89 and parking is by Rt 89. Jackpot! The sign reads Lake Powell. It is not as pretty as Antelope Canyon but again, we got many good photos. There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. Hotel Review: Hotel La Cambuse, Thyon, Les Collons, Hotel Review Chalet Royal, Veysonnaz, Switzerland. Lower Antelope Canyon is pretty too, but it is longer and requires more exertion: there are ladders and boulders that one has to be able to navigate. The narrow entrance causes you to turn almost sideways to enter but inside the cool darkness hides some of the most special views of any slot 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. Difficulty:There are no stairs or ladders in the canyon, but it does require walking on sandy terrain. Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. Had we done our tour closer to mid-day, I bet the canyon wouldve had a whole different look and feel. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. I could really appreciate the difference between Secret Canyon and the more popular Antelope Canyon. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How to Get a Permit for Hiking Waterhole Canyon To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. It seems we could do the overlook on our own and save the extra $30. Overland Canyon Tours is the only outfitter licensed to visit this particular canyon. These hikes, which travelers say are led by knowledgeable and professional guides, usually last 60 to 90 minutes and cover about a mile. It is a very beautiful canyon. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. I wandered around marvelling at the way the water had carved the rock into so many different shapes and textures. Tours depart from the office in Page, Arizona. From Page, Arizona you can access Waterhole Slot Canyon easily from Rt. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you can't do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and can't afford to lose time. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) Just as we were exiting the canyon, the next tour group was beginning their exploration. From a more logistical standpoint, the quickest way to get there (if youre not near the Four Corners) is to make your way to Las Vegas, which is home to the closest airport. If people knew the real name they might find it by themselves and go there without hiring the outfitter. For more information about Navajo culture, book the Deluxe Tour. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. You can do this hike in just a good pair of sneakers because it is flat but be prepared to get tons of sand in your shoes. The tour starts at $102 per person, but cost an additional $10 if you want to visit during peak sunlight hours. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. We went at 9:00 am in early January and as you can see from the pictures, we saw some nice colours but it was still a bit dark in places. Book online before you visit since tours can sell out weeks in advance. When we came out at the end of the slot, we waited until the rest of our group and guide arrived. I definitely recommend you to protect the camera because it gets dusty but if you are careful, you should be fine . Shadows begin to peek in after that 12 pm timeslot, which may make that perfectly lit photograph difficult to achieve. 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. Whether you start in Page or at the park's entrance, be prepared to ride in a four-wheel-drive vehicle through a sandy riverbed to the canyon. It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon! No bags or tripods are allowed on the hiking tour. This canyon is shaped more like the letter A. It was our first time being inside a slot canyon and having such a positive experience made us want to visit more slots on our American southwest road trip. Canyon vs antelope canyon. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. It is the most famous of the two canyons because of the highly distinctive light beams and the incredibly high canyon walls . Antelope is a bit prettier, but a LOT more crowded. Location is the biggest difference. You can go to Water Holes Canyon completely on your own without a guide or a tour group. This part of the antelope canyon was separate from the Upper or Lower. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page. Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. You can find tours for this canyon typically every half hour, which is more frequent than tours of the Upper Antelope Canyon. The narrow passage snaked like a meandering stream while above me the blue sky peeked through the narrow opening at the top of the canyon walls. that you will descend to find the natural wonder. We noticed that this group was sticking together while the guide explained things as they went. The whole tour takes about 2 2.5 hours which is long enough to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the canyon itself, plus you get a plenty of time for taking pictures, even if you are proffessional photographer. While the Upper and Lower portions of Antelope Canyon receive tons of fanfare, Antelope Canyon X promises stunning views without the hefty crowds. One near the entrance I called the Monster. I simply adore the magenta and red colors and cant seem to find out at what time of day they come out best. For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Page. 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 the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. The landscape and scenery were amazing and definitely not something I had seen before on the east coast. The slot canyon has over 1500 feet of beautiful sandstone formations located in the upper most part of Water Holes Canyon allowing you and friends to enjoy the sights for over 1 hour. When it comes to what time of day you should visit, there really isnt a right answer. The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. Required fields are marked *. Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. But you'll find fewer people here. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. The meandering formations of the canyon looked so elegant, sometimes partially hidden by shadows, other times highlighted by the light seeping in from above. Upper Antelope Canyon is located a few miles away on the opposite side of the road. All of Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours' guides are local Navajo people, and they are generally deemed knowledgeable, personable and professional by reviewers. What is the difference between the Upper and Lower. As independent travellers, we appreciated the laid back nature of the tour- not being held back and made to stay with the group, yet having a guide available to answer questions as they came up. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. Antelope Canyon is found on the lands of the Navajo County, Arizona. Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. While cameras are welcome, tripods and selfie sticks are not. When booking the tour time, the best time of day to visit the Antelope Canyon is 10:30 am for the Upper Antelope. If you're set on a visit to the Upper Canyon, you'll have four time slots to choose from for the 90-minute tour. 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. However, visiting Antelope Canyon isn't as simple as driving to a parking lot and walking up to the entrance. Antelope Canyon X Taadidiin Tours is the only operator running tours of Antelope Canyon X. Antelope Canyon is beautiful, very accessible and an easy level walk on sand. Additionally, there will be significantly fewer tourists and photographers, as mentioned before, which makes for a better viewing and photographing experience. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. But Ill let you in on a secret theres another slot canyon near Page that is very similar to Antelope Canyon, with its rich colours and swirling formations, but is far more pleasant to visit. The Navajo Nation limits visits to either the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon to two hours and requires all visitors to be led by authorized guides. If you are doing this during the summer, Id double the amount of water you think you will need. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. I think this Secret Canyon is near Page. 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. Still, we were happy to have seen both canyons and discover what makes each of them special. The reason it's called Secret Canyon is because they don't want anyone to know the real name of it. https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/lake-powell/. 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. 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