Do you need a tour for Antelope Canyon?

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Antelope Canyon is without a doubt the most photographed sandstone canyon in northern Arizona. To be more precise, it is a slot canyon (narrow but generally easy to pass through) with dizzying inner shapes created by wind and water. Light only enters from above, and at certain times of day it gives the sandstone a beautiful color tone: the shadows and bright orange-purple hues of the weather-sculpted walls make it a truly unique sight, among the most striking in the U.S. parks.

The main feature of this slot canyon is that it is divided into two separate sections that are not directly connected: Upper and Lower (though there is a third section, Antelope Canyon X, which I’ll talk about shortly). The first, and most famous, is located at the end of a dirt road not accessible to private vehicles, several miles from the second, which is closer to Lake Powell, where the canyon proper begins. Unlike most other parks, Antelope nevertheless requires booking a guided tour, so a few details need to be planned in order to organize a visit.

Some useful information

Tour Antelope Canyon — Upper Antelope Canyon

Location: near Page, in Arizona; it is part of the Navajo Reservation, so a tourist fee is required.
Hours: tour times vary depending on the season: in the spring and summer months, tours run from around 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while for the rest of the year they run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park is open year-round, seven days a week. Be careful with the Arizona time zone: tour operators generally follow Page/Phoenix, Arizona time (MST year-round, with no Daylight Saving Time). Since nearby Utah and most of the Navajo Nation observe Daylight Saving Time, always follow the time shown on your booking confirmation!
Reservations: as mentioned, reservations are required, and you can make them directly on-site in the nearby town of Page. However, we absolutely do not recommend booking on the same day; instead, do it well in advance, because due to the site’s extreme popularity, you risk coming up empty-handed! You can book the guided tour using the links provided in the section dedicated to Antelope Canyon tickets. If you can’t find availability for Upper Antelope Canyon on the days you selected, don’t forget that you can buy a ticket for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour, which is usually a bit less crowded. Or, alternatively, for the Antelope Canyon X tour, which is even less well-known.
Check-in: make sure to check carefully on the voucher you receive what time you need to be at the agency: often you need to be there for check-in up to one hour before your chosen time. Keep in mind that the Navajo can be very strict in case of delays and may cancel your reservation even for just a few minutes of lateness.
Tour duration: most tours last about 1.5 hours, including the jeep ride from Page, which is a bit bumpy because of the vehicle’s speed over the rough terrain. The Lower Antelope Canyon tour lasts a little less time (about 1 hour), but it does not include transportation from Page since you park directly where the excursion begins.
Best time to visit: the summer months let you fully enjoy the extraordinary light effects created when the sun’s rays slip into the narrow canyon. The peak usually begins on March 15 and ends on October 7. August and September are usually the rainiest months.
Equipment: backpacks are not allowed in either canyon, but you may bring a water bottle.
Flash flood danger: the main reason Antelope Canyon can only be visited with a guide is the risk of flooding and flash floods (on August 12, 1997, 11 people died inside the canyon).

Which Antelope Canyon? Upper, Lower, or X?

What are the main features of the Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon? Let’s take a closer look:

Upper Antelope Canyon

Called by the Navajo “the place where water flows through the rocks,” it is the most famous and visited section, so much so that 5-6 tour operators operate there. This canyon is especially well known for two reasons:

being a little wider, it’s easily accessible. The canyon has an A shape: narrow at the top and wider at the base.
being deeper, it is cooler and darker, and the famous light beams are more likely to occur.

From a technical standpoint, the route is not difficult and is suitable for almost everyone, except those who suffer from severe claustrophobia. The canyon is traversed in one direction only for a total of about 1,300 feet. At the end, you exit via a staircase that climbs the hillside above the canyon and leads back to the starting point. This final section can be more strenuous, especially in hot weather, because of the uphill climb and the stairs.

Here are some shots from our latest visit to Upper Antelope Canyon (April 2026):

Swipe to see all photos

Lower Antelope Canyon

Although it is not as deep, it is still beautiful, thanks to the interplay of light and the rock formations, which are very similar to those in Upper Antelope Canyon. It also has one major advantage: because only two tour operators offer tours here, wait times are generally shorter, and when crowds are light, you may sometimes be able to spend a little more time inside. Like Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon follows a one-way route for about 1,335 feet.

Access to the canyon is via somewhat steep iron ladders (there are several along the route, of varying heights), and in some sections the path is not very easy, especially when the canyon walls are so narrow that there isn’t enough space to place your foot comfortably. In general, though, unless you suffer particularly strongly from vertigo or claustrophobia, the canyon route is for everyone.

Antelope Canyon X: a lesser-known alternative

Lower Antelope Canyon may be a little less crowded than Upper Antelope Canyon, but there is another section that relatively few visitors know about: Antelope Canyon X. At least for now (although the Page area and its many slot canyons are becoming increasingly popular), in my opinion this is one of the best options for experiencing Antelope Canyon’s distinctive formations in relative peace and without the crowds found in the better-known sections. Antelope Canyon X is located about 4.3 miles south of Upper Antelope Canyon, in a more remote area that receives fewer visitors. Here too, you must join an organized tour, but the choice of operators is much more limited, since only one company is authorized to run tours: Taadidiin Tours.

Antelope Canyon X consists of two differently shaped slot canyons (North and South, both included with the standard ticket) and can be seen as a combination of some of the features of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, offering very similar scenery. There are no ladders like those found in Lower Antelope Canyon, although the initial section can be slightly challenging because of a few rocky passages. As with Upper Antelope Canyon, the tour operator will take you to the canyon entrance in a 4×4 vehicle (here you can find more information about renting this type of vehicle, although in this case you cannot drive to the canyon on your own). The drive along the dirt road is about 3 miles. Compared with Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, this canyon is also currently less expensive.

Antelope Canyon Tickets

Entering Upper Antelope Canyon is one of the top priorities for anyone setting out on a West Coast tour: if you don’t book your entry in time, you risk not finding any availability. If you really can’t find anything, don’t despair: Lower Antelope Canyon and X are less crowded.

Since Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo Nation land, like Monument Valley, it is not included in the America the Beautiful Pass, and a separate ticket is required. Below, you’ll find several options for purchasing Antelope Canyon tickets (Upper and Lower). In some cases, prices can be quite competitive, so it’s worth booking in advance to secure the best rates, especially if you’re interested in the 11:30 a.m. tour, which is usually the most expensive time slot.

You’ll notice that the packages in the list have different names, but don’t worry: they all include the canyon admission ticket.

Warning!

Watch out for the Navajo Nation fee: some packages include it in the price, while others do not.

Upper Antelope Canyon Entry Ticket and Guided Tour (on GetYourGuide)
- Agency: National Park Express
- Duration: about 1.5 hours
- Includes: Ticket to Upper Antelope Canyon and Navajo tax, parking and guided tour
Ticket to Upper Antelope Canyon (on Viator)
- Agency: Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours (Hwy 98, Milepost 299.8, Page)
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Includes: off-road drive in 4×4, entrance ticket
Upper Antelope Canyon Tour – Sightseer’s Tour (on Expedia)
- Agency: Antelope Canyon Tour (22 South Lake Powell Blvd, Page)
- Duration: about 1.5 hours
- Includes: off-road drive in a 4×4 , entrance fee, Navajo tax

Lower Antelope Canyon Tickets

Walking Tour Lower Antelope Canyon with Navajo Guide (on GetYourGuide)
- Agency: Ken’s Tours (Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ)
- Duration: about 1.5 hours
- Includes: Guided tour, admission to Lower Antelope Canyon and Navajo tax
Lower Antelope Canyon Ticket (on Viator)
- Agency: Dixie Ellis’ Lower Antelope Canyon Tours (Indian Rte 222, Page)
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Includes: entrance ticket, Navajo tax
Lower Antelope Canyon Tour (on Viator)
- Agency: Ken’s Tours (Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ)
- Duration: from 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Includes: entrance ticket and narration

Antelope Canyon X Tickets

Antelope Canyon X Guided Tour (on GetYourGuide)
- Agency: National Park Express (Taadidiin Tours, MP 308 Hwy 98, #3784, Page)
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Includes: Admission (Navajo tax not included) and guided tour
Guided tour in Antelope Canyon X (on Viator)
- Agency: Taadidiin Tours (MP 308 Hwy 98, #3784, Page)
- Duration: 1.15 hours
- Includes: entrance ticket, Navajo tax

Antelope Canyon Tours: Available Packages

Visiting Antelope Canyon is already, in itself, an experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life, but know that it’s possible to make it even more memorable. Why not pair a guided tour of the world’s most famous slot canyon with a helicopter flight over Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend?

I’d also like to point out that, in addition to the one just linked, it’s possible to purchase other packages that, along with the Antelope Canyon excursion, include a walking visit to the wonders in the surrounding area: this is the case of the Antelope Canyon-Horseshoe Bend package, especially available for those coming from Las Vegas or Flagstaff. In both cases, canyon admission is included.

Antelope Canyon – Horseshoe Bend Tour (from Flagstaff or Las Vegas)

Another interesting package includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Flagstaff or Sedona, a visit to the canyon, and a nice SUV ride with scenic views of Lake Powell and Vermilion Cliffs.

Scenic Tour of Antelope Canyon & Glen Canyon

Other visitable slot canyons in the area

The so-called Antelope Valley never ceases to amaze: this area actually hides a series of remote slot canyons that are far less well known than the famous Upper, Lower, and X Antelope Canyon. Those who want a slightly different experience by visiting a slot canyon similar to Antelope Canyon without dealing with crowds of tourists can choose from the following guided tours (almost all by Antelope Valley Canyon Tours), all departing from here, in the Page area or in the town itself:

Secret Antelope Canyon: a roughly 2-hour tour that combines a short off-road drive with a visit to a slot canyon that is much less crowded than the more famous sections of Antelope Canyon. From the meeting point in Page, you’ll be driven to the canyon area, followed by a walk of about 1,000 feet to the entrance. You’ll spend approximately 1 hour inside the canyon, exploring narrow passages and sculpted sandstone walls, with excellent photo opportunities and far fewer crowds. Book the tour.
Waterholes Canyon: a guided excursion of about 2 hours through Waterholes Canyon, one of the lesser-known slot canyons near Page, located within the Navajo Nation and accessible only with an authorized guide. The route includes narrow passages and sections equipped with metal ladders that make it easier to descend into the canyon, making the experience moderately challenging but still suitable for most visitors. Book the tour.
Deer Canyon: this roughly 2-hour, moderately challenging excursion takes you through one of the area’s lesser-known slot canyons. Reaching the canyon requires descending a steep staircase of about 130 feet, which makes the experience a little more demanding than most slot canyon tours. Even so, the excursion is suitable for visitors of all ages. Book the tour.
Ligai Si Anii Canyon: an easy tour suitable for everyone, from beginners to more experienced hikers. The canyon has a distinctive H-shape, with narrow passageways and spectacular sandstone walls, and is accessed via a short but steep trail of about 100 feet, with some sections involving ladders. Book the tour.
- The night tour is particularly scenic, allowing you to enjoy views of the starry sky while exploring the canyon. Book the tour.
Wind Pebble Canyon: a moderately challenging hike that is still generally suitable for most visitors. Your guide will take you through three slot canyons: Fire in the Rock, Turquoise Canyon, and Thumbnail Canyon, the last of which is particularly known for its geological formations and vegetation. The tour also includes an introduction to Navajo culture and daily life, with a visit to an inhabited ranch. Book the tour.
Rams Head Canyon: unlike the tours mentioned above, this excursion is longer and more demanding and is best suited to experienced hikers. Safety equipment is required, and the route includes several challenging ladder sections. The tour explores both the upper and lower parts of the canyon, offering impressive views from different perspectives. Book the tour.
Sand Dune Canyon: this 3-hour tour is recommended for experienced hikers. Sand Dune Canyon is very remote, and the hike is demanding, making it suitable only for visitors prepared for a more strenuous route to reach the canyon floor. Book the tour.

How to get to Antelope Canyon

If you have booked your Upper Antelope Canyon ticket in advance, look for the address of the meeting point in Page provided by the agency on your voucher and, as noted earlier, arrive at the required time for check-in. Remember that the road to Upper Antelope Canyon is accessible only to tour guides, companies, or individuals authorized by the Navajo.

In the case of the Lower Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to go there yourself (Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ 86040), unless the agency you booked with gives you different instructions.

If, on the other hand, you’re exploring Antelope Canyon X, you’ll need to go to the address of the only operating agency (MP 308 Hwy 98, #3784, Page). You’ll leave your car there and the staff will take you to the canyon entrance.

Map and location of the Antelope Canyons

Photographing Antelope Canyon: the best time

The best time to photograph Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, and X) depends on the kind of photos you want to take. However, we recommend booking the 11:00 a.m. guided tour so that you’re inside the canyon by around 11:30 a.m., which in our opinion is one of the best times to experience the most striking lighting conditions.

If your guide is as helpful as ours was during our last tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, they may help less experienced visitors get better shots by suggesting the best angles and settings for capturing the interplay of light and the canyon’s most distinctive formations. They may also offer to take photos of you with your own phone or camera at some of the most photogenic spots.
~~For professional photographers~~~~, there used to be dedicated photography tours, particularly in Upper Antelope Canyon.~~ UPDATE: these tours are no longer available.

A few additional tips can help you choose the best time for your visit:

Colors tend to be most intense in summer, when the sun is higher in the sky.
If you want to see the famous light beams, timing is especially important.
Crowds can make photography more challenging, so you may need to be a little creative to capture unobstructed shots. Visiting in spring or fall can be a good alternative if you want to avoid the busiest periods.

Video and photo gallery: the canyon’s light effects

If, on the other hand, you’d like to get an idea of what it means to visit Antelope Canyon , I recommend taking a look at the videos below: