Antelope Canyon is a mesmerizing slot canyon formed by a millennium of pure forces. Right here’s all the things it’s good to learn about visiting, together with tips on how to seize the long-lasting Antelope Canyon gentle beams.
LAST UPDATE: 17 Jan 2024
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Antelope Canyon is likely one of the most photographed slot canyons on the earth. Formed over millennia, orange and purple partitions are etched with horizontal strains, curving into mesmerizing shapes.
There’s a hypnotic play of sunshine and shadow when the solar hits on the proper angle, making it a shocking place to {photograph}.
Situated on Navajo land, Antelope Canyon can solely be visited on a guided tour. There are a number of completely different choices, plus price implications, so learn on for all the things it’s good to learn about visiting Antelope Canyon.
To resolve which canyon to decide on, learn our information to Higher vs Decrease Antelope Canyon.
IN THIS GUIDE
UPPER VS LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON
WHAT IS ANTELOPE CANYON?
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon within the American Southwest, positioned on Navajo Land. Formed by tens of millions of years of abrasion, the canyon was named after the pronghorn antelope that when roamed the world.
Antelope Canyon consists of 6 separate sections of canyon that are: Higher Antelope Canyon, Decrease Antelope Canyon, Rattle Snake Canyon, Owl Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon and Canyon X.
Higher and Decrease Antelope Canyon are by far the preferred as they require no climbing.
WHERE IS ANTELOPE CANYON?
Antelope Canyon is a part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park which is 10 minutes east of Web page close to the Arizona-Utah border.
HOW TO GET THERE?
Phoenix and Las Vegas are the preferred beginning factors for visiting Antelope Canyon. Listed here are the driving distances to Web page from the primary airports:
- From Phoenix, Arizona – 277 miles | 3.5 hours’ drive
- From Paradise, Nevada – 280 miles | 4.5 hour’s drive
- Las Vegas, Nevada – 280 miles | 4.5 hour’s drive
ANTELOPE CANYON TOURS FROM LAS VEGAS
Antelope Canyon is a well-liked day journey from Las Vegas (our information: issues to do in Las Vegas). It’s a protracted day (round 13 hours), however you go to Horseshoe Bend in addition to Antelope Canyon, and lunch is included.
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON
Higher Antelope Canyon known as Tsé bighánílíní in Navajo, which suggests “the place the place water runs by way of rocks”. Its nickname is “The Crack” because of the very slender hole within the canyon roof.
It’s formed like an ‘A’ with a large base and a slender high. The slender high means solely slender beams of sunshine enter the canyon making it darkish and moody.
Higher Antelope Canyon is 3 miles from Decrease Antelope Canyon.
HOW TO VISIT UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON?
The one approach to go to Antelope Canyon is with a Navajo information.
Guided excursions go away from Web page. You’re pushed for quarter-hour alongside the sandy riverbank in an open 4×4 to the beginning of the path.
The canyon is simply 660 toes (200 meters) lengthy. The hike heads alongside the comparatively flat canyon ground, earlier than climbing out the again of the canyon. You then stroll round above floor, again to the pickup level.
The tour lasts 100 minutes. Twenty minutes for the pick-up and drive (every method) and 60 minutes for the ¾ mile stroll within the canyon. The tour operators ask you to check-in half-hour earlier than the tour is scheduled to depart Web page.
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON
Decrease Antelope Canyon known as Hasdestwazi in Navajo, which suggests “spiral rock arches”. Its nickname is the Corkscrew, resulting from its twisted partitions.
It’s formed like a ‘V’ with a slender base and a wider high. Extra gentle enters by way of the canyon roof making the canyon brighter.
HOW TO VISIT LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON
Excursions are run by two operators: Dixie’s Excursions and Ken’s Excursions. Each have workplaces and a big parking zone proper subsequent to the Decrease Antelope Canyon entrance.
The canyon is 1,335 toes (400 metres) lengthy. The doorway is down 5 flights of a steep steel staircase. The slender canyon ground is just a little trickier to navigate and there are 8 additional flights of stairs alongside the route. The exit is thru a small hole within the rock solely a brief stroll the from parking zone.
The strolling tour is 1 mile in complete and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. Excursions are referred to as 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled departure.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON
One of the best time to go to Antelope Canyon is between Might and September when the angle of the solar permits the beams to achieve the canyon ground. Please observe: this solely occurs when the solar is straight overhead so you should e book a tour between 11 am and 1:30 pm to see the unbelievable gentle beans in Antelope Canyon.
You possibly can go to Antelope Canyon all yr and also you’ll discover it a lot much less crowded from November by way of to February.
ANTELOPE CANYON: UPPER VS LOWER
Higher Antelope Canyon is best for photographers IF you e book a lunchtime slot properly upfront. Additionally it is a extra relaxed expertise with a smaller group supplying you with extra time to line up higher photographs.
Decrease Antelope Canyon is best for selfies because of the elevated gentle within the canyon. It’s a extra family-friendly expertise with a barely extra adventurous path that the children will love.
We have now a full evaluate of the two canyons in our information: Higher vs Decrease Antelope Canyon.
ANTELOPE CANYON TIME ZONE
Antelope Canyon Excursions run on Arizona Customary Time (MST), sharing the identical time zone as Web page, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, and Phoenix.
Please remember that when you drive from Monument Valley or Utah throughout Daylight Financial savings Time (center of March to the start of November) you’ll want to maneuver your clocks ahead 1 hour.
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON TOURS
Higher Antelope Canyon Excursions are run by a number of completely different Navajo suppliers. They’re positioned in Web page and can drive you to the beginning of the canyon stroll of their 4×4. Bear in mind to e book upfront and attempt to get a slot from 11.00 am to 1.30 pm.
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON TOURS
There are 2 tour suppliers for the decrease canyon. They’re positioned subsequent to one another close to the doorway to Decrease Antelope Canyon.
TOP TOURS
COMBINED TOUR OPTIONS
If the excursions seem totally booked, be sure you examine GetYourGuide and Viator who’ve further timeslots and supply a wider vary of experiences within the space.
COST
Costs can range by tour information, however under is an estimate of what you’ll be able to count on to pay to go to the higher and decrease canyons. All tickets incur an extra $8 Navajo Park payment.
| CANYON | COST | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Higher | $85 adults | $75 youngsters | ¾ mile | 2 hours |
| Decrease | $5 adults | $45 youngsters | 1 mile | 45 min |
WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU?
Though the stroll by way of the canyons shouldn’t be tough, you’re strolling over sand and there are some stairs to navigate, so it’s a good suggestion to be ready in your go to to Antelope Canyon.
- Sturdy closed-toe sneakers – You’ll be strolling a good way on sandy surfaces.
- Layers – It may be scorching in summer season and cooler in winter so put on layers.
- Sunscreen – Essential in each summer season and winter.
- Hat and handkerchief – It’s very sandy, significantly on the drive, so convey one thing to guard your self.
- Digicam safety – Baggage aren’t allowed on the tour, so it’s good to convey one thing to guard your digital camera from sand on the drive out to the canyon.
- 1 bottle of water – No different meals or drink is allowed in Antelope Canyon.
WHAT YOU CAN’T TAKE WITH YOU
You’ll see while you e book there’s a lengthy listing of issues you’ll be able to’t take with you on the excursions. These are:
- Baggage, purses, fanny packs
- Tripods
- Selfie sticks
- Different meals or drink (besides 1 bottle of water)
It’s additionally necessary to notice that there aren’t any trash cans or bogs on the tour.
WHERE TO STAY?
There’s lots to see within the space together with Horseshoe Bend, so it’s price staying an evening or two to benefit from the space. Listed here are some suggestions from us.
LAKE POWELL
HYATT PLACE PAGE
This full-service resort options an out of doors pool with a bar and lounge and a 24-hour health middle. It’s a 15-minute drive to Antelope Canyon.
OUR PICK
LAKE POWELL
LA QUINTA INN & SUITES
Only a 10-minute drive from Antelope Canyon, this resort-style property has an out of doors pool and scorching tub for the perfect approach to calm down after a day seeing the sights.
LAKE POWELL
BAYMONT BY WYNDHAM
This very well-rated resort is in an ideal location with giant snug rooms, a few of which have views over the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s 8 minutes to Horseshoe Bend and 12 minutes to Antelope Canyon.
MAP | ANTELOPE CANYON
Under is a map of the Higher and Decrease Antelope Canyon space the place we now have indicated the workplaces of the tour guides.
Easy methods to use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the listing of areas, then click on on the areas to show additional info. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to save lots of to your Google Maps.
WHERE NEXT AFTER ANTELOPE CANYON?
Antelope Canyon is a part of a tremendous space of landscapes unfold throughout Utah and northern Arizona. They are often explored on an exquisite 2-week US highway journey that features Utah’s Mighty 5, Monument Valley and Las Vegas.
Listed here are our suggestions on tips on how to see all of it:
