In the northeast corner of Arizona, near the small town of Page, lies a natural wonder that everyone should visit at least once: Upper Antelope Canyon. This otherworldly and breathtaking site perfectly encapsulates the beauty of the American Southwest, a crown jewel of the Arizonan desert. Like its sister canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon: The Hidden Jewel of Arizona., Upper Antelope Canyon deserves recognition and praise. Over centuries, natural forces such as flash floods during monsoon season, wind, sand, and iron oxides have sculpted this stunning landscape. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon, Tsé bighánílíní, translates to “the place where water runs through the rocks,” reflecting its rich geological history and cultural significance.
Although beautiful, truthfully… I did not find it as mesmerizing as Lower Antelope Canyon. However, I believe this to be likely heavily influenced by the fact that I’ve already witnessed Lower Antelope Canyon, plus the weather during our visit. When we visited Lower Antelope Canyon, the sun shone brightly, perfectly highlighting the canyon’s stunning red, yellow, and orange rock formations. In contrast, our visit to Upper Antelope Canyon was marked by overcast skies, which somewhat muted the vibrant colors due to the lack of direct sunlight. Despite this, my two friends, who had never visited Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, found Upper Antelope Canyon to be the highlight of their recent trip to Arizona. So, take it for what it’s worth. Both canyons offer incredible experiences, and your favorite may depend on various factors, including the weather and your perspective.
Interestingly enough, according to the website Visit Arizona, most visitors to the Page area choose to hike through Upper Antelope Canyon due to its higher canyon walls and easier accessibility. The entrance and exit of Upper Antelope Canyon are at ground level, making it more accessible than Lower Antelope Canyon, which requires climbing down a ladder to enter and up to exit. Additionally, the entirety of Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level, making it more accommodating for those with physical limitations. No climbing is required except for a slight uphill walk on a ramp at the canyon’s end that leads back to the van. Another reason for its popularity is that visitors are driven to the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon, whereas reaching the entrance of Lower Antelope Canyon involves a short walk, which can be a real chore in the summer heat.
Discovered in 1931 by 12-year-old Navajo Suzie Tsosie while she was herding sheep between Manson Mesa and Kaibeto, Upper Antelope Canyon has been accessible by tour since 1983 through the Pearl Begay family. In 1997, the Navajo Tribe officially designated it as a Navajo Tribal Park. Despite this designation, it remains privately owned and operated by the Begay family, with all guides being members of the Navajo tribe. Only six tour companies have permits to visit and tour both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon – four for Lower Antelope and two for Upper Antelope.
For Upper Antelope:
- Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours
- Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
- Antelope Canyon Tours
- Antelope Slot Canyon Tours
For Lower Antelope:
- Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
- Ken’s Tours
You must book a tour with one of these six companies to be permitted to enter. We chose Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours.
All in all, we were very satisfied with our choice. The only slightly confusing part was the location of Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. Their business is about 2 miles down Highway 98, away from the other tour companies and the dirt road leading to Upper Antelope Canyon. We mistakenly entered “Upper Antelope Canyon” into the Maps app, which took us to the main area. While standing in line, we realized no signs mentioned Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. A friendly couple informed us they had made the same mistake and that the correct location was further up the road. So, don’t be like us! Enter the exact address into your Maps: Highway 98 Road & Milepost 302, Page, AZ 86040.
Open daily from 9am to 5pm, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers multiple tour times: 9am, 11:05am, 1:10pm, and 3:15pm. Each tour lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes and is considered “moderate difficulty.” Prices vary and are listed on their website as follows:
- Primetime Adult (13+) and Child (8-12): $119
- Regular Adult and Child (8-12): $108
- Afternoon Adult and Child (8-12): $92
According to their website, “Prime Times have the most sunlight possible in the canyon regardless of weather. Regular Times are the same tour without direct sunlight, which lessens the illumination of the canyon.” So, if you want the best photos, be prepared to pay a premium. Note that children under 8 are not allowed on any tour. Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended but not required. You may bring water into the canyon, but no other liquids are allowed. Cameras are welcome, but bags are not permitted, so be sure to leave your purse, fanny pack, or backpack in the car.
We chose the 1:10 pm tour, which was listed at $119 per person but came to $137.60 each due to additional fees and taxes. These included a $6.48 Navajo Nation Tax, an $8.00 Navajo Permit Fee, and a $6.12 Non-Refundable Surcharge. We also opted for the $9 Trip Protection Upgrade per person, just in case. In total, for three people, the cost was $437.57. The cost of experiencing this natural wonder is somewhat steep, but given the limited options available, visitors are often left with little choice but to pay the price, with all tours priced at approximately the same rate.
Regarding their cancellation policy, if you cancel your tour 72 hours or more before the scheduled time, you will receive a 94% refund. Cancellations made between 24 and 72 hours before the tour will be refunded at 50%. Cancellations within 24 hours will not be refunded. While Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours operates “rain or shine,” if THEY must cancel due to monsoon activity or any other reason, you will receive a full refund.
It’s also important to note that while the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Saving Time, Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours does NOT. We were unaware of this, so when we thought we were arriving at 12pm, it was 11am. Given the tour’s requirement to arrive at least 30 minutes prior, we had to choose between waiting in the car for 1.5 hours or driving into Page for some shopping. We opted for the latter. This is something to remember when planning your visit to avoid any timing mishaps.
As for the tour of Upper Antelope Canyon itself, it was splendid. It begins with a rather bumpy drive in a small tour van down a dried riverbed. While not super comfortable, it’s not the worst drive I’ve encountered in my travels (that honor goes to St. Lucia…). As mentioned, the entrance to the canyon is at ground level, allowing you to walk right in. You are immediately greeted by towering canyon walls that envelop you from all sides. The ground is sandy but very walkable and easy to traverse. I don’t recommend sandals, not because it’s difficult to walk, but because your feet will get dirty. Since you must go with a certified Navajo guide, they stay with you throughout the tour, offering valuable insights into the canyon’s formation and history, including its discovery. They also answer any questions you may have, point out various named rock formations, and offer to take pictures of you or your group. We had a wonderful guide whose knowledge and assistance we greatly appreciated.
Overall, while I enjoyed Lower Antelope Canyon slightly more, this was primarily due to the weather during our visit, which did not allow the sunshine to stream into Upper Antelope Canyon as much and highlight its amazing colors. The vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows often seen in photos of both canyons are directly due to sunlight. Regardless, Upper Antelope Canyon was still a magnificent and mesmerizing experience and I was thrilled to share it with my Midwestern friends (there’s nothing like this in the Midwest!). Antelope Canyon is one of the few natural wonders embodying the beauty of the Southwest, alongside iconic sites like the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Sedona, Zion, and Monument Valley. If you love the Southwest and find yourself in the Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Four Corners region, booking a tour of either Upper (or Lower) Antelope Canyon is an absolute must. In fact, if you have the time, I suggest visiting both!
