Know Before You Go: Visiting Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is divided into two main sections, with the upper and lower canyons intersected by Highway 98. The lower section, known by the Navajo name Hasdez twazi’, stretches south from Lake Powell to the highway. This part of the canyon is V-shaped—the walls are narrower at the bottom, so it can be a tight squeeze in some places. Getting down to the canyon floor (and back up again) requires navigating some steep stairs and ladders.

The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse’bighanilini, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” This section is shaped more like an A, with the walls tightening as they rise more than 600 feet (182 meters) above the stream bed, creating a classic “slot canyon.” The Upper Canyon tends to get much more crowded because of its beauty—and the fact that it’s a bit easier to access.

Insider tip: If you really want to escape the crowds, consider driving a bit farther to visit another, smaller section of the canyon. Both Antelope Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon offer very similar views with far fewer visitors—note that the latter is highly strenuous, and you’ll still need a guide to visit both.

The most amazing thing about Antelope Canyon is the way sunlight filters down over the narrow walls, giving the Navajo sandstone an otherworldly glow. The best time of day to see the effect is when the sun is directly overhead, from late morning to early afternoon. During the summer, this is also the hottest part of the day in the Arizona desert, so be prepared and bring water. Midday tours during the summer, particularly on weekends, are often the first to sell out.

In the early spring and late summer, there’s a risk of flash flooding in Antelope Canyon. Like all area slot canyons, it can fill with water that runs off faraway mesas, so even a storm that’s miles away could impact your visit. Keep an eye on weather forecasts if you’ll be at Antelope Canyon during those rainier times of the year.

Insider tip: Late spring can be an ideal time to visit when temperatures are relatively comfortable, and crowds are a bit thinner. A wintertime trip can also be stunning—especially if you want the place (at least mostly) to yourself—but dress warmly.

Antelope Canyon is just under 300 miles (482 kilometers) from Las Vegas. It takes between 4 and 5 hours to drive to Antelope Canyon from Sin City, which makes it challenging to do as a day trip. There are plenty of accommodations in nearby Page though—and more than enough other local sightseeing stops—to make an overnight stay worthwhile.

Insider tip: If you don’t want to take on the drive yourself, consider booking a tour. Multi-day tours typically take you from Las Vegas to some of the most beautiful spots in the Southwest, including Antelope Canyon.

The short answer is yes, you must book a guided tour to visit Antelope Canyon. To avoid damage and vandalism, the canyon was closed to the public in 1997. Now, tour operators and their customers are the only ones allowed inside. Your tour operator will drive you in a 4WD vehicle from a designated parking area to the canyon entrance. They’ll lead your group inside, tell you about the canyon's history and geology, and ensure you get great photos.

Insider tip: Several tour operators book trips to Antelope Canyon, but slots tend to fill up, especially in the busy summer months. Secure the tour you want by booking well in advance.

Dress appropriately for the time of year. In the summer, moisture-wicking fabrics keep you as cool as possible and protect your skin from the desert sun. Especially if you’ve booked a midday tour, bring a hat or sunglasses for the ride to the canyon entrance.

In cooler seasons, wool socks and a wool hat will ensure your head and feet stay warm, and dressing in layers can ensure you’re comfortable no matter how much the temperature swings.

No matter what time of year you visit, the most essential thing to wear to Antelope Canyon are the right shoes. Choose close-toed shoes with grippy soles. Think: hiking boots or trail sneakers. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, and if you’ve chosen to visit the lower canyon, there will be plenty of climbing, too.

Unfortunately, Antelope Canyon is not entirely accessible, particularly for users of wheelchairs or other wheeled devices. Specifically, Lower Antelope Canyon is entirely inaccessible to wheelchair users, as there are stairs which provide access to the canyon.

However, the Upper Canyon, known for its photogenic lighting, has some flatter and more shaded paths that older visitors, or those with mobility issues, may find more enjoyable and accessible. For wheelchair users, it may be possible to navigate the Upper Canyon using fatter, offroading wheels.

Keep in mind, too, that the floor of the canyon is sandy and can therefore be quite soft, damp, or tricky to navigate depending on the time of year and the weather conditions.

• How was Antelope Canyon formed? Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that formed over hundreds of thousands of years as water and wind slowly eroded the Navajo sandstone. The erosion process is still ongoing; Antelope Canyon could look completely different in a few hundred thousand years.

• Can you visit without a tour? No, Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo tribal land, and it’s not open to the public without a permit and a guide.

• What does an Antelope Canyon tour cost? Prices may vary among tour operators, but most 90-minute tours of Upper Antelope Canyon cost between $50 and $90 for adults. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon run between $40 and $80. All visitors to the Navajo Tribal Park must pay an $8 entry fee, which is typically built-in to the price of your tour.

• How far is Antelope Canyon from the Grand Canyon? Antelope Canyon is relatively close to Grand Canyon National Park, and it’s possible to visit both on the same day. The shortest drive is between Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon’s East Rim, one of the least-visited spots in the national park. You can also get from Antelope Canyon to the North Rim in about 2.5 hours or to the South Rim in about 3 hours. Be aware that many roads and trails on the North Rim close between December and April.