Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as the Antelope Canyons but if you showed me a picture of Waterhole Canyon and told me it was Antelope Canyon, I honestly would not have been able to tell the difference. We love to kayak and are looking to see all the. They say around noon should be the best because the sunlight drops down directly, but I believe every hour has its own charms. Returning in 40 minutes to the hummer shop, with views of Lake Powell in the distance, your memories will last a lifetime. From here you follow the cairns (little piles of rocks) down into the canyon. The large parking lot is able to accommodate boats, buses and RVs.The Bear's Den B&BOwners "Bubba and Deb-B" operate this cozy three-room bed and breakfast in Page that's fully ADA-compliant. These beams slice through the roof of the canyon most reliably around noon on clear days. But you'll find fewer people here. Don't forget to look up, especially when the canyon is crowded.Several tour operators, such as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, also offer tours of nearby, nearly-as-spectacular canyons. Secret Canyon is not a slot canyon and is unlike Antelope or X Canyons in the Page area. If youre less particular, youll have more wiggle room as it pertains to canyon visitation. Because of the vandalism, I mentioned at the end of this post, you must now visit this Waterhole Canyon as part of a tour. Each section of the canyon is about 120 feet deep (or 37 meters). You will stay on Navajo land in one of eight simple accommodationsno electricity or running water, but fresh drinking waterwith nothing but views for miles.Lake Powell ResortIf a visit to Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is on your list, you can't get closer than a stay at this resort located at Wahweap Marina in Page. Simply inquire when booking. Waterhole Canyon and Antelope Canyon are both slot canyons and very similar in appearance. Both canyons are located on Navajo-owned lands, and in both cases, it's compulsory to visit the canyons with a Navajo guide. Lower Antelope Canyon requires walking down (and up) several flights of stairs and ladders. Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest. Promise No SpamHey I don't blog that much! If you Google Map Water Holes Canyon Page, AZ, the location will pop up. If you have a DSLR camera, cover it when you are not using it (a plastic shower cap does the trick) and never change lenses inside the canyon. We only met a few other tourists along the way. Alternatively, you may use, Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Page Lake Powell, Courtyard by Marriott Page at Lake Powell. Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible. There are usually 3-5 tours per day, depending on the time of year. Canyon X is much less crowded and just as stunning.. What is the difference between the Upper and Lower. AZ The sign reads Lake Powell. Each time has its advantages: select the 10:20 a.m. tour if you want to view the sunbeams at their most photogenic or the 2:30 p.m. tour to capture the afternoon light. Prime time to visit this slot is mid-day when the sunbeams shine down on the canyon floor; however, everyone and his brother wants to see this phenomenon, so the canyon will be crowded between 10 AM and 1 PM. One of the steepest slot canyons in the area with hoodoos, corkscrews, multi-colored sandstone and stunning rock formations all without the crowds of the more well-known and popular Antelope Canyons. Additionally, you'll need: Until recently, the cost varied significantly depending on whether you booked a sightseeing or photography tour. The three canyons visited on the canyon tours are fairly easy to walk (a little climbing over/under rocks, but nothing major), are still very pretty and were completely deviod of other people (just me, my wife, the guide and a great horned owlhow cool is that). Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040. I could not help wondering as I left Canyon X, how long before it became as popular as Antelope Canyon. I somehow felt alone here even with my fellow shutterbugs nearby. The second larger and more impressive part of Canyon X starts about a few hundred feet along a sandy wash where small lizards scampered. While cameras are welcome, tripods and selfie sticks are not. that you will descend to find the natural wonder. Its walls stand up to 120 feet above the streambed, while the canyon itself sits approximately 3,700 feet above sea level. The narrow entrance causes you to turn almost sideways to enter but inside the cool darkness hides some of the most special views of any slot canyon. Once we climbed up the ladder the canyon opens up then narrows even more so that you have to climb up several ladders and do some bouldering to get out. To recap: Decide which of the canyons youre wanting to visit and book tours accordingly. This was Secret Canyon, a slot canyon hidden in the hills outside of Page, Arizona. Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, 821 U.S. Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040, Tours | Horseshoe Bend | Secret Antelope Canyon | Combination | Trifecta. The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary. Aceste dou locuri sunt, fr ndoial, dou dintre cele mai magnifice atracii din sud-vest. Canyon vs antelope canyon. Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong. Once there, your tours may last up to two hours when you figure in parking, the journey there and actual time spent in the canyons. To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. Purchases made through links earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon are located in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, about 5 miles out of Page. Your email address will not be published. Kids younger than 4 tour free. I loved photographing the waves and patterns of the rock but my camera was struggling in the canyons dark sections. The Best Westerns however boasted a beautiful view of Lake Powell and with Best Western of Lake Powell having a better view and Best Western Plus having more posh interiors. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. The smaller number of people really allow you to experience the unusual beauty of a slot canyon. Photography is permitted, even encouraged, but tripods, selfie sticks and the like are generally forbidden, except on certain photography-oriented tours. The company's 90-minute sightseer tours of the Upper Canyon take place several times daily beginning at 7:30 a.m. Prices for these tours, which include the park entrance fee, cost approximately $100 per person (the 11:40 a.m. tour is slightly higher as it is peak time). (Getty Images). How to Get a Permit for Hiking Waterhole Canyon To hike this slot canyon, you get a day permit from the Slot Canyon Tours shop next to the Burger King in Page, AZ. HB is a longer, more continuous slot than AC, but is beautiful in its own way. The tours are given by hummer advetures in Page Az. Antelope Canyon's otherworldly beauty makes it one of the most highly sought after destinations in the world, and access to this natural marvel is granted only with a Navajo guide. Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in the canyon. Answer 1 of 4: My husband and I will travel to Page in May of this year. Turn Right on US-89 North and stay on US-89 North for roughly 122-miles. Topping the bucket list of bucket lists, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon is one of the most sought after destinations in the world. *Navajo permit fee of $8/person Navajo Park fee will be added at checkout. I did a review of Hummer Tours, so you might want to look for that under Things to do. You will be joining a group of maximum 15 people which is a real bliss and gives you plenty of space to breathe and enjoy your time in the canyon. Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road. I had to hike 100 meters to get to the bottom of the wash where the first of the two sections of this slot canyon starts. View Larger Map (866) 275-5816 | (602) 364-3700, Copyright 2023 VisitArizona.com | Privacy Policy, Don't forget to look up! What is the significant difference? Well, thats why blogs are for But the canyon is privately owned and operated so there are no worries that it would become over-crowded. Sign up to The Travel Magazine's FREE Newsletter and get the latest news, articles, guides, promotions and competitions. 22 February 2023 Recommendations for Navajo Heritage Dinner/Show 15 February 2023; Travelling from Marseille to Cayyene 09 February 2023; Advice on whether we can take sedan to Wave . Is this slot canyon the same as Antelope Canyon? Companies offering photography tours are usually geared toward professional photographers rather than casual visitors with smartphone cameras. You have to do a bit more stepping over boulders and such in this particular canyon. This time I was pleasantly surprised to see an ATV ready and waiting at the bottom of the hill we had hiked down. There is just very little privacy. Sign in to get trip updates and message other travellers.. At first I was worried if taking the morning tour was a good idea (I had read that you were supposed to visit slot canyon at noon for the perfect lightning) but that was no issue at all. You just go there, park your car and enjoy the views, like we did. Many of these images were sleeping on a harddisk.They got a bit reworked and I thought to present them here It's more challenging to photograph Antelope Canyon without a tripod, but you can still take amazing images. But since we could go to Water Holes Canyon and explore on our own we went all sorts of photo crazy! You are allowed to bring one bottle of water (and we highly recommend you do). I love UV Cut by Uniqlo for sun protective clothing because it is UDF 50 but very breathable and looks like normal clothes and not hiking clothes Check Prices Here. Even Lower Antelope Canyon now prohibits tripods making almost impossible to photograph that section. There's still light coming into the canyon just not as impressive as earlier in the day, but you miss most of the crowds. Thank you! Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon in the southwestern United States. Discounted tickets are available for children 6 to 12; children younger than 6 are not allowed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guides lead travelers through the canyon to showcase its magnificent color show. The temperatures will be lower, yes, but so will the crowds. My wife and I were in Page last fall and toured Upper (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Apply plenty of sunscreen, even in winter. INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS. Thank you for sharing. The last thing anyone wants is for it to be closed off because too many tourists are writing on the walls. But we're here to help show you the ropes, from how to book a Navajo guide to tips on photographing the shifting light. Added by Josiah Roe. When you get close, youll find man-made stairs (5 flights of them!) Although it is one slot canyon, there are two points within the park that you can visit: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. If you like to take photos, I strongly recommend taking a PHOTO tour, not a regular one. Those 7 and younger are not permitted on the outings. No bags or tripods are allowed on the hiking tour. It can be accessed via a 2.5-mile (one way) trail that starts from the trail's parking lot along Highway 93, located just over 3.4 miles south of the dam. I definitely recommend you to protect the camera because it gets dusty but if you are careful, you should be fine . It was discovered over 100 years ago and the Navajo have protected it ever since. Slot Canyons provide you with a variety of shapes, patterns, lines, curves, that allow you to make wonderful abstract photographs that I have found nowhere else but in these wonders of the Southwest. I hope you have a great time! About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise . I think this Secret Canyon is near Page. It's a slot canyon, meaning it formed from water carving it out over millions of years. When we came out at the end of the slot, we waited until the rest of our group and guide arrived. The definitive road trip guide to and through Grand Canyon country. Theres no real sign and we actually missed it coming from Page. Page Created by millions of years of erosion, Antelope Canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, located 10 minutes east of Page, near the Arizona-Utah border. It is locaated in the water holes area. 1600 feet long. However, visiting Antelope Canyon isn't as simple as driving to a parking lot and walking up to the entrance. Upper Antelope Canyon is called Ts bighnln, 'the place where water runs through rocks' by the Navajo People in that specific area.It is the most frequently visited by tourists because its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing; and because beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common all year round . Again, we were able to take our time here, free to walk along the edge of the canyon and enjoy various views of the Colorado River. Hiking this slot canyon was generally pretty easy as the trail is mostly flat. We both really enjoyed the laid-back nature of our Secret Canyon tour. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options. I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! Hi Konstanze, thank you for your comment. The Courtyard was great, nice sized and well-appointed rooms. The walks depart from the company's booth near the canyon multiple times each day. Here you can capture the sunburst if you are touring during the right time usually late morning to early afternoon. Waterhole Canyon is a slot canyon that looks almost identical to Antelope. The ride is an adventure in itself and the natural air conditioning is a welcome relief to the summer heat! It is a very beautiful canyon. Hour-long tours of Lower Antelope Canyon cost $40, and up to $80 for deluxe options.The price generallybut not alwaysincludes taxes and the $8 Navajo permit fee. This canyon, called "Secret Antelope Canyon", is located approximately 4-5 miles from Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. The effect is almost surreal, and photographers from around the globe come to capture its beauty. And thirdly, I didnt get any feedback to my questions from several tour operators running the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon trails. Our tour guide was quite knowledgeable and funny. Page Tourism Page Hotels Page Bed and Breakfast Page Vacation Rentals Page Vacation Packages Flights to Page Companies that provide tours of Upper Antelope Canyon are all based in or near Page, Arizona, and provide transportation to the Upper Canyon. The best part about Water Holes Canyon is you do not need to buy a tour to visit. Since I was unhappy with the shadows in my photos, we decided to go to the public Horseshoe Bend overlook for sunset. Did you book the overlook also? However, once I started reading reviews of the Antelope Canyon tours, I was quickly turned off by complaints of them being rushed and crowded, and became concerned about the effects of over tourism. Its a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). amazing picturesDefinitely on my bucket list . Youve probably seen the landscape in photos or shared online, and you may be wondering how much of a tourist hot spot it really is. You will get an obscene amount of sand in your shoes though! Bring plenty of water, theres no shade along this trail except inside the slot canyon. The nooks and crannies hid long lost tumbleweeds. Though I forgot to download the map this time and didnt get lost, its a good precaution. Good luck! As great as Sedona is, unless you can add 3 days to your trip plan, I'd save it for another vacation and plan a week here. In this age of Internet and social media, its easy to feel like there are few discoveries left when it comes to great travel destinations. I entered between the high rock walls. The tour excludes infants and costs approximately $130 per person. Our earlier visit was definitely not as nerve-wracking! From exhilarating roller coasters to costumed characters, these parks offer fun for everyone. While this canyon is wider, it is also darker because of its shape. The Grand Canyon is about 135 miles southwest. Jackpot! It's a narrow canyon formed by the wear of water rushing through rock (of the sandstone and limestone varieties). Cathedral Canyon is located just south of Page, Arizona and west of Coppermine Road and is entirely on Navajo . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there, my name is Anda and I am a travelholic. *4 paid seats are required for a trip to operate. You do not need to purchase a permit to go to Waterhole Canyon beforehand. You don't have (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-22708703', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Antelope Canyon. We explored a slot canyon like Antelope Canyon on our own without a guide and go at our own pace. Along with a rigorous hike, participants on these tours will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and smooth, fabric-like walls throughout their trip. I recommend doing BOTH if you have the time and money. wow! Do NOT DEFACE their sacred grounds. And boy what a photo session that was. If youre looking to be visually mesmerized, the wave-like structure and the glimmering light beams create any nature photographers dream. The photo tour takes a maximum of 6 people and you have the place all to yourself. We bought our permit for Waterhole Canyon right before we went and put the permit on the dashboard of our car. 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