Visiting Antelope Canyon in winter
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Antelope Canyon in Winter + Which Tour to Take (Hint: Not Upper or Lower!)

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Tens of thousands of people visit Antelope Canyon each year.

There’s no doubt that it’s a truly spectacular and breathtaking sight.

The way the oranges and purples mingle together, the way the thin colorful lines dance across the rocks and the adventure of climbing through the slot canyons is unparalleled.

Unfortunately, like most popular sites though, you have to peer over the heads of others, get your shot within a second before someone else walks through it, and shell over a pretty penny just to get in.

But what if I were to tell you, you had more choices? Everyone who visits Antelope Canyon thinks there are two choices: Upper and Lower. But what they don’t realize is there’s so much more…

Let’s dig and see what’s hidden (almost literally) in these canyons.

RELATED: Your Adventurous Arizona Road Trip!

Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter


Impatient? Here’s the nitty gritty… You HAVE to take a tour to see Antelope Canyon. There’s no way to see it yourself. You can book yourself in right here.

Everything You Need to Know About Antelope Canyon in Winter

Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona, is easily one of the top 25 places to visit in the entire world. Opened to tourism in 1997, Antelope Canyon, in the heart of Navajo Country, sees hundreds of thousands of tourists walk through each year.

Millions of years of water erosion due to flash floods in this part of the desert have led to a magnificent underground landscape of twisting turning sandstone.

The ground is rock and sand, and the roof lets sunbeams and falling sand sift down to the ground where you stand, creating a visually stunning marvel.

And that is how this incredible (and incredibly) famous tourist attraction was born.

Why Visiting Antelope Canyon in winter is the best
Those oranges and purples! Oh, my!

Visiting Antelope Canyon: Upper or Lower

The most commonly asked question is “which tour should I take?” Upper Canyon or Lower Canyon? Here are the details:

Best Antelope Canyon Tour: Upper Canyon?

Maybe. Upper Canyon is where you will get all the fabulous light beams. Those beams are best seen from March to October, and you’ll want to see them midday, from around 11 to 1; they virtually disappear otherwise, oh, and it HAS to be sunny out too.

Sure, you can see the light beams from Lower Canyon, and you may get a hint of them around other times of day and year, but the reason Upper Canyon is so popular are those light beams and the accessibility.

Visiting Antelope Canyon in the Upper Canyon area is easy in terms of getting there, getting into the canyon, and walking around.

Slots in Antelope Canyon and visiting in winter
Visiting Antelope Canyon in the winter is a winner.

Best Antelope Canyon Tour: Lower Canyon?

Some will argue for Lower Canyon then, despite its rough terrain and tight cracks to creep through. You have to take a steep ladder that can get slippery from the falling sand, and you’ll have to scramble over uneven rock in some areas. However, if you are mobile and fit, you might be inclined to choose to visit Antelope Canyon this way.

Lower Canyon is less expensive than Upper Canyon, but the truth is, they are both expensive, which kinda sucks since you’re already dealing with long lines and overcrowding. ($35+ and extra for a professional photography tour if it’s available)

Both tours also have rules and they are constantly changing. Recently, the photography tours for Lower have been canceled because it’s just too busy.

People are actually happy when the tour is done! If you’re visiting Antelope Canyon for the first time, there’s no way you wouldn’t want to stay longer.

UPDATED: The photography tours are totally canceled now!

RELATED: Your Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (1 Week – 2 Months)

Best Antelope Canyon Tour: NEITHER!?

So what’s my recommendation? If you’ve read everything else I’ve written, you’ve probably already guessed my answer: neither!

Wait. What? You mean Antelope Canyon is a massive Canyon full of other routes and possibilities? You mean I can explore one of the most marvelous natural attractions on earth without rubbing shoulders with 100 strangers in the process? Yep.

Visiting Antelope Canyon: Canyon X

The other canyon. You are now privy to my little secret.

Of course, it won’t be a secret for long. Many tourists are already catching on, (prices are already rising since I visited Antelope Canyon in winter last year) and the crowds are starting to gather. So if visiting Antelope Canyon is on your bucket list, move it to the top.

You get the same beauty at Canyon X, the same mesmerizing sandstone, the same cracks, and crevices to wind through, but without the crowds.

You will have room to move around and explore, and you’ll get some great pictures to boot.

You will also pay less. A friend and I booked a tour for this section of Antelope Canyon in winter and it ended up just being us and our guide, the price was great (around $25 at the time), and we saw literally not one other soul. For this kind of place, serenity is key.

Antelope Canyon in January is perfect
All bundled up but not a care in the world because I have this fairytale land all to myself!

A Few Cons

The beams of light aren’t very likely. Yes, it’s true. Canyon X does not have the beautiful beams of light that you will find in Upper Canyon.

If you are a professional photographer looking for exactly that, Canyon X is not for you. Although they do get a bit of light peeking through, it’s likely not “that shot.”

But, you really have to ask yourself if catching the beams of light at the perfect time of day at the perfect time of year (while crossing your fingers that the weather participates) is really worth the long lines and overbearing crowds.

If you’re not sure, trust me. The glorious sights even without the beams of light are still something you will remember for a lifetime.

Antelope Canyon Is best in winter when nobody else visits
Canyon X has the same crazy formations and colors as the other canyons.

When To Go? See Antelope Canyon in Winter

Visiting Antelope Canyon in winter is stunning. That’s when we went, and I cannot rave enough about the advantages of going to Antelope Canyon during the off-season.

Antelope Canyon in winter is less crowded, cooler than those awful desert summer months, and, again, cheaper (maybe not the actual entrance fee but everything else).

The pros far outweigh the cons; check out Antelope Canyon in wintertime, choose Canyon X, and make sure your camera is fully charged. Grab your jacket, put on your beanie and your hiking boots, and go. You can thank me later.

What to Pack For Exploring Antelope Canyon in Winter

Here are some things you should make sure to pack if you’re visiting Antelope Canyon in winter. You can expect highs in the 40’s and the lows in the 20’s. So you’ll definitely want to bundle up.

Winter Jacket

Whirlibird™ III Interchange travel jacket for women

Obsessed with my 3-in-1 jacket, it’s all I travel with!

Leggings

iceland-in-september-leggings

Fleece leggings by themselves or under other pants will keep you warm.

Boots

Salomon X Ultra 4 Hiking Boots travel shoes

I love these shoes, they are waterproof, light for traveling, and perfect for exploring and hiking.

Wool Socks

Minus33 Merino Wool Day Hiker Sock

This will keep your tootsies nice and warm (and not at all stinky!)

Beanie

beanie-iceland-in-september

Keep that noggin of yours warm with a beanie.

Scarf

scarf-iceland-in-september

Keep your neck warm with an infinity scarf.

Booking a Tour to Antelope Canyon in Winter

At the end of the day, despite the potential of crowds and the price, the beauty of Antelope Canyon is nothing to miss out on. And it’s all up to you how you spend your time here and you may very well want to see all the areas you can.

One thing to note about Antelope Canyon Tours is that they are high regulated and it’s impossible to enter the canyons without a tour. There are few tour companies and you have to go on a guided Antelope Canyon Tour in order to even get close.

Luckily, since you’re going to Antelope Canyon in winter, you can at least count on fewer crowds no matter where you go. So when are you off to the canyon? Book here…

Where to Book an Antelope Canyon Tour:

Remember – ALL Antelope Canyon areas are explored through a tour only.

Where to Book an Antelope Canyon Tour From

Are you in a nearby city? This could be a day trip from Vegas, Flagstaff, or Sedona. Simply book one of these tours and get picked up and taken to Antelope Canyon. These are the highest recommended tours in each city.

Flagstaff

If you’re visiting Flagstaff in winter, you’re in for a treat. This high-altitude town is designated the state’s official Winter Wonderland, with Arizona Snowbowl, AZ Nordic Village, Flagstaff Snow Park, and a lot of snow. It’s just two hours’ drive from Antelope Canyon, making it an ideal base for a day trip.

Tours:

Where to stay:

Horseshoe Bend is a must are Antelope Canyon in January
Horseshoe Bend in winter is also less crowded!

Sedona

Around three hours drive from Antelope Canyon you’ll find this unique desert town. It’s best known for the amazing sandstone rock formations that dot the surrounding area, but the town is also home to a vibrant arts scene and plenty of spas and retreats.

Tours:

Where to stay:

Las Vegas

The bright lights of Vegas hardly need an introduction, but if casinos aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to see and do here. Watch the free light show at the fountains, visit the Neon Boneyard or give yourself a scare at the Clown Motel. It’s a 4.5-hour drive to Antelope Canyon, but still doable as a day trip, especially with an organized tour.

Tours:

Where to stay:

If You’re Not Doing A Tour…

You’ll need your own ride if you’re not doing a tour!

And After Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter?

You’d be crazy to miss out on Horseshoes Bend. Literally, everyone meandering through Page, Arizona visiting the Canyons stops here. It’s worth it. It’s super easy and only takes a few minutes to walk from the parking lot. Go!

If you’re in the area for even longer, there are other amazing stops in the Southwest to add on to your trip.

RELATED: Your Southwest Road Trip Itinerary (1 Week – 2 Months).

Where to Stay for Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter

  • Pavlova’s Studio – Stay in this unique dance studio in Page for a romantic stay with live foliage and candles.
  • Shash Dine’ EcoRetreat – Enjoy off-grid living in this rustic wood cabin, fitted out with handcrafted furnishings.
  • Vermillion Cliffs Cabin – Take in the stunning views from the deck of this lovingly restored two-story cabin.
  • Traditional Navajo Hogan – A unique stay on the Navajo Nation in a traditional eight-sided wooden Hogan.

What to Bring for Your Visit to Antelope Canyon in Winter

  • sunglasses
  • a scarf (for sand, dust, and warmth)
  • proper shoes – just something warm, they don’t need to be crazy hiking boots
  • plenty of water – it is the desert after all
  • a small bag – depending which tour you take, you’ll be in very narrow spaces and a large bag simply can’t come along.
  • something to protect camera gear – like a plastic bag, from dust. It’s also not recommended to change lenses, get the lens you want on before entering the slot canyon.
  • lens cloth and even an air blower for those with a camera

Resources for Your Trip:

Don’t forget insurance!

Get a quote with the best and easiest travelers insurance: Safety Wing

Where to Stay?

How to Get Free Accommodation Anywhere!

Check my top 3 (legit) ways to get free stays!

 Visiting Antelope Canyon soon? Or have you been already and have your own secrets? Tell me about your trip in the comments!



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5 Comments

  1. hey! I will be around the canyons for later afternoon and a morning late January, which would you recommend? early morning or afternoon?

    Thanks, T

  2. Hello,
    My daughter and I are going to be staying in the area on January 3rd through the 5th 2019. Are there any available tours in antelope canyon during this time ?