Antelope Canyon was undoubtedly one of the highlights and most beautiful places we visited on our Route 66 road trip. The stunning canyons with their smooth, flowing red walls were truly unforgettable.
Located in Page, Arizona, near the Utah border, Antelope Canyon can only be explored on guided tours due to its location on Navajo tribal lands, which require permission for visitation.
Tickets and Upper or Lower Canyon
Antelope Canyon consists of two separate sections: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, each with its own unique shape. Upper Canyon is shaped like an A, wider at the bottom and therefore easier to navigate. Lower Canyon is shaped like a V, narrower at the bottom and slightly more constricted. Separate tours are conducted for each of these canyons.
It’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance as the site is extremely popular and tickets may not be available on-site. We hadn’t planned for this, but luckily, we were fortunate to secure same-day tickets.
We purchased our tickets from Antelope Canyon Tours – by Carolene Ekis and drove to the site in our own car. Apparently, shuttle services are available from the ticket office, but we opted to drive ourselves, and there was plenty of free parking available upon arrival.
Although we were traveling by rental car, Page is also accessible by bus from nearby cities, making it possible to visit without a car, and the transportation services offered by tour operators can be especially helpful in such cases.
Check different tours and book your own easily via Get Your Guide
Towards another world
At the parking area, there was a check-in point where tours departed. Restrooms were also available here, which was a pleasant surprise. It’s important to remember to bring water, as the canyon can be very hot and dry.
Of the two canyons, Upper Antelope Canyon is more popular and easier to navigate, but we chose Lower Antelope Canyon, and oh boy, were we more than satisfied with our choice!
The tour begins with a short walk to the canyon, followed by a descent down stairs toward the canyon floor. Here, the landscape changes dramatically as you descend from the flat, dry desert surface into the beautifully sculpted canyon, where light casts lovely shadows and reflections on the walls. It’s like stepping into another world.
Our guide was truly delightful and a fantastic storyteller, sharing interesting information about the canyon’s history, geology, and Native American culture. They also helped us capture amazing photos by pointing out the best spots, angles, and light reflections. With the right perspective, you can see shapes like a seahorse and a bear’s head within the canyon formations, which our guide helped us locate and photograph.
The canyon is extraordinarily beautiful and unique, difficult to describe in words. The shapes and textures of the rock constantly change along the canyon, and the light creates various colorful hues inside. It truly felt like stepping into two different worlds, from the dry, barren desert to the gorgeously red-hued canyon.
Tickets for Antelope Canyon were around $50 per person, and the tour lasted approximately two hours. We can honestly say that every penny was well worth it. This experience was so incredible and unforgettable that we would recommend it to everyone.
*In this post, we may have used too many adjectives, but as we said, this experience is truly indescribable ๐
