There are so many great stops north of the Grand Canyon – Lee’s Ferry, Vermillion Cliffs, and Horseshoe Bend (click here for more info), but the first time we travelled through this area a bucket-list item was closed due to Covid so we were thrilled to work our way back up near Page, Arizona to visit the iconic Antelope Canyon!
This canyon’s beautiful wave-like structure shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion is highlighted by natural light beams from above, making Antelope Canyon one of the most photographed slot canyons in the southwestern United States. In fact, I don’t think I’ve been to an arts and crafts fair where there hasn’t been a photography booth that contains at least one photo of Antelope Canyon. LOL! Despite this, you’ll still want to experience its beauty first hand and you’ll likely take more photos than you ever expected.
A few things to know before you go:
- Book in advance. Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Land and guided tours are required.
- There are several tour operators so pricing might vary but it will generally run you upwards of $120/ea. We used Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours (linked here).
- There’s an upper and a lower Antelope Canyon. Do your research to decide which one you want to go to. Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level with about a 2% incline (photos below) but Lower Antelope Canyon requires walking up and down several flights of stairs, ladders, and squeezing through tighter passages within the canyon. Both start at the tour office where you board a vehicle to take the bumpy ride to the canyon. After less than an hour in the Upper Antelope Canyon there are some ramps and stairs just to move people from the canyon back to the parking lot.
- Best time to book for those natural light beams overhead in Upper Antelope Canyon is April to September, approximately midday. We were there in early May around 1pm.
- Tripods and bags are not allowed in the canyon. Read the FAQs online before you go.
Here are just a few of the many (really too many) photos Doug and I took while in this short 600ft-long, sandstone, slot canyon!
Despite the price, the group tour aspect, and the commercialization, it was still one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen and absolutely worth a visit!
