Are you road tripping in the Southwest? Are you planning a visit to the world-class state and national parks in Arizona?
Good choices! There is just so much beauty to take in, incredible sights to behold, and endless outdoor adventures to be had in this precious region of the United States.
Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona
In Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is home to the Najavo Natives and sees four million visitors annually. In the last decade, the area has seen an unprecedented number of tourists who want glamour shots of picturesque slot canyons in the United States. The American Southwest is a hotbed for those destinations.
People dream of the towering canyon walls, taking that winning pic at Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River, and witnessing the magic of Northern Arizona.
Where is The Famous Slot Canyon?
Located two hours from Flagstaff and around five hours from both Las Vegas and Phoenix, Antelope Canyon on the northeastern edge of the Grand Canyon, and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument near Lake Powell and the southern border of Utah.
You have to purchase a hard-to-get guided tour with a tour guide from a vetted tour operator to see the sites yourself.
How Was the Canyon Created?
https://www.instagram.com/p/COJfhz8s4kP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon were carved by water over millions of years. The canyon walls reach 120 feet above the canyon bed, while the canyon on its own stands around 3,700 feet above sea level. Herds of pronghorn antelope used to live in these canyons, leading the way to the name.
Navajo Nation Parks
RELATED: Native American History Lives at Mesa Verde National Park
It is imperative to state that these sacred lands are an integral part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Strict rules accompany a trip to their lands. You must be led by an official tour guide, choose either the Upper or Lower Canyon, and limit your visit to two hours.
The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation manage all Navajo Tribal Parks on the Navajo Nation Reservation, which spans 25,000 miles and covers over four states: New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. The land is primarily private. All outsiders who visit MUST adhere to the local laws and regulations set in place by the landowners.
The Navajo mission for their generous parks is to "protect, preserve and manage tribal parks, monuments and recreation areas for the perpetual enjoyment and benefit of the Navajo Nation." This includes the precious slot canyons, the incredible rock formations, the buttes, landscapes, wildlife, plants, and air.
Antelope Canyon Tours
To observe the natural wonder of the light beams cascading between the sandstone walls on this ancient Navajo land, you must book one of the offered tours of Antelope Canyon. You can choose from a wide variety of different tour companies that offer tours, or you can take a Navajo tour. We recommend this option because it directly supports the tribe.
The Upper Canyon tours tend to be busier as the land is more accessible to all adventurers. Even if you are packed like sardines in a tiny canyon with 100 Iphones fighting for their Instagram shot, everyone who visits the canyon says it was 100% worth it. Sightseers come from all around the world to take photo tours of the one-of-a-kind landscape found here.
Antelope Slot Canyon Tour Companies
Tour companies, including the Navajo Tours, usually cost an average of $60 for a 90-minute sightseeing tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon. The Lower Canyon tours tend to be shorter and chose slightly less. The Upper Canyon tour companies Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, Antelope Canyon Tours, and Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. The Lower Canyon tours include Ken's Tours and Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Canyon Tours.
For a unique helicopter tour, contact ABEARCO, Inc. Other nearby canyons you can tour are Canyon-X and Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (also known as Secret Canyon). Check-in on the Antelope Canyon Tour Operators page to discover details on booking, prices, and the complete list of operators.
Other Nearby Attractions
- Monument Valley
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Sedona
Have you visited Antelope Canyon? Share your trip on our Wide Open Roads Facebook!
