Antelope Canyon

It was time for us to leave the beautiful state of Utah, and head to its southern neighbor, Arizona. Over the past week we’ve visited five national parks, and were on our way to number six. But first, we couldn’t pass up Antelope Canyon. Located on Navajo land just east of the town of Page, the narrow slot canyon was formed by erosion from flash flooding. Over time, its sandstone walls got deeper and smoother, carving its infamous flowing waves into the rock.

The only way to see Antelope Canyon is by a guided tour. We had reservations with Ken’s Tours, located just feet away from the canyon’s entrance. David and I wondered what we got ourselves into as we weaved through the mob of people lingering outside the building. Once we found the line to check in, we were sent into a very small, and very crowded waiting room. We watched as several large groups left only to be replaced by just as many people checking in. It was definitely a part of the experience that you don’t see online.

However, we lucked out by joining a group of only ten people with a fantastic tour guide named Darrell. And although we were one of many groups descending into the lower canyon, each one was perfectly spaced out. We had plenty of time to admire the beautiful shapes and colors, and didn’t feel too rushed. Darrell even took photos of everyone at certain scenic spots.

There’s a reason why thousands of people visit Antelope Canyon each year. It is an unrivaled treasure of the American Southwest. The fluid patterns carved into the rock walls enabled you to easily imagine the flowing water that created them. The different hues of red and magenta mimicked a flawless color wheel. And every twist and curve of the canyon was perfectly illuminated by the sun. At the end of our hour-long tour, we wanted to turn around and see it again; but we had to continue on to the next national park on our road trip, the Grand Canyon!