Guide to Visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one Day

Are you planning to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon? And hav only one day in Page? I have got you covered. In this post I’m sharing travel guide to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon along with important travel tips. And the best part, its easily doable from Page,AZ in one day.

During our roadtrip through Los Angeles to Grand Canyon National Park, we added Arizona to our Itinerary. Most people who are visiting South Rim of Grand Canyon, visits Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon, thanks to the proximity of these places. I highly recommend you doing the same and add Page,AZ to your bucket list.

And if you’re visiting Page, you can visit the these beautiful spots, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon in one day! And from Page,AZ you can continue your journey to Grand Canyon National Park. So if you have just one day in Page, I suggest this Itinerary to Visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. I’ll also add more places which I visited in Page during my trip.

So, let’s dive more into the travel guide, which will cover best things to do in Page, where to eat and what are the best photography spots in Page, Arizona. I hope after reading this post, you can plan your trip better!

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon In One Day

Yes, it is possible to see both the Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day! Both of the places are very close to each other and its perfect to explore in one day from Page,Arizona. You can visit Lower Antelope Canyon in morning, lake Powell or Glen Recreational area in afternoon, and Horseshoe Bend at Sunset.

One day is more than enough time to visit both the Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in my opinion. So, here I am sharing exactly what I did during my trip. You’ll roughly need 4-5 hours to visit both along with transfers.

How To Get To Horseshoe Bend And Antelope Canyon

The nearest city/airport to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon is Page Local Municipal airport(PGA). but its mostly served by regional airlines like Contour Aviation, Papillon Airways, and Scenic Airlines. So, flying into Page can be very expensive!

So, there is NO Quick way to get into Page,AZ. But good news is, if you’re traveling around West Coast, and combining to visit Grand Canyon National Park or other UTAH Parks, you can choose to fly into Las Vegas, Los Angeles or Salt Lake City for better flight options and rental car. Most of these airports are about four and a half hours from Page,AZ.

Best Months To Visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is during the Spring and Fall Season Months from late March to Early October when the weather is pleasant and the lighting conditions are ideal for photography. It is considered Peak Tourist season, so expect larger crowds.

For quieter experience, consider visiting during the off-season from November through February. We visited in December and it was perfect!

Is it better to go to Antelope Canyon in the morning or afternoon?

If you want to see the famous light beam, you’ll need to visit during the months of March to October, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. But to bit the crowds, best time to view the Antelope Canyon will be in the morning from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM or the later afternoon, after 2:00 PM.

Best Places to See in Page in One Day : Itinerary

This is what I recommend to spend one full day in Page, Arizona. And I’m including all the places I visited during my trip including Lake Powell Area, Glen Recreational Area and so on. You can easily spend 2-3 days in Page to explore the surrounding places.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Visiting Antelope Canyon was my favorite from my trip to Page, Arizona, and really it’s an unforgettable place in your lifetime.Growing up, I had seen many pictures of it on my desktop wallpaper. This was my chance to see this breathtaking “Natural Wonder” as an adult.

The experience of walking through the orange canyon was so beautiful. The sandstone formations with spiral rock aches and vibrant colors, illuminated by sunbeams is something I’ll never forget.

I was in awe of the rock formations that have been shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion. It’s a perfect destination for photographers and nature lovers. I highly recommend putting Antelope Canyon on your travel itinerary if you haven’t been there already.

So, now you’ve got an idea why Antelope Canyon is must visit for you! Now let me give you some practical informations about different canyons. You might be wondering what are the different canyons and what is the difference in between them? It’s definately confusing if you’re planning your first trip here.

There are two parts to Antelope Canyon: lower and upper. Combined they are over a mile and a half long. Both the canyons are located on the Navajo Nation. I visited Lower Antelope Canyon during my trip.

But First things you should keep in mind is that, you can visit Antelope Canyons via a guided tour only, no self guided tours available or you can’t access it by yourself. To visit Lower and Upper Antelope Canyon you need to book a tour with one of the approved tour companies which belong to Navajo Tribe.

There are total five companies for the upper canyon and two for the lower. It is possible to tour both the canyons on the same day, but that requires reservations with two different companies!

I highly recommend booking your tour online, beforehand, with one of those companies – Ken’s Tour Lower Antelope Canyon or Dixie Ellies Lower Angelope Canyon Tours so you can avoid the line.

I personally booked a tour with Ken’s Tour for the Lower Canyon over the Upper Canyon to save some money, also their reviews are good. Our Guide was very knowledgable and it was overall fun.He even clicked so many photographs for us! They surely knows better Photography angles!

Upper Antelope Canyon is shaped like an ‘A’ and has more room to walk. This is most popular Photography Spot with sunbeams in the canyon. So if you are coming to get the best possible photos, be sure to book the upper canyon tour. But the tours are more popular and it gets more busier, especially on a weekends and holidays. 

• $100+ depending where you book
• Book here or through Viator.

Lower Antelope Canyon is shaped like a ‘V’ having a larger opening on top so there’s more light coming in. It’s also below ground level so you’ll need to walk down some steps to access it plus about one mile, so I enjoyed walking through the canyon for almost an hour.

I booked my tour with Ken’s Tours, and I highly recommend them. But make sure to book early because they sell out often!

• $73+ (including taxes and fees)
• Tickets also available on Viator.

Photography/ Additional Travel Tips for Antelope Canyon

• You’re not allowed to bring any bags or backpacks, Umbrella, Hiking sticks, Selfie sticks or Gopros on the tour.
• Water bottles and cameras are allowed. But No tripods or monopods are allowed.
• I personally loved all the photo tips and help given by our tour guide. They know all the angles and hacks to capturing the perfect photos in the Canyon.
• If you want to Photograph that sunbeam, plan to visit Antelope Canyon during the best light, from March through October between 11 AM to 1:00 PM. Choose your tour time accordingly. You can book guided photography tours for the same.
• There are bathrooms available with dry toilets on site.

Most Important TIP: Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona and follows Arizona Timezone! But Utah State line is just 7 miles from away from it, so your Mobile Phone will randomly jump between two timezones. So, make sure you just remember Phoenix Timezone, and manually set your cell phone to AZ timezone. Don’t get confused, else you can miss your tour!

Lunch in Page, Arizona

After the Tour, just head into the city to grab your Lunch. There are many Italian and Mexican Restaurants in the Page. You can grab quick Mexican meal at Fiesta Mexicana or El Tapatio. Both are having amazing decore and vibes. The food is absolutely delicious here.

Wahweap Overlook

After the lunch, you can see nearby attractions in Page. There are so many things to do in surrounding areas. A short drive from the city will lead you to Wahweap Overlook. This high point offers a 360- degree views of “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area”. You’ll be in awe of the landscape here with the fusion of colors.

Glen Canyon Dam overlook

When you’re in Page, you can’t miss Glen Canyon Dam. From here, you’ll get the stunning views of Colorado River and Glen Canyon Dam itself. It is awesome to see both from the above. A scenic trail with stairs leads you to a viewing area. You can easily spend hours here just climbing the rocks and exploring different views.

Horseshoe Bend at Sunset

An absolute must-visit place.Horseshoe Bend is the most popular place in Page, Arizona and definitely worth your visit. This is one of that natural wonders that actually looks like all the stunning photos you’ve seen, but better, in person too.

Horseshoe Bend is a deep red-brown canyon carved out by the Colorado River over millions of years in the shape of a horseshoe. The steep and colorful sandstone walls contrast with the green/blue waters of the river. In the middle is a incised meander rock formation. Over the past few years this has become a popular spot for photography lovers, thanks to social media!

But It is totally worth the hype! When I saw this place for the first time, I was totally blown away. I can’t even explain the feelings I had the moment I saw the peak of Horseshoe Bend slowly appear as I stepped closer the edge!

As you stand at the overlook, you’ll be treatedb with breathtaking panoramic views of the colorado river winding its way through the red-hued sandstone canyon!

It was definitely freaky being able to walk right up to the edge of the cliff with no obstructions or railings but at the same time it will be something I’ll remember forever. It’s aboslutely very peaceful and calm experience.

Travel Tips to Visit Horseshoe Bend

• There’s a $10 fee per car (check their website before you go).
• It’s a short hike from the parking to the bend, around 10-15 minutes one way.(1.5 miles RT)
• The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend is sunrise or sunset. If you’re planning to visit at these times, make sure to arrive very early since the parking lot can fill up and get crowded.
• The lighting on the canyon can be tricky since it is so low and causes harsh shadows, so keep that in mind if you plan on taking photos. The sunrise is not particularly dramatic but what makes this all worthwhile is the gradually changing light that slowly illuminates the bend. Sunset is more ideal time to capture its beauty.
• Keep in mind that there is little to no shade along the Horseshoe Bend trail, so be sure to bring plenty of water, wear good sturdy footwear and wear sunscreen. The temperatures in summer can go up till 100°F, so avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day.
• Don’t go to the edges of the cliff if you’re afraid of heights. There are railings available at different locations for the viewing.

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, Book this Guided Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon with Horseshoe Bend Tour from Page that also stops at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook before visiting the canyon.

Other Nearby Attractions

• Toadstools Trail–This 1.5 mile out and back hike ends at rock formations that look like mushrooms. This is an easy trail perfect for all ages and is pet friendly. From Page, you can reach the Trailhead in just 30-minutes.
• Lee’s Ferry : Just below Navajo Bridge is Lee’s Ferry, the spot where pioneers, miners, Indians, and tourists crossed the Colorado River from 1872 until 1928. It’s perfect spot to dip your toes in the colorado river.
• Alstrom Point: If you want to visit Lake Powell, and want to see the Postcard perfect views of Utah, head to Alstrom point for full day adventure. You’ll need to drive 4*4 on dirt road till Alstrom Point trail, and then small hike will lead you to this viewpoint. But it’s worth the effort for the views.

Hotels Near Horseshoe Bend And Antelope Canyon

We stayed at Sleep Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell. It was decent and close to all the actions in the city and restaurants and short drive from Glen Canyon Dam. It also includes a hot breakfast each morning. You can check other Hotel options here.

FAQs about Visiting Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Can you do a Horseshoe Bend without a tour?

Yes, absolutely. You don’t need any tour to visit Horseshoe Bend. you can just simply visit at your convenience during normal operating hours, which are sunrise to sunset.

Can You See Antelope Canyon Without Tour?

No, You can’t visit Antelope Canyon without tour. The Antelope Canyon is protected by the Navajo Parks and Recreation and only authorized tour companies are allowed to take visitors to the canyon. Safety and preventing vandalism are the main reasons, you’ll need a guided tour.

How much time do you need in Antelope Canyon?

Antelope Canyon can be visited via prebooked tours only! most of the tours are mostly one to two hours long. So, you can see the stunning rock formations of Antelope Canyon in two hours along with photography times.

Is Visiting Horseshoe Bend Worth It?

Horseshoe Bend offers stunning view of Colorado river with beautiful rock in the middle looking like “U Shape”,and it is carved over millions of years by the river. And the best thing it is just a short walk from the Parking and offers beautiful views at sunrise or sunset. If you’re in Page, it is totally worth visiting this natural landmark.

How long it takes to Visit Horseshoe Bend?

It takes roughly one hour to visit the Horseshoe Bend. So, it will not take much time from your itinerary. It is easy 20 minutes walk from the Parking lot to main viewpoint. So, expect one hour to visit it along with spending time for Photography.

Conclusion to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in One Day

Definetely, it is possible to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day. If you have more time, you can also include nearby attractions of Page including Slot Canyons and Grand Canyon National Park.

Hope this Post helps you to plan your Arizona Roadtrip. If you loved reading this Post, Pin it for the Later.