Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. The entrance to Secret Canyon was a little snowy, as its more open than other parts of the slot, but I loved the contrast of the white snow with the orange rock (something I wasnt expecting to see in a desert). Don't forget to look up, especially when the canyon is crowded.Several tour operators, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, also offer tours of nearby, nearly-as-spectacular canyons. Personally, both I and my husband preferred the unrushed experience of Waterhole Canyon. There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the canyon. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. Page. Hiking this slot canyon was generally pretty easy as the trail is mostly flat. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Hotel Review: Hotel La Cambuse, Thyon, Les Collons, Hotel Review Chalet Royal, Veysonnaz, Switzerland. This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the beauty and magic of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook in a truly exclusive and intimate setting. Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible. It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). So I asked around, did some research and discovered Horseshoe Bend Tours, a company that has exclusive access to Secret Canyon and a private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend. Or, you can rent a car and do the scenic drive yourself. The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary. The canyon forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Tough call if I had to pick just one, but I would probably go with the Hummer tour to see Secret, Passage and Staircase Canyons, ditch the crowds and have the possibility of seeing some wildlife. But Ill let you in on a secret theres another slot canyon near Page that is very similar to Antelope Canyon, with its rich colours and swirling formations, but is far more pleasant to visit. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. If youre looking to be visually mesmerized, the wave-like structure and the glimmering light beams create any nature photographers dream. The lower part is very flexible as the top is wider, and it allows the sun to have a wide range to soak the canyon in light. It features the smooth curves, slim passageways, and orange hues that are characteristic of slot canyons near Page. We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. Please confirm directly with service providers. It cant just be tours, right? Slot canyons are always significantly deeper than they are wide. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. VISIT SECRET CANYON: This Hummer tour begins at 12 N. Lake Powell Blvd. Now I am so sad I missed it! Tours run multiple times daily starting at 7:50 a.m. Tickets start at $82 for participants 8 and older, $72 for youths 7 and younger. How to Get a Permit for Hiking Waterhole Canyon To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. As the previous post indicated, Hummer Tours provides access to Secret Canyon as well as Passage and Staircase Canyons. Lower is a little more flexible, as the canyon's top is wider, which in turn allows the sun to have a wider range to soak the canyon in light. And boy what a photo session that was. Upper Antelope has been open much longer. It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. The patterns and texture of the rock told the story of its creation by the rains and floodwaters of the summer monsoons in Arizona. There are plenty of affordable places to stay in Page, AZ, but these are our favorites because they have a stunning view and hotel pool and are super affordable: Best Western View of Lake Powell Check Prices, Best Western Plus at Lake Powell Check Prices. For me, the price was worth it to avoid being rushed through in a crowd. AT&T does not have cell phone coverage in this area, so I suggest you download the Google Map of this slot canyon before you head out of town. I entered between the high rock walls. In Flagstaff, take I-40 East towards Albuquerque for roughly 6-miles. Your email address will not be published. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Tours run several times daily. If I look back, I cannot even imagine crowding with the tourists, waiting for my shot and being pushed on by another forthcoming group. Yes, during the summer you have more time on your hands, but youd also find yourself sweating buckets and elbowing others who had the bright idea of being in the beaming sun for hours on end for the best photo-op. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Since Secret Canyon can only be visited on a guided tour, I was glad that the sole option available to us was a good one- small groups of 15 max, an hour to spend in the canyon, and no other tour groups coming through at the same time. Before I share with you our experience visiting Secret Canyon, heres a brief background about this special location. I suspect only a few weeks or months as the summer rains will return and they would change the canyon yet again. Not any longer. It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. Water Holes Canyon runs east to west, passing under Highway 89 before meeting the Colorado River. I had to get down on my knees and pointed my camera almost straight up to capture the blue sky against the reddish orange sandstone. and embarks on a 13 mile off-road trail consisting of rock crawls, sand dunes, and wash driving. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. Tours from Page are 90 minutes, or you can drive down to the entrance on Highway 98 and get an escort from there (but be prepared to pay cash, they don't take credit cards). It includes 334 feet of walking, and . The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. 2023 Travel? We went to Page to see the slot canyons, so doing both tours was perfect for us. Hi Anda, is it okay to bring a camera bag or would it be okay to bring a small bag? Dei aceste dou locuri sunt relativ aproape de Grand Canyon i unul . I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. I will have to drive back up there again soon. I've been to them all. I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! Crowds will be at their peak then, which may make it difficult to snap that perfect shotFind better rates, fewer people and still amazing views during the off-season from November through late February, and especially in January.Though uncommon, Antelope Canyon may close during days of heavy rain or snow. Any tips on this? What time of day is best? It seems we could do the overlook on our own and save the extra $30. Do NOT DEFACE their sacred grounds. And thirdly, I didnt get any feedback to my questions from several tour operators running the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon trails. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. Thank you for sharing. Though on the photography tour you have a bit more time, its still timed and you are not free to roam on your own. Because of the relatively rugged nature of the terrain, pregnant women and people with heart or joint problems might want to skip these excursions. 9.1K views 1 year ago Visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend without the crowds was an absolutely dream. So turn your thoughts to spring, winter, or fall.the months outside of May through September. Sign up here to be the first to know about everything Sea of Blush. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. Because I also wanted to see Horseshoe Bend, we signed up for the Slot Canyon and Overlook Combo tour, as it was a hassle free way to see two of Pages top attractions. The whole tour takes about 2 2.5 hours which is long enough to enjoy the beauty of the landscape and the canyon itself, plus you get a plenty of time for taking pictures, even if you are proffessional photographer. Known for its labyrinthine, seemingly undulating sandstone walls and the beams of sunlight that shine into them, Arizona's Antelope Canyon is a perpetual magnet for photographers and tourists traveling through the American Southwest. Secret Canyon, which also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon (due to its proximity to the Horseshoe Bend Overlook photo above) lies approximately 15 km south from Page where you can also find the office the place where it all starts from. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you can't do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and can't afford to lose time. Each time has its advantages: select the 10:20 a.m. tour if you want to view the sunbeams at their most photogenic or the 2:30 p.m. tour to capture the afternoon light. Topping the bucket list of bucket lists, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. Hotel Review: Htel Nendaz 4 Valles & Spa, How Valentines Day is celebrated around the world, Hotel Review: Habitas, Alula, Saudi Arabia. The tour starts at $102 per person, but cost an additional $10 if you want to visit during peak sunlight hours. This is Navajo Land, we are guests, and should be thankful that they have let us hike the majestic canyon. About Secret Canyon (a.k.a Horseshoe Bend Canyon) Secret Canyon is a branch of the larger Water Holes Canyon that cuts through the Navajo sandstone near Lake Powell. Heres a look at our experience on the Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon tour! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Canyon X is a private tour, only offered through Overland Canyon tours. Directions to Waterhole Canyon From Phoenix, Arizona Take I-17 North out of Phoenix for roughly 140-miles. While this canyon is wider, it is also darker because of its shape. 89 and parking is by Rt 89. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17407433', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Lake Powell Blvd. Im planning to go there mid-September . I recommend doing BOTH if you have the time and money. When booking the tour time, the best time of day to visit the Antelope Canyon is 10:30 am for the Upper Antelope. Antelope Canyon X which gets its name from the X-shaped formation at the top of the canyon is located within Antelope Canyon, so it still features the same geologic features the Upper and Lower areas are known for, but its relative anonymity makes it less of a tourist magnet. Well, thats why blogs are for But the canyon is privately owned and operated so there are no worries that it would become over-crowded. It costs you nothing extra and helps support this website. There, youll find several shuttles or tour companies willing to bring you to and from the various outdoors excursions, including Antelope Canyon. The Secret Canyon area is near Sedona - maybe RedRox can comment on that. I was with a group of photographers on a tour to this unusual slot canyon located on private land of a local Navajo family. We have a special tour dubbed the Secret Antelope Canyon because youll get all the stunning scenic views, without the crowds of either of the other Antelope Canyon options. Not to worry if you dont have a DSLR or a tripod, our iPhone 6+s captured stunning photos here too! Upper Antelope Canyon is about 660 feet long (or 200 m) with the Lower Antelope Canyon being about 1,335 feet long (or 407 m). For those reasons, I started to look for an alternative to Antelope Canyon, one where I could enjoy similar scenery, but have plenty of time for capturing photos and absorbing the atmosphere. 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