5 Important Tips for Antelope Canyon 

Listen to this guy I was a tour guide here!!! Message still applies. Very crowded like Disneyland, this guy is a very patient photographer!

Thank you! I really appreciate you being so honest.

they opened up Antelope Canyon tours on July 12, 2021 again -- I was able to get a photo tour booked that week with Taadidiin Tours to see Canyon X -- highly recommend Taadidiin Tours - ask for Leo! Book the photo tour when it covers the 11am-12pm time period for the light beams. Note: Light beams are only in the slot canyons in the area from mid-May through mid-August - call and ask before booking, all the tour operators are knowledgeable and helpful. These tips are wonderful! Luckily I had already done an Upper Antelope Canyon tour in 2018 and I was prepared. Great tips! Thank you for sharing, and beautiful photographs!

Thank you for your tips. Looking forward to going there in Sept.

Great video! Thank you from all of us at Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours.

Thanks for the tips. Will go there tomorrow. Upper.

Thank you so very much for the information; that's on my bucket!

Absolutely helpful. Thank you

They are all things I didn’t know. Thanks

Thank you for sharing. This is really helpful. It will be the firdt time for me in there...

Great tips and gorgeous photos! I'm totally jealous- antelope canyon is on my bucket list.

I was in Antelope Canyon just last week and I paid extra for the photo tour. We got to spend about 3 hours inside the canyon. Our guide Marco was awesome! He was very knowledgeable and pointed out things We would have missed. There were many times I wasn’t snapping a photo but sitting there admiring everything. The guides will also point out certain things like “The lady in Red” or “The Swan” you’ll look the natural rock formations and then you’d say to yourself that looks like…I had many of those moments. As for the light beams, I went on the 10am tour so about 11am or so the beams were coming through the slot canyon. When you see them. Do not take long to get you4 shot because the sun is moving and the beams won’t last long. They can be really harsh light too. I was able to create a cool silhouette shot using the harsh beam of light for one image. I used a 14mm lens and kept that on the whole time. One thing that wasn’t mentioned was it’s absolutely necessary that you have a blower with you. The dust will get on your lens and you need a blower to blow the dust off. You will see the light beams just fine but the guide will enhance it by throwing dirt/sand towards the beam to make it stand out. Another guide that was with the regular group took a small shovel and scooped up some dirt and through it against the rock so it would fall off. This was good for a slow shutter type of shot. There was only 5 people in my photo group which was perfect. We had free reign inside the canyon pretty much so we were never in each other’s way but they did bring the regular groups of people through and you had to usually stop to let them through or keep shooting and they had to wait. Think of it like you are VIP when you pay for the photo tour and the guides will treat you as such. The walk down to the floor of the canyon was a breeze because you are walking down but let me tell you the walk out of the canyon back up in that heat was no joke. I had to stop 2-3 times to take a quick break. A tripod is a must but I did do some handheld shots with my Sony A7iii and iPhone 13 Pro too. I have an app where I can control my camera with my phone so I was able to easily put me in the image but you can always use your cameras self timer too. There was a husband and wife couple on our tour that only used their iPhones and they were getting amazing images too. There is no video recording inside the canyon although I have seen videos here on RU-vid of videos I respected their wishes and shot photos only. They have big signs posted saying no video recording. I asked the guide why is that and he said people would come through and record the entire tour then monetize the video and they had to put a stop to that. Other than that I had an extreme blast and would do it again!

Thank you for your idea about it ❤️

The non-photo package is fine for most people. We had a great tour without it. It depends on your guide. But photos with my wife's iPhone were pretty comparable to my dslr.

Thank you for tips. We took non photo package and little off season- November. The weather was perfect and not lots of crowd. We also got lucky in witnessing performance by our tour guy. It was great experience.

Good advice...Thank You!

Helpful! Thanks for the info!

thanks for the heads up

Great tips! Thanks!

Thank you Kaz. Definitely excellent tips.we will use these in our future travels. 😀

this video is great. I already did my trip but I had this on my watch later and was like this is great information.

Outstanding information. I was hoping to see the light beams, but I will be there in February. Saved me a trip. I'll make sure to try in the summer sometime instead...and I'll get the photo package, too! Also helpful, as I hate people in any of my nature shots.

Going in August, thanks!

Thank you! ☮️

Thanks for the tips! I took notes. I’ll be heading there in 10 days! I can’t wait. 😬

Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for these awesome tips !

Thank you for your info. I have booked the photo tour in April 2018 from your link .

Thanks for this, going next week

Thank You for these tips, Kaz :-)

You are so right about getting the Photo pakage! 📸📷⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

Great video! thanks!

thank you very informative

Thanks for doing this video. Well done and lot of good info. My son and I plan to be in that area in mid-September, and we are both photographers (both shoot Pentax). Will definitely check on photo package.

Here's tip #6. Go in February (like I did) it was so slow the guide said they are lucky to do 400 people in a day. It was chilly so not hot, went without a tripod, wasn't rushed and had about 10mins or more of picture time and not dusty and went at 12:15pm where there was plenty of light. And I just paid the basic fee of $50.40 per person! We were the only tour at that time, 8 people plus my 2 year old and the guide took our cameras and took the historic pics you see in Microsoft Windows and magazines

Thanks for the information

Great tips and I did not know about he photo package :) Thank you

Thanks for the tips

Thank you!

Thank you so much for all this info this is so cool of you!

Really helpful!!!

Definitely listen to this man, everything he says is true: I was just there Summer 2019. There was no photo tour of Upper Antelope Canyon anymore, which was very disappointing. Make your plans in advance, tours will fill up fast-- especially for the times with the best light. There are several tour companies who herd hundreds tourists through there every day, they're all usually there at the same time and it's mad crowded. Did I mention that you should make your reservation as soon as you can? Absolutely get the photo tour-- even if you're not a photographer. The photo tour is the VIP experience. They hustle you in past the crowds and make sure you have time to get your shots. They do take you around to predetermined spots and tell you where to set up your tripod, so it is limiting-- but you'll get all the iconic shots of the canyon. Not the most creative experience-- but know this going in and work with it. It's very dusty down there. The floor of the canyon is sand and it blows everywhere. Bring your rocket blower-- you WILL need it. You probably don't want to change lenses unless you like the idea of dust on your sensor. Consider a clear / UV filter to protect your front element from the grit. Since you're probably not changing lenses and it's kind of close down there, mount a wide zoom for the sake of flexibility. 16-35 on FF or 10-18 on APS-C. You'll be fine with the 24-70 or 24-105 on FF or the 18-55 / 18-135 on APS-C. You could get away with a 14, 24, or 35mm prime, but probably not a 50 on a crop sensor camera. I had my Canon 80D and shot mostly at the wide end on the 18-135 at f/8. It's not very bright down there. You need a tripod. Even if you're at f/2.8. Flippy screens are great. Your camera will be pointing at the ceiling a lot and unless you like standing on your knees in the sand, you will appreciate it immensely. On the photo tour, you also get the luxury of being fairly alone down there. You get to experience this amazing place in peace and quiet once the crowd moves on. It's one of the coolest places I have ever been to.

I just went there last week. There is no light beam definitely but I'm still in love with it. It is not crowded and my friend who went there before said the guide gave us more time which is excellent. ❤. The tour guide also told tips of how to take best photo with your phone. I really like her. 🌟🌟🌟👍😊

I did it without a tripod. My Sony A9 and the Sony 24-105mm f4 worked fine. Got great shots, even with a model.

I am Josh T. I am a tour and photographer guide at Ken's Tours Lower Antelope Canyon. If you plan on doing the photo tour, request me "Josh" as your photo guide. I been working here for two years and I know the canyon top notch to where the light is gonna hit, to where the colors shine and where its going to be crowded. Photo tours start beginning of the first week of November to last week of February.

The Lower Antelope Canyon doesn't sell the Photography Package in the Summer months, so bummer about your 1st tip. Thanks for the advice!

thank you!

great video, ill be vlogging there this summer

In the words of Arnold: Thanks for the tip

Great video, so helpful! I'm still planning the trip and wondering how much time should I plan on spending in the antelope canyon and horseshoe bend, where to stay, and anything else to check out. Thanks!

Good info 🤙

And I hiked it at night under the full moon but very carefully and vigilantly when we spotted fresh mountain lion tracks,lol but i know to handle those too.

Thank you

Thanks

Thanks for the tips. I am afraid I was not able to find the photography tour. Would you be able to share a link for the tour you booked?

Can we buy the package right at the area? Thank you for your guide!

Hi! May I know what time did you go there? Im still confused on what time should I choose. Planning to go this April.

Recommendations for iPhone settings in upper canyon. Thanks for the tips.

Update: Upper and Lower Antelope are now off limits to photographers and photo tours. Canyon X is now the only option. It's more like Lower Antelope without the stairs and climbing. Currently, it costs $133 per person, but you get no crowds and all the time you could want. I'm glad I got to photograph Upper Antelope on four trips between 1984 and the early 2000s, because that experience is never coming around again. Even on my last trip, the place was too crowded.

Your video helped out. I'll be bringing my 16-35mm for this trip. Also going to bring the wife. Thanks!

I was planning on visiting this canyon in late March. Any suggestions for 1st timers that time of year?

I was there about 15 years ago. Is it a lot more crowded now? I don't recall them offering 2 types of tours. I took the standard one with a tripod and got some great shots. I did both upper and lower. I was there about early April

Are photography tours still operational during off season months like February for Lower Antelope Canyon?

My husband and I are both photographers. We will be in Page in late April. We currently have a photography tour to Upper antelope and Rattlesnake Canyon scheduled but we are considering changing to Canyon X due to fewer people, more time and good reviews we have read. Any comments would be appreciated.

According to Wikipedia, the photo package was discontinued in 2019!!!!!

Great tips, thanks, but i wished you would tell something about the camera settings: which white balance setting, which aperture, ISO, to get the best possible pictures. I have been there, shot in RAW but still it is difficult to edit the pictures in such a way that they really look amazing.

Thanks! Great tips! we are planning to go visit Antelope in June, I am wondering if we need to reserve the tour ahead of the time if we want to go on certain day and time? Also for lower Antelope, do we need to have the photo tour as well? thanks in advance!

Thank you for all your great tips!! I’m personally intrigued by the lower canyon, however I’m planning this trip specifically to be able to take some beautiful senior high school pictures for my daughter. I like the high angles of the upper canyon based of what I have in mind in capturing, but also live the hues your captured at the lower canyon. What do you think? Also, are there trips available to see both on the same day?

Thanks. I have been researching, too. Great info. Online i read that May is the beginning month for light beams....do you agree? I was planning on going out there the first week in May.

Thank you! I really wanna go, where can I get the photo tour reservation? Thank you!

WHERE DO YOU BY THE PHOTO PACKAGE AND DO YOU PURCHASE THIS WITH A TOUR GUIDE SERVICE OR IT HAS TO BE PURCHASED ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION?

Hi!!! If we are after family photo and not the light beams, do you suggest upper or lower antelope? Will be going in May. Thanks!!!

thank you so much, of all the info I search on the web, yours is the best & I would definitely follow yours' advice, may I also ask, which lens would you prefer, 24-70, or 11-22, those are the only two lens I have ! I thank you !

One comment regarding the "photo package". Book the first tour of the day. That group goes to the far end of the canyon and works its way back. That way, you cover half of the canyon before encountering the other tours as they make their way to you. One other thing, you can't book a photo package without a "real" camera.

I'm thinking of shooting a short independent film and would like to shoot with the Antelope Canyons as a backdrop. It seems that this will be impossible. Do you have any comparable spots that could be viable?

I'm going to Antelope Valley thanks for your tips.... are both upper and lower photo tours available let's say in a day or two period.

Do they allow monopod on regular tour?

I am planning to go there with husband and friends, where can i get there tour and how much the cost for photo tour? Thanks for ur tips.

Yes, the colors show up with LONG exposures

I deleted an earlier comment after discovering that the Navajo Tribe no longer offers/allows the "photo tours". This service is now cancelled to enable the tourist tours to the maximum, as they are more profitable. Based on my past experience and the apparent volume of people getting packed into these tours, photography in either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyons is now limited to snapshots, selfies and cell phones. it seems that another canyon in the same area, "Canyon X", is now the only option available for photography. Videos of it look promising.

Thanks these tips are fantastic! You said upper is better mid day. Is there any particular time of day that's better for lower canyon? Thanks!

Great tips. I have a few questions. I'm coming to Antelope at the end of December. Should I do the upper or lower canyon. I have a choice between the 2. Also, you mentioned wide angle lens. I'm using an APS-C camera, Sony a6400 with etiehr the 10-18 or 18-105 lens. They are both f4. What aperture did you use for your shots?

Hi! Great Tips, I thank you for that information. Now, I’m in Michigan, I can fly there and drive there, but what’s the closest city and what is the website I can look up something? Thanks in advance. Kaioshin

Great tips, how far of a walk is it for you typically? I'm an AK amputee so I'm not super fast lol

Thanks for the photo tips. My question is do they offer a photo package for BOTH upper + lower canyons? I'm eager to shoot both. Waiting for your response.

You think an 11-20mm zoom lens will work or do I need more zoom?

Tip # 6 ALL slot canyons are dangerous People have died after being flushed out of Antelope Canyon by flash floods Don't even think about doing this hike during Monsoon Season Btw It's more like a 3 hour drive from the nearest cities of Flagstaff AZ or St.George UT

Wear blue. Complements the orange rocks. Poses will pop.

Hi !! Thanks for this video and the tips. I will be there in two weeks, and i've booked a photographer tour (upper and rattlesnake canyon). I'm waiting for this moment for more than 10 years (i'm from Europe) About the lens, you said 16mm, but is it for full frame or aps-c ? I will have to choose (on a full frame) between Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS and Canon 24-105mm f/4 IS... Thanks again !

I am going to visit this place on September 1st. Please suggest me some tour packages.

Hi Can you recommend wide angle zoom lense for Nikon D 7000 model . I am planning to Antelope Canyon during thanksgiving

I am confused. You say as #1 to take a "Photo Tour" that allows tripods. This is EACTLY what I want. Yet the links you provide don't have photo tours it appears. Both specifically say "no tripods". Where to I get the photo tours ?

Just found out that neither company at the lower antelope canyon offers the photo tour during the peak season.

Did you have to book the photography tour in advance or were you able to do it day of? Thanks!

Agreed...I didn't get the photo package, and wasn't happy with my results at all. Far too many people without it, where in some places you have to take turns getting through in some spots when others are coming towards you as it's so narrow. I'll go again one day, and will definitely go with the photo package....neither, with or without is cheap, but it's truly amazing in there! I have a 16-35 F/4 which I should have taken, rather than my 24-300 (my standard every day lens), although 24mm was ok, the amount of people in there made getting hand held shots truly tough.

how did you prepare your gear for the trip? did you try and protect it from the sand outside of the canyon? - in places like joshua tree

👍 👍 👍

Kat... thanks for these tips... I wanna go to the lower canyon... you say summer... like late May, June or July??? what do you think is best?

We are going there on 31st August, doing lower canyon as I don't want to be packed in like cattle with tons of other people, going for a 2pmish slot. Would like to see upper but if it's as rammed as people say then I'd rather give it a miss :(

I have a 10-20 mm canon Lens for my camera! Would this work in the canyon to take pictures or should I use a 18 to 330 canon lens???