Depart from Sedona for a full-day adventure exploring the narrow slot passages of Antelope Canyon and the sweeping views of Horseshoe Bend. Join a local Navajo guide to learn about these unique sandstone formations, with options ranging from small-group vans to tours including lunch and hotel pickup.
Explore the 120-foot-deep sandstone walls of Upper Antelope Canyon, famous for its narrow passages and natural light.
Walk through Antelope Canyon and see Horseshoe Bend on this small-group tour through the heart of the Navajo Nation.
Free Cancellation Visit Lower Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide and hike to the 1,000-foot overlook at Horseshoe Bend.
Free Cancellation Explore Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide and hike to the Horseshoe Bend overlook on this day trip from Flagstaff.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Antelope Canyon — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Taking a day tour to Antelope Canyon from Sedona is a full-day adventure through some of the most striking landscapes in the American Southwest. You can expect an early morning departure, a scenic drive through the Navajo Nation, and a deeply cultural experience led by authorized Navajo guides.
Walk through the incredibly narrow, winding sandstone corridors of either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon. You'll see the smooth, wave-like rock walls sculpted by millions of years of flash floods.
Your mandatory Navajo guide will share the spiritual significance of the canyon, traditional Diné creation stories, and the history of the area.
Most Sedona tours include a 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the edge of Horseshoe Bend, where you'll look down a 1,000-foot cliff at the Colorado River.
Many itineraries feature a stop at this historic trading post. It's a great spot to stretch your legs and view authentic Native American artwork and crafts.
The journey from Sedona to Page takes about 3 hours each way. You'll ride in a climate-controlled van or mini-coach, passing through diverse Arizona terrain.
Select tours include a stop at this massive concrete arch dam that forms Lake Powell, offering panoramic views of the river canyon.
Planning a day trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon requires a bit of preparation due to the long distance and strict Navajo Nation regulations. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
Tours from Sedona are full-day commitments, typically lasting between 10 to 11.5 hours. Expect early morning hotel pickups around 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM and a return in the late afternoon.
Backpacks, purses, and large bags are entirely banned inside Antelope Canyon to protect the narrow sandstone walls. You are only allowed to bring a clear water bottle, ideally with a carrying strap.
Upper Antelope is flat but requires a 200-foot elevation climb at the exit, while Lower Antelope involves climbing down five flights of steep metal stairs. Some Sedona tours dictate which canyon you visit, while others adjust based on weather and crowds.
Standard sightseeing tours do not permit tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks to keep the groups moving. You can bring handheld cameras and smartphones, and your Navajo guide will often help you with the settings.
Arizona state law requires all children 8 years old and younger to be in a car seat or booster seat. Tour operators do not provide these, so parents must bring their own for the long drive.
These tours are not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. You must be able to walk on uneven, sandy terrain for 90 minutes and complete the 1.5-mile hike at Horseshoe Bend.
Antelope Canyon is extremely popular and slots sell out months ahead of time. Booking your Sedona day tour early is the only way to guarantee your entry, especially if you want to travel during the peak spring or fall seasons.
Check your specific tour inclusions carefully. Some operators provide a picnic lunch at Glen Canyon Dam, while others only allocate time for you to purchase lunch on your own. Bottled water is almost always provided.
| Small-Group Antelope & Horseshoe Tour | All-Inclusive Day Tour | Premium Guided Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 11.5 hours | 11 hours | 10 hours |
| Canyon Visited | Upper Antelope Canyon | Lower Antelope Canyon | Upper or Lower (Flexible) |
| Lunch Included | No (Time allotted to buy) | Yes | Yes (Picnic Lunch) |
| Price from | $311 | $343 | $409 |
When booking a tour from Sedona, your day will start very early. Most operators schedule hotel pickups between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM to ensure you reach Page, Arizona in time for your canyon slot.
Antelope Canyon itself operates daily, year-round. The tour offices in Page are generally open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Arizona Time. Canyon tour departures run frequently throughout the day, with peak midday slots (like 11:20 AM) being the most popular.
You can expect to return to your hotel in Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, making it a solid 10 to 11.5-hour round trip.
Antelope Canyon is located near Page, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation. If you are traveling from Sedona, the drive takes approximately 3 hours each way heading north through the desert.
Most guided tours include complimentary round-trip transportation in climate-controlled vans or mini-coaches. Pickups are typically available from hotels and residential addresses within the city limits of Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, and sometimes Flagstaff.
If you are driving yourself to meet a tour in Sedona, operators usually have a designated check-in location (such as on N. State Route 89A) where you can park your vehicle for the day.
The absolute best time to visit Antelope Canyon is between April and October. During these months, the sun is high enough to create the world-famous light beams inside Upper Antelope Canyon, which usually appear between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Spring and fall are ideal because the temperatures are much milder for the outdoor portions of the tour, like the 1.5-mile hike at Horseshoe Bend.
Winter months (November to February) offer fewer crowds, but the famous light beams are not visible due to the lower angle of the sun. Additionally, avoid the monsoon season from July to September if your schedule is tight, as sudden flash floods can cause immediate tour cancellations.
Antelope Canyon is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The terrain consists of deep, loose sand and uneven rocky surfaces.
Tour operators strictly state that these trips are not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Guests must be ambulatory and capable of walking 1.5 miles over uneven surfaces.
Facilities at the canyon itself are extremely limited to preserve the natural environment. There are no restrooms inside Antelope Canyon.
You will need to use the restroom at the tour operator's office in Page before boarding the transport trucks to the canyon entrance. Your Sedona tour guide will also make strategic restroom stops along the 3-hour drive, often at places like the Historic Cameron Trading Post.
Because the Arizona desert gets incredibly hot, bringing water is mandatory. While your tour van will have bottled water, you should bring a clear water bottle with a strap to carry with you into the canyon.
Antelope Canyon is a sacred site on Navajo Nation land, and strict rules are enforced to protect it and ensure visitor safety.
The drive from Sedona to Page, Arizona takes about 3 hours each way. Because of this, full-day tours usually last between 10 and 11.5 hours, including stops at Horseshoe Bend and trading posts.
It varies by operator. Some premium tours include a picnic lunch at Glen Canyon Dam, while others only provide bottled water and allocate time for you to purchase your own lunch during a stop.
No, backpacks, purses, and large bags are strictly prohibited inside Antelope Canyon to prevent damage to the narrow sandstone walls. You are only allowed to carry a clear water bottle.
Upper Antelope is famous for its midday light beams and has a flat sandy floor, making it slightly easier to walk, though it has a steep exit climb. Lower Antelope is more adventurous, requiring you to climb down five flights of steep metal stairs into a V-shaped canyon.
Light beams are highly seasonal and typically only visible in Upper Antelope Canyon from April through October between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. If you visit in the winter, the sun's angle is too low to create the beams.
While children are allowed, the day is very long (11+ hours) and involves walking in the desert heat. Arizona law requires children 8 years and younger to be in a car seat or booster seat, which parents must provide themselves.
No, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are completely banned on standard sightseeing tours. You are welcome to take photos with handheld cameras or smartphones.
Antelope Canyon is highly prone to dangerous flash floods, especially during the summer monsoon season. If there is any risk of flooding, the Navajo Parks and Recreation office will immediately cancel tours for safety.
Most full-day tours from Sedona include the $15 Navajo Parks & Recreation entrance fee and the canyon admission in their total price, but you should always verify the inclusions list of your specific booking.
Layered clothing is highly recommended, as early mornings in Sedona can be chilly while afternoons in Page are very hot. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are mandatory for walking on the deep sand and climbing ladders.
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