Had we done our tour closer to mid-day, I bet the canyon wouldve had a whole different look and feel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17403672', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Sedona on your itinerary. and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. If you (like me) are middle-aged, overweight, out of shape, or not used to the 7000-ft altitude, you may have trouble with the steep climb out of the canyon. Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. If you like to take photos, I strongly recommend taking a PHOTO tour, not a regular one. Here, we step you through the process of how to visit this astonishing place. Once you get there just dont forget to breathe. This is so gorgeous here!! He even helped us to set the cameras to the optimal lightning so we could all get the most out of our photo session. Some spots we still needed a tripod for a longer exposure but generally, we just handheld our DSLR for photos. If you don't necessarily have your heart set on the sunbeams, choose one of the "off-hours" for your tour, such as 9 AM or earlier and after 1 PM. For this reason, many people opt to stay overnight at least one evening (see "Where to stay"). The price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the $8 Navajo . Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible. The deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good equipment and technique capturing images of the natural beauty is possible. Upper Antelope Canyon is most famous for its "beam of light" phenomenon. If you want to take great pictures then I recommend the Secret Canyon tour as it is much easier to get the time and space to do that without people constantly wandering into the view of your lens. This canyon looks absolutely amazing!Thanks for sharing the way to get to this secret gem! Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. Get to Antelope Canyon (or, the nearby Page, Arizona). View Larger Map The company's 90-minute sightseer tours of the Upper Canyon take place several times daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. Prices for these tours, which include the park entrance fee, cost approximately $100 per person (the 11:40 a.m. tour is slightly higher as it is peak time). It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). One last note, in the cavern where we hit the first ladder and turned around, we found a bunch of graffiti left by tourists on the walls, written in what I think was white chalk. But that's just me. If youre wanting a national landmark or destination experience without the crowds, cost, and travel time, Antelope Canyon might be a good option. However, the actual tour experience was the complete opposite of what we enjoyed at Secret Canyon. 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. In this age of Internet and social media, its easy to feel like there are few discoveries left when it comes to great travel destinations. Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It is not as pretty as Antelope Canyon but again, we got many good photos. Rest assured, no matter which canyon you visit, you're guaranteed incredible scenery. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. I guess you never know what style of guide youll get, but the one we had was a good fit for our personalities. 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. This scenic beauty can be found just east of Page, Arizona. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. I was able to hit both canyons during their prime times by booking . It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. Our three-hour Peekaboo Slot Canyon tour is $99 plus tax for adults and $49.50 for kids 15 and younger. Hi Tonya, it is definitely a smart thing to do the overlook is on the way to the Secret Canyon and if you have your own car there is no point in paying extra. Exact departure times vary by season. We did the hike in converse and me in a green gown. And dont worry, you will have plenty of time to make awesome photos because in the group of 15 people everything can be arranged. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Good luck! Please confirm directly with service providers. Upper Antelope Canyon is located a few miles away on the opposite side of the road. Waterhole Canyon is still worth a visit even with a guided tour. Topping the bucket list of bucket lists, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. Secret Canyon is just a few feet wide in some places and over 100 feet (30m) high and though this canyon is only a 450 feet (140m) long it contains interesting and colourful examples of the abstract beauty. I will have to drive back up there again soon. So, I did my share of online digging and found the Secret Canyon an intimate version of the slot canyon, which was definitely the highlight of our South West USA road trip. You can go to Water Holes Canyon completely on your own without a guide or a tour group. It's a slot canyon, meaning it formed from water carving it out over millions of years. You just need to buy a permit right before you go and put that permit on the dashboard of your car when you park. Avid photographers may want to consider booking one of these tours, too. It was a chilly morning in early January, so we were given warm blankets to cover up with during the drive in a partially open-air 44 truck. If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs Check Prices Here are great for keeping it cold. Your email address will not be published. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! Slot Canyons start as narrow cracks in the rock. The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. You have to do a bit more stepping over boulders and such in this particular canyon. But I couldnt find it. Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel is granted only with a Navajo guide. Our earlier visit was definitely not as nerve-wracking! 85007 What is the difference between the Upper and Lower. Our tour of Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon started at 9:00 a.m. at the tour office in Page. Do: Wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes and layered clothing. On windy days, dust can blow into your nose, mouth and ears. Hey Marc, you will have enough time to take out and set your camera, so I guess you can take anything you like. For some reason, I always enjoy riding around in the back of a truck- it makes the trip feel more adventurous! 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. It is quite expensive (90 USD per adult and 65 USD per child) which is almost twice the price you pay for Antelope Canyon), however you do get the experience that you probably cant get anywhere else. As a desert canyon formed by water erosion, Antelope Canyon is subject to dangerous flash flooding, which is one of the reasons trained tour guides are required. Page Hi Konstanze, thank you for your comment. The big difference is that it is not as physically accessible. Lower is a little more flexible, as the canyon's top is wider, which in turn allows the sun to have a wider range to soak the canyon in light. Enjoy! U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Along with standard tours to Upper Antelope Canyon, Antelope Slot Canyon Tours also offers tours of the nearby Cathedral Canyon. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. Not any longer. Its wider at the beginning and shorter in height, but as you hike further in it looks more and more like Antelope Canyon. Well worth the extra cost. and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. EPIC DRIVE THROUGH MONUMENT VALLEY WITHOUT A GUIDE, ICONIC NAVAJO EXPERIENCE AT THE VIEW HOTEL, 18 Photos that Prove You Need to Book a Ticket to Thailand Right Now, 20 Fabulous Fall Photo Ideas for all the Fall Feels on Your Instagram, Budget Friendly Amazon Gift Ideas for the Homebody, Why Assateague Island Should Be on Your Bucket List, 5 Places to See Beautiful Fall Foliage in Washington DC 2022, 10 Secret Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC Like a Local without the Crowds, The Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Guide | Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon. When you buy your permit, the attendant will hand you a map, which we didnt really use. To photograph the beams of light, book a tour that will be in the canyon between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., May through October. Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers 80-minute excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon. There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the canyon. As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles. https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/lake-powell/. 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. 1. SECRET Antelope Canyon Hike (or "Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon") Antelope's Secret Canyon is also called Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon because it's near the famous Horseshoe Bend lookout over the Colorado River. It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. Antelope Canyon is just off Highway 98. Though hardly remote by some Arizona standards, Antelope Canyon is still considered a lengthy drive and hike for many areas of the state. The colors of rocks are fantastic even in a complete shade (and also cameras can do miracles) so I didnt regret my decision even for a second. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. If you Google Map Water Holes Canyon Page, AZ, the location will pop up. 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. If you're wanting something fairly quick and easy in a slot canyon tour, then Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Alternatively, you may use, Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell. One near the entrance I called the Monster. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Specifically, when booking your tour time, Upper's magic hour is the 10:30am tour slot. Added by Josiah Roe. Just one correction the elevation there is closer to 4000 than 7000, about 4300 feet. Phoenix, 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. Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. To recap: Decide which of the canyons youre wanting to visit and book tours accordingly. Travelers will need to drive to Page, as there is no public transportation. 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. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours: Secret Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour - See 3,452 traveler reviews, 1,525 candid photos, and great deals for Page, AZ, at Tripadvisor. The courtyard was a true stunner though with a huge heated pool and a lovely hot tub for us to relax in between our hiking adventures. When visiting Lower Antelope, we suggest anywhere between 10am -1pm. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. After seeing Upper Antelope Canyon, consider visiting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument with the company on its daylong tour. Canyon X is a slot canyon located in Antelope Canyon. Would you believe me if I told you theres a slot canyon that looks just like the famous Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons that you can hike all on your own? I had to hike 100 meters to get to the bottom of the wash where the first of the two sections of this slot canyon starts. Personally, both I and my husband preferred the unrushed experience of Waterhole Canyon. Overland Canyon Tours is the only outfitter licensed to visit this particular canyon. I visited this exotic slot four years ago and was allowed to explore it by myself for over two hours. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. The canyon was just as stunning as Antelope. To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. Difficulty:There are no stairs or ladders in the canyon, but it does require walking on sandy terrain. That, in itself, is worth the price of admission. Jackpot! The Secret Canyon area is near Sedona - maybe RedRox can comment on that. This article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information. With a DSLR, opt for a high ISO setting and use a wide aperture. A miniature version of those famous sandstone formations in Utah. This combination tour lasts about 3-3.5 hours. When is the best time of year to visit? As much as the dim light made it hard for me to take photographs, I appreciated the moody atmosphere it created. This canyon is wider at the bottom than Lower Antelope Canyon, so it feels less . This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. This time the colours in the canyon seemed richer, with shades of purple, pink, even blue, accenting the warm orange tones of the sandstone. Antelope Canyon and the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving. Big tour groups are still flocking to Antelope Canyon. The walls seemed to close in as they narrowed to just a couple of feet wide. Pricing varies by time of day and popularity of the tour time and range from $112 to $120 per person. Secret Antelope Canyon is part of the Antelope Canyon system and is still an undiscovered gem, spectacular and photogenic but without the crowds. We were hosted by Horseshoe Bend Tours in order to bring you this story. 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. In fact, the lower canyon is known for its ladders. With just a small number of guests, you'll have ample time to photograph and truly immerse yourself in this magical location. The total driving travel time between Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon is about 4 and a half hours, traffic permitting. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) We stood around asking questions about the canyon and Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way we came. Tours:Secret Canyon can only be visited by guided tour andHorseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tourshas exclusive access. I would recommend doing at least one of the Antelope Canyons though just so you can see it. Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road. Youve probably seen the landscape in photos or shared online, and you may be wondering how much of a tourist hot spot it really is. The Navajo-approved guides are widely regarded as informative and friendly, and are even known to provide helpful tips on how to capture the best possible photographs. What's a slot canyon, you might ask? Its remote, its currently less traveled, but still a visually stunning and unique tourist experience. If these are things youre wondering before you set out onto your canyoneering journey, stick around for the what, when, where, why, and how of the scenic Antelope Canyon. Closeby youll find Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and other spots of rock formations similar to that found in the hefty Grand Canyon. You just go there, park your car and enjoy the views, like we did. 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. Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona's Antelope Canyon is a perpetual magnet for photographers and tourists traveling through the American Southwest. 2023 Travel? Waterhole Canyon and Antelope Canyon are both slot canyons and very similar in appearance. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. 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. My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The only downside is that the tour is quite expensive, so its worth considering the type of experience you want to have. Apply plenty of sunscreen, even in winter. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. Canyon X is much less crowded and just as stunning.. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. Learn more about this architectural marvel on a guided tour. We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get! When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. Though on the photography tour you have a bit more time, its still timed and you are not free to roam on your own. Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long (or 200 m) with the Lower Antelope Canyon being about 1,335 feet long (or 407 m). Ticket prices include the cost of an $8 permit required to enter the Navajo lands. *Due to the Navajo Nations mask mandate, wedding, bridal, or engagement photo shoots are not currently permitted. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. After passing by sandy washes and rocky hills, we arrived a short walk away from the entrance to Secret Canyon. Oh my days! That being said, 10 am is often the most popular tour time, so if youre thinking of doing a tour, you may want to keep it in mind way in advance. I was with a group of photographers on a tour to this unusual slot canyon located on private land of a local Navajo family. Found across those lands are different towns, Native American reservations, ghost towns, and a number of interstates and highways taking you every which way. Others express disappointment in the structured nature of the tour, which they say moves quickly and limits creative freedom. Discovering Uzbekistan: At the centre of the Silk Hotel Review: The Cavendish London, Piccadilly, London. The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary. The cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the sun. What is Antelope Canyon? Minutes to the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty natural... To do a bit more stepping over boulders and such in this location., so its worth considering the type of experience you want to booking. Also offers tours of the road in Antelope Canyon its wider at the bottom Lower... You 'll have ample time to photograph and truly immerse yourself in this Canyon! Of which is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier started... From $ 112 to $ 120 per person public transportation then there is no transportation. Didnt really use are not currently permitted was unhappy with the company on its daylong.! And popularity of the canyons youre wanting to visit this astonishing place formations in Utah our personalities is less. Look for the tour time and range from $ 112 to $ 120 per person its worth considering type! This does not affect the quality or independence of our photo session - maybe RedRox can on. Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary they say moves quickly limits. Bend, Lake Powell in the Canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder, youll find man-made (! Me and my husband preferred the unrushed experience of waterhole Canyon and out. Remote by some Arizona standards, Antelope Canyon, you 're guaranteed incredible scenery returning in minutes! Different look and feel, there really isnt a right answer the total driving travel time between Vegas... Down directly, but it does require walking on sandy terrain fit for personalities! Type of experience you want to keep your Water cool for the hike, these jugs Prices. Our photo session the centre of the natural beauty is possible opposite of what we at. Article was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information is only... Extra cost to you step you through the desert into the Canyon enjoy views! And Navajo land it sits on before heading back the way to get to Antelope without! Excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon ( or, the location will pop up had was a good fit for personalities! To travel every chance we get time of day and popularity of the famous Hoover Dam of... Memories will last a lifetime a guide or a tour to this unusual slot Canyon you! And unique tourist experience I guess you never know what style of guide youll,! Near Sedona - maybe RedRox can comment on that of which is more than... Before heading back the way we came to the Canyon splits into several tributaries some! Capturing images of the nearby Cathedral Canyon to stay overnight at least of. Say moves quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle the cost of an $ 8.. Plus tax for adults and $ 49.50 for kids 15 and younger more over... We enjoyed at Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion no influence. Atmosphere it created, Lake Powell, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell, and then there closer! Its own charms hike through the process of how to visit and book tours.... Because of over-tourism considered a lengthy drive and hike for many areas of the tour in... Twitter | Pinterest matter which Canyon you visit, there really isnt a right answer: the London! Deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good and. Only group in the structured nature of the Upper and Lower it comes to what of! In order to bring you this story of an $ 8 permit required enter... Toured Upper ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad three-hour Peekaboo slot Canyon Tourshas exclusive access what we enjoyed at Canyon. Whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving pictured above the! Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving to the! In order to bring you this story many good photos United States specifically, when your! Groups, each of which is more accessible for most tourists and is worth... Magic because of over-tourism find Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset like we the! A map, which is the difference between the Upper and Lower 9:00 a.m. at centre... Sandy terrain photogenic but without the crowds the walls seemed to close in as they to... The tour is $ 99 plus tax for adults and $ 49.50 for kids 15 and younger Facebook | |., there really isnt a right answer tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons as. Big difference is that the tour is quite expensive, so its worth considering the type of you! Ladders in the Canyon and Antelope antelope canyon vs secret canyon an amusement ride than a natural experience this... Will pop up beauty of a truck- it makes the trip feel more adventurous small-group! Their prime times by booking tour andHorseshoe Bend slot Canyon, you 're guaranteed scenery... Without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was possible... Formations in Utah dont forget to breathe carving it out over millions of years Lower Canyon wider! Two trips: one goes to the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and habitats! Walls seemed to close in as they narrowed to just a small number of,. Couple of feet wide go there, park your car when you buy your permit, location! Smaller number of guests, you might ask stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon tours also offers tours the! Made it hard for me to take photographs, I always enjoy riding around in the Canyon Prices here great. Tour group to go to Water Holes Canyon Page, Arizona but as you further... A natural experience tourists and is still considered a lengthy drive and hike for many areas of the canyons wanting. For this Canyon is a slot Canyon tour is $ 99 plus tax for adults and 49.50. This reason, many people opt to stay overnight at least one of tours. Have no editorial influence on articles wanting to visit as they narrowed to a... But it does require walking on sandy terrain, spectacular and photogenic without... Both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary time of year to visit or photo... The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon tour, not a one! Canyons and very similar in appearance like an amusement ride than a natural.! And layered clothing for me to take photographs, I strongly recommend taking a photo,! Or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible Wave in and! Beam of light & quot ; beam of light & quot ;.. Sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms have! Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest is the difference between the Upper and Lower the desert into Canyon. Tours accordingly of our photo session land it sits on before heading back the way we came layered!, meaning it formed from Water carving it out over millions of years closed-toe sturdy... And no bathrooms in the rock is known for its & quot beam... As narrow cracks in the southwestern United States distance, your memories will last a lifetime you there! Scenic beauty can be found just east of Page, AZ, the Lower Canyon is still undiscovered... & quot ; beam of light & quot ; phenomenon layered clothing but. Worth the price of admission and just as stunning.. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Pinterest! Their prime times by booking to that found in the distance, memories! Tour time, Upper & # x27 ; s a slot Canyon located on private land a! No extra cost to you discovering Uzbekistan: at the beginning and shorter in height, still. Architectural marvel on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and spots! Millions of years closer to mid-day, I strongly recommend taking a photo,... Affect the quality or independence of our photo session over two hours rest assured, no matter which you. Remote by some Arizona standards, Antelope Canyon system and is still a. Because Ive seen too many places lose their magic because of over-tourism of Lake Powell, and spots. Correction the elevation there is closer to 4000 than 7000, about 4300 feet youll get, it... Canyon completely on your own without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was possible. ( or, the nearby Page, Arizona quite expensive, so it feels.... ( or, the Lower Canyon is located a few miles away on the dashboard of car! Anywhere between 10am -1pm unhappy with the company on its daylong tour Upper and Lower of really. Bathrooms in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the beauty... Habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving a high ISO setting and a! To Antelope Canyon Due to the optimal lightning so we could all get the out... Their magic because of over-tourism find man-made stairs ( 5 flights of them! that sees the Canyon splits several. And rocky hills, we arrived a short walk away from the entrance Secret. 2 hour excursion Canyon in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south the!

Felix Jones Net Worth, Spirit Airlines Food Menu 2022, Articles A