Page AZ: Waterhole Canyon Slot Canyon Tour & Shuttle

Waterhole Canyon: A Quieter Slot Canyon 5 Miles From Page

You walk two miles through a narrow slot canyon five miles south of Page with a small group (no more than fourteen per guide) and a shuttle from the office to the entrance. The canyon closes during extreme summer heat, so timing matters if you're visiting June through August. Bring water, wear good shoes, and expect to spend the morning or afternoon moving slowly through sculpted rock with far fewer crowds than the major canyons nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided Waterhole Canyon tour

• Meet at office location
• Shuttle to canyon entrance
• Walk through Waterhole Canyon
• Enjoy guided slow hiking tour
• Capture memorable photos

The experience

The canyon walls rise around you almost immediately: narrow, sculpted, the light falling in sharp angles through the slot above. You're walking through Waterhole Canyon, just five miles south of Page on the Navajo Nation, and the difference from the packed tours at Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon hits you right away. Your group stays small, capped at fourteen people per guide, which means you're not shuffling through in a line of fifty. The shuttle from the WCE office gets you to the canyon entrance, and then the actual walking begins: two miles through the slot, slow enough to stop for photos, steady enough that you feel the terrain under your feet.

The canyon itself does the work. Waterhole Canyon doesn't need a sales pitch. The walls are smooth and layered, the colors shift as you move deeper in, and the quiet matters. A single guide leads your group, pointing out the geology and the light, answering questions without rushing anyone. Kids have to be at least eight years old, and you need moderate fitness to handle the hiking and the uneven ground, but it's not a scramble or a technical climb. It's a walk through something that looks like it shouldn't exist in the desert, and the fact that fewer people know about it means you're not elbowing for space at the best photo spots.

One thing to know: Arizona summer heat is real. When temperatures hit 95 degrees Fahrenheit, the canyon closes for the day: safety first, which means if you're booking in July or August, plan for early morning or late afternoon slots, or consider visiting in a cooler season. The tour is straightforward: you get the slot canyon experience, the shuttle to and from the trailhead, and a guide who knows the place. That's the package.

What’s included

• Your day includes shuttle transport from the WCE office to Waterhole Canyon's entrance, a guided two-mile walk through the slot canyon with a single tour guide, and shuttle return to the office. Entry to the canyon and the guided experience are included.
• food and drinks are not.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:15, 10:45, 12:15 and 13:45Last departure this season: 31 Dec

AgesAdult (8 to 85 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Waterhole Canyon Experience

Is this one for you?This tour suits anyone who wants to see a slot canyon without the crowds of Antelope Canyon and doesn't mind a small-group hike. The low guide-to-guest ratio is what keeps the pace manageable and the experience unhurried.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is Waterhole Canyon from Page, Arizona?

It's located five miles south of Page on the Navajo Nation.

What's the group size on this tour?

WCE keeps the guest-to-guide ratio at 14:1, so groups stay small.

How long is the hike through Waterhole Canyon?

The canyon walk is two miles total.

What age can children join?

All participants must be at least 8 years old.

Does the tour close in summer?

Yes. When the outside temperature reaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit, all tour operations end for the day due to safety protocols.

Is transportation included?

Yes, you're shuttled from the WCE office to the canyon entrance and back.

How is Waterhole Canyon different from Antelope Canyon?

It's a quieter alternative with smaller groups and fewer crowds than Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, though it's the same type of slot canyon experience.

What should I bring?

Water, sturdy hiking shoes, and sun protection. The canyon offers shade in places, but the desert sun is strong.