You’ve seen the Instagram posts everywhere and the computer screen backgrounds of Antelope Canyon. The vibrant orange and swirling stone is like something from another world. It doesn’t seem real. But it is. That’s why so many flock to the small town of Page, Arizona.
This guide will help you plan your trip to these magnificent slot canyons and give you all the details you need before you go.
Location and significance
Though there are multiple canyons to explore in this area, the upper canyon and lower canyon tours are the most popular and are the most impressive. Located on the Navajo National reservation, you will be required to purchase tickets and they have requirements that allow them to continue to protect these areas.
The canyons that are toured now, were once on a farm and the owner discovered that there were these stunning canyons and that tourists may like to see them and so created tours.
Entry fee and tours
There are two companies at the main canyon site owned by a brother and sister. Ken’s tours was the first and his sister set up a second next door due to demand.
General tour – $55/person (max tour size is 15 people and lasts one hour
Deluxe tours – $135/person (group size of 6 people and last 75-90 minutes)
For more visit Ken’s tours
If you travel with a tour company like MaxTour you can visit Antelope Canyon as a $75 add on
Best time to visit
The area is open year-round, but summers are especially hot, though are the peak times with many people able to travel at this time. For a different but very unique experience visit in the winter months, where it is significantly cooler and there is occasionally snow.
What to expect
If you do the general tour you will arrive at the large parking lot for your tour times and wait with your tickets to be added to a group. You will have to arrive at your alloted time slot and once they have 15 people they will begin the tour. Each tour has one tour guide, who will start with the rules before starting the tour down into the canyon.
It’s great if you can get the first tour of the day, especially in the summer before the heat becomes too much. Once the temperature reaches a certain point they will not take tours down into the canyon. Your Navajo guide will make that call if there is extreme weather and the risk of rain coming from a certain direction they will also cancel due to deadly flash floods.
With these photography tours you are not allowed to bring selfie sticks, take any videos, or carry a bag of any sort (not even a camera bag). They will tell you this in the beginning and if you try to take a video you will get warned and have to delete it and if you do it again you can be fined.
This is a fully guided tour, so there is no going off on your own. This is one of those special places that your knowledgeable guides want to continue to protect and is part of the Navajo culture.
Heading down into the canyon with small groups and one guide is a great way to see the canyon, though in my personal experience it felt a bit rushed. The canyon walls looked like they have been smoothed out, creating incredible shapes and waves all along the areas of the antelope canyon.
You guide will help you great photos by showing you which settings on your phone and camera are best for getting those famous social media and screen saver photos. I personally found it was less about Navajo traditions, though they were very open about answering questions related to their tribal heritage, and more about getting the best photo. Something that has become a big issue with the tourism industry around the world where we no longer visit places to visit and understand the culture of an area, but go just for the photo to say we have been there.
So, take it in while you are there. Ask questions. Enjoy the absolute stunning and unique area that it is, because it really is special.
Antelope Canyon Ultramarathon
If you are a runner and want to challenge yourself in new ways, check out the Antelope Canyon Ultra. With a variety of distances you will have the opportunity to run through several slot canyons, past Horseshoe Bend, and if you participate in the 100 miler, Antelope Canyon itself.
This is not an easy race. I know, I have done it, and I did not finish it. The trail is made up of loose sand and slick rock and you need to be prepared, or running in all the sand is going to suck the energy out of your body even before you get started. It is totally worth it, the aid stations are incredible, as are the views, just go in with a plan and listen to your body.
Concluding Thoughts
Visiting Antelope Canyon is one of the most unique experiences you will ever have and you can easily combine it with a visit to Horseshoe Bend and even the Grand Canyon.
If this is your first time visiting these special places, consider taking a grand canyon antelope canyon tour either guided or solo to be able to get a taste of these areas and plan for future adventures.
