There are not a lot of beautiful, accessible slot canyons in the USA, let alone on the planet. But if you would like to explore some of them, you need to set aside some time to see the slot canyons in the US state of Arizona. Sit back, grab a pen, and get ready to take notes as we present the most incredible slot canyons in Arizona.

The Most Incredible Slot Canyons In Arizona

Antelope Canyon: The Upper, The Lower, and The X

Arguably the most popular slot canyon, Antelope Canyon is also the most famous in the US and maybe even on Earth. Antelope Canyon can be found near the city of Page. It’s situated within the Navajo Nation.

Regular readers may already know that the only way to visit this slot canyon is by booking an official tour. Due to the canyon’s growing popularity, and an increase in tourism, you really must make reservations well in advance. Here at Antelope Canyon, you can explore two different slot canyons, the most visited and well-known Upper Antelope Canyon and the less frequented and more challenging Lower Antelope Canyon.

There is also a comparatively unknown third area known as Antelope Canyon X. This area includes two distinct slot canyons, the North and the South. While it is located a few miles away from the more popular areas, it still is considered a part of Antelope Canyon.  

If you enjoy beautiful slot canyons but would like to avoid crowds, this is an exceptional alternative. In fact, there are additional slot canyons in this area. You can book tours to explore three other slot canyons all within proximity of each other.

Other Alternatives

Owl Canyon  

Owl Canyon is named after its iconic resident great horned owls. Veteran visitors say it’s “fun to see” but it’s not especially narrow or photogenic. The most memorable area is at the end. Tour guides are required here too but it is more likely you will be able to spend more time here than elsewhere.

Rattlesnake Canyon  

Some say Rattlesnake Canyon is the most interesting canyon to tour. It is officially a portion of the Upper Antelope Canyon’s wash system. Aptly named for its serpentine aspect, it includes winding passages and a few very narrow places.

Mountain Sheep Canyon 

Interestingly, the canyon wall formations in rugged Mountain Sheep Canyon are said to be significantly “groovier.” Exploring Rugged Mountain Sheep Canyon involves a more strenuous hike than the other slot canyons mentioned here. It is a 1.5-mile out-and-back hike.”

This tour includes a lot of ladders to scale. They are all well-secured to the rock, of course, but a few of the climbs could be steep enough to make travelers a tad nervous, especially those who travel with younger children.

Waterholes Canyon

Also known as Water Holes Canyon, a number of visitors claim this slot canyon is the very best alternative to Antelope Canyon. It is beautiful and quite similar. Perhaps more importantly, fewer tourists know of this place so you have a better chance of fully enjoying your tour. As this goes to press, visitors must book their tour “on-site.” That could, of course, change by the time you sit down to make your plans as these canyons continue to grow in popularity.

Arizona Hot Springs

Last but certainly not least, is the Arizona Hot Springs. You will find this slot canyon in the popular Lake Mead Recreational Area, south of the well-known Hoover Dam. Your journey begins on Highway 93 at the hiking trail’s parking lot which is less than three and a half miles south of the distinctive dam.

The hike itself out and back is a total of five miles. You will hike roughly 0.38 miles from the parking lot trailhead before coming to an obvious fork in the road. Two separate trails begin here.

The Hot Spring Trail And The White Rock Canyon Trail

Both the Hot Spring Trail and the White Rock Canyon Trail start here. They almost form a loop trail on the Colorado River’s banks. The former is shorter in length and includes an elevation gain of almost 720 feet.

The elevation change can be tiring. So be sure you are up for this hike. Most of the hike will take you along a large slot canyon. Of course, what really makes this slot canyon hike unique is the curious yet spectacular “Hot Springs.”  

In this case, these hot springs are little man-made pools of hot water constructed between the slot canyon’s towering walls to ensure that too much water does not flow along the trail. The water gets hotter the closer you are to these springs. It has been known to get as hot as 104 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once you pass the artificial pools, you will see a ladder that can be used to continue on the trail to the Colorado River’s banks. You may even spot people canoeing in this area. Most importantly though, don’t let the shortness of this hike fool you.  

Be Prepared

Keep in mind that if you plan on hiking this trail, you still need to be prepared and ready for the heat. During the summer months, the heat here can be notably dangerous here. In fact, the heat is so dangerous that from May 15th through September 29th, a lot of the trail is considered to be “closed.”  

Most of the trail is not shaded, thus you will be in the sun most of the time. Last but not least, you also need to be careful when you swim in the pools. At press time, scientists had discovered an amoeba known as Naegleria Fowleri in the water.

In the most serious cases, it can not only cause infection but also death. You may see warning signs posted along the trail. Be careful not to let any of the pool water get in your mouth or nose. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

There you have it, the most incredible slot canyons in Arizona. Have you been to any of them? Let us know!

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Antelope Canyon in the US state of Arizona is arguably the most frequently photographed sandstone canyon in the northern section of the state. It is a popular slot canyon that’s narrow yet still not too difficult to navigate. It comes complete with incredible, rugged rock formations created by many, many years of water and wind erosion.  

The sunlight only enters this canyon from above. Thus, at specific times of the day, visitors can witness the sandstone comes alive with a stunning array of colors. The elements-smoothed walls turn a pretty purple-orange making it one of the United States’ most evocative, unique national parks. To help make the most of your visit, here are some Antelope Canyon travel tips.

Antelope Canyon Travel Tips 

Antelope Canyon: General Information

This striking slot canyon near the city of Page is famous for both its Upper and Lower Canyons. Oddly, few traveler writers ever mention what some call Antelope Canyon X. The Upper Canyon is perhaps the most well-known and is situated off an unpaved road.

Private vehicles are not permitted there. It’s miles away from the Lower Canyon which is situated closer to lovely Lake Powell. Unlike other US parks, you must actually book an official tour.  

The canyon is nestled within the Navajo Nation, so when you book your tour you will have to pay a Navajo or tourist tax. If the tour company does not immediately charge you when you purchase your ticket, you will have to pay it when you arrive before your tour begins. The park is open all week but hours vary depending on the season you visit.

Hours And Booking

If you visit between late March and November 1, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you visit between November 2 through early March, the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Remember that the state has two time zones too!  

Since visitors are required to book a tour, be sure to make reservations in advance. You can do it online, in most cases. (Note: While it’s also possible to do it in person in nearby Page, Antelope Canyon is too popular to make reservations at the last minute.)

After booking your tour, be sure to peruse your paperwork to make sure you know what time to arrive at your chosen tour provider’s location. It is not uncommon for agencies to require you to arrive an hour before your tour time in order to check in. The Navajo can be strict about tour start times and could cancel on you for being a few minutes tardy.

In general, tours run roughly one and a half hours. Tour time includes transportation from the town and can be somewhat bumpy as the vehicle speeds over the rugged terrain. (Note: The Lower Antelope Canyon tour generally runs under one hour, because you must provide your own transportation to the tour’s starting point.)

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit is usually during the summer. It is then that you can best enjoy the unique light effects created when the rays of the sunshine into the canyon. It may be good to note that the peak season is reported to be between March 14th and October 8th. The rainiest months are August and September.

Visitors to Antelope Canyon are not permitted to wear a backpack. Water bottles, however, are recommended.  Guided tours are reportedly required because of potentially dangerous flash floods. 11 travelers are reported to have died in Antelope Canyon on August 12, 1997.

The Upper Vs. The Lower Antelope Canyon

Let’s discuss both the differences and main features of the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon by focusing on touring them both.

Touring The Upper Antelope Canyon 

The Navajo refer to the upper canyon as “the place where the water flows through the rocks.” This is the most visited and most well-known section. In fact, five different tour businesses offer tours here.

It is the most popular because it is a bit wider and that makes it more accessible. It is shaped like an inverted V. It’s wider at the top and more narrow at the bottom.

It is also deeper. This means it is darker and cooler. Nevertheless, sunlight still gets into the canyon in a number of different places.

This tour route is a loop trail in the canyon. It is only about a quarter of a mile but there are frequent stops in order to allow returning tour groups to pass. Veteran visitors confess that it can be a little “nerve-wracking” at times. There are no officially difficult parts though and with the exception of those who are claustrophobic, anyone can participate.

Touring The Lower Antelope Canyon 

The lower canyon isn’t as deep. It is, however, quite pretty due to the way the light strikes the canyon walls and the rock shapes are not that much different than those found in the upper canyon. For those of you who prefer to avoid tourists, the biggest advantage to this tour is that there are only two businesses that conduct tours here.

That translates to fewer lines and, sometimes, when there is a low turnout, you can even stay there a little bit longer. This is also a one-way hike with a length of just over one-quarter of a mile. There are five iron ladders used to get into the canyon and some might consider them steep.

In some places, the route might be challenging because there are areas where the space between the canyon walls is very narrow and it’s not so easy to walk through. Nevertheless, unless you suffer from claustrophobia or vertigo, you’re good to go.

Antelope Canyon X: An Alternative

Ah, but there is a remote portion of the canyon that not everyone knows about named Antelope Canyon X. Now that the slot canyons around the town of Page have become more popular, booking a tour here less than four miles south of the upper canyon, may just be the only way for you to take in the Antelope Canyon’s characteristic shapes at a slower pace. Only one agency provides tours here.

Your tour guide will take you to the trailhead via an almost three-mile stretch of unpaved, dirt road. You will find two slot canyons, North and South, in Antelope Canyon X. They have different shapes and you only need a regular ticket to visit them.  

Here you will discover what some call a blend of the famous features found in the upper and lower canyons. The views are reported to be nigh-identical. The initial portion of the tour here can be a bit difficult although you won’t have to climb anything. If you’re on a budget, or simply can’t resist a bargain, the tour of Antelope Canyon X is cheaper than the others too.

How To Get To Antelope Canyon

Hopefully, you’ve pre-booked your spot on the tour of Upper Antelope Canyon. The agency should provide you with a meeting point address, and a required check-in time.

If you sign up to tour the Lower Antelope Canyon, you may have to find your own transportation to a parking area on Indian Route 222, in Page. There’s also the possibility that the tour agency might give you specific instructions and directions when you book your tour.

If you choose instead to take the tour of Antelope Canyon X, you will have to drive to the tour agency’s office. There you will park your vehicle and your tour guide will lead you to the entrance of the canyon.

Photographing Antelope Canyon

If you’re a shutterbug looking to shoot Antelope Canyon, you must first determine what you hope to accomplish before determining what time to go there. In general, visitors will reportedly enjoy the most extraordinary colors on sunny days in the summer. Photographers in the know suggest booking a tour for 11:00 a.m.  

That way, you will actually be in the canyon at roughly 11:30 a.m. That is arguably the best time to make the most of the extraordinary lighting. Unfortunately, the lighting is best during the time of day when the canyon contains the highest number of tourists.

So be prepared to come up with some creative ways to get those memorable, Instagramable photos. If you absolutely must avoid the busiest times, you could visit in the spring or even early fall.

Helpful Hint

Remember, if you plan ahead but are still unable to book a tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon on your given vacation days, try to purchase a tour of the Lower Antelope Canyon. It’s usually not as crowded. If all else fails, you spend less and avoid the tourists by taking a tour of the lesser-known Antelope Canyon X.

Accommodations

Stay in the city of Page is located on U.S. Route 89. Travel experts agree it’s the best place to spend the night as it is not even 15 minutes from Antelope Canyon. There are a number of hotels available. You can research both the 10 best and the least expensive online.

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