Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Photo Tour

Antelope Canyon Tours is a Navajo owned and operated, providing guided tours from Page, Arizona. Our tours into the Upper Antelope Canyon begin at our office located at 22 South Lake Powell Boulevard, near the intersection of Lake Powell Boulevard and North Navajo Drive in the heart of Page, AZ. Look for the monster trucks!

Antelope Canyon tours can take you to either of its two sections:. Upper Antelope Canyon also known as The Crack – This is the more popular of the two Antelope Canyons and these are the photos you have most likely seen on social media. This part of the canyon is more accessible and there is no climbing involved. 1-Day Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Guided Bus Tour (Enter at Prime time) Join an exclusive Upper/ Lower Canyon tour to visit Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, guided by professional tour guides, with more time for photograph. Ever since I first saw photos of the sandstone slot canyons in Arizona, specifically Antelope Canyon, I wanted to visit. However, once I started reading reviews of the Antelope Canyon tours, I was quickly turned off by complaints of them being rushed and crowded, and became concerned about the effects of over tourism.

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon

What is Antelope Canyon and why do people visit Antelope Canyon – slot canyon Page AZ?

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon located in Page, Arizona, USA. Antelope Canyon is a sacred place located on Navajo land, within the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the northwest of Arizona.

Many people visit the area just to visit Antelope Canyon or as part of a trip which can also include National Parks nearby such as the Horseshoe Canyon, Grand Canyon or Zion National Park.

Page itself is a small town which is filled with visitors who come to see the Canyon. The native Navajo tribe consider the canyons sacred places and they often pray before entering the canyons. The location of Antelope Canyon meant that for a long time the canyons were closed off to the public before becoming a national park and offering tours for tourists.

Visiting Antelope Canyon – how to get to Antelope Canyon? What is the closest airport to Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon is a natural picturesque wonder, geological formation, and a slot canyon. This canyon was created over millions of years through water erosion.

The canyon is located within an area of cultural wealth and historical wonders in the Navajo Nation or native tribes land. Native buildings and houses are still present in the area as well as the tribes.

Antelope Canyon is on Highway 98 fifteen minutes outside of Page, AZ. It is very near Horseshoe Bend as well.

Antelope Canyon is a 5 hour drive from Las Vegas and a 4 hour drive from Phoenix. These are the closest airports to Antelope Canyon.

HOW TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON

• Closest airport to Antelope Canyon: Las Vegas Airport is 5 hours away and Phoenix Airport is 4 hours away
• Best time to visit Antelope Canyon: Visiting Antelope Canyon in the summer is the best time.
• Book an Antelope Canyon Tour: You cannot visit Antelope Canyon on your own and you must take a tour. I have listed tour operators below.
• Travel to Antelope Canyon: How to get to Antelope Canyon on Highway 98 outside of Page, AZ
• Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?: I’ve listed out the pros and cons of each one for you to decide based on price, activity level and photography.
• Antelope Canyon surroundings: Enjoy other slot canyons in Arizona near Page, Arizona or visit Horseshoe Bend.

Antelope Canyon attracts visitors from all over the world especially photographers and nature lovers who want to experience this canyon and its wave-like tall sandstone winding walls.

Tour operators offer tours for photography where they advise visitors on the best lighting and filters, as well as photo locations and angles.

Page, Arizona is located approximately two hours east of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim and four hours north of the city of Phoenix. The canyon isn’t accessible by public transport so a car will be required.

What’s the difference between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon has both an upper and lower canyon which are located 15 minutes apart but both within the same national park and can be accessed from Highway 98 heading east out of Page.

Both canyons have to be visited with a tour guide or tour operator due to the facts its located within Navajo land, so each tour operator will have car parking offsite and lead the way to the entrances (by car or walking) for both the Upper and Lower Canyons. Visitors are not allowed to visit the area alone and there are no visitor facilities at the entrance to either canyon.

Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons have very different feels and features, so although you can visit both canyons in one day it can be rushed trip. So if you have to only choose one to visit here are the perks and drawbacks of the Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon.

So which is better? Should I visit Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?

Lower Antelope Canyon

The Lower Antelope Canyon is longer than the Upper Canyon with fun narrow passages to explore and walkthrough.

Pros:

• Longer than Upper Antelope Canyon
• Cheaper than Upper Antelope Canyon at $25 plus $8 Navajo permit

Cons:

• No light beams
• Steep Stairs

Lower Antelope Canyon can only be accessed by descending steep steps which makes it inaccessible for wheelchair users or those who cannot walk up and down steps easily.

The descent makes the canyon cooler inside and is often less crowded due to the initial descent and the exit is at the other end of the canyon meaning people are all walking in one direction.

It is cheaper to visit than the Upper Canyon and only a small number of tours visit the canyon, the canyon is also less popular than the Upper Canyon so acquiring tickets is easier than the Upper Canyon and tours are less likely to sell out.

The best time to visit the Lower Canyon is any time of the year, as no light beams are shining into the canyons, but with the change of seasons the colors of the canyons vary, between blues, purples, and reds depending on the season.

Many people often say that the Lower Canyon provides and much more relaxed feel along with a real connection to nature and the canyon formations.

Upper Antelope Canyon

In contrast to Lower Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon has no descent, it is located at 4,000 feet but is the same elevation the whole way through with canyon.

Pros:

• Light Beams
• No stairs

Cons:

• More crowded
• More Expensive at $40 plus a $8 Navajo permit

They say it was the location of a stream with water running through it, which gave it its Navajo name Tse’bighanilini which translates to “the place where water runs through rocks”. The canyon walls rise 120 feet above the ground which occasionally has sand falling from the top.

The Upper Canyons have light beams or sunbeams which shine through the top of the rocks at certain times of the day. The canyon has a mix of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns which vary throughout the day depending on the sunbeams.

The sunbeams are present within the canyon between March and September with the prime season being between June and August when the sun shines higher in the sky between 11 am and 2 pm.

The Upper Antelope Canyon is a photographers dream with rock formations waving around the ground below and the sunbeams shining through the top of the rocks. But while the sunbeams make for excellent photographs the Upper Canyon tends to be darker in general than in the Lower Canyon.

Upper Canyon is often more crowded and feels more crowded because everyone is walking in and out the same way unlike Lower Canyon and tours tend to sell out quicker (sometimes months in advance) even though there are more tour operators offering tours.

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Photo Tour Dates

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon Tours – how to visit Antelope Canyon

No matter which Canyon you decide to visit, either the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon or both, the Canyons have to be visited on a guided tour. There are only a small number of reputable tour guides who are allowed to operate within the area.

This is to protect the land and restrict visitor number into the canyons, and the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. This includes car restrictions and visitors cannot bring bags inside the canyons, although this is true you are allowed to bring in water bottles.

Parking is available in the tour operators headquarters and they will then transport groups to the canyons. The list of approved tour operators in the area are;

Upper Antelope Canyon Tour Companies

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
Antelope Canyon Tours
Antelope Slot Canyon Tours

Tour companies advise booking early as they can sell out up to six months in advance especially during the holiday periods, so book early to avoid being disappointed. Tour companies offer a variety of tours including photograph tours and sightseeing tours, prices vary depending on the tours but range from $58 to $78 which includes tax and the permit into the park.

Tour prices are increased during busier periods and every day when the sunbeams are present in the canyons. These are often the times which book up the quickest, but tours are offered all day long everyday with all of the tour companies.

Lower Antelope Canyon Tour Operators – Antelope Canyon tours lower

Ken’s Tours
Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Photo Tours Page Az

Lower Antelope Canyon tours don’t sell out as quickly as the Upper tours but it is still advisable to book in advance of your visit. Prices range from $40 + depending on the size of the group and time of the day.

When is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon? Antelope Canyon Weather Conditions

Antelope canyon best time to visit? Summer. You can visit Antelope Canyon any time of the year and weather conditions vary throughout the year.

During the summer months and when the sunbeams can be seen is in the hot season where the average temperatures are between 69F and can reach above 95F.

Be aware that thunderstorms can occur during these months specifically in the afternoon. The thunderstorms can bring with them lightning and rain, while very rare flash flooding can occur with an unforeseen amount of rain.

The Canyon will be closed if weather is unsafe for visitors, but it is very unlikely.

During the winter months which is a much quieter and less crowded, the weather is cooler and can even be cold. Temperatures can range from 60F to 43F, and while rare snow has fallen in the area.

Physical Activity Levels

Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons require a bit of walking. Lower Antelope Canyon also requires walking down several steps to reach the canyon, but for those who can manage steps in everyday life, these steps should be no problem at all, they are not treacherous or dangerous steps. Those who have mobility limitations or the elderly could find these steps challenging.

Can you visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day?

It is possible to visit both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day, with some planning and while also incorporating the best time to visit the Upper Canyon with the sunbeams.

A great sample itinerary for visiting both canyons in one day is the following. Aim to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon when the sunbeams are present (11 am – 2 pm) so ideally, it is best to visit the Upper Canyon first, for example between 10:30 am and 12:30 or 1 pm.

Then move on to the Lower Canyon and enter at 2 pm. This gives visitors the chance to see the sunbeams while also escaping the afternoon sun in the cooler temperatures of the Lower Canyon.

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Tours

The tour operators will have different starting points so time between tours will allow for time to travel between the canyons and to different tour companies if required.

Visitors are only allowed to spend up to two hours within the canyons so times will be restricted with the average tour company offering 60 to 90-minute tours. In addition to those two canyons, you could also visit Horseshoe Bend in the evening for great views in time for the sunset.

Conclusion: So which one is better Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon?

If visitors only have time to visit either the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon the most popular choice would be the Upper Antelope Canyon if visiting during March and September when you can see the sunbeams shining through, as it truly is a wonderful and unique experience.

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon Photo Tour 2017

Photographers and those who like to take photos should visit the Upper Antelope Canyon as it is a dream location to take photographs, whether you have a professional camera or smart phone every photo within both canyons are beautiful, with the sunbeams of the Upper Canyon or the colors of the Lower Canyon it is easy to take unique photographs.

However outside of the sunbeams months and if photography isn’t your thing then the Lower canyons offer a similar experience with fewer crowds, more relaxed, and tours don’t have to be booked as far in advance which is perfect for a spare of the moment trip.

The Lower Antelope Canyons are still as beautiful as the Upper one, it just depends on your preference and the amount of money visitors are willing to spend on a tour.

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JOIN US FOR ANTELOPE CANYON TOURS

This tour offers you a fully guided walk into the Upper Antelope Canyon. Guided tours are required to visit this gem, so don’t miss this opportunity!

There is plenty of time for everyone to take photos on this tour and also enough time for you to experience the canyon. Check-in time is 30 minutes prior to tour time. We will then transport you to the canyon in our four-wheel-drive trucks (your vehicle stays at our office location), which takes 20 minutes.

Once we arrive at the canyon, you walk through the sandstone walls of the canyon with the driver. We will be determine at a later time we are now hiking, once we have walked through the canyon we will now hike up and over the canyon (note you are not seeing down into the canyon), the new hike does Not involve dangerous heights but you will be out in the elements so please be prepared for hot summer days or cold winter days. You are at the canyon for roughly an hour or less. During your tour, you can take pictures, hear some local history, and admire the beauty of Antelope Canyon.

We are open year-round.

Advance reservations are required, as we sell out far in advance.
Reserve your Antelope Canyon tours online today.
Sorry but we do not maintain a wait list, keep checking the calendar to see if something opens up.

2021 Season
DEPARTURE TIMES: *7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., & 3:30 p.m.

if covid is among us, this is the schedule that we will have to follow
DEPARTURE TIMES (different, due to COVID):
8:00 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 2:20 p.m.

(CURRENTLY NO TOURS RUNNING, not until further notice)

Tours are offered year-round
except for the *7:00 a.m. tour, which is only offered during Spring & Summer seasons.

*Click “Check Availability” to see more info about lighting conditions during the different seasons & also for more general tour information.

RESTRICTIONS/ADVISEMENT

• Do not bring: Selfie sticks, tripods, backpacks, bags & purses, strollers, drones, pets or service animals. Due to Covid we will be allowing selfie-sticks and A SMALL bag (1) per group, to carry items needed for the hike we are now doing.
• Dusty conditions: We advise you to dress your camera in a rain jacket (not for actual rain) to avoid the falling sand that is thrown in the canyon. Changing your lens in the canyon is at your own risk – we are not responsible for damaged cameras.
• Weather: Please check out the expected weather at least 2 or 3 days prior to arrival, and be prepared for weather that can be either cold or hot. Come with layers.
• Children: If you are unable to add a child between 0-7 years old it is due to the fact that we have reached the carrying capacity for children with car seats. Our truck design limits the number of children in car seats we can carry. Due to covid we will not be allowing children 3 years and younger on tour. With the new route out of the canyon and to keep our driver solo in the cab of the truck we will only allow children 4 years or older. If you arrive with a child that is too young we will have to deny you tour without refund.
• Strict Passenger Limits: Please book the exact number of persons joining the tour, including children of all ages. If you arrive in our office needing seats for more people, we will not have any left. Be sure to book far in advance, as we do sell out. With Daily passenger limits we cannot add more seats to a tour that does not have enough seats.