Lower vs Upper Antelope Canyon in short
Both canyons are slot canyons on Navajo land near Page, and both are visited only on a guided tour. The main differences are the route, the stairs and the light. Neither is stair-free: the walk back from Upper can include steps, and Lower has narrow passages and five flights of stairs on one operator's route.
Prices in 2026 are close to each other, with Lower from $80.50 and Upper at about $100 with the permit in one example. Operators set their own rules for bags and cameras, so the details below are examples, not one rule for the whole canyon.
Our picks: Upper or Lower
Upper is the walk for the light shafts, Lower the narrower one with a Navajo guide and the permit fee included. The hotel pickup trip lets you choose either canyon and adds the bend.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and dam overlook
- Hotel pickup and return
- Antelope Canyon tickets
- Navajo permit fee
Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, depending on the option you pick, plus the Horseshoe Bend rim and a stop at the Glen Canyon Dam overlook. The Navajo permit fee is already in the price.
Check availability →Upper Antelope Canyon guided walk
- Upper Antelope entry
- About 50-minute guided walk
- Free parking
A guided walk of about 50 minutes with a local Navajo guide through the light shafts of the Upper canyon. The Navajo permit fee is extra and depends on the provider.
Check availability →
Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide
- Local Navajo guide
- Navajo permit fee
- About 60-minute walk
A local Navajo guide leads about 60 minutes through the narrow Lower canyon. The permit fee is included; whether entry is, depends on the option you choose.
Check availability →Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours
Guided tours of both canyons from Page, with live prices and availability. Check the check-in time, the route and what is included before you book.
Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon side by side
Examples from single operators in 2026. Rules and prices differ between companies.
| Question | Upper Antelope Canyon | Lower Antelope Canyon |
|---|---|---|
| Price example | $100 with permit, before taxes and fees | From $80.50, with taxes and fees at some operators |
| Time | About 90 minutes with transfers | 60 to 90 minutes on a 1.1 mi (1.8 km) route |
| Check-in | 30 minutes before | 45 minutes before |
| Stairs | Return route of 150 steps (one operator) | Five flights of stairs down, narrow passages |
| Wheelchair | No access | Not suitable |
| Light beams | Mostly April to September on sunny days | Few or none |
| Bags | Clear, searchable bags (one operator) | No bags, not even clear ones (one operator) |
| Tripods and selfie sticks | Not allowed (one operator) | Not allowed (one operator) |
For most visitors, Upper at a late-morning slot between April and September is the better pick if light beams matter. Choose Lower if you want a longer walk with more climbing and can manage stairs and tight spaces.
Lower Antelope Canyon: stairs and route
On one operator's route, Lower Antelope Canyon is about 1.1 mi (1.8 km) in total and takes 60 to 90 minutes. You go down five flights of stairs, pass narrow gaps and walk on sandy, rocky ground. It is not a wheelchair visit. Check in 45 minutes before your tour, and note that children aged 0 to 3 are free.
Both Lower operators charge from $80.50 for the general tour, and one of them includes all taxes and fees. Each runs its own check-in and rules, so read your confirmation. The curved sandstone walls frame a narrow strip of sky.
Upper Antelope Canyon: light and the walk back
Several companies run Upper Antelope Canyon tours. One tour takes about 90 minutes including the transfer, at $85 plus a $15 permit, so $100 before taxes and a processing fee. A premium slot at 11:40 a.m. costs $120. Adults, children and infants pay the same.
Light beams are most likely from April to September on sunny days, with the 11:20 a.m. slot as the best chance, and smaller beams into late October. That is not a promise. The walk back to the vehicles can include 150 steps on one operator's route, so Upper is not a stair-free visit.
Photos, bags and flash floods
Rules are set by each operator.
Cameras
One Upper operator allows cameras but no tripods, monopods or selfie sticks. One Lower operator bans tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, action cameras and drones. Professional photo and film permits for Upper and Lower are currently not being accepted, which is separate from snapshots on a normal tour.
Bags
One Upper operator asks for transparent bags that can be checked. One Lower operator allows no bags at all, not even clear ones. Do not carry your bag rules from one canyon to the other.
Weather
A flash flood killed 11 people in a slot canyon near Page on 12 August 1997. Operators cancel in extreme weather, and a full refund is usual when they cancel. A cancellation you make yourself because of clouds is not treated the same way.
Another option
If you want a different route, Canyon X is a hiking tour of about 1.5 hours from $62. See Antelope Canyon tours for all three.
More on each canyon
Other guides and pages.
For another view of each canyon, see Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon on Adventures Arizona. Pair your visit with the Horseshoe Bend overlook, which needs no guide and costs $10 to park, or check the weather page for the season you plan to travel.
Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon: frequently asked questions
Which is better, Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?
It depends on what you want. Upper is the one for light beams, mostly from April to September on sunny days. Lower is a longer route with five flights of stairs and narrow passages.
Does Upper Antelope Canyon have stairs?
Yes, the walk back can include steps. One route has 150 steps and no wheelchair access.
Is Lower Antelope Canyon hard to walk?
It has five flights of stairs, narrow passages and sandy, rocky ground over about 1.1 mi (1.8 km). Plan 60 to 90 minutes and wear shoes with grip.
How much do the tickets cost in 2026?
Examples: Upper $100 with the permit before taxes and fees, Lower from $80.50. The park fee is $15 per person and the guide is extra. Totals at checkout can differ.
Can I bring a tripod or a bag?
It depends on the operator. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are banned at the Upper and Lower operators described here. Bag rules differ: clear bags at one Upper operator, no bags at one Lower operator.
Is horseshoe-bend.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the National Park Service, the City of Page or the Navajo Nation, and it is not connected to any tour operator or hotel.