Antelope Canyon tours: how it works
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon on Navajo Nation land a few minutes east of Page, carved by flash floods into smooth, wave-shaped sandstone. It is one of the most photographed places in the American Southwest, and it is not a place you can simply walk into. Every visitor needs a booked tour with an authorized Navajo guide, so choosing between Antelope Canyon tours is the first step of any visit.
The two classic sections are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. They sit on opposite sides of Highway 98 and are run by different operators, which means one ticket never covers both. On top of the tour price, the Navajo Parks & Recreation fee of $15 per person applies. Some operators include it, others collect it at check-in, so read the small print before you compare prices.
Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon compared
Indicative 2026 prices per person including the Navajo fee. Exact prices depend on the operator, the season and the time slot.
| Upper Antelope Canyon | Lower Antelope Canyon | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $100–150, midday slots cost more | From about $75 on GetYourGuide |
| Light beams | Yes, roughly late March to early October around midday in sunshine | Rare, the canyon is known for glowing reflected light instead |
| Stairs and ladders | Flat canyon floor, but the one-way exit route climbs over the top and down long flights of stairs | Steep metal stairs in and out, narrow passages |
| Getting there | 4x4 truck ride from the check-in point to the canyon mouth | Short walk from the check-in point |
| Crowds | Busiest section, especially at midday | Busy, but groups spread out in the long, winding canyon |
| Best time | Late morning to early afternoon for beams, summer | Mid-morning to early afternoon, all year |
More detail in our guides to Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.
Our picks: Antelope Canyon tours
Three tours that cover the main ways to see the canyon: the two classic slot canyons from Page and a full day trip from Las Vegas.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day trip
A long day with pickup in Las Vegas, lunch and both icons near Page. A good option if you don't want to drive.
Check availability →Upper Antelope Canyon entry and guided tour
The wider, walk-in canyon known for its light beams. For the best chance of beams, pick a slot around midday from spring to early autumn.
Check availability →
Lower Antelope Canyon entry and Navajo-guided tour
The narrower, deeper canyon, reached by steel stairs. The Navajo permit fee is included. Bags are not allowed inside.
Check availability →Antelope Canyon tours
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours, Canyon X, kayak trips and combos with Horseshoe Bend, with live prices and availability.
Which Antelope Canyon tour should you book?
If you want the famous shafts of sunlight and you are travelling between spring and early autumn, book a midday tour of Upper Antelope Canyon and book it early. These slots are the most expensive and sell out first. If you care more about colour, shapes and a little adventure, Lower Antelope Canyon is usually cheaper, easier to get and, for many visitors, the more beautiful of the two.
- Families and anyone with knee problems: Upper has a flat floor inside, but check the exit route with your operator. Lower requires steep stairs.
- Photographers: Lower tends to feel less rushed. Upper delivers the light beams, but the narrow beam windows draw the biggest groups.
- Winter visitors: no beams in Upper, so Lower or one of the quieter canyons below is often the better value.
Many visitors combine the canyon with Horseshoe Bend, about ten minutes away, on the same morning. Our guide to things to do in Page helps you fill the rest of the day.
Other slot canyons near Page
Upper and Lower are not the only options. These alternatives are quieter, and all of them also require a guide or a booked tour.
Antelope Canyon X
A deeper section of the same canyon system east of Page, reached by a short drive and a walk down. Fewer people, no light beams. Photo-focused tours are sold as Canyon X.
Secret Antelope Canyon
A small-group tour near Horseshoe Bend on Navajo land, with red and orange walls similar to the famous sections and far fewer visitors.
Waterholes Canyon
Just off US-89 south of Page. Guided only, with sturdy ladders and some scrambling. You need moderate fitness.
By kayak or boat
From Lake Powell you can paddle into the flooded lower end of Antelope Canyon and walk up the dry wash. Check the current water level first.
Lake Powell guide →Booking tips and tour rules
- Book ahead. From March to November, popular slots sell out weeks in advance. Some operators only release dates one to two months ahead.
- Check in early. Most operators want you there 45 to 60 minutes before the tour. Late arrivals usually lose their spot without a refund.
- Leave the bag behind. Backpacks, handbags and camera bags are generally not allowed. Some operators accept clear bags. A water bottle is usually fine.
- No tripods. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are banned on standard tours.
- Watch the weather. Tours are cancelled when storms threaten, because rain far away can send a flash flood through the canyon. In 1997, a flash flood in Lower Antelope Canyon killed eleven visitors. From July to mid-September, monsoon storms make cancellations more likely.
The time zone trap
Arizona, including Page, does not use daylight saving time and stays on Mountain Standard Time all year. The Navajo Nation does use daylight saving time. From March to early November, your phone may jump an hour ahead as soon as it picks up a signal on Navajo land, and that is how people miss tours they paid for.
Set your phone to Arizona time (the Phoenix time zone) and confirm with your operator which time your booking uses. If you are also visiting Monument Valley or driving through Utah, check the time again on every leg. Our Arizona road trip guide covers the whole loop.
Antelope Canyon: frequently asked questions
Can you visit Antelope Canyon without a tour?
No. Antelope Canyon lies on Navajo Nation land and can only be entered on a booked tour with an authorized Navajo guide.
How much does an Antelope Canyon tour cost?
As of 2026, Upper Antelope Canyon costs roughly $100 to $150 per person including the $15 Navajo fee, with midday slots at the top end. Lower Antelope Canyon starts at about $75 on GetYourGuide.
Is Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon better?
Upper is best for light beams in summer and has a flat floor. Lower is usually cheaper, more varied and less hectic, but has steep stairs.
When can you see the light beams?
In Upper Antelope Canyon, roughly from late March to early October, around 11 am to 1:30 pm Arizona time, and only when the sun is out.
When is the best time of year to visit?
Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures. Summer brings the beams but also heat and monsoon storms. See our best time to visit Arizona guide.