Upper Antelope Canyon Tour Review: One of the Best Tours We’ve Ever Taken
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Planning an Upper Antelope Canyon tour from Page, Arizona? Here’s what to expect, how difficult it is, when to book, and why we loved it.
Estimated reading time: 25 minutes
I have been on a lot of tours over the years, and our Upper Antelope Canyon tour in Page, Arizona was easily one of the best.
It was spectacular.
And because apparently my vacations occasionally need an added degree of difficulty, I was also actively passing a kidney stone while we were doing it.
Yes. Really.
Trust me when I say that I do NOT recommend adding a kidney stone to your Upper Antelope Canyon itinerary. Zero stars. Absolutely terrible vacation enhancement.
But in hindsight, there is something almost hilarious about the fact that I managed to walk through one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the world while simultaneously dealing with a kidney stone.
And it also tells you something pretty important about this particular Antelope Canyon tour:
Upper Antelope Canyon is really not that strenuous.
I was definitely moving slower than I normally would have been, but I was still able to do the tour. And more importantly, I was still able to enjoy it.
That should probably tell you everything.
Is Upper Antelope Canyon Worth It?
Yes.
One hundred percent yes.
If you are spending any time in Page, Arizona, this would be at the very top of my list.
There are quite a few incredible things to do around Page, but Upper Antelope Canyon is different. You have probably seen photos of those glowing orange sandstone walls a thousand times. You may even wonder if the real thing can possibly live up to those photographs.
It does.
Actually, one of the things that surprised me most was how many completely different photographs you can take inside one relatively short canyon.
Sometimes the walls looked bright orange.
Then you would turn around and suddenly the sandstone looked red or purple or even blue because of the way the light was reflecting through the canyon.
One formation looked completely different depending on which direction you faced or where you stood.
And then our guide would tell us to look up.
Or turn around.
Or stand in one very specific spot.
And suddenly there was something there that we never would have noticed otherwise.
That was a huge part of what made this tour so fantastic.
You Have to Take a Guided Tour of Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land, and you cannot simply drive over and explore the canyon on your own.
You must visit with an authorized guided tour.
But here’s the thing.
Even if you could walk through Antelope Canyon by yourself, after experiencing it with our guide, I wouldn’t want to.
The guide was part of what made the experience so good.
Of course, she knew the canyon and could tell us what we were looking at. But she was also fantastic at helping everyone take pictures.
And I don’t mean she just pointed toward something pretty and said, “Take a picture over there.”
She knew exactly where the interesting formations were.
She knew which direction the light was coming from.
She knew when to stop our group for a minute so another group could move farther ahead and we could get photos without twenty strangers walking through them.
She would tell us where to stand, where to point our phones, when to look up and sometimes even how to turn the camera to reveal a shape in the canyon walls.
At one point she showed us exactly how to photograph a heart hidden in the sandstone.
I absolutely would not have seen that heart if she hadn’t pointed it out.
She also helped us find a butterfly shape in the canyon walls, along with other formations and interesting angles that I probably would have walked right past.
And she took pictures for us too.
Honestly, if you’re going to visit someplace this photogenic, having somebody who already knows exactly where all the best shots are is pretty awesome.
Choosing an Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
There are multiple authorized tour operators for Antelope Canyon, so you aren’t choosing between “guided tour” and “no guided tour.”
You’re choosing which tour company you want to go with.
We booked with Antelope Canyon Tours in Page and had a fantastic experience.
Our tour started at their location in downtown Page. From there, everyone boarded the tour vehicle and we were transported out toward Upper Antelope Canyon.
Eventually you leave the pavement behind and start driving through the sandy desert toward the canyon.
And that ride is part of the fun because there really isn’t anything about the landscape that prepares you for what you’re about to see.
This isn’t like driving toward the Grand Canyon where you know some enormous landscape is waiting for you.
Upper Antelope Canyon is hiding.
Even when you arrive, the entrance doesn’t look particularly dramatic.
It basically looks like a crack in a giant wall of sandstone.
Then you walk through that crack.
And everything changes.
Walking Into Upper Antelope Canyon
This was our first real slot canyon experience, and I immediately understood why people become obsessed with them.
From the outside, you can barely tell that anything is there.
Then you step inside and suddenly you’re walking between enormous sandstone walls carved into these incredible curves and waves.
Some areas are wider.
Some are darker.
Some glow.
And because the opening above the canyon twists and changes as you walk, the light is constantly doing something different.
That’s what makes the photographs look so crazy.
They’re not all taken under the same lighting conditions.
Sometimes you’re photographing reflected light.
Sometimes sunlight is hitting part of the sandstone directly.
Sometimes you’re looking toward a bright opening.
And occasionally, if the conditions are right, sunlight actually streams down into the canyon.
We got a little bit of that during our March tour.
Not the giant, dramatic shaft of light you sometimes see in promotional photographs, but enough that we could see the sunlight cutting through the darker canyon.
It was gorgeous.
And because our guide knew the canyon so well, she knew exactly when and where to stop us so we could appreciate those moments instead of simply walking straight through.
That is one of the biggest things I remember about this tour.
It didn’t feel like we were being herded through an attraction.
We actually had time to look.
And believe me, there is a LOT to look at.
What Is It Actually Like Inside Upper Antelope Canyon?
Once you walk through that little crack in the sandstone, it is just… wow.
And I know that isn’t exactly a sophisticated description. Ha!
But honestly, this is one of those places where I don’t know that you need to overthink it.
Upper Antelope Canyon is absolutely gorgeous.
You are basically walking through this relatively short slot canyon while the sandstone walls twist and curve above you. And because the opening at the top is constantly changing, the light changes too.
That is what makes it so much fun to photograph.
I have pictures where the walls look bright orange and gold.
I have other pictures where they are almost purple and blue.
There are places where the sandstone looks like it is glowing from the inside.
And then you move a few feet, turn around, and suddenly you have a completely different picture.
I probably could have taken 500 photos in there.
Actually, I may have.
This Is Where Having a Great Guide Really Matters
This was probably my favorite thing about the entire tour.
Our guide knew this canyon.
She knew where the light would look interesting. She knew which formations to point out. She knew exactly where we needed to stand to get certain pictures.
And half the time, I would have had absolutely no idea there was anything there to photograph.
One of my favorite examples was the heart.
She had us stand in a very specific place and told us how to turn the camera.
And boom.
There was this heart in the sandstone.
I mean… come on.
How cool is that?
But if I had just been walking through the canyon by myself, I would never have seen it. I would have walked right past it and probably taken a picture of something completely different.
The same thing happened with the butterfly.
She pointed out the formation, showed us how to look at it, and suddenly you could see it.
That was happening throughout the tour.
“Look up here.”
“Stand over there.”
“Turn your camera this way.”
And suddenly something you hadn’t noticed two seconds earlier became one of your favorite photographs from the day.
That is why I would absolutely not look at the required guided tour as some annoying hurdle you have to deal with in order to see Antelope Canyon.
The guide made the experience better.
Our Guide Helped Us Take Much Better Pictures
And she wasn’t just pointing out interesting formations.
She was actively helping us get the photos.
She took pictures for us.
She showed us where to point the camera.
She knew how the light was hitting the sandstone.
And she knew when to give the group in front of us a little space so we could get some photographs without a bunch of people standing right in the middle of them.
You can see that in my pictures.
There were definitely other people inside Upper Antelope Canyon. This is not some secret little slot canyon where you’re going to be alone.
But there are also plenty of my photos where it looks like nobody else is there.
That didn’t happen by accident.
Our guide was really good at pacing us.
Sometimes we would hang back for a minute and let another group move on.
Then we would have this little pocket of the canyon to ourselves for a few moments before the next group came through.
It worked really well.
And Then There Was the Light
Of course, this is what Upper Antelope Canyon is famous for.
Those beams of sunlight coming down through the canyon.
We were there in March, so we weren’t visiting during the prime season for those really dramatic light beams you see in some of the famous Antelope Canyon photographs.
But we did get some.
And I was thrilled.
There was one point where our guide showed us where the sunlight was coming down and even helped create that really cool effect with the sand falling through the light.
That was another one of those moments where I thought, This is why you want somebody with you who knows what they’re doing.
I wouldn’t have known to look for that.
I wouldn’t have known where to stand.
And I definitely wouldn’t have known how to photograph it.
Was it the giant, perfect shaft of light you see on postcards?
No.
Did I care?
Not even a little bit.
It was beautiful.
You Really Don’t Need to Be a Photographer to Get Great Pictures Here
This is worth saying because I am certainly not walking around with professional photography equipment.
Most people aren’t.
And you really don’t need it.
Upper Antelope Canyon does a lot of the work for you.
Ha!
The sandstone is beautiful. The light is beautiful. The formations are beautiful.
And then, if you have a good guide showing you where to stand and what to look at, suddenly your phone is taking pictures that look like they belong on a screensaver.
Seriously.
I would look at some of the photos afterward and think, Did I actually take that?
Yep.
I did.
And I was passing a kidney stone at the time.
Because apparently I need to keep reminding everyone of that. LOL.
So How Hard Is the Upper Antelope Canyon Tour?
Not hard.
At all.
I really want to emphasize this because I think people sometimes get Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon mixed up when they’re researching.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the easy one.
You aren’t climbing down ladders into the canyon.
You aren’t squeezing through crazy little openings.
You aren’t doing some intense hike.
You walk in one end and walk through the canyon.
That’s basically it.
The floor is sandy, and you’re walking at a pretty leisurely pace because you’re stopping every few minutes anyway.
Look at this formation.
Take a picture here.
Wait a minute for the group ahead of us.
Look up.
Take another picture.
Walk a little farther.
It never felt strenuous.
And yes, I realize that saying “I did this while actively passing a kidney stone” is not exactly an official accessibility rating.
But COME ON.
If there were ever going to be a day when an easy walk felt difficult to me, this would have been it.
And I was still able to do the tour.
I wasn’t bounding through the canyon full of energy.
Believe me.
But I did it.
And I enjoyed it.
That tells you a lot.
You Walk Through the Canyon Instead of Turning Around
Another thing I liked about Upper Antelope Canyon is that you are not walking halfway in and then turning around and retracing the same route.
You go through it.
Eventually you see daylight ahead of you and pop out on the other side.
And it is kind of funny because after spending all that time surrounded by these enormous glowing sandstone walls, suddenly you’re standing outside in the wide-open Arizona desert again.
Then you take the return walkway back around.
There are stairs on that part of the experience, but when we did it, they were going down.
And again, I didn’t think it was bad at all.
If I had done this tour on a normal day, I don’t think the physical difficulty would have even registered with me.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
There are no bathrooms inside Upper Antelope Canyon.
You definitely want to take care of that before you head out from Page.
And yes, this was a particularly important consideration for me on this particular day.
Let’s just say I was extremely aware of where the nearest bathroom was at all times.
Ha!
Fortunately, you aren’t spending hours and hours walking through the canyon itself.
The whole experience is long enough that it feels substantial, but the actual walking portion is pretty short.
We visited in March, so heat wasn’t remotely an issue for us.
If I were doing this in the middle of summer, I would definitely pay attention to the tour company’s current rules about water and what you are allowed to bring.
But physically?
This was so much easier than I expected.
And visually?
Even better than I expected.
That’s a pretty great combination.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Upper Antelope Canyon?
Pretty far.
This is not one of those attractions where I would show up in Page and assume I could just book something that morning.
Could you get lucky?
Sure.
Would I count on that?
Absolutely not.
Upper Antelope Canyon is one of the biggest attractions in Page, and the tours can fill up fast, especially if you are traveling during a popular time of year.
If I knew I was going to Page and this was one of the main things I wanted to do, I would book it several months in advance.
Four to six months would not feel excessive to me at all.
And honestly, the earlier you book, the better your odds of getting the tour time you actually want instead of just taking whatever is left.
That matters here.
What Is the Best Time of Day for an Upper Antelope Canyon Tour?
This is one of those questions where the answer depends a little bit on the time of year.
The big thing everyone is hoping for is sunlight coming down through the canyon.
Those famous shafts of light happen when the angle of the sun is just right.
And because that angle changes throughout the year, the best tour time changes too.
In general, midday is what people tend to aim for.
That is when the sun is highest overhead and you have the best chance of getting those dramatic beams.
But even then, nothing is guaranteed.
You can book the perfect time and end up with clouds.
Welcome to travel.
Ha!
We were there in March, so we were a little early for the strongest light-beam season.
And we still got some really beautiful light.
Would I have loved one of those giant shafts coming down through the canyon?
Of course.
But I would not skip Upper Antelope Canyon just because I couldn’t get the exact perfect time slot.
The canyon itself is still gorgeous.
Weather Really Does Matter
This is another reason booking Antelope Canyon can feel a little nerve-wracking.
You generally need to reserve it well in advance.
But you obviously cannot predict what the weather is going to do months later.
Ideally, you want a bright sunny day.
That is when the light inside the canyon really pops.
The oranges are brighter.
The contrast is stronger.
And you have a better shot at getting those dramatic beams.
But if you are visiting during a shoulder season like we were, you are basically booking the tour and hoping for the best.
That is just part of it.
I would still rather have the reservation and take my chances with the weather than get to Page and discover that every tour is sold out.
What Should You Bring?
Not much.
And this is one place where I think less is probably better.
You are walking through a sandy canyon and moving with a group, so you don’t want to be hauling a bunch of stuff around.
Bring your phone or camera.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Dress for the weather.
And if you are visiting during warmer months, definitely pay attention to whatever the tour operator currently allows for water.
I would also check the current bag rules before you go.
Tour requirements can change, and Antelope Canyon operators tend to have pretty specific rules about what you can bring inside.
This is not the place to show up with a giant backpack full of snacks and gear.
You really don’t need it anyway.
Upper Antelope Canyon vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
If you are trying to decide between the two, this is where knowing what kind of experience you want matters.
Upper Antelope Canyon is the easier option.
That is one of the reasons I think it worked so well for us.
You walk into the canyon at ground level.
You are not climbing down ladders into it.
You are not navigating a bunch of steep staircases inside.
And the walking itself is pretty easy.
Lower Antelope Canyon is the one with the more adventurous physical experience.
That doesn’t mean Lower is bad.
Not at all.
It just means they are different.
If you are specifically looking for the classic Antelope Canyon light-beam photos and you want the easier physical experience, I would absolutely look at Upper.
And if you’re traveling with somebody who does not want to deal with ladders or a more strenuous canyon experience, Upper makes even more sense.
Clearly.
I mean, I did it with a kidney stone.
Have I mentioned that?
Would I Take This Tour Again?
In a heartbeat.
This was one of the best tours we did on the entire trip.
And honestly, one of the better tours I’ve done anywhere.
The canyon itself is spectacular.
The guide made the experience better.
The photography was so much fun.
And physically, it was incredibly manageable.
There are some attractions where I walk away thinking, Okay, that was nice. I’m glad we did it once.
This wasn’t one of those.
I would absolutely do Upper Antelope Canyon again.
I would probably try to book a different season next time, partly because I would love another shot at seeing one of those really dramatic shafts of light.
And I would happily take another few hundred pictures.
Because apparently the first few hundred weren’t enough.
Ha!
Is Upper Antelope Canyon Worth the Money?
For me, yes.
No hesitation.
It is not cheap.
And I know that can be a sticking point, especially when you are planning an Arizona road trip and already paying for hotels, food, gas, national park entrance fees, and everything else.
But if I were prioritizing activities in Page, this would be near the very top.
You are seeing something genuinely special.
And because you have to go with a guide, you are also getting somebody who knows the canyon and can help you notice things you would absolutely miss on your own.
That was a huge part of the value for me.
The heart.
The butterfly.
The light.
The camera angles.
The little pauses that let us get better photographs.
All of that made the experience more memorable.
Final Thoughts on Our Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Upper Antelope Canyon was one of those places that completely lived up to the hype.
Actually, I think it exceeded it.
The colors were better than I expected.
The formations were more interesting than I expected.
The tour itself was easier than I expected.
And our guide added so much to the experience.
Would I have preferred not to be passing a kidney stone at the time?
Yes.
Obviously.
That would have been lovely.
But weirdly, even that has become part of the story now.
Because every time I look at these gorgeous photos of glowing orange sandstone and beautiful canyon walls, I also remember thinking…
I cannot believe I am doing this right now.
And somehow, I still had an amazing time.
That probably tells you everything you need to know.
More Southwest Adventures Near Page
If you are planning a bigger Southwest road trip, Page is in such a great location for combining northern Arizona with southern Utah.
Explore More Near Kanab, Utah
Kanab is close enough to Page that it is really easy to combine the two areas on the same trip.
If you loved the idea of exploring a slot canyon, check out my Peekaboo Slot Canyon Tour Review. This was a completely different experience from Upper Antelope Canyon, but just as much fun in its own way.
And if you want something a little more adventurous, my Coral Pink Sand Dunes UTV Tour Review covers one of our favorite experiences near Kanab. Think UTVs, sandboarding, gorgeous scenery, and a very different side of southern Utah.
Plan More of Your Grand Canyon Trip
Page also pairs perfectly with the Grand Canyon South Rim.
Start with this Grand Canyon South Rim Guide for the big-picture planning details, including viewpoints, easy walks, transportation, and how to make the most of your time at the canyon.
And if you want the scenery without turning your trip into a major hiking expedition, check out our Best Grand Canyon Viewpoints Without Hardcore Hiking guide. It is packed with gorgeous views that are easy to work into a South Rim itinerary.
