Upper Antelope Canyon Tour Guide
Setting, tour format, light beams and rules for the slot canyon near Page
Upper Antelope Canyon at a glance
The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse'bighanilini, meaning 'the place where water runs through rocks'. The canyon is also known as The Crack.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 4,000 feet |
| Wall height above the streambed | 660 feet |
| Length | About 450 feet (137 metres) |
Canyon shape and the walk inside
Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an 'A' with a wider bottom, which gives visitors a little more room to walk than Lower Antelope Canyon offers. The route through the canyon runs on a flat sandy floor with no steps, ladders or scrambling.
The flat walk is described as suitable for strollers, wheelchairs with assistance, and visitors who cannot manage stairs. Lower Antelope Canyon is a more difficult hike than Upper Antelope Canyon, even after stairways were installed there.
How an Upper Antelope Canyon tour runs
Upper Antelope Canyon is just off Route 98 near Page, Arizona. The details of a standard tour are listed below.
- Tours depart from operator offices in Page, where visitors board a 4x4 vehicle to reach the canyon entrance.
- Standard tour groups have 8 to 20 people.
- The guided walk inside the canyon takes approximately 60 minutes.
- Since May 1, 2011, visitors are limited to two hours inside Upper Antelope Canyon.
Navajo Nation management and tour requirements
Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are managed by the Navajo Nation as units of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park. Tours are required, and all tour providers are approved by the Navajo Nation. Upper Antelope Canyon is located within the Le Chee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation site says the reservation is over 25,000 square miles and covers four states.
Light beams and photography rules
From November to February the sun does not rise high enough to produce visible light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon. Rain or heavy cloud cover can limit or prevent the beams from being visible. Guides stir the sand at photo spots so the light beams are easier to see.
Flash, tripods and selfie sticks with extendable handles are not allowed inside Upper Antelope Canyon, while handheld phone and camera photography is permitted. Tripods have been banned in all Antelope Canyon sections since 2019. Photos or video taken for commercial use in Navajo Tribal Parks need a valid permit from Navajo Parks & Recreation.
Rules on Navajo Nation land
- Drones, dogs and firearms are prohibited on the Navajo Nation.
- Alcohol and illegal drugs may not be consumed or possessed on the Navajo Nation.
- Climbing and base jumping are prohibited in Navajo Tribal Park areas, and writing on rock walls is not allowed.
- Camping and drones are strictly prohibited inside Navajo Tribal Park lands.
Water-based activities on Lake Powell and the Colorado River
Boat tours depart from Wahweap Marina, and charter tours operate from Halls Crossing, on Lake Powell. Smooth-water raft float trips run on the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Horseshoe Bend and back.
Beyond the lower canyon, the flooded section can be reached by kayak, paddleboard and small motor boats. Depending on water levels, kayakers can paddle about 1 to 2 miles into the flooded canyon (as of 2024), then explore on foot.
Tours and activities around Page
Upper Antelope Canyon tour questions
What is the Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon?
The Navajo name is Tse'bighanilini, meaning 'the place where water runs through rocks'. The canyon is also known as The Crack.
How long can visitors stay inside Upper Antelope Canyon?
Since May 1, 2011, visitors are limited to two hours inside the canyon. The guided walk itself takes approximately 60 minutes.
Is a tour required to enter Upper Antelope Canyon?
Yes. Tours are required, and all tour providers are approved by the Navajo Nation, which manages the canyon as a unit of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park.
Are tripods allowed in Upper Antelope Canyon?
No. Flash, tripods and selfie sticks with extendable handles are not allowed inside the canyon, and tripods have been banned in all Antelope Canyon sections since 2019. Handheld phone and camera photography is permitted.
Does the walk include stairs or ladders?
The walk is on a flat sandy floor with no steps, ladders or scrambling. It is described as suitable for strollers, wheelchairs with assistance, and visitors who cannot manage stairs.
Are light beams visible in winter?
From November to February the sun does not rise high enough to produce visible light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon.
More tours near you
Sources
- Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park | Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
- Antelope Canyon
- Upper Antelope Canyon Tours 2026: Tickets, Light Beams & Booking Tips | Slot Canyon Guide
- Upper Antelope Canyon: Tours, Light Beams & Best Time to Visit | Travel and Time
- Nearby Attractions - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
- Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation | Navajo Park Tours in AZ
- What Are The Best Times to See the Antelope Canyon Light Beams?
- Rules & Regulations | Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
- Guided Tours in Navajo Nation | Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation
- Guided Tours - Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)