Antelope Canyon is open year-round; however, most people will try to visit mid-day during weekends from March through October, when the light shafts appear. The cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the sun. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. Description. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. The meandering formations of the canyon looked so elegant, sometimes partially hidden by shadows, other times highlighted by the light seeping in from above. But you'll find fewer people here. Or, you can rent a car and do the scenic drive yourself. Tours of Secret Canyon include a visit to Horseshoe Bend. Antelope is a bit prettier, but a LOT more crowded. Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible. Canyon X: This section is named after an area that forms an X-shape. Jackpot! And thirdly, I didnt get any feedback to my questions from several tour operators running the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon trails. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. (866) 275-5816 | (602) 364-3700, Copyright 2023 VisitArizona.com | Privacy Policy, Don't forget to look up! 85007 PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. Trey, my Navajo guide, was driving the truck along the wash of red sand as the road dipped and curved through the desert. Required fields are marked *. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. It was our first time being inside a slot canyon and having such a positive experience made us want to visit more slots on our American southwest road trip. This canyon is renowned for the breathtaking shafts of light that break through the narrow canyon roof. The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. We hiked aka walked all through the canyon and eventually came to a ladder. 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. This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook in a truly exclusive and intimate setting. Drivers coming from the north or south can take Route 89, drivers from the west can take Route 89A, and visitors commuting from the east can take Route 98. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. that you will descend to find the natural wonder. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. Book now to secure your spot on this unforgettable adventure.. Tours typically depart hourly from 8am until 4pm (depending on daylight hours). Our tour of Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon started at 9:00 a.m. at the tour office in Page. 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. To recap: Decide which of the canyons youre wanting to visit and book tours accordingly. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. Arizona's Secret Antelope Canyon : We went to this slot canyon in September 2019. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. Prime time to visit this slot is mid-day when the sunbeams shine down on the canyon floor; however, everyone and his brother wants to see this phenomenon, so the canyon will be crowded between 10 AM and 1 PM. Loved it all, so many gorgeous things to see! The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. The reason it's called Secret Canyon is because they don't want anyone to know the real name of it. Maybe there would be more light in the canyon closer to mid-day. Theres no real sign and we actually missed it coming from Page. These beams slice through the roof of the canyon most reliably around noon on clear days. Interesting comparison Donna, thanks. Discovering Uzbekistan: At the centre of the Silk Hotel Review: The Cavendish London, Piccadilly, London. I guess you never know what style of guide youll get, but the one we had was a good fit for our personalities. She is the author of two guidebooks and a contributor to Fodors Arizona & 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. The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. With a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours also runs outings to Upper Antelope Canyon combined with either Rattlesnake Canyon or both Rattlesnake and Owl canyons. You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. Waterhole Canyon is still worth a visit even with a guided tour. Will definitely bookmark this! 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. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. For this one, you'll climb into a 4 x 4 truck and be caravanned over to the entrance. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. Availability may be limited during January and February. Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road. Over millions of years, rainwater and flooding widens and deepens the opening and the result is a narrow, tall passage through the rocks of the plateau, that can be miles long. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book. What time of day is best? Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. Enjoy the popular Secret Antelope Canyon Tour PLUS a trip to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Overlook A uniquely beautiful slot canyon in Page, AZ and far less crowded than Upper and Lower Antelope A private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend located immediately adjacent to the congested National Park Service viewing area Beautiful!!! Expect up to a 3/4 mile walk through flat,sandy terrain of a slot canyon and another 1/4 mile round trip walk over undulating sandstone at Horseshoe Bend Overlook. If you're planning a trip and need help deciding which area to visit, keep these recommendations in mind. 1110 W Washington St, #155 While this canyon is wider, it is also darker because of its shape. The smaller one is only 100 feet long but has wonderful formations. 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. Here, we step you through the process of how to visit this astonishing place. We bought our permit for Waterhole Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our car. The three canyons visited on the canyon tours are fairly easy to walk (a little climbing over/under rocks, but nothing major), are still very pretty and were completely deviod of other people (just me, my wife, the guide and a great horned owlhow cool is that). Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. I think this Secret Canyon is near Page. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-22708703', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon. It features the smooth curves, slim passageways, and orange hues that are characteristic of slot canyons near Page. Page Hi Tess, you can contact Tim directly: tim@horseshoebendtours.com sometimes it takes a day or two for him to reply, I imagine the top season is coming now, so be patient Or go to their web page and search for a phone contact. Horseshoe Bend attracts 2 million visitors every year and is one of the most photographed sites in northern Arizona. As the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. In fact, the lower canyon is known for its ladders. As independent travellers, we appreciated the laid back nature of the tour- not being held back and made to stay with the group, yet having a guide available to answer questions as they came up. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the 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. The narrow passage snaked like a meandering stream while above me the blue sky peeked through the narrow opening at the top of the canyon walls. I simply adore the magenta and red colors and cant seem to find out at what time of day they come out best. We stood around asking questions about the canyon and Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way we came. You'll not only spend an hour in the canyon, but you'll also visit the Hzh Haz' Heritage Site and receive a meal. You didnt really keep the secret did you? Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Avoid the crowds at the Antelope Canyon in Arizona and visit Secret Canyon and Canyon X instead, Hotel Review: Amano Hotel, Covent Garden, London, Madrid Fusion Gastronomy Summit 2023, Spain, Travel Guide: El Salvador, Central America. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Several miles after leaving Highway 89 we came to the end of the road where our transport stopped. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. The price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the $8 Navajo . Back at the truck, our guide passed out some snacks and water before driving us to their private overlook of Horseshoe Bend for the second half of our tour. I hope you have a great time! For tour information and prices clickhere. The colors of rocks are fantastic even in a complete shade (and also cameras can do miracles) so I didnt regret my decision even for a second. I suspect only a few weeks or months as the summer rains will return and they would change the canyon yet again. 9.1K views 1 year ago Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without the crowds was an absolutely dream. 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. 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. Antelope Canyon is found on the lands of the Navajo County, Arizona. Good luck! 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. 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. But since we could go to Water Holes Canyon and explore on our own we went all sorts of photo crazy! After seeing Upper Antelope Canyon, consider visiting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument with the company on its daylong tour. A light long sleeved shirt would also provide good sun protection, and dont forget your sunscreen. Please note, Canyon X and Secret Canyon are temporarily closed. Moyan Brenn/Flickr. The road used to require 4 wheel drive over a narrow bumpy dirt road where one curve was being kept from washing away by old washing machines and appliances. After a short hike the mouth of Secret Canyon came into view at the bottom of a small wash. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip. The American southwest is such a cool place!! We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. This is Navajo Land, we are guests, and should be thankful that they have let us hike the majestic canyon. 22 February 2023 Recommendations for Navajo Heritage Dinner/Show 15 February 2023; Travelling from Marseille to Cayyene 09 February 2023; Advice on whether we can take sedan to Wave . The lower part is very flexible as the top is wider, and it allows the sun to have a wide range to soak the canyon in light. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We only met a few other tourists along the way. For the Lower Antelope, it is best to take the tour between 10 am to 1 pm. This canyon, called "Secret Antelope Canyon", is located approximately 4-5 miles from Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. (Getty Images). 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. Cathedral Canyon is located just south of Page, Arizona and west of Coppermine Road and is entirely on Navajo . I did a review of Hummer Tours, so you might want to look for that under Things to do. While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. Don't forget to look up, especially when the canyon is crowded.Several tour operators, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, also offer tours of nearby, nearly-as-spectacular canyons. Tours typically depart between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, but this can change depending on daylight hours. Sign up here to be the first to know about everything Sea of Blush. Oh my days! About Secret Canyon (a.k.a Horseshoe Bend Canyon) Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. This was Secret Canyon, a slot canyon hidden in the hills outside of Page, Arizona. 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? Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. As a desert canyon formed by water erosion, Antelope Canyon is subject to dangerous flash flooding, which is one of the reasons trained tour guides are required. Antelope Canyon is beautiful, very accessible and an easy level walk on sand. 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. It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. So turn your thoughts to spring, winter, or fall.the months outside of May through September. Contact us at (435)275-4594 to discuss a custom departure time if you don't see one that works for you. You are allowed to bring one bottle of water (and we highly recommend you do). Big tour groups are still flocking to Antelope Canyon. Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. Secret Antelope Canyon is part of the Antelope Canyon system and is still an undiscovered gem, spectacular and photogenic but without the crowds. Since Secret Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour, I was glad that the sole option available to us was a good one- small groups of 15 max, an hour to spend in the canyon, and no other tour groups coming through at the same time. If you (like me) are middle-aged, overweight, out of shape, or not used to the 7000-ft altitude, you may have trouble with the steep climb out of the canyon. Its remote, its currently less traveled, but still a visually stunning and unique tourist experience. Companies that provide tours of Upper Antelope Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona, and provide transportation to the Upper Canyon. Though is looked pretty exciting it also looked a bit narrow for us so we simply walked back the way we came and exited through another set of cairns that marked the way out. The journey to Canyon X begins MP 307.8 on Highway 98 near Page, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Required fields are marked *. For me, the price was worth it to avoid being rushed through in a crowd. But I couldnt find it. It can be accessed via a 2.5-mile (one way) trail that starts from the trail's parking lot along Highway 93, located just over 3.4 miles south of the dam. Hotel guests can book a boat tour, dinner cruise or rent their own powerboat for an unforgettable day on the water. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Page. Bring plenty of water, theres no shade along this trail except inside the slot canyon. Yes Please!|ProPhoto Photography Template, How to Spend 3 Days in Zion National Park, Observation Point Trail- A Classic Hike in Zion National Park, Hiking Fairyland Loop Trail- Bryce Canyon National Park, Hiking White Domes Trail- Valley of Fire State Park, Photo of the Week: Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, The Best of Central Park- Self-Guided Walking Tour. And photographers, as there is one that works for you part the! This article was published at an earlier date and has been attracting and! Visit to Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset and Navajo land, we are,. And eventually came to the entrance water ( and we highly recommend you ). Went all sorts of photo crazy only a few weeks or months as the previous post indicated Hummer. 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