Posted by Jody Grigg on October 21, 2011 at 10:08 AM
My wife and I are heading out to go camping in Utah/Arizona, and I want to take her to Lower Antelope Canyon because she has never been in a slot canyon. Was doing some research last night and came across on one of the Navjo sites stating as of May 2011 that you need a guide now for the Lower Antelope Canyon, in the past they have just let you wonder around if you had been there before. I was wondering if anybody has been down there since they have enforced this. Do you really need a guide or can you just wonder around. I don't want a guide saying you should shoot this etc.....If I need a guide, who do you recommend.
Posted by David Mayhew on October 21, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Yes and no, you group up at the site and they take you in. No other arrangements needed. Don't forget you will not get those sun beams this time of year.
Posted by Koveh Tavakkol on October 21, 2011 at 11:31 AM
When you pull up to the parking lot and pay, they will send a guide down with your group. They show you some of the sites and take you down towards the back. If you tell them you want to go on your own, they will be pretty quick about it and let you wonder on your own after.
Posted by Bret Edge on October 21, 2011 at 12:42 PM
I've been a couple of times. The first time a guide showed us through the canyon. The second time a young boy showed me to the entry and then turned around and left. I had the entire canyon to myself for almost 4 hours. I think it probably depends on who is working and how many people they have in the group as well as their mood for the day.
Posted by Grant Collier on October 21, 2011 at 1:08 PM
I was there less than two months ago and if you have a tripod and dSLR, you can get a "photographers pass" at no extra cost and go entirely on your own for up to two hours. Everyone else had to go in a guided tour. This was on a busy Saturday, so on a slow day in the off-season it's possible there's no tours at all.
Posted by Howard Cihak on October 21, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Forgive me, folks, but Jody said LOWER Antelope Canyon. From my experience, all of you are describing the experience at UPPER Antelope Canyon. That said, Jody, unless your wife is the type who enjoys climbing up and down ladders, taking her through the Upper Canyon would be my recommendation. It's an easy stroll on level ground.
Posted by Ken Wyatt on October 21, 2011 at 1:57 PM
I've always asked for the "photographer's pass" (which is a little more expensive), and they'll provide a guide to the entrance - just a short walk, then let you go on your own.
Posted by Jody Grigg on October 21, 2011 at 1:59 PM
I have been to the lower canyon many times, my wife has not, the ladders will be no problem for her and yes I am talking about the LOWER canyon. Thanks for the input so far.
Posted by Bret Edge on October 21, 2011 at 2:41 PM
Howard: I am describing my experiences at Lower Antelope Canyon, not Upper. The one time I've been through Upper I went through with my team during an adventure race.
Posted by Grant Collier on October 21, 2011 at 3:49 PM
I too was describing Lower. In Lower, the photographer's pass doesn't cost anything extra and I think it's a new thing they're doing there. It costs extra in Upper.
Posted by Joe Rogers on October 21, 2011 at 4:43 PM
I see no reason why your wife could not navigate Lower Canyon if she is healthy enough to hike. Ladders have rails. It gets a bit claustrophobic and narrow in places, but should be no problem. Ask for photographers pass, for sure.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Luke Tingley on October 21, 2011 at 8:21 PM
I took my wife to lower 3 weeks ago. The group running it has changed quite a bit over the years. I was there on a Thursday. Can't remember but I think I ended up paying an extra $10-20 for 2 "photographer" passes. They actually made me take my camera out of the bag and prove it was an SLR before they would let me purchase that pass. A couple behind me asked to buy the photographers pass (I think it gave an extra 30-60 minutes). They said point and shoots aren't allowed for the photographer's pass and made them go on the guided tour.
The photographer's pass was good for either 2 1/2 hours or 3 hours, can't remember. They mark the time on a flourescent paper necklace they make you wear and you have to turn it in when you leave. They threatened to charge an exorbitant amount of money for every 10 minutes late you are. After that if you tell them you've been there before they let you go on your way.
They were making the guided tours stay together and really cranky about it. I didn't mind because it kept them from lingering around and getting in my shots.
Light beams were still there 3 weeks ago. You just have to be there at the right time, the angle isn't the best so they aren't as long.
It's amazing how busy lower has gotten. I don't even go to upper anymore because it's a zoo and I can't stand the people. Lower is getting to be about as bad. My wife had never been in a slot canyon though, and it was the highlight of the trip for her.
Discussion
11 repliesJoe Rogers
The photographer's pass was good for either 2 1/2 hours or 3 hours, can't remember. They mark the time on a flourescent paper necklace they make you wear and you have to turn it in when you leave. They threatened to charge an exorbitant amount of money for every 10 minutes late you are. After that if you tell them you've been there before they let you go on your way.
They were making the guided tours stay together and really cranky about it. I didn't mind because it kept them from lingering around and getting in my shots.
Light beams were still there 3 weeks ago. You just have to be there at the right time, the angle isn't the best so they aren't as long.
It's amazing how busy lower has gotten. I don't even go to upper anymore because it's a zoo and I can't stand the people. Lower is getting to be about as bad. My wife had never been in a slot canyon though, and it was the highlight of the trip for her.