89 and parking is by Rt 89. Upper Antelope Canyon is about of a mile in each direction inside the canyon and the floor is flat. Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. Antelope Canyon, Page. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. How do you get there? As the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. Because of the relatively rugged nature of the terrain, pregnant women and people with heart or joint problems might want to skip these excursions. Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel is granted only with a Navajo guide. For the Lower Antelope, it is best to take the tour between 10 am to 1 pm. 9.1K views 1 year ago Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without the crowds was an absolutely dream. We went at 9:00 am in early January and as you can see from the pictures, we saw some nice colours but it was still a bit dark in places. Most 90-minute tours of Upper Antelope Canyon cost between $50 and $90 (slightly less for children), although some operators offer discounts on their early bird and last chance tours. Rest assured, no matter which canyon you visit, you're guaranteed incredible scenery. The canyon forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. However, here at our Lower Canyon, you walk through a slightly narrower space. The roughly 600-foot-long slot canyon welcomes up to 10,000 people a day during peak seasonso you can imagine it can get crowded. It is approx. *Online booking fee of 6% is added at checkout. Approximately 3 hoursfrom departure at 821 US 89 in Page, AZ. As much as the dim light made it hard for me to take photographs, I appreciated the moody atmosphere it created. The first thing to know about Antelope Canyon is that these are slot canyons. What is the significant difference? Upper Antelope Canyon is only 100 yards long and the trail through it is flat, so it's an easy walk for most people. Learn how your comment data is processed. The smaller one is only 100 feet long but has wonderful formations. Upper Antelope Canyon is at ground level, has less than a 2% incline and is the more popular entrance. Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. Antelope Canyon is located just east of Page, Arizona, in the northern area of the state. For the most part, we had this slot canyon to ourselves. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections . Horseshoe Bend attracts 2 million visitors every year and is one of the most photographed sites in northern Arizona. Pricing varies by time of day and popularity of the tour time and range from $112 to $120 per person. The Courtyard was great, nice sized and well-appointed rooms. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. The curves and lines in the rock were pronounced, shaped from years of bending to the will of rushing waters carrying boulders, sand, and other debris. Enter through the southeast of Lower Antelope Canyon and embark on a live . There is just very little privacy. The company's guides consistently earn positive reviews for their knowledge not only of the area's history and culture but also of their photography techniques. Pay whatever they want. Good luck! Page ; Hotels ; Things to do ; Restaurants ; Flights The walls seemed to close in as they narrowed to just a couple of feet wide. Upper Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon carved out of the Navajo Sandstone rock and was the place where the most expensive photo ever sold was taken - (Peter Lik's "The ghost") - for over $6 million. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. Theres no special gear you need for hiking this slot canyon unless you plan on hiking the super narrow part beyond the ladder. Lovely post! I hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours keeps Secret Canyon a small-group experience because Ive seen too many places lose their magic because of over-tourism. You didnt really keep the secret did you? Canyon X is also on private land and it used to be much more difficult to visit than today. Dei aceste dou locuri sunt relativ aproape de Grand Canyon i unul . Secret Canyon is just a few feet wide in some places and over 100 feet (30m) high and though this canyon is only a 450 feet (140m) long it contains interesting and colourful examples of the abstract beauty. VISIT SECRET CANYON: This Hummer tour begins at 12 N. Lake Powell Blvd. The slot canyon has over 1500 feet of beautiful sandstone formations located in the upper most part of Water Holes Canyon allowing you and friends to enjoy the sights for over 1 hour. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles. We only met a few other tourists along the way. A barren tree branch had been swept into the confined passages only to be lodged against a narrow opening. But we're here to help show you the ropes, from how to book a Navajo guide to tips on photographing the shifting light. But since we could go to Water Holes Canyon and explore on our own we went all sorts of photo crazy! That being said, its growing in popularity, making it more crowded than you might assume, considering that its less likely to sell out as far as tours are concerned. It is locaated in the water holes area. I was dreaming of visiting this wonder of nature since the first time I laid my eyes on it, and I wanted everything to be perfect. Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon's entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. For tour information and prices clickhere. The celebrated light beams that illuminate the canyon are most likely to be seen during the summer months. Youve probably seen the landscape in photos or shared online, and you may be wondering how much of a tourist hot spot it really is. If you want to take great pictures then I recommend the Secret Canyon tour as it is much easier to get the time and space to do that without people constantly wandering into the view of your lens. What is the difference between the Upper and Lower canyon? I could really appreciate the difference between Secret Canyon and the more popular Antelope Canyon. Companies that provide tours of Upper Antelope Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona, and provide transportation to the Upper Canyon. This canyon is shaped more like the letter A. It was so packed with people vying for the perfect photo spot that I worried about accidentally getting bumped over the edge. Mike was getting great results with his iPhone, so I let him take over photographer duty in places while I simply enjoyed the surroundings. See "What to bring" below for more specific items. This canyon looks absolutely amazing!Thanks for sharing the way to get to this secret gem! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. One last note, in the cavern where we hit the first ladder and turned around, we found a bunch of graffiti left by tourists on the walls, written in what I think was white chalk. My 90 minutes in the canyon was soon over and I dreaded the hike out. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. Have you ever seen the amazing photos of a narrow canyon with elegantly curved rocks, colored in 50 shades of red that seem like from another planet? After passing by sandy washes and rocky hills, we arrived a short walk away from the entrance to Secret Canyon. However, the actual tour experience was the complete opposite of what we enjoyed at Secret Canyon. We have smaller groups, more personal experience. Horseshoe Bend (formerly known as "Secret" Canyon) Slot Canyon debate, it is true that the latter will have fewer people to contend with, but you'll pay more for more exclusive access. The deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good equipment and technique capturing images of the natural beauty is possible. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. Our guide gave us an introduction to the area and told us we could go ahead at our own pace, as he was going to accompany the elderly members of our group and meet us at the other end of the canyon. The permit is $12 per person, less than a general sightseeing tour of Antelope and much less than the photo tour of Antelope Canyon. For more information about Navajo culture, book the Deluxe Tour. I recommend doing BOTH if you have the time and money. Do: Wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes and layered clothing. 1110 W Washington St, #155 Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. I somehow felt alone here even with my fellow shutterbugs nearby. That being said, 10 am is often the most popular tour time, so if youre thinking of doing a tour, you may want to keep it in mind way in advance. Hotel guests can book a boat tour, dinner cruise or rent their own powerboat for an unforgettable day on the water. The American southwest is such a cool place!! Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. When we came out at the end of the slot, we waited until the rest of our group and guide arrived. From a more logistical standpoint, the quickest way to get there (if youre not near the Four Corners) is to make your way to Las Vegas, which is home to the closest airport. There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the canyon. Secret Canyon, which also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (due to its proximity to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook photo above) lies approximately 15 km south from Page where you can also find the office the place where it all starts from. On the other hand, Lower Antelope Canyon is known to be a more fun experience, due to the different types of passageways and climbing areas. Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. I was excited to return and try to capture its beauty with my newer equipment and techniques. For me, the price was worth it to avoid being rushed through in a crowd. Most tours begin in Page or at the park's entrance off Highway 98. After seeing Upper Antelope Canyon, consider visiting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument with the company on its daylong tour. The General Tour lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040, Tours | Horseshoe Bend | Secret Antelope Canyon | Combination | Trifecta. At first, the Waterhole Canyon is very wide and doesnt quite look like Antelope, but as you go deeper in, it narrows and looks just like the famous Antelope Canyons. I really want to go!! Each vehicle has a Navajo guide that ushers the group through, shares information about the formations and even helps stage some photos, including sand cascading over a rock ledge.Sand is everywhere. The journey to Canyon X begins MP 307.8 on Highway 98 near Page, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular (and well-known) of the two and is more photogenic but is also generally darker (and gets darker quicker) due to the narrow canyon walls. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Additional tour companies depart from Flagstaff, Arizona, or Las Vegas and combine their daylong excursions to Antelope Canyon with trips to other natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. Because the Upper Canyon is easiest to walk through, it is also quite popular, especially at peak times during the summer. Even though Secret Canyon is a wonderful alternative to Antelope Canyon, thats not to say that Antelope isnt worth visiting as well. Photography enthusiasts can sign up for Taadidiin's Photo Tour, which spends three hours in the canyon and permits participants to bring a tripod and a camera bag. Slot Canyons start as narrow cracks in the rock. Loved it all, so many gorgeous things to see! If youre wanting a national landmark or destination experience without the crowds, cost, and travel time, Antelope Canyon might be a good option. AT&T does not have cell phone coverage in this area, so I suggest you download the Google Map of this slot canyon before you head out of town. amazing picturesDefinitely on my bucket list . Luckily, they are real and they can be found in Arizona, USA. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After a short trip on Highway 89, we went on a 9.5 km off-road ride towards the canyon. Canyon X is a private tour, only offered through Overland Canyon tours. Enjoy! Our tour of Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon started at 9:00 a.m. at the tour office in Page. In this age of Internet and social media, its easy to feel like there are few discoveries left when it comes to great travel destinations. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Each section of the canyon is about 120 feet deep (or 37 meters). We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. Did the Chief Tsosie Upper Antelope tour at 3pm crowds weren't much of an issue. Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? But Ill let you in on a secret theres another slot canyon near Page that is very similar to Antelope Canyon, with its rich colours and swirling formations, but is far more pleasant to visit. Additionally, there are quite a few other amazing sites to see nearbyHorseshoe Bend, White Pocket and the Vermilion Cliffs, and Lake Powellthat many people choose to stay at least one night to get the most from their trip.Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake PowellThis national chain is among the area's newer properties and ranks high among past guests for its clean, comfortable rooms, friendly staff and free hot breakfast. Previous post indicated, Hummer tours provides access to Secret Canyon tours at Secret Canyon and on. 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