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When to visit Antelope Canyon | Opening hours & best time to visit

Timings

Antelope Canyon hours

Each canyon has specific hours for tours and different frequencies when it comes to the number of tours that take place in a day. Here's an overview of the tour timings for the sections within Antelope Canyon to help you plan your itinerary.

Upper Antelope Canyon

Tours start at: 7:30am

Last tour starts at: 4pm

Tour frequency: Tours run multiple times a day, and their frequency varies depending on the tour operator. The start times are usually 90 minutes or 2 hours apart.

Upper Antelope Canyon tours

Lower Antelope Canyon

Tours start at: 7:15am

Last tour starts at: 5pm

Tour frequency: Tours run multiple times a day, and their frequency varies depending on the tour operator. Some tours start every 30 minutes, while some tour operators have start times every hour or 2 hours apart.

Lower Antelope Canyon tours

Antelope Canyon X

Tours start at: 9am

Last tour starts at: 3:30pm

Tour frequency: Tours run multiple times a day, starting every 30 to 40 minutes.

Antelope Canyon X tours

Antelope Valley Canyon Ligai Si Anii Tour

Ligai Si Anii Canyon

Tours start at: 8am (The stargazing tour takes place once a day at 8pm)

Last tour starts at: 4pm

Tour frequency: Tours run multiple times a day, starting every hour for the daytime tour.

Mystical Antelope Canyon

Tours start at: 7:30am

Last tour starts at: 12:30pm

Tour frequency: Tours run three times a day, starting every 2 and a half hours.

Best time to visit Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon and its sections are open all year round, with tours starting from 7am to 5pm. However, tours might be limited or halted for a few days in case of bad weather or flash floods.

Antelope Canyon sandstone formations in Arizona with sunlight streaming through narrow passageways.

Weekday vs weekend

Antelope Canyon can get quite crowded on weekends, especially from 10am to 1pm, at Upper Canyon, because that’s when the light beams are on display at their brightest. If you want a more private tour, you should opt for weekdays and start with the Lower Canyon early in the morning, or opt for touring the less popular sections such as Antelope Canyon X, Mystical Antelope Canyon, or the Ligai Si Anii Canyon.

Young woman walking through Upper Antelope Canyon's narrow sandstone passage.

Peak season vs low season

The peak season at Antelope Canyon lasts from May to September. It’s quite hot during these months, with temperatures reaching 100°F or 37°C, so make sure you wear breathable clothing on your visit. Book your experience at least a few weeks in advance so that you can get your desired time slot. From March to early May and late September to the end of October, Antelope Canyon has fewer visitors. It’s not too hot and there are fewer crowds, so you can visit in a more relaxed environment.

How long to spend at Antelope Canyon

The amount of time you spend at Antelope Canyon depends on which section and the number of canyons you plan to visit.

A guided tour of Upper Canyon takes about 1 hour, but keep an additional 30 minutes to park, get acquainted with the tour guide, listen to the instructions, and prepare for the tour. A tour of the Lower Canyon lasts for around 90 minutes because of the extended route, narrow passageways, and navigating stairs. If you’re planning on visiting both Upper and Lower Canyons, plan to spend at least 4 hours on the trip, with time in between to rest and recuperate.

A tour of Antelope Canyon X takes approximately 90 minutes as well, with another 30 minutes added for your briefing and parking. Ligai Si Anii Canyon and Mystical Antelope Canyon tours both last for 2 hours each, and with added time for parking and briefing, you can set aside 2 and a half hours if you want to visit either one of them.

The drive from Upper and Lower Canyons to Antelope Canyon X takes 15 minutes, so if you are touring all three canyons within the same day, you need to keep at least a 45-minute to 1-hour-long break after you finish Upper and Lower Canyon tours to start your Antelope Canyon X tour. The distance between Upper and Lower Canyons and Ligai Si Anii Canyon is 10 miles or about a 15-minute drive, whereas the distance between Antelope Canyon X and Ligai Si Anii Canyon is about 18 miles, or a 20-minute drive. If you want to travel from Upper and Lower Canyons to Mystical Antelope Canyon, it takes about 10 minutes by car (7.4 miles), and if you want to travel from Antelope Canyon X, it's only a short 1.1-mile drive away, which will take you no more than 2 minutes. If you want to tour the Ligai Si Anii Canyon and Mystical Antelope Canyon, the travel time between the two is approximately 20 minutes by car (17.2 miles).

Overall, if you want to visit multiple canyons comfortably, you should plan on spending a minimum of 6 hours at Antelope Canyon, so it’s recommended you start early. Most tours start at 7am, giving you ample time to cover each canyon at your own pace.

Nearby landmarks like Horseshoe Bend, which is a 10 to 15-minute drive from Upper Antelope Canyon, and Glen Canyon Dam, a 20-minute drive, are a great way to end your day of adventure. Take a walk through the trails or drive down to catch the sunset overlooking the Colorado River for a picture-perfect view.

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Frequently asked questions about Antelope Canyon hours

Are the Antelope Canyon tours available on holidays?

Antelope Canyon is open every day, but holidays usually have a higher number of visitors. So make sure you book your tour in advance so that you can get the date and time of your choosing.

What happens to my tour in case of bad weather?

Antelope Canyon tours can get canceled due to the chances of flash floods. This can occur during rainy months (July to September). If this happens, your tour provider will offer a full refund or allow you to reschedule.

What is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon for photography?

March to October are the best months to capture the iconic light beams at Upper Canyon, between 10am and 1pm. However, it’s also peak season, so expect crowds. The crowd reduces in fall and winter, and the Canyon’s colors are more vibrant during this time, so you get a shot at clicking great photos then too!

When is Antelope Canyon closed?

Antelope Canyon is only closed on rainy days Exploring the passageways is dangerous then because it can lead to flash floods. On rare occasions, the Navajo people may have a blessing or cleansing ceremony at the Canyon, for which it will remain closed.

What time zone does Antelope Canyon operate on?

Antelope Canyon is in the Arizona time zone, which doesn’t practice daylight saving time. Arizona operates in the Mountain Time Zone (MST) year-round.

How early should I reach the tour operator’s office before my tour begins?

You should reach at least 30 minutes before the tour begins so that the guide can communicate all the safety instructions and information to you and you have ample time to get ready and prepare for the tour because Antelope Canyon has minimal facilities.