Upper Antelope Canyon: Night Photography Tour & Starry Sky

Photograph Upper Antelope Canyon After Dark With a Professional Guide

You spend three hours photographing Upper Antelope Canyon's dramatic rock formations and night sky with a professional photographer guiding composition and camera settings. Admission is included; you bring your own camera and tripod. Non-photographers can join as tag-alongs to experience the canyon without equipment. The tour runs one hour after sunset and requires working knowledge of manual camera settings.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Meet guide one hour after sunset
• Explore canyon's dramatic textures
• Photograph night sky and formations
• Non-photographers join as tag-alongs

The Experience

You wonder if you'll actually get a shot worth keeping, or if you're just going to spend three hours fumbling with settings in the dark. That's the honest thought walking in — and it's exactly why a professional photographer leading the tour matters. The night photography experience in Upper Antelope Canyon starts one hour after sunset, which is the narrow window when the canyon's rock formations still hold shape but the sky has enough stars to actually photograph. You'll need a tripod and working knowledge of your camera; this isn't a beginner workshop, and the guide assumes you can handle manual mode.

The canyon itself does most of the work. Those famous slot canyon walls — the ones that glow orange and red in daylight — turn into something else entirely at night. They become texture, shadow, depth. The guide positions the group at different points along the canyon floor, pointing out angles and light sources, talking through exposure times and ISO settings for the specific conditions you're facing. It's three hours of actual shooting time, not three hours of walking and stopping. If you bring someone who doesn't photograph, they can tag along as a non-photographer guest — they won't have a camera, but they'll be there, and they'll see what you're seeing. The tour just can't run with only tag-alongs; at least one registered photographer has to be in the group.

Admission is included, so you're not paying separately at the gate. The moderate difficulty rating is honest — you're standing on canyon floor, moving between spots, holding a camera steady for long exposures. It's not a hike, but it's not sitting down either. The darkness and the uneven ground matter more than the distance. Wear shoes with grip, bring a headlamp or small flashlight for moving between positions, and expect the temperature to drop once the sun's gone.

What’s included

• Admission to Upper Antelope Canyon.
• three-hour guided night photography tour with a professional photographer.
• guidance on framing and camera settings for night sky and canyon formations.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you shoot in manual mode and want to photograph a slot canyon under stars with someone who knows how to position you for the best light — the professional guide removes the guesswork about where to stand and what settings will work in these specific conditions.

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Top questions

What time does the night photography tour start?

One hour after sunset. Exact start time varies by season; check your confirmation for the specific time on your date.

Do I need my own camera and tripod?

Yes. Tripods are required, and you need a camera you can operate in manual mode. The guide will not provide equipment.

Can I join if I don't know how to photograph?

No, not as the primary participant. This is not a photography workshop. You need working knowledge of your camera. Non-photographers can join as tag-along guests, but the tour requires at least one registered photographer per booking.

What's included in the price?

Admission to Upper Antelope Canyon and the three-hour guided tour with a professional photographer. Transportation to the canyon is not included.

Can I bring someone who doesn't have a camera?

Yes, as a tag-along guest. They can experience the canyon at night but won't have camera equipment. The tour cannot be booked with only tag-along participants.

How difficult is this tour physically?

Moderate. You'll be standing and moving on uneven canyon floor for three hours. It's not a long hike, but the darkness and terrain require steady footing and comfort with your surroundings.

What should I bring besides my camera and tripod?

A headlamp or small flashlight for moving between positions, comfortable shoes with good grip, and a jacket — temperatures drop significantly after sunset.