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!
974 Responses
Will Antelope Canyon reopen for the 4th of July weekend?
Hi Olivia,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but closure of Navajo Reservation lands to outsiders, and the Antelope Canyons was recently extended through July 5th 🙁
Now for the good news: there are other beautiful slot canyons near Page, AZ, that are not located on Indian Tribal lands and therefore, not bound by the closures that affect them!
Since I don’t know the makeup of your traveling party (Kids? Seniors? Neither? Everyone in good shape, or not so much?), I’ll err on the side of caution and recommend Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT (not to be confused with “another” Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Escalante, UT!). It’s a beatufiul slot canyon ~ 1 hour away from Page, AZ, and an easy hike. Although a guided tour is “technically” not required to visit Red Canyon, we strongly recommend that you use one as the drive to access the canyon is on a potentially hazardous unpaved road, which shouldn’t be attempted by parties in rental cars. Licensed tour companies that can help you out 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.vermillioncliffs.net
If everyone in your group is in relatively good shape and up for a somethign a little more adventurous, you might consider Wire Pass Canyon and/or Buckskin Gulch. These two slot canyons are located between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot (Wire Pass) is via a typically dry streambed, which may feature deep sand. An 8-10’ drop a short distance into the slot canyon is one reason why Wire Pass Canyon may not be appropriate for those traveling with young children, the elderly, or individuals afraid of heights. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch, which is an extremely long slot canyon that eventually joins with the Paria River. If you’ve had enough at this point, you can simply turn around and head back to your vehicle. If you’d like to explore further, you can easily make a half-day hike out of the immediate area around the confluence of Wire Pass and Buckskin. Look for some bighorn sheep petroglyphs dating back hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road. Hikers are required to pay a self-permitting fee at the kiosk by the trailhead. Fair warning: the House Rock Valley Road is unpaved! While it is accessible to 2WD vehicles much of the time, if recent weather has brought any moisture whatsoever, the HRVR can turn into a muddy, impassable mess. Parties in rental cars should think twice about attempting this road since off-road driving is strictly prohibited by most rental car companies. A guided tour will get your family to Wire Pass Canyon and back in one piece, and turn you onto features you might have missed trying to find your own way. Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT based companies offering guided tours to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch include:
Detours American West, 480-633-9013, http://www.detoursamericanwest.com
Paria Outpost & Outfitters, 928-691-1047, http://www.paria.com
Grand Staircase Discovery Tours, 928-614-4099, http://www.grandstaircasediscoverytours.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi
I have a trip planned to Grand Canyon at the end of June, and the upper and lower Antylope tour booked for June 27…. what is the chance that by than it will reopen… I don’t want to spend all that money to go to Arizona and not see all that I want it, I rather move my vaca there till next year….
Will I get refunded if I will cancel? I am health care worker and as of now, if I fly anywhere, I need to quarantine for 14 days after, so if that will not change- I cannot go on my vacation anyway…… I am so stress about it all….. Any ideas?
Hi Justyna,
First off, thank you for everything you and your colleagues have been doing to help our communities through this difficult time. Totally understand the stress and frustration you must be experiencing — you guys more than anyone need a vaca!
Unfortunately, we have no insight as to whether the Antelope Canyons will reopen by the time you visit. The fact is that the Navajo Indian Reservation (where the Antelope Canyons are located) has been hit disproportionately hard by COVID-19; you may have heard about it on the news. They need time and space to heal when this is all said and done. Besides, a confined space like a slot canyon is the last place I’d want to be with a bunch of people I don’t know, and a dangerous virus potentially floating around!
As to whether you reshcedule your vacation is entirely up to you. If you are truly able to pick and choose when to travel, I’d suggest re-thinking your visit for mid-October. That’s a great time of year boasting nearly picture-perfect weather and thinning crowds.
If you do decide to go for it in June, and the Antelope Canyons remain closed, you’ll be glad to know that Horseshoe Bend remains open, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Lake Powell) is implementing a “phased reopening” of facilities and activities. Also, there are other slot canyons in the area that you can visit, many of which are nowhere near as crowded as Antelope, therefore they don’t require a guided tour to visit, although you can certainly take advantage of one for safety and convenience. These include, but are not limited to:
– Wire Pass Canyon and/or the Buckskin Gulch: located down the House Rock Valley Road, turn-off between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on US89, nominal entrance fee collected at self-service kiosk at the trailhead. HRVR is unpaved, and may be rendered impassable after recent rain or snow. Those in rental cars are discouraged from attempting to drive on this road. Licensed guide services for this area include Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
– Red Canyon, aka Peek-a-Boo Canyon, between Kanab, UT and Mt. Carmel Junction, UT. An easy hike, but access via a 4WD road is required. Here again, if you’re in a rental car, you may wish to go to this area with a licensed guide service such as Dreamland Safari Tours.
– Labyrinth Canyon, one of Lake Powell’s “uplake” slot canyons, access is only available by full-day kayak tour or overnight kayak tour
– Cathedral Wash, near Lees Ferry, AZ
Hope that helps. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Will the antelope canyon open during the memorial weekend?
Hi Christina,
We are very sorry to have to inform you that the Antelope Canyons are expected to remain closed through Memorial Day weekend.
However, the Horseshoe Bend Overlook remains open, plus other parks and facilities in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area will begin a phased reopening in the days ahead.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi ! We would love to visit Antelope Canyon next week May 4th..are you open ??
Sorry Karin,
The Antelope Canyons remain closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Another mitigating factor is that these attractions are located on the Navajo Indian Tribal Lands, whose residents have been affected in disproportionately high numbers by the virus.
If you and the other members of your party are relatively fit, and have a vehicle with adequate suspension clearance to navigate the unpaved House Rock Valley Road, you might look into visiting the Buckskin Gulch or Wire Pass Canyon. These are located on BLM land, which remains accessible at one’s own risk.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Is the park still open for the public even due to coronavirus issue?
Hello Christian,
We are sad to have to inform you that the Antelope Canyons have been temporarily closed to visitors at the decision of the Navajo Tribe. We support this action 100% as a slot canyon is a confined space, and sharing it with other tourists, even for a short time, can increase the chances of you being exposed to COVID-19.
That said, there are alternatives that can save your vacation. For example, Antelope Point Marina remains open and it is still possible to take a boat tour into the water-side of Antelope Canyon, where the slot canyon joins Lake Powell. The scenery is beautiful and you will come away with a deeper understanding of the true complexity of Antelope Canyon. For more information, visit http://www.antelopecanyonboattours.com
Another possibility would be to check out of the area’s more remote and less frequently visited slot canyons like Wire Pass Canyon and/or the Buckskin Gulch. Keep in mind, though, that the terrain surrounding these two beautiufl slot canyons is very rugged. The access road to the trailhead, the House Rock Valley Road, is unpaved, and may be rendered impassable if recent weather has been wet. Furthermore, if you’re in a rental car, driving on the HRVR would constitute off-road driving, which would void your insurance. That would put you on the hook for any damage you sustain. Definitely do your homework before committing to this Antelope Canyon alternate plan.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Would like to stay in Page 2 nights first of April — are there any hotel/tour packages? Is it beneficial to take the aerial tour?
Hi Linda!
Not aware of any Page, AZ, hotel/tour packages per se. Many local hotels will help you with tour and activity bookings upon arrival, but honestly, all hotels and guided tours should be booked well in advance of your trip. Antelope Canyon tours especially book up weeks, sometimes months ahead.
As to whether it’s beneficial to take an air tour, my answer is a resounding “yes,” and not just because I worked in the air tour industry for many years. Getting up above Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and the Glen Canyon Dam will give you a truer appreciation of the size and scope of these monuments by themselves and in relationship to one another. In the case of Rainbow Bridge, especially, once you see it from above, you’ll be amazed that this wondrous piece of nature was ever found in the first place! Over The Rainbow & Lake Powell Air Tour
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Can we just drive our own vehicle to the gate and pay to get in there?
Hi Tom,
You can drive your own vehicle as far as the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance of Antelope Canyon. From there, however, you must go to the canyon with a guided tour. Antelope Canyon tours must be reserved in advance of your arrival.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi,
Do all the tours pick up from Vegas?
Michele,
All of the tours referenced on this particular page originate in Page, Arizona, with one exception: the Antelope Canyon Expedition Tour, which is a fixed-wing airplane/ground tour combination. If you prefer a straight ground tour, you might look at MaxTour’s Las Vegas-Antelope Canyon day tour.
For more suggestions, including instructions on self-driving, check out “Visiting Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas.”
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley!
I loved your break down of the Upper Canyon only tours that you gave to Andi on 2/17/20. If possible, would you please give info on Lower Canyon only tours that are offered? I appreciate your time! Thank you!
Hi Amber,
There are two companies operating tours to Lower Antelope Canyon. Their tours are virtually identical, right down to the footsteps, and the penny. 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
Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours offers both “General” and “Deluxe” sightseeing tours in Lower Antelope Canyon.
Schedule for “General” sightseeing tours (maximum group size: 10)
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 7:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 5:00 PM
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 9:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes; last tour leaving at 3 PM
Schedule for “Deluxe” sightseeing tours (maximum group size: 4)
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 8:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 4:30 PM
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 9:00 AM, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaving at 3:00 PM
Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours offers “General” sightseeing tours of Lower Antelope Canyon as follows:
SUMMER HOURS:
Tours begin at 7:45, departing every 30 minutes, last tour leaves at 4:15
WINTER HOURS:
Tours begin at 8:45 AM, leaving every 30 minutes until 2:45 PM when last tour departs
2020 Pricing: General Sightseeing Tours:
Adults (13+) $40 + $8 per person Navajo Nation Park Permit Fee + tax
Children (4-12) $20 + $8 per person Navajo Nation Park Permit Fee + tax
Children under 4 are free, but space must be reserved for them; parental discretion advised for parties with small children in Lower Antelope Canyon
Deluxe Sightseeing Tours (Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours only)
$80 per person (all ages) + $8 per person Navajo Park Permit Fee + tax
Younger children may participate provided that parents are aware of potential hazards in this rugged desert environment
All times are on Mountain Standard Time (the same as Page, Arizona)
Hope that was the info you were looking for!
Alley 🙂
Perfect! Thank you so much!
Hi, I would like more info on the bundle of upper and lower Antelope Canyon on 4/3/2020.
Thank you
Hi Nikki,
To check availability for the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle, visit the appropriate link on AntelopeCanyon.AZ, then hit the button that says “book now.” You’ll be given several options for taking the Upper Antelope Canyon tour or Lower Antelope Canyon tour first, also whether to book the tours back-to-back or spaced further apart.
Good luck and safe travels!
Alley 🙂