10 BEST Things To Do Near Antelope Canyon (Picked By A Pro!)

When I planned my family’s trip to the Grand Canyon, I knew we needed to see Antelope Canyon, too. The photos I saw online didn’t look like anything that I had ever seen before and I was right. Antelope Canyon was one of the highlights of our trip!

Antelope Canyon is the perfect overnight stop on a Grand Canyon roadtrip because there are so many things to do here! Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are in Page, Arizona. There are plenty of easy hikes, activities at Lake Powell, and gorgeous views! Be sure to add Antelope Canyon to your Grand Canyon, Arizona, or Southern Utah itinerary! Read on to discover the 10 best things to do near Antelope Canyon!

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10 Best Things To Do Near Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is located in northern Arizona in the city of Page. These are the 10 best things to do in and around Antelope Canyon and Page, Arizona. Read on to learn about the canyons, hiking, stargazing, and other fun things to do in the area.

1. Upper Antelope Canyon

We toured the Upper Antelope Canyon during October on an Arizona roadtrip. Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular canyon in Page, Arizona.

The only way to visit the canyon is through a paid tour. Tickets sell out, so I recommend getting your tickets to the Upper Antelope Canyon first and plan the rest of your trip around this activity.

Antelope Canyon is on the Navajo Nation, however, the tour operators follow Arizona time and do not follow daylight savings like the rest of the Navajo Nation. Just be sure to watch your times carefully so that you get to your tour on time!

🎫Book your tickets for Upper Antelope Canyon by clicking here!

2. Lower Antelope Canyon

My family arrived in Page, Arizona at around noon and left the next morning. We did not have time to go to Lower Antelope Canyon. Had we stayed in Page longer, we would have also toured Lower Antelope Canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon is below ground and requires you to climb ladders. The tour from start to finish is about a mile, and is more physically demanding compared to Upper Antelope Canyon.

We were traveling with our then 13-year-old. She probably would have been able to handle the route, but kids and teens can be unpredictable. I probably would not visit Lower Antelope Canyon unless I was confident everyone in my group would manage a more physical tour.

🎫Book your tickets for Lower Antelope Canyon by clicking here!

3. Canyon X

Canyon X is also a less crowded option, but it is also less colorful than Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. This canyon may be worth visiting if you want to avoid crowds but still experience some of the beauty of the canyons.

🎫Book your tickets for Canyon X by clicking here!

4. Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona — Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and managed by the National Park Service. There is not a fee to visit the lookout over Horseshoe Bend, but, there is a fee to park in the parking lot (which is managed by the city of Page).

There is a path from the parking lot to the overlook, which is 1.5 miles roundtrip. The walk is easy, but there is not a lot of shade along the walk. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring water.

Prepare for crowds at the lookout. We went during the late afteroon on a fall day. It wasn’t too crowded, but I would imagine that the lookout can get rather crowded.

The best time of day to visit depends on your priorities. Crowds will likely be fewer earlier and later in the day. However, the best light to see the colors of the bend will be mid-day (but there will also be more heat, sun, and crowds).

5. Glen Canyon Dam

Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona — Glen Canyon Dam

The Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1966 and resulted in Lake Powell. There is parking on the dam, so you can safely exit your vehicle and take in the view from the dam itself.

The Carl Hayden Visitor Center has exhibits related to the dam. Kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge for Glen Canyon at this visitor’s center.

About 1.5 miles south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center is the Dam Overlook trailhead. This trail is about 940 feet round trip and provides views of the dam and the Colorado River. There is little shade, steep edges, but is considered an easy hike.

6. Lake Powell

Lake Powell is one of the largest human created lakes in North America. You can rent a houseboat, take a boat tour, waterski, wakeboard, fish, and more at the lake.

7. Utah/Arizona Sign

The Welcome to Utah sign at the Utah-Arizona border in Page, AZ — Welcome to Utah at Page, Arizona

The Arizona and Utah border is about a nine minute drive from the Glen Canyon Dam. There are places to park, so that you can safely stop for this photo opportunity and check Utah off your list of states!

8. Hiking

There are numerous easy to moderate trails in the Page area and region for day hikes. Of course, your visit to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend includes some limited hiking, too.

9. Stargazing Near Antelope Canyon

Stargazing is another fun activity that you can do near Antelope Canyon. The city of Page has organized stargazing at Horseshoe Bend. Rainbow Bridge is a Dark Sky Sanctuary (however, you would need to camp overnight). Waheap Overlook is another option near the visitor center at Glen Canyon. Finally, you could rent a houseboat on Lake Powell and get great views of the stars, too.

10. Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges of the world. It is only accessible by a two-hour tour boat or by a fourteen mile one-way hike.

The tour boats depart from Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas when the lake level is sufficient. The tours take all day. Even the boat has a 1.2 mile hike (one way), once you get to the access point.

Permits from the Navajo Nation are required to hike to Rainbow Bridge.

Best Time To Visit

While you can visit Antelope Canyon all year, the best time to visit is March to May and September to November to avoid crowds and have cooler to moderate weather. The temperature will be hottest in June, July, and August.

The crowds are also going to be the worst during the summer months. However, if you plan to spend time at Lake Powell, summer may be ideal for your visit.

It can snow in Page, so you likely want to avoid visiting from November to January.

May or October are probably the best time to visit based on temperature and because the crowds will be smaller than summer.

Where To Stay Near Antelope Canyon

We stayed at the Wingate by Wyndham. I’m loyal to a few hotel brands and Wyndham is one of them. The Wingate by Wyndham is in a good location and fit our budget.

📍Budget Option: Try the Motel 6 for a budget option. The motel has an a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and laundry.

📍Mid-Range Option: The Wingate by Wyndham is centrally located to attractions in Page. Some of the rooms view Lake Powell and some even have decks! My family enjoyed our stay at this hotel.

📍Luxury Option:The Hyatt Place has positive reviews, a restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a breakfast buffet.

FAQs

Antelope Canyon is worth the drive from the Grand Canyon (131 miles from the South Rim), Zion National Park (116 miles), or Sedona (158 miles).

It is a perfect overnight or extended stop on an Arizona or Southern Utah roadtrip.

How much time do you need in Antelope Canyon?

My family stayed less than 24 hours in Page. We arrived about about noon and left the next morning. We were able to do a tour of Upper Antelope Canyon, see Horseshoe Bend, visit Glen Canyon Dam, and see the Arizona/Utah welcome signs.

However, if you want to explore more canyons, hike, or stargaze, you will want to add a day to your stay. A visit to Rainbow Bridge using a boat tour will also add a full day to your stay.

Therefore, plan to stay 1-3 days in Page Arizona.

Can I explore Antelope Canyon without a tour?

No, there are no self-guided tours. You must take an official tour.

Is it worth going to Antelope Canyon?

Yes! Antelope Canyon is beautiful. The walk through Upper Antelope Canyon is mostly flat.

Why are bags not allowed in Antelope Canyon?

Bags can accidently bump into the delicate cave walls. Therefore, no bags are allowed in Antelope Canyon. This means any bags. No backpacks, hip packs, fanny packs, purses, and so on.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do Near Antelope Canyon

Pictures do not do Antelope Canyon justice. It is like no place I have ever seen and worth the visit. Further, Page, Arizona has a lot to offer from hiking to stargazing making it a great place to spend a couple of days.