Antelope Canyon › The canyons
Upper, Lower or Canyon X: the Antelope Canyon slot canyons compared
Updated October 26, 2026 Navajo Nation Parks and operators: tour rules and fees
Antelope Canyon's slots lie on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Upper Antelope Canyon has seasonal light beams; Lower Antelope Canyon adds steep stairs. Antelope Canyon X and Secret Antelope Canyon have separate guided routes. Canyon X tours start from $82 per adult on the booking page. Departure times vary by operator and season; choose a route you can walk.
Which canyon for you
Best for the beams, for the walk, or for fewer people
April through September brings Upper's beam season, with the best chance on clear days. A midday booking doesn't guarantee beams on the canyon floor.
Five flights of stairs lead down into Lower. It's a fit if you're comfortable with steep steps and tight spaces.
The 3-hour photo tour lets you use a tripod. The hiking tour doesn't. Choose the photo option if you need time to set up.
4 canyons
The Antelope Canyon slot canyons near Page
All four need a Navajo guide, and each tour has its own meeting point and check-in deadline.
Upper Antelope Canyon
8.9 miles east of Page on AZ-98 · top 4 upper tours, from $99
Upper's sandy floor has no ladders. Your exit still climbs outdoor stairs and ramps. Hogann's hiking option adds the approach on foot.
Lower Antelope Canyon
AZ-98 east of Page, Ken's and Dixie's offices · top 9 lower tours, from $94
Ken's and Dixie's run Lower tours. At Dixie's you arrive 45 minutes early and can't bring bags, even clear ones.
Antelope Canyon X
Taadidiin Tours office · top 6 canyon x tours, from $82
Taadidiin's hiking tour takes 90 minutes. You'll climb steep entrance and exit stairs. Your hiking booking doesn't allow tripods; you need the photo option.
Secret Antelope Canyon
US-89, 3 miles south of Page · top 6 secret canyon tours, from $125
Secret's floor is fairly level and has no ladders. At Horseshoe Bend Tours, your ride crosses bumpy ground and the minimum age is 6.
Compare
Upper, Lower, Canyon X and Secret Canyon at a glance
The same four things for every canyon, in the same order as above.
| Canyon | The walk | The light | Direct price | Our list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Upper Antelope Canyon
6 Navajo companies |
Flat sand, about 3/4 mile round trip; 80 to 100 minutes; 2-hour limit | Beams April to September around midday; calendars differ by operator | $92 plus the $15 permit at antelopecanyon.com; $95 to $135 with the permit elsewhere; Hogann's hike $58 plus tax and permit | Top 4 Upper tours
from $99 |
Lower Antelope Canyon
2 Navajo companies |
1.1-mile loop; five flights of stairs down, eight ladders up; 60 to 90 minutes | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., late spring to mid-fall (Ken's); softer before 10:45 a.m. and after 1:45 p.m. (Dixie's) | $80.50 at Ken's and Dixie's, permit included | Top 9 Lower tours
from $94 |
Antelope Canyon X
Taadidiin Tours |
Guided walk; 3-hour photo tour with tripods | Summer, best May to early August (Taadidiin) | $47 plus the $15 permit; photo tour $142 | Top 6 Canyon X tours
from $82 |
Secret Antelope Canyon
Horseshoe Bend Tours |
Guided walk, hourly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; small day packs allowed; tripod rules conflict, so get written permission; ages 6 and up | Rare, brief late-morning beams in spring and fall; not a reason to book | $110; $139 with the Horseshoe Bend overlook | Top 6 Secret Canyon tours
from $125 |
These are starting fares from the booking page. Compare the same tour type before comparing prices. A hiking fare and a shuttle fare can buy different routes to the same canyon. Your selected option determines permit inclusion and extra fees.
Good to know
People also ask
- Which is better, Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon?
Lower suits you if you're comfortable with steep stairs; Upper suits you if you want seasonal light beams. Upper's exit still has stairs, and neither route has wheelchair access. Your tour option determines the walking distance.
- What is Antelope Canyon X?
Canyon X is part of the Antelope Canyon drainage, with two slots on Taadidiin's 90-minute hiking tour. One widens overhead; the other widens at the floor. You don't enter Upper or Lower on that tour. Your route includes steep stairs at the entrance and exit.
- Can you visit Antelope Canyon without a tour?
No, you need a Navajo guide for all four canyons. The $15 permit doesn't buy a self-guided visit. Book a tour that names the canyon you want to enter. Your guide stays with you throughout the walk.
- When is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon?
April through September is Upper's main beam season. Antelope Canyon Tours' 11:20 a.m. departure offers a chance on clear days. Secret's rare beams appear briefly in late morning during spring and fall. They aren't a dependable reason for you to book.
- What time is it in Antelope Canyon?
Page time is Mountain Standard Time, UTC-7 all year. Set your phone to Page time for your tour. Navajo Nation time runs 1 hour ahead from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. The clocks match for the rest of the year.