OT: Antelope Canyon, AZ advice please (gotta get my mind off football)

[rohrmd9]

Heading to Az in mid-April and was going to go to Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ. I've been reading about it on the web but much of the info seems old.

So, for anyone who has been there recently...

From everything I read it sounds like I can just drive to the parking lot and pay the Navajo "fee" plus a "guide" fee to tour the Upper Canyon (or I could take a tour from Page).

For the lower canyon I can just drive to the parking lot and should be able to use my already paid "fee" for that too. And from what I understand I don't need to pay for a guide for the lower?

Again, this info may be severely outdated...have no idea.

Also, would you recommend reservations? I don't think I would need them for the Lower canyon but what about the Upper canyon?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Fayette_LION]

Heading to Az in mid-April and was going to go to Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ. I've been reading about it on the web but much of the info seems old.

So, for anyone who has been there recently...

From everything I read it sounds like I can just drive to the parking lot and pay the Navajo "fee" plus a "guide" fee to tour the Upper Canyon (or I could take a tour from Page).

For the lower canyon I can just drive to the parking lot and should be able to use my already paid "fee" for that too. And from what I understand I don't need to pay for a guide for the lower?

Again, this info may be severely outdated...have no idea.

Also, would you recommend reservations? I don't think I would need them for the Lower canyon but what about the Upper canyon?

Thanks in advance.

It's been a couple of years ago. We had a guided trip out of Page. It was very good but it appeared to me you could do it all yourself. The slotted canyon is just a short walk from the parking area and you really have no choice of where to go. It is a "slotted canyon" so it's narrow. Biggest issue I saw was you really need to be aware of the weather for 50+ miles around. It is a dry gulch that quickly fills with water it it is raining off in the distance. Guides talked about people getting caught and drowning because there is only one way in and one way out. Do a Google earth map and use satellite view, you can see the vehicles parked near the entrance and follow the sandy trail back to the parking lot. I would guess you could drive to here and get on one of their vehicles to travel to the canyon. Could probably pay there, it's run by the Navaho people.

 

[California_Lion]

We went to Lower Antelope Canyon. You are not allowed to go by yourself. You need to hire a guide. We just picked the guide with the highest ratings on Yelp, and yes, it helps to make a reservation as it was fairly crowded during the week of Thanksgiving.

If you have an iPhone, your guide will show you amazing features on the iPhone that allow you to take beautiful photos in the Canyon. (Our guide also showed us a few other tricks on the iPhone too!)

While there, you need to visit Horseshoe Bend as well as Lake Powell. It's just a short drive from Antelope Canyon.

Also, depending on how much time you have, I recommend the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Monument Valley too!

FWIW...I still can't get my mind off the game. It's going to hurt for a while. Can't wait for September to arrive though...Good luck on your vacation plans!

 

[PSUinCAfan]

Between Flagstaff in the north and Phoenix to the south if you can get down to Sedona, AZ it is a great trip.
Take the old road in from the north, a beautiful drive. Stay in Sedona, great hikes around the red rocks and canyons. I took a jeep tour up to old cliff dwellings!
If you are not aware, Sedona is the vortex mecca for those who like the kind of thing, but absolutely gorgeous.
My wife and I drove up from Phoenix in April, stayed at L'Auberge de Sedona which is on The Old Creek, just beautiful. Yes, you can swim in creek or in the pool. They have cabins or we stayed in the old lodge, less expensive if it is for two.
http://visitsedona.com/

If you drive up from Phoenix take note of the huge Saguaro Cactus fields just outside of Phoenix. Only Place on earth will you see this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro

 

[Hotshoe]

Between Flagstaff in the north and Phoenix to the south if you can get down to Sedona, AZ it is a great trip.
Take the old road in from the north, a beautiful drive. Stay in Sedona, great hikes around the red rocks and canyons. I took a jeep tour up to old cliff dwellings!
If you are not aware, Sedona is the vortex mecca for those who like the kind of thing, but absolutely gorgeous.
My wife and I drove up from Phoenix in April, stayed at L'Auberge de Sedona which is on The Old Creek, just beautiful. Yes, you can swim in creek or in the pool. They have cabins or we stayed in the old lodge, less expensive if it is for two.
http://visitsedona.com/

If you drive up from Phoenix take note of the huge Saguaro Cactus fields just outside of Phoenix. Only Place on earth will you see this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saguaro

That road is 89A, which runs from Flagstaff to Prescott. It takes you through Oak Creek Canyon into Sedona. You also picked the best spot in Sedona to stay and eat. The brunch alone is worth the trip.