Antelope Canyon - Page, AZ

[The_Breeze]

I was looking at Antelope Canyon and wondered a few things someone or some people might be able to answer. I realize each of us is different and your advice will be viewed that way. I guess I'm looking for justification for taking the shot.

You MUST use a guided tour in either canyon, upper or lower. You can't go it alone. Prices seem unreasonably high for a 1.5 hr tour - about $80 per person for the lower canyon and more for the upper. The online pics look intriguing but I'm balking at the cost. Is it worth it?

Where did you stay while you were there and is there anything to share in that regard as well?

Thanks.

[taylorbob1]

Dunno much abt Antelope Cyn.
But, if you’re lookin to stay at a nice campground near Page, make sure you visit Wahweap Marina RV park.
Lake Powell is majestic.

[jbwilli1]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

I was looking at Antelope Canyon and wondered a few things someone or some people might be able to answer. I realize each of us is different and your advice will be viewed that way. I guess I'm looking for justification for taking the shot.

You MUST use a guided tour in either canyon, upper or lower. You can't go it alone. Prices seem unreasonably high for a 1.5 hr tour - about $80 per person for the lower canyon and more for the upper. The online pics look intriguing but I'm balking at the cost. Is it worth it?

Where did you stay while you were there and is there anything to share in that regard as well?

Thanks.

The canyons are packed almost all the time. We found a tour company, Chief Tsoise https://antelopeslotcanyon.com/ that offered a photographers tour, for more $'s of course. But they limited it to 10 folks with decent cameras & our guide would stop the other guides while we took photos. It kept others out of our pictures. I gave my wife one of my DSLR's since you must have a camera, told her to shoot whatever she wanted. Turned out she wasn't bad & it was worth the extra, to me.


It's dusty as all get out in there, since they're throwing sand to help with some pictures with sun rays. Wear a mask & make a cover for your camera.


Pick the tour for time of day when the sun comes thru some of the craks/openings.

[galOnTheGo]

we were there is 2016, I know it was less than 80$ then. whatever, it is beautiful, worth the cost if just once. we did both, liked them both. be sure to have a working camera, two is better. a wide angle lens highly recommended. go early or later in day as when the sun is high, the lighting is not, what I think, at the best for pictures. one morning, one late afternoon. not much to do around there other than have lunch while waiting. camp at lake powell near the dam, walk and bike that area, beautiful.

[ducksface]

We stay at canyon de chelly at the holiday Inn if we're hoteling it.
There's a nice enough rv park with the biggest cottonwood trees you've ever seen, I think we paid 20 bucks a night.

We TEAR UP the rez and have been down damn near every dirt road and goat trail there.

Antelope is worth the money as you only do it once and it's all but impossible to take a bad picture. We've been in it through the backside over the top.
The tours are better.

Canyon de chelly and a guided tour is something you'll remember for ever and ever.

We go from keyenta to de chelle then to Lukachuki, over the top and on to Shiprock many time a year.

[The_Breeze]

Thank you very much for your feedback. It seems unanimous. Looks like I'll be making a stop-over on my way to Bryce.

Hopefully things can start opening up more soon. If so, travel safe and keep well.

Thanks again.

[ducksface]

There's a brand new Koa about 25 miles north of keyenta.
It's just scratched on dirt but sits in a pristine plain with wonderful views of Monument
Valley.
It is far from anything food or gas wise.
When you're staying there, you're really staying there.
Really nice residential type shower bathrooms. Singles with individual doors just like home.

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by ducksface

There's a brand new Koa about 25 miles north of keyenta.
It's just scratched on dirt but sits in a pristine plain with wonderful views of Monument
Valley.
It is far from anything food or gas wise.
When you're staying there, you're really staying there.
Really nice residential type shower bathrooms. Singles with individual doors just like home.

Thank you. That's actually on the list. I'll PM you with my planned route.

Take care.

[ArrrV]

As you make plans it's important to keep time zones in mind--Reservations do not necessarily follow AZ time. Always ask. Antelope Canyon is an unforgettable experience. So is Deadhorse Point State Park in Moab--a mini grand canyon without the crowds or the railings. Hiking paths right next to the edge. Have a blast and be safe!

[vkb]

Originally Posted by The_Breeze

Thank you very much for your feedback. It seems unanimous. Looks like I'll be making a stop-over on my way to Bryce.

Hopefully things can start opening up more soon. If so, travel safe and keep well.

Thanks again.

WELL...I read everyones response to your question...We stayed in Page, at the KOA CG about five yrs ago...at that time, we did the Antelope Canyon Tour. We did an early morning tour...it is on the Reservation...therefore you must be on a guided tour...we traveled to the site in an open air pickup truck the bed was covered...we are healthy seniors...however, anyone with disabilities may want to think twice. THIS IS AN AWESOME area....and, as everyone else said..one you will remember forever ! It lays in a extremely sandy river bed and during the rainy season, floods easily. Hence the controlled access. People have died there because they didn't know the dangers and went it alone, unguided. THE PHOTOS YOU WILL GET ARE AMAZING. Try to be creative...as you can google Antelope Canyon and see just about every view available.
IN ADDITION...if KOA is not available...be sure to checkout the campground at Lake Powell. iT IS BEAUTIFUL ! and well maintained. The last time we visited that area...was during the 100th Anniv. of Nat'l Parks and we had to dry camp...the site was perfect...just no hookups.
We have ridden the motorcycle, from Page over to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon...It is a good day trip...and be sure to take in the bridge several miles below the dam of Lake Powell...California Condors gather there.
ENJOY ! and … you will love BRYCE ! … every area in Utah is amazing !!

[The_Breeze]

Originally Posted by ArrrV

As you make plans it's important to keep time zones in mind--Reservations do not necessarily follow AZ time. Always ask. Antelope Canyon is an unforgettable experience. So is Deadhorse Point State Park in Moab--a mini grand canyon without the crowds or the railings. Hiking paths right next to the edge. Have a blast and be safe!

Thank you. That's on the list too, though I was going for the Arches. I'll keep this in mind. Thanks again.

[kiwirose]

I've been twice and worth every penny both times - absolutely stunning, and our guides have been fantastic. Go on the earliest tour you can get for less people and better light. Very special place and worth it, even if you just did it once in a lifetime - I will do it every time I am near by. Just my 2 cents - no recommendations on place to stay - roach motel in Page will not be shared lol

[Scubawise]

Antelope Cyn worth $100
Stay at page lake Powell campground

[Terry and Jo]

We were in that area on our 3 week vacation back in November. Sadly, since Antelope Canyon is on Navajo tribal land, they were closed due to Covid-19. In fact, I think everything on the tribal land was closed. When we were at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the road from the canyon to the East was also closed, because it crosses Navajo land.


So, if you are wanting to do Antelope Canyon, or anything else that might be on tribal land, do some calling.


Now, if you are in that area, go West of Page to a place called "The Toadstools" over in Utah. It is at roughly mile marker 20 on Highway 89 going from Page to Kanab, UT. It is about a 1/2 to 3/4 mile hike into the Toadstools, but I enjoyed the variance in the geology and colors. Once you get back to the Toadstools, walk a little further West and there is another beautiful canyon there to see, plus a few more smaller Toadstools.


Link to Terry's Photos at The Toadstools


Terry