Antelope Canyon Hiking: Trails & Ultimate Guide 2025
Looking for all the different Antelope Canyon hiking options?
Antelope Canyon is a stunning slot canyon located near the Arizona-Utah border. For any outdoors enthusiast, Antelope Canyon hiking is often top of their bucket lists when they visit the area.
We have visited Antelope Canyon multiple times now, and every time we visit a new section of the canyon. It’s so much fun to see all the different sections of this incredible canyon.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the best hikes in Antelope Canyon as well as tips on how to prepare and what to expect.
Can I go to Antelope Canyon without a Permit?
No, you cannot go to Antelope Canyon without a permit.
If you were initially planning on hiking Antelope Canyon on your own, you may have to rethink your plans. Antelope Canyon is located on Navajo land and the canyon is a protected area.
The area is run by The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department which requires visitors to have a permit and take a guided tour to access the canyons.
The reason for the permits & guided tours is to help protect the canyon for future generations, ensure that the sacred lands are safe from damage as well as protect the safety of visitors doing Antelope Canyon hiking.
This is the Antelope Canyon tour that we recommend, it has stellar reviews and knowledgeable tour guides that will even help you capture some beautiful images!
⭐ Our #1 Favorite Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
Make sure you book in advance, tickets sell out quickly!
Hiking in Antelope Canyon
The canyon is divided into different sections with the most popular areas being Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. However, there are 7 different canyons you can explore that are all part of the Antelope Canyon system.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the different canyons you can visit. We’ve included details about each Antelope Canyon hike length, the type of trail, Antelope Canyon hike difficulty as well as what to expect on the hike.
One thing’s for sure, regardless of which canyon you choose to explore in the region, we’re sure you’ll love any Antelope Canyon trail you pick!
1. Hiking Upper Antelope Canyon Trail
- Distance: 1 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 253 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Tour to Take: Our #1 Favorite Antelope Canyon Tour
- Approximate Tour Time: 1-2 hours
The Upper Antelope Canyon hike is the most popular of the canyons for visitors, but both the upper and lower sections of the canyon offer stunning views and photographic opportunities.
When you arrive at the ticket office, you’ll then board a shuttle that will take you to the entrance of the canyon. This is where you’ll meet your Navajo guide who will take you through the canyon.
Along this trail, you’ll see a multitude of red and orange curved sandstone walls, which are illuminated and enhanced on a sunny day.
It’s best to hike Upper Canyon early in the day to avoid the crowds and to get the best lighting for photography.
If you’re interested in seeing the iconic light beams that you can only see in Upper Antelope, you’ll want to visit towards late spring through early fall and around mid-day.
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Upper Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
These tickets sell out FAST, make sure you book in advance!
2. Hiking Lower Antelope Canyon Trail
- Distance: 1.1 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 115 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Tour to Take: Our #1 Favorite Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
- Approximate Tour Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
The main difference between the Lower Antelope Canyon hike and Upper is that Lower Antelope Canyon is a much deeper section of the canyon.
The passages along the Antelope Lower canyon hike are narrow. You’ll be able to see the signature reds and oranges of the smooth sandstone walls making this a photographer’s dream.
Although this is a relatively easy trail to navigate, some sections of the canyon may be more challenging for some people. There are eight ladders and staircases throughout the entire hike, and some are rather steep.
It is important to be aware of your footing and to watch for loose rocks, as the stairs can be slippery, especially if you’re not wearing proper hiking shoes.
Depending on your level of mobility, this may be a deciding factor on whether you’ll be able to do this trial or not.
Because Lower Antelope Canyon is a super deep slot canyon, you won’t see the light beams at any time of the day or year. It’s best to visit early in the day to avoid crowds and for the best lighting.
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Lower Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
These tickets book up months in advance, make sure to book early!
3. Hiking Canyon X Trail
- Distance: 3 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 2 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Tour to Take: Our #1 Favorite Canyon X Tour
- Approximate Tour Time: 1.5 hours
If the idea of hiking at Antelope Canyon with a bunch of other people doesn’t sound appealing then hiking Canyon X is a fantastic alternative option.
Canyon X is a far less visited canyon than the Upper or Lower Antelope. Even though it’s not as popular, it is still beautiful. It’s the deepest of the 3 canyons and still has stunning curved slot canyon walls with deep oranges and reds swirling around.
You won’t be able to see light beams at Canyon X. It’s better to visit in the early morning or late afternoon, or around golden hour as this will create the most stunning visuals and vibrant colors of the canyon walls.
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Canyon X Tour ⭐
Even though it’s less popular, these tickets do sell out, make sure to still book in advance.
4. Hiking Secret Antelope Canyon Trail
- Distance: 0.5 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 0
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Tour to Take: Our #1 Favorite Secret Antelope Canyon Tour
- Approximate Tour Time: 1 hour
Secret Canyon, also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon due to its close proximity to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook, is another stunning slot canyon.
Similar to Canyon X, Secret Antelope is another lesser-known and lesser-visited part of Antelope Canyon. It still features the signature curves, narrow pathways, and reddy orange swirls, minus the crowds.
If you’re looking for a less rushed alternative to Antelope Canyon, then this is it. Because the guides aren’t trying to usher so many visitors through, you’ll get plenty of time to take photos and appreciate the atmosphere.
Like the others, Secret Canyon can only be visited as part of a guided tour, and the tours are capped at 25 people which gives plenty of opportunity to get photos without others in them.
The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to make the most of the subtle lighting. Also, the likelihood of meeting anyone else during the earlier tour of the day is pretty slim, so you’ll be able to capture as many tourist-free photos as you like.
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Secret Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
Even though it’s less popular, these tickets do sell out, make sure to still book in advance.
5. Hiking Rattlesnake Canyon Trail
- Distance: 0.25 Mile
- Elevation Gain: 30 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Tour Time: 1 hour
Rattlesnake Canyon Trail is another great option with beautiful canyon walls, high cliffs, and great rock formations.
The textured sandstone has beautiful waves of red and orange swirls making this a great choice for photographers or anyone who is interested in the beautiful scenery.
Depending on the time of day you visit or the season, the rocks can appear a golden yellow hue all the way to a deep red color.
If you plan on visiting Rattlesnake Canyon, it’s best to visit in spring or winter to make the most of the more subtle sunlight. If you’re visiting in the summer months, then it is best to start early in the morning to take advantage of the shade.
Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours offers a great tour of Rattlesnake Canyon. We recommend using Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours for most if not all of the tours in the area. They’re great to work with have awesome reviews and will take care of everything you need.
6. Hiking Owl Canyon Trail
- Distance: 3.3 Miles
- Elevation Gain: 472 ft
- Difficulty: Moderately challenging
- Approximate Tour Time: 1.5 hr
The Owl Canyon trail is also known as White Owl Canyon. The trail gets its name from the white owls that nest on the cliffs, keep your eyes peeled for signs of the white owl’s nests, you’ll spot them on inaccessible ledges.
Despite its small size, the canyon contains several short sections of narrows, some are up to 100 feet deep. Unlike the familiar reds and oranges seen at Antelope Canyon, the majority of the rocks here are made of greyish-brown rock layers.
However, there are a few pretty parts of the canyon where you’ll find colorful walls and patterns in the rocks. There’s also a section where you’ll see some of the signature red sandstone as well as some interesting rock formations like the overhangs that sit alongside the trail.
Because of the abundance of overhangs along the trail, take note of the trailhead notice at the start where it warns of loose rocks. The best time to hike this trail is in the spring or fall. Even though the deep walls provide shade for most of the day, the summer temperatures can still be unbearable.
7. Hiking Mountain Sheep Canyon Trail
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 100 ft
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Approximate Tour Time: 1 hour
If you’re after another lesser-known slot canyon in Antelope check out Mountain Sheep canyon. The walls also have a more jagged appearance here, so they don’t have that smooth wave-like look that the smoother walls of places like Lower and Upper canyon have.
As you can imagine, the name ‘Mountain Sheep’ reflects how this canyon looks. It’s certainly got a more rugged feel to it which lends to a more strenuous hike than the other slot canyons we’ve mentioned in this list.
Along the route, there are some scaling ladders, so this isn’t the best trail for anyone with mobility issues. Also, to get to the entrance of Mountain Sheep Canyon, you’ll need to take the bumpy ride in a suitable vehicle with your Navajo guide to get to the trailhead.
Because the canyon isn’t as classically pretty as some of the others and it’s more difficult to get to it, this makes the crowds almost down to zero. It’s also a great for anyone looking for more of an adventure!
Antelope Canyon Hiking Map
To help plan your hiking Antelope Canyon Arizona trip, here’s a map that shows all the locations of the hikes that we’ve just mentioned.
What To Pack When Hiking Antelope Canyon
When packing for a hike at Antelope Canyon, it’s important to be prepared for the challenging terrain and the harsh desert environment. Here’s a list of essential items to pack for your hiking Antelope Canyon AZ adventure:
- Water – Because Antelope Canyon is surrounded by desert, the air can be extremely dry, even if it’s not particularly hot. You’ll need plenty of water to stay hydrated even on cold days. We advise bringing at least one liter of water per person.
- Sun protection – Even though you’re in a canyon and sometimes it’s shaded, it’s a good idea to wear sun protection. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, and wear long sleeves and pants. Also, pack a pair of sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Snacks – If you tend to get hungry easily then bring high-energy snacks such as trail mix or energy bars. If your snack has any packaging, be sure to carry it back out with you.
- Proper shoes – Make sure you’re wearing shoes with good grip and traction with adequate foot and ankle support.
- Camera – Don’t forget a camera to capture the stunning views
- Wind and waterproof jacket – Even on warm days, the weather can quickly change, so pack a lightweight jacket for this.
There are several things that you can not take into the slot canyons. This is to protect the canyons. You will have to leave these items either in your car or at the ticket office.
- Bags of any size – you are not allowed to take any type of back into the canyon with you. This includes backpacks, and purses as well as camel packs, fanny packs, wristlets, clear bags, and large camera bags
- Drones and professional video recording equipment
- Tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks
- Pets
- Strollers or anything on wheels
- Metal-framed baby carriers
Hiking Antelope Canyon Tours
You can only visit Antelope Canyon as part of a guided tour. To get the most out of your visit check out our suggestions on the best Antelope Canyon hiking tours below.
Upper Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour from Page
If the only part of Antelope Canyon you want to visit is the Upper part, then we recommend this tour, it’s one of our favorites!
- You’ll go with your local Navajo guide, they will accompany you through Upper Antelope Canyon giving you lots of information about the importance of this canyon to the Navajo people. Your guide will also show you all the best photo opportunities so you can capture those iconic images.
- On this tour, you’ll also visit Lower Antelope Canyon, so you don’t have to pick and choose which one you want to see!
- The tour includes an entrance fee and your Navajo Nation permit.
- An air-conditioned vehicle and pick-up from Page city limits are included on this tour, as well as a snack break!
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Upper Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
Even though it’s less popular, these tickets do sell out, make sure to still book in advance.
Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour from Page
If you’re only interested in seeing Lower Antelope Canyon, then this tour is our absolute favorite. We would recommend booking pretty far in advance since it sells out frequently.
- You’ll be accompanied by a Najavo guide who will be able to tell you everything about how the rock formations were created over thousands of years worth of erosion. They will also point out the best photo spots to capture the perfect souvenir picture.
- As part of the tour, you’ll get to see the famous V-shaped canyon which is known as ‘spiral rock arches’ which is unique to this canyon.
- Lower Antelope Canyon is a little more rugged than Upper Canyon, so it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll be going up and down plenty of steps. This makes it a better option for adventure enthusiasts as it’s more of an active tour.
- On this tour, you’ll also visit Horseshoe Bend, another must-see in the area.
- An air-conditioned vehicle and pick-up from Page city limits are included on this tour, as well as a snack break.
⭐ Check Out Our Favorite Lower Antelope Canyon Tour ⭐
Even though it’s less popular, these tickets do sell out, make sure to still book in advance.
How To Get To Page, AZ
If you’re planning to do an Antelope Canyon hike in Arizonia, you’re probably wondering what’s the best way to get there. A lot of this will depend on where you’re starting.
If you’re looking for the closest airport to Antelope Canyon, we would recommend flying into Las Vegas Airport. LAS often has the best connections and cheapest flights.
A lot of people then make visiting Antelope Canyon part of a road trip from Las Vegas and tie in some other great monuments or National Parks along the way.
Once you’re in Page, it’s relatively easy to find several tour companies that offer guided tours of the canyon, however, during peak season, we advise booking any tours in advance as they do sell out.
Best Time to Hike Antelope Canyon
Although you can plan your Antelope Canyon hike for any time of year, some months are better than others.
The best time to hike Antelope Canyon is during the spring and fall months. During these seasons, temperatures are mild and the canyon looks beautiful in the subtle light as opposed to the harsh intensity of summer. It’s also a great time to go camping near Antelope Canyon.
Try to play your hike during the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest point. This is when light beams shine down and illuminate the canyons making them glow in vibrant shades of red and orange.
Because spring and fall are the best months to visit, it’s also the most popular time, so we suggest booking your tour in advance to ensure you get a ticket. If possible try to visit the canyon on a weekday as these tend to be a little quieter than the weekends.
Best Places To Stay In Page AZ
To make the most out of your visit to Antelope Canyon, we recommend staying at a hotel in Page which is the closest town to Antelope Canyon.
That way you can make the most of the early morning sunlight, as well as avoid a lot of tourist buses on day trips.
Here are the two best hotels in Page, Arizona:
Hampton Inn & Suites is consistently rated as the #1 best hotel in the Page area. It has clean rooms, a tasty breakfast, and comfy beds. Guests talk about how great the staff is and it’s just right down the road from everything you’d want to see in Page.
⭐ Click here to book your Hampton Inn & Suites stay today
➡️ La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham is another great choice for a hotel close to Antelope Canyon. The hotel is brand new, has stellar reviews, and has a seasonal out door pool which is great in the summer months.
⭐ Click here to book La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham today
Wrap-Up: Antelope Canyon Hiking
We hope this guide to hiking all the Antelope Canyon trails helped you plan your trip!
Page is an incredible hiking destination, whether you are a beginner or an experienced hiker. There’s plenty to explore to keep you busy for several days. We’re sure you’re going to love it!
