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Exploring Antelope Canyon

March 18, 2016 By Bethany Hester 3 Comments

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is one of the most surreal places I’ve explored. The Navajo sandstone slot canyon was formed over years of flash floods, wind and weather leaving behind the softly flowing curves in the stone canyon. The result is a photogenic wonder, ever-changing as the sun passes over head. The surreal shapes and colors make Antelope Canyon a bucket list destination.

The curved walls of Antelope Canyon can be dizzying

I visited Antelope Canyon as part of a solo road trip. It’s located just outside Page, Arizona on a Navajo Tribal Park.

The only way to gain access to the canyons is through guided tour. I used Ken’s Tours (www.lowerantelope.com, $28) and had a wonderful experience on the hour and a half tour. My guide was incredibly knowledgeable and even played a Navajo flute at one point with the canyon walls echoing it’s sound.

Light, shapes and colors of Antelope Canyon

There are actually two separate canyons: Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is more easily accessible and is best seen around noon to see the streaming light coming through the canyon.  Lower Antelope Canyon is best early in the morning and is accessed through a series on narrow metal stairs that go down into the canyon.

A brilliant arch in Antelope Canyon

Once you reach the sand ground, you find yourself surrounded by smooth curves and passageways of red rock ever changing by the light streaming in through above.

The author in Antelope Canyon

Climbing out of Antelope Canyon

While Antelope Canyon isn’t really much of a hike, it’s a beautiful place to visit and should definitely be on your bucket list.

Have you been to Antelope Canyon? What are your bucket list destinations? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Photos Tagged With: Antelope Canyon, Arizona, out of bounds

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Bethany H

About Bethany Hester

Wide eyed and full of laughter, maker and decorator, in love with nature and filling her world map with little red pins. Follow her on Instagram @wildwithleaves

Comments

  1. Brendan Mathews says

    March 19, 2016 at 10:28 am

    That is a beautiful location and a great place for photography.

    Reply
  2. Doug Busack says

    April 18, 2016 at 12:05 am

    Great photos!

    Reply
  3. WahooHiker says

    May 29, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    Gorgeous photos !
    I plan to visit Upper Antelope Canyon with a friend of mine on a photography tour in June.
    We booked our spot for the tour.
    Now, I am wondering if we need any photography permit to be allowed to post our photographs on facebook, Instagram and on my blog. We will not sell them.
    Thanks for your help!

    Reply

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