Antelope Canyon
Tsé bighánílíní
A slot canyon on the Navajo Reservation, where floods have polished the sandstone into flowing waves. Sunbeams fall onto the canyon floor at midday, making it one of the most photogenic spots in the world.
Antelope Canyon lies about 10 km east of the town of Page, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation reservation. It is a slot canyon carved into Navajo sandstone by seasonal flash floods, divided into an Upper and a Lower section. Upper Antelope Canyon, whose Navajo name means 'where water flows through rock,' has a flat floor and walls about 40 m high that are only a few meters apart. Light enters through gaps at the top, and from late March to early October, around midday, it forms the famous light beams. The orange-red walls look like flowing silk, and it suits all ages. Lower Antelope Canyon, known as the 'spiral rock arch,' requires climbing several metal ladders down to the floor. Its space is narrower, its light more even, and its rock layers richer. Lines are shorter and prices slightly lower, but it is not suitable for people with limited mobility. Both sections must be visited with a Navajo guide, and you cannot enter on your own. Tours last about 60 to 90 minutes. Upper Antelope Canyon costs about 90 to 120 US dollars per adult, with the Prime Time light-beam slots costing more, and Lower Antelope Canyon costs about 60 to 90 US dollars. Prices include the reservation entry fee. Bookings must be made several weeks in advance through the websites of authorized operators such as Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, Ken's Tours, and Dixie Ellis. In peak season, tickets sell out 1 to 2 months ahead. Photography tips: the canyon is dim, so use night mode on your phone or a high ISO. Guides point out classic camera positions and help adjust settings. Tripods and backpacks are not allowed in most cases. On windy days, sand blowing down from the top can create a 'sand curtain.' Nearby sights include Horseshoe Bend (15 minutes' drive), Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Alstrom Point (4WD required). Many visitors combine them with the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (2.5 hours' drive) and Zion (2 hours) on a big loop, and Page has several chain hotels. Notes: the Navajo Nation reservation around Page observes daylight saving time, which may be one hour different from the rest of Arizona, so follow the time stated by the operator when booking. During the rainy season from July to September, rain falling far away can cause flash floods in the canyon, and guides may cancel tours at short notice with a refund. It is cooler inside the canyon than outside, but the queue is exposed to the sun in summer, so bring water and a hat.
Opening hours
Tours approx. 08:00–17:00 (varies by season and operator; reservation required)
Nearby sights
- Antelope Canyon X
- John Wesley Powell Museum
- Antelope Point Marina & Antelope Canyon Kayak
- Water Holes Canyon
- Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
- Hanging Garden Trail
- Glen Canyon Dam & Carl Hayden Visitor Center
- Horseshoe Bend