Everything You Need to Know When You Visit Antelope Canyon
A practical first-visit guide covering where Antelope Canyon is, how tours work, when to visit, where to stay, and what to expect on the day.
A trip to Arizona would not be complete without seeing the magical Antelope Canyon. After my first trip to Arizona, read on to see what I learned about this beautiful landscape and what you need to know when you visit Antelope Canyon.
Often overshadowed by the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon has gained major popularity since the social media boom. Created by rushing and powerful water, Antelope Canyon was discovered many centuries ago by Navajo tribes and given the English name "Antelope" due to the many antelope that grazed here during the winter season.
Where is Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon is located east of Page, Arizona. Page is surrounded by amazing natural beauty including Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and more rock formations consistent with the Grand Canyon.
Located off Highway 98, Lower Antelope Canyon looks like slanted rock to the untrained eye. The canyon appears to be just normal hills and rock formations, until you climb down five flights of man-made stairs. From there, you will see the cavernous canyon, created by years of rushing water to smooth the rock in various patterns and sculptures.
It is truly a miraculous vision worth seeing at least once in your life.
Tours
Since the beautiful canyon is located on Navajo land near Page, you are required to pay the tribal permit fee and join a guided tour. It is absolutely forbidden to take this route without a guide or tour operator.
If you are still deciding which section to book, compare the main Antelope Canyon tours overview before choosing your time slot.
After researching all of our options, we went with Lower Antelope Canyon.
Our guide helped us take pictures, provided us with information, kept the group safe, and was pretty entertaining.
When Should I Visit?
As far as which time of year is best, off-season is always better. You will find that off-season is not as hot, there are fewer scorpions and snakes, and of course there are fewer tourists which allow you to take better photographs. The regular tourist season is from mid-May through September.
For the best photographs and seeing the beams of light throughout the canyon, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. is usually the best time slot for your tour. Prior to our arrival, there was information that even 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. worked, however we missed many beams of light during our 11:50 a.m. tour, so the earlier the better.
Remember to book in advance.
Many tourists know that 10 a.m. is prime time so you will find many tours sold out very early for this time slot.
Where Should I Stay in Antelope Canyon?
When it comes to lodging in and around Antelope Canyon, your options are slightly limited. Arriving at Antelope Canyon on the earlier side is best for photos so it might be best to spend the previous night nearby to assure your timely arrival.
How Do I Take the Best Photos?
Unfortunately, I overestimated my photo-taking ability.
I thought my skills were good enough for point-and-shoots during our walking tour. While we had a great camera, we brought the wrong lens so we struggled with my iPhone 6 Plus to capture the canyon.
Had we booked the more expensive photography tour, I would have had more direction, more time to take photos with fewer people present, and a better experience rather than shuffling with a hundred other tourists.
To take the best photos, bring your tripod, a DSLR camera, and book a photography-focused tour when available.
If you are an advanced photographer or a beginner, local guides are usually comfortable helping at any level. Again, the time of day is important so book your 10 a.m. tour as soon as you make your travel plans.
What Should I Expect Of This Tour?
Depending on the tour you book, expect a very hot and crowded experience.
Unfortunately, this place is extremely popular. With the crowds, the heat, and the proximity within the canyons, it is completely normal to start to feel claustrophobic if you are not prepared.
Bring sunblock and water, both of which are absolute musts when visiting this part of Arizona.
Aside from the heat and the crowds, it was 100% worth exploring this natural wonder.
WRITTEN BY SEBRIN ELMS