Lower Antelope Canyon
Best Times | Overview
You have probably seen all those stunning Antelope Canyon photos online, on social media, etc. Did you know that a large number of those shots are, in fact, Lower Antelope Canyon shots? There are no light beams in part of the canyon, but it’s still one of the most beautiful sites you can visit nowadays.
Although there are no light beams at any time, our visitors take the most stunning photos in Lower Antelope Canyon.
Some basic facts:
- Visiting Times: Tours operate year-round
- Light Beam Times: No light beams like in Upper Canyon.
- Self-Guided Tours: Not allowed at any time.
- Crowded Times: Much quieter years ago, now slightly less crowded than Upper Canyon, but less hectic.
The Best Time of Day
The best time to visit Lower Antelope Canyon depends on your preferences: Are you a photographer looking to take the most gorgeous shots, or are you looking for a less crowded experience?
Compared to the Upper Canyon, the lower part has a wider ceiling and thus gets more light from the sun no light, which means it can get very bright inside. Some photographers say it might be too bright during midday.
Time of day: For the most stunning photos, the best time of day to visit Lower Antelope Canyon is in the morning or late afternoon, when there’s not too much light and higher contrast inside the canyon.
However, visitors who went to Lower Antelope in the middle of the day report that it’s still a great experience during that time, so you can definitely book a midday visit and enjoy this magical place. If you’re not a professional photographer, you might not notice any difference.
The Best Season | Best Months
To truly enjoy your experience without the hassle of crowds and the discomfort of heat, plan your visit to Lower Antelope Canyon between November and March. However, for breathtaking lighting that enhances the scenery, summertime is hard to beat.
Avoiding Crowds: We did a tour through Lower Antelope Canyon at the end of January. This is undoubtedly the time to avoid crowds! We seriously had the whole canyon to ourselves. They allow six people per tour and 15-20 min between each group, but they didn’t have a tour scheduled after us, so we had all the time we wanted.
For even more solitude, visit Lower Antelope Canyon in the winter like we often do. It’s quieter during the colder months, and although there are no light beams at all, the colors are gorgeous. Check the weather forecast and try to go between 10 and 11 AM because of better light conditions.
Visitor Reviews During Certain Times
To give you an idea of how the experience at Lower Antelope Canyon is from a visitor’s perspective:
Visitor Report
“Our tour was after the Thanksgiving Weekend. We arrived about an hour earlier for our tour at 10 am and almost decided to join the 9:30 am one. However, there were already too many people on that tour, so we decided to wait. We were fortunate as there were only two couples on our tour. It was the best decision as the timing was perfect!
Our guide took all the time to explain and to give advice on how to take photos. Especially tips about certain angles and recognizing certain shapes and rock formations. He also offered many times to take pictures of ourselves.
We were never rushed or asked to move faster. While we heard a much larger group behind us, we never saw them. Please note that they don’t allow videos or professional cameras without a special permit and no tripods to take pictures. Also, there are no big bags or backpacks allowed because the canyon is quite narrow. The timing was awesome, as we visited the days after the Thanksgiving weekend in November, and it was beautiful without many other visitors.”