Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend: Private 4x4 Slot Canyon Tour

Summary

Private 4x4 ride to secret slot canyon and quiet Horseshoe Bend view

You’ll ride a shaded open-air 4x4 across Navajo lands with a local guide, walk through the striped corridors of Secret Antelope Canyon, and reach a private viewpoint at Horseshoe Bend after only a short stroll. Expect quiet moments, small group company, and stories you won’t find on crowded tours—plus entry fees and transport all sorted for you.

What’s the experience like?

“You ever see sand that glows?” That’s what our guide, James, asked as we ducked out of the truck. I’d already gotten dust in my shoes from the bumpy 4x4 ride—honestly, I didn’t care. The air smelled like warm stone and sagebrush. We’d left Page behind maybe half an hour ago, but it felt like another world out here on Navajo land. Coyotes could’ve been watching us (James said they sometimes do), but all I heard was the wind scraping over rock.

The walk to Secret Antelope Canyon was short—maybe five minutes?—but I kept stopping to touch the cool walls, orange and pink stripes twisting overhead. It’s quieter than Upper or Lower Antelope; just our small group and the sound of someone’s camera shutter echoing. At one point, light sliced in from above and made everything look painted. Our guide told us stories about his aunt coming here as a kid, which made me see it differently. I tried to say “thank you” in Navajo (probably butchered it), but he just grinned.

After that, we bounced down another dirt road toward Horseshoe Bend Overlook. No crowds—just us, a short stroll from the truck to the edge. The Colorado River looked unreal from up there, looping around in that horseshoe shape you see in photos but… quieter somehow? Someone laughed when their hat almost blew off. I just stood there for a while, trying to memorize how the sun hit the cliffs. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

• Off-road 4x4 drive through desert
• Walk 300 meters to Secret Antelope Canyon
• Explore and photograph Secret Antelope Canyon
• Drive private dirt road to Horseshoe Bend
• Short walk to Horseshoe Bend overlook
• Enjoy views of Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend

Top questions

How long is the drive to Secret Antelope Canyon?

The off-road 4x4 drive covers six miles and takes about 30 minutes from Page.

How far do you walk to reach Secret Antelope Canyon?

The nature walk is approximately 300 meters from where the truck stops to the canyon entrance.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children under age 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Do you need to be very fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No lunch is included; only transportation, entry fees, and guiding are provided.

How close does the truck get to Horseshoe Bend Overlook?

The private road brings you within about 100 meters of the rim—much closer than public access.

Are permits or entry fees included?

Yes, all required entry fees and Navajo Nation permit fees are included in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation in a shaded open-air 4x4 tour vehicle with a local guide, all necessary entry fees including Navajo Nation permits, exclusive access to both Secret Antelope Canyon and a private Horseshoe Bend Overlook viewpoint—with no need for long walks or crowded parking lots along the way.