Best Lower Antelope Canyon Tours
We booked our Lower Antelope Canyon tour through GetYourGuide and had an excellent experience. The price includes entry tickets, the Navajo permit fee, and a knowledgeable local Navajo guide. Communication was smooth and clear via email, and they offer a flexible refund policy if you need to cancel in advance.
GetYourGuide also offers tours for Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Canyon X, and several lesser-known slot canyons in the area that attract fewer visitors—perfect if you want a more peaceful experience.
Having used GetYourGuide for many tours worldwide, we highly recommend them for their professionalism and ease of booking.
Once inside, you’ll navigate the winding passage in single file at a relaxed pace, marveling at the smooth, flowing sandstone walls bathed in beautiful light. After completing the slot, you’ll climb back up stairs to return to the starting point.
Our tour began with a special treat—a brief Navajo tribal dance accompanied by traditional music, included at no extra cost. This unique cultural experience was a wonderful introduction, and while tips were optional, no payment was requested.
From there, we followed our guide on a roughly 10-minute walk through the desert to the canyon entrance. It’s a short but hot walk, so the sooner you step into the cool shade of the slot canyon, the better!
What Antelope Canyon Looks Like Inside
From above, Antelope Canyon might just look like a simple crack in the ground, but once you step inside, you’re instantly amazed by the smooth, flowing walls and the vibrant colors of the sandstone.
The canyon’s perfectly sculpted curves and waves look just as stunning as the photos you’ve probably seen online. Our Navajo guide made the experience even more memorable by pointing out fun shapes carved into the rock walls—like a dragon, an eagle, and a tribal chief.
Don’t worry about photography here—taking pictures inside the canyon isn’t as tricky as it seems. Even smartphone cameras capture great shots. For the best results, a wide-angle lens helps you capture the full beauty and intricate details of the canyon’s walls.
Crowds and Experience at Lower Antelope Canyon
Full disclosure: Lower Antelope Canyon tours are almost always crowded. It’s tough to avoid the crowds unless you visit during the off-season—and even then, there are no guarantees. More on that later.
Despite the crowds, we still thoroughly enjoyed the breathtaking scenery. We spent nearly an hour inside the slot canyon and managed to take plenty of amazing photos without other people in the shots, so the crowds didn’t spoil the experience for us.
That same week, we also visited Upper Antelope Canyon, which felt much more rushed and hectic. We barely had time to take any photos there. Overall, the Lower Canyon offered a far more enjoyable and relaxed experience.
Best Time To Visit Lower Antelope Canyon
During this off-season period, the canyon is generally quieter and more comfortable to explore.
However, if you’re chasing the most dramatic lighting, the summer months offer stunning conditions. That said, Lower Antelope has a wider ceiling than Upper Antelope Canyon, so it lets in more sunlight and ambient light. This can sometimes make the canyon overly bright and result in harsh shadows or blown-out highlights in your photos.
Because of that, the best time of day to visit Lower Antelope Canyon is usually in the early morning or late afternoon, when the light is softer and creates better contrast for photography.
That being said, we visited Lower Antelope Canyon at midday in late May, and most areas of the canyon were still beautiful and very photogenic. So if midday is the only time you can go, don’t worry — unless you’re a professional photographer, you might not even notice the difference in lighting.
Is The Lower Antelope Canyon Tour Worth It?
While the tour can feel a bit crowded (as it’s a very popular destination), the scenery more than makes up for it. The winding passageways, colorful sandstone walls, and surreal rock formations make it one of the most photogenic slot canyons in the U.S.
In terms of cost, Lower Antelope Canyon is much more affordable than Upper Antelope Canyon, where prices can reach up to $150 USD per person during peak season. With Lower Canyon, you’ll typically pay less and still get a longer, less rushed tour — making it a better overall value.
If you’re only planning to visit one part of Antelope Canyon and want to get the best experience for your money, Lower Canyon is the clear winner.
What To Do On the Lower Canyon Tour (And What NOT To Do)
Planning to visit Lower Antelope Canyon? Here’s a quick guide on what to bring, what to leave behind, and what’s not allowed during the tour, based on current Navajo Nation guidelines.
✅ What To Bring
- Photo ID – You’ll need a valid ID such as a driver’s license or passport to check in for your tour.
- Sun protection – A hat and sunscreen are strongly recommended, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer months.
- Water – Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated during the short walk to and from the canyon.
- Camera or phone – Photography is allowed, and even phone cameras work great in the canyon’s natural light.
🚫 What NOT To Bring
Bags of any kind are not allowed. You’ll have to leave them in your car. This includes:
- Backpacks, fanny packs, or camera bags
- Strollers, canes, or walking sticks (unless medically necessary)
- Drones or umbrellas
- Tripods and selfie sticks
These restrictions help preserve the narrow, fragile slot canyon and ensure safety during the tour.
❗ What NOT To Do
To protect the canyon and respect Navajo Nation rules, avoid the following:
- No smoking or vaping
- No climbing or writing on the canyon walls
- No video recording – Video is not allowed at any point during the tour
- No flash photography – Non-flash photos are fine, and you can take as many as you like
- No photos on the stairways – This is for safety reasons
Other Helpful Tips for Visiting Lower Antelope Canyon
If you’re planning a Lower Antelope Canyon tour, here are some essential travel tips and things to know before you go:
🚻 Bathrooms
There are toilets available at the tour office before the hike begins, but there are no restrooms inside the canyon. Be sure to take a bathroom break befo your tour starts.
📅 When T
While Lower Antelope Canyon is easie thansp.
Reserve your spot 2 to 4 weeks in advan to secure
🕒 Ti
One of the most common issues for visitors is showing up at the wrong time due to confusing time zones.
Here’s what to remember:
- The Navajo Nation follows Daylight Saving Time
- The rest of Arizona does not
- Your phone may automatically switch between time zones while driving
✅ Important: All Antelope Canyon tours operate on Page, Arizona local time — so be sure to sync your clock to Page, AZ time when planning your arrival.
⏰ How Early Should You Arrive?
Most tour operators request that you arrive at least 45 minutes early for check-in. This allows time for ID verification, safety instructions, and group organization.
The Navajo guides are very punctual, and if you’re late, you may lose your spot — so plan to arrive early just to be safe.
📍 How To Get There
The meeting point for most Lower Antelope Canyon tours is:
Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ 86040, USA
(Located just off Arizona Highway 98 — about a 10-minute drive from downtown Page)
Make sure to double-check your booking confirmation for any changes to the meeting location or arrival instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lower Antelope Canyon
🏜️ Why is it called “Lower” Antelope Canyon?
The name refers to its location below ground level, while the Upper Canyon is above ground. Although “Lower” might sound less impressive, don’t let the name fool you — this canyon is just as spectacular, if not more so. In fact, we personally preferred the Lower Canyon experience over the Upper!
🚗 How far is it from the Upper Antelope Canyon?
Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons are very close to each other — their tour offices are located just across the highway. However, to reach the Upper Canyon, you’ll need to ride in a company vehicle for about 3 miles (5 kilometers) on a rough dirt road.
If you’re interested, there are combo tours that let you visit both canyons in one day. These tours usually include hotel pickup/drop-off and sometimes additional attractions in the Page, Arizona area — though they tend to be a bit more expensive.
☀️ What’s the best time of day to visit Lower Antelope Canyon?
Lower Antelope Canyon is beautiful at any time of day, but the ideal lighting for photography is usually in the morning or late afternoon when sunlight isn’t too harsh.
We visited around midday in late May, and it was still amazing. Unless you’re a professional photographer, you’ll likely enjoy it no matter what time you go.
✨ Can you light beams in Lower Canyon
Unfortunately, no — you can’t see light beams in the Lower Canyon because it has a wider ceiling, allowing light to scatter more evenly.
🔍 Lower Antelope Canyon Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
🚶 How physically demanding is the tour?
It’s a fairly easy tour that most people can do without any problems. The total walking distance is about two-thirds of a mile (1 kilometer), mostly on flat, sandy terrain. You will need to descend and ascend a few metal staircases, but they’re sturdy, have handrails, and aren’t overly steep. If you can handle a normal staircase, you’ll do just fine here. There’s no need to rush — guides let everyone move at their own pace.
👶 Is this tour suitable for kids?
Yes, absolutely. Children are welcome on the tour and many families visit Lower Antelope Canyon daily. If you’re traveling with a toddler or baby, you’re allowed to bring a soft baby carrier (but confirm this with your tour operator in advance). Just be mindful of the stairs and the heat during warmer months.
🤰 Can pregnant women join the tour?
Technically, tour companies advise against it, likely for insurance and safety reasons. That said, many pregnant women — including my wife during her second trimester — have done the tour without issues. The biggest things to consider are the heat, metal staircases, and possibly the brief bumpy drive to the check-in office (which lasts under 2 minutes).
Inside the canyon, temperatures are noticeably cooler and the stairways have railings for support. Ultimately, it’s a personal decision — if you’re pregnant, speak with your doctor first and judge based on how you’re feeling.
🚫 Can I visit Lower Antelope Canyon without a tour?
No, all visitors are required to join a guided tour led by a Navajo guide, as the canyon is located on Navajo tribal land. This rule is strictly enforced for both safety and cultural preservation reasons.
📅 How can I book a Lower Antelope Canyon tour?
We booked our tour through GetYourGuide and had a great experience. Their tours include the entry fee, Navajo permit, and a local guide. They also have an easy cancellation policy if your plans change.
🏨 Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Standard Lower Antelope Canyon tours do not include pickup — you’ll need to drive yourself to the tour office. However, GetYourGuide offers combo tours that include Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon plus Horseshoe Bend, with hotel pickup and drop-off from Page, AZ. These are more expensive, but ideal if you don’t have your own transportation.
