Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon are two of the most famous slot canyons in the southwest, but which should you visit? Is it worth seeing both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon? Here’s what you need to know before visiting both of these iconic destinations.
Which is better
Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon? Each canyon is unique, so you’ll have to decide which experience will fit your personality. If you are short on time, I would recommend seeing Upper. Since it is more popular, it will be less crowded (so you can spend a bit more time exploring). And, since Upper is closer to Page, you won’t need to get up as early. When planning a trip to Page, think about whether you’d prefer being outdoors before dawn or after sunset; if sunset, then stop by Upper before heading back to town.
Are both really worth it?
You’ll probably find yourself asking: is it worth it to see both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons on my trip to Page, Arizona? If you’re only able to visit one, which should you choose? The honest answer is that yes, both are totally worth it. See them both! Why not?! The truth is that each one has its own special charm. You could definitely visit only one on your trip (if you’re pressed for time), but with a couple of hours set aside at each location, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t see them both. I loved spending an hour or so at each, exploring as much as I could in a short amount of time.
Upper Antelope is simply massive. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes; Upper Antelope can be accessed by walking down many sets of stairs. As someone who hasn’t visited any slot canyons before visiting Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower won’t compare if you haven’t seen Upper first. That’s not a knock on Lower; it’s just that Upper is so immense that it dwarfs its counterpart in terms of size and scale. Of course, some travelers enjoy hiking up into Upper-it all depends on what you want out of your visit. Some would recommend trying both for only one hour at each location. Spending two hours at each feels more like a true visit, allowing ample time for exploring both upper and lower. If you’re short on time but still want to see as much as possible during your trip to Page, Arizona (or nearby), then yes, definitely see both!
A tour of the two canyons
My answer is yes, it’s totally worth seeing both canyons. Of course, that’s going to depend on how much time you have on Page, and what your budget is. But if you only have a short amount of time here-say, three days or less-I recommend seeing both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons while they’re open to tourists. (Upper closes at 5:30 p.m., so plan accordingly.) You can easily spend one day at each location, especially if you opt for a sunrise tour of Upper Antelope Canyon; that way you can hit Lower Antelope Canyon after a full day of photographing sandstone walls in Dixie National Forest along the lower Virgin River Gorge.
Although both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon are worth seeing, seeing only one of them on your trip to Page, Arizona may be worth it to experience each one and give you a reason to come back and see the other.
