Your guide to reaching the entrances for all the sections of Antelope Canyon

Where is Antelope Canyon located

Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, United States, a short drive from Page (10-15 minutes). It’s part of the Navajo Nation Reservation and can only be accessed with a Navajo guide present.

The canyon is divided into multiple sections:

Upper, Lower, Antelope Canyon X, Ligai Si Anii Canyon, Mystical Antelope Canyon, and Secret Antelope Canyon. The starting points for each of your tours are different.

Antelope Canyon entrances explained

Visitors approaching the entrance of Upper Antelope Slot Canyon, Page, Arizona.

Upper Antelope Canyon entrance

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular section of the three because of its easy accessibility. The entrance is located at ground level and can be reached by people of all fitness levels.

You have to take an off-road ride in a 4x4 tour vehicle to reach and start your tour.

  • How to reach: Meet your tour guide at the tour operator’s office, and board your tour vehicle to the canyon entrance.
  • Accessibility: Upper Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair-accessible.
Tourists climbing stairs in Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona, during a day tour from Las Vegas.

Lower Antelope Canyon entrance

The Lower Antelope Canyon entrance is close to the parking lot, and you can reach it within 10 minutes on foot. You have to go down a series of steep steps to enter the canyon section.

Lower Antelope Canyon tours are a lot more difficult because you have to walk down multiple flights of stairs and ladders to reach the canyon’s passageways.

  • How to reach: Follow the signs leading you to the Lower Canyon parking lot, and walk to the main entrance to meet your guide. 
  • Accessibility: Lower Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair-accessible, and the narrow pathways and numerous ladders make it very difficult for those with mobility issues to navigate.
Entrance to Antelope Canyon X, showcasing red rock formations in Page, Arizona.

Antelope Canyon X entrance

The entrance to Antelope Canyon X is located a short drive away from the tour operator’s office. There is a walkway leading you inside the canyon to help navigate the sandy, uneven terrain.

You have to board a 4x4 tour vehicle from the tour operator’s office to reach the canyon entrance.

  • How to reach: Park at the tour operator’s parking lot and check in for your tour. Board your tour vehicle to reach the canyon’s entrance.
  • Accessibility: Antelope Canyon X is easier to navigate than Lower Canyon, but it still requires moderate fitness levels to explore comfortably. The canyon is not wheelchair-accessible.
Welcome sign at Ligai Si Anii Canyon with horseback riders on red desert trail.

Ligai Si Anii Canyon entrance

The entrance to Ligai Si Anii Canyon is a short walk from the tour operator’s office. It involves walking a short 30-yard trail, taking stairs, and a slightly steep slope (handrails accessible for use) to reach inside the canyon.

  • How to reach: Park at the tour operator’s location & begin the hike to the canyon entrance, after your briefing and check-in.
  • Accessibility: Ligai Si Anii Canyon is relatively easy to navigate and suited for all fitness levels. The hike to the entrance may require a moderate fitness level, but the remainder of the tour is on flat terrain.
Antelope Canyon's swirling red rock formations on the Mystical Antelope Canyon Tour.

Mystical Antelope Canyon entrance

The Mystical Antelope Canyon entrance is located a short drive away from the tour operator’s office. You have to board a 4x4 tour vehicle and travel on bumpy, uneven terrain to reach the canyon. It involves a short hike.

  • How to reach: Start your journey with your guide by traveling in your tour vehicle. A short hike, followed by steps, will lead you inside the canyon section.
  • Accessibility: Mystical Antelope Canyon requires a moderate level of fitness & the ability to traverse uneven terrain to take the tour. It’s not recommended for individuals with claustrophobia.
Person walking through narrow sandstone walls in Secret Antelope Canyon.

Secret Antelope Canyon entrance

Your Secret Antelope Canyon tour begins in Page, AZ, at the tour operator’s office. It involves an off-road journey to the canyon.

  • How to reach: You have to board a 4x4 vehicle from the starting point to reach the canyon. The journey involves uneven terrain on sandy, rolling hills. Once you reach the entrance, you have to take a short walk to enter the canyon.
  • Accessibility: There are no stairs or steep slopes to enter the canyon, making it more accessible than its counterparts. The canyon walls are extremely tall, which is why it is called a “long” slot canyon, so this tour is not recommended for those with claustrophobia.

Starting points for your other Antelope Canyon tours

  • Your kayaking tour of Antelope Canyon begins at Antelope Point Launch Ramp, where you will undergo a safety briefing and training before starting your tour. 
  • Helicopter tours of the Antelope Canyon region start at Page Municipal Airport. There is ample parking available at the location. Arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes before your tour is scheduled to start.
  • Bus tours from Las Vegas lead you directly to the canyon, and the starting points vary if you have selected hotel pick-up.
  • Airplane tours from Las Vegas depart from Boulder City Municipal Airport and land at Page Municipal Airport. A shuttle will take you from the airport to Horseshoe Bend, and you will board a tour vehicle to reach Antelope Canyon after.

Frequently asked questions about Antelope Canyon entrances

Is there a difference in accessibility between the entrances?

Yes, accessibility varies depending on the terrain, but none of the sections of Antelope Canyon are wheelchair-accessible. Upper Antelope Canyon is the easiest to access, with a flat entrance and no stairs. Lower Antelope Canyon requires descending ladders and navigating uneven terrain. Antelope Canyon X has some inclines and sandy paths but is easier than Lower Antelope Canyon. Secret Antelope Canyon is easy to access, whereas Ligai Si Anii Canyon & Mystical Antelope Canyon involve navigating stairs to descend into the canyon.

What time should I arrive at the entrance for my tour?

It’s recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time to check in, find parking, and meet your guide.

Are walk-ins allowed at the Antelope Canyon entrances?

No, walk-ins are not permitted. You must book a tour in advance to enter any section of Antelope Canyon. All your Antelope Canyon tours start at the tour operator's office.

Are there restrooms at the entrances?

Restrooms are available at the tour offices but not inside the canyon itself. It’s best to use the facilities before your tour begins.

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Upper Antelope Canyon sandstone formations with sunlight beams, Page, Arizona.

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Upper Antelope Canyon sandstone formations, Page, Arizona.

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Young woman exploring the sandstone formations of Antelope Canyon.

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