Antelope Canyon with Kids Travel Guide

We loaded up our car early Saturday morning and headed north. The lingering heat advisory and itch for an adventure, had us wanting to escape town for the weekend. Our destination? 5 hours north to Antelope Canyon. There are a few places in the world that feel as magical as Disney Land, but Antelope Canyon is one of them. Part of the Navajo Nation, this slot canyon is not only impressive, but a photographer's dream. The sandy orange walls that change from shades of brown to pink to orange as you venture through the 1/2 a mile canyon have a calming effect. Despite being in the canyon with hundreds of other people, we were taken aback by the beauty and simplicity of this natural wonder. Antelope Canyon is family friendly adventure that should be on everyone's bucket list. 

Lower Antelope Canyon is 95 feet below ground in some areas. Getting down into the slot canyon requires five sets of step ladders. There are handrails on most of them, so we wrapped Brody up in the Solly Wrap to free up our hands and descended down. 

Walking downward on the stairs like a ladder was the simplest way to get around. The slots to the left of the ladder in the photo above were a set of original stairs that the Navajo community used to enter in and out of the canyon.

The sun shown through the different crevices creating stunning light beams and hues of every shade of orange imaginable. Lower Antelope Canyon is about 1/2 a mile long and took us a little over an hour to go through as we stopped for photos and to take in the beauty.

Some of the areas were very narrow. Having a forward facing carrier seemed to work best through the tight squeezes.

Coming out of the canyon was one of the most impressive parts. We popped up through the tiny slot in the picture above, back onto ground level with no hint at the magic waiting below. 

The Basics

• Location: Near Page, Arizona
• We used Ken's Tours and had a great experience! All of the tour guides were helpful with camera settings and pointing out neat facts about the canyon. 
• Cost $28/Per Person, Children under 3 are free
• Crowds: The canyon does get very crowded. Some times of day are better for lighting than others, so be sure to make a reservation a week or two in advance. 

Kid Friendliness 

• Bringing Brody with us was no problem. We kept him in the Solly Wrap for about half of the hike then carried him the rest of the way because he started to get a little fussy. If you have Toddlers, it may be difficult for them to get down into the Canyon on the ladders, Upper Antelope Canyon may be a better option. 

Tips

• Bring a backpack. We filled ours with a few bottles of water, a couple of little toys for Brody to hold, and all of our camera equipment. If your little one is eating solids, bring a few snacks as well.
• Bring Cash. You aren't able to pay for the tour online and they only accept cash when you arrive.
• As soon as you are down in the canyon, ask the guide to help you with settings on your camera. They are all very knowledgeable about what settings will help you capture the beauty best.
• Wear sneakers or hiking boots. In some areas, the sand covers smooth rocks, making it slick. Shoes with a bit of traction will help keep you from slipping.

Other Places To Visit Nearby

• Horseshoe Bend
• Lake Powell

Have you visited Antelope Canyon? Have you hiked anywhere magical with your little ones?