We recently traveled to Arizona and experienced the various Antelope Canyon tours, including the Upper Canyon, which is the most well-known segment.
If you are not familiar with Antelope Canyon, it's a slender corridor in the desert featuring smooth, flowing walls made of orange and purple sandstone. This chamber was formed by wind and water over countless years, resulting in the breathtaking slot canyon visible today.
Although the Upper Canyon is famous for its light beams, I came away feeling let down. The canyon itself was beautiful, but the tour felt hurried and was rather pricey.
In this review, I’ll discuss my tour experience and suggest some other areas of Antelope Canyon that I believe are worth visiting!
Why I Can’t Recommend Upper Antelope Canyon
1. Securing a Spot is Challenging:
Initially, the Upper Canyon is situated on the Navajo Nation. Accessing it requires joining a tour led by a local Navajo guide.
While guided tours are mandatory for all parts of Antelope Canyon, obtaining a reservation for the Upper Canyon is significantly more challenging than for the other sections.
It frequently sells out quickly, so you might have to book several months in advance to secure your desired date and time.
Several factors contribute to this. The Upper Canyon is smaller than the Lower Canyon or Antelope X, causing it to reach capacity more swiftly, and they are unable to conduct as many tours each day.
The light beams in the Upper Canyon have also drawn in photographers. Although they are beautiful, I consider them slightly overrated, as they aren't always visible.
2. It’s Overpriced:
The Upper Canyon is the most expensive area of Antelope Canyon.
This is primarily due to its popularity and smaller size—it's simply a matter of supply and demand.
For comparison, the Antelope Canyon X tour can be priced as low as $60, while the Upper Canyon can reach up to $150 per person during the summer months. It’s just not worth it.
I wouldn’t mind that cost if the tour experience had been exceptional, but it wasn’t. I’ll elaborate on that next.
3. It Feels Too Rushed
The main issue I had with the Upper Canyon was the hurried pace of the tour.
I participated with a company called 'Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours,' but I doubt my experience would have varied much with another operator.
From the very beginning, it felt like we were hurrying through the slot to allow the next group to enter. A guide from a group behind us even shouted at us to move more quickly.
Though it's typically advertised as a 1.5-hour tour, most of that time is taken up by travel to and from the slot canyon.
We spent roughly 30 minutes inside, which felt even shorter since we could barely pause or stand still for more than a few seconds.
Upon entering the main chamber, our guide allowed each of us to take turns posing for photos with the light beam. When it was my chance, I mentioned to her that I didn't need a picture of myself but requested to take a photo of the light beam instead.
The guide either didn't hear me or was unwilling to wait, as she rushed us into the next section without giving me a chance to capture any images. I missed out on the best opportunity for a photo.
This was disappointing, particularly since I was the only one in the group with a proper camera; the others had phones. While there’s nothing wrong with that, I would have liked the opportunity to take a picture as well!
My Suggestion: Alternative Locations to Consider
I had a significantly better experience at Lower Antelope and Canyon X. Those tours provided us ample time to capture countless photos!
While lingering is still not allowed and you won't have the canyon to yourself, the guides give you enough time to stop and take plenty of pictures.
In my view, the scenery in these canyons rivals that of Upper Canyon. The only thing you'd miss are the light beams. Additionally, these tours are much more affordable.
For more details, I wrote a thorough review comparing all the Antelope Canyon tours (Upper, Lower, and X) focusing on photography opportunities, crowds, enjoyment, accessibility, pricing, and availability. You can find it in the link below!
Read More: Antelope Canyon Comparison (Upper vs Lower vs X)
How to Reserve a Tour to Antelope Canyon
We organized the rest of our Antelope Canyon tours through GetYourGuide and had a fantastic experience.
They provide tours for Upper, Lower, or X, along with some lesser-known canyons nearby that draw fewer visitors than the main attractions.
This company has been our choice for numerous tours globally, and we find them exceptional. Highly recommended!
Common Questions: Upper Antelope Canyon
Why is it referred to as Upper Antelope Canyon?
The Upper Canyon is situated above ground, while the Lower Canyon is located below. Although "Upper" implies it’s superior to the others, we actually preferred the Lower Canyon!
What is the distance between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?
Upper and Lower Canyon are located very close to each other. Their offices are directly across the highway, but to access the Upper Canyon, you must travel off-road in a company vehicle for about 3 miles.
Combo tours that visit both canyons in one day are available, but they can be expensive since they include hotel pickup/drop-off as well as other activities in the Page area.
When is the ideal time to visit Upper Antelope Canyon?
Generally, the optimal period for a visit is between late March and early October. This is particularly true for the Upper Canyon if you're looking to see the renowned light beams, which are most visible from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on clear summer days. My photos on this page were taken in late May.
What is the duration of the tour?
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours in total. Based on my experience, around 30 minutes were spent actually in the canyon, with the remainder taken up by travel to and from, receiving instructions at the entrance, and getting back to the parking area.
How challenging is the tour?
It’s not strenuous, and almost anyone can participate. The total walking distance is approximately 1 mile, mostly flat and shaded. After traversing the slot, you loop back to the parking lot over a short incline. This is the only slightly demanding part, but it’s really quite manageable.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, the tour is appropriate for kids, and many families do it daily. Even infants are permitted. You should verify this with your tour company after booking.
Is the tour safe for expectant mothers?
Tour companies generally advise against pregnant women attending Antelope Canyons, likely for liability issues, but they are still allowed, and many individuals do it.
I’m not a medical professional, but I believe the main concerns for pregnant women would be heat and bumpy rides. There are no steep steps or ladders in the Upper Canyon. The rough ride through the sand lasts about 15 minutes, and if you inform them of your pregnancy, they’ll allow you to sit in the cab of the truck with the driver.
The duration of the walk under the sun is quite short. Most of the time, you'll find yourself in the cool shaded area. After leaving, you’ll ascend a brief incline to return to the parking lot. The time spent under the sun is roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Overall, my experience was quite relaxed, but it's important to consider your own health, fitness, and your doctor’s recommendations.
Can you access Upper Antelope Canyon without a tour?
Unfortunately, no; visiting Upper Antelope Canyon requires a tour with a local Navajo guide. This rule holds for all slot canyons located on Navajo land.
Is there a pickup and drop-off service from hotels?
Standard tours do not provide a pickup service; you must drive there on your own. However, GetYourGuide offers a combined tour for Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend that includes pickup and drop-off from Page, Arizona. While this option is pricier, it could be beneficial if you're in Page without a vehicle and wish to visit Antelope Canyon.
Review of Upper Antelope Canyon
Thank you for taking the time to read my review of Upper Antelope Canyon!
Additional Slot Canyon Guides
I appreciate your interest! I hope my review of Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona, was useful.
Although I found the tour underwhelming and not justified in value, this region features other slot canyons that are definitely worth exploring!