Antelope Canyon is near Lechee, Arizona. The Canyon includes five separate, scenic slot canyon sections on the Navajo Reservation, referred to as Upper Antelope Canyon, Rattle Snake Canyon, Owl Canyon, Mountain Sheep Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. All require tours booked through tour companies approved by the Navajo Nation since they are on Navajo land.
Tours have to be arranged ahead of time. The good thing about the tours is that they are all lead by Navajos who are members of the Navajo Nation and are able to provide an in-depth information related to the Canyon and Navajo culture. They made the tour interesting as well as you get to see the beauty of the canyons.
To the Navajos, this is a sacred site of their people. It is a symbol of Mother Nature’s gifts and powers and entering is a spiritual experience akin to entering a cathedral. It is considered a solemn event deserving of respect.
All the canyons are slot canyons (a very narrow gorge with steep, high walls often made from soft rock such as basalt or sandstone). Antelope Canyon was formed over many hundreds of years by water that ran through sandstone, giving it its unique geography. Antelope Canyon got its name from the belief that Antelopes once grazed along the canyon in the winter.
Upper Antelope Canyon, which is also known as “The Crack”, is the most popular of the upper and lower canyons in Antelope Canyon. It is also the most-visited slot canyon in the American Southwest and the most-photographed in the world. The sun beams that shine through its walls in the spring and summer are one of its main claims to fame, while its changing colors in the fall and winter are another amazing sight to see. The Upper Canyon’s entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing. This makes it popular with the families as well as visitors who may require easier access but still want the stunningly beautiful experience.
The Upper Canyon has high canyon walls like an upside down V, narrow at the top, wide at the bottom. The best time is 11:30-2 PM. It’s darker after noon and is a 30 minute tour.
Lower Antelope Canyon, called ‘spiral rock arches’ by the Navajo, is located several miles from Upper Antelope CanyonThe Lower Canyon is in a V shape so wider at the top. You may have to squeeze through the walls and there are short ladders to climb. 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. The climb in or out requires flights of stairs. Additionally, sand continually falls from the crack above and can make the stairs slippery. Despite these limitations, Lower Antelope Canyon draws a considerable number of photographers. It is an hour long tour. Best time is early afternoon.
Both canyons have absolutely stunning scenery everywhere you look! Reservations are required and sometimes they are booked 6 months in advance so don’t wait!
We did the Lower Canyon tour. It was our favorite place to visit of all the places we saw on our trip!! Every step gives you a gorgeous, stunning view. It was absolutely amazing. I don’t know enough adjectives to tell you all about the canyon!! We could have easily taken 500 pictures. We didn’t take that many but it was just incredible! Our guide was very awesome! He gave us great information, answered all our questions, took pictures of us at the best spots and was generally a great guy!
