Tour Bus To Antelope Canyon: A Guide

Antelope Canyon is a unique treasure in the American Southwest, located in Northern Arizona, a few miles southeast of the town of Page. It is a highly sought-after destination, known for its otherworldly beauty and mesmerizing sandstone walls. To visit Antelope Canyon, you must book a tour with a Navajo Tribe-authorized guide service. The canyon is accessible only via guided tour, and advance reservations are strongly recommended as tours can sell out weeks in advance.

There are two sections to choose from: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon, each offering a unique experience. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more famous and more expensive option, where you can witness the famous light beams and falling sands. It is more accessible, with a ground-level entrance and a relatively easy walk. Lower Antelope Canyon, on the other hand, does not have the light beams, but it offers wider paths, fewer crowds, and more time for photos. It is a longer and more challenging hike, requiring you to navigate several staircases and ladders.

You can opt for guided tours from nearby cities such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, Sedona, and Flagstaff, or even bundle your Antelope Canyon tour with other attractions like Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell.

Antelope Canyon is located in Northern Arizona, a few miles southeast of Page, AZ

To reach Antelope Canyon by tour bus, you must first book a tour with an authorized Navajo guide service. These tours often depart from Page, AZ, or the park's entrance off Highway 98. It is recommended to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your tour. Most tours will involve riding in a four-wheel-drive vehicle through a sandy riverbed to reach the canyon.

When planning your trip to Antelope Canyon, keep in mind that tours often sell out, especially during the high season. Therefore, it is advisable to book your tour in advance. Additionally, Antelope Canyon may occasionally close during heavy rain or snow, which is more likely to occur from June to September during Arizona's monsoon season.

There are two sections of Antelope Canyon that you can visit: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular option as it is at ground level and has less than a 2% incline. It is also known for its world-famous sunbeams that can be seen during spring and fall months. Lower Antelope Canyon is situated below ground and requires navigating a series of ladders and stepping over boulders. Both sections offer stunning views and a unique experience.

Whether you choose to explore Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, or both, you are sure to be amazed by the otherworldly beauty of this natural wonder.

You can only access Antelope Canyon via a guided tour

Antelope Canyon is a highly sought-after destination, famed for its otherworldly beauty. The canyon is located in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, near the Arizona-Utah border, and is only accessible via a guided tour. The Navajo Nation considers the canyon a sacred site, and it was designated a Navajo Tribal Park in 1997.

There are two sections of the canyon that can be visited: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular option, as it is at ground level and has less than a 2% incline. It is also where you can witness the famous sunbeams during spring and fall. Lower Antelope Canyon, on the other hand, requires navigating several flights of stairs and ladders.

To book a tour, you must decide between the upper and lower canyons, or if you want to visit both. It is important to book in advance, as tours can sell out weeks ahead. You will also need a reservation with an authorized Navajo guide and a permit, which is usually covered by the guide's fee. The cost of tours varies, with Upper Antelope Canyon tours ranging from $50 to $90, and Lower Antelope Canyon tours starting at $40 for an hour-long experience.

When visiting Antelope Canyon, it is recommended to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and sunscreen. Bring a bottle of water, a hat or handkerchief for protection from the sand, and consider leaving your contact lenses behind in favour of eyeglasses. It is also important to note that bags, purses, food, and drinks are prohibited in the canyon.

Most tours depart from Page, Arizona, or the park's entrance off Highway 98. It is advised to arrive at least 15 minutes early for your tour. Antelope Canyon is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between March and October, when the light shafts appear.

You can choose to tour Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or both

Antelope Canyon is a highly sought-after destination, renowned for its otherworldly beauty. The canyon is located in Arizona, near the Utah border, and is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. While there are two sections to the canyon—the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon—they are miles apart from each other. You can choose to tour either or both sections, and here's what you need to know about each:

Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is an above-ground slot canyon, featuring a flat 100-yard walk and a 2-mile off-road ride from the Navajo Tribal Park Gate on US98 to the canyon's entrance. This section is more popular, as it is at ground level with less than a 2% incline, making it a better choice for those with mobility limitations. The walk is relatively easy, with no ladders or stairs inside the canyon, and the entire tour takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. The cost of a tour ranges from $50 to $90 for a 90-minute tour, with slight discounts for children.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon is a longer slot canyon, approximately 600 yards in length, situated below ground. Touring this section requires descending and ascending several flights of stairs and ladders, and navigating over boulders. It is more suitable for those in reasonably good health who can handle moderate exercise. While infants and young children are allowed on the tours, parents should carefully consider the challenges posed by the terrain. The tours last about an hour and cost $40, with deluxe options available for up to $80.

Touring Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon

If you wish to experience both sections of the canyon, you will need to book two separate tours with different companies. This is because tour companies typically only operate in one section of the canyon—either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.

Regardless of which section you choose to tour, it is important to book your tour in advance, as they can sell out weeks ahead of time. Additionally, you will need a prior reservation with an authorized Navajo guide and a permit, which is usually covered by your guide's fee.

Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level and is the more popular entrance

Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular entrance to the canyon system, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is at ground level, with less than a 2% incline, making it accessible to those with mobility limitations. It is also the best option for those travelling with infants, young children, seniors, or anyone who would struggle with the ladders and stairs of the Lower Antelope Canyon entrance.

The Upper Antelope Canyon entrance is located 2 miles off-road from the Navajo Tribal Park Gate on US98. Visitors can walk the flat 100-yard distance to the entrance, and there are no ladders or stairs inside the canyon. However, upon exiting, there is a moderate hike up and over the canyon through the desert, and a 20-minute trek on sandy trails back to the parking area. Visitors will need to be able to manage this additional walking, and the sand in the canyon can be soft and difficult to walk through.

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most frequently visited by tourists because of its ease of access. Visitors can observe direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon, which makes the inside of the canyon very colourful. Beams of light occur most often in the summer, as they require the sun to be high in the sky at midday. Light beams start to appear on 20 March and disappear by 20 October.

Upper Antelope Canyon is also where you can catch those world-famous sunbeams between the spring and fall months, but only during peak-time tours. Most visitors choose the Upper Antelope Canyon tours to see the taller canyon walls streaked with sunlight.

Tours to Antelope Canyon from nearby cities are available by bus, van, or fixed-wing airplane

Antelope Canyon is a highly sought-after destination in Arizona, attracting 2 million visitors annually. The canyon is known for its otherworldly beauty, with orange and gold sandstone walls illuminated by shafts of light at midday. To preserve this natural wonder, access is restricted and visitors are required to join a tour with a Navajo guide.

For those interested in a bus tour, companies such as Detours American West offer day trips from Phoenix. This is a convenient option for those who prefer not to drive the approximately 4.5 hours from Phoenix to Page, where Antelope Canyon is located.

If you're looking for a more intimate experience, consider a van tour. MaxTours, for example, offers small group tours from Las Vegas. This option provides a comfortable journey and a more personalized experience with your guide.

For a truly unique perspective, aerial tours are also available. Scenic/Grand Canyon Airlines, for instance, offers an air/ground tour departing from Las Vegas. This tour combines the excitement of a flight with an immersive ground experience at Antelope Canyon.

When planning your tour, it's important to decide whether you want to visit the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, or both. The Upper Canyon is more popular due to its accessibility and the opportunity to witness the famous light beams. However, the Lower Canyon offers equally magnificent views, a wider path, and less rushed tours.

Regardless of your choice, booking in advance is essential. Antelope Canyon tours often sell out, especially during the peak season from March to October. It's also important to arrive early for your tour, as check-in times can range from 30 to 60 minutes prior to the tour's start.

Frequently asked questions