Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon

One of Arizona’s highlights is definitely Antelope Canyon.  Antelope Canyon is one of the most popular and photogenic destinations on a Southwest road trip. It’s in Page, Arizona and hundreds of visitors arrive daily.

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon with tall red walls carved by wind and water.  The Canyon’s sandstone continues to be carved by water and winds that run through the slot. It’s a place the Navajo people hold sacred and that tourists and photographers enjoy.

I’ve been to both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and put together this guide to help you choose between the canyons.

Upper VS Lower Antelope Canyon

PLANNING A VISIT TO ANTELOPE CANYON

Antelope Canyon is in northern Arizona in the city of Page.  The closest major cities, are Phoenix,Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.  Each is about a 4-hour drive away.

Visiting the canyons requires planning ahead of time.  Both get very busy, especially Upper Antelope Canyon.  Therefore, I recommended making online reservations many weeks ahead because spots fill up very early on.   Another reason to plan ahead is Antelope Canyon has flash floods. Tour companies cancel visits on those days.

Deciding which slot canyon to visit can be challenging.  Both are similar but have unique aspects.  I loved both of them.  However, if you only have time or a budget for one, here is a guide to help you choose the best one for you.

UPPER VS. LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON

Lower Antelope Canyon

Personally, I enjoyed Lower Antelope Canyon more because the narrow pathways and the wooden stairs installed in the canyon made it a fun experience.  Plus, I’m an adventurer at heart.  Anything that has me climbing will catch my attention more.  But, let’s get into the Pros and Cons.

 Pros:

• lower Antelope is cheaper
• it is less crowded than Upper Antelope
• easier to photograph because there are fewer crowds
• sometimes tour guides let you walk ahead a bit
• it is a longer canyon
• narrow pathways and stairs make it adventurous
• the canyon walls are more reddish and purple hues

Cons:

• ladders are not ideal for people on wheelchairs, kids, and pregnant women
• narrow pathways can make you may feel claustrophobic
• it doesn’t have as light beams that photographers like

What is the Price?

A few tours operate for Lower Antelope Canyon, and they are cheaper than a visit to Upper.  We had a guided tour with Ken’s Tours.  We reserved beforehand online and paid at the entrance.  The price is $25 but may go up a little depending on times, dates, and seasons.  Photography tours cost more, $47. There is also a Navajo Park Entrance fee to be paid in cash at $8 per person.

What to Bring:

It’s best to carry small backpacks for these tours because the passageways are narrow.  Some items to take are water, a camera, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and cash to tip the tour guide.

What to Know:

Lower Antelope Canyon has ladders anchored to the canyon walls.  They vary in size from 3 feet to 25 feet.  The longer ones have handrails, and some ladders have a small width.

The canyon can be rigorous and lengthy for some people and is not wheelchair accessible.   Low hanging rocks, narrow and steep ladders, and narrow passageways fill the canyon. Tripods are only allowed for photography tours.  Regular tours are point and shoot, and you keep going and follow your tour guide.

The approximate time of the tour is 1 hour 15 minutes.  Photography tours last 2 hours 15 minutes.

Tour guides are mandatory, but I’ve read the guides will sometimes allow you to explore on your own on low crowd days.

Upper Antelope Canyon

I enjoyed Upper Antelope Canyon a lot because it’s very photogenic. Unfortunately, we only saw one light beam because we didn’t visit at an ideal time.  We also got to see sand falling from above, creating a cool effect.  Here are the pros and cons of this slot canyon.

Pros:

• the canyon is more photogenic
• it is on ground level,  meaning no ladders and climbing
• easy to walk through
• the canyon has beautiful light beams and pouring sand
• there are larger walkways
• The canyon walls have a dark brown color and less lighting

Cons:

• this canyon is more expensive
• It can get very crowded
• the tour felt more rushed
• Hard to photograph with so many people

What is the Price?

My visit to Upper Antelope Canyon was with Antelope Canyon Tours.  Just a quick note that I didn’t have the best experience with them because of their customer service and the wild driver, but still, the visit to Antelope Canyon itself was a great experience.

The price for Upper Antelope is higher.  It starts at $40 with Antelope Canyon Tours during the off-season but goes up depending on time, season, and holidays. The Navajo Park Entrance Fee of $8, and taxes are included in the price.   If you get the photography tour, it starts at $100 off-season.

What to Bring:

Like lower antelope, small backpacks are best because of the narrow passageways.  Big ones are not allowed.  Items to take include water and a camera.  Because of dusty conditions, I don’t recommend changing the camera lens while in the slot canyon.  You can damage your camera.  The canyon is flat, dusty, and a short walk.  Therefore, any shoes besides heels will be fine. Not much sunlight goes through, so you don’t necessarily need a hat or sunscreen.  You can also bring cash to tip the tour guide.

What to Know:

The drive to the canyon takes 20 minutes. Ten minutes are on a paved highway, and 10 minutes are off-road.  The off-road will be a bumpy ride.  The companies use a four-wheel-drive truck that picks you up at their office in the town of Page.  When looking upwards, the canyon walls are as high as 100 ft tall.   Sometimes sand may fall from above, so expect to get sandy hair and be careful with your camera.

Know how to use your camera and phone settings beforehand if you want great pictures.  If you don’t, it’s okay.  The tour guide will help you set up your phone for photos.  The complete tour with the drive time is about an hour and a half.  Twenty of those minutes are to arrive.  Tripods are only allowed on photography tours.  Regular tours are point and shoot. Tour guides are mandatory.

Upper Vs Lower Antelope Canyon

WHICH IS THE BEST SLOT CANYON?

Choosing a slot canyon depends on what you enjoy and want to see. Both canyons are amazing, and it’s hard to say one is better than the other.  Though they’re similar, they each have a uniqueness.

Lower Antelope Canyon was a better experience for me because I enjoyed the stairs and narrow pathways.  It felt more adventurous, which is what we like most.  I got to hike and climb.  I also had a more pleasant tour company.  Their service helped me enjoy it more.

Upper Antelope Canyon felt more beautiful, and for photography, it’s a better option.  The light beams that shine through and the sand that falls look gorgeous.  It also was darker and more mysterious.  The hike was easy and accessible for everyone. So I understand why it’s the most popular one.

What I didn’t enjoy were the crowds. The pathways are used for both entering and exiting the canyon.  This created traffic jams inside the paths, and it took away from enjoying the experience. Also, we felt more rushed taking pictures because of this.   The place is still beautiful and worth the visit though.  Try going during less busy times, low season perhaps.

MORE THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING:

• Antelope Canyon is a Navajo Tribal Park.  Tribal authorities and tours operate through them.
• Watch for timezone changes.  The Navajo Nation follows Daylight Saving Time during summer, whereas Arizona doesn’t.  Pay attention to reservation times.
• Antelope Canyon experiences Flash Floods and is dangerous when it rains.  Tour companies can cancel tours without prior notice.
• Use the bathroom beforehand.   There are no restrooms near the canyons
• Antelope Canyon is by guided tours only, and booking ahead is highly recommended.
• During busy seasons or holidays, expect limited shade and high waiting times in the heat outside the canyon, even with reservations at lower antelope. But also expect overcrowding at Upper Antelope.
• Accommodation in the small town of Page can be expensive. Hotels book quickly because of the many attractions nearby. So, book your hotel early.
• The canyon can be dark for photographs.  Know your settings before going.  I hadn’t studied my camera well enough and didn’t get great shots of the canyon. However, the guides help you with your phone camera settings at both tours, and the pictures turn out alright.

IS ANTELOPE CANYON WORTH IT?

Yes! Though the tour and the town are a bit expensive, the heat of the desert is almost unbearable, and the overcrowding is annoying, there is nothing quite like Antelope Canyon.

The formation of the slot canyons is beautiful and fun to explore.  Walking through the pathways and finding figures on the rocks adds to the adventure despite feeling rushed sometimes. It’s a fantastic experience, and you should put it on your travel bucket list.

This place is one of the coolest, most photographed places in Arizona and the most visited slot canyon in the world.

 

Antelope Canyon Tour Guide Companies

Upper Antelope Canyon:

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours

Antelope Canyon Tours

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours

Antelope Slot Canyon Tours

Antelope Canyon X by Taadiidin Tours

Chief Tsosie’s Antelope Slot Canyon Tours

Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

Ken’s Tours Lower Antelope Canyon

Dixie Ellis’ Lower Antelope Canyon Tours

Placer Near Antelope Canyon:

Horseshoe Bend

Page, Arizona

Upper VS Lower Antelope Canyon