Upper Antelope Canyon Ticket & Guided Tour Page, AZ

Light Beams & Slot Canyon Walls: What to Expect at Upper Antelope

You arrive 45 minutes early, ride a shuttle truck 3 miles into the desert, then hike 0.8 miles through a narrow slot canyon with a guide who explains the geology and light conditions. The moderately difficult trail includes 150 stairs on the return. Entry ticket, shuttle, and guidance are included; you bring a camera and leave bags behind.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Upper Antelope Canyon's slot canyon and light beams without arranging your own transport or guide—the shuttle and explanation are included, and the fixed tour time means you know exactly when to arrive and when you'll be done. The moderately difficult hike and 150-stair descent are what make the full canyon experience possible in one visit.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes entry to Upper Antelope Canyon, a guided tour with geology and cultural explanation, and a truck shuttle that drives you 3 miles from the check-in point to the canyon entrance and back.
• The guide walks you through the canyon on a 0.8-mile hike with stairs on the return.
• Cameras and phones are permitted; bags, tripods, and professional camera gear are not.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Upper Antelope Canyon tour and exploration

• Check in 45 minutes before tour
• Receive safety briefing
• Drive via dirt road to canyon entrance
• Listen to guide's geology and history talk
• Hike over moderately difficult trail
• Explore and photograph Upper Antelope Canyon

The Experience

The light beams that make Upper Antelope Canyon famous don't happen every day—they arrive mid-day between April and September, when the sun angles just right to cut through the narrow slot and turn the stone walls into something that looks almost unreal. You'll check in 45 minutes before your tour time at Tse Bighanilini Tours on Highway 98, go through safety briefings, then get loaded into a truck for a 3-mile drive on dirt road out to the canyon entrance. The whole thing moves fast, which is the point—you're not wandering in on your own.

Once you're inside Upper Antelope Canyon, the hike itself is 0.8 miles total, rated moderately difficult, with a walkway that goes up and then down 150 stairs to get back out. Your guide explains the geology as you walk—how water carved these slot canyon walls over years into these smooth, flowing shapes—and points out the cultural history of the place. The colors shift depending on the time of day; morning and afternoon light brings out deep reds and oranges in the stone, but if you're there mid-day during the season, you might catch those famous light beams cutting straight down through the narrow opening above. Photographers can adjust exposure to bring out detail; if you're not shooting, it's still a strange, almost otherworldly space to move through.

A few things to know before you book: no bags, no tripods, no selfie sticks or professional camera gear allowed on the tour. Bring your own children's car seat if your child weighs under 55 pounds and needs one for the shuttle ride. The ticket is non-refundable and non-changeable after confirmation—no exceptions for traffic, weather, or being late. And set your phone to Phoenix, Arizona time before you arrive; the Utah state line is less than 7 miles away, and cell towers often pull the wrong time zone.

Top questions

When do the light beams appear at Upper Antelope Canyon?

Mid-day between April and September, when the sun angle is right to shine through the narrow slot opening above the canyon floor.

How long is the hike inside Upper Antelope Canyon?

0.8 miles total, with a moderately difficult rating. The return includes descending 150 stairs to the shuttle vehicles.

What time should I arrive for my tour?

At least 45 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Check in at Tse Bighanilini Tours on Highway 98, Milepost 299.8, Page, Arizona.

Can I bring a camera or phone into the canyon?

Yes, cameras and phones are allowed. Selfie sticks, GoPro cameras, drones, professional camera accessories, bags, and tripods are not permitted.

Is Upper Antelope Canyon wheelchair accessible?

No. The canyon has no wheelchair access, and visitors must be able to complete the hike and descend 150 stairs without assistance.

What is the refund policy?

Tickets cannot be changed, canceled, or refunded after confirmation. No refunds are issued for no-shows or late arrivals, regardless of reason.

Do I need to bring a car seat for children?

Yes, if your child weighs under 55 pounds and needs a booster or car seat for the 3-mile shuttle ride, you must bring your own. The tour does not provide one.

What time zone should I use?

Arizona time (Phoenix). Set your phone manually to Phoenix, AZ time before arriving; cell towers near the Utah border often show the wrong zone.