USA Lower Antelope Canyon

People come from all over the world to see Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Sometimes I think they’re all there at the same time. Both canyons are spectacular. Upper Antelope Canyon is more famous but the throngs of people crowded in the canyon almost ruin the experience. You are shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of others. Having been through them both, I much prefer Lower Antelope. It's less crowded and in my opinion prettier. There are probably a dozen tour operators in Page, Arizona that can arrange a tour and will drive you to the canyon parking area OR you can drive directly to the canyon rather than messing with the tour operators (My preference). You can call in advance to reserve a specific tour time. You can only tour the canyon with a Navajo guide. Lower Antelope requires negotiating several very steep but sturdy steel staircases or ladders. Some with handrails. The walk through Upper Antelope is virtually flat with no elevation gain at all.

The canyon walls aren’t generally as high in Lower Antelope as they are in Upper Antelope so more light reaches the canyon floor making photography easier. You don’t get the dramatic sunbeam photos in Lower Antelope that you may have seen in photos of Upper Antelope. If you want to carry a tripod in the canyon, you must purchase a premium tour which is substantially more expensive. Also, be aware that the Navajo guides will frequently block the passage of “regular” tours at various stages so “Premium” tours can set up their tripods and compose their shots. Great if you’re a premium “ticket holder”. Not so much if you’re not. In Upper Antelope, the best time to be there is between 11 AM and 2 PM during the summer to be there for the great sunbeam shots. In Lower Antelope, the time of day isn’t as important but I’ve been there a half dozen times at different times of the day and different months of the year. The light and colors of the canyon walls change dramatically with the seasons and the hour. Regardless of the equipment you’re carrying, whether you have a top-of-the-line Nikon, Sony, Canon, or a smartphone, the Navajo guides are remarkably skilled at assisting you with camera settings. They’ll also point out various sandstone sculptures and figures throughout the canyon and suggest compositions.

LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON - Page, Arizona. About 2 1/4 hours from Hurricane. To get there, take US89 to Arizona just past Page, AZ, turn left on AZ98, and drive 7.1 miles. Turn left on the short road to the Lower Antelope Canyon parking area. (Upper Antelope Canyon parking is directly across AZ98).