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2. 8 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore 1. Antelope Canyon. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. Located on Navajo lands, this slot canyon can only be visited on a tour. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences.
3. Slot canyon photos Our stock files of slot canyons include Lower and Upper Antelope Slot Canyons, Canyon X and Secret Canyon in Page, Arizona. Stock Photos of Arizona.
4. Slot canyon photos Our stock files of slot canyons include Lower and Upper Antelope Slot Canyons, Canyon X and Secret Canyon in Page, Arizona. Stock Photos of Arizona.

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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is located at the center of the Colorado Plateau and certainly ranks as one of the most beautiful and historically controversial areas under the guardianship of the National Park Service. When Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1966, it backed up the water of the wild Colorado River to form magnificent Lake Powell, a reservoir capable of holding 24,322,000 acre feet of water. The waters of Lake Powell have created over 2,000 miles of shoreline along the Kayenta and Navajo Sandstone cliffs of Glen Canyon and resulted in the flooding of nearly 100 unique and beautiful side canyons.

Controversial dam

The controversy concerning Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell began when the dam was first proposed in the early 1950s. Conservationists and environmentalists vehemently argued against the dam's construction and the resulting flooding of beautiful Glen Canyon. Author Edward Abby championed the opposition to such dam construction and the inevitable destruction of the natural landscapes, archaeological ruins and historic sites in his famous 1968 book, 'Desert Solitaire.' The proponents of the dam and lake won the political debates, resulting in the submerging of Glen Canyon, many side canyons and the creation of Lake Powell.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses some 1.25 million acres (50,5857 hectares) of water and backcountry-related recreational areas. The recreational area stretches from the shores of historic Lees Ferry located below Glen Canyon Dam to the spectacular red cliffs of southern Utah — a distance of some 186 miles (299 kilometers). The land offers an endless display of dazzling vistas and endless geological phenomenon.

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is one of the unique geological phenomenon found within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Located only 5 miles downstream from Glen Canyon Dam, Horseshoe Bend is, in geological terms, a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River. It is a classic and spectacular example of water following its natural path of least resistance.

The sheer cliff rock walls are made of dense Navajo sandstone and act as a natural barrier to the river flow, forcing the waters of the Colorado River to make a sharp turn and travel through softer rock. But Horseshoe Bend is not the only geological phenomenon in the area. Just a short 15 miles from the Lake Powell marinas is another spectacular geological treasure — a place simply known as Antelope Canyon.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon — a geological curiosity of tiny canyons formed when water seeps its way into fissures of the bedrock. Slot canyons are most common in desert areas. They are the result of many millennia of weather extremes. Antelope Canyon was thus formed over thousands of years of flash flooding of the intermittent creek running through it, wearing away the Navajo sandstone rock-face before emptying into the Colorado River and now into Lake Powell.

During the long periods of drought, windblown sand would polish the narrow slot walls into a striated, swirling finish. Antelope Canyon is famous for its ever-changing play of light upon its walls and the flowing sandfalls that cascade into the depths of the slot canyon.

Exceptional view

From the surface of the Earth, the fissure that opens across the Navajo sandstone is narrow and not exceptional to view. But first views can be deceptive. In the depths of the canyon, the walls can be 15 to 20 feet (5 to 7 meters) apart like that shown above and the slot canyon itself can be a 100 feet (30 m) deep. Navajo sandstone of Antelope Canyon was formed by aeolian depositions — sediment deposited by activity of the wind. Such depositions at Antelope Canyon began around 191 million to 174 million years ago during the Jurassic period. Iron oxide deposits were mixed with the windblown sands, resulting in layer after layer of varying shades of orange and red.

The canyon's heart

Rainwater near Antelope Canyon collects in an extensive basin above the beginning of the slot section. As gravity draws it downward toward Lake Powell, it picks up speed and sands while rushing into the narrow passageways of Antelope Canyon. Such annual and continual scouring of Antelope Canyon's walls mean the canyon is in constant flux, slowly changing after each flush of gushing water that passes through it. Unique shapes are formed within the slot canyon like the one shown above that is known as 'the heart.'

Where Water Runs Through Rocks

Antelope Canyon is actually divided into two sections — an Upper Antelope Canyon and a Lower Antelope Canyon. The Upper Antelope Canyon is the most famous and the easiest to access. The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is 'Tsé bighánílíní,' which means 'the place where water runs through rocks.'

Upper Antelope Canyon is only about 100 yards (91 m) in length. It is located at an elevation of 4,000 feet (1,219 m), and the walls of the Upper Antelope Canyon can rise some 120 feet (37 m) above the normally dry streambed. Thousands of tourists visit Upper Antelope Canyon each year, partly because it is an easy, flat walk through the slot canyon.

The Crack

Upper Antelope Canyon, also affectionally known as 'The Crack,' is famous for the wave-like structure of the canyon's walls. Upper Antelope Canyon is also known for the glorious light beams that penetrate into the depths of the canyon in the summer months between March 20 and Oct. 7. The summer light beams that radiate into Upper Antelope Canyon result in this slot canyon being the most photographed slot canyon in the southwestern United States.

The Corkscrew

Some 4.5 miles (7 km) northwest of Upper Antelope Canyon is Lower Antelope Canyon — a slot canyon 1.1 miles (2 km) in length. The biggest difference between the two slot canyons is the size of the canyon floors. The upper canyon is wider at the bottom, while Lower Antelope Canyon is much smaller at the bottom, almost V-shaped.

The Navajo name for Lower Antelope Canyon is 'Hasdestwazi,' meaning 'spiral rock arches' and is sometimes called 'The Corkscrew.' Entering the lower canyon requires a short walk over uneven rock surfaces, before descending a series of five sets of stairs, shown above. Because of the challenging stairs, Lower Antelope Canyon usually sees fewer tourists than the upper canyon. But the fact remains that both Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon are a part of a complex, multi-faceted ecosystem with multiple drainage streams that transport local moisture runoff into what is now Lake Powell.

Origin story

The exact story of the discovery of Antelope Canyon seems to be lost to history. One Navajo tradition holds that a group of Navajo refused to join the 'Long Walk' of 1864 and took refuge in Antelope Canyon, where spiritual beings watched over them.

Another story suggests that a young Navajo girl, while herding her sheep, walked into the slot canyon and was amazed by the shafts of light she saw there. For a fact, we know the canyon was first documented by a Utah photographer who began publishing photos of Antelope Canyon in the 1930s.

Canyon tours

Access to the slot canyon of Antelope Canyon is today under the control of Navajo Nation. Authorized tour companies provide a variety of adventures for visitors to see and experience both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. During the summer months, demand for the tours can be heavy and early morning tours are best to avoid the large crowds that at times gather.

Eighth Wonder of the World

Antelope Canyon is believed to have received its name from the herds of pronghorns, Antilocapra americana, that once grazed along the canyon's rim during the winter months. The incredible slot canyons that laid below the grazing herds have been described by modern-day visitors as the Eighth Wonder of the World. 'Absolutely breathtaking,' 'awe-inspiring' and 'words can't describe it' are all comments from those who have seen and experienced this geological jewel and treasure of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Originally published on Live Science.

Antelope Canyon. It is the most photographed slot canyon in world, and for good reason. You probably saw pictures of it before you even knew the name of the place, or where it was. Pictures of Antelope Canyon are pre-loaded screensavers on nearly every computer in the world, and photos are found everywhere on Instagram. It’s one of the most photogenic slot canyons, and it has two different sections, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. At a mere 7.5 miles apart, outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and tourists can see both of these amazing canyons in the same day, without having to walk 7.5 mile distance between the two!

Antelope Canyon Hike Details

Upper Antelope Canyon
Distance – 0.3 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 1 hour for hiking tour, 2.5 hours for photo tour
Elevation at Trailhead – 4377 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – Sand
Amount of water recommended – 2+ liters
Bathrooms – None
Season to hike – Year around
Prone to flash floods? – Yes, very prone to flash floods. Watch and respect the weather report.
Permits – Yes, entry into Upper Canyon requires purchasing and reserving a time with a tour company.

Lower Antelope Canyon
Distance – 0.5 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 1 hour
Elevation at Trailhead – 4085 feet
Difficulty – Easy. It does require ascending and descending short metal ladders to enter Lower Antelope Canyon
Trail – Sand
Amount of water recommended – 2+ liters
Bathrooms – None
Season to hike – Year around
Prone to flash floods? – Yes, very prone to flash floods. Watch and respect the weather report. Tour companies
Permits – Yes, entry into Lower Antelope Canyon requires purchasing and reserving a time with a tour company.

WOW!

While the curved, colorful sandstone walls of Antelope Canyon have remained relatively the same, the popularity of Antelope Canyon has skyrocketed in recent years due to social media post on sites like Instagram. Antelope Canyon is one of those places that you have to see to believe, and even then, it still may be hard to believe that it’s real.

There are actually two different sections of Antelope Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. They are separated by three miles, and while they are similar, they also have their differences, which will be discussed here, so you can decide whether to visit one or the other, or both!

Antelope Canyon should be on your Bucket List!

In recent years, Antelope Canyon has become very commercialized and crowded, so if you’re looking for solitude, you will not find it at Antelope Canyon. Since it is on Navajo land, reservations must be made beforehand, some times more than 6 months in advance, so plan your trip accordingly.

With that being said, I still recommend that you go to both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon at least once. If you detest crowds, going during the off-season will help reduce the crowds. Sometimes, visitors may have to wait in line to enter either section of Antelope Canyon during the summer around mid-day, (it’s busiest time) even with reservations.

How to get there:

From Glen Canyon Dam, head east and then south on US-89 toward Page, AZ for 2.7 miles. At the roundabout, continue straight on US-89, passing Walmart. Continue south on US-89 for 0.8 miles and then turn left onto AZ-98. Take AZ-98 east for 4.8 miles. Then turn left onto Indian Route 222. Follow it north for 0.5 miles, then turn left. This road will take you to the parking area for Lower Antelope Canyon. If you are heading to Upper Antelope Canyon, where you go will depend on what company you are doing the tour through as they have different staging locations.

Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon and that it is on Navajo land, reservations must be made beforehand, some times more than 6 months in advance, so plan your trip accordingly.

Reservations are required and hikers cannot enter Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon without being accompanied by a Navajo guide. Due to the popularity of Antelope Canyon, tours start every 30 minutes from March 1st to November 1st, which is the busiest time of year. Below each section are websites where reservation may be made.

Which one should I go see?

Upper Antelope Canyon Hike Details (The one with the light beams)

Upper Antelope Canyon begins about 3 miles south of AZ-98. The area between the Upper and Lower Antelope sections is a wide, shallow wash that tour companies use to access the mouth of Upper Antelope Canyon from AZ-98.

Upper Antelope Canyon is the section the has the famous ‘sun beams’ from April 1st to September 30th around mid-day. This section is deeper and gets darker than Lower Antelope Canyon, since the canyon walls are higher. It is only an 1/8th of mile long, but the experience and the photos is totally worth. Tours are around an hour long, and there are as many as 15 people in each group, so it may be a challenge to get pictures without other in them. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, or bandana to keep sand from your face and eyes if it’s windy. During this tour, backpacks, food, and tripods are prohibited. The guide will move you pretty quickly through the canyon. Many people compare the tours to feeling like you’re being herded like animals, so make sure that your camera is ready to take pictures.

Upper Antelope Canyon

If you’re looking for more time and less people in Upper Antelope Canyon, I recommend the 3 hour photography tour at 10:30am or another one again at 1:00pm. You’ll be so grateful that you did! You’ll want to go to the 10:30am tour to have a chance for the “sun beam” picture. The tour guide will point out where the great spot to take pictures are. He will also help with the “sun beam” pictures as well as “sand spilling off the rocks” pictures. The guides are very friendly and make each tour interesting. Pregnant women or infants are prohibited from going on the tour to Upper Antelope as the ride to the entrance can be rough and bumpy.

Here are the companies that offer Upper Antelope Canyon tours:

Antelope Slot Canyon Tourswww.antelopeslotcanyon.com

Roger Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Tourswww.antelopecanyon.com

Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tourwww.navajoantelopecanyon.com

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tourswww.navajotours.com

Lower Antelope Canyon Hike Details

This section of Antelope Canyon starts just north of AZ-98, seven miles east of Page, AZ. As mentioned, reservations must be made beforehand. There are a couple of different companies that do tours of Lower Antelope Canyon. I recommend going online to make your reservation.

The price for the guided tour in Lower Antelope Canyon is cheaper than it is for Upper Antelope Canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon is a little more shallow, but it is much more narrow and tighter than Upper Antelope, which makes this one a little more fun. When taking pictures, be sure to look up and take pictures of the sculptured walls above you, and not just the colorful canyon walls at ground level.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Brilliant blue skies contrast so well with the orange canyon walls.

You’ll need to descend and ascend some metal stairs/ladders to get into and out of Lower Antelope Canyon. Young children, pregnant women, or people that may have problem going up and down stairs/ladders should not go on the tour.

Slot Canyon Utah

1997 Flash Flood in Lower Antelope Canyon

On the afternoon of August 12th, 1997, a flash flood roared through Lower Antelope Canyon, killing 11 tourists. There was only one survivor, Pancho Quintana, a tour guide who had accompanied five of the tourists on the hike. Fifteen miles away from Lower Antelope Canyon, a thunderstorm dumped a large amount of rain which funneled down into Antelope Canyon. A wall of water over a dozen feet high swept away the 11 tourists. The lone survivor, Quintana, was able to wedge himself in a rock crack and escape the deadly waters. From that time forward, permanent metal ladders were installed and rope nets have been attached to the top of the canyon walls which are dropped into the canyon for people to climb out in case of another flash flood with people in the canyon. An emergency siren is also sounded in the case of flash flood at the canyon.

In 2013, a similar flash flood ripped through Lower Antelope Canyon, however, there were no fatalities this time. The canyon had been closed earlier in the day due to the threat of possible flash floods. Here is a video shot by David Rankin that shows the power of the 2013 flash flood at Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon Flash Flood 2013

Here are the companies that offer Lower Antelope Canyon tours:
Ken’s Tourswww.lowerantelope.com
Dixie Ellis” Lower Antelope Canyon Tourswww.antelopelowercanyon.com

Upper Antelope Canyon

Pros

• Deeper slot canyon
• Has the famous “sun beam”
• Easy to enter the canyon
• Canyon floor is wider than the top
• Less likely to bother claustrophobics
• A 3 hour photography tour is available
• Darker than Lower Antelope

Cons

• More expensive than Lower Antelope Canyon
• Shorter than Lower Antelope Canyon
• Very popular, lots of people all the time

Lower Antelope Canyon

Pros

• Cheaper than Upper Antelope Canyon
• More fun with tighter, twisting canyon walls
• Usually easier to make reservations than Upper Antelope
• Warmer colors, softer rock shapes in the canyon

Antelope Slot Canyon Arizona

Cons

Antelope Slot Canyon Images

• V shaped canyon, may be rough for claustrophobics, as canyon walls are narrow
• No extended photography tours
• Requires ascending and descending metal ladders
• Very popular, lots of people all the time