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Your guide to understanding Antelope Canyon’s weather & climate

Antelope Canyon lies in the high desert region of northern Arizona. It experiences hot summers, cold winters, and a rainy monsoon season. Weather drives both what you’ll see (light beams, clarity) and what you avoid (closures, floods). Use this guide to choose your timing and pack smart.

Best time to visit Antelope Canyon

  • Peak season: June to August
  • Shoulder season: April & May, September & October
  • Low season: November to February
  • For light beams: mid-April through mid-August (especially May to July)
  • For stargazing: May through October
  • For kayaking: April through June (when Lake Powell water is high)
  • For aerial tours: April through October
Plan your visit to Antelope Canyon
Mountain Standard Time at Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon operates on Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is UTC−7. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so the time stays fixed all year. That means in summer, when many states switch forward, Antelope Canyon’s clock remains unchanged.

Antelope Canyon’s seasons

🌷Spring

  • Average temperatures: 39°F to 70°F (4 °C to 21°C)

Spring brings warming days, cooler mornings, and occasional breezes. Rain is light but possible, especially late. The sandstone glows, light beams begin to appear, and the trails are comfortable to hike.

  • Ideal for: Travelers who prefer mild weather, fewer crowds, good photo conditions

Recommended experiences:

  • Guided slot canyon tours
  • Midday photography with emerging light beams at Upper Antelope Canyon
  • Additional excursions, such as Horseshoe Bend 
  • Aerial tours

🌞Summer

  • Average temperatures: 66 °F to 98 °F (19°C to 37°C)

Summer at Antelope Canyon can be hot and unpredictable. Morning hours are more tolerable; afternoons often trigger thunderstorms. Monsoon season (July-September) increases the risk of flash floods. But midday light beams are the most visible during this period.

  • Ideal for: Photographers focused on light beams, those okay with early tours, and warm weather

Recommended experiences:

  • Upper Antelope Canyon tours (around midday)
  • Aerial tours before storms build

🍂Fall

  • Average temperatures: 49°F to 87°F (9°C to 31°C) 

The temperatures during the fall months gradually cool, and the thunderstorms begin to fade. Skies clear, crowds thin, and the light becomes softer. Daytime is pleasant; evenings crisp.

  • Ideal for: Visitors who want balance: good weather and fewer people

Recommended experiences:

❄️Winter

  • Average temperatures: 29 °F to 56 °F (–2 °C to 13 °C)

Winters are cold, dry, and calmer. Rain and snow are rare; some mornings may be frosty. There’s a lot less light, but the tours are significantly quieter and more peaceful. Some operators may limit access during extreme cold or snow.

  • Ideal for: Travelers who want solitude, affordable travel, and don’t mind multiple layers

Recommended experiences:

  • Quiet canyon tours
  • Lowlight photography
  • Exploring geological details without crowds

Understanding the rainfall & its risks at Antelope Canyon

Flash floods pose real danger for visitors in slot canyons like Antelope Canyon. Here’s how and why they happen, and how you can manage the risk:

  • During monsoon season (July to September), thunderstorms often develop rapidly upstream, sometimes many miles away from the canyon. 
  • This results in heavy rainfall over the wider watershed or drainage basins above and around Antelope Canyon. That water quickly begins to move downward, into narrow slot passages.
  • Slot canyons like Antelope Canyon are typically very narrow and deep (walls close in, little horizontal space), so they act like funnels. Even a small volume of water runoff can rise quickly and with force.
  • Because floods move fast, water can reach your chest or above in mere seconds. The canyon’s shape & structure trap the flooded water in and make it extremely difficult to exit.
  • Flash floods may take place even when it is not raining in the canyon or right above, when the storm is distant. You could see clear skies overhead and still be affected.
  • In a tragic incident in 1997, 11 tourists died in Lower Antelope Canyon after floodwaters surged from upstream rainfall they could not see.
  • Since then, operators have added several safety features inside the canyons, such as bolted ladders, ropes, alarms, radar monitoring, and stricter closures.
  • A potential flash flood risk could mean that your tour operators may cancel on short notice, especially if upstream storms or the radar indicate risk. All your Navajo guides monitor the weather continuously & thoroughly.

What you can do if you plan on visiting during the rainy season:

  • Always check updated forecasts and radar maps before booking or the morning of a tour.
  • Choose morning tours when storms are less likely.
  • Avoid entering slot canyons if there is any rain forecast, even distant or upstream.
  • Heed warnings, sirens, or closures immediately.

Monthly guide to Antelope Canyon’s weather 🌤️

January

  • Average temperature: 29°F to 46°F (–2°C to 8°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.56 in (1.42 cm)

January is one of the coldest months at Antelope Canyon, where the days are short and chilly. Morning frost or freezing ground is possible. Tours operate, but you’ll need layers and insulated gear.

  • Travel tip: Dress in layers, including hats and gloves. Confirm canyon access and closures in advance.

February

  • Average temperature: 33°F to 52°F (1°C to 11°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.57 in (1.45 cm)

February warms slightly, but mornings stay cold. Some days are crisp and clear, others overcast. You might find occasional light precipitation during this month, but you won’t experience heavy rainfall.

  • Travel tip: Carry a waterproof shell. Go mid-month onward for slightly warmer days.

March

  • Average temperature: 40°F to 63°F (4°C to 17°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.51 in (1.30 cm)

The spring season starts in full swing, and you might see roses in the rock pop, and light angles shift. Rainfall is unlikely, but light showers are possible.

  • Travel tip: Book toward late March to capture light beams with fewer crowds.

April

  • Average temperature: 47°F to 71°F (8°C to 22°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.39 in (0.99 cm)

April is one of the best months to visit if you want a relatively quieter experience, but still want to see the light beams filtering through the canyon. Temperatures feel pleasant, and the amount of rain is quite low.

  • Travel tip: Book midday slots for beams. Secure your tour in advance.

May

  • Average temperature: 56°F to 82°F (13°C to 28°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.43 in (1.09 cm)

May is warm, but tours are still manageable if you visit early in the day. Light beams are strong. Afternoon storms may creep towards the end of the month.

  • Travel tip: Favor early tours. Hydrate and protect against the sun.

June

  • Average temperature: 66°F to 94°F (19°C to 34°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.14 in (0.36 cm)

June is one of the hottest months at Antelope Canyon, with minimal rain. The risk of storms is still low early in the day, though the chances increase late in the afternoon.

  • Travel tip: Choose morning or early midday tours. Stay alert for changes in the weather.

July

  • Average temperature: 72°F to 98°F (22°C to 37°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.62 in (1.58 cm)

July comes with peak heat and the start of monsoon season. Storms can pop up quickly, so be careful and check forecasts regularly. Tour cancellations or rescheduling may occur in case of a thunderstorm.

  • Travel tip: Tour as early as possible, and avoid afternoon slots. Watch the radar and heed cancellations.

August

  • Average temperature: 70°F to 94°F (21°C to 34°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.80 in (2.03 cm)

August has high storm potential. You can still catch the light beams, but there is a rise in tour cancellations due to safety risks.

  • Travel tip: Focus on morning tours. Confirm with the guide daily.

September

  • Average temperature: 62°F to 87°F (17°C to 30°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.68 in (1.73 cm)

Monsoon wanes, the days become milder, and evenings offer pleasant temperatures.

  • Travel tip: This is prime shoulder time. Book in advance, but expect more stability in terms of cancellations.

October

  • Average temperature: 49°F to 72°F (9°C to 22°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.89 in (2.26 cm)

It is a lot cooler in October, and you can expect an increase in the amount of rainfall you will encounter. The light beam season comes to an end.

  • Travel tip: Bring rain protection. Use earlier tours, and check weather forecasts regularly.

November

  • Average temperature: 37°F to 56°F (3°C to 13°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.42 in (1.07 cm)

November gets chilly, marking the beginning of winter at Antelope Canyon. Mornings and evenings are especially cold, whereas daytime is moderate.

  • Travel tip: Midday tours are ideal, but make sure you dress in layers.

December

  • Average temperature: 29°F to 45°F (–2°C to 7°C)
  • Average rainfall: 0.43 in (1.09 cm)

December at Antelope Canyon is a cold month, and you can expect to see frost, though the occasional snow is quite rare. Tours run unless severe weather closes access.

  • Travel tip: Use insulated, warm clothing. Check local reports before heading out.

Frequently asked questions about Antelope Canyon’s weather

Why does monsoon season matter so much for slot canyons?

Because slot canyons are extremely narrow and deep, they act like giant funnels. Rain upstream rushes into them, and water can rise rapidly with force. A cloudburst miles away can trigger flooding in minutes, even if the sky above the canyon is clear.

How do tour operators predict flash floods?

They use radar, weather forecasting models, upstream watershed data, and real-time monitoring. They watch for thunderstorm cells in the region and compare them to drainage maps. If potential runoff into the canyon is detected, they cancel tours.

Can storms shut the canyon even in low-rain months?

Yes. Even in months with low average rainfall, an isolated thunderstorm can produce enough runoff to cause flash flooding. The canyon may be closed temporarily.

Do light beams only appear in summer?

Beams are most frequent from April through August, with the strongest intensity in May to July, but conditions (sun angle, dust, clarity) also matter. Outside those months, beams are weaker or absent.

What should I pack for changing weather?

Layered clothing, waterproof shell, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), water, sturdy shoes, and a small packable rain cover. Always bring a charged phone and check radar apps.

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