• Antelope Canyon Antelope Canyon is the most-visited and most-photographed slot canyon in the American Southwest. It is located on Navajo land near Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon includes two.
• Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon - Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness (south border of Escalante National Monument near Page, Arizona) Buckskin Gulch is perhaps the longest slot canyon in the world. It's 100 to 200 feet deep and 30 to 50 feet wide for more than 12 miles.
• Antelope Slot Canyon Tours by Chief Tsosie is located in Page Arizona, right next to the great Lake Powell, and in the center of the Grand Circle. Navajo owned and operated by Rosalind Tsosie, you’ll enjoy our personal tour of the breathless Antelope Canyon and other spectacular adventures!

• Slot Canyons In Arizona
• Best Slot Canyons In Az
• Best Slot Canyons Near Page Arizona Right Now
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• Best Slot Canyon Page Arizona

Rate this Adventure 1.5 miles 100 ft gain - Out-and-Back Trail

Added by Jeremy Meek

Navajo Nation, Arizona (near Page) Antelope Canyon is the most photogenic of all the slot canyons and is a popular destination with photographers, especially in the summer when the lighting is best. Antelope Canyon is a couple of miles east of Page, Arizona along highway 98.

Lesser known, yet epic slot canyon in Arizona! Neighbor to Antelope Canyon, Mountain Sheep canyon has much 'groovier' canyon wall formations.

As its name suggests, Mountain Sheep Canyon offers a rugged feel and more strenuous hike than the other slot canyons in the neighborhood (Antelope Canyon and Rattlesnake Canyon). The trek is longer than it is for the other canyons (about three-quarters of a mile), and there is quite a bit of scaling ladders along the way. The ladders are all secured to the rock, but a few of the climbs might be enough to make you a bit nervous…especially with younger children. Also, beware that this canyon is not immediately adjacent to the Antelope Wash, where the other slot canyons are located; you will have a bit more adventurous (read: bumpy) ride to get to Mountain Sheep Canyon with your authorized Navajo guide.

The texture of the stone is a little different here than at Antelope Canyon and Rattlesnake Canyon; it is more rough and has a less graceful 'flow' to it. The grooves in the stone are larger, rather than fine and granular. The walls themselves also have a more jagged appearance, in contrast to the smoother walls and arches of its fellow canyons. It makes for a different feel that some might find less impressive — one of the reasons this canyon is not visited nearly as often as the others.

In my opinion though, if you have the time and energy, a visit to Mountain Sheep Canyon is a great way to round out your slot canyon experience and add a bit of photographic diversity to your experience. For more information on all the other slot canyons in the vicinity, check out this guide.

My favorite time to do the slot canyons near Page, Arizona is in late spring/early summer, though technically you can visit them year-round. I would recommend avoiding them between July-September due to the heat as well as summer rain storms (you do NOT want to enter the slot canyons if there is a chance of rain in the surrounding area).

Please note that you MUST have a Navajo Guide to visit the canyon, typically provided through one of the authorized tour operators. I used this guide service when I went.

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.

Arizona is full of canyons and this list of slot canyons in Arizona are some of the best natural wonders of the Grand Canyon State.

A slot canyon is a formed by rushing water through rock, which over time forms a narrow canyon through rock. These flash floods have been happening for millions of years and the wind and erosion forms a tiny crack which eventually grows larger through the years.

Slot canyons can be both deep and narrow, from meters wide to just 10 inches wide. Slot canyons usually feature twists and turns, with beautifully colored walls ranging from reds to purples. Some canyons feature creeks and streams which you have to wade through, others are short and some are 20 mile long hikes.

Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona

Antelope Canyon is the most popular slot canyon in Arizona. You can visit either Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon but make sure you purchase your tickets months in advance as they do sell out at this popular attraction.

Upper Antelope Canyon is easier to access as there are no stairs. It is also less crowded but you do not get to see the light beams in the canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon has the light beams but you need to climb up and down ladders to access the canyon.

Both are beautiful and there is a small price difference between the two. Access to the canyons is restricted to guided tours only.

Location: Page, Arizona
Distance: 90-minute tours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Canyon X Page Arizona

Located outside of Page, Arizona near Antelope Canyon. Canyon X is the less popular slot canyon in the area. The light beams in this canyon are fantastic and it is an absolutely lovely canyon to visit.

This is the place to go if you want to miss the crowds yet still see the natural beauty of the slot canyons.

Location: Page, Arizona
Distance: 90 minute tours
Difficulty: Moderate

Secret Canyon

This Secret Canyon exists in the same general area as Antelope Canyon and Canyon X but it sees fewer visitors and is gorgeous! You’ll see some similar views as you would at Antelope Canyon, but you’ll know that you’re one of few who’ve explored this place.

Slot Canyons In Arizona

There is also another Secret Canyon in the Sedona region but this one is located outside of Page, Arizona. It is worth noting you will see all of the same views as Antelope Canyon without the crowds.

Location: Page, Arizona
Distance: 1-2 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Easy

Cardiac Canyon

The hike also involves scrambling, contorting, and small ledges. First you need to climb to the top of a 90 foot sand dune and then back down again.

Best Slot Canyons In Az

Again this canyon is located within the Navajo Indian Tribal Lands so can only be visited with a reputable tour guide.

Location: 10 miles south of Page, Arizona
Distance: 7 miles in 7 hours
Difficulty: Physically demanding

Buckskin Gulch Canyon

This is one of people’s all time favorite hikes – Buckskin Gulch Canyon. The canyon is the longest slot canyon in the world as it runs continuously for 15 miles. It is deep, dark and narrow, with plenty of obstacles to make it fun. It is not a technical hike, but is rated as strenuous because of its length. You do have to scramble over rocks and wade/swim potholes.

Location: Utah- Arizona border, between Page and Kanab.
Distance: 3.5 – 21 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Strenuous due to large distances

Deer Creek Narrows, Grand Canyon National Park

This 21.4-mile loop descends 2,000-feet in 2.5-miles through Coconino Sandstone from the Bill Hall trailhead to connect the Thunder River and Deer Creeks trails. In order to visit this canyon you will need to abseil down into the canyon.

If you want to visit Deer Creek Narrows you should take a tour with a qualified guide.

Location: Grand Canyon
Distance: 22 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Difficult

Paria Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

This area is known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with different colors, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens.

The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates this area. While ‘the Wave’ is the prominent attraction in this area, Paria Canyon is worth the visit but it is a lot more desolate than other canyons.

Location: Page, Arizona
Distance: 10 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Difficult

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Pumphouse Wash, Oak Creek

Pumphouse Wash is located in the Sedona area and is a popular canyon. Pumphouse Wash is a beautiful gorge made of sandstone, and has deep pools, small cascades and flooded slot-like channels. This is a very tight canyon.

Location: Sedona, Arizona
Distance: 1-2 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Easy

Water Holes Canyon, Page

Water Holes Canyon is a beauitful canyon outside Page near Lake Powell. Water Hole Canyon is not as well known as Antelope Canyon and therefore has a lot less people there.

Location: Page, Arizona
Distance: 1-2 miles
Hiking Difficulty: Easy

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Conclusion – Arizona Slot Canyons

If you are planning a trip to Arizona you must visit one of these slot canyons. My favorites would be Antelope Canyon or any of the alternatives with less crowds.

Have you visited any of these Arizona Slot Canyons?

Best Slot Canyon Page Arizona

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