Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona’s Antelope Canyon is a magnet for photographers and tourists traveling through the American Southwest.
The famous landmark forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. As such, the Navajo Nation requires that visitors are led by authorized guides, who provide tours of the Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon and Canyon X. These tours depart from or close to Page, Arizona, though you can also find Antelope Canyon tours from Sedona and Las Vegas.
Note: Most of Arizona does not follow daylight saving time, though the Navajo Nation, where Antelope Canyon is located, does. Be sure to take this into account when planning your visit.
Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Before choosing a tour, you’ll need to decide which part of the canyon you’d like to see.
The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is therefore busier. Exploring the Lower Canyon, in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. Canyon X is less popular, but equally beautiful.
How to Get to Antelope Canyon
Upper Canyon: Companies that provide tours of the Upper Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona (where Antelope Canyon is located), and provide transportation. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation.
Lower Canyon: Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon’s entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. Travelers on a Lower Canyon tour will need to drive to the tour operator’s location. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page.
Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Because the Upper Canyon is easiest to walk through, it is also quite popular, especially at peak times during the summer. Considering this, making tour reservations well in advance is highly recommended. No matter which tour you pick, you’re guaranteed to see incredible rock formations in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Price: From $119
Duration: 80 minutes
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon. Expert guides lead travelers through the canyon to showcase its magnificent colors. Tours are offered several times daily. Note that children must be at least 8 years old to participate, and that pregnant women are not permitted on the tours.
Travelers enjoy the tour and appreciate the guides’ insights, though some wish they had more time to spend in the canyon.
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours also runs outings to Upper Antelope Canyon combined with either Rattlesnake Canyon or both Rattlesnake and Owl canyons.
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – Guided Sightseers Tour
Price: From $120
Duration: 1.5 hours
All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours’ guides are local Navajo people, who are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by travelers. The company’s sightseer tours of the Upper Canyon take place several times daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. Note that prices for the 11:40 a.m. tour are slightly higher, as this is peak time to explore the canyon.
The company opens up online reservations one to two months in advance, so be sure to book early, as tickets sell out quickly.
Antelope Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Sightseeing Tour
Price: Adults from $92; kids from $87
Duration: 100 minutes
Navajo owned and operated, Antelope Canyon Tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides. On the company’s sightseeing tours, you’ll spend about an hour in the canyon, plus 40 minutes round-trip travel time to the Antelope Canyon Tours office in Page. Tours run multiple times daily starting at 7:50 a.m., and there is one moderately difficult, 15-minute uphill hike involved. Keep in mind: If you are unable to book a child’s ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.
Antelope Slot Canyon Tours – Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Price: Adults from $85; kids from $80
Duration: 1.5 hours
Along with standard tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Slot Canyon Tours also offers tours of the nearby Cathedral Canyon. If you’re set on a visit to the Upper Canyon, you’ll have four time slots to choose from for the 90-minute tour. Pricing varies depending on the time of day and popularity of the tour time.
Discounted tickets are available for members of the military and children ages 6 to 12; children younger than 6 are not permitted. Patrons should be prepared for 20 to 30 minutes of walking while on the tour.
The company’s guides consistently earn positive reviews for their knowledge not only of the area’s history and culture but also of their photography techniques.
Two companies lead excursions through Lower Antelope Canyon. The path inside the Lower Canyon can be quite narrow, which may be an issue for visitors uncomfortable with confined spaces. Because of the relatively rugged nature of the terrain, pregnant people and those with heart or joint problems might want to skip these excursions. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip.
Ken’s Tours – General Tour
Price: From $55
Duration: 1 hour
The General Tour offered by Ken’s Tours lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. Tours depart daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you’ll need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in.
For more information about Navajo culture, book the Deluxe Tour. You’ll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you’ll also visit the Hózhǫ́ Haz’ą́ Heritage Site and enjoy a meal. This tour costs approximately $135 per person. These tours depart five times daily (three in the morning and two in the afternoon). Guides are frequently described as informative and friendly and the scenery as unsurpassable.
Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours – Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour
Price: From $55
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
These hikes, which travelers say are led by knowledgeable and professional guides, usually last 60 to 90 minutes and cover about a mile. The walks depart from the company’s booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Exact departure times vary by season.
Dixie Ellis also offers daylong van tours that combine the Lower Antelope Canyon Tour with visits to the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley.
While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. Antelope Canyon X – which gets its name from the X-shaped formation at the top of the canyon – is located within Antelope Canyon, so it still features the same geologic features the Upper and Lower areas are known for, but its relative anonymity makes it less of a tourist magnet.
Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours – Hiking Tour
Price: From $55
Duration: 1.5 hours
Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours is the only operator running tours of Antelope Canyon X. It operates 1.5-hour small-group hikes through the canyon. Travelers rave about their visits to this site, and are particularly complimentary of the knowledgeable guides. Tours depart at multiple different times daily. Note that an additional $8 hiking permit is required for visitors ages 8 and older.
Photography enthusiasts can sign up for Taadidiin’s Photo Tour, which spends three hours in the canyon and permits participants to bring a tripod and a camera bag. Fees start at about $125 per person.
Tour operators offer full and multiday excursions from Las Vegas that include Antelope Canyon as well as national parks and other iconic attractions.
Bindlestiff Tours – 3-Day National Parks Tour
Price: From $875
Duration: 3 days
Depart Las Vegas for this three-day, two-night tour through Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and the Grand Canyon (where you’ll have the option to take a helicopter ride). The small-group tour also visits Monument Valley, with the option to add a Navajo-guided tour of Antelope Canyon.
Prices include transportation, some meals, a choice of camping or hotel accommodations at the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan, camping equipment and national park entrance fees. Children must be at least 5 years old to join the tour.
Recent travelers raved about this tour, noting that Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon were their favorite parts of the experience.
Coexist West Coast – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Price: From $259
Duration: 15 hours
Travelers have a choice between the Lower Canyon and Canyon X on this full-day tour from Las Vegas. Following your visit to Antelope Canyon – which is led by a certified Navajo guide – you’ll head to nearby Horseshoe Bend for a short hike and more stellar views. Recent travelers appreciate the small group size of these tours, as well as the friendly guides.
Tour prices include round-trip transportation from Las Vegas hotels, attraction entrance fees and water.
Antelope Canyon is roughly three hours from Sedona, making it a great day trip. Many tour operators offer transportation from both Sedona and nearby Flagstaff.
Great Venture Tours – Antelope Canyon Tour
Price: Adults from $279; kids from $259
Duration: 11.5 hours
This Antelope Canyon tour conveniently picks up from hotels in Sedona, Oak Creek Village and Flagstaff. In addition to a Navajo-guided trip through the Upper Canyon, it includes a stop at the historic Cameron Trading Post to shop for art and souvenirs, a visit to Glen Canyon Dam, and views of Lake Powell, among other highlights. Lunch at a sit-down restaurant is also included in the tour price.
Reviewers say the tour guides are exceptional, and because it’s a long trip, they appreciated that there were plenty of bathroom breaks and stops along the way.
Note that children must be at least 6 years old to participate in this tour.
Pink Adventure Tours – Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
Price: Adults from $283; kids from $263
Duration: 11 hours
Pink Adventure Tours, popular for its Jeep tours in Sedona, also offers day trips to Antelope Canyon. On the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour, travelers will visit the Lower Canyon, followed by a 1.5-mile hike to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook. This tour also includes lunch and a stop at Cameron Trading Post. Travelers highly recommend this tour, saying it exceeded their expectations.
