How To Do Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas The Right Way

Antelope Canyon is verified bucket list material—but what was once a rugged, show-up-and-go kind of adventure now requires a lot more planning.

In its earlier days, people would rush to this dreamy slot canyon without much thought, climbing in and out for the perfect photo with zero regulation. These days, due to its growing fame and fragile environment, you must book in advance with a Navajo guide to visit.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand everything there is to know. We’ll break down the three main sections of Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, and Canyon X), explain the differences in price, lighting, and crowds, and help you map out a scenic self-drive road trip from Las Vegas that also includes Horseshoe Bend.

Not too long ago, we recently visited with our parents in June, and while the heat was a lot (we’re talking 100+ degrees!), it was still one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had together — it’s one of those rare places in the world that’ll leave you stunned into silence!

If you’re on the fence about making the long drive from Vegas, this guide will help you confidently decide when to go, which section to choose, and how to make the most of your time.

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Antelope Canyon From Las Vegas: Everything You Need To Know

Antelope Canyon: Quick + Handy Facts

• The canyon is divided into two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.
• Antelope Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour.
• If you want to see the canyon’s famous light beams, go for Upper Antelope Canyon.
• If you want to see swirling canyon walls (no light beams), opt for Lower Antelope Canyon.
• Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular of the two (and therefore more expensive to visit), but Lower Antelope Canyon is just as beautiful!
• Photography is permitted in the canyon, but recordings are not. Camcorders, selfie sticks, and tripods are not allowed.
• The peak season at Lower Antelope Canyon runs from May to September. During the busy months of May to September, tickets tend to sell out far in advance, so be prepared for the rush! Book your tour as soon as you know your travel dates.
• A visit during the middle of the week is always going to be less crowded than a weekend visit.
• For the best lighting / colors within the canyon, you’ll want to visit when the sun is at its peak, between 11 am and 1:30 pm.

Getting To Antelope Canyon

The drive from Vegas to Antelope Canyon is about 4.5 to 5 hours long, one-way.

If you plan on driving yourself there, you definitely won’t want to attempt this as a day trip because that would mean spending at least 9 hours on the road, which is way more than anyone should drive in one day. Instead, we recommend staying at least one night in Page, AZ.

With that said, doing it all in one day is still possible–if you opt for a guided tour instead.

These tours include hotel pickup, transportation, and visits to both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Plus, because you have a driver, you could spend your time on the road napping, hanging out, which is a lot less taxing than having to drive.

If you don’t plan on renting a car and road-tripping yourself to Antelope Canyon, we recommend going with this 13-hour luxury coach bus tour. They give you options for which part of Antelope Canyon you want to visit: Lower, Upper, or Canyon X.

Choosing Between Antelope Canyon’s Different Areas

Antelope Canyon is split into three main sections: 

• Upper Antelope Canyon
• Lower Antelope Canyon
• Canyon X

Upper Antelope (aka The Crack)

This is the section you’ve probably seen on postcards and screensavers. It’s known for its famous light beams, which appear around midday between late spring and early fall—especially if you book a tour between 11 AM and 1 PM. Because of that, it’s also the most photographed, the most crowded, and the most expensive.

The walk is flat and easy—no stairs or ladders involved—so it’s more accessible for all ages. However, it’s also much darker overall, since the canyon walls narrow toward the top (shaped more like an “A”), which limits how much sunlight gets in.

Recommended Tour – From Page: Upper Antelope Canyon Guided Tour (By Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours)

Lower Antelope (aka the Corkscrew)

Lower Antelope doesn’t usually get as much love as Upper. We don’t fully understand why, because after visiting this area for ourselves, we can say for a fact that this area has gorgeous natural geography too!

Lower Antelope is a bit more adventurous than Upper. You’ll descend into the canyon via a steep staircase that feels more like a ladder, and walk through tighter passages with twisting, curving walls. It’s brighter than Upper because the canyon is wider at the top (shaped like a “V”), allowing more sunlight to bounce around.

While it doesn’t get the dramatic light beams Upper is famous for, the natural colors and shapes in the rock are incredible—and easier to appreciate with fewer crowds.

It’s also cheaper than Upper, and in my opinion, the views are more dynamic and interesting (with unsuspecting twists and turns all around). Just be aware it’s not ideal for visitors with mobility issues.

Recommended Tour – From Page: Lower Antelope Canyon Guided Tour (By Ken’s Tours)

Canyon X

Canyon X is a solid choice if you’re looking for fewer crowds and a lower price point.

It’s run by a different Navajo tour operator and includes a mix of both narrow and wide canyon sections. While it doesn’t have the name recognition or the dramatic beams that Upper offers, the lighting is still excellent, and you’ll have more room to breathe—great if you’re not into being shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers for an hour.

If you’re visiting mainly for the experience (not for professional photography), Canyon X offers fantastic value and still delivers the signature swirls, textures, and colors of Antelope Canyon.

Recommended Tour – From Page: Antelope Canyon X Guided Tour (By Taadidiin Tours)

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Do You Really Need A Tour Guide To See Antelope Canyon?

Yes—100%. Antelope Canyon sits on Navajo land, and you must be accompanied by a Navajo guide to enter any part of the canyon. This is not optional, and it’s not something you can do on your own, even if you’re just hoping to wander in for a few quick photos.

But it’s not a bad thing—the Navajo guides are incredibly knowledgeable, and they’ll point out key rock formations, show you the best photo angles (they do this for a living; they know ALL the iPhone angles), and share the cultural and geological significance of the area.

Who Are the Main Tour Operators?

You don’t need to stress too much about which operator to pick—most offer a similar format and follow the same one-way walking route. Here’s who runs what:

• Upper Antelope Canyon: Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours, Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
• Lower Antelope Canyon: Ken’s Tours Lower Antelope Canyon, Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
• Canyon X: Taadidiin Tours

When it comes to choosing which tour company to go with, I personally don’t think it matters. They all have great reviews and do tours constantly throughout the year. Your experience will largely depend on the tour guide you end up with.

Personally, we had a great time on our tour of Lower Antelope Canyon with Ken’s Tours. We ended up going with Lower Antelope Canyon because all the best time slots for Upper Antelope Canyon tours were fully booked by the time we started planning our trip.

Book Your Antelope Canyon Guided Tour

If you don’t need round trip transportation from Las Vegas, these are the tours you can book for different parts of Antelope Canyon:

From Page: Upper Antelope Canyon Guided Tour

Price: $$$ | By Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours

From Page: Lower Antelope Canyon Guided Tour

Price: $$ | By Ken’s Tours

From Page: Antelope Canyon X Guided Tour

Price: $ | By Taadidiin Tours

Notice the price differences between them all! Upper Antelope Canyon tours are the most expensive, while Canyon X tours are the most affordable.

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Itinerary Ideas: Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend

Antelope Canyon can easily be paired with a visit to the iconic Horseshoe Bend, a sweeping, postcard-worthy viewpoint where the Colorado River curves dramatically through massive red rock walls.

From Antelope Canyon, it only takes about 12 minutes to get to Horseshoe Bend. Pairing the two is a no-brainer!

Unlike Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend does not require a guide or advance reservation. You simply park and take the short (roughly 15-minute) walk to the overlook. There is a small entrance/parking fee, but that’s it.

Stay the night to maximize time in Page, AZ

Since the drive from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon will take approximately 4.5 to 5 hours, we recommend staying the night in the Page, AZ area for at least one night. Here are two itinerary ideas depending on how fast/slow you want to travel:

1-night stay: Drive to Page, AZ on Day 0 > overnight stay > Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend on Day 1 > Drive back to Las Vegas on Day 1

2-night stay: Drive to Page, AZ on Day 0 > overnight stay > Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend on Day 1 > overnight stay > Drive back to Las Vegas on Day 2

• NOTE: A 2-night stay also gives you enough time to add Monument Valley (located 2 more hours east) if that’s a bucket list item for you!

Itinerary Option #1: Back-to-Back

This itinerary is best for people who want to capture photos of both landmarks in the most ideal photography conditions possible. It does require a little bit of hustle to get from place to place, but it’s totally doable.

11 – 1:30 pm: Antelope Canyon (Prime Time!)

The Antelope Canyon tour will take approximately 60-80 minutes from your tour start time, but please factor in driving time to return to Page and Horseshoe Bend.

1 – 2:30 pm: Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on walking speed and how long you plan to linger at the viewpoints.

Itinerary Option #2: Sunrise at Horseshoe Bend

This itinerary is good for those who like waking up early for sunrise hikes and want to avoid walking during the hottest times of the day.

Sunrise: Horseshoe Bend

You’ll have to look up sunrise times for your trip because it tends to change throughout the year.

The gates are locked until personnel arrive at the fee booth, which is usually a bit before sunrise. Horseshoe Bend can take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on walking speed and how long you plan to linger at the viewpoints.

Head back to your hotel for breakfast.

You’ll likely have some time to kill after Horseshoe Bend before Antelope Canyon’s best viewing times. Go back to your hotel for breakfast, a disco nap, a dip in the pool, etc. or explore the rest of Page for a few hours.

11 – 1:30 pm: Antelope Canyon

The Antelope Canyon tour will take about 60-80 minutes from your tour start time.

Itinerary Option #3: Horseshoe Bend at Sunset

This itinerary is ideal for those who are staying an extra night in Page, AZ, and can take more time to explore both landmarks.

11 – 1:30 pm: Antelope Canyon

The Antelope Canyon tour will take about 60-80 minutes from your tour start time.

Lunch in Page

Grab a bite to eat and recharge after your Antelope Canyon tour. A few local favorites:

• Big John’s Texas BBQ – Casual, hearty spot with smoked meats and picnic tables.
• BirdHouse – Korean fried chicken and rice bowls that are fast, filling, and different from the usual Southwest fare.
• Ranch House Grille – A classic American diner if you’re craving breakfast-for-lunch.

Glen Canyon Dam Overlook

Just 10 minutes from downtown Page, this short walk gives you a dramatic view of the dam and Colorado River from above. It’s much less crowded than Horseshoe Bend and a nice bonus photo stop.

Sunset: Horseshoe Bend

Again, you’ll need to look up sunset times for your trip since they differ throughout the year.

At sunset, the sun will be right in front of you, so definitely bring sunglasses if visiting at this time. If you’re here for the photos, visiting at sunset will allow you to capture the sunburst/sun flare phenomenon right before the sun dips over the horizon!

Try to wrap up your activities around 5 pm to give yourself time to get to the Horseshoe Bend parking lot (about 10–15 minutes from Page), make the walk to the viewpoint, and get settled before the sun starts to dip.

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