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
Hi! I’m a photographer and interested in purchasing a photography pass. How do I go about doing that and what is included? Thanks.
Hi Paige,
Due to COVID-19 and Antelope Canyon tours only operating at 50% capacity, photography tours have been temporarily suspended.
That said, you can still take good photos on a regular sightseeing tour. The majority of tour guides are very knowledgeable about which settings, angles, etc., are required to best capture Antelope Canyon, even from a simple camera phone!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi Alley,
So happy to see that Antelope Canyon has reopened. Do you have any idea when the package tours, Upper and Lower bundle, will resume? We are looking for dates in October 2021.
Thanks,
Georgy
Hi Georgy,
We are working on getting the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon bundle back online as soon as possible! However, we have since heard that the “Triple Crown” won’t be offered this season due to issues with the boat tour component. I would recommend checking back to the above link in a few days time.
Thanks so much for your patience!
Alley 🙂
Hello, myself and three friends would like to spend a day seeing Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon and the boat ride (the Triple Crown package). We’re planning for Saturday, Sep. 4. I was originally planning to book this with you because it seemed easier and would guarantee we get from one tour to the next without being late.
My friends are concerned that the different tours on that day will book up fast. I can go now and book all three tours individually. What do you recommend? Do you think you’ll have the Triple Crown offered for that day, or should I go and secure the different tours myself. My friends will never forgive me if I mess this up.
Thanks!
Hi Zach,
I am so sorry for the delay in response to your inquiry. The Antelope Canyon tour operators are doing their best to get things back up and running, and we have since learned that the Triple Crown will not be offered this season. We expect to have the Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon tour bundle available for booking online in a week or so. Meanwhile, you might look into booking the Antelope Canyon Boat Tour or an Antelope Canyon Kayak Tour separately.
Thank you for your patience. Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Good morning, I am planning to book a group tour to national parks in late September – early October. We will have a free day in Page. I would like to visit Antelope Canyon (upper, lower and a boat tour). I understand it is still closed due to Covid. Any idea if it may reopen for visits in the fall? Or is it better to reschedule this trip for next year to be on the safe side? Would appreciate your advice. Thank you!
Hi Elena,
Unfortunately, we don’t know when the Antelope Canyons might reopen. I know the Antelope Canyon tour operators are making a strong case with tribal leadership to allow business to resume, but it remains to be seen whether their pleas are being heard. To get the current the status of Antelope Canyon and other Navajo Nation Tribal Parks, we recommend monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website. You can also request placement on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the canyons reopen. The Navajo-Hopi Observer (local Native American newspaper) might be another good source to bookmark.
If you prefer not to cancel your trip, which I don’t blame you a bit for, the nearest “hikeable” slot canyon to Page, AZ, is Wire Pass Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, near Paria, UT, ~1 hour’s drive from Page, AZ. This a two-part slot canyon that is fairly family-friendly, and a tour is not required to go there. You need only pay a $6/person day use fee via Recreation.gov (not covered by the National Park Pass). A nice thing about it is that you can easily piggy-back a short hike into Wire Pass with an exploration of the Paria Rimrocks/Toadstool Hoodoos Trail. The video linked above also shows that area, so do watch it all the way through. The only caveat about Wire Pass Canyon is that the trailhead is located down the House Rock Valley Road, an unpaved road that is passable to standard passenger vehicles most of the time, but if recent weather has been wet, it turns into red clay slip-n-slide, which will result in a lot of consternation and teeth-gnashing, and a VERY expensive tow bill.
I hope that helps! Please feel free to contact me directly if you need to bounce other ideas off me at horseshoe.bend.az@gmail.com
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Is there a notification system or page we can follow to know when the canyons are opened up again (and reservations can be made again)? How do you recommend staying up-to-date?
Thanks!
Hi Blake!
To get the current the status of Antelope Canyon and other Navajo Nation Tribal Parks, we recommend monitoring the Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Department website. You can also request placement on our priority e-mail list to be notified the minute the canyons reopen. The Navajo-Hopi Observer (local newspaper) might be another good source to bookmark.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello I am wonderful if you have an idea when the lower antelope canyon will open back up for tours? I am coming down that way in June and would love to visit.
Hey Jackie,
I am wonderful, glad you are, too!
Unfortunately, we do not know whether the Antelope Canyons will be open for walking tours by June. You might consider doing a kayak tour of the waterside of Antelope Canyon on Lake Powell, which includes some hiking into the pre-slot portion of the Lower canyon, which is on Federal and not Tribal Land.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello are Antelope Canyon reservations being taken for July in the event it opens up? If it doesn’t open do you get a full refund?
Hey Jeff,
Reservations for walking tours of Antelope Canyon are not being taken yet due to the continued closure of Navajo Indian Tribal Lands to outsiders. They won’t start selling tickets until they get the clear green light from Tribal Leadership that they can resume running tours. I would recommend monitoring the official website of the Navajo Parks & Recreation Department periodically. In the meantime, I would count on moving any “Plan B” options to “Plan A” status. A popular option last year was kayak tours into the waterside of Antelope Canyon, which include some hiking into the “pre-slot” portion of the Lower Canyon which is on Federal and not Tribal land. While the scenery isn’t the “classic” slot canyon views depicted in postcards of Antelope Canyon, judging by the number of sold out days last year, people didn’t seem to mind a bit! There are several companies offering this tour, but the one we’re most familiar with is the Hidden Canyon Kayak Antelope Canyon Tour.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
we’re planning to visit parks during summer time. Do you think parks will be already open to public? What do you recommend?
Hi Liliana,
Most National Parks and Monuments administered by the National Park Service are open to tourism, with restrictions that may vary from park to park due to COVID-19.
Areas that are likely to remain closed into the summer months are Navajo Indian Tribal Parks, such as the Antelope Canyons and Monument Valley. Should that be the case at the time you visit, alternatives for visiting these areas are:
– Kayak tours into waterside of Antelope Canyon that include some hiking into the pre-slot areas of the lower canyon, which is on Federal Land
– self-guided hikes to Wire Pass Canyon/Buckskin Gulch near Paria, UT, or guided tours to Red Canyon/aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon near Kanab, UT
If seeing Monument Valley was a high priority, an alternative to a car trip would be to fly over it out of Page, AZ. Fixed wing airplanes depart out of the Page Municipal Airport daily, weather permitting, and possibly contingent on a certain number of passengers traveling. Scenic air tours take ~90 minutes and will show you a sizeable chunk of Lake Powell in addition to Monument Valley!
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Is the antelope canyon still closed due to covid?
What other activities can we do in the area?
Is it the same if I want to go to the grand canyon?
Thank you!
Hi Edgar,
Unfortunately, the Antelope Canyons are still closed. If a slot canyon remains high on your to-do list, which we wouldn’t blame you a bit for, there are some alternatives.
Wire Pass Canyon is a photogenic two-part slot canyon that is short enough for intermediate-level hikers to enjoy, yet offers the option to delve further into Buckskin Gulch for those wanting more of a challenge. The walk to the entrance of the initial slot is via a typically dry streambed, which is usually full of 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. A makeshift ladder may sometimes be available. As the canyon walls become higher and closer together, they suddenly open up as the second slot connects with the Buckskin Gulch. 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 with the Buckskin. Access to Wire Pass Canyon and the Buckskin Gulch is off US89 between Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, on the House Rock Valley Road and hikers 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
Red Canyon aka Peek-A-Boo Canyon: not to be confused with Peek-A-Boo Canyon in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this family-friendly slot canyon is located between Kanab and Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah, approximately 90 minutes from Page, AZ. With twists and turns on par with the Antelope Canyons, this short but memorable walk features classic slot canyon scenery (including the occasional light beams in the summertime), as well as some unique features 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 not required to get to Peek-A-Boo, we strongly recommend that you consider taking one, because while the walk through the canyon itself is usually not difficult, the drive to get there can be. 4WD vehicles with adequate clearance are a definite must, with tire pressure lowered to accommodate potentially deep sand. 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. For those who would prefer to explore Peek-A-Boo in the safety and comfort of a guided tour, there are several reputable companies to choose from in Kanab, UT, including:
– 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
Grand Canyon National Park remains open to visitation, with some limits on available services. For a complete list, visit http://www.NPS.gov: Grand Canyon
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, having a hard time understanding tours. What we would like to do is a guided kayak tour, provided we can meet the tour at the lake and not use a bus system as well as see the upper and lower canyon. It looks like the guided kayak tour is through hidden canyon, where is that in respect to upper/lower canyon? If it helps I have very agile 6 and 8 year olds.
Hi Kristina,
Apologies for taking so long to respond to your inquiry.
First of all, Hidden Canyon is the name of a kayak tour provider. It is one of several companies offering kayak tours into the waterside of Antelope Canyon. Depending on the level of Lake Powell, you can sometimes hike into the beginning of the slot canyon as long as you remain on Federal and not Tribal Land.
The segments of Antelope Canyon referred to as “Upper” and “Lower” are accessed via walking tours, which are closed at the moment due to COVID-19. I don’t recall seeing when you were planning to travel, but Antelope Canyon kayak tours are on seasonal hiatus right now and probably won’t resume operating until February or March, weather permitting. Kayak tours meet at Antelope Point Marina, ~5 miles Southeast of Page, AZ. Children 5 and up are welcome to participate in kayak tours.
Hope that helps. Good luck, safe travels, and Happy New Year!
Alley 🙂