Most visitors don’t realize Antelope Canyon isn’t a single trail but a whole network of walks, from easy overlooks to remote slot canyons that demand planning. You’ll find family-friendly paths like Horseshoe Bend and short lakeside strolls, but also permit-only deserts and long, backcountry routes that test your navigation and stamina. Keep going to learn which hikes match your skill level and when to go for the best light.
Horseshoe Bend Trail — Sunset Views and Easy Access
If you time it right—early morning or at sunset—the easy 1.5-mile out-and-back to Horseshoe Bend rewards you with sweeping, golden-lit views of the Colorado River’s dramatic horseshoe curve. You’ll find the hike approachable—stroller and wheelchair accessible—so you can bring family or less-mobile companions and still enjoy stunning views. Aim for golden hour for those sunset views and richer colors; crowds can thicken mid-day, so plan off-peak if you want solitude. A short walk from the lot leads to a broad overlook where you’ll watch light crawl over red sandstone. Note there’s a parking fee at the trailhead, and you should carry water, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the scene.
The Wave Trail — Permit-Required Desert Adventure
You’ll need to win a permit lottery and plan your trip well in advance to step onto The Wave’s rippled sandstone. Bring offline maps, a compass, and confidence with route-finding, since the trail is poorly marked and cell service is nonexistent. Prepare for heat, carry plenty of water, and choose early morning or late afternoon light for the best photos and fewer people.
Permit Application Process
Because access to The Wave is tightly controlled, you’ll need a permit obtained through the BLM’s lottery system before you go, with only 20 permits issued daily to protect the fragile landscape. The permit application process is simple but strict: apply via the advance lottery (up to four months ahead) or try the daily lottery conducted the day before. You’ll submit your name, chosen date, and group size online or at the Kanab BLM office, and pay a non-refundable fee of $7 per application. Expect competition; the trail is a strenuous trail and demands preparation.
- Enter accurate names and group size.
- Choose backup dates for flexibility.
- Pay the non-refundable fee promptly.
- Keep confirmation with you as your hiking permit.
Trail Navigation Tips
When you set out for The Wave, plan your route like navigation is part of the hike—cell service disappears fast and the landscape offers few obvious markers—so download reliable offline maps, carry a compass or GPS device, and know how to use them. You’ll need a permit, so secure it months ahead; limited availability makes spontaneity rare. The rough road to the trailhead favors high-clearance vehicles or shuttle arrangements. Treat the desert like a silent tour guide: read contours, note sun angles, and cross-check your position often. Even if you’ve taken Antelope Canyon Tours or a tour guide on Navajo land before, this hike is different—slot canyons and slickrock erase paths. Stay observant, adjust pace, and trust your navigation tools.
Safety and Preparation
If you’re planning the Wave, treat safety and preparation as part of the permit process itself: secure your lottery entry well in advance, then outfit yourself for a remote desert route—high-clearance vehicle or shuttle, plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy footwear, and reliable offline maps or GPS. You’ll want to respect the landscape and daylight: aim for the best sunlight to enter the sculpted bowls, and don’t push past your limits. Safety precautions aren’t optional here.
- Pack plenty of water, electrolyte tabs, and a compact stove or snacks.
- Bring appropriate hiking gear: sun hat, sunscreen, layers, and sturdy boots.
- Download offline maps and test your GPS route before you go.
- Be honest about your good physical condition; the route gets strenuous.
Reflection Canyon — Long Hike With Epic Vistas
You’ll tackle roughly a 7-mile round trip that tests endurance and route-finding, so plan for challenging terrain and leave kids or novice hikers at home. As you climb and contour the rim, the canyon’s mirrored pool and layered sandstone open into sweeping viewpoints that reward every strenuous step. Bring plenty of water, offline maps, and time your approach for sunrise or sunset to capture the most dramatic light.
Trail Length & Difficulty
Twelve miles round trip, rugged footing, and panoramic views that reward every hard-earned mile—Reflection Canyon is a hike for confident, prepared trekkers. The trail length and difficulty mean you’ll want to be an experienced hiker in good physical condition; this isn’t for beginners or kids. Expect long stretches without services, little to no cell signal, and varied terrain that tests balance and stamina.
- Bring ample water and food; resupply isn’t an option.
- Download offline maps; navigation helps on remote stretches.
- Wear sturdy boots for uneven, sometimes slick rock.
- Plan extra time for slow sections and route-finding.
You’ll trade ease for stunning views, so respect the route and your limits.
Vistas & Viewpoints
After a long day on rugged footing, the reward is a string of jaw-dropping overlooks that reveal Reflection Canyon’s sculpted buttes, rippling sandstone walls, and mirror-like pools catching the sky. You’ll plan this hike knowing it’s roughly 12 miles round trip and demands solid physical fitness; it’s not for kids or beginners. Along the route, each scenic overlooks offers different views — some peer straight down into the water-filled basins, others frame sweeping canyon walls and distant plateaus. Without cell service, you rely on offline maps and your own judgment to pick the safest vantage points. Bring ample water and snacks, move deliberately on slick or loose rock, and pause often: the vistas are the reason you came.
Lower Antelope Canyon — Slot Canyon Photography Hotspot
Although it’s shorter than its upper counterpart, Lower Antelope Canyon—nicknamed “Corkscrew”—packs intense V-shaped chambers and shafts of light into a 1,335-foot walk that photographers and adventurers alike will appreciate. You’ll follow a ¼-mile approach, then descend five staircases and navigate about 130 steps on a moderate difficulty hike through twisting sandstone. Tours run 45–65 minutes; book with tour companies like Ken’s Tours or Dixie’s Tours and expect an $8 Navajo Nation permit fee. You won’t find tripod-only sessions here, so you’ll shoot handheld, chasing light beams and color contrasts.
- Bring a fast lens and steady hand
- Reserve in advance—spaces fill quickly
- Watch changing shadows at midday
- Wear grippy shoes for stairs and sand
Canyon X — Quieter Slot Canyon Alternative
If Lower Antelope Canyon‘s winding chambers felt busy, Canyon X offers a quieter counterpart where you can linger over light and texture. You’ll follow Taadidiin Tours up 98 wooden steps, then move between North and South Canyons on a short hike that feels more intimate than the popular routes. The sandstone walls soar about 125 feet, curving into compositions that change by the minute. The guided tour lasts roughly 90 minutes and limits crowds to 800 daily, so you’ll have breathing room to study lines and shadows. As a photography enthusiast, you’ll appreciate tips from guides and fewer tripods in your frame. Choose this slot canyon alternative when you want reflection, not rush.
Secret Antelope Canyon — Off-the-Beaten-Path Beauty
When you step into Secret Antelope Canyon, the sandstone narrows and light slips in like a private show, offering the same sculpted walls and warm hues as Upper and Lower but with far fewer people around; the floor stays flat and sandy, so you won’t be climbing ladders or negotiating steep drops, and the roughly three-hour guided outing (which includes a short ¼-mile walk to Horseshoe Bend) gives you time to study textures, frames, and shifting light without feeling rushed. You move slowly, noticing the unique Navajo Sandstone curves and grain. A Navajo guide points out stories in the stone, and the quieter mood lets you savor intimate exploration. Remember to book tours in advance.
- fewer crowds enhance photos
- flat terrain, easy pace
- cultural insights from a Navajo guide
- 3-hour route with Horseshoe Bend walk
Broken Bow Arch via Willow Gulch — Remote Arch Reward
Because the route plunges through tangled willows and sun-baked scrub, you’ll earn every step of the Broken Bow Arch reward: a remote, dramatic stone span revealed after a strenuous, route-finding slog. You’ll battle dense flora, rough footing, and relentless sun; this Antelope Canyon-adjacent hike demands experience, water, and sun protection. Check weather—flash floods reshape gullies—and study maps before you go. The arch arrives as sudden natural beauty after long, sweaty persistence, a silent monument framed by eroded strata. Expect poor trail markings and challenging conditions; navigation becomes part of the journey. Take photos, but respect the fragile environment. If you’re prepared, the solitude and payoff make this remote hiking route unforgettable.
| Difficulty | Tip |
|---|---|
| Strenuous | Bring extra water |
| Remote | Check weather |
Page Rim Trail — Scenic Loop Around Page
While you can tackle it in a single push, the Page Rim Trail invites a more leisurely approach—this nearly 10-mile loop circles Page and gives walkers, runners, and cyclists easy access to desert overlooks and lakeside views. You’ll pick routes from trailheads like North Lake Powell Boulevard or the Page Library, breaking the scenic loop into manageable segments. The northern stretch near Potato Hill rewards you with scalloped sandstone and dramatic geological formations that beg for a photo. Wildlife appears quietly—a raven, lizard, or mule deer—adding life to your hiking experience. Whether you want a short out-and-back or the full circuit, the trail suits casual trekkers and serious outdoor enthusiasts.
- Multiple access points for flexible starts
- Lake Powell overlooks at Potato Hill
- Clear signage and varied terrain
- Great for photos and sharing your route
Hanging Garden and Waterhole Canyon Trails — Short Lakeside Walks
After circling the high desert and lakeshores on the Page Rim Trail, you can slow the pace with two gentle lakeside walks that show a softer side of this landscape: the Hanging Garden and Waterhole Canyon Trails. You’ll find the 1.2-mile Hanging Garden Trail is accessible year-round, a picturesque option with lush vegetation and wildflowers that draws nature enthusiasts and photographers. The 2.8-mile Waterhole Canyon Trail shines April through December, follows a river, welcomes leashed dogs, and opens water-based opportunities. Both deliver scenic views and suit all skill levels, perfect for leisurely walks that balance solitude and easy exploration.
| Trail | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Hanging Garden Trail | Year-round, wildflowers |
| Waterhole Canyon Trail | River, seasonal best |
| Both | Scenic views, leisurely walks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Part of Antelope Canyon Is Best?
Upper Canyon’s light beams make it best for dramatic photos, but Lower Canyon’s longer V-shaped trek offers varied Scenic Views; you’ll want Guided Tours, follow Safety Precautions, and use Photography Tips to capture both uniquely.
Is the Horseshoe Bend an Easy Hike?
Yes — Horseshoe Bend is an easy hike. You’ll enjoy scenic views along a flat trail; hiking difficulty is low, family friendly, great for photography tips like golden hour shots, and best times are sunrise or sunset for dramatic light.
Where to Hike in Antelope Canyon?
Sunlit serenity: you should explore Upper, Lower, Antelope Canyon X, or Secret Canyon via guided tours. Antelope Canyon access needs permits; follow safety precautions, pack essential gear, learn photography tips, and choose the best time wisely.
What Is the Best Tour of Antelope Canyon?
The best tour of Antelope Canyon is a mid‑day Antelope Canyon tours slot with a skilled Navajo guide; you’ll choose Best guided tours for Photography opportunities, consider Tour duration, smaller Group size, and Seasonal considerations for light beams and crowds.
Conclusion
You’ll find hikes here that suit lazy strollers and hard-core trekkers alike, and you’ll want to plan around light — sunrise and sunset transform sandstone into liquid color. Nearly 2 million visitors come to Page each year, so pick quieter trails like Canyon X or Secret Antelope Canyon if you crave solitude. Bring water, permits where needed, and a camera; every turn rewards you with sharp light, deep shadow, and a landscape that insists you keep looking.
