Is Antelope Canyon Worth Visiting? (2024)
Antelope Canyon is a gorgeous slot canyon formed by years of erosion of Navajo sandstone. I recently made the 5 hour drive from Phoenix to tour Antelope Canyon, and found it to be even more impressive than the Grand Canyon.
But, is Antelope Canyon really worth driving to? Are the tours worth it for the price? And what else is there to do in the small town of Page?
Here is everything to know about Antelope Canyon so you can decide whether or not it’s worth visiting.
What is Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon is a beautiful red-orange slot canyon formed by thousands of years of erosion of Navajo sandstone. The canyon’s located just outside of the small town of Page, and is maintained by the Navajo nation.
In 1997, the canyon was closed to the public to prevent vandalism and preserve its natural beauty. To get to the canyon, you must go on a guided tour since it’s located on tribal lands.
You can choose to visit either upper or lower antelope canyon, and each tour lasts a little over an hour. On the tour, you’ll do a short hike to the slot canyon, and spend the rest of the time (~1 hour) exploring and taking pictures within the canyon.
Is Antelope Canyon worth visiting?
Visiting Antelope Canyon is definitely worth it for the experience, as there’s nothing like it in the world. I was hesitant to make the 5 hour drive from Phoenix to Page, but I’m very glad I did.
I toured Lower Antelope Canyon, which had several flights of stairs, and our tour guide gave us the perfect amount of time to take pictures within the canyon. The red-orange sandstone was more gorgeous than I expected in person, so you can get an amazing photo without needing to try.
Additionally, our tour guide helped point out unique rock formations, water flow patterns on the walls, and gave us lots of great photography tips. Overall, it was very worth it for the experience in my opinion, and I visited at 2pm in the summer when it was above 100 °F!
Are Antelope Canyon tours worth it for the price?
Since Antelope Canyon is located on tribal lands, you need to pay for a tour to see it, which range from $60-$100. I paid around $70 in total for a Lower Antelope Canyon tour and the price was very justified in my experience.
The tour guides were patient, friendly, and added a lot to the experience with their information and photography tips. Additionally, unlike tourist traps, Antelope Canyon tours are necessary to protect the canyon.
If you’re on a budget, the Lower Antelope Canyon tours are the cheapest option, at around $20 cheaper than Upper Antelope Canyon tours.
Is the drive from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon worth it?
The drive from Phoenix to Page is nearly 5 hours, but there’s many interesting road stops along the way. If you have the time, you can stop by sites like Sunset Crater Volcano, Wupatki National Monument, and Montezuma’s Castle and Well.
For food, Flagstaff and Sedona have a variety of great restaurants, and are located midway (2-3 hours) into the drive.
Pros and cons of visiting Antelope Canyon
Here are a few pros and cons of going on an Antelope Canyon tour.
Pros:
- It’s one of the most impressive slot canyons in the world
- You get around an hour to take pictures within the canyon
- It looks just as amazing in person
- The tour guides are friendly and give photography tips
Cons:
- It’s a long drive from Phoenix and other major cities
- You can’t record videos in the canyon
- You have to pay for a tour
What else is there to do in Page besides Antelope Canyon?
If you’re making the trip to Antelope Canyon, you can also see Horseshoe Bend, the Glen Canyon Dam, and Lake Powell. Horseshoe Bend is a beautiful horseshoe shaped meander of the Colorado River, only 10 minutes from Antelope Canyon, and $10/vehicle to visit.
The Glen Canyon Dam is a towering 710 ft dam, with a free visitor center, and a short hike to a lookout point. Lake Powell is a large lake formed by the dam, where you can go swimming or rent out watersports to have fun out in the water.
You can see all of these natural landmarks within a day, but spacing it out in two days is ideal if you plan on staying overnight in Page.
When To Visit Antelope Canyon
It’s best to visit Antelope Canyon anytime of the year besides monsoon season (June-September). I visited Page Arizona twice this summer, and on my first trip, the tour was actually canceled due to flash flooding. I highly recommend checking the weather beforehand, and not booking a tour if you see “isolated thunderstorms” on the radar!
On my most recent trip, it was above 100°F when I went on the tour. Although it’s less than ideal for hiking, the actual inside of the canyon was much cooler than the outside. However, you’re still required to do a short 5–10 minute walk over the open desert until you reach the canyon.
If you’re visiting during the summer, I highly recommend bringing a sunhat and cold water bottle to stay cool.
Summary
Antelope Canyon was one of the most spectacular and unique natural landmarks I’ve ever seen. In my experience, it was 100% worth it for the price, including the gas money it took to drive all the way from Phoenix to Page!
Plus, there are a variety of interesting places to visit in Page, including Horseshoe Bend and the Glen Canyon Dam. For more ideas on what to do in town, check out our one day Page itinerary.
Antelope Canyon FAQs
What’s the difference between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?
The main difference between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is the lighting and shape.
Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an “A” and darker, as there’s less space for the sun to peek through. Lower Antelope Canyon is shaped like a “V” and brighter, as lots of light’s able to shine through.
Upper Antelope Canyon begins with a wide opening and gets narrower, whereas Lower Antelope Canyon has a narrow opening, and gets increasingly wider.
Additionally, Lower Antelope Canyon has several small flights of stairs and ladders, whereas Upper Antelope Canyon has none.
Lower Antelope Canyon tours are cheaper, and have a mix of bright and dark lighting. Upper Antelope Canyon is slightly more expensive, and popular amongst photographers that want to snap a photo of the light peeking through the canyon.
Do you need a tour to visit Antelope Canyon?
Yes, you need a tour to visit Antelope Canyon as it’s located on tribal lands. You can kayak/jet ski to a portion of Antelope Canyon that’s not on tribal lands. However, the part of the canyon that’s accessible by kayaking is not as extensive as the one maintained by the Navajo nation.
If you want to see the photogenic red-orange waving sandstone walls, you’re going to want to book a tour.
How far is Antelope Canyon from major cities?
Antelope Canyon is around 5 hours from Phoenix, 4.5 hours from Las Vegas, 3 hours from Sedona, and 2 hours from Flagstaff.
How far is Antelope Canyon from the Grand Canyon?
Antelope Canyon is around a 2.5 hour drive from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, and 3 hour drive from the South Rim.
Are dogs allowed in Antelope Canyon?
Dogs, including service animals, are not allowed in Antelope Canyon in an effort to preserve the canyon.