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Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon outside Page, Arizona. The Navajo name for Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazí, or ‘spiral rock arches.’ It was designated a Navajo Tribal Park in 1997.
Entry is by guided tour only since a slot canyon is a dangerous place to be if there is rain anywhere along the course of the canyon (and thunderstorms are surprisingly frequent in the desert.) Several tourists have died in flash floods in this canyon.
It was a cloudless sunny morning the day we set out to visit Antelope Canyon. We chose Lower Antelope because it is less crowded and less expensive than Upper Antelope.
The only tour operator here for years was Ken’s. The year we went, his sister had also set up shop, next to Ken’s in the parking lot. Hers had no line, so we went there.
Our tour guide was great, told interesting stories, gave tips on shooting photos, played the flute along the way and took family photos for us at several places.
The slot canyon itself is amazing. It was formed by the erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily due to flash flooding. During monsoon season, rainwater collects in the basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it scours through the narrow passageways.
It is quite an arduous climb down steep stairs and ladders to the floor and then there are more stairs and ladders up and down along the way and places where you have to squeeze through narrow passages. The first multi-story, metal staircase by which we descended into the canyon was heart-stoppingly steep. I almost couldn’t bring myself to climb down until the guide told me there was no shame in climbing down backwards, as if it were a ladder (really, it almost was one!)
We went early in the morning and the canyon was cool at the bottom, but by the time we ascended, we were sweating and tired. The guides gave us a free water at the end of the tour…be sure to bring your own for the tour. I did see small children and elderly people make the trek just fine with some help from the guides and their families.
To see my other Glen Canyon National Recreation Area posts, please click on the links:
- Horseshoe Bend
- Lone Rock Beach
- Navajo Bridge (Coming Soon)
- Wahweap Overlook & Marina (Coming Soon)
- Colorado River & Petroglyph Walk
- Glen Canyon Dam and Overlook
- Hanging Garden Trail
Location: Navajo Nation near Page, AZ
Designation: Navajo Tribal Park
Date designated or established: 1997
Date of my visit: 8/18/2014
Outstanding Images! Love the colors. Would love to see that place.
Thanks so much! It was an awesome experience
Very interesting. I looked to see where Page is to see if we could hitchhike it on to a trip to Phoenix or Albuquerque and unfortunately it is right on the northern border of Arizona and pretty far away from any major city. I guess we will have to get back to Grand Junction!
We landed in Phoenix and drove there. It’s about 4 hours’ drive, but we broke it up with a stop at Montezuma National Monument and a couple of others along the way
We once flew to Las Vegas [flights there seem less expensive] and rented a car, drove around and eventually reached Page.
We still have more to see in the area. I think next time, we’d fly into Salt Lake City and travel south
The ladders were too much for our old knees, but we were able to see “Upper Antelope Canyon” which has a flat surface. However, having not been to “Lower,” I can’t compare them.
According to our hotel owner who steered us towards Lower, it is less crowded and less expensive. The passage is more narrow, so you don’t get the iconic shot of the larger open cavern in Upper.
I didn’t get a picture of that first 3-story ladder because it was seriously terrifying to descend. By the time I got down, had to hurry to catch up to the group, lol. I would visit Upper next time.
Wow your pictures are beautiful. The colors look amazing, I hope to make it there one day 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
These pics are so amazing – not for the mobility challenged, I’m thinking.
Thanks! As @ralietravels mentioned above, Upper Antelope Canyon is much easier to get into. I haven’t been to Upper yet, so I couldn’t speak to how truly accessible it is.
Good to know. thanks
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Love this place. The lower canyon was closed when we were through last year, but we really enjoyed the upper canyon. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Thanks for commenting. Maybe flash flooding in the lower? Though I’d think that would close both
Those pictures almost don’t look real!
Thanks! Nature’s art!
Amazing photographs! The canyon formation and colors are stunning.
Thanks!
Gobsmacked, wow.
Thanks!
Gorgeous pictures!
Thank you! 🙂
We haven’t made it to this park yet but your photos make it look amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! It is hard to take a bad picture there… hope you are planning a stop in Page…lots to see and do💛
Fantastic photos. To my great regret, I missed visiting this destination in this past, but hope to make it there one day.
Thanks! Hope you get back there to see it in person!
Beautiful! The only tough decisions regarding Lower Antelope are which gorgeous photos to use here! 😀
Thanks so much!
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