Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour near Page, Arizona

Walk into a slot canyon carved by millions of years of wind and water.

Antelope Canyon X is a guided hiking tour of a slot canyon in the Navajo Nation southeast of Page, Arizona, where you walk roughly 300 meters through two narrow gorges formed by wind-carved Navajo sandstone. A local Navajo guide leads you through the first slit-type canyons hidden in the rock seams, then deeper into the second gorge where light and shadow play across the narrow valleys. You can choose the standard hiking tour or upgrade to the photography tour, which allows tripods and camera bags for capturing the canyon's formations.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Antelope Canyon X with guide

• Drive to Antelope Canyon X entrance
• Walk 100 meters to first slit canyon
• Hike 200 meters to second gorge
• Observe X-shaped sandstone formation
• Take photos of light and shadow

The Experience

Canyon X sits in a dry riverbed in the Navajo Nation just southeast of Page, away from the crowds at the main Antelope Canyon. A short drive takes you to the entrance, where your Navajo guide meets you to lead the hike. The first 100 meters takes you through the initial slit-type canyons—narrow passages hidden in the foot seams of the rock—before the route opens into the second gorge 200 meters deeper. The X formation itself, created by millions of years of flooding and wind-engraving the sandstone, becomes clear as you move through the canyon, with water channels visible in the sand and stones below.

Light and shadow shift across the two deep, quiet valleys as the sun moves, creating the conditions that draw photography enthusiasts to the canyon. If you book the standard hiking tour, you walk and photograph freely but leave bags and tripods behind. The photography tour option includes a tripod and one camera bag, giving you the setup for more deliberate shots. Either way, the hike covers the same ground and takes roughly an hour from start to finish. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your tour time—late arrivals forfeit the ticket without refund. Bring your ID for check-in, and note that masks are required on the Navajo Nation.

What’s included

• Navajo guide leading the hike through both gorges.
• Navajo Permit fee ($8 per person).
• Canyon X admission.
• service fees for the guide ($2 per person on the hiking tour, $10 per person on the photography tour).

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by TakeYourTrip

Is this one for you?The photography tour suits travelers who want to compose shots with a tripod and bring camera bags into the canyon; the standard hiking tour works for those who prefer to move freely and photograph without extra gear. Both follow the same route and take the same time—the difference is what you carry and how you set up.

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Top questions

What is the X formation in Canyon X?

The X is a distinctive formation created by millions of years of flooding and wind carving into Navajo sandstone. It stands out clearly in the second gorge, where two deep valleys meet, and becomes especially visible when sunlight creates contrast between the light and shadow across the narrow passages.

How far do you walk on the Canyon X hike?

You walk roughly 300 meters total—the first 100 meters through the initial slit-type canyons, then 200 meters more with your guide to reach the second gorge where the X formation is located.

Can I bring a camera and tripod to Canyon X?

On the standard hiking tour, you can bring a camera but no tripod or monopod. The photography tour upgrade allows one tripod and one camera bag, designed for travelers who want to set up shots of the canyon's light and formations.

Do I need to be in good physical condition for this hike?

The hike is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. The terrain involves walking through narrow slot canyon passages over roughly an hour.

What time zone should I use when booking?

All times are in Arizona time (Phoenix, AZ). Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so manually set your phone to Phoenix time before arrival—cell towers from Utah and the Navajo Nation often show the wrong time.