The Upper Antelope Canyons can be found on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona. The only way you can visit is by booking a tour to visit either the Upper Canyons or the Lower Canyons, both formed by erosion and flash flooding. Both are slightly different, so take a look at the differences of each one and the requirements before booking. If you are planning to go here, make sure you book your tickets in advance too. We had chosen the Upper Canyons to visit, and luckily we could book the last space on the tour for September – which we actually booked at least 3 months before we were even in America for our US road trip!
Our standard tour with Antelope Canyon Tours to visit the Upper Antelope Canyons was booked for the time slot of 07:30am, which worked out great for our US road trip plan as we would be arriving in Las Vegas late the same evening. We paid around $40 per person, so we had high expectations and couldn’t wait to explore the canyons! We had paid for the standard tour, but there is another type of tour you can choose which is for photographers, allowing you more time and tripods.
Our tour started at the store, leaving your cars behind in the local car park and joining the other guests in their tour trucks. Our time slot for the upper antelope canyons had a total of 4 trucks with groups of 12 persons per truck, and you stayed together in your group of 12. Our truck driver was also our tour guide through the upper canyons, who had fantastic photography skills. He helped everyone with their phones and cameras to the correct settings throughout the tour, knowing all the best angles.
Fascinating to hear the history of the canyon and how it was formed by erosion as well as flash flooding. Many sections have become famous from photography shots, all which now have specific names. Since we were early we didn’t get the sun shining through like in some of famous photos, but enjoyed it all the same.
Within our group of 12 it was rather international, and there were few other Dutch travellers so it was interesting to hear where they were heading next on their road trip travels through America as well as where they had already been. Some were locations we were heading to afterwards so it was great to hear!
Our tour guide was very knowledgable regarding the flash floods in the upper antelope canyons. He had personal videos and photos which he shared on his phone with us from a flash flood in 2013, where he was with a tour group and got them all out to safety on time. So don’t forget to ask all the questions you may have, since you are being guided by the most knowledgable people of the canyon!
If you are planning a road trip and wish to see the Antelope Canyons along the way, make sure you reserve in advance the type of tour you would like. We were lucky that there was space on the day we would be staying in Page, however the following month was already pretty full so likely that you should book up to two/three months in advance to be sure for a space!
Read more of our USA posts!
Helicopter Tour Above Grand Canyon
Cycling The Golden Gate Bridge, CA
Exploring Bodie: An Abandoned Mining Town
San Francisco 2 Day Itinerary With & Without A Car
Tips for the tour:
- Book your place in advance! These upper antelope tours sells out quickly months in advance
- Dress appropriately for your timeslot (It’s pretty cold early morning in the summer)
- Take water
- Take your camera!
- Follow the rules of the tours regarding tripods and backpacks
- Listen to the guides & learn from the best
- Respect the canyons & leave no trash behind
- Extra tips to tour guide are welcome
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We visited the Antelope Canyons during our 2 Week West Coast Road Trip!
Are you planning to go here or have been in the past? Would love to hear your stories!