In addition to Waterhole Canyon, Arizona has a ton of bucket list destinations that you need to see. Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road. My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? But getting Teresa Bitler is an award-winning travel writer whose work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, American Way, Wine Enthusiast, and AAA publications. Before I share with you our experience visiting Secret Canyon, heres a brief background about this special location. The narrow passage snaked like a meandering stream while above me the blue sky peeked through the narrow opening at the top of the canyon walls. Please confirm directly with service providers. Avid photographers may want to consider booking one of these tours, too. 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. Ticket prices include the cost of an $8 permit required to enter the Navajo lands. Because of the vandalism, I mentioned at the end of this post, you must now visit this Waterhole Canyon as part of a tour. If you don't necessarily have your heart set on the sunbeams, choose one of the "off-hours" for your tour, such as 9 AM or earlier and after 1 PM. It was so packed with people vying for the perfect photo spot that I worried about accidentally getting bumped over the edge. The ability to explore at our own pace was a huge plus and it felt like we were at Antelope Canyon without a guide to herd us along. Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. 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. Secret Canyon is a short slot in the middle fork of upper Water Holes Canyon. I fear with the improvements made and the ease of access now to this wonderful place that in the years ahead it will no longer be a Secret Canyon of the Navajo. Secret Canyon is not a slot canyon and is unlike Antelope or X Canyons in the Page area. On the other hand, Lower Antelope Canyon is known to be a more fun experience, due to the different types of passageways and climbing areas. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. 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. Each vehicle has a Navajo guide that ushers the group through, shares information about the formations and even helps stage some photos, including sand cascading over a rock ledge.Sand is everywhere. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. Discounted tickets are available for children 6 to 12; children younger than 6 are not allowed. The whole experience at Antelope was rushed and there is no option to go to Antelope Canyon without a guided tour. Where is Antelope Canyon? Answer 1 of 4: My husband and I will travel to Page in May of this year. Navajo owned and operated, Antelope Canyon Tours frequently wins praise for its knowledgeable and helpful guides. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Secret Canyon tours are limited to 15 persons for each 2 hour excursion. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. In Flagstaff, take I-40 East towards Albuquerque for roughly 6-miles. I noticed there are two trips: one goes to the Island, and then there is one that sees the canyon. 1110 W Washington St, #155 Taadidiin Tours is the only tour operator that provides tours here. Simply inquire when booking. Enjoy! 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. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours: Secret Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour - See 3,452 traveler reviews, 1,525 candid photos, and great deals for Page, AZ, at Tripadvisor. In fact, it has become so popular, you have to book your tour a few days ahead (you cant do it alone, as the land is owned by Navajo tribe) especially if you are on a road trip and cant afford to lose time. It operates 90-minute small-group hikes through the canyon. Several local companies provide guided tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular (and well-known) of the two and is more photogenic but is also generally darker (and gets darker quicker) due to the narrow canyon walls. Location is the biggest difference. One last note, in the cavern where we hit the first ladder and turned around, we found a bunch of graffiti left by tourists on the walls, written in what I think was white chalk. If you choose to add it, you really need at least 3 more days. Here's the essential information you need for a satisfying visit. Anytime I venture out where I know I will be in the sun all day I always wear one of these UV Cut shirts. I recommend both - because they are very different experiences. The smaller one is only 100 feet long but has wonderful formations. We took our time hiking out of the slot canyon and explored the surrounding area. Visits are by smaller groups, each of which is the only group in the canyon at that time. The canyon is known as Antelope Canyon and has been attracting more and more tourists each year. I could spend hours here just taking in the natural creations. Antelope island vs. Antelope Canyon 13:39; Page Az to south Rim GC yesterday; Page, AZ, hotel pick-up for Lower Antelope Canyon tours 22 February 2023; visiting upper and lower antelope canyon and horseshoe bend. The deep shadows and reflected light make shooting images difficult but with good equipment and technique capturing images of the natural beauty is possible. Secret Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Overlook, The top two Page, Arizona area attractions in a single tour, Enjoy the popular Secret Antelope Canyon Tour PLUS a trip to the world-famous Horseshoe Bend Overlook, A uniquely beautiful slot canyon in Page, AZ and far less crowded than Upper and Lower Antelope, A private Navajo viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend located immediately adjacent to the congested National Park Service viewing area, Less than a 100 meter walk from the truck to the private Horseshoe Bend Overlook, Fun off-road adventure in a shaded and cushioned open-air tour truck, 360-degree views of stunning Southwest wilderness, Fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. The ride is an adventure in itself and the natural air conditioning is a welcome relief to the summer heat! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17403288', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon is your best bet. The canyon forms part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. It is approx. I could not help wondering as I left Canyon X, how long before it became as popular as Antelope Canyon. 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. What's a slot canyon, you might ask? You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. Mike was getting great results with his iPhone, so I let him take over photographer duty in places while I simply enjoyed the surroundings. We were hosted by Horseshoe Bend Tours in order to bring you this story. Tickets cost about $40 for adults and $30 for children 17 and younger. In this age of Internet and social media, its easy to feel like there are few discoveries left when it comes to great travel destinations. Not to worry if you dont have a DSLR or a tripod, our iPhone 6+s captured stunning photos here too! I recommend both - because they are very different experiences. Companies offering photography tours are usually geared toward professional photographers rather than casual visitors with smartphone cameras. Yes Please!|ProPhoto Photography Template, How to Spend 3 Days in Zion National Park, Observation Point Trail- A Classic Hike in Zion National Park, Hiking Fairyland Loop Trail- Bryce Canyon National Park, Hiking White Domes Trail- Valley of Fire State Park, Photo of the Week: Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, The Best of Central Park- Self-Guided Walking Tour. This canyon is shaped more like the letter A. Tours depart daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (you'll need to arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in). Please note, Canyon X and Secret Canyon are temporarily closed. What is Antelope Canyon? I hope you have a great time! These beams slice through the roof of the canyon most reliably around noon on clear days. The big difference is that it is not as physically accessible. Canyon X is a private tour, only offered through Overland Canyon tours. 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). One of the steepest slot canyons in the area with hoodoos, corkscrews, multi-colored sandstone and stunning rock formations all without the crowds of the more well-known and popular Antelope Canyons. Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really cant spend that much time taking pictures. To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. The General Tour lasts approximately one hour, during which groups of up to 10 tour-takers will hike about 1 mile. Travelers on a Lower Canyon tour will need to drive to the tour operator's location. The temperatures will be lower, yes, but so will the crowds. The trip stops outside the entrance to Secret Canyon and heads out on a 100 yard nature hike through the desert into the canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is by far the most popular of the two. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. 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. Children younger than 3 can take the tour for free, but strollers cannot be used in the Lower Canyon. 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. That being said, some photographers and avid tourists feel that visiting between 10 am and 12 pm is the best time because youll be welcomed to beams of light peaking through cracks, washing the canyon with glimmering sunlight. *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. We left this water jug out in the sun all day and it was still cold the next day. It is part of the drainage system of Upper Waterholes Canyon. When booking the tour time, the best time of day to visit the Antelope Canyon is 10:30 am for the Upper Antelope. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. 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. The American southwest is such a cool place!! The colors of rocks are fantastic even in a complete shade (and also cameras can do miracles) so I didnt regret my decision even for a second. It carried me and my gear quickly and comfortably up the hill to my vehicle. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. After a short hike the mouth of Secret Canyon came into view at the bottom of a small wash. Not any longer. The last thing anyone wants is for it to be closed off because too many tourists are writing on the walls. Cairns, little piles of rocks, and footprints both mark the trail so we did not have a problem finding our way in and out of the slot canyon. A light long sleeved shirt would also provide good sun protection, and dont forget your sunscreen. It took a lot of help from the tour guide to get me out of there, but he had a good sense of humor about it, and I considered it part of the adventure! Required fields are marked *. The canyon splits into several tributaries, some which have deep narrow sections known as slot canyons. I visited this exotic slot four years ago and was allowed to explore it by myself for over two hours. Slot Canyons start as narrow cracks in the rock. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Best Westerns however boasted a beautiful view of Lake Powell and with Best Western of Lake Powell having a better view and Best Western Plus having more posh interiors. This canyon is wider at the bottom than Lower Antelope Canyon, so it feels less . The terrain of the Upper Canyon is more accessible for most tourists and is, therefore, busier. And thirdly, I didnt get any feedback to my questions from several tour operators running the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon trails. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17409430', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon one day (Chief Tsosie Tour) then took the three canyon tour with Hummer tours. 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. Closeby youll find Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and other spots of rock formations similar to that found in the hefty Grand Canyon. Specifically, when booking your tour time, Upper's magic hour is the 10:30am tour slot. Page 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. Your email address will not be published. Once we climbed up the ladder the canyon opens up then narrows even more so that you have to climb up several ladders and do some bouldering to get out. If youre thinking of visiting, you may need to figure out which of the canyons to visit, should you only be able to visit one. 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