For many tourists who come to the American Southwest, visiting Antelope Canyon is one of their wildest vacation fantasies. After all, there is no other place in the world where you can witness curves of water-carved sandstone that are lighted by magical light beams from above.
If you want to see the Antelope Canyon light beams, the best time to visit Antelope Canyon is from the middle of March (the Winter months) to early October. During that period, there is a significant increase in foot traffic, and excursions frequently reach capacity. During the low season, which runs from November until February, there are fewer light beams but it is still rather tranquil.
Antelope Canyon’s light beams occur between the hours of 11 AM and 1:30 PM when the sunbeams are at their peak. On the other hand, on a day with clouds, you won’t be able to see any light beams at that moment. It should be bright outside. Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours offers guided tours during this time.
When Is the Best Time?
Antelope canyon trips during the summer months of June, July, and August are going to be the absolute best months for the famous light beams and photography tours. Due to the sheer angle of the sun during these months, you will be able to take great shots of the iconic light beams. Every day, between the hours of 11 AM and 1:30 PM, you will have the best chance of finding those incredible photo tour opportunities.
Occasionally, Antelope Canyon may be closed on days with severe rain or snow. This is most likely to occur between June and September, during Arizona’s monsoon season.
About Antelope Canyon
In the northern Arizona town of Page, Antelope Canyon is a sandstone slot canyon located in the Navajo territory. The Navajo Nation manages this popular natural wonder, Antelope Canyon, and their operators may take you there.
Upper Antelope Canyon
As the name implies, the Upper Antelope Canyon tour (Antelope Canyon Navajo tour name: Tse’bighanilini, “Where Water Runs Through the Rocks”) is an extremely narrow breach between the 120-foot-high canyon walls where water can flow freely through the rocks.
People take a visit to Antelope Canyon for these formations, which are particularly magnificent when bathed in the light of the sun. The park’s most well-known attraction is the Upper Canyon. Many of the attractions, including the entrance, are on the ground level, allowing visitors to get an up-close and personal encounter with the area’s stunning rock formations.
The upper antelope canyon tickets can range from $60 to $80.
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon is home to a slew of spiral rock arches. The area is shallow and V-shaped. Due to the lack of sunlight, you may expect to see beautiful scarlet and orange hues in the sky.
The Lower Antelope Canyon tour can only be accessed through the ladders, as there is no access at ground level. Going down may be more difficult than going up, but visiting Lower Antelope Canyon is well worth the effort.
How To Get To Antelope Canyon
A good time to explore Antelope Canyon, whether you’re in the Upper or the Lower Canyon (or both), is around daylight when the light streams over the sandstone cliffs.
A Visit to Antelope Canyon isn’t ideal at any time of year, but if you want to get the most out of the vibrant hues of the rocks, we recommend going on a warm and bright day, as there are fewer people around. Visit Antelope Canyon for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Getting into the canyon
Getting to the Antelope Canyon in the United States for a photography tour is an important consideration.
By bus
Some buses will take you to the canyon for a price if you’re coming from Grand Canyon National Park or Las Vegas (5 hours away). The antelope canyon entrance fee is around $8. You could also want to include a stop at Horseshoe Bends, which is a great place to stop for photos.
By Car
The Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona, about 20 minutes from the city. After a road trip through your car, go AZ-98 East to Indian Route 222 in Page, AZ.
There are numerous tour operators to choose from when you arrive. We parked our rental car at the Page airport before going on a Grand Canyon rafting trip, so I decided to take this route.
Top Attractions Around Antelope Canyon
You’ll find a plethora of day-trip alternatives around Antelope Canyon, which includes numerous attractions.
A guided tour through your hotel or the Navajo parks may be available, although pricing may be higher than if you went to Upper Antelope Canyon on your own.
Lake Powell
The Arizona-Utah border is separated by Lake Powell blvd a large reservoir formed by the Colorado River. It has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s and makes up a third of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Visit Horseshoe Bend
For centuries, the River has carved a horseshoe-shaped canyon through the landscape. It is one of Page’s most well-known tourist attractions.
Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon can be visited on the same day if you want to have breakfast in Antelope Canyon and then see the sunset at Horseshoe Bend.
Visit Monument Valley
The sandstone structures of Monument Valley, a Navajo Tribal Park, have garnered it worldwide attention. While driving down Route 163, you’ll be able to see it in the distance!
A trip with your hotel or one of the many private companies in Kayenta is the best way to see the Valley. In Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, you’ll be taken by these excursions before being dropped off at the Monument Valley’s entrance, where you may pick up your own vehicle and go exploring on your own.
Grand Canyons South Rim
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon provides the greatest views of this magnificent natural wonder.
We recommend driving from Las Vegas to Page and Lake Powell if you want to forgo an organized tour owing to exorbitant pricing or want to see more than just the Grand Canyons on your route there. In addition to passing via Horseshoe Bend and Monument Valley, this route takes you through scenic countryside.
The Glen Canyon’s Dam
As the Glen Canyon Dam, also known as the Glen Canyon Flood Control and Power Plant, is located in Page. It was built in 1964 and spanned a distance of 1,900 feet across Colorado.
You can take a tour from Las Vegas or other locations to visit the dam. However, it’s one of three dams on the river – the other two are the Davis Dam and the Parker Dam – and Hoover Dam is further downstream. This dam created Lake Powell.
The Zion National Park
Zion National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States and is located about an hour and a half from Page. Visitors to the park can enjoy breathtaking vistas of red rock formations surrounded by lush flora.
