The short slot of Upper Antelope Canyon is six miles from Lake Powell but only about half way along the drainage, which to the south extends across empty desert land, initially as a sandy wash, then as a rocky gorge as the land gradually rises. It is in this latter category where you’ll find Page, AZ’s world-famous Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is an example of a geological curiosity known as a “slot canyon.” As the name suggests, slot canyons are tiny canyons formed when water finds its way into a crack or fissure in the bedrock.

×Antelope Canyon is located near Page on Navajo Nation land, just outside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and close to AZ 98 a few miles east of town (at milepost 299). Antelope is the most visited slot canyon in the Southwest, partly because it is easily accessible and by far the most publicized, and also since it is extremely beautiful, with just the right combination of depth, width, length, rock color and ambient light; many other slot canyons are deeper, narrower or longer, and some have rock that is even more colorful and sculptured, but here conditions are ideal.

Location

The seasonal stream of Antelope Creek flows into Lake Powell 3 miles east of Page in far north Arizona. Most of the watercourse is wide and sandy, but it forms two sections of accessible slot canyon near the lake (

Antelope Canyon Description

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon), separated by several miles of flat desert terrain. Both may be approached from AZ 98; the upper canyon (also known as Corkscrew Canyon) is reached at the end of a very sandy 2 mile 4WD track south of the road beginning near milepost 299, and it is this part which is most often visited. Lower Antelope Canyon extends between AZ 98 and the lake, and is reached by a short track northwards leading to a parking area from where the escorted tours depart. This is slightly more demanding to visit, requiring climbing up and down several ladders.

Fees

To visit either part of Antelope Canyon is expensive. There is a fee of $8 for a standard permit required to enter Navajo territory, and an additional charge is due to the families who own the land around the canyons and regulate all access - the cheapest is currently (2020) around $60 for the shorter but more popular upper section and a little more for the longer lower canyon. As of 2018 all visits are only allowed as part of organized tours, preferably booked in advance, though there may be availability on the day during less popular months. The price may be higher for peak time visits, departing 10 am to midday. The fees will doubtless increase as the Navajo continue to exploit the ever-growing popularity of the canyon.

Route Description

Upper Antelope Canyon

When approaching upper Antelope Canyon, there is no obvious clue as to its location. The trail seems to end at the base of a red sandstone plateau about 20 yards high, but the sight of an Indian jewelry stall soon indicates its position - the entrance is a narrow curved slit in the cliffs only a few feet wide. Once inside, the temperature drops as much as 20 degrees as the visitor enters one of the most beautiful of all natural formations. The sunlight filtering down the curved sandstone walls makes magical, constantly changing patterns and shadows in many subtle shades of color. Some sections of the canyon are wide and bright, while others are narrower and more cave-like, with no light reaching the sandy floor. After only 150 yards or so, the canyon becomes suddenly much shallower near the top of the plateau. It may take only 3 or 4 minutes to walk through, but the canyon is well worth the arduous trek or expensive journey required to get there. Pictures taken here adorn camera shops and photographic manuals throughout the world, and usually there will be many people waiting with tripods and light meters trying to compose the perfect shot, and grumbling when other people walk in front of their two minute exposure. There are other equally short but pretty narrows further upstream, though these are not open to visitors.

Lower Antelope Canyon

The lower canyon is longer and deeper than the upper section, but also slightly more challenging, requiring climbing down ladders in some places to descend several sheer drops. It was here that 11 people were drowned in a flash flood in August 1997, when water 50 feet deep from a thunderstorm 5 miles away swept through the canyon, eventually deepening it by 4 feet. Lower Antelope Canyon was closed for 9 months before reopening with improved safety features, and now all visitors must now be accompanied by a guide. Both parts of the canyon are still beautiful, but any sense of adventure or tranquility is long since gone - best to try one of the hundreds of other Southwest slot canyons for these qualities. The nearest alternatives, only requiring a $6 daily permit, are Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass.

Other Canyons

The short slot of Upper Antelope Canyon is six miles from Lake Powell but only about half way along the drainage, which to the south extends across empty desert land, initially as a sandy wash, then as a rocky gorge as the land gradually rises. Tributaries join from both sides, some also containing slot sections, while the upper end splits into two main forks, both deep and narrow. Several other segments of the drainage system have received semi-official names, and may be visited as part of specialized tours, charged in the range $80 to $250. Closest to Hwy 98 is Owl Canyon, which joins Antelope from the southwest, one mile from the road; this has a 900 foot-long slot near its lower end and much longer narrows 2.5 miles upstream, a section also known as Mountain Sheep Canyon. A little further, the uppermost stretch of the drainage is Ramshead Canyon, in which the walls partly overhang above the streambed. Another short slot known as Ligai Si Anii Canyon is also in this area, accessed from Copper Mine Road. The next major tributary south (0.7 miles before Upper Antelope) is Rattlesnake Canyon, the lower end of which forms a 500 foot slot, with two small arches. Wind Pebble Canyon is a longer tributary with several enclosed, photogenic sections, named for the stones embedded in the walls; it joins Antelope from the west, nearly 6 miles south of the highway. The two upper forks are Canyon X (east) and Cardiac Canyon (west) - both are cliff-lined for around one mile, containing slots alternating with more open passageways. The latter is rather more strenuous to explore.

Map of Slot Canyons of Antelope Creek

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Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular and photogenic destinations in the southwest. Located near Page, AZ the canyon is the second most popular tourist spot next to Lake Powell. Hundreds of thousands of people tour the sandstone canyons each year which can make planning a trip a bit stressful and overwhelming. Casi and I are planning our first trip so we decided to make this guide as a resource for other first time Antelope Canyon visitors. Enjoy!

Antelope Canyon is located in northern Arizona near Page, AZ. There are several ways to get here. Casi and I live in the Phoenix Metro area so the best option for us was to drive the 4+ hours to Page. Here are some other options;

1. There are a couple of smaller airports near Page
   • Page Municipal Airport in Page, AZ - 928-645-4337
   • Grand Canyon National Park Airport - www.grandcanyonairport.net
   • McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, NV - www.mccarran.com
   • Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ - www.phxskyharbor.com
2. If you are travelling by car, below is a map that can help you figure out how to get there. Feel free to zoom in and out and drag the map.

When Casi and I were doing research on visiting the canyons we had a ton of questions about entering the canyons. How much does it cost? Do I have to have a tour guide? Which canyon is better? We'll answer all these questions and more in this section.

How much does it cost?

Here is a breakdown of our research (as of 01/2016);
1. Navajo Park entrance fee: $8
2. Mandatory Tour Guide: $20-$58
3. Optional Photography Tour: $42 (Ken's Guided Tour)
Total: $28-$108 (depending on the tours,times,season)

Are Tour Guides Mandatory?

Yes. In the Upper Canyon you must arrange for your own tour guide. In the Lower Canyon you can drive to the parking lot, pay the fee, and then wait in line for a designated tour guide to escort you to the canyon. I'm not sure exactly the rules but I think the tour guides in the Lower Canyon use their own discretion on whether or not to actually go into the canyon with you. You can also arrange for your own tour guide for Lower Canyon.
TIP: Bring cash to pay the tour companies and the Navajo Park fee.

Here are a list of recommended tour guide companies;

Tour Guide Companies

Upper Antelope Canyon:

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
www.navajotours.com
(928) 698-3384

Antelope Canyon Tours
www.antelopecanyon.com
(928) 645-9102

Grand Circle Adventures
www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
(928) 645-5594

Overland Canyon Tours (Canyon X)
www.overlandcanyon.com
(928) 608-4072

Lower Antelope Canyon:

Ken's Tours
www.lowerantelope.com
(928) 606-2168
(928) 640-0032

Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (928) 640-1761)

Photography Tours:

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours
www.navajoantelopecanyon.com (928)380-1874

Ken's Tours
www.lowerantelope.com
(928) 606-2168
(928) 640-0032

Upper Canyon

Pros:
+ It is extremely easy to get to. The tour guides drive you straight to the canyon opening (seen above) and it is accessible to people of all ages including children
+ There are much wider walkways in the canyon
+ Contain the famous 'light beams' and 'pouring sand'
+ Very photogenic
+ The canyon is actually above ground so there are no ladders to climb down

Cons:
- It is more expensive, especially if you take a photography tour
- It is WAY more crowded
- Nearly impossible to get a picture of the canyon without people in the way

Lower Canyon:

Pros:
+ Less populated and easier to get photographs of an empty canyon
+ It is much longer than the Upper Canyon
+ A tour guide doesn't have to accompany you at all times
+ Cheaper to visit

Cons:
- Depending on who you are this might be a pro; access to the canyon requires hiking into the canyon and using ladders up to 25 ft. in length to climb down
- It is more narrow which can make people uneasy
- It is darker and although still very photogenic can be hard to get as good of a shot as Upper Canyon

Which one is better?

Both canyons are unbelievable and it would be hard to pick one over the other. If you have to choose, categorizing them might help. The upper canyon is by far more popular, is accessible to everyone, and has the famous light beams and pouring sand. If you are looking to photographing these or are not able to hike or climb than this might be a better choice. The lower canyon has been labeled as a more adventurous canyon because it requires a hike, climbing, and is underground. If you are looking to break away from most of the crowds than this might be a better choice.

Casi and I had no idea what to bring with us to Antelope Canyon. Here are a couple of items to think about bringing with you on your trip;

Small Backpack

If you plan to bring a backpack make sure it is as small. Depending on the canyon, it will be either packed, too narrow to fit, climbing ladders, or cramming into a modified truck with a dozen other people.

Food and Water

Location Of Antelope Canyon

It's a good idea to carry a water bottle with you into the canyon. I recommend something you can put in a small backpack so you can use both hands to take photos. Although the canyon is much cooler and darker than direct sunlight it is still a good idea to stay hydrated and fed for the hour or two you are touring the canyons.

Camera/Tripod

I don't know if there is a set rule, but from what I've researched tour guides will not allow non-photography groups to use tripods. If you are a part of a photography tour make sure to bring a professional camera (I've read only cameras with interchangeable lenses are accepted). If you are not on a photo tour than it is a point and shoot atmosphere.

Cash

I don't know about every tour company, but some only take cash and I believe you must pay cash for the Navajo Fee. Either way, it is a good idea to carry enough cash to cover your tour. Also, if you are doing a photography tour it is suggested to tip the guide.

There are a couple things Casi and I found out while researching Antelope Canyon that we thought would be worth noting in this section.

Use the Bathroom

Before you sign in and head down the 15 minute bumpy road to Upper Canyon, be sure to use the restroom as there are no restrooms at the canyon.

It's Dark

The canyons, especially the Lower Canyon, are dark. All the photos you typically see of the canyons are modified and it can be surprisingly dark if you aren't prepared for it.

Antelope Slot Canyon Tours Page Az

Time Zones

The Navajo Nation uses a different time zone than Arizona so it is best to call your tour guide ahead of time to find out if your tour is on Navajo or Arizona time.

It's Crowded

This is especially true in the Upper Canyon. Don't let this scare you off but just know that you probably aren't going to get much solitude to 'take in' the canyons by yourself.

This may be one of the coolest, out-of-this-world places in Arizona. It is likely to be the most photographed and visited slot canyon in the world. I thoroughly recommend making this a part of your bucket list travel destinations!

Other places to explore around Page, AZ;
1. Lake Powell
2. The Wave
3. Horseshoe Bend
4. Glen Canyon Recreational Area

* Please remember to hike at your own risk. To learn more please refer to our Hiking Disclaimer.