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We had been dreaming about visiting Antelope Canyon in Arizona USA for a long time.
Having seen these reddish, water-carved curves hundreds of times, we could not stop imagining the infinite possibilities for photography. The only issue at the time was that we weren’t sure where Antelope Canyon was on a map.
Once we discovered that Antelope Canyon is located Page, in northern Arizona, our West Coast USA itinerary was clear. Not only was it one of the top destinations of our trip, but it also happened to be on the way to a few other spots on our West Coast America visit and photography bucket list.
You can find a map with the locations of Antelope Canyon, other US National Parks, and surrounding points of interest in our west coast travel guide.
As noted, the Arizonan Antelope Canyon will not be like what you see in images, since there will be dozens of tourists behind you trying to take the same photo. Nonetheless, Antelope Canyon is worth it, and we will help you find these pictures that you have long dreamed about.
HOW TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON
- Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?: Decide which canyon you would like to visit.
- Best time to visit Antelope Canyon: Travel (if possible) during summertime.
- Book an Antelope Canyon Tour: It is essential to book a tour in advance.
- Travel to Antelope Canyon: Below we explain how to get to Antelope Canyon.
- Prepare your camera / smartphone: Get your equipment ready to photograph Antelope Canyon.
- Enjoy your visit to Antelope Canyon: Follow the Navajo guide tips.
- Antelope Canyon surroundings: Enjoy other wonders near Antelope Canyon like Horseshoe Bend.
In order to make the most of your Tour, in this planning guide for your visit to Antelope Canyon you will find everything you need:
- How to get to Antelope Canyon
- Best time to visit Antelope Canyon
- Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
- Antelope Canyon Tickets
- Top places to visit near Antelope Canyon
- Where to sleep near Antelope Canyon
- Final tips for your visit to Antelope Canyon
- Antelope Canyon Map
HOW TO GET TO ANTELOPE CANYON
One of the main things we need to figure out before visiting the Antelope Canyon in the US is getting there. In this section. We will show you different options in this section.
ANTELOPE CANYON FROM LAS VEGAS
The closest airport to Antelope Canyon is in Las Vegas, a city that has become popular for its themed hotels; although there are actually many other places to visit in Las Vegas. To get there, a popular option is to book an Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas. There are agencies that offer 1-day Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas like this tour (for me one of the best excursions in Las Vegas).
If you prefer to visit Antelope Canyon on your own, you can also get a car rental in Las Vegas. This is the option that we liked most since it allows you to visit Antelope Canyon your own way while being able to explore the surroundings. It takes a total of four and a half hours to drive the 279 miles of distance between Antelope Canyon and Las Vegas. You can check how to get a cheap rental car here.
Other option is to travel by motorhome. If you do so, here you can find the best RV rental companies in the USA.
In any case, if you decide to take the tour option, make sure it is an Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend tour.
If you are coming from Sin City, check where to stay in Las Vegas.
ANTELOPE CANYON FROM MONUMENT VALLEY
The distance between Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley is 124 miles, so it is not out of the ordinary to visit both places on the same trip.
If you plan to visit Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley in one day, I advise taking the Antelope Canyon Tour during the middle of the day and then enjoy a sunrise or sunset in Monument Valley, as those are the best hours of lighting for each place.
As we mentioned in our guide to visiting Monument Valley, although both places are located in Arizona and only three hours apart, they observe different time zones during the summer. Keep this in mind especially when planning your Antelope Canyon Tour so you are not late and miss it. You can find all information about time zones in Arizona here.
ANTELOPE CANYON FROM THE GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited National Parks in the United States. The distance between Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon is 124 miles, which takes about two and a half hours.
Although I generally recommend a longer visit, another combination to consider would be a 1-day Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon tour. Similar to Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, I would see the Grand Canyon at sunrise and sunset and do the Antelope Canyon tour during the middle of the day.
Even, if you have very little time, take a Grand Canyon helicopter tour that includes a visit to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. In any case, if you pass through Arizona you cannot miss visiting the Grand Canyon. If you are going to spend a night inside the park, I recommend here the best accommodations near the Grand Canyon.
Do not miss our Guide to the grand canyon
Antelope canyon by way of zion national park and bryce canyon
There are two other National Parks that are relatively close to Antelope Canyon – Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
From Zion to Antelope Canyon is a 100 miles journey that takes about two hours. From Bryce Canyon to Antelope Canyon, it takes about 3 hours traveling 149 miles.
You can also check out our Guide to Bryce National Park and Guide to Zion National Park, with our recommendation and photography tips for your visit.
Regardless of what way you take to the Antelope Canyon, it is a worthy visit it.
WHEN TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON
If you have the option of deciding when to visit Antelope Canyon, I recommend you do it at midday when more light enters the canyon, since that is the time when we can see more colors and take the best images of Antelope Canyon.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON
Summing up, if you can decide when to visit Antelope Canyon, I suggest the following months:
- Best time to visit Antelope Canyon to see light beams: From the end of March to the beginning of October.
- Best time to visit Antelope Canyon without tourists: From November to March.
- Best time to take a night Antelope Canyon Tour: All year round it is possible to take this Tour, but we will have more chances of clear skies in summer.
The best months to visit Antelope Canyon are between the end of March and early October. During this time, we can see light beams that enter the Upper Antelope Canyon which creates a unique phenomenon.
If you visit Antelope Canyon during winter, you will miss those bright haloes. However, you would be able to enjoy Antelope Canyon almost entirely by yourself.
BEST HOURS OF THE DAY TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON
To see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon, you need to plan your visit during the middle of the day, between 11 AM and 1:30 PM, when sunlight is perpendicular to the canyon.
There should also be no clouds during these hours, otherwise, the rays will not appear.
ANTELOPE CANYON NAVAJO TOURS
Although many people call it Antelope Canyon National Park, it is actually not managed by the U.S. National Park Service.
Same as Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation, and is therefore managed by the Navajo Nation and different companies founded by Navajo Indians that offer Antelope Canyon Tours.
You can’t visit Antelope Canyon without a guided tour, and the tour reviews are not very good, but it’s their land and you need to adapt and abide by the local rules.
In our opinion, our Antelope Canyon Navajo guides were polite at all times and did their best to help us get the best pictures of Antelope Canyon. They do get pushy to make the tour go faster, but this is the only way to get through hundreds of tourists every day.
Despite feeling like a flock of sheep at some points, a visit to Antelope Canyon is undoubtedly worth it.
Although there are other canyons in the area, such as Rattlesnake, Owl, and Mountain Sheep, the most popular Navajo tours are the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon tours.
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous canyon because of the stunning mid-day light beam phenomenon that takes place in the summer months.
The Upper Antelope Canyon tours are more expensive than those of the Lower Antelope Canyon, and you’ll also have to pay an extra if you want to visit the canyon during the popular light beam hours.
To get to the canyon, you must go to the meeting point of the company with which you booked the tour (I do not recommend visiting Upper Antelope Canyon without reservation), and once there, you will be taken with your group in a 4 x 4 to the canyon mouth through a sand track. The entrance is at ground level, and you do not go down a long stretch of stairs as you would in Lower Antelope Canyon.
The route is short, but you will go to and back from the end of the canyon on the same narrow two-way traffic path, sharing with people going in the opposite direction. For this reason, backpacks are not allowed during the tour.
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON STANDARD TOUR
If you take the standard sightseeing tour, your Navajo guide will not give you as much time to photograph the canyon as they would for those taking the more expensive Photo Tours in Upper Antelope Canyon.
With the standard tour, you will have less time inside the canyon, and your guide will push harder for you to keep ahead so other groups can enter the canyon. Of course, the guides will help you take good pictures with your mobile, showing you the best frames and compositions or even taking pictures for you.
Cameras and tripods are not allowed on standard tours in Upper Antelope Canyon.
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON PHOTO TOUR
*Important Update: The Navajo Nation Parks and recreation decided to discontinue Photography tours at Upper Antelope Canyon from 2020 and beyond. The main reason according to their statement is: “to free up space in the canyon and make the experience more enjoyable for the visitors”.
With this decision, they’re trying to reverse all the negative reviews received over the last years. We’ll keep this article updated if they start running Photo tours in the Upper Antelope Canyon again in the future.
If you take an Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour, you will enjoy more time inside the canyon and be able to photograph the light beams if weather conditions align. Your guide will block other people and groups from passing for at least 1-2 minutes, which help create cleaner compositions with no people on your frame and will allow more time to shoot every main spot inside the canyon.
Your guide will also give you an introductory talk at the beginning of the tour explaining the basic parameters that you can use on your camera. He will also provide useful information like never changing the lens inside the canyon to prevent getting dust on your camera sensor.
He also provides basic tips about compositions. However, do not expect that he will personally help you during the tour. His role as a guide is mainly based on blocking people from getting into your frame, which means the pictures of your visit will depend entirely on your photography knowledge and skills.
To help you in this matter, we have prepared a specific mini-guide with tips to photograph the Antelope Canyon if you are taking the Photo Tour (with DSLR or Mirrorless camera). You will learn about parameters beyond those pointed out by the guide, photography techniques, examples, and how to make the most out of your tour.
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHING ANTELOPE CANYON
Valid for the Upper Antelope Canyon Photo Tour
To join an Antelope Canyon photo tour, the guides will check that you have an interchangeable lens camera (Mirrorless or Reflex) and a tripod and will regroup you to a standard tour without such. Last generation mobiles, GoPro cameras, compact cameras, gorillapods, and monopods are not accepted for photo tours.
In our case, only Dani had a camera and tripod, so they regrouped me on a standard tour with my compact camera. I was lucky that there was a free spot, otherwise, I couldn’t have visited the Upper Antelope Canyon at all.
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON
More people are visiting the Lower Antelope Canyon in recent days because of its lower price compared to Upper Antelope Canyon.
Besides, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is usually the choice for those who cannot stand the crowds. We were told that the Upper is generally more crowded,
however, the opposite happened in our experience when entering the canyon.
To get to the entrance, you must first meet your group guide at the box office. He will then take you on a small path to the far end of the canyon.
Lower Antelope Canyon is carved into the ground, as usual canyons are, so you must descend a steep metal stairway that takes you to the bottom of the canyon. As this might be dangerous, the guides make sure that members of their group go down one by one which creates a significant delay at the entrance.
We had to wait more than 45 minutes at the entrance until we could finally start our tour. Luckily, Lower Antelope Canyon is longer and wider than Upper Antelope Canyon, and the tour only goes in one direction. We felt that we had much more space than in the previous canyon.
Although you cannot see light beams, the shapes and patterns on the walls are mesmerizing. The Navajo guides usually don’t rush here as much as they do in the Upper Canyon. In any case, you still have to visit the Lower Antelope Canyon with a tour group, but at least they will give you a little more freedom and space to enjoy the Canyon and take your photos.
ANTELOPE CANYON LOWER OR UPPER?
After our experience visiting both Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day, we reached the following conclusions:
- If you do not want to spend too much money, we recommend the Lower Antelope Canyon tour. The price difference is remarkable, and you can still cross out the slot canyon experience from your bucket list.
- If you are interested in photography, we recommend an Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour. If you do not have a particular interest in photography, we think it is better to visit Lower Antelope Canyon. It will be easier for you to take good photos since this canyon is not as packed with visitors as the Upper Antelope Canyon when you take a standard tour.
- If you are going to visit Upper Antelope Canyon, it is recommended that you do it during the middle of the day when you can see the light beams. If you are not willing to pay the extra cost, we suggest opting for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
- If you can afford it, take the Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour and visit Lower Antelope Canyon.
And in any case, whichever you visit, Antelope Canyon is worth it!
ANTELOPE CANYON TICKETS
As we explained above, it is very difficult to visit Antelope Canyon without a reservation. In this section, we will talk about the cost to visit Antelope Canyon, schedule of the tours, and where to book your Navajo Antelope Canyon Tour.
HOW much does it cost to visit antelope canyon?
The Navajo Indian Reservation sets the Antelope Canyon entrance fees, so all companies that offer Navajo guided tours to Antelope Canyon will be priced the same.
In this way, below you can see the breakdown with the Antelope Canyon fee:
- Upper Antelope Canyon standard tour: $63
- Upper Antelope Canyon standard tour with light beams: $74
- Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour: $151
- Lower Antelope Canyon tour: $40
- Upper Antelope Canyon night standard tour: $79
- Upper Antelope Canyon night photography tour: $263
In addition, you have to pay for an $8 permit to enter the Navajo Nation.
ANTELOPE CANYON SCHEDULE
As the price of the tours in Antelope Canyon are the same among different companies, we recommend that you choose according to schedule instead.
Antelope Canyon schedule vary depending on the company you book your tour with.
The duration of the Antelope Canyon tour is 1.5 hrs. for the standard visit to Upper Antelope Canyon, 2.5 hrs. for the Antelope Canyon Photo Tour, and 1.5 hrs. for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
Check the Antelope Canyon schedules offered by each of the following companies:
- Tsosie’s Slot Canyon Tours (Upper Antelope Canyon)
- Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tours (Upper Antelope Canyon)
- Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours (Upper Antelope Canyon)
- Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (Upper Antelope Canyon)
- Ken’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (Lower Antelope Canyon)
- Dixie Ellis’ Antelope Lower Canyon Tours (Lower Antelope Canyon)
When buying tickets for Antelope Canyon, do it through each of the previous websites.
I recommend booking the Antelope Canyon tours well in advance, especially in the summer. If you didn’t make any reservation, I suggest trying your luck in Lower Antelope Canyon, as it is more likely that you find a last-minute spot here than in Upper Antelope Canyon.
Another option if you don’t have a reservation but have an interchangeable lens camera and a tripod, is to try to get a spot in the Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour, as they often regroup visitors without proper photography equipment to standard tours.
TOP THINGS TO SEE near ANTELOPE CANYON
One day is enough time to visit Antelope Canyon. Even if you go to Antelope Canyon in the morning, you will still have time to do other excursions and activities in Page, such as the following:
LAKE POWELL
You can visit Lake Powell after exploring Antelope Canyon. We went to the Antelope Point Launch Ramp, and turned right from there until we reached a parking lot used by those who want to go to the small beach for a swim.
On the way, you’ll find a Navajo Nation Parks box office, where you will need to pay the ticket entrance. I do not remember how we managed to enter without paying for that particular ticket, whether it was because we had already paid the Navajo fee in Antelope Canyon or if it was because we had the annual America the Beautiful pass, but you shouldn’t have any problem with either tickets.
The Navajo Nation is independent of the US National Park Service. However, Lake Powell is within Glen Canyon National Park, so I do not remember which of the two organizations managed this section of Lake Powel.
ANTELOPE CANYON BOAT TOUR
To see Antelope Canyon by boat, you can take a tour that leaves from Lake Powell. These tours depart from the Antelope Point Marina visitor center.
The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon start at this section of the lake, and it narrows very similarly to the Antelope Canyon.
Similar tours are also offered at another area of the lake, where Wahweap Marina in the Lake Powell Resort is located.
KAYAKING IN ANTELOPE CANYON
If you want to visit Antelope Canyon by Kayak, there are also companies that either organize kayak tours through Antelope Canyon or rent kayaks for you to visit areas of the lake that you prefer.
Some of these companies include Powell Kayak, Lake Powell Hidden Canyon Kayak o Lake Powell Paddle Boards among others.
HORSESHOE BEND
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting tourist attractions near Antelope Canyon is Horseshoe Bend.
For thousands of years, the Colorado River has been carving out the horseshoe-shaped, over 980 feet deep canyon. It is one of the most visited attractions in Page. In addition, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend can be visited on the same day – Antelope Canyon in the morning, and Horseshoe Bend for sunset.
Since it’s one of the most stunning locations of our trip to the West Coast, we wrote a specific article to give you all the information necessary to visit Horseshoe Bend.
WHERE TO STAY NEAR ANTELOPE CANYON
Although we already wrote an guide for accommodation in Page, we couldn’t skip to inlcude a section in this post on cheap accommodation near Antelope Canyon.
If you want to go camping in Antelope Canyon, I recommend Page Lake Powell Antelope Canyon Campground that has both tents and RV options.
If you prefer more comfort, these are the best hotels near Antelope Canyon:
- Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell: This highly rated hotel is located in the center of Page. Since the town is small and touristy, you will have to book well in advance as the rooms fill up quickly.
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: Without a doubt the best hotel in Page, both the price and the rooms. It is not centrally located in Page but is located close to Horseshoe Bend.
FINAL TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO ANTELOPE CANYON
We wanted to leave this section at the end to give you some extra tips for visiting Antelope Canyon that we have not included before.
SAVINGS ON THE NAVAJO FEE
All attractions within the Navajo Indian Reservation include a fee for the maintenance of the reserve. This fee is $8 per day, but you could be charged multiple times if you don’t mention that you had already paid the fee at another attraction.
Best way to go about it is pay for the first activity, and then show the voucher on the rest of the activities where they will then discount this fee.
For example, make sure you only get charged once when you visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.
fLASH FLOODS IN ANTELOPE CANYON
Although Antelope Canyon is in an arid region, flash flooding can occur when it rains. Such flooding in Antelope Canyon can be very dangerous, as the walls are narrow and many people are usually inside the canyon. Typically, your guides would cancel tours if there is heavy rain forecast, but it is always good to check the weather forecast if you plan to visit Antelope Canyon without a reservation.
The most serious incident took place in 1997 when a strong storm created a 19-foot wave in Lake Powell that traveled into Lower Antelope Canyon, taking 11 tourists with it. All were dead and two bodies were never found.
The guide survived as he managed to climb up the canyon. Since then, access to Antelope Canyon without a guide became forbidden. If your tour is canceled because of rain forecast, you can understand the real reason.
Also remember that it is very important to compare travel insurance companies and especially when we talk about visiting the United States, as the medical costs of this country are exorbitant.
If you want to know which insurance company to choose for this trip, check the best travel insurance quotes for USA before purchasing here.
At this point, you should have all the Antelope Canyon information you need to enjoy your visit.
ANTELOPE CANYON MAP
With this map of Antelope Canyon and surroundings, we bring this article to an end. We hope this help make your visit to Antelope Canyon an unforgettable one!
DO NOT HESITATE TO LEAVE US A COMMENT IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFORMATION FROM ANTELOPE CANYON. WE WILL BE DELIGHTED TO HELP YOU 😉
Hello and thank you so much for the article!
Hubby and I are going on a two week trip out west next month. I was planning to do South Rim and Horseshoe bend on the same day and Antelope the next morning then driving to monument valley for the night.
First question: Can I do lower canyon without a guide? I would like to do both but don’t want to pay for two tours. Do you think it’s worth it to pay for 2 if necessary?
Second question: Would I be better off adding Horseshoe Bend to the Antelope canyon day?
Thanks for your help! I’m so excited!
Tara
You need a guide for both tours. For me it was worth paying them, but I think that is a personal question. And yes, you can do Horseshoe Bend in the same day.
Ascen
Wow! One of the most comprehensive, educating and useful guides. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to create this wonderful guide. Moving to read your other articles.
Hi guys, thank you for an incredibile amount of practical information! I have two additional questions:
1. While visiting the area, I wanted to see Horseshoe Bend, as well. But it seems that Goosenecks State Park may be a better idea? Almost as deep as Horseshoe, maybe less colorful, but there’re two bends instead of one and it’s much less crowded. What do you think?
2. People say that Canyon X is better to go than Lower Canyon if you don’t like crowds. The views are similar, but it’s not so popular and I would avoid crowds. But according to my research it’s pretty small and you only need few minutes to go through. I’m confused… What would you pick? Lower Canyon or X?
Hi Tomek,
Thanks for your message!
To be honest, I’ve never been to Goosenecks State Park or Canyon X, so my opinion is based just on what I saw online.
Both places look quieter than Horseshoe/Antelope. Some friends have been shooting Canyon X and they really enjoyed it since they had the canyon all for themselves with no crowds and no rush.
Antelope Canyon can be stressful for some people and photographers, but to me it was worth it and I think that you have to visit it at least once in a lifetime.
That said, I recommend to do your research and check which can best suit your needs, the Southwest is full of river bends and slot canyons, so there are even more options 😉
Have a nice trip!
Dan
Thank you so much for all the detailed information! We are planning to visit Antelope Canyon in late April from Vegas. Never been to Grand or antelope canyons before. My kids are 9 and 11 years old. Would you recommend two separate day trips, one to west rim Grand Canyon and another one to antelope canyon? Or the overnight tour to both? From what I read, the day trips to each one provides more stops and time to be in each location more time and visit more thorough. Thank you!
Hi Naty,
If you are staying in Las Vegas I think it’s best to take two separate one-day tours. For Antelope Canyon, this is the best tour from Las Vegas.
Regarding the tour to Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, there are hundreds of kinds. The West Rim is the most touristic but I prefer the South Rim. However, if you are traveling with kids, maybe is easier to visit the West Rim that is just a couple of hours from Las Vegas and you will have more time to explore. This is my favorite tour to West Rim from LV.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Ascen
Hi
This guide is incredible thank you so much.
We were planning on travelling early April to Sedona. Leave Sedona early am to drive 2.5 hrs to Antelope canyon and pick between upper or lower and then grab lunch and do Horseshoe bend.
We want to fit monument valley in somehow? Would this work. The other thing is we have a 14 month old with us he can walk but not extensive amounts and we will have his stroller with us so we could use this but cab we get down to antelope canyon easily? And travelling with a little one and doing all three in one day might be much ? Maybe do a night stay and split it?
Thanks a lot for all your help xx
Hi,
I would split Antelope + Horseshoe Bend in one day and Monument Valley on another day for sure, even if you are not traveling with an infant. However, I think that visiting the Antelope Canyon may not be a safe/good activity to do with a baby.
In Upper Antelope Canyon, you will need to carry your baby since strollers and backpack carriers are not allowed. You will need also to provide a toddler’s car seat since you will be taken to the canyon in a jeep through a bumpy dirt road.
If you choose Lower Antelope Canyon, you will descend into the canyon via a staircase that passes through a narrow topside opening (some simple bouldering is required) Backpack carriers are allowed for infants, but the tour company will assume no responsibility for injuries your child might sustain by bumping his head on a low-hanging rock ledge…
I would suggest watching this full walkthrough video to make a decision.
Ascen
Thank you for the informative and in depth review! Reading through the comments were quite helpful too.
Question1: We have a 2.5 years old and planning to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon this Spring. I understand backpack carriers like the hiking ones are not approved but is a soft/front baby carrier allowed? I read somewhere that it was allowed but the article was 7 years ago.
Question 2: We are planning in on flying into Vegas. Next morning drive to Zion, then Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe bend.
What are your recommendations? Shall we stay overnight in Page or elsewhere.
Thank you very much.
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your message and your nice words, I’m glad to see you found our info useful!
As regards your first question, I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for that. My advice is to call the Upper Antelope Canyon tour company and ask them, they’re very helpful and will provide a quick answer to your question 😉
Related to your second question, it depends on the time you want to spend in Zion. It’s perfectly doable doing Zion, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend in a day, but if you’re driving the same morning from Vegas, it can be a pretty exhausting day (especially with a 2.5 years old).
Hope you have a wonderful trip!
Dan
WOW, I am reading up all your pages on the West Coast Tour – so give me some pointer Dan/Ascen on my planned trip.
Firstly, its in February – so plan to Drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon VIsitor Center on 15th Feb and drive onto Horse Shoe Bend by sunset and stay overnight at Page.
On 16th after relaxing at Glen Canyon Dam and have booked the Upper Antelope Canyon tour for 11:30 am slot, plan to do Bryce and drive back to Las Vegas by night. I have skipped Monument Valley as I do not have much more time as on 18th drive to LA to catch a flight home.
Any suggestions? Its intense but is it doable?
Hi Rajat,
Your itinerary is doable but, please, bear in mind that you’ll be moving and driving during most of the 3 days, with almost no time for having a break or sleep.
I think leaving aside Monument Valley is a good option considering your tight schedule, and I’ll probably consider leaving off Bryce Canyon as well so you can have more room to see places like the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon.
Hope you have a memorable trip!
Such detailing in every aspect we will think of. This definitely helps and is a precursor for my planning. Thanks much.
Thank you Ramya, I hope you enjoy this wonderful canyon.
Ascen
excellent information god bless you for writing such a detailed info, i was totally confused between lower and upper canyon, now i got full clarity.You suggested few companies in an order for the tours so is that order by the way their reviews are? can you suggest one good one for upper canyon, i am going next week on a weekday.
Hi Saketh,
I usually recommend specific companies but in Antelope Canyon all are the same thing. Actually, all the companies follow the same rules, have the same price, spend the same time at the canyon and allow the same things. The only difference is at what time you want to take the tour. I did the tour with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tour but you can choose whatever you want. All are the same 🙂
I hope you love it. We cannot wait for coming back.
Ascen.
Hello! Love your informative article! I have the following trip schedule in mind:
Nov 30 Drive from Las Vegas To Bryce Canyon taking 4 hours. Tour Bryce Canyon for the rest of the day
Dec 1 Bryce Canyon Hiking, Drive to Horseshoe for the sunset, Drive to Antelope Canyon Lodging Place
Dec 2 Tour Antelope Canyon for the day, Drive to Monument Valley and stay at Monument Valley
Dec 3 Catch the sunset and tour Monument Valley? and Drive to Grand Canyon South Rim after the sunset.
Is it worth to just spend one day at Monument Valley? Do you have any suggestions?
We want to do both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Should we do both in one day? If we do it in one day, would we be not getting the full impact of each Upper and Lower Antelope canyon? Should we do one for each day separately? Thank you!
Hi Husen,
I like your itinerary.
One day is enough for Monument Valley. Regarding doing in a same day Upper and Lower Antelope canyon is what we did, and I recommend. I wouldn’t take the tours on different days.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
AScen.
Hello,
Could you give me your advice?
We are 2 pax and we only have 1 day – October 24th – to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.
We will be sleeping in Page on the 23rd and moving to the south rim at the end of the day on the 24th.
Do you think is feasible to do both Upper and Lower Antelope + Horseshoe? If not, what do you think is more interesting in October and at what times?
Yes, you can. That is what we did but you will arrive at Grand Canyon Village at night.
Ascen.
Hello again,
I read the info on your webpage – very good, by the way! – but I still have one question:
I read on your website that Horseshoe is more impressive during sunset and Antelope at midday, right? Since we are visiting both on the same day (october 24th), I was thinking on going to Horseshoe at sunrise, in order to catch Antelope by noon – what do you think?
THU 24 Oct
First Light
6:56 am
Sunrise
7:22 am
Sunset
6:19 pm
Last Light
6:45 pm
Horseshoe is always open? Could we visit the Horseshoe at 7:00am or is it closed?
You also speak on your website about Monument Valley – but it’s impossible to do everything on the same day, right?
Thank you in advance!!!
Best,
Raquel
Hi Raquel!
Horseshoe bend is more impressive at sunset. During the sunrise, the light is very different.
It is always open, so you can go at any time. Our plan was sunrise at Monument Valley, Upper Antelope Canyon by noon, Lower Antelope Canyon by 4, and Horseshoe bend at Sunset.
It was intense but probably one of the best days in our US West Coast trip!
Hope you also have a great time!
Dan
Hi Dan,
Thank you for the tip. Yes, I imagine but the problem is that we are sleeping that same night at South Rim (around 2h30 hours by car, right?)
So, given these circumstances, what do you think is feasible and what not to be missed?
Thank you!
Hi Raquel,
If you are sleeping that night at the South rim I would probably leave out Monument Valley and focus on the Antelope Canyon tours and Horseshoe bend. Even though it’s technically doable I wouldn´t recommend to pack so many things on a day. If you have extra time, around the Page area you also have Lake Powel which is also interesting, especially for chillin and having some rest.
Cheers,
Dan
I paid for the photo tour and it was completely cloudy. We couldn’t see any light beam 🙁
That is a pity, Susanne!
I hope you try again another day because it is worthy!
Ascen.
Hello There
This is the first article of you that I read and fell in love with the article
This is the best a Visitor can ask for , we a family of 4 from Texas are planning to Visit west coast for about 12 days and we have Grand canyon and Antelope on our to do list along with lake Tahoe and Yosemite Park. We plan to be here during the end of November and not sure if that the right time to visit the Canyons and Antelope
Can you please guide us if we should do the Grand canyons and Antelope during this period of year ?
If Yes do we need to Book the Antelope trip in Advance ?
we have 1 day for grand canyons so it would be great if you can point us the major things that we need to look for
Just as you know we are Nature lovers and want to explore and get the best out of our trip
Hi Shruti,
What a great itinerary you have planned!
You can find some snow in Grand Canyon in November ( it is not normal but it can happen). If you have just one day I recommend you to hire a Grand Canyon Helicopter tour!
Antelope Canyon Won’t be overcrowded in November but the best time to visit is in summer, when the sunlight enters and the canyon and you can see the lights beams in Upper Antelope Canyon. Anyway you will love it.
I also recommend you to visit Monument Valley that is not far from there and completely worthy.
Let me know if you have any other question,
Ascen
Thank you very much for this informative article.
I am planning to see lower antelope canyon and horseshoe band from Las Vegas and after seeing them we will comeback to Vegas.
What time is the best time to visit antelope canyon? Only 2PM and 4:30PM tickets are available.
I would book the one at 2PM 🙂
Enjoy that awesome wonder!
Ascen.
Thank you so much for this very informative article about the Antelope Canyon area. We’ll be visiting the area in early August on our road trip to Texas.
It will surely help everyone as they plan to visit this magnificent area.
All the best!
Thank you Cherie,
I hope you enjoy your trip!
Ascen.
Awesome Article. Just breathtaking. On our bucket list this summer. Have a week to tour all of the sites. Is there a tour company you would recommend?
Hi Catherine. If you are planning for this summer you are a little late. Book wherever is a spot available. Almost all the tours are already sold out!
Ascen.
Hi there,
Thanks for this article!! Very informational with beautiful pictures!
I’m planning my day-trip visit soon from Vegas. Is 1-day to visit lower antelope and horseshoe bend doable without a tour guide? Thanks!
Best,
Alicia
Hi Alicia,
1-day is enough but you have to hire a Navajo tour to visit Antelope Canyon. There is no other way. The entrance by your own is not allowed.
Ascen.
Amazing article, well constructed and includes all the information I was looking for in an easy to follow and logical format, very informative! Beautiful photos as well, they have inspired me to get to know my camera better before my trip.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
All the best
Keren
Thank you for your comment Keren,
I hope you enjoy your visit to Antelope Canyon as much as we do.
It is a wonderful place, sometimes overcrowded but worthy at all!
Let us know if you have any other question.
Ascen.
Hello, we are planning to see from Las Vegas – Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend.
What if the best way to arrange this? How many minimum days we will need (we are not going to have much days..)? Is it really necessary to stop at Grand Canyon Parashant and Grand Staircase Escalante? or just Grand Canyon National Park would be enough to see?
Should we book couple of nights in Page? Do we have to buy any attraction / admission tickets in advance? We would appreciate your advice.
Hi Irina.
To do that tour I would suggest min 4 days. We didn’t visit Grand Canyon Parashant and Grand Staircase Escalante in our 10-day West Coast USA road trip and if you don’t have more time, I don’t suggest you to go there.
To see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon you only need 12 hours. You can spend just a night.
Regarding the attractions, you need to book in advance the Grand Canyon helicopter tour and the Antelope Canyon tour (in this article you can see all the companies offering this tour. All the companies are the same price and quality. Just select the one you prefer in terms of schedule).
Also you will need a rental car and you are set up to enjoy your road trip.
Let us know if you have any other question!
Ascen.
Hi Ascen, that is one brilliant guide to Antelope I must say & the pictures are breathtaking!! Great job!! Just wanted to know one thing, is it possible for wheelchair-bound people to explore lower and upper Antelope Canyon?
Hi Pallabi, thank you very much for your words!
I think Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair accessible. Lower Antelope Canyon is underground, so you need to descend through a very steep stair that can be dangerous even if you don’t need a wheelchair. Regarding Upper Antelope Canyon, it is narrow and very crowded always. The only option is if you talk with some of the tour operators to get a private tour (I don’t even know if this is possible) so they can close the canyon for you. The entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon is wide for a wheelchair and worth a visit!
Let me know if you need more information about Antelope Canyon. I will be happy if I can help you to visit this wonder 🙂
Ascen
Great content, mate!
Thanks buddy! Glad you like it 😉
Hi,
Thanks for this great article! I have a question regarding the Navao fee. As far as I’ve found you have to pay in advance to book these tours, and both of them include the Navajo fee by default. How can you avoid paying the fee twice in those cases? Or do they give back the amount in cash when you show them that you have already paid this for another tour?
Thanks,
Kornel
Hi Kornel,
Thank you very much for your comment. You are right, they include the Navajo fee by default. What we did was purchase the Upper and Lower tours and sent a request to the Lower tour to be reimbursed for the Navajo fee (send them a copy of your Upper tour so they can check you have already pay the fee).
Let me know if you have a question and enjoy Arizona 🙂
Ascen
Hi! The article is amazing!! So informative and detailed.
I wanted to ask whether it’s possible to enter with a kid? (1yo) I wonder cause it was written that backpacks are not allowed. We are going to travel with a baby and for couple of years we want to visit Antelope canyon.
Thank u
Hi Katarina,
For Upper Antelope Canyon, three of the four companies offer options for kids:
You have to select the age of your kid and make sure you bring a car seat for toddlers since the parents will be expected to provide them. Remember that the tour begins with a two-mile ride down an unpaved dirt road in a Jeep vehicle. Once in the canyon, you need to carry your kid in your arms. Strollers or backpack carriers are not allowed.
Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon, you can drive there on your own and kids don’t pay a fee from 0 to 7 years old. Backpack carriers are allowed but you will assume the responsibility for injuries your child might suffer. Besides, you need to be prepared for somehow difficult ladders you need to pass. Your physical condition should be good to carry your kid for different ladders during the tour.
If I were you, I think I would do my husband to carry the kid and I know he is fit enough to do it.
Let me know if you have any other question.
Ascen.
Thanks again for the information. Though, as u wrote, some of these companies do not provide guided tours with kids. And the rest have no free sports for booking.
Checking the second day for reservation but everything is sold out. Other companies do not accept kids from 7yo.
If there are some private tours? May be more expensive, but who accept kids and less crowded?
Hi Katarina,
No private tours are provided at Antelope Canyon. Only 4 companies for Upper Antelope and 2 companies for Lower Antelope can operate there. You need to book months in advance to get a spot. If everything is filled out I recommend you to visit other of the many slot canyon are in the area. Please contact Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours to see if kids are allowed at the other slot canyon tours.
Ascen.
Thanks for this question Kornel. I had the same question and got the answer here. 🙂
I am wondering if anyone has visited Mystical Antelope Canyon
Hi Jeanne,
I haven’t visited that Slot canyon yet but it looks very interesting, especially to avoid the crowds.
Thanks for sharing! 😉
Hey,
What is the best time to visit the Upper/ Lower Canyon?
Is it allowed to take a camera and take pictures of my friends for example? or is there any rules regarding taking this?
Thanx,
Hi Sara,
The best time depends on what you are looking for and the tour you are taking. If you want to see the light Halos in Upper you should go during the summer. All this is explained throughout the article.
If you are taking the normal tour, you can perfectly take pictures of your friends with your smartphone. Please bear in mind that the canyon is usually crowded in the normal tour, so taking pictures without people is a real challenge.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Dan
Dan
In the photographer tour, do they allow you to take pictures with people in it? I only see pictures of the rocks itself.
Hi Tim,
In the Photo tour, the guide stops at the main highlights of the Canyon and keep other visitors from entering the frame. All the photographers will be in line by your side, so it is not supposed to be a tour to take pictures with people on it.
During my tour, our group was exceptionally small (just 3) and at the end of the tour, we agreed to take a picture of ourselves, but that it is not something common.
Hope this helps,
Dan
Hello! Thank you the information. If pressed for time, is it advisable to visit both Upper and Lower, or one over the other? I’ve read Lower is less crowded?
Hi Tracey,
Nowadays both canyons are crowded, and the decision to visit one or another depends on different factors and your personal taste. If I were not a photographer and I had to choose one of them I would probably go for lower, but, as I said, it entirely depends on your goals. Throughout the post you can see a comparison between Lower and Upper that might be helpful to make up your mind 😉
Wish you all the best during your visit,
Dan
do you know anything about Canyon X? I hear its a lot less crowded, and I was thinking of going there instead of upper and lower canyon while I am in page in may
Hi Regina,
Canyon X is another section of the same Antelope Canyon so it may be as amazing as the most crowded upper and lower.
We didn’t visit it but it should be a good option too and less crowded so go ahead and come back to let us know how was the experience.
Ascen.
Is it acceptable to visit Lower Antelope Canyon carrying a back pack?
How big is it? I don’t think it is a problem if it is small.
Ascen.
Wow! Congratulations to these pictures, they’re breathtaking!
We’ve just passed the canyon and even though we would have loved to take pictures like these, after a little research we decided to skip it. Really sad that such a beautiful place is so overrun. And charging 151$ for someone bringing a camera and then chasing him/her through this place anyway is rather exorbitant in our opinion. But obviously, everyone needs to decide for themselves!
For everyone who’s more interested in the experience than the photo motif, we can very much recommend Peek-a-boo and Spooky Canyon in Staircase Escalante National Monument. Both are very adventurous to hike through, extremely narrow in some sections and provide lovely pictures as well. And we hardly met anyone else there 😉
Thanks for your very informative article!
Thank you very much for your comment Doris. I had already pointed Spooky Canyon on my map of places that I want to visit, but I hadn’t heard about the Peek-a-boo canyon before. I understand that it is not the same trail that has the same name and starts at Bryce Canyon National Park, right?
Any other place you can share with us will be more than welcome.
Best,
Ascen