Lower Antelope Canyon
LOWER ANTELOPE CANYON
Near Page, AZ
Image by Mark Brodkin @ www.markbrodkin.com
Lower Antelope Canyon - the Antelope Canyons (both Upper and Lower) are a photographer’s playground. The surreal colors created by the reflective sunlight combined with the ever-changing sandstone waves can produce some of the most exquisite abstracts anywhere in the southwest—or even the world. I can say without hesitation, these canyons are some of the most incredible places I have ever visited.
The canyons are constantly changing (from flash floods) so the time of year and even the time of day can make the same location look completely different. What makes photographing the canyons so distinctive is that the camera often will see a totally different color spectrum than the human eye will. The unequal color temperatures (Kelvin, not Fahrenheit) inside the canyons render reds, purples, blues, and oranges that your eye simply does not see.
There are two separate Antelope Canyons just outside Page, AZ: The Upper and the Lower Canyons are just up the road and across the highway from each other. It is a bit confusing, as the Upper Canyon is south side of the highway and the Lower Canyon is on the north side of the highway. The Upper Canyon is wider and shorter and is home to some unbelievable photographic opportunities. The Lower Canyon is narrower, longer and possesses some of the greatest abstracts anywhere.
I am sad to report that as of this update (July 2018) Lower Antelope Canyons no longer offers photo tours and will not allow tripods in the canyons!!! This is a very sad decision for photographers as it makes it VERY difficult to compose and produce great images.
Image by Mark Brodkin and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The Lower Canyon is about ¼ mile from front to back and is below the ground about 30-40ft. To enter/exit, you have to walk down a series of steep metal stairs, which can be unnerving to some.
The canyon is very narrow in places and would be difficult to navigate for a large person. Finally, when the canyon is full of tourists and you are stuck in a narrow place, you can experience claustrophobia.
Warning: On Aug. 12, 1997, 11 people were killed in a flash flood at these Lower Antelope Canyons. The owners of the tour groups are very firm with restrictions on when they allow hikers in the canyons. NEVER, EVER take lightly a flash flood warning in these canyons.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
4,141 Ft. Elevation
Google Earth
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to the Lower Antelope Canyon parking lot.
From Page: Head east on AZ 98 for 2.2 miles and take a left on Indian Rte. 222 (just before the power plant). Drive ½ mile and turn left on a dirt road down to the parking lots.
Lower Antelope has two and only two tour groups that can guide you into the canyon (you cannot enter without being accompanied by a guide). The tour companies are Dixie Ellis Tours and Ken’s Tours. I have used both companies and each provides the same basic services and photography tours at roughly the same price. Both tour groups employ great folks that are friendly, helpful, and informative. Hours of operation in spring, summer, and fall are 8am – 4pm. Winter hours are 9am – 3pm.
Lower Antelope Canyon Tours - Dixie Ellis
(928) 640-1761
Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ
Ken's Tours
(928) 606-2168
Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ
Photography Tips
Photography inside a slot canyon is different than any other place you have ever been. The canyons are much darker than the outside and usually require a 2-10 second exposure or a very high ISO.
Stunning abstracts can be found in many places in the canyon - while walking through the canyon, always be looking up, down, and turn around to see what is behind you as indirect light is what produces the beautiful colors inside the canyon. Often times, the camera sees colors that your eye doesn’t. The masterpieces below (by Fatali and Peter Lik) are of the exact same rock formation! Fatali’s image is looking straight at the rock, while Peter Lik’s image was taken directly underneath the same rock (laying on the ground).
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 16 mm
Exposure – 4th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Jan 20th
Time – 11:45 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
For the Lower Canyon, in the winter months, I prefer the early morning for the front of the canyon and mid day to afternoon for the middle and back of the canyon. This is mainly because of the direction of the sun in relation to the north/south direction of the canyon. This is almost reverse in the summer months.
Best Time of Year
I don’t really care for large crowds, so I much prefer late fall, winter, and early spring to avoid the avalanche of tourists and photographers. The Lower Canyon is very narrow in many places and during peak tourist season can be very frustrating and unproductive.
Lens(es) Needed
Most shots in the canyons are with ultra wide to standard lenses. My recommendation is to carry only 1 zoom lens (16-35 or 24-70) so you are not tempted to change lenses while in the canyon. The micro sandstone dust in the canyons is very destructive to photography equipment. If you must change lenses, do so outside the canyon.
Birds-Eye View From Google Earth Pro
Permits
You can only access Lower Antelope Canyon through a guide tour with either Dixie’s or Ken’s tours.
Direction of the Shot
The whole time you are in the canyon you will out of the sun.
Equipment Needed
I am sad to report that as of this update (July 2018) Lower Antelope Canyons no longer offers photo tours and will not allow tripods in the canyons!!! This is a very sad decision for photographers as it makes it VERY difficult to compose and produce great images.
Make sure you bring something (bag and rag) to protect you camera/lens from the very fine sand that is always present in the canyons. I would suggest not changing your lens once in the canyon as the sand/dust will make its way onto your camera censor.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Depending on the time of day and the time of year, the number of tourists/photographers can range from a madhouse to a complete circus.
Weather
Page, AZ is an arid climate at over 4,000ft. above sea level. The temperatures range from 95° in the summer to below freezing in the winter. The slot canyons are below ground and can be 10°-15° below the temperature outside. Make sure you bring the appropriate gear.
Cell Service
I use Verizon, and there is NO cell service in the slot canyons. There is cell service once you get back to the parking lot.
Overnight Camping Options
Page, AZ, is nice town with plenty of lodging and places to eat. The only campground/RV park in Page is the Page Lake Powell Campground. It is a very nice facility with good Wifi, laundry, and showers.
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Page Lake Powell Campground - Page, AZ
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Hampton Inn & Suites
(928) 645-0075
294 Sandhill Road, Page, AZ
Holiday Inn Express
(928) 645-9900
643 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ
Courtyard
(928) 645-5000
600 Clubhouse Dr, Page, AZ
Nearby Restaurants
I really enjoy the town of Page, AZ. It is a nice place with friendly people along with some good restaurants and watering holes. A nice place to relax after a long day in the canyons is the Dam Bar & Grille. The Dam Bar & Grille has a good menu, cold brew, and a fun sports bar.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
Dam Bar & Grille
(928) 645-2161
644 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ
Into the Grand
(928) 660-8593
148 6th Ave, Page, AZ
Area Guides and Workshops
None