1. Guided Tours are Mandatory
Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo territory, meaning you need a Navajo guide to visit. Most of the tours will includ the required $8 permit, as well.
Check out the Navajo Nation website to see official tour operators to pick which is best for you.
Tours cost between $40-$90 depending on the type of tour, whether you visit the Upper or Lower canyon, and the time of day. Your guide will explain the history of the formations while also showing you the best picture spots. They know you’ll want plenty of pictures and they’ll help you get the perfect shots.
You will most likely meet at a dedicated spot in Page and the tour guides will take you out to the Canyon in a car. Get ready for a sandy and bumpy ride!
2. Upper or Lower Canyon?
There are two areas of the canyon open to explore. I visited the Upper Canyon, but both are beautiful. Pick whichever makes the most sense for you, or if you have the time, do both!
Upper Canyon: more popular entrance to the canyon and is ground level – easy to walk through.
Lower Canyon: be ready to go up and down steps and ladders!
3. How to Get There
Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona. This is northern Arizona, close to the border with Utah. Nearby you will also see the amazing Horseshoe Bend.
Page has a small airport (like really, really small). The entire airport is one room that shares the space with various car rental and tourism stands. Behind a glass barrier in the far corner is where you wait for your flight after security. The flight to Phoenix takes one hour on a very nice, but very small, plane.
Tip: Make sure to look out the window on your flight — you’ll pass over the Grand Canyon! Remember this when picking your seat!
You can also drive to Page. It’s about 4.5 hours from Phoenix. I would recommend staying in Page for the night to get the most out of your day.
4. Where to Stay
Page doesn’t have a ton going on, but you’re there for the nature, not the town! There are several hotels, and you can always check out Airbnb or Vrbo for more options. We stayed at the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. I’d recommend searching on booking.com or using your loyalty programs since many are chain hotels. For the most part, these are standard cookie-cutter hotels and you can’t go wrong.
5. When to Go
The most popular time to visit is midday between March and October. Why? The sunlight. Antelope Canyon won’t glow the same way in the dark.
That being said, Antelope Canyon is open all year! I visited in early December and it was absolutely glorious. However, the sun did move while we were in the canyon. Luckily, we were able to catch those picturesque views before it was too late.
The Canyon will also close due to weather. Flash foods are a real problem and incredibly dangerous. While not common, keep this in mind during your visit. Safety first, after all.
The takeaway here? Plan around the light.
6. What to Bring
Good walking shoes are a must for most Arizona outdoor activities! I got a warm pair of hiking boots from TJ Maxx that were perfect for me. I’m not a huge hiker, so these $30 shoes were the perfect price point for my needs.
Bring layers! Did you know it gets cold in Arizona? Please don’t laugh at me, but I was honestly surprised. As a Jersey girl, I always thought of heat and sunshine when I thought of Arizona. Luckily, I checked the weather before packing because it was cold! It actually snowed at the Grand Canyon. Moral of the story here, check the weather and wear layers.
Sunscreen (always, everyday as a rule, and especially out in the wild) and sunglasses! There is a lot of sand in the Canyon and a slight breeze will absolutely get some sand in your eyes. If you wear contacts, maybe use glasses that day instead.
Finally, bring a bottle of water, especially during warmer weather. Just remember to bring it back with you. They enforce a Leave No Trace policy and there are no garbage cans.
What not to bring to Antelope Canyon: bags, snacks, tripods… basically anything you aren’t wearing plus the one bottle of water.
And that, my friends, is all you need to know!! Now get out there and make some memories.