The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. 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. 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. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options. Luckily, they are real and they can be found in Arizona, USA. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Antelope Canyon, Page. First of all, I wasnt sure exactly which day we would arrive to Page, Arizona and we needed some small flexibility in timing. 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 . Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. The groups are smaller and you get a lot more time in the canyon. Your email address will not be published. Each time has its advantages: select the 10:20 a.m. tour if you want to view the sunbeams at their most photogenic or the 2:30 p.m. tour to capture the afternoon light. Fees start at about $125 per person. (Getty Images). Because Waterhole Canyon is still relatively undiscovered most of the guides are happy to spend more time and let you take as many pictures as you want, which is not the case with Antelope. *Online booking fee of 6% is added at checkout. If youre thinking of visiting, you may need to figure out which of the canyons to visit, should you only be able to visit one. Keep in mind, bags of any kind, photography equipment, strollers and pets are not permitted on this tour. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. You have to do a bit more stepping over boulders and such in this particular canyon. From here you follow the cairns (little piles of rocks) down into the canyon. We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. Luckily, I discovered a travel forum which lead me to Horseshoe Bend Tours where the owner was more than willing to provide all the answers to my questions. The tribe has reduced the availability of photography tours, however, because they frequently caused bottlenecks by allowing photographers to bring their tripod and spend more time setting up shots.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. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. No bags or tripods are allowed on the hiking tour. The total driving travel time between Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon is about 4 and a half hours, traffic permitting. The large parking lot is able to accommodate boats, buses and RVs.The Bear's Den B&BOwners "Bubba and Deb-B" operate this cozy three-room bed and breakfast in Page that's fully ADA-compliant. As for the Antelope vs. 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. The cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the sun. Lower Antelope Canyon Tours run around $50 including a $8 Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50% discount for kids. Canyon X is much less crowded and just as stunning.. The permit to hike water holes canyon is only $12 per person which is half the price of the cheapest Antelope Canyon Tour. Hiking this slot canyon was generally pretty easy as the trail is mostly flat. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. Where is Antelope Canyon? If you're wanting something fairly quick and easy in a slot canyon tour, then Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Found across those lands are different towns, Native American reservations, ghost towns, and a number of interstates and highways taking you every which way. Price. We were hosted by Horseshoe Bend Tours in order to bring you this story. The definitive road trip guide to and through Grand Canyon country. Lovely post! Antelope Canyon is like no other spot on earth. Promise No SpamHey I don't blog that much! Anytime I venture out where I know I will be in the sun all day I always wear one of these UV Cut shirts. We ended up staying at Courtyard because both of the Best Westerns were booked up for our dates. But since we could go to Water Holes Canyon and explore on our own we went all sorts of photo crazy! From Page, Arizona you can access Waterhole Slot Canyon easily from Rt. At Horseshoe Bend Overlook, we'll avoid the congested public parking lot and take a private dirt road that leads to within 100 meters of the edge of the canyon. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. The big difference is that it is not as physically accessible. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. Maybe there would be more light in the canyon closer to mid-day. Page Tourism Page Hotels Page Bed and Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Packages Flights to Page Tours depart from the office in Page, Arizona. Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. / Credit: John Volk, Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake Powell, Embark on the Northern Arizona Road Trip of Your Dreams, A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way', A Guide to Visiting Havasu Falls the 'Right Way', Arizonas Wildly Different Desert Regions. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. You will be joining a group of maximum 15 people which is a real bliss and gives you plenty of space to breathe and enjoy your time in the canyon. I would hike the rest of the way to the spilt in the canyon wall that served as the entrance to my destination. However, once I started reading reviews of the Antelope Canyon tours, I was quickly turned off by complaints of them being rushed and crowded, and became concerned about the effects of over tourism. Did the Chief Tsosie Upper Antelope tour at 3pm crowds weren't much of an issue. The last thing anyone wants is for it to be closed off because too many tourists are writing on the walls. What's a slot canyon, you might ask? Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. Antelope Canyon is located just east of Page, Arizona, in the northern area of the state. I was excited to return and try to capture its beauty with my newer equipment and techniques. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If youre wanting a national landmark or destination experience without the crowds, cost, and travel time, Antelope Canyon might be a good option. The ride to the canyon is an adventure itself, as the road gets quite rough from time to time so be ready to rock and roll (hopefully not over) Once you get to the spot, you have to walk less than 10 minutes through the desert (beautiful scenery!) Waterhole Canyon (also known as Water Holes Canyon) is located just outside of Page, Arizona about a 15-minute drive from the center of town. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. wow! We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. The American southwest is such a cool place!! Hi Anda, is it okay to bring a camera bag or would it be okay to bring a small bag? Canyon X is a slot canyon located in Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is only 100 yards long and the trail through it is flat, so it's an easy walk for most people. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page. Typical to the tourist trap vacation spots and amusement parks, the best time to visit is during the off-season, which is to say, anything but the summer. Tickets (excluding the park entrance fee) start at around $50 for adults and $30 for children ages 4 to 12. It is locaated in the water holes area. The largest formation is called the Lady in Red and it soars upward to the top of the 150 feet deep canyon. Gorgeous pics and well def remember the recommendations next time were in the area , Your email address will not be published. I could not help wondering as I left Canyon X, how long before it became as popular as Antelope Canyon. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. The patterns and texture of the rock told the story of its creation by the rains and floodwaters of the summer monsoons in Arizona. Hi! Travelers typically enjoy the tours, saying they appreciate the guides' insight. It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). This exclusive access allows you to have a much shorter walk to the rim and enjoy breathtaking views of the Colorado River winding around the Horseshoe Bend loop. 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. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. How do you get there? The ability to explore at our own pace was a huge plus and it felt like we were at Antelope Canyon without a guide to herd us along. 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. It took a lot of help from the tour guide to get me out of there, but he had a good sense of humor about it, and I considered it part of the adventure! Just make sure you take it out with you after the tour.Don't: Bring bags, purses, fanny packs, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, food and drinksall are prohibited in the canyon. Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? 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. On the company's sightseer tours, you'll spend about an hour in the canyon, plus 40 minutes round-trip travel time to the Antelope Canyon Tours office in Page, Arizona. Children younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but strollers cannot be used in the Lower Canyon. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Please confirm directly with service providers. *Due to the Navajo Nations mask mandate, wedding, bridal, or engagement photo shoots are not currently permitted. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to receive all the latest news, travel tips and special offers. This is the more popular of the two slot canyons. She is the author of two guidebooks and a contributor to Fodors Arizona & The Grand Canyon. There is just very little privacy. In addition to Waterhole Canyon, Arizona has a ton of bucket list destinations that you need to see. It cant just be tours, right? See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can go to Water Holes Canyon completely on your own without a guide or a tour group. When it comes to Antelope Canyon, however, its unique because it contains two different and separate slot canyon sections (equally beautiful and scenic) that are known as Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is about of a mile in each direction inside the canyon and the floor is flat. It is a very beautiful canyon. I will be looking forward to some future posts! You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. amazing picturesDefinitely on my bucket list . 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. 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. Where is Antelope Canyon? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-22708703', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you cant do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and cant afford to lose time. Ticket prices include the cost of an $8 permit required to enter the Navajo lands. The further we walked, the narrower the slot became, and soon the scenery was just like Id seen in those slot canyon pictures that inspired me to visit Page. We did the hike in converse and me in a green gown. In Flagstaff, take I-40 East towards Albuquerque for roughly 6-miles. 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. Compared to the Grand Canyon and other well-known national landmarks, Antelope Canyon is away from the crowds, making it easy to get to, visit, and photograph without other tourists interrupting you. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. Canyon X is further away from Page (about 40 minutes) and access to it is a slightly more difficult - a steep, somewhat rocky path leads to the entrance of the canyon, but that part is relatively short. Information was updated January 2022, but can change without notice. Please consider booking your Page accommodationsthrough the included link. What is the significant difference? Well, thats why blogs are for But the canyon is privately owned and operated so there are no worries that it would become over-crowded. Antelope Canyon hosts tons of visitors and, in order to protect the canyon walls from damage, no bags of any kind are permitted in either the Upper or Lower section. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. It's a slot canyon, meaning it formed from water carving it out over millions of years. Tours typically depart between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm, but this can change depending on daylight hours. Bring a hat or handkerchief for protection from the sand, and if you wear contact lenses, consider opting for eyeglasses instead. Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon What is Upper Antelope Canyon? How long had it been there? You might be the early-bird that loves the cool wash of dawn daylight, or you might fancy the warm wash of the golden-hour sunset glow. However, visiting Antelope Canyon isn't as simple as driving to a parking lot and walking up to the entrance. The tour excludes infants and costs approximately $130 per person. Tours run multiple times daily starting at 7:50 a.m. Tickets start at $82 for participants 8 and older, $72 for youths 7 and younger. Several miles after leaving Highway 89 we came to the end of the road where our transport stopped. Contact us at (435)275-4594 to discuss a custom departure time if you don't see one that works for you. It is also called Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon as it is near to that iconic viewpoint. Closeby youll find Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and other spots of rock formations similar to that found in the hefty Grand Canyon. Before I share with you our experience visiting Secret Canyon, heres a brief background about this special location. As great as Sedona is, unless you can add 3 days to your trip plan, I'd save it for another vacation and plan a week here. Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an upside-down "V," narrow at the top and wide at the base. Admire the unique forms and vibrant colors of this relatively new canyon and learn about its history and formation from your experienced guide along the way. It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17409430', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon one day (Chief Tsosie Tour) then took the three canyon tour with Hummer tours. We hurried to the spilt in the Canyon and explore on our own a... 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