Go. See. Explore.: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

On our way to the Grand Canyon, we decided to make a pit stop at both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. We were so glad we decided to make the time to stop at both of these because they were INCREDIBLE!

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is located near the town Page, Arizona. This is an easy 3/4 mile hike out to a spectacular view that overlooks the Colorado River. Be careful at the lookout. There are many cliffs and drop offs and no guardrails. So if you have small children, keep an eye on them. It is also very crowded but it really didn't take away from the experience, as there are many places to get a good look. Be sure to walk a little ways around the bend. Each place provides a slightly different view and it is worth checking out more than 1 spot! Overall, we spent about 40 minutes here.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is just 20 minutes from Horseshoe Bend and is located in Page, Arizona. The canyon is located on Navajo land and the only way to access it is with a tour guide. You are not allowed to go in without a guide. There are 2 canyons you can tour, upper and lower. We chose to tour the lower canyon, but there are positives and negatives to both.

Upper Antelope Canyon

To access the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon, you get to take a ride in a 4x4 truck. The perk of this canyon is it is easier to access because there are no stairs or ladders required to get in. It is also known for the iconic light beams that you may have seen in many famous photos. Some drawbacks to this canyon is it is much more crowded than Lower Antelope Canyon, since it is more popular and narrower. You also have to hike back out the way you came, making it again more crowded. It is also more expensive (almost double) than the lower. canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon

To access Lower Antelope Canyon, you must be able to climb down quite a few stairs in order to get in and out. If you do not have any mobility issues, than this should not be a concern. The stairs are not difficult at all and we had no trouble with this. In Lower Antelope Canyon it does not have the "iconic light beams" like the upper canyon. However, the light still shines through making for some amazing photos and breathtaking views. Because you exit in a different location than you enter, the flow of traffic is just one way. This makes it less crowded and easier to take pictures. This tour is also longer than upper which gives you more time in the canyon.

Our Decision - Lower Antelope Canyon

After completing extensive research on both canyons, I found that most people said you cannot go wrong with either canyon. The photography is essentially the same in both and you really can't make out a huge difference. So, ultimately, we decided on the Lower Antelope Canyon tour simply because it was longer and cheaper! We were blown away by the entire experience and remarkable colors. Whether you chose to do upper or lower, it really doesn't matter, just as long as you do at least one!

Booking A Tour

We chose to book a tour with Ken's Tours and we were very pleased! The other tour you can book is with the Dixie Ellis Tours. I have read great things about this tour as well. We even saw Dixie Ellis Tours going through at the same time that we were, so I assume there really isn't a big difference between the 2 tours.

You MUST book this tour in advance. They book up fast and if you just show up hoping to jump on a tour, you will most likely be disappointed. Once you book, you must reconfirm your reservation 24-48 hours prior to your tour by calling or texting your confirmation number to Ken's Tours. You must also show up 30 minutes before your tour starts and check in. Another thing to note is the time zone. All times on their site are in Arizona time. Because the Utah State line is less than 7 miles away, our cell phones displayed the wrong time. Luckily I was aware of this, so I manually set my cell phone to Phoenix, AZ time so I wouldn't miss my tour! The tour lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost $40. Since it is on Navajo land you also have to pay an $8 Navajo permit fee.

Lower Antelope Canyon Review

After completing the hour tour of Lower Antelope Canyon, we were VERY happy we booked it! The guides were INCREDIBLE! They were very knowledgeable about the history and legends surrounding the canyons. They were also great photographers! They told us the best places to take pictures, took pictures of groups, and helped us with settings on our phones in order to capture all the bright colors. The canyon itself is beyond words. The twisting tunnels, bright orange swirling sand, and magnificent colors made this tour unforgettable and worth the money! I strongly recommend booking this tour!