Antelope Canyon, a favourite with photographers

Published on July 22, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Displayed like a painting in a Wild West setting, Antelope Canyon is surely one of the finest works of art that erosion has completed. When the sun shines, shafts of light fall on its orange and gold sandstone walls. The effect is surreal. Its walls, sometimes smooth and steep, leave everyone in awe. Its changing colours in autumn and winter are just as mesmerising. This natural park is unique in that it is a slot canyon formed by water flowing through the rock. This magical place was discovered by an Indian woman looking for a lost sheep in 1931. Since then, this whirlpool of colour has been a favourite with curious visitors and photographers from all over the world. Antelope Canyon can only be visited with the permission of a Navajo. Excursions abound, ranging from a 4x4 ride along the ancient river to the entrance to the rift, to a hike on foot. This canyon promises a rich and exciting experience in the heart of a spiritual nature.

Summary

Formation of Antelope Canyon
A sacred place
Practical information

Formation of Antelope Canyon

When you come face to face with Antelope Canyon, everyone agrees that this site is unique and magnificent. Physically, it has been formed by the process of water pouring through sandstone over hundreds of years.

Antelope Canyon, a unique and magnificent site

Nestled in Page, Arizona, the canyon is part of Navajo country and is divided into Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Access to the canyons is only permitted in the company of a local guide.

A sacred place

The simple act of setting foot in this park is considered a ritual, and the Navajo people practise a short meditation to enter in the right frame of mind. Every four years, a ceremony is held to thank the natural elements for this beautiful masterpiece. The canyon was designated a protected Navajo tribal park in 1997.

The canyon was designated a protected Navajo tribal park in 1997.

The tourist destination is particularly busy during the spring and summer months, as explorers seek out the breathtaking colours within the canyon walls. But whatever the time of year, the canyon boasts spectacular views.

Photogenic to a fault, the canyon is a photographer's dream destination. Specialist photography tours take place to make the most of the scenery and beautiful light.

Did you know? The most expensive photo was taken in Antelope Canyon. Peter Lik managed to immortalise a beautiful ghost-shaped beam of light at the top of the canyon, which descends to the canyon floor. The photograph was bought for a whopping 6.5 million dollars.

Antelope Canyon is a photographer's dream destination

The canyon has been open to the public since 1997 and is one of the most popular attractions in northern Arizona, with over a million visitors each year. A trip to this canyon should be carefully planned.

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Sand is everywhere. The days are windy. The dust settles quickly on your ears. The tour begins at Page or at the park entrance. In a vehicle, travellers follow the river and a track made of sand and pebbles to Upper Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide. Shaped like an "A", this area has no slope and the tour makes a loop. For an adult, the cost is $100 in low season and $120 between May and August.

The most expensive photo was taken in Antelope Canyon.

The experience continues at Lower Antelope. This tour requires a little more flexibility and optimum condition to navigate this canyon for 1? hours. Shaped like a "V", travellers use ladders, stairs and footbridges to access the best views. The cost of a visit for an adult is 90 dollars.

Antelope Canyon is the most photographed canyon in the American Southwest.

Less well known and a little neglected... a little secret walk, called Antelope Canyon X, leads to another part of the canyon below Upper Antelope. The beauty and scenery are the same as in the other two parts. The tour is led by members of a Navajo family. The only difference is that Antelope Canyon X has fewer tourists (for the time being).

The canyon has been open to the public since 1997

Practical information

🚌 How do I get to Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page near the Arizona/Utah border. From Phoenix, the drive north to Antelope Canyon takes about four and a half hours. Once there, your tours can take up to two hours. Most tours start at Page or at the park entrance off Highway 98.

⏰ When to go?

Antelope Canyon is open all year round; however, most travellers come at midday on weekends from March to October, when the light shafts will appear. The crowds will be at their peak then, which can make it difficult to get that perfect shot. Although rare, Antelope Canyon may close during days of heavy rain or snow.

👉 Advice to follow from the Navajo government.

One of the important things to know is that Antelope is on Navajo land. The rules and laws can be very different to those of the Arizona government. Nevertheless, all the operators in Antelope follow the same schedule as the town of Page. This is good to know if you don't want to miss your visit, as the Navajo don't change their clocks between winter and summer time!
There's a whole list of rules to follow in the canyon. Backpacks, handbags, fanny packs, tripods, monopods and selfie poles are strictly forbidden. However, you are allowed to bring a bottle of water and transparent bags.
To visit the canyon, you'll need to make a reservation with a Navajo guide, as well as good closed-toe walking shoes (especially for the Lower Antelope Canyon), layered clothing, sun cream (even in winter), a hat, tissues to protect you from the sand, glasses and a plastic bag to protect your camera from the sand.

by Jude JONES

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The American canyons