Antelope Canyon: Is It Worth the Visit and What You Need to Know Before You Go 🏜️
Antelope Canyon was one of the places I really wanted to see on our American road trip.
We chose Lower Antelope Canyon, the one you have to descend down the stairs to get to.
The canyon is located on Navajo territory, and you can't just drive there and explore on your own. You can only get there on a guided tour through an authorized tour operator.
The tours are only conducted by Navajo Indians.
And I completely didn't expect how close everything I saw there would be to me: the people themselves, the faces, the ornaments, the jewelry in the small shop...
I felt an incredible kinship with this culture. For me, it was a truly unique experience.
Lower Antelope is located very close to the town of Page, Arizona. We specifically drove there the day before, spent the night, and went on a tour in the morning.
We had one of the early slots, around 9-9:30 AM.
First, you descend down metal stairs, and then you walk directly inside the canyon.
I've read that the Lower Canyon is considered a bit more physically challenging because of the stairs and narrow passages.
But for me personally, there was nothing challenging at all.
The stairs are quite comfortable, and it's comfortable to walk inside, with no direct sunlight. Yes, the passages are quite narrow in places, but if you have at least some physical fitness, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
But for people who have difficulty walking up stairs or are afraid of small spaces, Upper Antelope Canyon might be worth a look.
And inside, it's simply WOW 😍
You walk between these undulating walls and realize that all the stripes, curves, and shapes around you were created by water over hundreds and thousands of years.
Some places the walls are orange, others red. The light is constantly changing, and with it, the canyon itself.
You want to explore literally every curve.
I didn't even notice the tour was over.
And all this beauty is created by water.
Powerful streams of water can still flow through the canyon during flash floods. And there might not even be any rain right above you: the water can come after a heavy downpour several kilometers away.
It's these streams that gradually formed all these incredible walls.
The rainy season in Northern Arizona usually runs from mid-June to late September, with July and August being the most active period.
We were there in August 😅
If there's a threat of flash flooding, the tour may be canceled.
How much does Lower Antelope Canyon cost?
We went in 2025, and unfortunately, I couldn't find my old reservation, so I don't remember our price.
I checked the current price:
Ken's Tours currently offers a standard tour of Lower Antelope Canyon starting at around $80 per person, including taxes and fees.
A standard tour lasts about an hour. Longer options are also available. During peak season, it's best to purchase tickets in advance.
And another tricky thing about time ⏰
Page is located very close to the Utah border, so your phone may automatically switch to a different time.
Tour operators even specifically warn you to use Arizona time, and recommend manually setting your phone to Phoenix, Arizona.
It would be a shame to arrive at the canyon and miss your tour because of the clock on your phone 🙈
Is it worth the trip?
For me, it definitely is ❤️
And it's not just the canyon itself that I remember.
Navajo territory, the people, a completely different culture, and then you descend and find yourself between these undulating red-orange walls...
I would definitely include Antelope Canyon on our itinerary if I were planning it all over again.
#AntelopeCanyon #AntelopeCanyon #Arizona #USA #America #roadtrip