Antelope Canyon is one of the bucket list hikes that you’ll see all over Instagram and photographer’s pages. Located in Page Arizona, Antelope Canyon is a beautiful slot canyon that is a very popular location. The views inside the canyon are mesmerizing and worth the hype they receive. You can only access Antelope Canyon by booking a tour.
Antelope Canyon lies on land that is part of the Navajo Nation and is considered a sacred site of the Navajo People. This is so incredibly important to know as entering the canyon is considered a spiritual experience and should be shown the utmost respect. We were so disappointed on our hike to see people’s names carved into these sacred rocks at times. Please be respectful of others’ spaces and cultures! One should never EVER carve their name or disrespect nature, especially on land that is considered spiritually sacred.
These famous geological views of Antelope Canyon were formed over hundreds of years by water running through the rocks. The canyon’s name came from the belief that antelopes once grazed along the canyon in the winter. The Navajo believe that the canyon was created as a way to connect the spirit world with nature. They believe that the balance of natural forces can be felt here as this is where the spirit world and the physical world intersect. Having visited Antelope Canyon, I can see why the Navajo have so many special feelings toward this naturally beautiful area.
During our visit in May of 2021, all tours of Antelope Canyon were shut down due to COVID-19. Talk about disappointment. I was desperate to see Antelope Canyon as it has always been at the top of my bucket list as an avid hiker. After much research, I finally found a way to see the canyon… and get one unique experience.
We booked kayak rentals through Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. This ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip! Check them out on Instagram. We highly recommend this company! We simply went to their office, signed some forms, and were given directions to meet the company at a loading dock to get our kayaks. It was easy to find and there was plenty of parking. After parking, we simply walked down to the loading dock where staff were waiting on us. Warning! There was a steep walk down to the loading dock. Going back up after kayaking was brutal.
Rentals can include solo trips or trips with a guide. We opted for solo and thus we were provided a map and guidance on where to access Antelope Canyon once we started paddling on Lake Powell. Lake Powell is huge, but it was easy to find Antelope Canyon. We urge you to stay close to the canyon walls as you kayak as there are boats on the lake. We had been kayaking prior to this trip but our friends who came with us were kayaking for the first time! Don’t let your experience level stop you from trying this amazing day.
After Kayaking from the loading dock to an opening in the canyon wall, we began our descent into Antelope Canyon. The kayak trip was beautiful. The waters became crystal clear as you began to kayak between the famous orange walls. After kayaking for a while, we came up to the bank to start our walk into the canyon. You can leave your kayaks at the mouth of the hike as everyone who rented kayaks does this.
The hike into Antelope Canyon can be as long or as short as you desire as there is no end for miles. We hiked around 2 miles roundtrip and saw beautiful rock formations in this slot canyon. We wouldn’t recommend hiking any further than this as we were able to see several different formations during this time. We saw the famous orange and smooth walls and at times, the walls of the canyon looked purple. The hike was truly beautiful.
TIP: We recommend water shoes! You will be getting your feet wet and then you will be hiking through sand. Wearing socks and tennis shoes would be very uncomfortable!
If you would like a full 7-day itinerary for our time in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, check out our blog! It is already posted and gives details about where to stay, eat, and hike. We hope this helps you plan your trip to Paige, Arizona! We recommend taking in all the views of Antelope Canyon that you can. If you have any questions about the trip, be sure to reach out to us by commenting below or directly messaging us on Instagram. If you want more great footage of our time here, be sure to check out our Instagram page! Safe travels y’all! – Justin & Caitlin