Upper Antelope Canyon

Among Arizona's hidden gems, Upper Antelope Canyon—also known as Tsé bighánílíní ("the place where water flows through the rocks")—is a natural marvel that captivates the imagination. More accessible and often bathed in the famous shafts of light filtering through its narrow openings, this slot canyon offers an unparalleled visual experience. Its smooth, undulating walls, sculpted by millennia of water and wind, glow in warm hues ranging from deep orange to violet, creating a living canvas that evolves with the sun. A visit to Upper Antelope Canyon is a magical immersion into a world where the rock dances with light, leaving an unforgettable impression.

Location

Upper Antelope Canyon is located just a few miles east of Page, Arizona, on Navajo Nation land.

GPS Coordinates : 36.861892,-111.374326

Visiting conditions

Access to Upper Antelope Canyon is strictly regulated and only possible through guided tours led by certified Navajo guides. These local experts not only ensure your safety, but also share valuable insights on the canyon's fascinating geology and Navajo culture, guiding you to the best spots for capturing its light shows. 

The tour is paid, and the cost includes the permit to enter Navajo territory. It is strongly recommended to book your tickets online well in advance, especially during the high season (spring, summer, fall). Availability is limited and demand is very high for this natural wonder. 

The full experience lasts about 90 minutes on average. The time spent inside the canyon itself is around one hour, giving you plenty of time to soak in its beauty. 

Unlike Lower Antelope Canyon, which is directly accessible on foot from the site's entrance, visiting Upper Antelope Canyon requires a 5‑mile ATV ride on a dirt track to reach the canyon entrance. No worries—the transfer is included in the tour. Just hop onto the operator's 4x4 and your guide will take care of the rest.

The walk inside Upper Antelope Canyon covers roughly 300 meters. The footing is sandy and relatively level, making it easier and more accessible to more visitors. 

Discovering Upper Antelope Canyon

Entering Upper Antelope Canyon is like stepping into a cathedral of light, a masterpiece sculpted by time. From the first steps, you're immediately captivated by the famous light beams piercing through the canyon's narrow ceiling openings, creating almost mystical shafts dancing on the sand. These beams—the canyon's emblematic symbols—turn the space into a theatrical stage where every grain of dust sparkles. 

The canyon walls form a vibrant, ever-changing palette of colors. Navajo sandstone, polished by millennia of water and wind, displays shades ranging from copper-orange to deep red, with peach, pink, and even violet hues. These colors intensify and shift with the sun's movement, offering a dynamic, unforgettable visual spectacle. You feel enveloped by a living work of art.

What makes Upper Antelope Canyon so exceptional is that direct, spectacular light. Unlike its neighbor, this is where you come to marvel at those unique light plays. The beams—especially striking at midday—create stunning contrasts and highlight the rock's fluid curves and rippled textures. Every corner reveals new perspectives, each change in sun angle redefining the canyon's beauty, leaving a lasting sense of magic.

Deep within Upper Antelope Canyon, the atmosphere is infused with majestic serenity. The renowned light beams streaming through the narrow canyon openings create ethereal columns that dance across the walls and transform the space into a natural cathedral. These plays of shadow and light unveil an incredibly rich palette—from golden sand to deep reds and fiery oranges—that continually shift with the sun's position. The respectful silence of visitors, sometimes broken only by a whisper of admiration, amplifies the feeling of being inside a divine artwork, where time seems to stand still.

Visiting Upper Antelope Canyon offers total immersion in a world of pure artistic beauty. It's a unique opportunity to connect with nature's quiet power, to feel the canyon's enveloping coolness, and to marvel at the flawless shapes sculpted by wind and water. Every step in this enchanted corridor is an invitation to contemplation, an experience that delights the eyes and nourishes the spirit, leaving an indelible mark of grandeur and wonder.