Antelope Canyon Upper Entrance

This iconic slot canyon on Navajo land delivers some of the planet’s most surreal underground scenery — narrow corridors of wave-sculpted sandstone where shafts of sunlight create cathedral-like beams. The upper section is the more accessible of the two main canyons, requiring only a short walk from the parking area but mandatory guided tours through Navajo operators. Peak light beam season runs March through October, with midday tours offering the most dramatic lighting effects.

Access requires booking with authorized Navajo tour companies well in advance, especially for summer visits. The canyon can flood during monsoon season (July-September), closing tours with little notice. No photography equipment restrictions, but tripods aren’t practical in the narrow spaces and crowds.

Cathedral light beams in sculpted slot canyon