Which is the most stunning and renowned slot canyon in the United States?
We recently visited the small town of Page, Arizona, where most people stay to visit Antelope Canyon. We tested out all the different tours of the canyon – Lower Canyon, Upper Canyon, and Canyon X – to see which one we liked the best. It’s amazing to think that these formations are all natural!
Discover the Unique Beauty and Differences of Each Slot Canyon in Antelope Canyon
Comparing Antelope Canyon Tours: Upper, Lower, and X – A Comprehensive Travel Guide
Top-rated Tours of Antelope Canyon
We arranged our Antelope Canyon tours through GetYourGuide and had a fantastic time. The cost covers admission and a Navajo guide. They were very clear in their email communications, and they offer a refund option for cancellations made in advance.
We have utilized GetYourGuide for numerous tours and activities across the globe, and they have consistently delivered great experiences. We highly recommend them!
Reserve Your Spot for the Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon or Antelope Canyon X Tour
Comparison of Antelope Canyon: Upper, Lower, and X
• Landscape and Photography
Which Antelope Canyon offers the most beautiful scenery and photography opportunities?
The main attraction of Upper Antelope Canyon is the dramatic light beams that are visible during the summer months when the sun is high in the sky. At this time, light beams shine through the narrow roof of the canyon, illuminating the dust in the air. While this creates a spectacular effect that is perfect for photography, some may argue that it is overrated due to its limited availability during the summer midday.
The Lower Antelope Canyon offers a shallower ‘V’ shaped chamber, allowing more light to enter compared to the Upper Canyon. Therefore, it is recommended to visit during times with less ambient light, such as in the morning. The Lower Canyon boasts vibrant colors, twisting passageways, and intriguing rock formations, making it ideal for photography.
Antelope Canyon X offers a mix of light and dark chambers, making it ideal for photography in various lighting conditions. Despite some areas being dark, there are also bright and colorful sections to capture. Similar to the Upper and Lower Canyon, Canyon X provides great potential for photography, with the longer tour allowing for more time and opportunities to take photos. In fact, I took more pictures in Canyon X than in the other two Antelope Canyons combined!
In my opinion, the scenery is a bit of a toss-up. All three of these slot canyons are incredibly beautiful and perfect for taking photos. If you’re looking to see sunbeams, Upper is the best choice, otherwise Lower and X are better options.
Tie declared as the winner.
Crowd Gathering
Which Antelope Canyon has the fewest visitors? Which one is the least popular with tourists?
Regrettably, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon have suffered from their own success, with overcrowding making it difficult to move around or take photos. It’s nearly impossible to retrace your steps for a picture, as visitors are quickly shuffled through in a line and strict rules are enforced.
Our observation at the Lower Antelope Canyon indicates that it tends to be crowded due to the larger chamber and higher number of daily tours, resulting in a constant presence of people and potential intrusion from individuals trying to take selfies with their phones.
Escape the Crowds at Antelope Canyon X: A Less Crowded and More Relaxed Experience
Antelope Canyon X Declared the Winner
Length of Time
How long do the Antelope Canyon tours last?
The Upper Canyon is once again the least favorable option. Despite being promoted as a 1.5 hour tour, a significant portion of that time is actually spent traveling to and from the slot canyon.
During my visit, I only had about 30 minutes to explore the Upper Canyon, and it felt even shorter due to the constant movement. The tour felt rushed, and we passed through one of the main chambers so quickly that I didn’t have time to take a photo.
On the other hand, the tours at the other canyons offer a longer and more leisurely experience. This is particularly evident at Antelope Canyon X, where we spent over an hour exploring the slot canyon areas. We were able to move at a leisurely pace, take numerous photos, and engage in conversation with the Navajo guide about the canyon’s history. Overall, it was a more rewarding experience and we felt it was worth the money.
A Comparison of Photography Opportunities in Lower Antelope, Canyon X, and Upper Antelope Canyons
Antelope Canyon X declared as the winner.
Exciting and Enjoyable
Which canyon offers the most enjoyable exploration experience? I understand that this is a matter of personal preference, but it’s still significant considering that the primary reason for visiting Antelope Canyon is to have an enjoyable time!
My wife and I had a great time at Lower Antelope Canyon. Our Navajo guide showed us several distinctive rock formations, such as a dragon, an eagle, and a tribal chief, which was really interesting.
We enjoyed taking peekaboo type photos in the narrow twisting corners, and despite differing opinions, we found climbing the stairs and ladders to be fun too!
Lower Antelope Canyon Claims Victory
Improving Access for All: Enhancing Accessibility
Which Antelope Canyon offers the best access and safety? Which one has the easiest hike? Depending on the tour company, Antelope Canyon may be accessible to young kids, pregnant women, and older individuals, but caution should be exercised.
Upper Antelope Canyon is likely the best choice. The slot canyon entrance is easily accessible at ground level, eliminating the need to climb steep stairs or ladders. After exiting, a short walk across a gentle slope will lead you back to the car. The 15-minute drive to the canyon entrance is a bit bumpy, but the covered pickup truck bed with benches and slow driving make it manageable. If you can handle that, then you’re all set.
Lower Antelope Canyon: A Unique Experience with Mild Physical Requirements
Canyon X offers a challenging hiking experience in terms of distance and elevation gain, although it is still manageable for most people. The journey begins with a 10 or 15 minute van ride through the desert, but the van is equipped with seatbelts. Additionally, there is some walking in the heat, and older individuals who are not physically fit may struggle with the uphill walk back to the canyon entrance.
Upper Antelope Canyon emerges as the victor.
• Accessible options
Which Antelope Canyon has the most tour availability for short notice and preferred tour times?
Getting a tour for Upper Antelope Canyon can be quite challenging, as it often requires booking months in advance to secure the desired date and time. This is due to the canyon’s smaller size compared to others, making it fill up quicker and limiting the number of tours per day. Additionally, its reputation for stunning sunbeams has made it a highly coveted destination for photographers.
Lower Antelope Canyon is also very popular, but it is a larger canyon and can accommodate more tours each day. We were able to book a tour with only one day’s notice and had no trouble finding a time that worked for us, although others may have a different experience.
Antelope Canyon X: A Hidden Gem for Last-Minute Tours
Antelope Canyon X declared as the winner
Price List
“Is price a factor? What Antelope Canyon tour offers the most affordable rates?”
The prices for tours will naturally fluctuate based on the location and time of booking, but generally speaking, the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is the most costly, followed by Lower Antelope and Canyon X, in that sequence.
During the summer season, the Upper Antelope Canyon tour can cost up to $150 USD per person. On the other hand, the Antelope Canyon X tour can be as low as $60 USD, which is a fantastic deal considering all that you get to experience there.
Antelope Canyon X emerges victorious
Which is the superior option: Upper, Lower, or X?
What is the best choice between Upper, Lower, or X Antelope Canyon? That’s a valid question.
In our opinion, Antelope Canyon X offers the best value and overall experience. Although it may not have all the photography features of the Upper and Lower canyons, the longer tour allows for more time to take pictures and be creative.
Furthermore, Canyon X experiences lower tourist traffic and offers a more relaxed experience compared to other canyons. Visitors can explore without feeling rushed or bothered by crowds.
Finally, getting a tour of Antelope Canyon X is more affordable and convenient without needing to book far in advance, making it a great option for those traveling to Arizona on short notice and with a limited budget.
I must confess that I didn’t find Upper Antelope Canyon as enjoyable as the other canyons. While it is undeniably beautiful and the sunbeams were stunning, the tour felt rushed and I couldn’t fully appreciate it.
The Upper Canyon’s high cost left me feeling like it wasn’t worth the money, unlike the Lower Antelope which provided a better experience despite the crowds.
In my opinion, the Antelope Canyon X tour is a great option for anyone seeking a stunning slot canyon experience without the large crowds, high expenses, and inconvenience of the more popular canyons. Be sure to visit before it becomes too popular!
Review of Antelope Canyon X
Reserve Your Spot for a Tour of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon or Antelope Canyon X
Ideal Timing for Exploring Antelope Canyon (Upper, Lower, X)
The optimal period to explore Antelope Canyon typically falls between late March and early October.
The Upper Antelope Canyon is particularly known for its famous light beams, which are most visible between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM on a clear summer day when the sun is at its peak.
The best time to visit the Lower Canyon is in the morning or late afternoon due to the increased ambient light from the sun. However, even a midday visit still offers a very nice experience.
Canyon X is worth visiting at any time of day. We visited in the afternoon and the experience was fantastic. The slots feature a mix of deep and shallow areas, making it a beautiful and photogenic destination in different lighting.
To avoid the crowds, visit Arizona’s slot canyons from November to March, but keep in mind that the lighting and colors may not be as stunning during this time.
I would advise against visiting the Upper Antelope Canyon during the winter months due to the low lighting conditions.
Explore Antelope Canyon with our guided tours!
Popular Antelope Canyon Tours: Upper Canyon, Lower Canyon, and X Canyon are the top choices for tourists visiting the stunning Antelope Canyon.
In addition, there are several other beautiful slot canyons within the same drainage system.
- Exploring the Enchanting Canyons of Mountain Sheep, Mystical Owl, Rattlesnake, Secret, and Waterholes.
These slot canyons are all fantastic and definitely worth a visit if you have the opportunity, especially if you can’t secure a tour for one of the more popular canyons. However, similar to Antelope Canyon, these slot canyons are located on Navajo tribal land, meaning you must go on a guided tour to visit them.
Discover the lesser-known slot canyons of Antelope Canyon, still untouched by mass tourism, for a quieter and underrated experience.
Explore Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on a full day trip from Las Vegas with pickup and drop-off included. It’s a bit more expensive and a long day, but it’s a great option if you’re in Vegas without your own transportation and still want to see these natural wonders.
Exploring Additional Slot Canyons in Arizona
We appreciate you taking the time to read! I hope you found this comparison of Antelope Canyon Upper vs Lower vs X to be enjoyable. We had a great time on each of these tours.
Remember, Arizona is home to multiple slot canyons that are not part of the Antelope Canyon complex, and they can be explored without the need for a Navajo guide.
Check out my comprehensive guide to finding additional slot canyons in Arizona on my travel blog linked below.
Discover the Top Slot Canyons in Arizona