Lower Antelope Canyon at a glance
Lower Antelope Canyon lies just across Highway 98 from Upper Antelope Canyon, a few minutes east of Page. The Navajo name, Hazdistazí, means spiral rock arches, and that is exactly what you walk through: a long, twisting crack in the sandstone where reflected sunlight turns the walls orange, pink and violet.
Unlike Upper, you do not ride a truck to get there. You walk from the check-in building across the sandstone, then climb down into the slot on steep metal stairs. As everywhere in Antelope Canyon, a Lower Antelope Canyon tour with an authorized Navajo guide is the only way in. Two operators run tours here, each with its own check-in and its own time slots.
Stairs, ladders and fitness
The stairs are what most people ask about. Getting into Lower Antelope Canyon means descending several flights of steep, ladder-like metal stairs with handrails. Inside, the floor is mostly sandy and walkable, but some passages are so narrow that you turn sideways, and there are further short stair sections along the way. At the end you climb out through a narrow opening in the rock.
Most visitors of average fitness manage it without trouble, and operators describe the standard tour as suitable for all ages. It is not suitable for wheelchairs, and it can feel tight if you are claustrophobic. If you have knee or balance problems, tell the operator when you book. Upper Antelope Canyon has a flat floor inside, although its one-way exit also involves stairs.
Lower vs Upper Antelope Canyon
Indicative 2026 prices per person. The full comparison is in our Antelope Canyon tours guide.
| Lower | Upper | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From about $75 | About $100–150 incl. Navajo fee |
| Access | Walk from check-in, stairs down | 4x4 truck ride, flat floor, stairs on the exit |
| Light | Glowing reflected light, beams rare | Light beams around midday, late March to early October |
| Feel | Narrow, winding, more adventurous | Wide at the bottom, cathedral-like, busiest |
Getting there and choosing an operator
Lower Antelope Canyon is reached via Indian Route 222, a short side road off Highway 98 a few minutes east of Page, opposite the turn-off for Upper Antelope Canyon. The two operators each have their own parking area, check-in building and booking system. Make sure you drive to the one named on your ticket, because a booking with one is not valid with the other.
Prices differ less than you might think. What changes is how they are presented: some listings include the $15 Navajo fee, taxes and booking charges, others add them later. Compare the final amount. Beyond that, look at the tour length, the group size and the cancellation terms. Booking platforms usually allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before, while operators often keep the money if you miss your check-in.
Photographers should bring one camera body and one lens. Fine sand drifts through the canyon, and changing lenses inside is asking for trouble. A phone does surprisingly well here.
Our picks: Lower Antelope Canyon tours
Two tours from Page, one of them in the midday slots, and a small-group 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.
Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
A small-group day trip from Las Vegas with lunch, Lower Antelope Canyon and the Horseshoe Bend overlook.
Check availability →Lower Antelope Canyon tour with Navajo guide
A guided walk through the narrow canyon, with steel stairs on the way down and out. Leave bags in the car.
Check availability →Lower Antelope Canyon prime time tour
The same canyon in the midday slots, when the most light reaches the narrow passages. These times sell out first in spring and summer.
Check availability →Lower Antelope Canyon tours
Lower Antelope Canyon tours, combos with Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend and day trips from Las Vegas, with live prices and availability.
Best time for a Lower Antelope Canyon tour
Lower Antelope Canyon looks good all year. The colours are strongest when the sun is high, roughly from mid-morning to early afternoon, because that is when the most light bounces down into the slot. Early and late tours are dimmer and cooler in tone, but usually less crowded.
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons and also the busiest, so book a few weeks ahead from March to November. In summer, the heat on the walk to the entrance is intense around midday, and from July to mid-September monsoon storms can cancel tours at short notice. Winter brings the lowest prices and the thinnest crowds. See our best time to visit Arizona guide for details.
Rules and practical tips
These apply to almost every Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
Check-in
Be there 45 to 60 minutes before the tour unless your confirmation says otherwise. If the $15 Navajo fee is not included in your ticket, you pay it here.
Bags and gear
No backpacks, handbags or camera bags. Some operators allow clear bags. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are banned. A water bottle is usually fine.
Time zone
Arizona has no daylight saving time, the Navajo Nation does. Set your phone to Arizona (Phoenix) time and check which time your booking uses.
Flash floods
In 1997, a flash flood in Lower Antelope Canyon killed eleven visitors. Tours are cancelled when storms threaten, even if the sky above Page is clear.
Nearby
Make a full day of it around Page.
Upper Antelope Canyon
The famous light beams, across the highway. Book a midday slot in summer.
Horseshoe Bend
A short walk to the river bend 1,000 feet below. About ten minutes from the canyon.
Things to do in Page
The dam, short hikes, river trips and the best base for the canyons.
Lower Antelope Canyon: frequently asked questions
How much is a Lower Antelope Canyon tour?
On GetYourGuide, tours start at about $75 per person as of 2026. Check whether the $15 Navajo fee is included.
How hard are the stairs in Lower Antelope Canyon?
They are steep, ladder-like metal stairs with handrails. Most people manage them easily, but they are not suitable for wheelchairs, and people with knee or balance problems should check with the operator.
How long is the tour?
A standard tour takes about one hour. At least one operator also offers a longer deluxe tour of about 75 to 90 minutes.
Is Lower Antelope Canyon better than Upper?
Many visitors think so. It is cheaper, more varied and feels less rushed. Upper is the choice if summer light beams are your priority.
Can kids do the Lower Antelope Canyon tour?
Yes, children who can climb stairs on their own usually manage well. Rules for infants and baby carriers differ by operator, so check before booking.