euclid

Hard to believe we are leaving for Utah/Arizona next Saturday. We have been waiting for this trip for nearly two years. We will be flying into Phoenix and then drive to Page to spend a day there. We then spend time in Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. On the final day we visit four corners and monument valley before heading back to Phoenix.

We have our itinerary very well set except for one thing...we must do our Antelope Canyon tour at either 5pm on Saturday or somewhere between 8:30am and 10:00am Sunday morning. I know neither of these times is ideal in terms of the best light for pictures, but was wondering which of the two might be best.

Thanks again to the many people on this forum whose insight and suggestions were invaluable in the planning of our trip...Spirobulldog in particular.

Bill_H

Mid-day is best for the upper part, which is probably where you are going. That's when the 'beam of light' shines down thru the crack. So 8:30 - 10 isn't very good and 5 PM is probably worse.

Either time would work fine for lower Antelope Canyon, different panels light up during the day down there. If you are really limited to these times (why?) then lower will be better, unless you have mobility issues and can't get thru the narrow spots.

Why are you limited to just these times? You can simply drive up there on your own at better times and, at upper, have the Navajo drive you the mile or so up to the crack, or, at lower, just walk in on your own. Cheaper than a formal tour and less crowded.

utahtea

Each time of the day is going to have a different look and if you can't make it in the middle of the day, them maybe the descriptions at this link can help you decide.http://www.antelopeslotcanyon.com/tours/antelope.html

Keep in mind that each tour has a different start time, so you might want to do the tour that best fits your time.

Utahtea

euclid

Our original itinerary did not include Page, as we were going to fly into Salt Lake City. When we decided to fly into Phoenix instead, due to the much lower airfare, we thought we would make a quick visit to Page instead of going right to Zion NP.
We won't get to Page until 3:30 or 4:00pm on Saturday and need to leave by 11am on Sunday as we have two hikes planned in Zion that afternoon.
Our plan was to see horseshoe bend, the glen canyon dam, and antelope canyon in the short time we are there.
Bill H...you say you can visit without being part of a tour? How often do the Navajo take people to and from the canyon.

Bill_H

Bill H...you say you can visit without being part of a tour?

I haven't been up there in a while but before there were Navajo stationed at the entrances to collect the fees, just pay and either wait for a ride (upper) or walk in on your own (lower).

How often do the Navajo take people to and from the canyon.

For the lower, which I liked much better, you can park close to the entrance and walk in when they are open, which is most of the day.

For upper, it's a short drive up a sandy wash to reach the actual entrance. Check with the gatekeeper on how long you might have to wait to get a ride up there, typically if there are a lot of people they go every half hour or so.

This is usually less expensive than a guided tour and you are not locked into the tour's time schedule.

We won't get to Page until 3:30 or 4:00pm on Saturday and need to leave by 11am on Sunday

When you reach Page just drive out of town on highway 98 (head for the tall smokestacks of the power generation plant, Antelope Canyon is just west of there, a short distance from town). If you go past the smokestacks you missed it.

On the right is the entrance to upper, just stop and ask the people how much, how long for a ride, etc. Then drive a short distance east to the road that takes you to lower AC (visible from 98) and ask those folks for the rates.

I would only go into lower that late in the day. I'd try to wait until 10 AM or so to see upper the next day, if still interested, but your timing is tight.