Antelope Canyon: Lower Slot Entry Ticket & Navajo Guide

Summary

Lower Antelope’s shifting light with Navajo stories and carved walls

You’ll walk through Lower Antelope Canyon’s twisting sandstone with a Navajo guide who shares local stories as light shifts above you. Expect steep stairs, sand underfoot, and time to pause for photos (with just your phone). Includes entry ticket and all permit fees—plus those small moments that linger after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was nervous about squeezing through the tight spaces in Lower Antelope Canyon. You see photos everywhere but they don’t tell you how the air feels cooler down there, or how your shoes crunch on the sand as you follow the line of people ahead. Our guide, Thomas, met us at the check-in — he had this easy way of making everyone laugh about leaving their bags behind (“trust me, you won’t miss them”). The sun was already high but it barely touched us once we stepped inside.

The first steps down are steep — metal stairs that rattle a bit under your feet. I remember gripping the rail tighter than I’d like to admit. Once you’re in, though, it’s almost silent except for voices echoing off the stone. Thomas pointed out shapes in the walls (he swore one looked like a lion’s head; I still think it was more like a rabbit). He told us about flash floods shaping every curve — and yeah, you can actually smell a kind of mineral tang in the air if you pay attention. The colors shift every few minutes; orange goes to purple and back again depending on where you stand.

No tripods or fancy cameras allowed — just your phone and whatever patience you have for waiting your turn at the best spots. Honestly, that made it easier to just look up sometimes instead of fiddling with settings. There were moments when everyone went quiet at once, which doesn’t happen much on tours. Maybe we were all thinking about how old this place really is or maybe we were just catching our breath from those stairs.

Walking out into daylight again felt strange — like waking up from a nap where you dreamt in color. I keep thinking about that last narrow passage where my shoulder brushed cool stone and Thomas said something about his grandmother telling stories here as a kid. That stuck with me more than any photo could.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lower Antelope Canyon guided tour

• Arrive at check-in site
• Park vehicles and store items
• Complete final check-in with guides
• Wait for group's turn to enter
• Enter Lower Antelope Canyon with Navajo guides

Top questions

How long does the Lower Antelope Canyon tour take?

The walking tour portion lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Is a guide included with my Lower Antelope Canyon ticket?

Yes, all tours are guided by local Navajo guides.

Are backpacks or bags allowed inside Lower Antelope Canyon?

No, bags and backpacks are not permitted inside the canyon; leave them in your vehicle.

Can I bring my camera or tripod into Lower Antelope Canyon?

No tripods, monopods, selfie-sticks or camera bags are allowed inside; only phones or small cameras without extra equipment.

Is there hotel pickup included for this tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; guests must arrive at the check-in site themselves.

Are pets or service animals allowed on the tour?

No pets or service animals are permitted inside Lower Antelope Canyon.

What should I wear for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour?

Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for walking on uneven surfaces and stairs; sandals and high heels are not allowed.

Can infants join the tour? Do they need a ticket?

Infants ages 0-3 require their own ticket; if they cannot walk, they must be carried in an approved carrier.

What’s included

Your experience includes admission to Lower Antelope Canyon with all Navajo Nation permit fees covered and a guided walking tour led by a local Navajo guide—just show up at your selected check-in time ready to explore (no extra gear needed).