Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lower

 

Are you trying to decide whether to visit Upper v. Lower Antelope Canyon? You can’t go wrong with either choice!

Antelope Canyon is a singular and sacred place located in Arizona. It’s a world famous destination in its own right but also makes the perfect add-on destination to a Grand Canyon or Zion National Park road trip.

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon What is Upper Antelope Canyon? Upper Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon carved out of the Navajo Sandstone rock and was the place where the most expensive photo ever sold was taken – (Peter Lik’s “The ghost”) – for over $6 million. It is the most famous of the two canyons because of the highly distinctive. UPPER ANTELOPE CANYON Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosi. Antelopeslotcanyon.com 55 S. Lake Powell Blvd. Bookings and a ride to the Upper Canyon Parking Lot can be done here. Sometimes they’ll have a Native American Hoop Dancing demonstration outside. Check the website for Prices as they vary depending on the season.

When I started on my year of adventure, Antelope Canyon was high on my list of must-sees. I was drawn in by the unique topography and sweeping red curves I’d seen in photos. I wanted to capture the sunbeams shining in through the canyons and feel connected with nature.

I couldn’t believe a place like this actually existed, let alone in the United States. I found a $200 fare to Las Vegas and crafted an Arizona/Utah/Nevada 5-day itinerary around my visit to Antelope Canyon. When you find somewhere you want to go, don’t call it a dream, call it a plan.

“Don’t call it a dream, call it a plan.”

Want to know how to turn your slot canyon dreams into a reality? Read on to find out more about Upper v. Lower Antelope Canyon.

Where are Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are both located in Page, Arizona, about 2 hours east of the Grand Canyon South Rim and 4 hours north of Phoenix by car. To get there, you can fly into Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, like I did, or fly into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport. Both cities allow you to reach Antelope Canyon within a day.

You will need to rent a car since there is no bus or public transportation that can take you to Antelope Canyon. If you do not want to drive yourself, the only alternative is to take an organized tour. Note that rental cars in Phoenix are slightly more expensive than cars in Las Vegas, since most people renting a car in Phoenix do so with the intention of taking a road trip around the state. In contrast, the whole point of Vegas is to safely get around while inebriated, so rental cars aren’t in high demand and incidentally cost less here.

Arizona is filled with fascinating destinations to include in your road trip, but you won’t find another place quite like Antelope Canyon. Photographers fly from all over the world to capture scenes from here so if you’re local and can skip the flight, take advantage!

Distance Between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon

The two canyons are distinct but are both located inside Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, within a 15-minute drive of each other. They are both accessed by Highway 98, a long, straight road that heads east out of Page.

You will not be able to drive your car straight to the entrance of the canyons, since the canyons do not have an official parking lot and the entrances are somewhat remote. Instead, you will drive to your tour provider, park at their shop, and then your tour provider transports you to the canyon, either by car for Upper Antelope Canyon or by foot for Lower Antelope Canyon.

Do You Need a Guide?

Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lowercase

You absolutely need a guide to visit either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon. This is Navajo land and visitors are not allowed to wander about unaccompanied. There is no ticket line at the entrance of the canyons and guests cannot hike there on their own.

There are only two tours that service Lower Antelope Canyon Tours. They’re similar in price and service. I went with Ken’s Tours and had a phenomenal experience. Our guide was very helpful in taking photos and told us myths and stories surrounding the rock formations. You need to descend into Lower Antelope Canyon on steep steps, so this is not a wheelchair friendly location. Upper Antelope Canyon, by contrast, is level and you do not to take any steps or change elevation to enter.

There are at least a dozen different tour providers that service Upper Antelope Canyon, with packages varying from a simple walk-through to private photography tours. Upper Antelope Canyon tours sell out months in advance because you can only see the legendary sunbeams at Upper Antelope Canyon.

Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in One Day

You can choose to do both Lower and Antelope Canyon in one day, and even fit in Horseshoe Bend for a Page highlights tour. Aim to be at Upper Antelope Canyon for the sunbeams between 11am and 2pm. Visit Lower Antelope Canyon either first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to accommodate both places.

A good sample timeline would be to visit Upper Antelope Canyon between 10:30 and 11:00am, finish by 12:30-1pm, head to Lower Antelope Canyon and enter around 2pm, then finish the day at Horseshoe Bend around 4:30pm. This allows you to photograph sunbeams in the morning, escape the sun in the afternoon by descending into the ground at Lower Antelope Canyon (it is naturally cooler here) and finish the day with picture perfect views of Horseshoe Bend. Avoid visiting Horseshoe Bend in the morning since the light is not ideal for photos and casts unwanted shadows.

You’re not allowed to bring bags into the sites but you can bring water. You won’t find water bottles readily sold in the area despite it being a desert, so come prepared.

Best Time to Visit Lower Antelope Canyon

In order to see the sunbeams at Upper Antelope Canyon, you have to go in the spring and summer months, though both sites are open year-round. I’m told the colors at Lower Antelope Canyon change with the seasons so this is a site that’s worth visiting more than once.

The sunbeams in Upper Antelope Canyon can be seen beginning after the spring equinox in March, and ending around the fall equinox in September. Prime sunbeam season is between June and August, since the higher the sun the more light comes in. If you’re visiting between September and March, Lower Antelope Canyon might be the better option.

Comparing Upper v. Lower Antelope

In comparing Upper v. Lower Antelope Canyon, there are several differences to note. First, Lower Antelope Canyon requires descending on a series of stairs/ladders. Guests enter from one location and it’s a straight walk through to the exit on the other side. Upper Antelope Canyon is level once you disembark from your guide’s vehicle, and groups enter and leaving from the same entrance. This makes Upper Antelope Canyon feel slightly more crowded since you have hoards of people inside one set space moving in all directions.

Upper Antelope Canyon is a mix of warm colors–reds, oranges, yellows and browns–while Lower Antelope canyon has cooler colors and boasts hues of blues and purples (pictured above).

Photography Basics

I talk about this extensively in my Upper Antelope Canyon photography guide, but you should come prepared to take plenty of photos here. If you’re bringing a DSLR camera, which is required in order to take a photo tour, you don’t want to change your lens in the canyon due to all the sand. You’re also going to want to bring something to help blow the sand off your equipment.

If you’re an iPhone user, make sure you have your flash turned off and try experimenting with the chrome filter in Upper Antelope Canyon to highlight the red hues. Also, take panoramic photos not side to side, but up and down to better capture the walls of the canyons.

Make sure your guide knows you want to take plenty of pictures, since they walk these canyons every day and can help direct you to the best spots. Tip your guide accordingly after the tour, 20% is always standard for good service.

The Verdict: Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

If pressed to chose one, I would say Upper Antelope Canyon when you can see the sunbeams only because it’s such a famous photograph and as you can see, every shot you take here comes out fantastic.

However, photographs aside, the experience at Lower Antelope Canyon was much more relaxed and mystical, providing the connection to nature that I had been seeking.

Of course, if you have a day, the best idea is to see them both.

WRITTEN BY JEN

Hi! I’m Jen, a lawyer turned full-time travel blogger and author. I help young professionals see the world for less and experience more. If you’re looking for budget and solo travel secrets, remote work guides and bucket list destinations then you’ve come to the right place.

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon – which one if better? After spending COUNTLESS hours researching which one to visit, we decided to go to both – and here we’ll help you decide which tour is better!

We are all for travelling off the beaten path. However, sometimes, there’s a reason why famous sights attract lots of visitors, so many in fact that complex admission systems are put in place to manage the visitor influx – because they’re beautiful.

This is the case of Antelope Canyon, one of the best known sights in the Navajo Nation, not far from Monument Valley. I bet anyone who’s seen an image of it has wanted to visit – and naturally, we did, too.

I bet many people don’t know that there’s actually TWO separate Antelope Canyons – Upper and Lower, which are actually quite different in terms of looks and experiences.

Naturally, you can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon – but most people tend to only opt for one. So, we’ve decided to do the groundwork for you and visit both.

There’s no single answer to which is better between Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon. Both slot canyons have their pros and cons – read on to find out about them both, plus lots of practical info and tips about how to visit Antelope Canyon!

Would you like to know more about US National Parks?Check these articles!

Where is Antelope Canyon?

Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page.

Both canyons are located on Navajo-owned lands, and in both cases, it’s compulsory to visit the canyons with a Navajo guide.

If end up with a great guide like we did at Lower Antelope Canyon, this will really make your experience unforgettable – our guide shared stories of his childhood in the area, and how it has changed since the arrival of tourists.

Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lower

Difference Between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon

At first glance, Upper and Lower Canyon look similar – two sandstone slot canyons, with waves and rock formation created by the action of wind and water through the centuries.

Looking closely, you’ll notice the two canyons have a very different shape – Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an A, narrow at the top and wider at the bottom, creating the light beam effect that made its famous.

Lower Antelope Canyon is the opposite – it has a V shape, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. It’s also a bit trickier to get around, with really narrow passages and the need to climb some stairs.

Let’s have a look at Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon in detail!

What to see in Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is THE Antelope Canyon, the one made famous by Windows 7 screen savers, millions of Instagram pictures, and also the subject of the world’s most expensive photo ever sold.

The main reason to visit Upper Antelope Canyon is to see the iconic light beams and cascading sand effects, making for some truly spectacular pictures.

You’ll also see incredible formations and shapes in the sandstone walls, and see up close how the action of wind and water created the canyon – but this is something you can also see at Lower Antelope Canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon Pros

-It’s More Photogenic

Remember how I said that when people talk about Antelope Canyon, they usually refer to Upper? That is because Upper Antelope Canyon is the more photogenic of the two, creating eerie light effects thanks to its A shape.

-It’s The One with Light Beams

Are you visiting Antelope Canyon because you want some pictures of the iconic light beams? Then, head straight to Upper – but make sure you’re visiting between March and November, and book a ‘prime time’ tour between 11 am and 1 pm, when the sun is close to its zenith – making it easier to create light beams.

Needless to say, if you’re visiting on a cloudy day, there will be no light beams – but luckily, Arizona is a sunny place! In winter you’re also less likely to see them.

Upper Antelope Canyon is also frequently visited to take pictures of ‘cascading sand’. Bear in mind that this is not a natural phenomenon, but a photo opportunity created by guides by placing handfuls of sand on the edge of a sloping rock.

-There are No Stairs

Upper Antelope Canyon is also the best option for people with mobility problems, since the canyon bottom is wide and sandy and there’s little to no walking involved to reach the canyon itself.

Upper Antelope Canyon Cons

-It’s More Expensive

Since it’s the most popular option, Upper Antelope Canyon is also considerably more expensive than Lower.

I’ll list all tour options down below with relative prices (updated to 2020) but to give you an idea, a prime time Upper Antelope Canyon tour is about $80-100 including taxes, whereas you can visit Lower Antelope Canyon for about half that.

-It’s More Crowded

Everybody wants that iconic light beam picture for the ‘gram, right?

Upper Antelope Canyon is considerably more crowded compared to Lower – when we visited in winter it wasn’t too bad, but friends visiting in summer reported that they felt ‘herded around’ with little or no time to enjoy the sights.

-The Tour is Shorter

Upper Antelope Canyon is also about half as long as Lower Antelope Canyon – about 600 ft (200 meters) vs 1335 ft (430 meters). Tours last about an hour and a half, but this includes transportation to the canyon and back – you end up spending less than an hour into the actual canyon.

-You Need to Book in Advance

Upper Antelope Canyon is the better known and more photogenic option, which means tours are almost always fully booked. If you are visiting in summer and hope to visit at ‘prime time’ (i.e. between 11 am and 1 pm) to see the light beams, you’ll have to reserve your spot several months before.

Off season, you can get away with booking a few weeks in advance – we booked our Upper Antelope Canyon tour about 3 weeks before our visit, and got one of the last spots available.

If you’re a spontaneous traveller, or you’ve left planning too late, fear not – Lower Antelope Canyon is just as beautiful, even without light beams!

Upper Antelope Canyon Tours

The following companies offer Upper Antelope Canyon tours:

  • Antelope Canyon Tours – $69 for ‘prime time’ tour at 11.30 am, $54 for any other time
  • Adventurous Antelope Canyon – $151 for a 2 hour photography tour, $58 for for ‘prime time’ tour at 11.30 am, $54 for any other time
  • Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours – $80 adult, walk in only for prime time tours
  • Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie – $69 for ‘prime time’ tours at 10.30 and 11.30 am, $54 for any other time

What to see in Lower Antelope Canyon

It’s unfair to refer to Lower Antelope Canyon as ‘an alternative’ to Upper. True, it doesn’t have light beams – but in my opinion, it’s actually nicer, and a much more pleasant experience to visit.

Remember that Lower Antelope Canyon is ‘V’ shaped? This means that the canyon is brighter, and the sunlight hitting the wall created beautiful light effects on the wave-like sandstone formations. Let’s have a look at pros and cons!

Lower Antelope Canyon Pros

-It’s Longer

Lower Antelope Canyon is double the length of Upper, at 1335 ft (430 meters) vs 600 ft (200 meters). Tours last about 1.5 hour, same as Upper Antelope Canyon tours, but since they start only steps away from the ticket office, you’ll spend more time into the canyon itself!

-It’s Cheaper and Less Crowded

Lower Antelope Canyon is a better option for budget-minded travellers, since tours are quite a bit cheaper compared with Upper tours.

To make matters even better, Upper Antelope Canyon is also less crowded, and you can usually take your time and actually enjoy the place – if you visit off-season, that is.

Bear in mind that the pace is often brisk since tour operators are on a strict time schedule to avoid overcrowding!

-It’s the Canyon with Ladders

Lower Antelope Canyon is ideal for adventurous-minded travellers! The narrow bottom of the canyon due to its V-shape means you sometimes have to squeeze through narrow passages, climb over rocks and ladders.

Generally speaking, visiting Lower Antelope Canyon feels more like a hike, whereas the Upper tour is just a short walk.

Having said that, tours to Lower Antelope Canyon are 100% safe – we got a clear briefing beforehand on how to behave in the canyon and on the staircases to get in and out.

Our group included some older travellers in their 70s, so don’t think it’s going to be ‘too much’ for you – if you are in good physical conditions and can walk unaided for an hour and a half, you can totally visit Lower Antelope Canyon!

-There’s No Need to Book Months in Advance

Now, don’t get me wrong – you can’t just rock up in the middle of high season and book a Lower Antelope Canyon tour on the spot.

You may be able to get walk-in tickets in low season, but it’s still better to reserve your tour in advance – a week or so before your visit in low season should be ok, and maybe a month or two in high season.

Lower Antelope Canyon Cons

-There are No Light Beams

As our guide eloquently said, ‘Upper Antelope Canyon has the light beams, Lower Antelope Canyon has everything else’. Enough said!

-There are Stairs and It’s Quite Narrow

I guess this can be considered both as a benefit and a drawback, depending on what you’re looking for. Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon means you’ll have to climb and descend staircases, squeeze through narrow passages, and watch your step at all times.

Are you adventurous? Great – you’ll love Lower Antelope Canyon. Do you have mobility issues? Maybe opt for Upper Antelope Canyon instead!

Upper Antelope Canyon Tours

  • Ken’s Tours- Lower Antelope Canyon – $40 for the regular tour (max 10 people), $80 for the deluxe tour (max 4 people)
  • Dixie Ellis’ Lower Antelope Canyon – $40 for adults – we went with this company and had a wonderful guide called Danny, highly recommended!

Upper Vs Lower Antelope Canyon – The Verdict!

Antelope Slot Canyon

All in all, both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are worth visiting – however, given that tours are likely to cost a minimum of $50/60 with taxes and tips, most people will want to choose between the two.

Our pick would be Lower Antelope Canyon. Not only did we have a wonderful guide, we also thought that the experience was overall more enjoyable. The pace was slower, we spent more time in the canyon and were able to move at our own pace, but we did visit during low season, so peak times may be different.

Since our visit was in winter, we couldn’t see the big light beam effects that Upper Antelope Canyon is famous for. The tour was much shorter, and the guide seemed less passionate – but it’s still a beautiful place.

To sum up, if you are visiting Antelope Canyon just for pictures, then definitely head to Upper for one of the prime time tours, between March and November.

Otherwise, opt for Lower Antelope Canyon – you won’t regret it!

Lower vs Upper Antelope Canyon FAQ

Can You Go on a Self Guided Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?

No, you can’t. Access is only allowed with a Navajo guide from one of the authorised operators listed above. This is because Antelope Canyon is on Navajo land, and because of the high likelihood of flash floods, which may hit in a matter of minutes.

Don’t try to be smart and trespass to save a few bucks. Not only is it disrespectful, it’s also illegal and very dangerous.

Antelope Canyon Upper Or Lower

Can You See Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in the Same Day?

Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lower Merion

You definitely can. Both canyons are located within 15 minutes from Page, and since tours only last about 1.5 hours, you can easily plan to visit Upper for one of the prime time tours, and visit Lower before or after.

It will be a very expensive day, setting you back about $150 for the two tours, not including tips – if you’re prepared to spend that much, then do it!

Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lower Antelope Canyon

What’s the Best Time to Visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?

To be honest, there’s no single answer to this question. Are you planning to visit Antelope Canyon to see the light beams and take dreamy pictures for your Insta? Then, your best bet would be visiting Upper Antelope Canyon between March and October, book a prime time tour, and pray for sunshine.

Antelope Slot Canyon Upper Or Lower Gwynedd

Otherwise, we recommend visiting Lower Antelope Canyon in the off season – between November and February. You’ll see no light beams, but you’ll be able to visit this natural wonder without having to jostle with the crowds, which will make your trip to this natural wonder really one to remember.