Lower Antelope Canyon: unmissable tours in 2025
If you want to add a touch of adventure to your next trip to the American West, then a visit to Lower Antelope Canyon is a must.
Renowned for its vivid colours and magnificent hues, this canyon, shaped by water and wind over thousands of years, promises a unique experience.
Here's everything you need to know to prepare for this extraordinary excursion.
Introduction to Lower Antelope Canyon
Located on a Navajo Indian reservation near the town of Page in Arizona, Antelope Canyon is made up of two distinct canyons: Upper and Lower.
The result of millions of years of erosion, they are known as slot canyons. They are huge, very narrow rock faults with the distinctive feature of being much deeper than they are wide.
Both canyons can be visited, but the main difference between them is their accessibility: Lower Antelope Canyon is longer, narrower and more difficult to access than its neighbour. If you're torn between the two, Antelope Canyon (Upper & Lower); the ultimate guide can help you make an informed choice.
In this article we'll concentrate mainly on Lower Antelope Canyon.
The Navajo name for the canyon is ‘Hazdistazí’, which means ‘spiral arches’.
That's pretty representative of what you're going to see during your trip, which is sure to make a lasting impression on your road trip in the USA: sandstone walls in undulating shapes and brilliant colours, enhanced by the sun's rays seeping through the canyon's narrow opening.
Get your cameras ready!
How do I get to Lower Antelope Canyon in Arizona?
Lower Antelope Canyon is about 4km from the town of Page in northern Arizona.
The entrance to the canyon is a 5 minute walk from the car park, which is accessible via Indian Road 222.
If you are coming from the Grand Canyon to the south, take 89 and turn right onto AZ-98. Indian Road 222 to Lower Antelope Canyon will be on your left.
If you are coming from Zion or Kanab to the north via 89, you will need to go through the town of Page. Turn left onto AZ-98 and Indian Road 222 will also be on your left.
Finally, if you're coming from the east, as is the case if you're coming from Monument Valley, you'll leave the 160 to join the AZ-98 and, this time, you'll turn right after passing the coal-fired power station.
Once on the 222, after less than a kilometre, a sign will tell you to turn left.
A path of stone dust will take you to the car parks where the welcome huts are located.
Tour of Lower Antelope Canyon
Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
Length: 1km loop, including 400 metres inside the canyon
Difficulty: intermediate
Lower Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour.
You can choose between two tour operators: Ken's Tour or Dixie's Tour. Booking is required.
The meeting point is none other than the reception hut located directly on their respective car parks. You must arrive 30 minutes before the departure time shown on your booking.
After collecting your tickets, a Navajo guide will take you on a tour of the canyon.
Beginning of the tour
A 5-10 minute walk in the sand and sunshine will take you to the entrance of the rift.
A first, very steep staircase (which I suggest you descend like a ladder on the last section) will take you into the depths of the canyon.
As there are departures every 15 minutes or so, a queue of people often builds up at the entrance to the canyon. In this case, you'll have to wait in the sun. Bring a bottle of water and a hat.
Inside Lower Antelope Canyon
Once inside, the distance to the exit is around 400 metres. The route is one-way.
Some of the spaces are extremely narrow, while others have been fitted with ladders to make progress easier.
This is something to bear in mind if you're claustrophobic or anxious about being in such a confined space. The walls are so narrow in places that it's hard to make out the sky.
Throughout the tour, the guide provides information about the place, the traditions and the culture of the Navajo people, and will have fun getting you to find all sorts of shapes in the walls (the eagle, the bear, the woman with her hair blowing in the wind, etc.).
End of the tour
The trip inside the canyon ends with a series of ladders. After leaving the canyon, a path will take you to the parking lot in 10 to 15 minutes.
What to bring
- Bottled water
- Closed-toe shoes mandatory
- Hat
- Sun cream
- Baby carrier (compulsory if you have children under 2)
- Camera
When should I visit Lower Antelope Canyon?
Lower Antelope Canyon is open all year round. There's really no right or wrong time to visit what we believe is one of the 7 Wonders of the American West. But here's some information to help you choose your schedule.
High season
From March to September, the most popular times are between 10.30am and 1.30pm, when the sun's rays shine on the canyon. This is when you have the best chance of seeing the beams of light pierce the canyon. So this is the busiest time.
That said, opinions differ as to the ideal time: for some, the light is best in the morning (7.45am to 10.45am) and late afternoon (from 2.45pm). There are also fewer crowds at this time.
Personally, I prefer this time of year.
Low season
From October to February, there are fewer visitors than during the summer months (except during the Christmas holidays), but I still recommend booking your tour in advance.
The advantage of this season is that the guides are more available and take much more time with visitors.
You'll have more chances to take photos without tourists around.
At this time of year, because of the change in the sun's position for the winter months, all visiting hours will be ideal.
Photographing Lower Antelope Canyon
Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a beginner, you're bound to want to come away from your visit with some of the stunning photos you'll see on the internet.
The good news is that, given the beauty of the place, you're guaranteed to come away with some extraordinary photos.
What's more, the guides will give you invaluable advice as soon as you enter the canyon on how to set up your cameras and smartphones. They know exactly which filters to apply and which settings to make to bring out the colours. They even know the best angles for taking great photos, and won't hesitate to pick you up to immortalise the moment.
Please note that there are no longer any guided tours focusing on photography as there were a few years ago, and you are not allowed to bring your tripod.
Anyone wishing to use their camera will need to be careful and clean it thoroughly after the tour, as there is a lot of dust in the canyon.
If you have a wide-angle lens, this is ideal. If you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, prepare it in advance as it is not advisable to make such changes during the tour due to the sand which could damage your equipment.
As the entrance to the Canyon is particularly narrow, the phenomenon of seeing the famous beams of light is rarer than in Upper Antelope Canyon. This phenomenon can only occur during the summer months, between around 11.30am and 1.30pm.
And that's it! Now your biggest challenge will be to go more than 10 metres without wanting to take a photo, so make sure you have enough space on your memory card.
Where to book your tour? Lower Antelope Canyon tour companies
As mentioned, there are two companies to choose from for your guided tour of Lower Antelope Canyon :
Dixie's Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
Ken's Tours Lower Antelope Canyon
Prices and quality of service are much the same. In both cases you can buy your tickets online and I suggest you do so as soon as possible. Indeed, Lower Antelope Canyon used to be much less popular than Upper Antelope Canyon but this is no longer the case!
Do not forget that taxes must be added to the prices for both service providers, as well as $8 for entry to the Navajo reserve.
Near Lower Antelope Canyon
UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON
Upper Antelope Canyon is just a few metres from Lower, on the other side of Route 98.
Here, access to the canyon is by 4X4, as the entrance to the canyon is around 7 kilometres from the car park. You'll need to book your trip several months in advance.
The colours are flamboyant at any time of day, but it's around midday in early summer that the reflections are at their most magical, and you'll be lucky enough to see the sun's rays penetrate the canyon.
HORSESHOE BEND
This other mythical site of the American West can be reached by a thirty-minute hike.
On arrival, you'll have none other than the most beautiful view of the Colorado River.
To find out more about this hike, read our blog post Hiking Horseshoe Bend: everything you need to know [with map + photos].
LAKE POWELL
If you're planning to visit Lake Powell in 24 hours, you've got a busy day ahead of you!
Whether you enjoy the lake on a hike or a cruise, you'll discover an exceptional landscape.
At sunset and sunrise, the light accentuates the pinkish colour of the cliffs that border it, and the spectacle is flamboyant.
GLEN CANYON DAM
The 220-metre-high structure of Glen Canyon Dam is extremely impressive.
It is possible to take a guided tour, but if you just want to enjoy the view, the one from the bay window of the visitor centre is very beautiful.
There are also exhibitions on how electricity is generated and a film on the construction of the dam.
Frequenty asked questions
Which is better : Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?
Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon offer unique and stunning experiences, but they have distinct characteristics.
Upper Antelope Canyon is famous for its light beams and wider passages. Some might say it is easier to walk through, thanks to the flatter ground. But on the other hand, it may seem crowded and more expensive.
Lower Antelope Canyon is considered more adventurous with ladders and narrow passages, but also less crowded with a one-way path system. And the tour is longer (about 1km)! Many visitors actually find Lower Antelope Canyon more enjoyable due to its unique formations and more peaceful atmosphere.
Can you do Lower Antelope Canyon without a tour?
No, you cannot visit Lower Antelope Canyon without a tour. The canyon is located on Navajo Nation land and is protected, making guided tours mandatory for all visitors. This requirement is in place for safety reasons and to prevent vandalism. Only two authorized tour operators - Ken's Tours and Dixie's Tours - are permitted to conduct tours in Lower Antelope Canyon, and all visitors must book through one of these companies.
How long is Lower Antelope Canyon tour?
A Lower Antelope Canyon tour lasts approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes inside the canyon itself. However, you should plan for a total duration of about 2 hours for the complete experience, which includes:
- 30 minutes mandatory arrival before the tour
- 5-10 minutes walk to reach the canyon entrance
- 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes guided tour inside the canyon
- 10-15 minutes walk back to the parking lot
The actual distance covered is about 1km in total, with approximately 400 metres inside the canyon itself.
How difficult is Lower Antelope Canyon?
Lower Antelope Canyon is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it accessible for most visitors but with some physical challenges to consider: initial descent requires climbing down a steep 75-foot staircase, then about 130 steps throughout the canyon, some passages are extremely narrow and the total walking distance is about 1km (0.6 miles).
While most people in reasonable physical condition can complete the tour, it's not recommended for people with severe mobility issues, those with intense claustrophobia, visitors with serious knee problems or anyone who has difficulty with steep stairs.
The canyon requires more physical effort than Upper Antelope Canyon but is still manageable for most visitors, including older children and adults who can handle stairs comfortably.
And that's it!
There's a reason why the best 2-week road trip in the American West takes you through this magnificent area.
There's so much to discover here, isn't there?
If you have any questions or additional information to contribute, don't hesitate to have your say in the comments area below.
Passionate about exploration and eager to discover, I've been lucky enough to turn this curiosity into adventures in the four corners of the globe. I love sharing my passion for travel through stories of escapism and practical advice, and hope to inspire you to pack your suitcase!
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