Antelope Canyon for Tourists
Located 15 to 20 minutes east of Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in the area, the most-visited slot canyon in the American Southwest and the most photographed in the world. The popular photo opportunity is divided into the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, with the Upper Antelope Canyon being more popular.
“The Crack” as the Upper Antelope Canyon is also called, captivates with the play of light of the sun in spring and summer, but the changing colors in autumn and winter are also a fascinating sight. The easy accessibility of the Upper Canyon also makes it very popular for families. This is because there is no need to climb here.
You have to take into account that it can get very crowded on busy days in the higher part of the Antelope Canyon. The slot canyon is visited by numerous people, especially at lunchtime. The Lower Canyon is less crowded. However, the travelers have to cope with several stairs and ladders, which make the tours a bit more demanding.
Important: Both parts of the canyon are without exception only accessible as part of guided tours and in dry weather. During rain or thunderstorms, the slot canyon may not be entered, even with a guide. The Navajo Fee counts as entry. The park is privately owned by the Navajos, who also own the entrance fee. Please be respectful in the countryside.
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A visit to the Upper Antelope Canyon
If you want to marvel at the famous columns of light, called beams, you have to visit the Upper Antelope Canyon near the power station, preferably at lunchtime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. An incredible natural spectacle in this several hundred meters long gorge, which is reminiscent of a cathedral.
As part of a tour, there is an hour to enjoy this natural spectacle and to take one or two photos of the walls and the impressive play of light and sand. If you want twice as much time to photograph the slot canyon, you should a photographer tourbook.
The tour through the rock faces is relatively easy and manageable even for people who are not very good at walking. The walk through the area is only about 100 meters. In advance, a safari ride provided by the provider can go in a vehicle across the street from the Navajo Tribal Park Gate to the actual canyon.
A visit to Lower Antelope Canyon
Less crowds, but only a few rays of light. The Lower Antelope Canyon is often overshadowed by its higher brother. But wrongly. Because the winding slot canyon with its impressive arches is beautiful and offers a variety of shapes, motifs and colors.
The best time to visit Lower Antelope Canyon is around 9 am to 11 am in the morning and between 1 pm and 3 pm in the afternoon. During lunchtime, the beautiful colors don’t really come into their own due to the steeply falling sun. The tours into the canyon start not far from the parking lot and entrance to the canyon.
It should be noted that the Lower Antelope Canyon is on the one hand a little longer and on the other hand the entrance is only accessible via ladders and stairs. You don’t have to be claustrophobic there, even with a high number of visitors. The entrances to the part of the canyon are not half as narrow as it seems at first glance.
Guided tours of Antelope Canyon
The Antelope Canyon can in fine weather, if flash floods are not to be expected, as part of guided tours be visited. Helicopter flights to marvel at the unique natural wonder from above are also possible.
Since the number of visitors during the week and especially on the weekends is usually very high, it is worthwhile to secure the tickets for the day from home to be on the safe side. Otherwise you run the risk of standing in front of the entrance at the destination, but not being able to join any group. Reservations can be made online. The most popular time is definitely 11:30 a.m.
Interested people are also offered trips by boat or kayak to the river bank of the Antelope Canyon.
One of the better known providers is Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. Ken’s Tours, Dixie Ellis and Roger Ekis also offer tours. Combination tours are also possible, including Waterholes Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. If you want, you can visit Antelope Canyon with a detour to the Toadstool hoodoos or that Slide Rock State Park connect.
