Things to Know About Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon This is the most photographed Slot Canyon in the world! The American Southwest is the “canyon capital of the world,”
Wave Chamber
The Wave Chamber or the Wave Cave Not to be confused with any formation near the Wave or Coyote Buttes North, this hidden
People Also Ask, Things to Know About Antelope Canyon
Why do I have to take a tour to visit Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon and its alternate segments are located on Navajo Indian Tribal Lands near Page, AZ. In order to protect these culturally and historically important sites from vandalism, trespassing, littering, and other concerns, the Navajo Tribe regulates access to the canyons through authorized tour companies.
Different branches of Antelope Canyon are managed by different companies, all with excellent records for safety and service. Upper Antelope Canyon, for example, has 5 companies licensed to offer tours, 3 who meet directly at the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance on US98, 2 who operate out of storefronts in Downtown Page, AZ. Lower Antelope Canyon has 2 authorized tour companies, both located at the canyon site just off US98 near Antelope Point Marina. Antelope Canyon X, a popular alternate slot canyon, is overseen by one company, as are Secret Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon, and Mystical Antelope Canyon. Ligai Si Anii Tours near LeChee, AZ (approximately 30 minutes from Page, AZ), provides tours to 5 slot canyons ranging in difficulty from easy to extreme.
AntelopeCanyonAZ partners with licensed, reputable tour companies to Page, AZ’s most popular slot canyons. If you have any questions about any of them, please contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az
How difficult is it to tour Antelope Canyon?
It depends on which segment of Antelope Canyon you choose to visit. Upper Antelope Canyon is generally regarded as the easiest of Page, AZ’s slot canyons; the trail through the canyon itself is approximately 100 yards in length and mostly flat, however, there is now a network of steps and walkways guests must navigate over a small ridge and back to the tour vehicle parking area. Lower Antelope is below ground and physically more challenging, requiring that you descend the equivalent of 5 flights of stairs to enter, climb over some boulders and intermediate ladders during the walk through, and ascend another 5-flight staircase to exit.
Secret Antelope and Ligai Si Anii Canyons are longer canyons, but like Upper, have no stairs or ladders within the canyon. Antelope Canyon X, a scenic two-part slot canyon featuring both above and below ground sections, has no stairs or ladders, but access and egress are via a somewhat steep boardwalk. Owl and Rattlesnake Canyons are also relatively easy with a few short ladders. Other canyons, such as Mystical Antelope Canyon, Ram’s Head Canyon, Cardiac Canyon, Deer Canyon, and Sand Dune Canyon, are rated as strenuous and should only be visited by those who are very fit.
While the physical degree of difficulty can vary widely, the hardest part of touring Antelope Canyon will be finding space for your party without advance reservations. If you have any questions about Antelope Canyon or any of its alternate segments, please get in touch at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ
Can I drive my car directly to Antelope Canyon?
Private vehicles can be driven as far as the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance to Upper Antelope Canyon just Southeast of Page, AZ, on US98. From there, you must take a guided tour with one of three (3) companies licensed by the Navajo Indian Tribe. Alternatively, you can drive to the storefronts of one of two (2) Upper Antelope Canyon tour companies in downtown Page, AZ. You may also drive to the Lower Antelope Canyon site, where you would then be escorted to the canyon on foot with a representative of one of the two licensed tour companies for that section of the canyon.
Tours to Antelope Canyon X, Mountain Sheep, Owl, and Rattlesnake Canyons also originate at the Navajo Tribal Park Entrance on highway US98. Other area slot canyons which have guests drive directly to or near the canyon location(s) include, but are not limited to, Mystical Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon, and Antelope Valley Canyons (including Ligai Si Anii, Wind Pebble, Ram’s Head, Deer, and Sand Dune Canyons). Secret Antelope Canyon (aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon) tours meet at a storefront in Page, AZ.
Whichever slot canyon you choose to visit, you should not assume that you may simply drive up to either location and be able to take a tour. Antelope Canyon tours must be reserved well in advance of your arrival. For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ
What is the best time to see Antelope Canyon?
In general, mid-day is widely considered to be the best time to tour any of Page, AZ’s world-famous slot canyons. Since slot canyons resemble a cave without a roof, the interior of the canyon is best illuminated when the sun is directly overhead. During early morning or late afternoon tours, however, the colors of the canyon walls are deeper, richer, and more varied. Long story short: there’s no such thing as a bad time to tour Antelope Canyon!
In Upper Antelope Canyon, during late spring through early fall, mid-day tours offer a spectacular bonus feature: seemingly divine beams of sunlight that cast their glow all the way to the canyon floor. Other area slot canyons, such as Antelope X, Rattlesnake Canyon, Mystical Antelope, and Secret Antelope Canyon also experience the light beams on occasion, but to a lesser degree. If you’re going for the full effect of this phenomena, Upper Antelope Canyon is where it’s at, but be prepared to pay a premium price for tickets during this high-demand time.
If you could care less about the light beams and were wondering when is the best time in general to visit Antelope Canyon and the Southwest US, mid-September to early-October is when any local would tell you to come on over! Featuring stable, nearly picture-perfect weather and the opportunity to maybe catch some fall foliage in the higher elevations, an autumn vacation to the Grand Circle is an experience you’ll never forget. For more trip planning guidance from local residents, visit www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ or email reservations@antelopecanyon.az
How long does it take to tour Antelope Canyon?
Tours to the most popular branches of Antelope Canyon – Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon – take approximately 90 minutes.
Tours to other slot canyons, such as Waterholes Canyon or Mountain Sheep Canyon can vary from 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on whether you take a general sightseeing/hiking tour or an in-depth photography tour. Tours to some of the more difficult slots in the area such as Mystical, Sand Dune, Ram’s Head, or Cardiac Canyon can run 2-4 hours + depending on your group and your guide. Tours to Secret Antelope Canyon aka Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon are approximately 3 hours in length because they include a visit to Horseshoe Bend via a private entrance where the walk is shorter than the public overlook. Another popular multi-canyon tour is Mountain Sheep, Owl, and Rattlesnake Canyons which runs just under 2 hours.
As you can see, there are many options for touring Antelope Canyon, plus some tour companies also offer half-day and all-day combination packages which may include boating or rafting, airplane or helicopter tours, horseback riding, or trips to popular out-of-town locations such as Monument Valley. The local experts at www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ would be happy to help you pick the Antelope Canyon tour package that helps you get the most out of your visit to Page, AZ, even with limited time!
How far is Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Sedona, or Flagstaff?
The approximate drive time from popular gateway cities to Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ, is as follows:
- Las Vegas – 4.5 hours
- Phoenix – 4.5 hours
- Sedona – 3 hours
- Flagstaff – 2.5 hours
- Grand Canyon South or North Rim – 2.5 hours
- Monument Valley – 2 hours
- Zion National Park – 1.5 – 2.5 hours
- Bryce Canyon National Park – 2.5 hours
Bear in mind, these figures are direct drive times, meaning wheels turning, no stops. That rarely happens because all of these drives are very scenic and you will be stopping to take pictures more often than you realize. The drive from Flagstaff to Page, AZ, for example offers the opportunity to visit Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments, the Cameron Trading Post, Painted Desert-like views, the Antelope Pass Vista, open-air Native American markets, and Horseshoe Bend. Don’t be surprised if the trip ends up taking more along the lines of 4 hours, especially if you stop at the Cameron Trading Post for a Navajo taco! In the American Southwest, it’s prudent to pad your drive times by 25-30% to allow time for the inevitable “wow, look at that” moment.
If you are staying in Las Vegas or Phoenix, know that visiting Antelope Canyon as a day trip out of either city will make for a very LONG day, most of it spent driving. That doesn’t sound like a vacation to us! Consider booking one or two nights in Page, AZ, so you can take advantage of all that our town has to offer.
What time is it at Antelope Canyon?
Page, AZ, and the Antelope Canyons operate on Mountain STANDARD Time year-round. We are on the same time as Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, etc. During Daylight Savings Time (March through November), we are also on the same time as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc.
The clocks on your cell phone, vehicle, smart watch, etc., may advance one hour when passing through the Navajo Indian Reservation, or the state of Utah, where Daylight Savings Time is observed, but should revert back to Mountain Standard upon arrival in Page, AZ. If you have any questions about the time zone, contact us at reservations@AntelopeCanyon.AZ
Why are Antelope Canyon tour tickets so expensive?
When you’re hot, you’re hot. And the Antelope Canyons have fast risen to one of the hottest destinations in the American Southwest. Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon tours are in high demand, and you’ll pay a higher price for your tickets there. That’s just the way it is.
If you’re on a tight budget, however, you’ll be happy to know that there are other slot canyon tours out there that are just as beautiful, less crowded, and less expensive. Tours to Antelope Canyon X, for example, a very scenic 2-part slot canyon, start at approximately $45/person plus taxes and fees. Ligai Si Anii Canyon near Le Chee, AZ, offers both daytime and nighttime stargazing tours (how cool is that?) for approximately $65++/person. Some tour companies may offer off-season discounts during the cooler months of the year, or special consideration for booking a package tour. It definitely pays to shop around!
Which one is better, Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?
Neither one is “better,” per se, they are just different. Statistically speaking, most Page, AZ, visitors opt to tour Upper Antelope Canyon for its iconic scenery and relative ease of the walk-through. Lower Antelope Canyon, though popular also, is seen by fewer visitors, not through any fault of its own, but just because its stairs and ladders cannot be managed by everyone.
If you cannot find space available in Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, or the prospect of the crowds they attract does not appeal, consider one of several alternate slot canyons in the Antelope Canyon drainage system many would rate as better than Upper or Lower, and provide a more intimate, exclusive experience, such as:
- Antelope Canyon X
- Waterholes Canyon
- Ligai Si Anii Canyon
- Secret Antelope Canyon
- Mountain Sheep Canyon
- …and more
For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ
Can I visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons in one day?
Absolutely! The key to making it work, however, is timing: you should allow at least a 60-90 minute “buffer” between the conclusion of one tour, and the check-in time for the other.
For example: the 8.15 AM Upper Antelope Canyon tour (check-in 7.30 am) would conclude at around 9.45 AM. That would give you only 15 minutes to transition to the 10.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which would require check-in at 10.00 AM. That’s not much time, and should the Upper tour run late for any reason, you would risk being late for the check-in for Lower and forfeiting your spot on the tour, not to mention what you paid for your tickets. A better choice for after the 8.15 am Upper Antelope Canyon tour would be the 11.45 AM Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which requires that you check-in at 11:00 AM. That gives you 1 hour and 15 minutes from when the 8.15 am tour of Upper Antelope wraps up, during which you could grab a bite to eat, freshen up a bit, or do a little shopping.
Another option: take the 10.45 Lower Canyon tour, which requires check-in at 10.00 AM, and conclude at approximately 12:15 PM. The 2:30 PM Upper Antelope Canyon would require you to check-in at 1:45 PM, which would give you 90 minutes to transition from the Lower Antelope Canyon site to downtown Page, AZ.
Is it necessary to tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in order to have a satisfying visit to Page, AZ? No. But touring both will give you a deeper appreciation for the size, beauty, and complexity of the Antelope Canyon drainage system, and its importance to the local water supply. If you really want to delve more deeply into that aspect of it, consider taking an Antelope Canyon Boat Tour as well!
Are any Antelope Canyon land tours wheelchair accessible?
Sorry, but no. Take a look at some videos online, such as this Full Walk-Through Video of Lower Antelope Canyon, or the New Hike at Upper Antelope Canyon and you’ll see why.
A better solution for those with severe enough mobility impairments to require a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive device would be to take a waterside tour of Antelope Canyon. These access the section of Antelope Canyon that connects with Lake Powell by boat. Tours are available from Lake Powell Resort & Marina or Antelope Point Marina. For more information, visit www.AntelopeCanyonBoatTours.com
Can I bring my dog or other companion animal to Antelope Canyon?
No. The terrain in most of these canyons is too rugged and presents too great a liability risk.
If you’re traveling with a pet, please arrange for boarding at a local facility such as the Page Animal Hospital (928-645-2816) or Page Pampered Pets (928-640-6898).
Can pregnant women tour Antelope Canyon?
Pregnant women can and do enjoy Antelope Canyon tours daily without incident. However, your best bet would be to clear it with your doctor first. Maybe show them these videos of Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Antelope Canyon. If you do decide to book an Antelope Canyon tour, be aware that you will be required to sign a liability waiver absolving the tour company of any responsibility for injury or illness that might occur.
As a general rule, anyone, regardless of medical condition, should avoid taking part in any high-exertion activity during the mid-day heat of summer, or in extreme cold weather. Plan any hiking, climbing, or walking during the earlier morning hours to take advantage of cooler temperatures. Bring plenty of water, no matter what time of day – or time of year – you’re out exploring.
Can my baby come on an Antelope Canyon tour?
Most, but not all, Antelope Canyon tour companies welcome people of all ages. Some limit passengers to those age 6-8 and above due to the nature of the terrain. If your tour company allows babies, you should plan to carry them in a backpack carrier. You will also need to provide a car seat for those tours that have a vehicle component. In most cases, you must physically reserve a space for an infant or toddler on a tour. Do not simply show up with a child and assume they will be admitted on the tour. For more information visit www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ: Bringing Kids
Can I bring a pack or purse to Antelope Canyon?
No bags are allowed on most Antelope Canyon tours. This includes backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, money pouches, handbags, water bottle carriers with pouches or compartments that may be used to transport any contraband items, even baby carriers must be free of excess pouches or pockets. If you must carry any type of item that cannot fit into a pocket, this could be considered a mobility impairment, which may result in forfeiture of your space on the tour (and your ticket price). Your tour company will state their bag policy on your confirmation materials.
How far is Horseshoe Bend from Antelope Canyon?
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is approximately 7 miles, or a 10-15 minute drive, from Antelope Canyon. There is a $10/vehicle parking fee for standard passenger vehicles, or $35 for light commercial vehicles. The parking lot is open from sunrise to sunset. Allow at least 60 minutes to park your vehicle, walk to the rim, take photos, then walk back to your vehicle. Note that the walk is approximately 1.5 miles round-trip and is almost completely exposed. Bring plenty of water for all members of your traveling party, including dogs. During the summer months, visiting just after sunrise is highly recommended for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. For more information, visit our partner site, www.HorseshoeBend.com
What else should I know about Antelope Canyon?
The main thing to know about the Antelope Canyons is that access to them is granted by the Navajo Indian Tribe. They reserve the right to cut off access to the canyons at any time for any reason. While enjoying your visit, bear in mind that many of these sites are sacred to the Navajo people, so be respectful by not touching or writing on the canyon walls, not disturbing any plants or animals, refraining from smoking in the canyon or on tour vehicles, or scattering any human cremation ashes in the canyon (it’s been tried, and it’s a huge no-no!).
Second, the Antelope Canyons are located in a desert environment. During the summer months, it means dry and HOT. In the winter months, it means dry and cold. Be sure to drink plenty of water during your stay in the Page, AZ, area, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to do so. That means you’re already dehydrated. Though the walking can vary from easy to strenuous and everything in between in the Antelope Canyons, you’ll be on rugged, unpaved terrain regardless. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes, as well as sun protection in the form of sunscreen, wide-brimmed hats, and a scarf, bandanna, or cooling towel. From late June to early September is Arizona’s monsoon season. Afternoon thunderstorms can get quite intense, resulting in flash floods and closure of the canyons. Should one of these events impact your trip, you will be given the option to reschedule or cancel with a full refund.
Third, the Navajo Tribe was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so if you are sick in any way, please refrain from going on the tour. We know you’ve waited a long time and paid good money for your ticket, but better to lose a few bucks than to unintentionally close down a crucial revenue generator for weeks or months on end. AntelopeCanyonAZ offers trip protection for a nominal extra cost to protect your investment from circumstances such as these. Visit our website www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ for more details!
What if I don’t see the Antelope Canyon tour time I want on your website?
We pride ourselves in offering Antelope Canyon tours at the most desired time slots. However, if you don’t see availability on the departure time you need, simply contact us at reservations@antelopecanyon.az and we’ll happily search for availability on a tour that best suits your schedule.