Antelope Canyon Tours from Las Vegas – Guide and Map

Are you looking for the best Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas? In this article, you will find a complete travel guide to Antelope Canyon, with a comprehensive map and comparison tables.

How to get to the Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas?

The renowned Antelope Canyon is located on native land owned by the Navajo Nation. It’s 279 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada and 7 miles east of the gateway city of Page, Arizona.

It’s restricted to enter Antelope Canyon without a guided tour, so visitors will need to reserve their guide from the outfitters in Page or through guided day tours from Las Vegas. You can get to Page by car, shuttle, plane, or access Antelope Canyon directly by guided tour.

By car

It’s a 4.5-hour drive from Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon, requiring you to take I-15 to Utah before merging onto the AZ-389 in Colorado City. Then, you’ll need to take the AZ-89A, merging onto US-89 to Antelope Canyon’s gateway city of Page, Arizona.

To reach Upper, Lower or Antelope Canyon X, you will continue on the AZ-98E for a couple of miles before turning left for Lower Antelope Canyon and right for Upper Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon X is a bit further along, and you will stop at Taadidiin Tours.

Your exact final location will be dependent on which company you choose to tour with. Each will have its own specific meeting point or parking lot that you can find online. Upon meeting your guide, they will then direct you to entering Antelope Canyon.

By plane

Currently, there are no direct connections between Las Vegas and Page. Contour Airlines does provide flight service from Phoenix to Page, with a flight duration of approximately 1 hour.

Instead, travelers can reserve a 1-day Antelope Canyon tour by plane from Las Vegas that is inclusive of flight and tour costs, hotel-to-hotel pickup, and meals.

By shuttle

There are no public transportation options to Antelope Canyon, but a daily shuttle between Las Vegas and Page does exist. The shuttle departs at 5:30 AM and arrives in Page at approximately 11:30 AM. A one-way ride is $95, or a roundtrip total of $190.

Travelers interested in using the service will need to reserve their seat online. The return shuttle leaves Page at 3 PM and arrives in Las Vegas at 8 PM. Visitors interested in exploring other sites in the region can reserve their return trip for a future date.

The shuttle from Las Vegas typically picks up travelers from Treasure Island at the tour bus pickup area. You don’t need to be a guest of the hotel to use the shuttle, it’s simply the meeting point. 

By organized tour

Due to the distance, lack of public transport, and requirements that limit the access to Antelope Canyon to guided visits, day tours departing from Las Vegas are the most efficient and economic way of viewing the park.

Excursions may vary from 1-day tours to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon to multi-day trips that visit Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas, as well as exclusive Antelope Canyon helicopter tours from Las Vegas.

Benefits of group packages range, but may include: meals, hotel pickup and drop-off from your Las Vegas accommodation, park entrance fees, guided narration, and a designated driver/guide.

• Antelope Canyon Tours from Las Vegas

How much does the entrance ticket to the Antelope Canyon cost?

As mentioned before, you will need to reserve a guided tour to enter the Antelope Canyon. Regardless of which section of Antelope Canyon you enter from, you will need to pay the Navajo Nation’s $8 park entrance fee, which may be included in some tour packages.

Tours to Antelope Canyon range in cost depending on the type of tour, which section you visit and in which season.

Upper Antelope Canyon

The main type of tours to Upper Antelope Canyon are guided sightseeing tours. These sightseeing tours require advance, online purchase and most operators won’t make exceptions for walk-up visitors.

Sightseeing tours

Sightseeing tours last approximately 90 minutes, with a variety of rates. General admission for adults 8+ range from $80 to $110 and prices for children 0-7 can start from $70, but many tours will charge children the same rate as adults.

The popular 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM tours can be more expensive, with rates for adults ranging between $110 and $120.

Lower Antelope Canyon

There are two different kinds of tours including entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon. Tours need to be purchased online in advance.

General tours

General tours include a 60-90 minute guided tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. Admission for adults over 13 years old is $55 while the rate for children from 4 to 12 is $35 and infants 0-3 can enter for free.

Deluxe tours

Deluxe tours are reserved for visitors interested in a more personal, tailored experience. This includes a 60-minute guided trip through Lower Antelope Canyon along with other experiences that explore Navajo culture. General admission is $135.

Antelope Canyon X

Antelope Canyon X is a newly discovered slot canyon. It’s important to book a tour in advance, as spaces are limited with only one tour company (Taadidiin Tours) operating here. There is an additional $8 fee for hiking permits for people ages 8+ on all of their tours.

Hiking tours

Hiking tours in Antelope Canyon X last 90 minutes and are appropriate for all ages. Admission for adults 18+ is around $40, while children 0-17 cost $30. Private tours for a minimum of 5 people can be booked for $140.

Photo tours

Antelope Canyon X photo tours provide more time in the canyon and more opportunities for landscape photography. They are not recommended for children below the ages of 8. Photo tours last 3 hours and cost approximately $125 per person.

A list of tour operators serving the Antelope Canyon is reported on the official Navajo Nation Parks and Rec website.

• Antelope Canyon Tour Tickets

How to choose the best Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas?

Due to the minimal public transport options in the Southwest, arranging an Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas is an economic and efficient way to visit the park.

There’s a significant amount of travel providers offering Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas, so choosing the best can be challenging. Rates can fluctuate from $200 for a one-day trip to over $500 for a 3-day tour. The price is usually reflected in the inclusive benefits.

Meals, entry fees, accommodation, drivers and guides are all common incentives, so it’s important to compare prices, benefits, and individual, unique factors when deciding which package suits you.

The Southwest is rich with national parks and natural wonders, some within an hours distance of Antelope Canyon, making combined and multi-day excursions an excellent option.

Classic Antelope Canyon tour itinerary

Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas usually include hotel-to-hotel transportation and depart between 5 and 6 AM, arriving at Antelope Canyon by 10 and 11 AM. Transport is provided by minivan in small groups of 7 or by coach with larger groups of 15+.

Most packages include breakfast or lunch, as well as entry fees to the Canyon, although not all do. Afterward, the majority of trips stop at Horseshoe Bend for 30-45 minutes and/or Lake Powell for 15-30 minutes.

The return trip to Las Vegas arrives by 8 or 9 PM.

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas include excursions through Upper Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend, one of the region’s most revered natural wonders. Some tours may also rather include a tour of Antelope Canyon X.

At Horseshoe Bend, you’ll discover the Colorado River meandering around the colossal sandstone plateau elevated over millions of years of erosion. It’s an easy 1.5-mile hike to the viewing site with most tour packages including the park fee.

Before returning to Las Vegas, you may stop at nearby Lake Powell, an extensive sandstone reservoir with similar, monolithic structures standing idly in the serene waters.

• Antelope Canyon Tours from Las Vegas

Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon tour from Las Vegas

Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas are typically 2-day, 1-night trips of 4-8 participants, shuttled by air-conditioned travel van.

Unlike 1-day Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas, businesses tend to provide flexibility with hotel pickup, although it’s advised to ask which accommodations they serve. Departure times range between 5 and 7 AM and may include drive-by viewings of the infamous Hoover Dam and historic Route 66 en route to the Grand Canyon.

Voyagers arrive at the South Rim between 10 AM and 12 PM, and stop for 1-3 hours. Trips may include an additional 15-minute stop along the East Rim for views of the Colorado River before continuing to Page for overnight accommodation.

The South Rim provides hiking access down into the canyon and a variety of panoramic trailheads. Also called the Desert View, sunrise and sunset vistas from the South Rim are some of the most breathtaking.

Along the East Rim, groups of visitors are much smaller as the area is less developed. As such, viewers are rewarded with authentic outlooks on the landscape, close-up views of the canyon, and sights of the cobalt Colorado River winding past East and South Rims.

Accommodation is provided in Page. Next-day departure is usually around 9 AM, allowing for a hike along Horseshoe Bend before continuing to Antelope Canyon.

Arrival time at Antelope Canyon ranges from 10 and 11:30 AM, widely considered optimal viewing times. Expeditions may include an additional stop at Lake Powell before returning to Las Vegas by 7 or 9 PM.

• Antelope Canyon plus Grand Canyon Tours from Las Vegas

Grand Canyon, Antelope, Zion, Bryce and Monument Valley tour from Las Vegas

Excursions through the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Monument Valley are typically 3-day, 2-night trips by private van or motorcoach, ranging from small, private groups of around 4 to larger, combined bands of up to 30 people.

Departure times range from 7 to 8 AM, and arrive at the Grand Canyon South Rim by around noon. Many providers include optional experiences at the site including helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon.

After viewing the Grand Canyon, outfitters provide accommodation in Page, Tusayan, or Williams, AZ. The next day, groups will typically head to Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, with additional stops at Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. Most outfitters provide accommodation for the second night in Page.

On the third day, it’s a 2-hour drive to Bryce Canyon or Zion National Park. Packages may comprise Zion, Bryce, or both, so it’s best to ask which are included. Visitors to Zion are rewarded by sights of the park’s iconic red cliffs implanted amongst the backdrop of verdant hanging gardens and the cascading waterfalls of the Virgin River. Comparatively, visitors to Bryce Canyon will enjoy a 4×4 tour past the expansive hoodoos that define the park.

Between 4 and 5 PM groups return to Las Vegas, arriving at their original meeting location by 7 and 8 PM.

• Antelope Canyon plus Monument Valley Tours from Las Vegas

Antelope Canyon airplane tour from Las Vegas

If you want to reduce your traveling time, you can choose an airplane tour from Las Vegas. Enjoy comfortable hotel pickup around 5 AM with transport to the airport before taking to the skies in a light aircraft.

You’ll pass over major attractions such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, the Colorado River and Lake Powell. After landing in Page, you’ll head off for your guided tour of Antelope Canyon. At the end of your excursion, you’ll fly back to Las Vegas and be dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.

The cost of the tour includes transport, the guided tour of Antelope Canyon and all fees and taxes. Keep in mind that these flights have weight limits, so make sure to check the restrictions before booking.

• Antelope Canyon Airplane Tours from Las Vegas

What will you see in Antelope Canyon?

Upper Antelope Canyon

It’s commonly believed that the best time to visit Upper Antelope Canyon is around midday when the sun breaks between the fissures in the canyon to illuminate the lower passages, creating a lightshow of rays and color. It’s true; late morning to noon is an excellent time to visit. The beams of light are at their strongest, especially on a cloudless day in the summer.

According to Upper Canyon outfitters, there’s little difference between visiting the Upper Canyon at noon and visiting it at 8 AM or 3 PM. While the light shafts may not be at their brightest, colors can be more vibrant, and the canyon provides an equally appealing glow.

Additionally, fewer people are present, allowing for better photo opportunities and a more tranquil experience of the environment.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are sister canyons, offering a very similar experience following the same hours and seasons. Unlike the Upper Canyon, the cascading sands tend to be less frequent, as are the beams of light, although the color and shadow play are just as — if not more — vibrant in the Lower Canyon.

On the other hand, the minimal differences tend to be offset by the lower tourism and more affordable prices of the Lower Canyon. Likewise, the Lower Canyon is much more expansive, and trek durations can be twice as long as the Upper Canyon, although accessing the Lower Canyon by ladder might make it inaccessible for some.

Antelope Canyon X

Antelope Canyon X is a lesser-known, new addition to the tourist circles. Located on Navajo lands, about 4 miles south of Upper Antelope Canyon, this is a private canyon in a very remote area that can only be accessed with a permit.

With no climbing required, and encompassing two slot canyons of different shapes, this is an ideal option if you’re short on time or not looking for a strenuous hike. This hidden gem promises a quieter atmosphere, fewer tourists, and an even more intimate experience with nature.

While Lower and Upper canyons are distinctly V and A-shaped, Canyon X features two individual slot canyons that come together to provide a best-of-both-worlds experience — the perfect introduction to slot canyon hiking for first-timers.

Antelope Canyon opening hours

Upper Antelope Canyon sightseeing tours are offered year-round, 7 days a week, from around 7 AM to 4 PM depending on the season. All excursions advise you to check in 30 minutes before your scheduled reservation time.

Lower Antelope Canyon tours are offered year-round, with visits from 6 AM to 5 PM in summer. In cases of extreme temperatures, Lower Antelope Canyon may close as early as 11 AM. You’re advised to check in 30 minutes before your reservation time.

Antelope Canyon X tours run year-round every day of the week from 9 AM to 3 PM, and you are advised to check in 30-minutes before the tour starts.

Travel tips

• The Upper Antelope Canyon outfitters recommend visiting during the winter months (October-February) at 8 AM or 3 PM to enjoy vibrant colors, less crowds, and an appealing glow through the canyon.
• Backpacks aren’t allowed in Antelope Canyon, so you’ll need to bring a small bag or carry your belongings with you.
• Due to falling sand, it’s advised to place your camera in a protective case or wrap it in cellophane to avoid sand from entering the device, scratching your lens, or worse.
• Booking online is incredibly important. Tickets for the Upper Canyon sell out well in advance (in August 2019 they were already booked up until spring 2020). There are absolutely no exceptions for people who haven’t booked in advance.
• Upper Antelope Canyon is mildly wheelchair accessible, with a wider initial entry. A difficulty may arise when accessing the 4×4 which transports visitors from the entry site to the Upper Canyon. The Lower Canyon is accessed by a series of stairs and ladders, making it wheelchair inaccessible.

Don’t hesitate to comment below if you have any questions regarding Antelope Canyon tours from Las Vegas.

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