
    Day 5 – morning check out highlights in Zion, then drive to Las Vegas for a 7pm flight

    Any insights would be very appreciated. We have the accommodation as well as Antelope tour already booked. So would appreciate driving and pacing tips! Thank you so much.

    1. Hi Izzy and thank you for visiting our site!
      You are definitely taking a novel approach to your visit by flying into Albuquerque and out of Las Vegas. Like anything else in life, it has both pros and cons, so let’s start with the “cons.”
      Right off the bat: your trip plan is rushed. If you can possibly carve out another 2-3 days, that would allow you to take things at a much more leisurely pace, which you wouldn’t regret in the least. But, I understand if plans have already been made and can’t be changed.
      That said, going to Santa Fe, NM, that second day is going to make for a big swing out of your way. Although the drive from ABQ to SF is only 1 hour or so, the drive from Santa Fe to Monument Valley the following day is going to really long, in the neighborhood of 6 hours. No, that’s not a typo.

      At the time of year you’re visiting, that wouldn’t leave you with much daylight to work with for sightseeing that same afternoon. In late November/early December, sunrise occurs at around 7:20 AM and sunset takes place shortly after 5:00 PM. It can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to travel the Monument Valley Scenic Loop Drive, which, by the way, you shouldn’t attempt in a rental car as it constitutes off-road driving, which could void your insurance policy and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. It is better (and safer) to go with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service. Monument Valley Guided Tours
      My strong recommendation would be to take Santa Fe off the table, and instead go to either Gallup, NM, or Window Rock, AZ, that second night. That will reduce your drive time to Monument Valley considerably (to ~3 hours). That route would offer the “added bonus” of being able to pop into Canyon de Chelly National Monument, if desired. Although that might leave you wanting, here again, 1-2 days is better than a quickie “drive-by.”

      Another option, if an interest in traditional Southwestern architecture was what attracted you to Santa Fe, would be to drive to Winslow, AZ, on Day 2. That would be ~a 4.5 hour drive from Albuquerque, but would allow you the opportunity to visit the Petrified Forest/Painted Desert National Park, and either tour or stay at the beautiful and historic La Posada Hotel. You could even cap off your evening by “Standin’ On the Corner in Winslow, Arizona” for real! If you take us up on that suggestion, your drive to Monument Valley would again be reduced to just 3-3.5 hours, but wouldn’t take you by Canyon de Chelly at all.

      Now, let’s get to day 4: you’re proposing to drive from Monument Valley to Page, AZ, which takes 2-2.5 hours. A tour of Antelope Canyon will take anywhere from 2.5-3 hours, factoring in advance time required to check in, and the possible “bottlenecking” that might occur as the day goes on and gets busier. Then, you’ll need anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours to visit Horseshoe Bend, which includes time to find a place to park. You have to realize that your visit coincides with the Thanksgiving Holiday, so you can expect things to be busy! After doing all that, you’re looking at a 2-2.5 hour drive to Zion National Park. You’re going to be cutting it fine given the short daylength you’re contending with at that time of year, and the drive to Zion is best NOT done in the dark. Roads in the National Parks are very dimly lit, and deer, elk, and other wildlife tend to move about in large numbers at that time of year as they migrate to warmer climates. However, that is REALLY cool that you’ve scored a room in Zion Lodge. So long story short, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend changing anything, but I would recommend that you get as early a start as possible out of Monument Valley that morning. Do most of your packing the night before, and maybe pick up a snack you can eat in the car instead of eating up the time by stopping to eat breakfast.
      On Day 5, you’ll only have time to “scratch the surface” of Zion. It’s a huge and beautiful park that really deserves at least 2-3 days to explore and enjoy fully. Staying at the lodge though gives you the advantage of being close to the trails and so forth. Be aware that the drive to Las Vegas may take longer than you expect: there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could tack an extra 30-60 minutes onto the trip. I would strongly recommend hitting the road no later than 12:00 Noon Utah time, just so you’re assured of getting to your flight on time after contending with Las Vegas traffic, dropping off your rental car, checking in, etc. Keep in mind that Las Vegas is on Pacific Standard Time, which means you’ll “gain” an hour traveling from Utah to Nevada.

      As for the possibility of snow, it’s definitely something to be aware of. Current forecasts are not calling for it, but that could change in the days ahead. Start monitoring local weather now so you can be prepared by packing appropriate clothing. If on the off-chance you do get caught in an active snowstorm, your best option is to stay put, preferably somewhere warm that serves hot chocolate, and modify your plans if needed. Hotels and tour operators are usually quite sympathetic when visitors get delayed or detoured by weather.
      We hope you make out OK, and would be very interested to know how you get on!
      Until then, good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
      Alley πŸ™‚

      1. Thank you so much, what thorough reply! Your tips are very useful, I was already considering skipping Santa Fe, so will definitely consider driving the other routes you suggested.

        cheers!

        1. Hey again, Izzy,
          Good call on skipping Santa Fe — not that it isn’t a beautiful city, but a visit there would just take too much time away from what you want to accomplish! Definitely plan a future visit to not only Santa Fe, but other lovely New Mexico attractions Taos, Espanola, Chaco Canyon, and Bandelier National Monument, just to name a few πŸ˜‰
          Take care,
          Alley πŸ™‚

  2. Hi, Alley, we are visiting Phoenix (Mesa area) between Dec 7 to 12, and we are planning a day trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. I realize it is about 4.5 hours drive to Page, so if we start driving around 7 am, will that give us sufficient time to see Upper Antelope and Horseshoe Bend? Any suggestions? Must we make reservation? If so, is the reservation flexible, just in case we show up late due to traffic? Where do we drive to in order to find parking? Thanks.

    1. Hi Lee!
      Unfortunately, the time of year you’re visiting has a very short daylength. Sunrise occurs at around 7:30 AM, sunset takes place at around 5:15 PM. That’s 10 hours of daylight, and a bare minimum of 10 hours of driving required for a day trip to Page, AZ. A tour of Upper Antelope Canyon takes 2-2.5 hours, factoring in advance check in time and the possibility for delays due to the inevitable “bottlenecking” that occurs as the day goes on. You would then need at least 60-90 minutes to visit Horseshoe Bend. So that’s at least 4 hours of daylight that gets taken up with sightseeing. Although the urban light dome around Phoenix would probably illuminate the latter hour of your drive sufficiently, you’d still end up making a very late night of it, which poses its own set of hazards.
      In answer to your other queries, yes, you must make a reservation for an Anelope Canyon tour, and no, the time is not flexible. As for where you’d park, that depends on which tour company you book with: Chief Tsosie’s and Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon tours operate out of offices in downtown Page, AZ; Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours and Navajo Antelope Canyon Tours depart from staging areas located on US98, just Southeast of Page, AZ.
      Long story short, at the time of year you’re visiting, I do not recommend attempting to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend as a day trip. With daylight hours at a premium, you won’t have enought time (or sunshine) to take advantage of the many photo opportunities that will no doubt pique your interest. It would be better, and safer, to stay overnight in Page, AZ, so you can take your time and enjoy the trip. Hopefully you’re not locked into your hotel reservations in Mesa, AZ, so you can do that.
      Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
      Alley πŸ™‚

  3. Good afternoon,

    My name is Christian, online content creator and travel videoblogger. I’m from Spain but I live in Los Angeles, where I’m filming my new series of videos about California. With about 85,000 subscribers and about 9 million views in my YouTube channel, my audience love to plan their trips to United States watching my videos and asking me questions through Instagram and my blog (www.inexplorando.com) All my social networks are in Spanish so travellers can find information in their language.

    At the end of November 2019, my family is coming to visit me for the first time in California and we are going to do a roadtrip all the way from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and we will go also to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. That’s exactly the same roadtrip that I did in 2014 during the very first videos of my channel, and my audience are asking to do it again with new camera, new stories and updated information. Many people told me that I had to go to Antelope Canyon so I’m planning to go this time for the the first time.

    I would like to ask you if your tour company would be interested in a collaboration with me. I’m opened to suggestions but I’m sure that it would be a great addition to the roadtrip and many people would ask about it, so it could bring many leads to your company. My parents and I will be in your area on Dec.5-6.

    Attached you can find some useful information:
    Media kit: http://www.inexplorando.com/media
    Portfolio: http://www.christiancorom.com
    Paid campaigns and collaborations:
    London for waynabox.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZGxJGO355s
    Sea World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkAqo4cnTNc
    Inside of the Statue of Liberty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8hJzKyOSRk

    Please, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any question or suggestion. Thank you so much.

    Best regards,
    CHRISTIANCΓ“ROM
    http://www.youtube.com/inexplorando
    corom@inexplorando.com
    http://www.inexplorando.com

    1. Hey Christian,
      Wow, thank you for thinking of us for this, but our site is actually privately owned and not affiliated as a company with the Antelope Canyon tour outfitters. I would recommend you try and contact them individually to see if one of them would be interested in collaborating with you on your project.
      For Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two companies operating tours to that area. They are:
      – Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 606-2168 http://lowerantelope.com/ and
      – Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761 http://antelopelowercanyon.com
      For Upper Antelope Canyon, there are 4 companies you might potentially work with:
      – Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours 928-698-3384 https://navajotours.com
      – Chief Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com 928.645.5594
      – Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours http://www.antelopecanyon.com 928.645.9102
      – Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours http://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com 928.380.187
      You might also consider touching base with some of the companies that operate tours to alternate slot canyons to Antelope, as these are gaining on popularity with the increasing difficulty of getting reservations for the main branches of the canyon:
      – Ta’adidi’in Tours/Antelope Canyon X/Cardiac Canyon http://www.antelopecanyon-x.com (928) 660-8890
      – Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours and Alstrom Point Tours http://www.horseshoebendtours.com (435) 275-4594
      – Ligai Si’Anii Tours/Antelope Valley Canyon Tours http://www.hikingslotcanyons.com (928) 640-2594
      – Waterholes Canyon Experience https://waterholecanyonexperience.com/ (928) 660-2031
      – Mystical Antelope Canyon Tours https://www.mysticalarrowhead.com/ (928) 640-3852
      Hope that helps! Good luck with your project,
      Alley πŸ™‚

  4. Thanks for these tips! I would love to get to Antelope Canyon – it really does look like one of the most amazing destinations on the globe. Pity to hear that despite needing a reservation the upper canyon is still completely overcrowded, but I guess you’re going to get that when the world hears of an attraction this beautiful. Hopefully the tourists don’t detract too much from the overall experience πŸ™‚

  5. Hi Alley! I am traveling with my family over the December holidays and we were planning to do Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower) in one day, but my mother has a knee injury and is also claustrophobic and we weren’t sure if Upper Antelope Canyon would be doable. Many thanks! Yadira

    Dec. 26-28 – Las Vegas
    Dec. 28 – Page, AZ (stay overnight)
    Dec. 29 – Grand Canyon (stay overnight)
    Dec. 30-Jan. 1 – Sedona, AZ (stay 2 nights)
    Jan. 1-3 – Phoenix, AZ (stay 2 nights)

    1. Hi Yadira,
      If your mom has a knee injury, she might want to take a pass on Lower Antelope Canyon, but if she is severely claustrophobic, Upper Antelope Canyon may be a challenge as well! To judge for yourself, I’d recommend watching one of the many videos on YouTube that show what it’s like to walk through Antelope Canyon. We also feature a Lower Antelope Canyon Full Walk Through Video you might want to watch.
      If you decide to rule out the walking tours of Upper or Lower Antelope, a way for your mom to tick this item off her to-do list without undue pain or anxiety would be to take a boat tour into the waterside of Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell. On this tour, the canyon walls are wider, but gradually narrow as the lake gives way to the shoreline, and no walking is required. Antelope Point Marina, where the tour departs from, has staff on-site that can transport you from the parking area down the hill to the tour boat dock.
      Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
      Alley πŸ™‚

      1. Hi Alley,
        I happened to chance upon this website while i’m planning my trip to Las Vegas with my family and friends. Not sure if this comments go to you. There is so much good information here, thank you. Now for our trip, we would like to visit as many places as possible in Vegas with our limited 3.5 day and would definitely looking forward to your your advise on a one day tour to Grand Canyon. We will be staying at Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village and this is our first Vegas trip after 24 years! This time with our children and friends. We would like to do a day trip to Grand Canyon, is it advisable for us to drive or take the one day tour? If time permits, we would like to visit Lower and upper antelope as well as horseshoe bend. Do you think it’s possible or we are too ambitious? How do i book the day tour if we drive? or if we take a day tour, will the coach pick us up at our hotel? I google the distance from our hotel to Canyon is about 4hrs drive. Looking forward to your advise and thank you so much for your time and advise in advance,

        Best Regards, Jeslin

        1. Hi Jeslin,
          Wow, 24 years since your last visit to Vegas? You’ll certainly discover that a lot has changed, both for good and bad.
          One of the changes that falls in the “good” column is the number of day tours available from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, and beyond. However, they do say that “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” and that definitely applies here: self-driving is still, hands down, the best way to visit the Grand Canyon for optimal freedom and flexibility. With a stop at Hoover Dam, and factoring in the occasional breaks for meals and restroom visits, the drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim is more along the lines of 5 hours one way. If you do opt to self-drive, you needn’t book a tour necessarily, since Grand Canyon South Rim is relatively easy to tour on your own, with the aid of the free shuttles that go around the Village Historic District and out to the overlooks on the Hermit’s Rest Road.
          Fitting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend into a Grand Canyon day trip is, as you have speculated, too ambitious for a one-day trip. The drive from Las Vegas to GC South Rim is ~5 hours; then, the drive from Grand Canyon South Rim to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend is anywhere from 3-4 hours one way; after that, the drive from Page, AZ, back to Las Vegas would then be another 5 hours or so. So, you’d be looking at roughly 13-14 hours of just driving, and depending on when your trip is taking place, anywhere from 10-14 hours of daylight. Hopefully you can see that that math doesn’t add up. Unless you can carve out another full day to visit Page, AZ (the gateway community for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend), you’d be better off skipping it this time around. A visit to the Grand Canyon should always take top priority, especially for those members of your party who have never been! If you are able to set aside a separate day for an Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend tour, here again, you can self-drive (~5 hours each way), or take a guided tour. For ground tours, we recommend MaxTours. Or, take an air/ground combination tour to maximize your time in Page, AZ.
          If you do opt for a guided tour, many options are out there, from coach tours to airplane/ground combination tours. Most include pick-up at local hotels. Since your hotel is off-strip, you may have to drive to the nearest strip hotel to get picked up, but pickup locations can vary from one company to another, so be sure to verify that if you do opt for an escorted tour.
          Another thing that has come into play since you last visited Las Vegas is the development of Grand Canyon West. Not affiliated with Grand Canyon National Park, this is a Native American Tribal Park owned and operated by the Hualapai Indian Tribe. It is home to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and it is possible to helicopter to the canyon floor for short pontoon boat rides on the Colorado River there. Being only a 2.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, doing a tour to that area of the Grand Canyon definitely has its advantages, but know that the views there are nowhere near as vast or colorful as those you will encounter at the South Rim. For more information on tours to this Grand Canyon Park, visit GrandCanyon.com: West Canyon Tours
          Hope that helps. Feel free to contact us again if we can be of further assistance!
          Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
          Alley πŸ™‚

          1. Thank you so much Alley for your reply with so much information and great advise. So grateful to you. Think will plan 2 days in GC :o) Cheers! Very good website here, will recommend to friends πŸ™‚

          2. Thank you Jeslin!
            Hope you enjoy your trip, and if you have a moment afterwards, please let us know how you get on.
            Take care,
            Alley πŸ™‚

    2. Hi Alley! Hope all is well. I’ve been reading your posts this morning – so much helpful information! I am traveling with my husband and 6 year old over the New Years holiday (we just booked!), and hoping to get some advice from you so we plan our time appropriately.

      Dec 27 – Land in Phoenix (noon)
      Dec 3 – Depart Vegas (evening)

      Points of interest: Sedona, Grand Canyon (South Rim?), Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Zion, & Bryce. Not sure seeing all are doable with the time we have. Perhaps we eliminate Bryce, as the weather may not be ideal for that particular drive? Monument was a consideration, but looks to be too far out of the way. Open to your suggestions!

      Considerations: Looking for kid-friendly/reasonably accessible sites. My son can handle 4 miles round trip max hikes. Also, worth mentioning, I’ve been to Sedona, so I can live with shortening time there I suppose (though my husband has not been).

      How would you plan this itinerary? Are there particular hikes you recommend in Zion (or Bryce), etc. if those destinations stay on the list? What towns would you stay over night in? Assuming Page for AC/HB, but not sure about best Grand Canyon lodging, etc.

      Lastly, I started looking at booking Antelope Canyon tours, but when I clicked on dates late in Dec linking from your site, I was getting errors – and dates for Jan were greyed out. Note sure if this means they are not available?

      I think we are considering eliminating Zion as well, and saving Zion + Bryce for another trip. Perhaps we will instead see Petrified Forest/Meteor east of Flagstaff instead? Interested in hearing your thoughts, as I am still so unsure!

      Thanks,
      Lauren

      1. Hi Lauren,
        The time of year you’re visiting is definitely winter, so there’s certainly no sin in taking Zion and Bryce off the agenda this time around. Petrified Forest, Painted Desert and Meteor Crater are located at lower altitude, so you would be less likely to encounter snow in those areas, more likely a little rain and wind, worst case scenario.
        Flying into Phoenix and out Las Vegas, a 6-day vacation could be planned like this:
        December 27th: Land in Phoenix, drive to Sedona (~2.5 hours), overnight in Sedona
        December 28th: Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour, maybe some light hiking, 2nd night in Sedona
        December 29th: Drive from Sedona, AZ, to Meteor Crater (~90 minute drive), Petrified Forest/Painted Desert (~90 minutes from Meteor Crater), overnight in Winslow, AZ (~1 hour from Petrified Forest – whether you stay there or not, be sure to check out the La Posada Hotel!)
        December 30th: Drive from Winslow, AZ, to Page, AZ (~4 hour drive), lunch at Cameron Trading Post, overnight in Page, AZ
        December 31st: Visit Horseshoe Bend, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
        January 1st: Drive from Page, AZ, to Grand Canyon South Rim (~2.5-3 hour drive), optional detour to Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon to visit Lonely Dell Ranch will add another 90 minutes-2 hours to the trip, overnight at Grand Canyon South Rim
        January 2nd: 2nd day/night at Grand Canyon South Rim, tour Grand Canyon Village Historic District, visit overlooks on Hermit’s Rest/West Rim Drive (that time of year you can drive out there in your own car)
        January 3rd: Drive to Las Vegas (~5 hour drive), optional stop at Hoover Dam, fly home

        As for booking 2020 Antelope Canyon tours, seat inventory should be opened up by mid-December.
        Hope that helps. Feel free to write in again if you need to bounce any other ideas off us!
        Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
        Alley πŸ™‚

  6. Hi
    I Attache our itinerary and I’ll be happy to know what do you think
    we will be on may 2020
    is there places that you think we must invite hotels in advance
    1 Sedona- red rock , fossil creek, Schnebly Road
    2 Sedona- Chapel of the Holy Cross , Hike the Sedona View Trail .4 green
    3 Grand falls = Chocolate Falls , the Little Painted Desert County Park ,
    View points over little colerado

    4 Petrified Forest National Park and PAINTED DESERT
    What is important for us is the painted desert , where do you think is the best area to see it?
    5 Canyon de chelly- I am not sure? What do you think
    6 Coal Mine Canyon
    Ha Ho No Geh Canyon
    Blue canyon
    Should we do 3 of them?
    7 Little Colorado River Gorge
    Grand canyon
    ‬
    8 Grand canyon
    9 monument valley it’s a little bit out from the route…what do you think is it worthwhile?
    10 Antelope – which one?boat?
    Page, horse shoe
    Page Badlands- I read about it I don’t remember where and I DON’T FIND ON THE MAP
    11-15 Kanab area- 4-5 days 3 of them oregnized tour
    Is it too much for this area
    Sidestep Canyon – I understand that we need a guide? Do you know somebody?
    16-17 Zion- do we need 2 days?

    18 bryce
    19-20 Red canyon and start road no 12, what do you think ? do we need for that 2 days?
    Can we do alone the burr trail?
    Hole-In-The-Rock Road
    21 Capitol reef
    22 arches
    23 moab
    24 Flying to san fransisco
    25 san fransisco
    26-27 Road no 1
    28 LA
    END…….
    what do you think? is there places you will skip or add
    I would like to read your opinon

    1. Hi again, Dorit!
      Wow, this is some itinerary. You have obviously spent a lot of time planning it, with the help of experts here and elsewhere (as you know, I’ve responded to some of your queries on Facebook πŸ˜‰
      To begin with, the time of year you’re visiting is going to be busy. You absolutely must book all lodging and guided tours in advance of your arrival. Trying to “wing it” (travel without reservations, booking hotels as you go) is a recipe for a ruined vacation in this part of the U.S. where some areas don’t have much lodging to begin with, and cities and towns are few and far between. Some attractions, such as Antelope Canyon, are very popular and also book up several months or weeks in advance. Antelope Canyon tour inventory typically opens up in November or December, so start checking availability at least by the Christmas holiday.
      Otherwise, this is quite an impressive plan, but still, there are some points on your “wish list” that require a bit of a reality check. Starting with Grand/Chocolate Falls: I’m assuming that you’re going to be in a rental car on this vacation. If that is correct, one thing you need to know is that rental car outlets forbid driving on unpaved roads. Doing so could void your insurance and leave you on the hook for any damage you might sustain. Also, May tends to be “past peak” for water flow from snow melt, so even if you did defy your rental car contract rules to go to Grand Falls, you might not see much water in it. Long story short, I’d recommend taking this place off the list. Instead, give that 3rd day to Sedona. Believe me, you won’t regret that! There is plenty to see and do in this stunning area.
      Your itinerary, as it stands, also involves a bit of backtracking (driving the same route more than once) in some areas, which would not be an efficient use of your time. For example, on days 4-8, you’re swinging all the way out to Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly (yes, it is worth it!), Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon, then back to Grand Canyon South Rim, then up to Monument Valley (definitely worthwhile!). It would make more sense to hit Monument Valley after Canyon de Chelly, then Ha Ho No Geh, Blue and Coal Mine Canyon (with a hotel stay in Tuba City, AZ), then Grand Canyon South Rim, then Page, AZ (see map).

      Regarding this section of your trip, there’s not much in the way of lodging in Monument Valley (Kayenta, AZ), Canyon de Chelly (Chinle, AZ), or Ha Ho Ne Gah/Blue/Coal Mine Canyon (Tuba City, AZ) areas. You might have to get a bit “creative” here and perhaps base yourself in one town, such as Tuba City or Kayenta, and make day trips to the areas you wish to visit. Another important fact: these areas are on Native American Tribal Lands (Navajo and Hopi), and as such, the possession, transport, sale, or consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. As for whether you can/should tour Ha Ho Ne Gah, Blue, and Coal Mine Canyon, they are located relatively close to one another, so it would stand to reason that you could, but then again, I have not yet had the pleasure of exploring this area. Furthermore, a Hopi Indian guide is required to visit; for the rimside of Coal Mine Canyon, you also must have a Navajo Nation hiking permit to enter that area. Yes, it’s complicated. My advice would be to contact one of the Hopi Tribe authorized guide services and see what they are capable of arranging. These lovely people have called this area home for hundreds of years and even if you end up striking one or more of those locations off your list, they will take you to areas that are just as beautiful and memorable!
      When you visit Page, AZ, prioritize touring one of the main branches of Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, or X) on foot. That’s where the “iconic” Antelope Canyon scenery can be found. Time/inclination permitting, you can then tour the waterside of Antelope Canyon by boat. For optimal convenience in the reservations process, consider “bundling” one of the Antelope Canyon land-side (walking) tours with a boat tour. Horseshoe Bend can be visited either on your way into town from Grand Canyon South Rim (parking permitting) or just after sunrise on your 2nd day there. At the time of year you’re visiting, I recommend spending at least 2 days in Page, AZ, so you can also do the wonderful Glen Canyon Half Day Float Trip. The so-called “Page Badlands,” also known as “The Moon” are actually located near the town of Big Water, Utah, so if you wish to see that area, you can do so on the drive between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Whilst there, also check out the Big Water Visitor Center for its award-winning dinosaur displays, and maybe hike the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail.
      As for whether 4-5 days in Kanab is too much, that’s quite subjective. Goodness knows, you can find a lot to see and do in that area. Sidestep Canyon is a beautiful area, and Kanab is a good place to stay to see that. I do happen to know an excellent guide service for that area, Paria Outpost & Outfitters. They are one of several authorized guide services that cover Sidestep Canyon, but I happen to know the owners of that company personally. Tell them “Alley says ‘hi'” πŸ˜‰
      In my opinion, you should drop at least 1 of those days in Kanab, and give it to Zion. 2 days is most definitely good, 3 or 4 is even better! Use at one of those days to hike The Narrows, May is a good time for it. For Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah is actually a more practical place to stay as that is the central hub of the Zion Canyon Shuttle System, which is mandatory to use if you’re not staying at the Zion Lodge, which books out over a year in advance.
      For Utah Scenic Byway 12, two days is a good time frame to allot for this incredibly beautiful drive. If you wish to drive the Burr Trail, you can do it in your own vehicle, but I’d recommend sticking to the paved parts. It’s probably best if you stay off the Hole-in-the-Rock road, though, because it’s unpaved. Instead, take a guided tour from the town of Escalante, Utah, which would make a good place to stay to break up the drive between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.
      Towards the end of your trip, where you indicate “flying to San Francisco” after visiting Moab, Utah, have you considered where you’d actually fly from? There is a small commuter airport in the town of Moab, Utah, but if I remember correctly, flights are only available to Denver, CO, which would take you quite a long distance out of your way. You’d probably be best off driving to Salt Lake City, ~3 hours from Moab, UT, and flying out of there.

      As for placed I’d add or drop, I wouldn’t change a thing except for the areas I’ve specifically indicated. People visiting this post in the future are bound to be extremely jealous of you for having the time and the resources to take such an extensive trip through the American Southwest! Let us know if you discover anything we’ve left off the list — it can and does happen — and feel free to contact us again if we an be of further guidance.
      Best wishes, safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
      Alley πŸ™‚

  7. Hi
    we are planing a trip to southwest in may 2020 starting in sedona throw painted desert , blue canyon, page, kanab area and so on to moab can you help us with a few questions, or you work only in antelope?
    we made our programme but I want some expert will have a look on it
    best regards
    dorit

    1. Hello Dorit!
      I would be happy to help with any questions you might have, that I’m able to answer with some degree of authority, anyway πŸ˜‰
      I lived in Page, AZ, for 15 years, Grand Canyon South Rim for 7, and have been to all the other areas you mention, with the exception of Blue Canyon, which looks amazing. I can tell you re: Blue Canyon that a Hopi Tribal Authorized Guide is required to visit that area. Anyway, feel free to write back at your convenience with your American Southwest trip planning questions.
      Alley πŸ™‚

  8. Alley, you seem to be the go to person for this part of the country. Appreciate all you do to help everyone. My fiancee and I are looking to plan our honeymoon for Spring Break 2020 (April 3 or 4 through April 11 or 12) as she’s a teacher, for roughly 8 days. I know the major spots we would like to hit are the following:

    Moab / Bryce / Zion / Kanarraville Falls / Page / Monument Valley (optional if makes sense logistically)

    We are coming from the East Coast, so would need to rent a vehicle. Most likely airports we would use are SLC and/or Las Vegas. I understand most of the permits and tours fill up quickly, so I’m trying to get everything planned as soon as possible.

    Any recommendations on itinerary for this type of trip? I’ve tried to piece together bits from advice you offered others, but didn’t see anything that didn’t include spending a day or two at the Grand Canyon.

    Thanks for your help!

    1. Hi Richard!
      So first off, I’m assuming that you’ve already been to the Grand Canyon. If that is correct, then you should be able to make this itinerary work using either SLC or Las Vegas as a staging city. Which one you end up flying into will most likely come down to who’s got the better airfares, and most of the time, that’s Las Vegas. Another option? You could fly into Las Vegas and out of SLC, or vice versa. Before you commit to that, though, make sure that rental car drop-off fees aren’t too astronomical. Rental car outlets usually aren’t keen on one-way rentals, but to every rule, there are exceptions.
      Secondly, the one destination that will probably have to come off the agenda as an overnight is Monument Valley. The reason for this is lodging, or lack thereof. There isn’t much to work with there in the first place, so I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is already sold out for Spring Break 2020. Seeing it shouldn’t be an issue, since it’s right on the way from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT. En route, you could also easily include a stop at Goosenecks State Park, but I’m getting ahead of myself πŸ˜‰
      So, assuming that Las Vegas will be where you fly into/out of, you could do something like this:
      Day 1 – Drive from Las Vegas to Page, AZ (~5-6 hour drive [variance due to construction project taking place on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge]), overnight in Page, AZ
      Day 2 – Visit Horseshoe Bend just after sunrise, tour Antelope Canyon, 2nd night in Page, AZ
      Day 3 – Drive from Page, AZ, to Moab, UT via Monument Valley (~5-hour drive), overnight in Moab
      Day 4 – Sightseeing in Arches/Canyonlands, 2nd night in Moab
      Day 5 – Drive from Moab, UT, to Bryce Canyon via Capitol Reef (5-6 hour drive), overnight in Bryce Canyon area
      Day 6 – Drive from Bryce Canyon to Kanarra Falls (~2 hour drive); after hike, drive to Springdale, UT (~1 hour drive), for overnight
      Day 7 – Explore Zion National Park, 2nd night in Springdale
      Day 8 – Drive back to Las Vegas (~3.5-4 hour drive [passing through construction zone mentioned above)

      Depending on availability – or lack thereof – of lodging in some locations and/or Antelope Canyon tours, Kanarra Falls permits, etc. you can also flip-flop this itinerary. The only drawback to that would be that you’d have to do the longer drives of the trip on the back end, but then again, long drives are pretty much a given in this part of the U.S.!
      If you were to use SLC as your staging city, your itinerary would look something like a “teardrop” shaped loop, with a couple of destinations rearranged for convenience:

      Anyway, hope that helps. Please feel free to hit us up again if we can be of further guidance!
      Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley πŸ™‚

  9. Hey Hi Alley,

    Need your advice. When I and my friends Visited Arizona Last year Christmas, we missed Upper Antelope and Monument Valley due to snow. This Thanksgiving we are planning for Utah and also to cover what we miss in Arizona last year. (Nov 27th Evening to December 1st late night)

    27th Evening we all start from Las Vegas Airport in Rental car. Figuring out what destination to hit 1st. I planned 1st to visit Antelope and then to Monument Valley and then National Parks in Utah. Upper Antelope was sold out for 28th of November. So my plan fails, please suggest where I can head 1st. Can you please provide plan as such we can visit antelope on December 1st and be able to go back to Las Vegas Airport.

    Again we will be back to Las Vegas Airport early hours of December 2nd, late night of December 1st. (Most of our flights departs 6 AM, Monday, December 2nd.)

    Planned in Utah: ( We do mostly sight seeing, will not do any kind of adventures like kayaking as such)
    1. Dead Horse Point.
    2. Arches National Park.
    3. Canyonlands National Park.
    4. Bryce Canyon National Park.
    5. Zion National Park.
    6. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
    7. Bonneville Salt Flats.
    8. Great Salt lake/ Salk lake city.

    Appreciate your time and suggestions.

    Thanks again and again.

    Waiting for your response.

    1. Hi Vinesh,
      Sorry to hear that you weren’t able to visit Antelope Canyon last year due to inclement weather. We hope it cooperates with you better this year!
      I really wish you had a week or more to spend, because that’s the only way you’d be able to hit all the attractions on your wish list. Unfortunately, you only have 3 full days to work with, and as such, your itinerary will have to be trimmed back substantially. The areas near Salt Lake City (Bonneville Salt Flats, etc.), for example, are simply too far away to be practical. Ditto for Moab, UT (Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, etc.), so take them off the agenda as well.
      As for the order in which you do the rest of it, that will depend on when you can find availability for Antelope Canyon tours. If you can get on an early morning tour on December 1st, here’s what you can do:
      November 27th – Arrive in Las Vegas, stay overnight
      November 28th – Drive from Las Vegas to Zion National Park (~4-4.5 hour drive due to construction project taking place on I-15 through Virgin River Gorge), sightseeing in Zion, overnight in Kanab, UT
      November 29th – Drive from Kanab, UT (~90 minute drive), to Bryce Canyon National Park, return to Kanab, UT, for 2nd overnight after sightseeing in Bryce
      November 30th – Drive from Kanab, UT, to Monument Valley (~3 hour drive), return to Page, AZ (~2 hour drive), for the night ***I propose this method because lodging in Monument Valley is most likely sold out, but keep an eye on the time so you are not doing any of the return trip to Page, AZ, in the dark. If this does not appeal, you could consider flying over Monument Valley out of Page, AZ, by fixed wing airplane***
      December 1st – Tour Antelope Canyon, drive back to Las Vegas (~5-6 hour drive [see above reference to construction delays, which may apply on this leg of your trip as well]), overnight in Las Vegas
      December 2nd – Fly home

      Here’s wishing you safe travels and good weather,
      Alley πŸ™‚

  10. Hi Alley,

    Was looking for some advice for late November trip. We are plan to fly to Vegas late November.

    Here’s the initial plan. (Very flexible)
    Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas late evening. Overnight in Vegas.
    Day 2: Stop by Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire (no tours), Leave around 3pm driving to Page, AZ. Stay overnight.
    Day 3: Horseshoe Bend (no tour), Antelope Canyon (Upper Tour). Leave Page, AZ around 3pm to Grand Canyon South. Stay overnight in GC area.
    Day 4: Spend all day at GC South (no tour). Stay overnight in GC area. Should I leave GC late afternoon to Sedona or is it best to stay overnight at GC area?
    Day 5: Drive to Sedona. Walk around. Visit one of Vortex area. Any other ideas? I’m not looking for any hiking. Leave Sedona late afternoon to drive to Phoenix. Stay overnight in Phoenix.
    Day 6: Fly out of Phoenix @5PM.

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    1. Hi Sally and thank you for visiting our site!
      If you were traveling during the summer months, I wouldn’t hesitate to say, “go for it.” However, you’re traveling during a time of year when daylength is rapidly shortening and in this part of the U.S., you want to be sure to do any and all driving during daylight hours. The reasons for this are because local roads are very dimly lit (a deliberate move to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky), which tends to attract deer, elk, and other nocturnal wildlife. Trust me, you don’t want to hit a deer in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty (if you manage to get any bars at all), and help will be a long time coming, not to mention VERY expensive!
      Another important consideration, especially on that first day, is going to be a time difference: Nevada is on Pacific Time, and Arizona is on Mountain Time, which means you will “lose” an hour traveling from Las Vegas to Page. Sunrise in Las Vegas will occur at around 6:30 AM, and sunset in Page, AZ, will take place just after 5:00 PM (local time). This means you have less than 12 hours of daylight to work with. It will take approximately one hour to drive from Las Vegas to Hoover Dam; it will then take about 2 hours to drive from Hoover Dam to Valley of Fire State Park. If you restrict your activities there to a quick drive-by, and a couple of stops at points of interest near the road, you could scoot by with about a 2-hour visit. After that, you’re looking at at anywhere from a 4-5 hour drive from Valley of Fire to Page, AZ. The reason for the variance is because there is a construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge that could hold you up anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Long story short, you should plan on leaving the Valley of Fire area no later than 12:00 noon if you want to make it to Page, AZ, by nightfall.
      Similarly, you should also plan on leaving Page, AZ, earlier than 3:00 PM. Here, I’d also suggest 1:00 PM as “blast-off” time. The drive from the Grand Canyon to Page, AZ, is given on Google Maps, MapQuest, etc., as 2.5 hours; realistically, is more along the lines of 3.5-4 hours because the drive is very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures. Photo ops and points of interest on the drive South include, but are not limited to, the “Cut” Overlook, the Gap Trading Post, Chinle formation views (rock formation found in the Painted Desert), the Cameron Trading Post (great place to stop for a late lunch/early dinner!), the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon within the park boundaries… just to name a few. Because you’ll end up doing a good chunk of your Grand Canyon sightseeing on the drive down from Page, you can scoot by with one night at the Grand Canyon, and you may indeed want to give that 2nd night at the South Rim to Sedona. Sedona is a stunning area, and you’ll definitely want to spend more time there than just a quickie drive by on the way to Phoenix! In fact, I’d even suggest taking that night you propose to spend in Phoenix and giving it to Sedona, too. Trust me, you won’t regret it! There’s plenty to see and do there. Plus it takes only 2-2.5 hours to drive from Sedona to Phoenix, so with a 5:00 PM flight, you should be fine to drive over that morning.

      At the time of year you’re visiting, keep in mind that most of the destinations on your itinerary will be cooling off, so pack a jacket, gloves, etc., just to be safe.
      Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
      Alley πŸ™‚

    2. Hi Alley,

      I have been living in your site for a week now to come up with an itinerary for our trip on Nov 11-15 with my husband, mom and dad. I’d like to get your thoughts:

      Nov 11 – Leave at 6am from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. Sightseeing, helicopter tour (possible?), overnight
      Nov 12 – More sightseeing til Lunch, drive to Page @ 1pm, Horseshoe bend sunset, overnight
      Nov 13 – Lower and Upper Antelope + Lake Powell combo tour, overnight
      Nov 14 – Drive to Zion NP, overnight
      Nov 15 – Sunrise Hike @ Zion NP, drive back to Las Vegas after lunch

      My mom and dad are coming from SEAsia and their only request is to see as much of the Grand Canyon as they can. I kind of want to spend more time in the South RIm but as I’ve read, the South Rim-Page drive has a lot of viewpoints that’s why i included Zion NP there. Would love for anymore suggestions from you. I’m finalizing everything so I can book the hotels and tours this weekend.

      1. Hi Cha!
        Your itinerary looks pretty fun and well-planned. If your folks are coming all the way from SE Asia, they should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to see as much as they can! Strange as it may sound, one night at the South Rim should be more than sufficient, because a good chunk of your sightseeing at the Grand Canyon will occur on the drive to Page, AZ. The route takes you along the East Rim/Desert View Drive of the park, which has over half a dozen named viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. Upon exiting the park, you’ll then be on Navajo Indian Tribal Land, which has many points of interest as well! These include, but are not limited to, the Little Colorado River Overlook, Chief Yellowhorse’s souvenir stands, the Cameron Trading Post (good stop for lunch), Chinle formation views (rock formations similar to the Painted Desert), the “Cut” Overlook, and, parking permitting, you can hit Horseshoe Bend on your way into town.
        Where you indicate you might want to take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour on your travel day from Las Vegas, I’d recommend doing that first thing in the morning on November 12th. Mornings in general are better times for flying due to light conditions (more shadow play on the canyon walls due to angle of the sun) and lack of wind. At the time of year you’re visiting, the first flights of the day go out at 9:00 AM.
        Do make sure that you’re on the road from Grand Canyon Village to Page, AZ, no later than 1:00 PM since the drive can take as long as 4 hours due to the potential number of stops you might make. It’s important to get all driving done by nightfall in this part of the U.S. since area roads are very dimly lit, and nocturnal wildlife such as deer, elk, and even free range cattle and wild horses, like to congregate near them. A collision with a large animal in an unfamiliar area that’s pitch black, where cell service is spotty to non-existent, and where help will be a long time coming (and very expensive) is an unnerving experience that we don’t want you to have! Sunrise takes place at ~7:00 AM, and sunset occurs at around 5:15 PM at the time of year you’re visiting.
        For the Zion leg of your trip, Springdale, UT, would be the best place to stay since it’s on the Western border of the park, which places you well for the drive back to Las Vegas. On the return trip to Vegas, be prepared to encounter slight delays due to a long-term construction project taking place on a stretch of I-15 through the Virgin River Gorge. Hopefully you do not have anything time-sensitive scheduled for that evening. Due to the difference in time zones between Utah and Nevada, sunset in Las Vegas will occur at ~4:30 PM.
        Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
        Alley πŸ™‚

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