So we finally did it! We hiked down into Antelope Canyon. This has been way high on the Bucket List for some time now. If this isn’t on yours, add it immediately!

There are a few things you should know however before you go.

YOU CANNOT HIKE THE CANYON WITHOUT A GUIDE! It is located on Navajo land, and they won’t allow access without one of the local tour companies that are located both at the canyon sites and in the town of Page. We did the lower canyon, the main tour companies for lower are, Dixie Ellis and Ken’s. You can book in advance (recommended) or try your luck and buy tickets on site. We used Dixie Ellis, and our tour guide was awesome!

Now, lighting and time of day are going to play a big role in the colors you’ll see down inside the canyon. 10:30am is usually prime time ( for those famous sun beam shots) and is usually booked, but nonetheless, it is truly amazing any time of day.

If you’re going anytime from May through Summer, it’s HOT. I mean it’s Arizona, it’s the desert. So this is what to expect…

Once you get to the site and check in, be prepared for lots, I can’t stress enough, LOTS of tour bus people. You’ll watch a ancient Navajo ceremonial dance, and then you’ll line up. Hopefully you won’t get stuck behind one of the large tour groups, because this can mean a 30-45 minute wait in the Arizona heat, waiting for everyone to slowly descend the stairs (some steep) into the canyon. There is also about a 150 yard walk in the sun and sand to get to the stairs themselves. Bring a bottle of water, oh and backpacks of any kind are not allowed, so forget that Camelpack.

Once you descend into the canyon, man oh man, breathtaking! So worth braving that unfortunate bathroom facilities experience!

I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. Bucket. List. Frigging. Check.

antelopelowercanyon.com