7 essential tips for your family's trip to Antelope Canyon

The U.S. boasts countless national parks, each offering unique landscapes and reasons to explore. Antelope Canyon, located near Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Arizona, is one of my top picks.

You may have come across stunning images of the canyon on social media, but they hardly capture its true beauty. It's a fantastic family destination. Here are some key tips for your visit to Antelope Canyon.

A guide is required to access the canyon

To safeguard the land, which holds spiritual significance for the Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon has been closed to the public without a guide since 1997. Access is only permitted through an authorized tour company by Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation.

We opted for Ken's Tours due to their convenient schedule. Our guide, a Navajo Nation member, was well-versed in the canyon's history and the surrounding area. It was a memorable experience that I'm thankful to have shared with my family.

Antelope Canyon is stunningly beautiful. It's no surprise that visitors come from far and wide for photographs. Our guide not only shared the canyon's significance to the Navajo Nation but also helped us capture amazing pictures to cherish.

Understand the differences between the canyons

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are actually several miles apart, with the most notable distinction being the iconic light beam photos that can be taken in the upper canyon.

Accessing Lower Antelope Canyon requires navigating steep stairs on both sides.

Due to its reduced accessibility (and arguably less picturesque views), Lower Antelope Canyon is also more affordable to visit. Our tour for the lower canyon cost $40 per adult, not including a 6% Navajo tax and a $32 permit fee for our group.

Upper Antelope Canyon tours begin at $70 for adults and $60 for children aged 12 and under. For our family of four adults and one toddler, we spent $212.40. Had we opted for the Upper Canyon, our total would have exceeded $350.

Photo tours at Upper Antelope Canyon are particularly sought after, starting at $150 per person.

As I mentioned, entering Lower Antelope Canyon involves a steep staircase, followed by a slightly less steep one to exit. If you're traveling with someone who has mobility challenges or prefers to avoid heights, consider visiting Upper Antelope Canyon, which is wheelchair-accessible.

Visiting the Lower Canyon with an infant or toddler can be tricky due to the stairs. Fortunately, my husband carried our 14-month-old son down, which put my mind at ease. Using a baby carrier is another option. Older children should manage the stairs with adult help.

Comparable canyons

Given the high demand for Antelope Canyon tours, you might struggle to find available slots. However, nearby slot canyons like Canyon X and Secret Canyon are now accessible to the public, offering similar experiences with fewer crowds. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours is an authorized Navajo operator providing both private slot canyon tours and exclusive overlooks at Horseshoe Bend.

Accommodations

Antelope Canyon is situated in Page, Arizona, just over the Utah border, approximately a four-hour drive from Phoenix. If you prefer flying, the nearest airports are in Flagstaff, Arizona—about two hours from Page—and in Page itself, with direct flights available from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) via Contour Airlines, which offers one daily flight starting at $89 one-way.

We spent one night at the Courtyard Page at Lake Powell as part of a larger road trip across Arizona. This Marriott Category 5 property costs 30,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night on off-peak dates or $126. Additionally, a new Home2Suites, a Hilton brand, starts at 21,000 Honors points per night, depending on the dates.

What to bring

The area above the canyon can be quite windy, with sand blowing into your eyes and mouth. Be sure to pack sunglasses and a scarf or mask to shield your face. The wind carries into the canyon, so a light jacket could enhance your comfort. Additionally, since Antelope Canyon is on tribal land, a COVID-19 mask mandate remains in effect for all visitors and residents of the Navajo Nation.

Optimal visiting times

Antelope Canyon is nestled in the Arizona desert, where summer weather can be less than ideal. The optimal times to visit are in spring or fall. Although average temperatures hover in the mid-80s during these seasons, it's much more pleasant than the scorching triple-digit highs of summer.

Winter also offers a great opportunity to explore the canyon, as there are fewer visitors. However, temperatures can range from 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, which might be less inviting for some travelers.

Tours of Antelope Canyon typically last between one to three hours, depending on the specific tour and canyon you choose. During our visit, tours ran every 30 minutes, allowing each group to progress far enough into the canyon without delaying the next group.

Additional activities

If you love water activities, there are plenty of options in the Page/Lake Powell area. Just keep in mind that these activities are seasonal, as the region can experience freezing temperatures in winter. Kayaking is particularly popular, and you can reach parts of Antelope Canyon from the water via Lake Powell.

Horseshoe Bend is a breathtaking spot that's extremely popular on Instagram. You can park and walk to the rim to enjoy stunning views of the Colorado River as it snakes around the sandstone cliffs. But how about kayaking around it instead? Kayak Horseshoe Bend offers visitors this unique experience, with jaw-dropping views. Open from March to October for kayak and paddleboard rentals, it's an excellent day trip from Page. Their office is located in Marble Canyon (Lee's Ferry), roughly 38 miles from downtown Page. Lee's Ferry also serves as the launching point for many Grand Canyon river rafting adventures.

If you prefer flying, consider a helicopter tour departing from Page Airport. Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines, which has been operating for over 90 years, offers aerial tours to Tower Butte, the Grand Canyon, and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.

Explore additional parks during your journey

Our travels included a visit to the Grand Canyon, located just over a two-hour drive from Antelope Canyon and Page. Spanning from the shores of Lake Powell to Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service. You can also find various guided tours available in this area.

Zion National Park is just a two-hour drive west across the Utah border, while Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located two hours east in Arizona.

Conclusion

Antelope Canyon is a breathtaking destination and an excellent option for your next family vacation. You'll leave with incredible family photos to cherish forever, along with the chance to immerse yourself in the Native American history of the U.S. through a guided experience by an authorized Navajo Parks and Recreation guide.

Upper Antelope Canyon is ideal for those with mobility concerns, as it is wheelchair-accessible. However, it tends to be more expensive due to the potentially better photographic opportunities. Lower Antelope Canyon offers a more budget-friendly option and, in my view, is equally breathtaking, though keep in mind the steep stairs before you book.

Regardless of which canyon you decide to explore, you and your family are bound to create unforgettable memories.