Antelope Canyon is as well-known as it’s stunning, and sadly which means it attracts large crowds of individuals eager to see it for themselves.
Visitors are guided by means of the slot canyon rapidly in a strict, one-way line, and also you’ll usually discover it troublesome to pause or take images with out individuals or selfie sticks in them.
Thankfully there are nonetheless a number of methods to flee the worst vacationer hordes, however it’s a must to be a bit versatile and plan every thing proper.
Even then, there aren’t any ensures, as a result of it’s one of the crucial iconic locations in Arizona and the USA. Everyone has it on their bucket record.
Here are 6 ideas for avoiding the crowds at Antelope Canyon!
Oftentimes it’s a must to wait in line like this in the primary canyons
• Tip #1: Visit A Less Touristy Section
Antelope is definitely a couple of canyon. It’s a whole complicated with a bunch of various sections, and every of those are visited by completely different excursions.
By far the preferred part is the Upper Antelope Canyon, however that’s primarily due to the sunbeams. The canyon itself will not be that particular in my view, and it was really my least favourite tour we did.
Lower Antelope Canyon was a barely higher expertise, however it’s highly regarded and crowded as effectively.
There are far much less vacationers at Antelope Canyon X, and I’d say the surroundings is at the least pretty much as good as the primary canyons. Since it’s an extended tour, you even have extra time and alternatives for images.
Last, however not least, there are a bunch of different good slot canyons in the identical drainage system, and these are even much less identified to vacationers, though they’re gorgeous:
Unfortunately, identical to the primary canyon, these alternate sections are all on Navajo tribal land, so you may’t go to them with out a guided tour.
However, most individuals nonetheless don’t learn about them, in order that they are usually essentially the most quiet and underrated elements of Antelope Canyon.
The colours are simply unimaginable
• Tip #2: Go In The Low Season
The peak season for Antelope Canyon is April by means of October, and demand is particularly excessive throughout spring break (mid-March to mid-April) and summer time (June to August).
The off-season is principally winter time: November by means of March. It’s colder, there are much less vacationers, and costs are decrease.
This is an effective time to go if you wish to keep away from crowds. You’ll be combating quite a bit much less individuals for images, and the lighting continues to be good.
The Lower Canyon can really look higher within the winter months as a result of it has a large ceiling that will get loads of ambient gentle from the solar. I’d attempt to decide on a sunny day although for those who can, as a result of it’s nonetheless a slot.
Similarly, Antelope Canyon X options each deep and shallow sections, making it stunning and photogenic underneath a variety of lighting circumstances.
Personally, I wouldn’t trouble with the Upper Canyon within the winter months, as a result of the slim ceiling simply makes it too dim at the moment of yr.
Empty
Crowded
• Tip #3: Avoid Weekends & Holidays
The crowds are all the time worst on the weekend, so go on a weekday for those who can. Those are quite a bit much less loopy.
The identical is true for holidays: attempt to keep away from Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and many others. Everyone’s touring at these occasions, so the canyons are assured to be packed.
Upper Canyon has good sunbeams, however the tour is just too rushed for my style.
• Tip #4: Go Early Or Late In The Day
The busiest time on the canyons is in the course of the day. Most vacationers go there between 10 AM and 1 PM just because they discover that handy.
You can get a greater expertise by taking the primary tour of the day (7 or 8 AM), or going late within the afternoon. The final excursions of the day are normally round 4 PM.
There’s normally no benefit of going throughout peak hours, anyway. With the exception of the Upper Canyon, which is greatest visited in the course of the day to see the sunbeams, all the opposite canyons look simply pretty much as good or higher within the early morning or late afternoon, they usually’re much less crowded then.
The Lower Canyon really seems greatest outdoors of peak hours as a result of then there’s not an excessive amount of gentle and distinction contained in the canyon. We went there round midday and a few areas have been good, however others have been too vivid.
Again, Antelope Canyon X shines at any time of day, no pun meant. We went there within the afternoon and it nonetheless appeared nice.
Simply put, there’s no must go to the canyons throughout peak hours, and also you’ll normally have a greater expertise for those who don’t.
Narrow passage within the Lower Antelope Canyon
• Tip #5: Stay Near Your Guide
This one’s only a minor tip, however I’ll share it in case it helps you.
At the beginning of your tour, the corporate will give a brief briefing after which they’ll name you and everybody else in your group to comply with them to the doorway of Antelope Canyon.
If you’re fast once they name you, and stick near your tour information, that will imply getting a spot proper behind your information within the canyon, as a substitute of being behind the group.
Try to remain on the entrance of your group so you may see issues first
• Tip #6: Book A Photography Tour
Some of the businesses have sometimes supplied images excursions the place you’re in a smaller group that spends extra time within the canyon than the traditional excursions.
That’s one thing to look into for those who don’t thoughts paying additional for a extra unique expertise. They’re primarily geared towards skilled photographers with tripods and such.
Unfortunately, as of 2025, they’re not at present providing any images excursions for Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, which is a disgrace. They solely have the traditional excursions now.
Keep a watch out, and hopefully they may begin providing these once more.
Antelope X is a good various canyon that’s much less crowded
More Slot Canyon Guides
Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved the following tips for find out how to keep away from the crowds at Antelope Canyon.
Don’t overlook to take a look at my different slot canyon guides for Arizona earlier than your street journey!
