Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with new information.
There are dozens of national parks in the US, each with its own distinct landscape and compelling reason to visit. One of my favorites is Antelope Canyon, which is adjacent to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Arizona.
You may have seen dreamlike pictures of canyons on social media, but the pictures don’t do that. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also a great place for the whole family to visit. Here are some important tips for your family vacation to Antelope Canyon.
You must have a guide to enter the gorge
To prevent vandalism and protect land of spiritual significance to the Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon was closed beginning in 1997 to members of the public without a guide. The only way to enter the gorge is with a tour agency authorized by Navajo National Park and Recreation.
We chose Ken’s Tour because it had the most convenient visit time. Our guide, a member of the Navajo Nation, was knowledgeable about both the canyon and the land we were visiting. It was a special tour that I am grateful I was able to experience with my family.
Antelope Canyon is absolutely beautiful. It’s no surprise that people travel far and wide just to take pictures. In addition to sharing the history of the canyon and its importance to the Navajo Nation, our guide did a spectacular job helping us get incredible photos to take home. .
Know the difference between the canyons
The Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons are actually miles apart, but the most significant difference between the two are the famous light beam photos you can take of the upper canyon.
Entering Lower Antelope Canyon also has steep steps down one side and up the other.
Because it’s less accessible (and arguably less photogenic), Lower Antelope Canyon is also less expensive to visit. Our tour of the lower canyon was $40 per adult, excluding the 6% Navajo tax and the $32 Navajo license fee for our group.
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Upper Antelope Canyon tours start at $70 per adult and $60 per child 12 and under. For our family of four adults and one toddler, we paid $212.40. Had we chosen to visit the Upper Canyon, we would have spent over $350.
Photography tours are especially popular at Upper Antelope Canyon and start at $150 per person.
As I mentioned, you’ll need to go down a steep flight of stairs to enter Lower Antelope Canyon and take a set of slightly less steep stairs to exit on the other side. If you’re traveling with anyone who has mobility issues or prefers to avoid heights, you might want to stick with Upper Antelope Canyon, which is wheelchair accessible.
Alternatively, touring the Lower Canyon with an infant or toddler can prove challenging with stairs. Luckily, my husband carried our 14-month-old son down the steps, which relieved me immensely. You can also carry your baby in a pram. Older children can go up and down stairs in the Lower Canyon with adult assistance.
Similar canyons
Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon, it can sometimes be difficult to find a seat for the tour. There are similar canyons in the Trang area that are now open to the public such as Canyon X and Secret Canyon. Both of these provide a similar experience, and they’re often crowd-free on group tours. Horseshoe Bend Slot . Gorge Tour is one of Navajo’s authorized tour operators offering not only private tours of the slot canyon, but private views at Horseshoe Bend.
Where
Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona, just outside the Utah border; about a four-hour drive from Phoenix. If you prefer to fly, the closest airports are in Flagstaff, Arizona – a two-hour drive from Trang – and in Trang itself, you can fly to it directly from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) on Contour Airlines. The airline operates a daily flight starting at $89 one way.
We stayed Courtyard Site in Lake Powell only for one night, as Antelope Canyon is a stop on a larger Arizona road excursion. Here’s a Tier 5 Marriott property available from 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night on off-peak days, or $126. There’s also the new Home2Suites, a Hilton property, starting at 21,000 Honors points per night depending on the day.
Packing what
It can be very windy in the area directly above the canyon and the sand can easily blow into your eyes and mouth. So remember to bring sunglasses and a scarf or mask to cover your mouth and face to protect yourself from the sand. The wind will also follow you into the canyon, so a light jacket can help keep you comfortable. Because Antelope Canyon is located on tribal land, the COVID-19 mask policy remains in effect for all visitors and residents of the Navajo Nation.
Related: Exploring National Parks: Where to Stay Using Points
Best time to visit
Antelope Canyon is located in the Arizona desert so the weather is less than ideal during the summer months. The best time to visit would be in spring or autumn. While the average temperature remains in the mid-80s during these months, it still hits triple-digit highs in Arizona in the summer.
Winter is also a good time to visit the canyon as there are fewer crowds. However, temperatures range from 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which may be less appealing to some visitors.
Antelope Canyon tours can last from one to three hours, depending on the type of tour you choose and which canyon you visit. There were tours every 30 minutes when we visited, giving each group time to get far enough through the canyon and not be held back by any of the following groups.
Other activities
If you like water activities, there are many options available in the Page / Lake Powell area. Be aware, however, that they are seasonal activities as the area can reach freezing temperatures during the winter months. Kayaking is a popular sport, and from Lake Powell you can access parts of Antelope Canyon from the water.
Horsehoe Bend is a spectacular spot (and very popular on Instagram). You can park and walk to the rim overlooking the Colorado River as it winds around the sandstone. But what if you could kayak around it? Curved horseshoe kayak help visitors do it and the views are unbelievable. Open March through October for kayak and paddleboard rentals, Kayak Horseshoe Bend is a great day excursion from Page. The office is located in Marble Canyon (Lee Ferry), about 38 miles from downtown Page. Lee’s Ferry is also the launching point for most Grand Canyon river rafting expeditions.
If flying is more your style, try the helicopter tour departing from Page Airport. Airlines Sightseeing Grand Canyon has been in the business for over 90 years and runs aerial tours to the top of Butte Tower, the Grand Canyon or the Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
Visit other parks during your trip
Our trip also included a stop at the Grand Canyon, a little over two hours’ drive from Antelope Canyon and Page. Stretching from the shores of Lake Powell to Horseshoe Bend is Glen Canyon National Recreation Areamanaged by the National Park Service. Guided tours vary also available in this field.
Zion . National Park two hours’ drive west of the Utah border while Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park two hours’ drive east of Arizona.
Key point
Antelope Canyon is an enchanting destination and the perfect choice for your upcoming family vacation. Not only will you walk away with amazing family photos you can treasure forever, but you’ll also get the chance to experience the indigenous history of the United States through an authorized Navajo Parks and Recreation guide.
Upper Antelope Canyon is ideal for visitors with mobility concerns, as it is wheelchair-friendly. Unfortunately this is also the more expensive canyon as the pictures are supposed to be better than you can get there. Lower Antelope Canyon is more affordable and, in my opinion, also stunning, although there are steep steps you should consider before booking.
No matter which canyon you choose to visit, you and your family are sure to have lasting memories.
Additional reporting by Becky Blaine.
