Upper Antelope Canyon at a glance
Upper Antelope Canyon is the section of Antelope Canyon that most photos show: tall, curving sandstone walls in orange and red, and in summer, bright shafts of sunlight that reach all the way to the sandy floor. The Navajo call it Tsé bighánílíní, the place where water runs through rocks.
Like every part of the canyon, it lies on Navajo Nation land and can only be visited on an Upper Antelope Canyon tour with an authorized Navajo guide. Tours check in either in Page or at the tribal park entrance on Highway 98, a few minutes east of town, and then drive you to the canyon mouth in open 4x4 trucks over a sandy wash.
When to see the light beams
The beams form when the sun stands high enough to shine straight down through the narrow openings above. That happens roughly from late March to early October, between about 11:00 am and 1:30 pm Arizona time, and only when the sky is clear. Guides often toss a handful of sand into the light to make the beams stand out in photos.
Outside that window, Upper Antelope Canyon is still beautiful, with soft, glowing light and fewer people, especially in winter. But if beams are the reason you are coming, book a tour that is in the canyon around midday. Operators sell these as their most expensive slots, and they disappear first, often weeks ahead in spring, summer and autumn.
Summer also means heat and, from July to mid-September, monsoon storms. Tours are cancelled when flash floods are possible, so keep a buffer day if you can. Our guide to the best time to visit Arizona has the month-by-month picture.
What the tour looks like
Most standard Upper Antelope Canyon tours follow the same pattern.
Check-in
Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early unless your confirmation says otherwise. Late arrivals usually forfeit the tour. The Navajo fee is paid here if your ticket does not include it.
Truck ride
A short, bumpy ride in an open 4x4 truck up the sandy wash to the canyon entrance. Bring sunglasses and something to cover your hair against the dust.
Through the canyon
The canyon floor is flat and sandy. Your guide stops at the best spots and shows you camera settings and the famous rock shapes.
The way out
Tours now run one way. At the far end you climb up and walk over the top, then descend well over 100 metal steps back to the trucks. Tell your operator about mobility limits when you book.
Our picks: Upper Antelope Canyon tours
A standard tour, a midday slot for the light beams and a 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.
Upper Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day trip
A long day from Las Vegas with a walking tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, the Horseshoe Bend overlook and a boxed lunch.
Check availability →Upper Antelope Canyon prime time tour
Slots around midday, when light beams are most likely. They reach the floor only from about spring to early autumn, so outside that season a standard tour is enough.
Check availability →Upper Antelope Canyon entry and guided tour
The usual way in: entry with a Navajo guide, choose your time slot when booking. The cheapest of the Upper Antelope tours here.
Check availability →Upper Antelope Canyon tours
Standard and midday tours of Upper Antelope Canyon, plus combos with Horseshoe Bend, with live prices and availability.
Prices and how to book an Upper Antelope Canyon tour
As of 2026, expect to pay about $100 to $150 per person including the $15 Navajo Parks & Recreation fee. Midday slots in beam season sit at the top of that range. Some operators quote the tour price without the fee and add tax and booking charges, so compare the final price, not the headline.
- Book early for midday. Some operators open dates only one to two months ahead, and midday slots go first.
- Check the cancellation terms. Booking platforms usually allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Operators themselves often do not refund missed or late check-ins.
- Mind the clock. Arizona stays on standard time all year, the Navajo Nation uses daylight saving time. Set your phone to Arizona (Phoenix) time and confirm which time your booking uses.
Not sure whether Upper is right for you? Our Antelope Canyon tours comparison puts Upper and Lower side by side.
Rules: bags, cameras and safety
- No bags: 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. Phones and handheld cameras are fine.
- Stay with your guide: groups move on a tight schedule because many tours share the canyon at once.
- Flash floods: storms many miles away can send water through the canyon. If the operator cancels for weather, accept it.
Photo tip: bring one camera with one lens and do not change lenses inside, because fine sand drifts through the air. Phones handle the contrast well. Skip the flash, it flattens the colours, and brace your arms against your body instead of relying on a tripod.
Combine it with
Upper Antelope Canyon takes half a morning. These sights are all within a short drive.
Upper Antelope Canyon: frequently asked questions
How much is an Upper Antelope Canyon tour?
About $100 to $150 per person including the $15 Navajo fee, as of 2026. Midday tours in light-beam season cost the most.
What time is best for Upper Antelope Canyon?
For light beams, a tour in the canyon between about 11:00 am and 1:30 pm Arizona time, from late March to early October. For fewer people and softer light, choose an early or late slot.
Is Upper Antelope Canyon accessible?
The canyon floor is flat, but there is no wheelchair access, and the one-way exit involves a climb and long flights of stairs. Discuss limits with the operator before booking.
Can I bring my camera?
Yes, a handheld camera or phone. Camera bags, tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are not allowed on standard tours.
Can I visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on the same day?
Yes. They are run by different operators on opposite sides of Highway 98, so book two tours and leave plenty of time between them, since each has its own check-in.