Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. there is a secret canyon in Page. Moyan Brenn/Flickr. What a nice surprise and a lot less work. Thank you! Arizona Hot Springs Canyon This slot canyon is located in the Lake Mead Recreational Area, just south of the famous Hoover Dam. *Due to the Navajo Nations mask mandate, wedding, bridal, or engagement photo shoots are not currently permitted. In fact, the most expensive photo in the world was taken in Upper Antelope Canyon, and it sold for $6.5 million. Youve probably seen the landscape in photos or shared online, and you may be wondering how much of a tourist hot spot it really is. I would recommend doing at least one of the Antelope Canyons though just so you can see it. These companies are about 5 miles east of Page. Antelope Canyon and the Navajo Nation lands are special places whose breathtaking beauty and natural habitats for local wildlife are worth preserving. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Once you get there just dont forget to breathe. Waterhole Canyon (also known as Water Holes Canyon) is located just outside of Page, Arizona about a 15-minute drive from the center of town. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. This exclusive access allows you to have a much shorter walk to the rim and enjoy breathtaking views of the Colorado River winding around the Horseshoe Bend loop. Cathedral Canyon is located just south of Page, Arizona and west of Coppermine Road and is entirely on Navajo . Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. For this one, you'll climb into a 4 x 4 truck and be caravanned over to the entrance. The feisty fauna, such as spiders, scorpions, and snakes, will be keeping to themselves more than spending time out in the open. If you're wanting something fairly quick and easy in a slot canyon tour, then Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Learn how your comment data is processed. Hi Anda, is it okay to bring a camera bag or would it be okay to bring a small bag? There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. I was dreaming of visiting this wonder of nature since the first time I laid my eyes on it, and I wanted everything to be perfect. What is the significant difference? The road used to require 4 wheel drive over a narrow bumpy dirt road where one curve was being kept from washing away by old washing machines and appliances. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. Upper Antelope Canyon is called Ts bighnln, 'the place where water runs through rocks' by the Navajo People in that specific area.It is the most frequently visited by tourists because its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing; and because beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common all year round . I hope you have a great time! If you choose to add it, you really need at least 3 more days. 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. It operates 90-minute small-group hikes through the canyon. Where is Antelope Canyon? Others express disappointment in the structured nature of the tour, which they say moves quickly and limits creative freedom. I entered between the high rock walls. Because one day I just might come back for more! Overland Canyon Tours is the only outfitter licensed to visit this particular canyon. On our recent trip we did photo tours to both "Canyon X" and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? (Check with your tour company if you have any questions about additional fees.). It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. When visiting Lower Antelope, we suggest anywhere between 10am -1pm. The largest formation is called the Lady in Red and it soars upward to the top of the 150 feet deep canyon. Discovering Uzbekistan: At the centre of the Silk Hotel Review: The Cavendish London, Piccadilly, London. Waterhole Canyon was definitely a hidden gem on our Arizona road trip. Slot canyons are always significantly deeper than they are wide. The American southwest is such a cool place!! Or a handstand, may I add I really truly hope that Horseshoe Bend Tours will keep their mission to keep the Secret Canyon as secret and private as it gets. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. / Credit: John Volk, Hampton Inn and Suites Page - Lake Powell, Embark on the Northern Arizona Road Trip of Your Dreams, A Guide to Visiting Horseshoe Bend 'the Right Way', A Guide to Visiting Havasu Falls the 'Right Way', Arizonas Wildly Different Desert Regions. In addition to Waterhole Canyon, Arizona has a ton of bucket list destinations that you need to see. Antelope is a beautiful slot canyon but has so many visitors that it feels more like an amusement ride than a natural experience. 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. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. 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). After all, who takes a descent selfie in less than a minute? Waterhole is a slot canyon just like Antelope Canyon without a tour. Welcome to my blog! 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. Theres no special gear you need for hiking this slot canyon unless you plan on hiking the super narrow part beyond the ladder. Its wider at the beginning and shorter in height, but as you hike further in it looks more and more like Antelope Canyon. There are no trash cans and no bathrooms in the canyon. Thank you for sharing. The journey to Canyon X begins MP 307.8 on Highway 98 near Page, AZ on the Navajo Nation Reservation. The roughly 600-foot-long slot canyon welcomes up to 10,000 people a day during peak seasonso you can imagine it can get crowded. That, in itself, is worth the price of admission. 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. Hi Tess, you can contact Tim directly: tim@horseshoebendtours.com sometimes it takes a day or two for him to reply, I imagine the top season is coming now, so be patient Or go to their web page and search for a phone contact. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook on our exclusive tour. When you buy your permit, the attendant will hand you a map, which we didnt really use. But the tour guides and most other tourists are surprisingly considerate of photographers, so we still didn't have any trouble getting lots of good pictures. When booking the tour time, the best time of day to visit the Antelope Canyon is 10:30 am for the Upper Antelope. Did the Chief Tsosie Upper Antelope tour at 3pm crowds weren't much of an issue. So, we hurried to the canyon and excitedly began exploring this curvaceous natural wonder! No matter which tour you pick, you're guaranteed to see incredible rock formations in a kaleidoscope of colors. Exploring the Lower Canyon, in contrast, requires visitors to have some degree of endurance, as travelers must climb and descend several staircases. The textures and shapes with the variety of shadows also create potential for stunning black and white images too. I wandered around marvelling at the way the water had carved the rock into so many different shapes and textures. As much as the dim light made it hard for me to take photographs, I appreciated the moody atmosphere it created. The Navajo-approved guides are widely regarded as informative and friendly, and are even known to provide helpful tips on how to capture the best possible photographs. If you're planning a trip and need help deciding which area to visit, keep these recommendations in mind. At first, the Waterhole Canyon is very wide and doesnt quite look like Antelope, but as you go deeper in, it narrows and looks just like the famous Antelope Canyons. Once there, your tours may last up to two hours when you figure in parking, the journey there and actual time spent in the canyons. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yet, theres a slot canyon near Page, Arizona that hasnt made it onto the radar of most tourists who are following the masses to the famous Antelope Canyon. However, visiting Antelope Canyon isn't as simple as driving to a parking lot and walking up to the entrance. Companies serving the Lower Canyon are located within walking distance of the canyon's entrance; therefore, they do not provide transportation to or from Page. So turn your thoughts to spring, winter, or fall.the months outside of May through September. Difficulty:There are no stairs or ladders in the canyon, but it does require walking on sandy terrain. Tags: Tours, Vacations, Travel, Arizona Vacations, Southwest Vacations, US Vacations. At what time did you visit the Secret Canyon? Closeby youll find Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and other spots of rock formations similar to that found in the hefty Grand Canyon. No real need to do any of the "extra effort" ones, but if you're the adventurous type I imagine it'd be an interesting excursion. Lower Antelope Canyon Tours run around $50 including a $8 Navajo Nation land use permit with a 50% discount for kids. Secondly, I didnt want to be stuck in a crowd with hundreds of tourists photobombing my camera (I read it can get quite messy and dusty down there on busy days). 2023 Travel? Arrive at least 15 minutes early. Had we done our tour closer to mid-day, I bet the canyon wouldve had a whole different look and feel. Children younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but strollers cannot be used in the Lower Canyon. Hi Konstanze, thank you for your comment. I love UV Cut by Uniqlo for sun protective clothing because it is UDF 50 but very breathable and looks like normal clothes and not hiking clothes Check Prices Here. *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. (Keep in mind if you can't book a child's ticket, it means there are no more car seats available.) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. Sign up here to be the first to know about everything Sea of Blush. If you have a DSLR camera, cover it when you are not using it (a plastic shower cap does the trick) and never change lenses inside the canyon. Loved it all, so many gorgeous things to see! The photo tour takes a maximum of 6 people and you have the place all to yourself. Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel is granted only with a Navajo guide. Luckily, I discovered a travel forum which lead me to Horseshoe Bend Tours where the owner was more than willing to provide all the answers to my questions. The total driving travel time between Las Vegas and Antelope Canyon is about 4 and a half hours, traffic permitting. wow! This canyon is renowned for the breathtaking shafts of light that break through the narrow canyon roof. Not any longer. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Good luck! Several miles after leaving Highway 89 we came to the end of the road where our transport stopped. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. It cant just be tours, right? Most 90-minute tours of Upper Antelope Canyon cost between $50 and $90 (slightly less for children), although some operators offer discounts on their early bird and last chance tours. We only met a few other tourists along the way. Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong. Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. Learn how to take fantastic photos of Antelope Canyon from a trained guide during a tour of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. You can check the rest of my photos in my Facebook album. Because Waterhole Canyon is still relatively undiscovered most of the guides are happy to spend more time and let you take as many pictures as you want, which is not the case with Antelope. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. 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. Enjoy! Gorgeous pics and well def remember the recommendations next time were in the area , Your email address will not be published. Amenities include pillowtop mattresses, a small fridge and microwave, private bathrooms, and plenty of bear decor.Shash Dine' Eco-RetreatFor a truly unique stay, book a Najavo hogan or sheepherder wagon at this sustainable glamping campsite and B&B operated by Baya, a member of the Navajo Nation. 1600 feet long. Our three-hour Peekaboo Slot Canyon tour is $99 plus tax for adults and $49.50 for kids 15 and younger. Learn more about coverage options for frequent travelers and those with multiple upcoming trips. 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