Navajo Name of Upper Antelope Canyon: Tse’bighanilini
Entry Fee: $8 per person, per entry, per location. (Additional Fees may apply.) Guided Tours are an additional cost.
Summer Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Elevation: 4,199 feet above sea level
GPS Location: 36.89755, -111.36576
Backcountry Permit: $15 per person, per night. You can purchase from the Lake Powell Visitor Center, Please sign in/out prior to hiking. Navajo Parks and Recreation is not liable for any damages or injuries. You enter at your own risk.
Lake Powell Closures:
We are Closed during all major Holidays in accordance with the Navajo Nation.
- Thanksgiving Day
- NN Family Day (Day after Thanksgiving)
- Christmas Day
- New Year’s Day
Photography/ Filming Permits:
For Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, we DO NOT issue any Photography or Filming Permits for these two canyons, due to the large number of visitation to these locations. Our apologies for the inconvenience, but the safety of our community and visitors is a priority. If you have any questions, feel free to call Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park at: (928) 645-0268. We are NOT accepting any Photography or Filming Applications at this time, thank you for your understanding.
(Press for a list of Guided Tours in the Antelope Canyon area).
Upper Antelope Canyon
The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse’bighanilini, which means “the place where water runs through rocks.” Upper Antelope is at about 4,000 feet elevation and the canyon walls rise 660 feet above the streambed. This canyon has a little more room to walk as it’s formed like an “A” as the bottom is wider, easier to maneuver through the canyon walls. Located within the Le Chee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Lower Antelope Canyon
The Navajo name for Lower Antelope Canyon is Hasdez’ twazi’, which means “the spiral role arches.” Lower Antelope Canyon is about 3,704 feet in elevation and the canyon walls are about 120 above the streambed. This canyon is more narrow to walk through, as it’s shaped like a “V”, so if you are claustrophobic this area is not for you. It goes into the slot canyon and have to maneuver thru closely on stairs, which is harder to walk through. This area is also located within the Le Chee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, near Page, Arizona.
Tour guides are mandatory in Antelope Canyon. Please make arrangements for a tour to visit Upper/Lower Antelope Canyon with one our Guided Tours that we work with that are located near the canyon. Our local operators have the history and knowledge of the canyon. The list of guided tours is on the Main Page, click Guided Tours- Antelope Canyon to see a list of tour guides in the area.
As of May 1, 2011, there is a two-hour limit inside Upper Antelope Canyons.
Upper Part of East Waterholes
The upper part of East Waterholes is accessible by guided tours only. Please make reservations with Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours listed under the Guided Tours page.
Lower Part of East Waterholes
The lower part of East Waterholes requires a Backcountry Permit to access this area, which is located just off Highway 89 at milepost 542.
Rainbow Bridge Trail
Known as the world’s highest natural bridge, Rainbow Bridge spans about 275 feet long, and is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide. To the Navajo people, hold this place to be a very sacred and religious place. While here they ask that you follow all protocol and respect the natural habitat and natural surroundings. A Backcountry Hiking Permit is necessary to access this area and all areas of the Navajo Tribal Parks. All areas follow the Navajo Nation Laws and Navajo Nation Parks and Recreations Rules and Regulations are highly enforced in this area. Backcountry Permits are $15 per day. Permits are issued at any Navajo Tribal Park location.
Antelope Canyon X
Tour Guides are Mandatory. Hiking and Photography Tours are available upon request or email to book. Please make reservations with Taa’didiin Tours listed under the Guided Tours tab on the main page.
Antelope Canyon X is located at the most southeastern part of Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon X is comprised of two slot canyons with a short walk in-between. Guided Tours are Required.
We are not accepting any Photo/Film Applications at this time. Due to the high number of travelers. Please be cognizant while traveling the Navajo Nation. Dogs are Prohibited at all Navajo Tribal Park locations.
Cardiac Canyon
Cardiac Canyon is the most southern slot canyon in Antelope Canyon. Cardiac Canyon is approximately 2,600 ft. in length with canyon walls as high as 350 ft. The Cardiac Canyon hike is strenuous and is for Advanced to Intermediate Hikers. We ask that all hikers have a Backcountry Permit before departing. Also, fill out all information pertaining to your hike. Including, phone number and frequency that you may be on while on your hike.
Tour Guides are Mandatory. Hiking and Photography Tours are available upon request or email to book. Please make reservations with Taa’di’diin Tours listed under the Guided Tours tab on the main page.
Navajo Nation Laws will be enforced while on tribal land. (Title 19 NN Code). Please follow all Navajo Tribal Parks Rules & Regulations. You enter at your own risk.
History
A long time ago, herds of pronghorn antelope roamed freely in Antelope Canyon, which explains the canyon’s English name. It is not known exactly when people first discovered Antelope Canyon. According to local Navajos, who have lived here for some time, the canyon and the LeChee area were places where cattle grazed in winter.
To older Navajos, entering a place like Antelope Canyon was like entering a cathedral. They would probably pause before going in, to be in the right frame of mind and prepare for protection and respect. This would also allow them to leave with an uplifted feeling of what Mother Nature has to offer, and to be in harmony with something greater than themselves. It was, and is, a spiritual experience.
Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park manages the following areas:
- Upper Antelope Canyon
- Lower Antelope Canyon
- Upper Part of East Waterholes
- Lower Part of East Waterholes
- Rainbow Bridge Trail
History
A long time ago, herds of pronghorn antelope roamed freely in Antelope Canyon, which explains the canyon’s English name. It is not known exactly when people first discovered Antelope Canyon. According to local Navajos, who have lived here for some time, the canyon and the LeChee area were places where cattle grazed in winter.
To older Navajos, entering a place like Antelope Canyon was like entering a cathedral. They would probably pause before going in, to be in the right frame of mind and prepare for protection and respect. This would also allow them to leave with an uplifted feeling of what Mother Nature has to offer, and to be in harmony with something greater than themselves. It was, and is, a spiritual experience.
Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park manages the following areas:
- Upper Antelope Canyon
- Lower Antelope Canyon
- Upper Part of East Waterholes
- Lower Part of East Waterholes
- Rainbow Bridge Trail
