Lower Antelope Canyon is a spectacular place filled with beauty and adventure. Once you climb down the ladder to enter the canyon, you feel like you’re in another world. As you walk in between the high sandstone walls, you notice a variety of vibrant colors and shapes. It’s as if the canyon is sharing a story, and each turn is a new page. Walking through Lower Antelope Canyon is an unforgettable experience.
Things to Know Before Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon
- Reservations are necessary in advance.
- Lower Antelope Canyon is located on private land within the Navajo Nation, and you need a guide to visit it. The guides are really knowledgeable and extremely helpful when it comes to taking pictures.
- To enter the canyon, you must book a tour. Kens Tours and Dixie Ellis provide great tours and services.
- When booking a tour, make sure you book the correct canyon. There are many slot canyons in the area and a few different “Antelope Canyons,” which makes it easy to mistakenly book the wrong tour.
- Tours are expensive. Lower Antelope tours cost approximately $40 – $60. I don’t generally pay that much money to take a tour, but in this case, it’s worth the price. (Prices are subject to change, please check the websites for current pricing.)
- The hike is short, but you still want to wear sunscreen and bring water! The desert gets hot, and you don’t want to become sunburnt or dehydrated.
- Wear hiking shoes. The terrain is sandy, and good shoes make a difference. In addition, entering and exiting the canyon requires walking up and down some steep ladders.
- Don’t forget your camera–and research the rules in advance. While taking pictures is allowed, setting up a tripod is only allowed on specific photo tours, and they usually cost more.
Upper Antelope Canyon VS Lower Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is one large drainage consisting of two main sections, the upper section and the lower section. Because different families own rights to the upper half and the lower half, separate tours are required. Although Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are technically the same canyon, each section provides a totally different experience.
In general, Upper Antelope Canyon is best known for being more photogenic, while Lower Antelope Canyon is known for feeling more adventurous. In addition, Upper Antelope Canyon is all on one level and has highly sought-after light rays, while Lower Antelope Canyon, requires you to climb up and down ladders and is much more narrow.
Directions
Lower Antelope Canyon is a short drive from Page, Arizona. Take Highway 89 from Page. Turn left on Highway 98 E, then take another left on Antelope Point Road. You will see a sign for the Upper Canyon on your right, but you will turn left for Lower Canyon.
Google Maps will bring you directly to the parking lot.
When Should You Visit Lower Antelope Canyon?
The canyon is open year-round. However, it will close if there is potential for a flash flood. I have explored the canyon during both winter and summer months, and both were great. The winter has fewer crowds, while the summer sun promises bright lighting. The canyon is magnificent any season, so go when you have the time available.
If you get the chance to visit, take it! Seeing one of Mother Nature’s greatest masterpieces up close and personal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The beautiful slot canyon walls will leave an impression on you that you will never forget.
More Places to Explore in the Area
There are many nearby hikes and attractions in the area you don’t want to miss. After seeing Antelope Canyon, consider checking out one of the following:
- Antelope Canyon Via Lake Powell: Kayaking through Antelope Canyon offers a unique perspective of the iconic slot canyon from Lake Powell. The distance covered during a typical kayaking trip through Antelope Canyon is around 5 miles round trip. The end of the canyon provides a hiking trail through the slot canyon that is typically 2 miles round trip.
- Antelope Point Marina: Antelope Point Marina serves as a gateway to the breathtaking beauty of Lake Powell and its surrounding landscapes. This marina provides various services and amenities for boaters and visitors, including boat rentals, tours, dining options, and docking and launching watercraft facilities.
- Glen Canyon Dam & Visitor Center: The Glen Canyon Dam is a massive concrete arch dam that spans the Colorado River, forming Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. The Carl Hayden Visitor Center, situated near the dam, offers exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs about the dam’s construction, the ecology of the Colorado River Basin, and the cultural significance of the region’s Native American tribes.
- Glen Canyon Dam Overlook: The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook is located in Page, Arizona. It gives visitors a stunning panoramic view of the Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River, and the surrounding desert landscape. The walk from the parking area to the viewpoint is less than half a mile round trip.
- Hanging Gardens: The Hanging Gardens near Page, Arizona, offer a serene hiking experience amidst the desert landscape. This moderate trail takes hikers to lush pockets of greenery tucked away in unexpected places. The trail is easy-moderate, and the distance typically ranges from around 1 to 2 miles round trip.
- Horseshoe Bend: Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona, is a relatively short and easy hike offering spectacular views of the iconic horseshoe-shaped bend in the Colorado River. The trail is approximately 1.3 miles round trip and is considered to be moderate due to some sandy sections.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Always remember to do your part to keep the area beautiful by packing out everything you pack in and not changing the landscape. Respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring Lower Antelope Canyon!
Pingback: Antelope Canyon Lake Powell: Kayak to the Canyon and Hike Up It