Guide and Review: Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon Tour – Page, AZ (USA)
Updated May 19, 2026
Originally Published May 18, 2026
If you’re planning a Southwest road trip, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend are probably already on your list. But here’s what most people don’t realize: You can’t visit Antelope Canyon on your own. Yes, you have to book a guided tour and not all tours are equal. This guide breaks down the best way to do both stops efficiently plus my honest review of my Viator tour.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something following a link on this page, I may get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is absolutely free for you/does not cost you anything extra! There’s no sponsored content nor do I run ads here so this helps so much in reducing the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active.Thanks! Rosemary
Why Consider a Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon Tour from Page?
You’ve seen the photos: those glowing red canyon walls. The surreal light beams. That perfectly curved river at Horseshoe Bend. And you’re wondering: Is it actually worth it… or just another overhyped Instagram spot?
I was in the middle of a weeks long road trip through the Southwest (USA) and decided to check out these two locations for myself since I was spending a night in Page, Arizona.
Since it was necessary to book a tour to visit Antelope Canyon, I decided to book one that also included Horseshoe Bend and used it as an opportunity to not have to think about logistics and drive myself around. Solo road trips are fun but also can be exhausting especially when I was visiting and hiking through multiple US national parks on this trip (especially since I don’t love driving and road trips lol). Another plus was that this tour was lead by a Navajo nation guide.
Page, Arizona: Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
Tour Details
- Location: Page, Arizona
- Overview: See two of Page’s top natural attractions in just a few hours as you’re led by an expert guide from the Navajo nation on this tour. You’ll be picked up at your accommodation and first driven to Antelope Canyon, one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the world, where you’ll experience a short hike and learn about the history and Native American stories around the formation. Then you’ll travel to Horseshoe Bend, for a beautiful overlook that’s picture-perfect before returning to your hotel.
- Details: 3 hours 35 minutes (or it’s a full-day from Phoenix/Sedona Arizona or Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Important Notes:
- Intimate group size – maximum of 14 guests!
- Due to the Navajo Nation’s rules, wedding, bridal, or engagement photo shoots are not currently permitted
- No GoPros or camcorders allowed / No tripods, monopods or selfie sticks / No bags or backpacks at Lower Antelope Canyon (includes purses, hydration bags and fanny packs)
- Not wheelchair accessible / No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
What’s Included
My Experience on Page, Arizona: Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
Pick-Up / Bus
The communication was great from Dinah Tours and I was picked up about 15 minutes before the tour started outside of my hotel in Page. The van was clean and comfortable and did have working A/C as advertised which was very welcome with the desert heat in August!
First Stop: Lower Antelope Canyon
This is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the world and once you’re inside, you get why.
- Wave-like sandstone formations
- Light beams (midday, seasonal)
- Constantly changing colors depending on sunlight
It was a very short drive of 10 or so minutes from Page to our first stop on the tour!
Lower Antelope Canyon is considered a moderate activity due to the more active nature of this tour including the need to navigate stairs. As seen here, there are a set of stairs that lead into the canyon.
There are 5 sets of stairs with 74 steps in total. The third flight of stairs is steeper than most stairs, however, there are sturdy handrails on both sides to help you down.
You will hike 1.1 miles from start to finish (1770.27 meters).
Our tour guide gave out lots of photo tips (even helping many people will change settings on their smartphones!) and information on the Slot Canyons. As well as cultural information of the Dineh (this is the traditional name the Navajo nation and its people use to refer to themselves)
Look up! Some of the best photos will be up above especially if the day is cloudy and there isn’t a lot of sunshine rays piercing through the canyon.
Once at the bottom you will hike at a gradual incline towards the exit along with small stairs into each chamber of the Canyon.
We spent about 1 hour 45 minutes here.
Big Lake Trading Post
Navajo Mountain (Pass By)
Standing at 10,348 feet, Navajo Mountain is the tallest mountain on the Navajo Nation.
After Lower Antelope Canyon, we stopped at a picnic area, and here we were able to use the restroom (the only chance you will have on the tour). Additional food and drinks may be purchased at this location.
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (Pass By)
Grand Staircase-Escalante is 2.3 million acres of Federal land in southern Utah.
Last Stop: Horseshoe Bend
Just 15 minutes away, this is one of the most dramatic river views in the U.S.
Viewpoint of the 1,000 ft drop over the Colorado River
The Horseshoe Bend is all flat smooth surfaced path. You will hike less than a half mile to the picturesque Overlook (1.5 miles/1770meters roundtrip).
You can get very close to the edge of the Horseshoe Bend! (Funny when I have a camera in front of me, it allows me to face my fear of heights head on like with this shot)
Beautiful tip: the sun in the Arizona desert can be very strong – take care to hydrate and re-apply sunscreen often!
Final Thoughts – A Stressfree Way to See Two Major Attractions*
What I LOVED: Zero planning stress: everything handled and seamless combo with Horseshoe Bend / Learned cultural + geological context from our amazing Dineh guide
What I Didn’t Love: Feels a bit rushed inside the canyon + was crowded (should have managed my expectation for what less crowded from Upper Antelope canyon would be) / Premium pricing vs DIY Horseshoe Bend
Honest Verdict: I did enjoy this activity overall and would highly recommend it to those who want all of the logistics of visiting Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend figured out for you.
One of the biggest factors when choosing a tour is the company and I cannot recommend Dinah Tours enough – my guide was incredible and really made this a top rated tour for me and everyone else in the group – many stated that this was the best tour that they have ever taken!
Other Tours To Consider:
For those that want to visit Horseshoe Bend on their own, remember that you must book a tour to visit Antelope canyon: there are almost 7,000 reviews for this highly rated (4.9*) Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour
If this had been available when I was in Page, I would have likely booked the Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Overlook tour
BEAUTIFUL TIP: Some of the tours offered are non-refundable – I personally chose those that have free cancellation for flexibility.
Weather & Best Time of Year for Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Visits
Desert climate with big temperature swings
- Mid-May – August (Peak Season): Expect crowds and hot weather (often 95–100°F+). In addition, with summer/school vacations = higher tour demand so book early!
- BEST: September – October: As families return to school, you will encounter less people plus typically will have great temperatures. Fall visits also all you to see the Canyon changing hues throughout the day
- November – February: Tours still operate but expect cool weather and least crowds
- BEST: March – May: Best mix of weather + light beams
⚠️ Flash Flood Warning
Antelope Canyon can close suddenly due to rain with tours canceling for safety. Monsoon season: July – September
FAQs for Page, Arizona: Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
- Is Antelope Canyon worth it? Yes but expect crowds and
- Can you visit Antelope Canyon without a tour? No. It’s on Navajo land and requires a licensed guide
- Which is better: Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Both are part of the same slot canyon but the access to the canyon varies dramatically between the two.
- Upper = easier to access + more pronounced light beams
- Lower = more adventurous + fewer people (very relative as it will still be crowded)
- What should I bring? Essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and water. Wear closed toe, sturdy shoes and layered clothing
- Can you visit Horseshoe Bend without a tour? Yes.
- How active is the Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour? It is considered a moderate tour for guests, you do need to be able to navigate stairs for the Lower Canyon
- Who should not consider the Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour? If you are unable to navigate stairs in your everyday life and/or have a fear of heights, you may want to consider the Upper Antelope Canyon tour as entering the canyon and the walk through is flat and there are no steep stair sections to navigate.
Tips for Page, Arizona: Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
- Book your tour early especially during peak seasons as tours fill up quickly.
- When to see light beams: The iconic lights beams filtering through most visible during spring to fall (mid-March through October) between 10 AM and 1:30 PM
- Limited Bathrooms/Facilities: There are no bathrooms at Antelope Canyon. There are basic, vault (non-flush) toilets at the Horseshoe Bend parking lot but not on the hike.
- There is a schedule stop during the Page, Arizona: Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour at the Big Lake Trading Post with available restrooms.
- Prohibited Items – Antelope Canyon: No bags or backpacks (includes purses, hydration bags and fanny packs) + No tripods, monopods or selfie sticks + no food or drinks (except one bottle of water – ensure that you do not leave behind
- Hydrate: The Arizona summer climate is very dry with strong sun – bring and drink more water than you think you need.
Want to Book This Tour Via GetYourGuide Instead?
Why You Would Choose to Book Via GetYourGuide
Want to save 5% on a GetYourGuide activity or excursion? Book via app with discount code: BEAUTLIFEWORLD5.
For more on the discount code specifically, read this and on GetYourGuide in general, read this
Related Southwestern USA Posts/Activities
Coming from Las Vegas, book this tour:
x`
New Mexico – Albuquerque
Watch the sun light up the Sandias, dip into the Rio Grande and float over ABQ in the balloon capital of the world – here’s what my hot air balloon ride was like!
- book activities via GetYourGuide(GYG) or Viator & day/spa/pool passes with ResortPass
- combine that with using a shopping portal to earn cashback or miles
- Stay connected/informed with T-Mobile or Airalo
- Read this for info on GYG and this for why I use Viator and this for more on ResortPass
- Details on using Rakuten for cashback and here’s for AA eShopping
- Here’s why I love T-Mobile & the deets on using Airalo
About Author
Rosemary is a travel hacker, points nerd, money maximizer, and female solo traveler who’s explored 70+ countries without a trust fund, sugar daddy, or sponsored content. Every mile, upgrade, and trip is completely self-funded using a mix of points, miles, and cash or earned with elite status.Through firsthand experience and plenty of trial and error, she teaches everyday travelers the art of travel hacking and how they too can travel for cheaper, better, and more often (and she provides receipts along with a mildly concerning amount of spreadsheets)
While Rosemary doesn’t take herself too seriously, she does take award travel, making her money work harder (and searching for the best ice cream) seriously – and shares it all here because she believes that seeing the world or living your most beautiful life shouldn’t be reserved for the rich, the retired, or content creators with brand deals.
