Antelope Canyon held some of the most spectacular views of our entire trip! The most important thing you should know is that Antelope Canyon is on Navajo Land and is highly regulated, so you must book a tour through one of the five tour companies to be able to access the canyon. Also, these tours are very popular and sell out fast, so be sure to book them well ahead of time. This was the only stop on our itenarary that was shut down due to covid, so we were pretty bummed that we were going to miss out. We watched daily for updates on opening (which was strictly up to Navajo governing powers) and literally the week before, they opened tour spots! We knew they would sell out within minutes so quickly snagged reservations for both Upper and Lower Antelope and decided we’d choose which one to keep closer to time (you can cancel up to 24 hrs in advance). We ended up deciding to keep them both and don’t regret it one bit! They were both a unique experience and had views unlike any other!

Upper Antelope- This was definitely the more expensive, and according to our research, the more popular of the two to visit. For 8+ the admission is $77 and for 0-7, it is $67. This was definitely our splurge of the trip! I was hesitant of “will it be worth it?” and the answer was an abounding YES! For this canyon, the best time to capture the light beams is noon when the sun is directly overhead, so if possible, that is the time to book! This is because this canyon is shaped like an upside down “V,” with the walkway being larger and the opening above very narrow, therefore only allowing direct sunlight to shine into the canyon at the peak hour.

We used the Antelope Canyon Tour Company, located in Page. You get there 45 minutes in advance to check in, and at your appointed time, you load up in one of their tour trucks (basically the bed of a truck with benches). For littles, you bring your own car seat and they will be strapped into the truck’s cab, creating a safer ride for them. One parent is allowed to sit up front with them. This was a great perk, keeping them in the AC, out of the extreme dust and sand, and preventing them from falling out in the midst of an extremely bumpy ride. The tour truck takes you out of Page, onto the Navajo Reservation, and out into the canyon. The guides then take turns taking their group one by one through the canyon.

Our group consisted of only us and one other family, which was so nice getting your own private tour without it being crowded. Because you are on the reserve, masks are required at all times, but could be removed to snap a photo. Our tour guide, as I’m sure were the others, was very knowledgeable about both the canyon’s history and the best photography tips. As a small Navajo child (before tours were allowed), she would play in the canyons and had stories of her parents and grandparents playing as well. As the tour went, she also shared the exact placed to put your camera and positioned us in the perfect locations for family photos. She was wonderful! Once you get through the canyon, you take a huge metal staircase that wrapped around back to the tour truck, which takes you back to the tour company. I normally don’t post as many pics, but I want to share with you how amazing this place truly is!

Lower Antelope- This is a lesser expensive option, with tickets being $50 for adults and 0-3 free. For some reason, research told us that it was less popular, but we disagree! Even though both tours were absolutely amazing, if we had to choose just one, this would be it! The views were just as stunning, but there was an adventure aspect to this one that was fun for us all, especially our three year old! Opposite to the Upper canyon, you want to schedule your tour for the earlier morning hours or later afternoon, when the sun isn’t as direct for the best photos. This is because the shape of the canyon is also opposite, meaning it is “V” shaped with the floor being extremely narrow but the opening at the too much larger, allowing sunlight to get in at other parts of the day. This more narrow floor makes it more adventurous as well.

For this tour, we used Dixie Ellis Lower Antelope Tours. For the lower canyons, the two tour companies are located at the site, so no transportation tour trucks necessary. You arrive 30 minutes prior to check in and can wait in the lobby for your guide. This was once again a small group, only two others in addition to us, with a sweet Navajo young woman as our guide. Just as the Upper Canyon, you will be in Navajo land so masks were required and were not allowed to be removed for photos.

When you begin the tour, you take steep stairs down into the canyon and wind your way through. There are super narrow sections, low walls, and steep ladder climbs, making it so much fun to make your way through! Our three year old loved the exploration part of this canyon, so we definitely recommend keeping your toddler out of a carrier. There were some ladders her daddy had to carry her up, but nothing too crazy. This canyon was also much longer of a canyon, making the tour longer and more sites to see! Our guide once again was familiar with the canyon from her time playing in it as a child before there were tours & knew the best photo spots!

I could go on so long about these canyons! These tours are definitely worth the money and stop in Page, Arizona!

Antelope Canyon- Page, Arizona

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