Antelope Canyon features several entrances and exits, with the upper and lower sections being the most popular. Thankfully, we booked a trip with Deer Spring Canyon Tours for a “secret” location with far fewer people.

This hike is part of a larger trip I took out west. We flew into Las Vegas, but drove to St. George, UT, and then later to Page, AZ. The trip includes hikes in Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park.

A Fun, but Bumpy Ride

Our tour started at noon with about a thirty-minute drive from their offices to the trailhead. We rode in a modified truck with three rows of seats and a canopy for shade. The road was mostly dirt, sand, bumps, and curves; emphasis on the curves. There were several gates, and a few steep hills we had to speed up to ascend.

Sandy Trail to the Canyon

The trail to the canyon entrance was about a half mile long, mostly level but with sandy or rocky sections. There were a few short elevation changes, but the more dramatic ones had steps installed. Unfortunately, people with mobility issues would have a tough time without lightweight assistance designed for beaches. However, one aspect you should not have to worry about is snakes. There were several solar-powered electronic devices along the path that helped deter snakes from getting too close.

The trail was well-marked and featured numerous signs reminding travelers to stay on the trail. Because of the regular drought conditions, vegetation cannot rebound or survive under foot traffic. We were lucky to have only one other group tour on the trail with us. They arrived shortly after we did, which gave us just enough time to hike and get pictures by ourselves in the canyon.

Beautiful Windswept Canyons

After about 15 minutes of hiking, we arrived at the entrance of the canyon. As we entered the canyon, the walls grew higher and began to look smoother and more windswept. However, the best part of entering the narrow space was the shade.

As the pictures indicate, the canyon is beautiful beyond words. The shapes and swirls played beautifully with the afternoon sun. Our tour guide had great tips on the best photo spots and the most popular angles. He also provided information about the land’s history and its significance to the Navajo people.

Pasture Land

On the other side of the canyon, we were greeted with the same beautiful landscape as before, but with scattered piles of cow dung. The Navajo let their cattle graze on the plants on this side of the land. According to our guide, the Navajo’s cattle herds have shrunk considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as we found out, several nearby families ride them in rodeos and keep them as pets.

Walk Back

As we hiked back through the canyon, we passed the group we had seen earlier. Our walk back to the truck was peaceful, but quite warm as we were back out in the sunlight. Once we were back and buckled in, we made our way back on the trail and headed toward a private viewing platform overlooking Horseshoe Bend.

Horseshoe Bend

At about 1:30, we arrived at a small parking area with a short hike (a few hundred feet) to the observation platform. However, the path was quite rocky, with one or two sections that would be difficult for people with mobility issues. However, once you get to the platform, words fail to fully describe the spectacular view of Horseshoe Bend. Unlike a few of the overlooks I visited on this trip, this one has sturdy safety railings. Again, it was great having a small group, as everyone was able to cycle through the platform’s corner, which offered the best view. While there, we were lucky enough to spot a group of people kayaking down the river below.

Drive Back to the Office

At about 1:50, we had our final drive in our truck and headed back to the office and parking area. In a few minutes, we were back at our vehicles to say goodbye and tip our tour guide (yes, please tip your tour guides!). We then packed up our gear and headed out for our much-needed lunch stop.

What went well

• Bring a neck gaiter or face mask for the open air truck ride to the slot canyon. A trip guide we saw on TikTok recommended them and it helped tremendously.
• We brought trekking poles, and they came in handy a handful of times. It was not a far walk, but pushing through sand plus a few high steps up/down made bringing them a good choice.
• Bring 1-2L of water with you, especially if you are going in hot weather, as there are no water stations.

Even Better If

• Hiking in the sand is tough on your legs and makes even short distances feel difficult. There was no way to avoid this terrain, and it is something people with mobility issues should consider.