Everything You Need to Tour the Antelope Canyon

To make the most of your tour to Antelope Canyon Arizona, it is important to know certain things about this place before you visit there. The following information will help you to know everything that you will need to plan your visit to this ‘paradise on earth’.

Antelope Canyon Arizona is one of the most popular locations for sightseeing and photography. This magnificent place has got its name from the pronghorn antelopes who once grazed in that area. It is not known when this place was first discovered by the people. Since 1997, This slot canyon has become a major source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation and contribute to the economy. This place has gained popularity in other parts of the nation and country when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park and people started visiting there. The canyon was formed by the erosion of Navajo sandstone as a result of flash flooding and other sub-aerial processes. Flash flooding still occurs at this place, which ultimately results in the closing of this place for several months. This sandstone has been intricately carved by the continuous violent flow of water for many years. The infrequent and harsh flow of water has sculpted this sandstone into beautiful curves and hollows. The light effect makes it even more attractive.

Located in the Navajo Nation in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is separated into two canyons: the upper canyon, and the lower canyon. An upper canyon is a place, where water flows through rocks. It is a narrow passage through the 120-foot high canyon walls. The entrance and the entire area of this canyon are at ground level. The light beam of the sun makes this place even more picturesque. The beams of direct sunlight radiating down from the openings occur throughout the year but are more common in the summers. This is the most visited canyon. Whereas, the lower canyon features spiral rock arches. It is a V-shaped canyon which is quite shallow than the upper canyon. The light beams don’t occur here more often and the absence of bright light creates breathtaking shades of red and orange. The lower canyon doesn’t have an entrance from the ground level and therefore, one has to climb the ladders to reach the canyon floor. It is harder to reach there but it is much quieter as compared to the upper canyon. You can only visit the canyons through official tours as no personal tour is allowed for this place.

Once you have decided to take a tour to Antelope Canyon Arizona, you must be searching for different options and routes to get there. The nearest airport to Antelope Canyon are Las Vegas and Phoenix International airport, and from both the airport it takes around 5 hours to reach the place. So, even if you are at the farthest point, you can visit this place with just a little planning. Below are some of the most convenient routes that will take you to this magnificent place.

From Monument Valley: If you are planning to visit Antelope Canyon Arizona and Monument Valley on the same day, then this might be the most convenient route to travel. The distance between Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon is 124 miles. You can plan your tour for both the places on the same day. To enjoy the most and get the best experience from this tour, visit Antelope Canyon in the midday and then, enjoy the beautiful sunset at the Monument Valley.

From Las Vegas: The McCarran International Airport of Las Vegas, is the closest one to the Antelope Canyon of Arizona. It takes around five hours to reach Antelope Canyon Arizona from Las Vegas. You can even book the most famous Antelope Canyon Arizona tour from Las Vegas. Also, you can rent a car or a cab and visit Antelope Canyon along with other beautiful places nearby. If you decide to take a tour then make sure to add Horseshoe Bend Tour along with Antelope Canyon Arizona tour.

From Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park: You can easily reach Antelope Canyon Arizona through Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. These two national parks are close to Antelope Canyon of Arizona and one can easily get a cab to reach the destination. It takes approximately 2 hours from Zion National park and 3 hours from Bryce Canyon National Park to reach Antelope Canyon Arizona.

From the Grand Canyon: The most visited national park in the United States is the Grand Canyon. It is approximately two and a half hours away from Antelope Canyon, Arizona. The most exciting part of this tour will be the helicopter tour. You can take the Grand Canyon helicopter tour and that includes a visit to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend too.

There is no best time to visit Antelope Canyon, rather it depends on what you are trying to find; whether you want to capture the magical light beams during peak season or experience solitude in the off season. The best time to visit this place will vary according to your need. If you are willing to see the light beams that radiate down to the canyon, then the end of March to the beginning of October is the perfect time to visit there. During this period, light beams that enter the upper canyon is visible clearly. Antelope Canyon is crowded during this season. If you are willing to visit this majestic place in a less crowded environment, then November to March is the ideal season for your visit. If you want to visit Antelope Canyon at night, then this option is also available. You don’t have to wait for a particular season to arrive, you can visit this place all year round. But on the bright days of summer, you will have more chances of clear skies. If you are planning to visit this place in winter, you will miss those bright haloes. But, visiting this place at any time of the year has its advantages and you will enjoy it fully.

To see the famous light beams striking the rocks in Antelope Canyon, you should plan your visit during the midday that is between 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. This is considered the best hour to see and capture the light beam into your camera because sunlight is perpendicular to the canyon during this hour. Probably, there won’t be any clouds at this hour and therefore, the light effects will be visible clearly.

To visit Antelope Canyon, Arizona, you need to book tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute chaos. It is important to take note that the Navajo Nation Reservation sets the Antelope Canyon entrance fees, so all companies that offer Navajo guided tours to Antelope Canyon will be almost of the same price. You will be charged for the type of tour you choose to go for. The charges will vary according to the services they offer. Moreover, you will have to pay $8 for the permit to enter the Navajo Nation apart from your tour packages.

Once you are in Arizona, visiting Antelope Canyon must be on your priority list of tours. It would take only a day to visit the entire Antelope Canyon including both the upper canyon and the lower canyon. There are several other places in the vicinity of this dreamy place, which you wouldn’t want to miss on. It is advisable to carry a handy map with you. These places are worth visiting for photographers. To capture the best photographs from this place, you just need to carry your tripod, a DSLR camera and book a photography tour. Here is a list of some places that you must visit during your tour to Antelope Canyon.

Horseshoe Bend: Horseshoe Bend is also a mesmerizing place, one of the famous tourist place that is worth taking a visit. It is located near the Antelope Canyon Arizona. The Colorado River has been carving out of the horseshoe-shaped, which is around 980 feet deep and has been carving these canyon for thousands of years. You will catch a great view of the bend by standing high on the cliffs above the river. The tent or kayak on the bank of the river might appear to you in the size of an ant from the cliffs. You will have to be extra careful on your visit to horseshoe bend because there are no guard rails, just a very steep drop off from a cliff. It is recommended not to take children with you.

Lake Powell: Another noteworthy place worth taking a tour is Lake Powell. It is one of the largest human-made reservoirs in the country that allow plenty of incredible scenic beauty. Every year a lot of tourists come to this place to explore the beauty. You can explore the scenery by kayaking or speed boating. You can also choose to spend your evening on a houseboat and enjoy the calming and relaxing beauty of the surrounding. How amazing is that! You can even take a dip in a lake and take a natural shower.

Glen Canyon Dam: Glen Canyon Dam is a gorgeous tourist attraction that is often skipped by many. This place allows you to cherish the moment in your way. Sit on the top of Glen Canyon Dam and get an expanded view over the dam below. For a clearer look of the dam, you will have to sign up for a 45 minutes tours that will cost you around $5 and it occurs several times a day. You will get a chance to walk across the wall of the dam and even venture into the factory below.

Hanging Garden: You will love this place if you love hiking and some adventure on your trip. It is a short 1-mile easy walk from Glen Canyon Recreation Area. This short 1-mile hike will take you to a lush Hanging Garden on the underbelly of the famous Navajo sandstone cliffs. The cliffs overlook the Colorado River and Lake Powell. A trail of rocks is laid on the sides to guide you towards the hanging garden. Through this hike, you will observe the uniqueness of the desert.

Colorado River: Another best thing to do in Arizona is to raft in the Colorado River. This is also one of the highlights of Arizona for people visiting this place for the first time. You will get a great view of the Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend. The tour can be of 1.5 hours, half-day or even full-day. You can choose from the available tours and experience the adventurous rafting excursions on the Colorado River. Here, you can also walk around and hike to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Finding a good place to stay is also equally important. It is necessary to make bookings in advance to find a good place. When it comes to finding accommodation near Antelope Canyon Arizona, options are slightly limited. During peak season, you might find it difficult to get an ideal place to stay. Therefore, consider making early bookings so that your tour is convenient and hassle-free.

Here are some of the best places to stay near Antelope Canyon, Arizona. All these places are equally safe, comfortable, close to your destination, clean and good enough to relax and have a peaceful sleep: Red Rock Motel, Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Clarion Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Comfort Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inn & Suites and more that you can choose online.

After a long day of traveling, exploring and hiking, we all want to relish good food. Don’t we? You will be in search of a place that will satisfy your taste buds and at the same time make you full. To make this trip little easy for you, below are some of the best places to dine in around Antelope Canyon, Arizona. Make sure you check their opening and closing times to avoid any last-minute confusion.

El Tapatio: For those who love Mexican food, El Tapatio is a great option to consider. It serves some of the delicious food from Mexican cuisine. The menu includes the Mazatlán Burrito, the Tacos El Pastor and the Enchiladas Trio. It also serves some smaller lunch menu and dinner at a discounted price.