Antelope Canyon could be very standard and delightful and sadly because of this it attracts giant crowds of people that wish to see it for themselves.
Guests are pushed shortly by way of the valley in a strict one-way line and infrequently discover it tough to cease or take images with out folks or a selfie stick.
Luckily, there are nonetheless a number of methods to flee the worst of the vacationer hordes, however it’s important to be somewhat versatile and plan all the pieces correctly.
Even then, there aren’t any ensures, because it is likely one of the most well-known locations in Arizona and the USA. Everybody has it on their want listing.
Listed here are 6 tricks to keep away from the crowds in Antelope Canyon!
You typically have to attend in traces like this on the major canyons.
• Tip #1: Go to the much less touristy part
Antelope is definitely extra of a valley. It’s a full complicated with totally different sections, every of which is visited by way of totally different routes.
By far the preferred part is Higher Antelope ValleyHowever that is primarily attributable to daylight. The canyon itself is nothing particular for my part and actually it was my least favourite tour we took.
Decrease Antelope Valley It was a barely higher expertise, nevertheless it’s additionally extremely popular and crowded.
There are a lot fewer vacationers. Antelope CanyonAnd I would say the surroundings is a minimum of pretty much as good as the principle canyons. Since it is a longer tour, you may even have extra time and alternatives to take images.
Final however not least, there are a bunch of different spectacular slot canyons in the identical sewer system, that are much less identified to vacationers, though spectacular:
Sadly, like the principle canyon, these alternate sections are all on Navajo tribal lands, so you’ll be able to’t go to them and not using a guided tour.
Nonetheless, most individuals nonetheless do not know this, so that they are usually the quieter and underrated elements of Antelope Canyon.
• Tip #2: Exit of season
Antelope Canyon’s peak season is April by way of October, and demand is very excessive throughout spring break (mid-March to mid-April) and summer season (June to August).
The off-season is especially winter: from November to March. The climate is cooler, there are fewer vacationers and costs are decrease.
This can be a good time to go if you wish to keep away from the crowds. You will be competing with far fewer folks for images and the lighting continues to be lovely.
The colours are unbelievable
The underside of the canyon could be seen higher within the winter months as a result of it has a large roof that receives loads of ambient gentle from the solar. I’d attempt to decide a sunny day if I might, as a result of it is nonetheless obtainable.
Likewise, Antelope Canyon
Personally, I would not hassle visiting the higher canyon within the winter months, because the slim roof makes it very darkish that point of 12 months.
empty
crowded
• Tip #3: Keep away from weekends and holidays
The crowds are at all times worse on weekends, so go on a weekday should you can. These are a lot much less loopy.
The identical goes for holidays: attempt to keep away from Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and many others. Everybody travels at these occasions, so the canyons are certain to be full.
Higher Canyon has good sunshine, however the journey is somewhat too rushed for my style.
• Tip #4: Go early or late within the day
The busiest time within the canyons is noon. Most vacationers go there between 10:00 and 13:00 just because it’s handy for them.
You will get a greater expertise by doing the primary tour of the day (7 or 8 am) or going within the late afternoon. The final excursions of the day are often round 4:00 p.m.
It often would not make sense to go throughout peak hours anyway. Apart from Higher Canyon, which is greatest visited in the course of the day to catch the solar’s rays, all different canyons look equally or higher within the early morning or late afternoon, and are much less crowded then.
The decrease canyon appears greatest throughout off-peak hours as a result of there is not a lot gentle or distinction contained in the canyon. We went there within the afternoon and a few areas have been lovely, however others have been too shiny.
As soon as once more, Antelope Canyon. We went there within the afternoon and it nonetheless appeared wonderful.
Merely put, you need not go to the canyons throughout peak hours, and you will often have a greater expertise should you do not.
Slender gorge within the decrease Antelope Valley
• Tip #5: Keep near your mentor
That is only a easy tip, however I will share it in case it helps you.
Originally of your tour, the corporate gives you a short briefing after which contact you and all different members of your group to comply with you to the Antelope Canyon entrance.
If you’re fast when referred to as and keep near your information, it might imply getting a spot immediately behind your information within the valley, relatively than behind the group.
Attempt to keep on the entrance of your group so you’ll be able to see issues first.
• Tip #6: E book a images tour
Some corporations typically provide images excursions the place you’re a part of a smaller group that spends extra time within the valley than on common excursions.
That is one thing to think about should you do not thoughts paying extra for a extra unique expertise. It’s primarily geared toward skilled photographers who use tripods and the like.
Sadly, as of 2025, they won’t at present offer images excursions of the Higher or Decrease Antelope Valley, which is unlucky. Now they solely have common excursions.
Keep tuned, hopefully they begin providing these merchandise once more.
Antelope X is a much less crowded different grand canyon
Extra slot canyon guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you take pleasure in these tips about the best way to keep away from the crowds in Antelope Canyon.
Remember to take a look at my different guides to canyons in Arizona earlier than your street journey!
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