A Peek Inside the Most Beautiful Canyon in America

You know how most touristy places don’t live it to the hype? Well this was not the case while visiting Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

Antelope Canyon was my windows desktop background on my first computer! Old school, I know, but do you remember it? I didn’t have much info on what it actually was, I just thought it was nice to look at. A few years ago I was looking in a travel magazine and there it was again. The gorgeous canyon was right here in The United States, who knew? Immediately, I added it to my ongoing bucket list and few years ago I was actually had the pleasure of visiting.
I did a week long road trip in Arizona exploring one of those most jaw dropping states here in the U.S. It was so hard focusing and driving there, the landscapes were just so unbelievably beautiful. I started in Phoenix and stopped in Sedona, The Grand Canyon and ended in Page. I took my first ever hot air balloon ride above the red rocks, explored the Grand Canyon National Park, cruised Lake Powell, but my favorite part of the trip was Antelope Canyon.

Located on Navajo Indian territory in Page, Arizona, Antelope is a colorful spiral of wonders. There are actually two of them, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope is longer and more narrow and steep than upper, which is more flat with less stairs. The slot canyons were formed by the erosion of sandstone primarily due to flash flooding. Flooding is still a major hazard when visiting the canyons, it can flood in minutes and become very dangerous. Due to this nature, the tours are only available with a guide.


I explored both canyons and I did one in the morning and one in the evening. In my opinion, it is best to do attractions in the morning, the earlier the better! People tend to sleep in on vacations which results in way less crowds and better photo ops. I did get lucky on the day that I went, it was only around ten people in each of my groups. It was even people who came as far away as Russia and China to visit!

The reason that I split up my tours to the canyons because I want to view them in different natural lighting. I’m glad that I did one in the morning because it was more neutral colors and in the evening it was more vivid colors.

Although the tours are brief, lasting a little longer than an a hour, my time spent was amazing. The views in the canyon change constantly! As the sun moves its changes the way the lights hit the canyon. The walls change in different hues of red, purple, tan, orange and every color in between. It creates a radiant display of waves, lights and shadows. It is so amazing to photograph.

The recommend season for visiting the canyons are in the Spring and Summer,  I visited in early April. There are several tour companies available for booking online. I booked the cheapest tours which were around $50 each. There are private type tours for photographers which are a bit higher.

As I mentioned above the canyons are on Navajo Indian lands and are gated. It’s a small building on arrival in which you sign a waiver and thats it. There are no gift shops, McDonalds, just two dazzling canyons filled with color. It’s a few Indian locals who hang around as well and help with the tours. It was my first time meeting Native Americans it was wonderful experience!

And down the road, about twenty minute away is Horseshoe Bend! It’s a small one and half mile hike up to an incredible view of a horse shoe shaped canyon. It’s free to visit, with little to no crowds but amazing views as well.

Even though Arizona is famous for The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon is a must do there as well! I was not expecting to like Arizona so much, its truly on my top 5 out of 50 states.

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I alternated taking pictures with my canon mark 5d, Samsung galaxy and iPhone. For some odd reason, I like using all three. Also I wasn’t allowed to take videos or use a tripod.