Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon: Which One to Choose?

Antelope Canyon is one of Arizona’s most famous landmarks, and it’s a must-see if you’re traveling in the southwestern U.S.

This exceptionally beautiful natural formation is truly a unique sight. It’s a slot canyon that can be approached from two points: the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.

Around 4 million visitors come here every year, and you’ve probably already seen the red, wavy-shaped rock canyon in magazines, photos, and social media.

If you’re planning a trip to Antelope Canyon, whether to the upper or lower section, this guide will tell you everything you need to know, with a special focus on comparing the two sections.

Which one is better: the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Which one should you choose? What are the pros and cons of both the Upper and Lower Canyon? And what else should you know for a well-organized trip to Antelope Canyon?

This comparison guide will answer all of these questions.

Lower vs Upper Antelope Canyon: Detailed comparison

Now let’s look at the details of the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon, so you can decide which one is better to visit.

Tour in Upper Antelope Canyon

Basically, both sections can only be visited through guided tours. The area is managed by private companies, so you can only enter through their tours.

For the Upper Antelope Canyon, the tour depends on which company you choose. If you choose Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours, you should park your car at the Upper Antelope Canyon Park near State Route 98. After checking in, your guide will pick you up in a small group (maximum 8 people) and take you to the canyon entrance.

If you choose another company, they might transport you by minibus from Page to the canyon entrance.

Once at the canyon, the guide, who is a member of the Navajo Nation, will give you a tour, sharing lots of information about the place and showing you the most interesting rock formations. You can see unique shapes like a heart or a lady figure. If you visit at the right time, you might also see the famous light beam, which is a favorite for photographers.

The upper section of the canyon is shorter than the lower one, only about 660 feet (200 meters). The canyon is mostly flat and sandy, but easy to walk through. It’s ideal for those who want an easier walk, like families with young children or people with limited mobility.

The tour, from check-in to returning to the parking lot, takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Tour in Lower Antelope Canyon

The Lower Antelope Canyon is a bit easier to get to. Two companies offer tours there: Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Ken’s Tours Lower Antelope Canyon. Both have parking lots not far from State Route 98. Each company has a designated check-in area, and you can buy souvenirs, food, and drinks on-site.

After parking and checking in, you can usually watch a real Navajo Indian show. Then, in small groups, your guide, who is also a member of the Navajo Nation, will take you on foot to the canyon entrance.

The first part of the canyon starts with a steep ladder, and the guide will lead you through the approximately 1,300-foot (400-meter) long canyon. Some parts are narrow and difficult to walk through, so it’s not recommended for young children or people with mobility issues.

Although the Lower Canyon has fewer unique rock formations compared to the Upper Canyon, in my opinion, this section is overall more interesting. The tour is exciting even for experienced hikers. There are plenty of great photo opportunities, and the colors are simply stunning, ranging from deep reds to orange, yellow, and even blue shades.

The time needed for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is about 1.5 hours, from check-in to returning to the parking lot.

Which tour is better?

This is completely based on subjective opinions and is hard to answer. Personally, I enjoyed the Lower Canyon tour more because of its adventurous nature, and the colors there were better when I wanted to take photos. For that, we chose Dixie’s Lower Antelope Canyon Tours, but both companies offer the same tour.

As for the tour guide, I think I preferred the one in the Upper Canyon, where we chose Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours. Since the tour was in smaller groups and our guide was experienced in photography, we received many helpful tips during the tour.

Which is easier to reach?

The Lower Antelope Canyon is closer to State Route 98, so I think it’s easier to access. Although you’ll need to walk a bit more, you can park your car close to the canyon entrance, and you won’t need any extra transportation.

Which is easier to walk around?

The Upper Antelope Canyon is definitely easier to explore. It has flat terrain, wider pathways, and is about half the length of the Lower Canyon. There are no narrow passages, steep ladders, or climbing on hands and feet like in the Lower Canyon.

Which is less crowded?

During peak season and peak times, you won’t notice much of a difference, as both canyons are extremely popular.

However, the Upper Antelope Canyon tends to be more crowded, and it’s harder to get tickets, especially for the most recommended midday times.

So, make sure to plan your trip weeks in advance and book your tickets online as early as possible!

Which is cheaper: Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?

Both sections have very high ticket prices, so be prepared that neither will be cheap to visit. The prices depend on many factors: which month you travel, what time of day you go, which tour company you choose, etc.

Overall, the Lower Antelope Canyon is usually a little cheaper.

What else you should know before visiting Antelope Canyon

A few other things to know for a complete trip:

Best time to visit Antelope Canyon

The best time to visit both canyon sections is when the sun is at its peak, which is between 11 AM and 2 PM.

If you want the best lighting, especially for photography, it’s a good idea to book tours that take place between 11 AM and 2 PM. However, keep in mind the time spent in the canyon itself, so I would recommend tours starting around 11 AM to noon.

If these tours are no longer available, it’s still worth visiting either canyon section in the morning or afternoon, but expect less light, different shadows, and cooler, bluer tones.

Can you visit both sections in one day?

Yes, it can easily fit into your schedule as each section takes around 1.5-2 hours. So, both can comfortably be done in one day.

However, it’s worth considering that in this case, one section will likely be in the morning or afternoon, when the place might not be as photogenic due to weaker light.

What to bring for your visit

Since you can’t bring a lot of things into the canyon (such as bags, food, tripod, etc.), it’s important to check with the tour company in advance to find out what you should bring.

Here’s what you should definitely take with you:

• Comfortable shoes: The area is sandy and made of sandstone, and the Lower Canyon has stairs and is harder to walk through. Make sure to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes.
• Phone with a good camera: Your phone is best if it can take good photos. Unless you’re a professional photographer, your phone will likely be enough.
• Some cash: If you want to tip your guide.

Other places to visit nearby

If you spend more time in the area and want to add a few interesting destinations to your itinerary, here are some recommendations for places to visit near Page:

• Horseshoe Bend
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Lake Powell and Alstrom Point
• The Wave
• Glen Canyon Dam and Carl Hayden Visitor Center.