Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell
 

On our trip this July to Sedona and the Grand Canyon, we will head up to Page after the South Rim leg of the trip. We are a family with 3 teenagers, and am interested in the Antelope Canyon tour and the 1/2 day Float trip from the dam. I was thinking to do the canyon tour upon our arrival in Page, either the 1:30 or 3:30 tour, spend the night (maybe the Arizona Inn or Courtyard...suggestions for family of 5?) And then the 7:00 float the next morning before heading to Sedona. Would the canyon tour be too brutally hot in the afternoon in early July?

We did the tour in August around the same time of the day. It's cooler in the canyon so you should be fine. Carry water! Sounds like you have a great plan for these two days.

Utahtea

Thanks, Utahtea! I think you are the true expert on this area, as I have learned a lot from your posts! We'll do the afternoon canyon tour, and morning float. How far in advance should I reserve these trips, since I have specific times I want to go?

We were just there last summer and had no problem getting either tour, but you might want to make ressies for the float trip if you have a specific time.
Having been before, we were amazed at the LACK of crowds.
I would definitely stay at the Courtyard! We stayed at the Lakeshore Resort and were definitely underwhelmed and had issues w/front desk re time difference at antelope canyon tour. They do have two lake front pools that your kids might enjoy.

Re antelope canyon: i would go right to the antelope canyon and take that tour, altho you can get tours in town, also. From town you will be riding in an A/C vehicle to the canyon vs. and open air tram. The tour was not too hot and was one of the highlights of our 2 week trip.

Be sure you save time for Horseshoe Bend nearby. Short hike to some of the most incredible scenery you'll ever see. Definitely take water but its an easy and well worthwhile hike.

If it is a choice between the 1:30 or the 3:30 tour of Antelope Canyon, I'd suggest the 1:30 tour.

The closer to "high noon", the more spectacular the view as the light streams directly into the canyon. The more light the more awesome the colors.

No matter what time of day you go, bring a small flashlight as there are places where it could be wet and slippery - and dark.

Enjoy!

I'm curious - why are you limited to those two tour times? There are a number of companies that do tours at different times:

http://reservations.powellmuseum.org/CanyonTours.html

Last time I was there, the people at the entrance will take you in themselves, so you don't even need to get a tour from out of town.

Also, if you have the time, make sure to check out Lower Antelope Canyon. This canyon is self-guided, and more adventurous than Upper Antelope - there are ladders to climb up and down. I think your teenagers will enjoy it quite a bit more, if they're at all active.

Thanks so much for the information. I didn't realize that more than one company does tours. We'll still do the 1:30ish time for the tour, as we will be coming from our overnight at the South Rim of the canyon. Too much to do the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon?

You should have time to do both. The Upper Canyon is only 150 yards long, and it's completely level. Tours are usually 1.5-2 hours long, and that's only because the guide will stop to give talks along the way. You can take as long as you like in Lower Antelope. It's a bit more strenuous, but not terribly so.