Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the American Southwest, on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. It includes two separate, scenic slot canyon sections, referred to as Upper Antelope Canyon (or The Crack), and Lower Antelope Canyon (or The Corkscrew).^[2]

Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. Although it is one slot canyon, there are two points within the park that you can visit: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. We are a Navajo-owned and operated family tour business. We offer public and private tours through Northern Arizona’s majestic backcountry and slot canyons. Antelope Valley Canyon Tours has been in the touring business for a long time now. Touring is not just a job for us; it is a lifestyle. Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. Although it is one slot canyon, there are two points within the park that you can visit: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon Arizona – this world-famous slot canyon is of the most beautiful places on Earth. This other-worldly place is an enchanting landscape that took water and winds thousands of years to create. You’ve probably seen Instagram posts of a place with beautiful, orangish, magical rock formations on your feed a time or two.

The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tsé bighánílíní, which means 'the place where water runs through rocks'. Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí (called 'Hasdestwazi' by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department), or 'spiral rock arches'. Both are in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.^[4] They are accessible by guided tour only.

Geology[edit]

Antelope Canyon was formed by the erosion of Navajo Sandstone^[2] due to flash flooding and other sub-aerial processes. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways eroded away, deepening the corridors and smoothing hard edges to form characteristic 'flowing' shapes.^[3]

Tourism and photography[edit]

Antelope Canyon is a popular location for photographers and sightseers, and a source of tourism business for the Navajo Nation. It has been accessible by tour only since 1997, when the Navajo Tribe made it a Navajo Tribal Park. Besides the Upper and Lower areas, there are other slots in the canyon that can be visited, such as the Canyon X which is also part of the same drainage as Antelope Canyon. All visits are through one of several licensed tour operators. It is not possible to visit the Canyon independently.^[5]

Photography within the canyons is difficult due to the wide range exposure range (often 10 EV or more) made by light reflecting off the canyon walls.^[6] For several years, there was a specialized 'photographer tour' of the Upper Antelope Canyon, where participants needed to have a tripod and camera. These were discontinued at the end of 2019 to improve the experience for the larger number of people on the general tours.

Upper Antelope Canyon[edit]

Upper Antelope Canyon is called Tsé bighánílíní, 'the place where water runs through rocks' by the Navajo. It is the most frequently visited by tourists because its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing; and because beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common. Beams occur most often in summer, as they require the sun to be high in the sky. Winter colors are more muted. Light beams start to peek into the canyon March 20 and disappear by October 7.

• Inside of the Upper Antelope Canyon

• The Candle, Upper Antelope Canyon

• The 'Lion's Head' rock formation inside Upper Antelope Canyon

• Famed formation of Heart shape in the Upper Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon[edit]

Lower Antelope Canyon, called Hazdistazí, or 'spiral rock arches' by the Navajo, is located several miles from Upper Antelope Canyon. Prior to the installation of metal stairways, visiting the canyon required climbing pre-installed ladders in certain areas.

Even following the installation of stairways, it is a more difficult hike than Upper Antelope. It is longer, narrower in places, and even footing is not available in all areas. Five flights of stairs of varying widths are currently available to aid in descent and ascent. At the end, the climb out requires flights of stairs. Additionally, sand continually falls from the crack above and can make the stairs slippery.^[7]

Despite these limitations, Lower Antelope Canyon draws a considerable number of photographers, though casual sightseers are much less common than in the Upper canyon. Photography-only tours are available around midday when light is at its peak. Photographers cannot bring a tripod.

The lower canyon is in the shape of a 'V' and shallower than the Upper Antelope. Lighting is better in the early hours and late morning.

• Inside the Lower Antelope Canyon

• Inside the Lower Antelope Canyon

• Inside of Lower Antelope Canyon

• Stairs leading out of Lower Antelope Canyon

• The Lady in the Wind, Lower Antelope Canyon

• Inside Lower Antelope Canyon

Access[edit]

The road to upper Antelope Canyon is gated by the Navajo Nation and entry is restricted to guided tours led by authorized tour guides.

Flash flooding[edit]

Antelope Canyon is visited exclusively through guided tours, in part because rains during monsoon season can quickly flood it. Rain does not have to fall on or near the Antelope Canyon slots for flash floods to whip through; rain falling dozens of miles away can funnel into them with little notice.^[5]

On August 12, 1997, eleven tourists, including seven from France, one from the United Kingdom, one from Sweden and two from the United States, were killed in Lower Antelope Canyon by a flash flood.^[8][9] Very little rain fell at the site that day, but an earlier thunderstorm dumped a large amount of water into the canyon basin 7 miles (11 km) upstream. The lone survivor was tour guide Francisco 'Pancho' Quintana, who had prior swift-water training. At the time, the ladder system consisted of amateur-built wood ladders that were swept away by the flood. Today, ladder systems have been bolted in place, and deployable cargo nets are installed at the top of the canyon. A NOAA Weather Radio from the National Weather Service and an alarm horn are at the fee booth.^[10]

Despite improved warning and safety systems, the risks of injury from flash floods still exists. On July 30, 2010, several tourists were stranded on a ledge when two flash floods occurred at Upper Antelope Canyon.^[11] Some of them were rescued and some had to wait for the flood waters to recede.^[12] There were reports that a woman and her nine-year-old son were injured as they were washed away downstream, but no fatalities were reported.^[13]

Antelope Slot Canyons Arizona Pictures

References[edit]

1. ^ ^ab'Antelope Canyon'. Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 27 June 1984. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
2. ^ ^abcdKelsey, Michael R. (2011). Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau (6th ed.). Provo, Utah: Kelsey Publishing. p. 324. ISBN978-0-944510-27-8.
3. ^ ^abc'Antelope Canyon: Overview'. Navajo Tours. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
4. ^'Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park'. Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
5. ^ ^ab'Lower Antelope Canyon- Where Surrealism meets Nature'. Minor Sights. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
6. ^Martrès, Laurent (2006). A guide to the natural landmarks of Arizona. Photographing the Southwest (2nd ed.). Alta Loma, CA, USA: Graphie International. ISBN978-0-916189-13-6.^{[page needed]}
7. ^'Antelope Canyon Tour: WORTH IT!'. The O'Briens Abroad, Family Vacations. 2017-10-22. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
8. ^'Flash Flood Antelope Canyon'. Retrieved 20 March 2006.
9. ^'Antelope Canyon'. Archived from the original on 17 March 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2006.
10. ^Kramer, Kelly (2008). 'Man vs. Wild'. Arizona Highways. 84 (11): 23.
11. ^'Hikers rescued from flooding in northern Arizona canyon'. ABC News. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
12. ^'Eight People Rescued from Antelope Canyon'. NAS Today. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
13. ^'Five injured in Antelope Canyon flash flood'. AZ Daily Sun. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2013.

External links[edit]

• Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park at Navajo Parks and Recreation Dept.

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Few, if any, slot canyons in the world can come close to rivaling the awe-inspiring curves and undulations of the sandstone slot canyons near Page, Arizona.

The Page, Arizona slot canyons offer a one-of-a-kind experience for all visitors. Though popular amongst hiking enthusiasts and professional photographers, the canyons are beautiful enough (and accessible enough) to appeal to just about any crowd. I mean, you’ve seen the pictures, right? Who wouldn’t want to see this for themselves?! Please note that all four of the canyons below require a Navajo guide to accompany you...don't go adventuring off on your own!

1. Upper Antelope Canyon

Typically visited by day, as pictured above, this slot canyon can also be visited at night through a tour with Lionel Bigthumb; your adventure may yield some photos similar to the below image. Upper Antelope Canyon, also known as Tsé bighánílíní — “the place where water runs through rocks”, is typically the most crowded of the slot canyons near Page, Arizona for a number of reasons. For one, this canyon has the largest caverns, meaning that it can accommodate even the largest of tour groups. Additionally, the entire canyon is at ground level, so no climbing is involved to get to or through the canyon. This makes it accessible to just about everyone. You won’t have any trouble finding a great tour that visits this canyon, but know that you won’t be alone. If you’re impatient with crowds, this might not be the best destination for you. If you are hoping to catch a photo of the canyon without people in it, you DEFINITELY have to sign up for a photography tour. Check out Mark Handy's post for more details.

2. Lower Antelope Canyon

If you only have time to visit one of Page’s famous slot canyons, Lower Antelope Canyon has my vote. Known as “Hazdistazí” (meaning “spiral rock arches”) to some, Lower Antelope Canyon brings the most bang for your buck if you have limited time. Even though it is only a quarter-mile long, its landscape is dense in amazing features, including some of the most iconic undulating formations in the rock walls, along with amazing lighting and coloring. Even amateur photographers can take incredible photographs in this canyon! Check out Mark Handy's post for more details.

3. Rattlesnake Canyon

A tributary to the larger Antelope Wash, Rattlesnake Canyon is not as tall or as long as either Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. It also doesn’t have the famous “light beam” phenomenon that those canyons are known for. However, the color quality of the rocks, the superb lighting, the unique formations, and the winding passageways of this canyon give it a feel and appearance that is spectacular in its own right. Factoring in a number of elements, I have to admit this canyon is my favorite! Check out Eric Harris's post for more details.

4. Mountain Sheep Canyon

As its name suggests, Mountain Sheep Canyon offers a rugged feel and more strenuous hike than the other slot canyons. The trek is longer than it is for the other canyons (about three-quarters of a mile), and there is quite a bit of scaling ladders along the way. The ladders are all secured to the rock, but a few of the climbs might be enough to make you a bit nervous…especially with younger children. Also, beware that this canyon is not immediately adjacent to the Antelope Wash, where the others are located; you will have a bit more adventurous (read: bumpy) ride to get to Mountain Sheep Canyon. Check out my post for more details.

For more details, history, and photography tips on the Page Slot Canyons, check out this post.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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