We want our visitors to experience Upper Antelope Canyon in a magical way and to be stunned by those light beams. That’s why you can find the best tours and services here, so you can visit at the right time and see the magic for yourself.

Some light beam facts before we dive into the details:

• There are no light beams from mid-October until mid-March
• There are no light beams before 11 AM and after 1:30 PM
• There are no light beams on a cloudy day, even during ‘light beam season’
• Book the 10:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 12:00 AM tours to see the beams

The best time to see the light beams in Antelope Canyon is from late March to October, as they start around March 20 and last until early October. The best months for the beams are June, July, and August. The higher sun brings more light into the canyon.

Time of Day: The light beams in Antelope Canyon are visible midday between 11 AM and 1:30 PM on a sunny day. However, there are no light beams when it’s cloudy at that time.

💡 For light beams, book one of the following tours: 10:30 AM / 11:00 AM / 12:00 AM.

Upper vs. Lower: Most beams can be seen in Upper Antelope Canyon. They occur in Lower Antelope Canyon as well, but light beams are few and far between.

Good to know: Upper Antelope has changed the traffic flow, which means you leave the canyon at the end without returning to the entrance. That way, you do not bump into others on the way back anymore. It also means you can enjoy this unique place only for a shorter amount of time

The Best Time of Day

One of the most common questions from our visitors is: “When is the best time to visit the Antelope Canyon?” The answer depends on what you want out of your experience here.

💡 Please keep in mind that the following tips apply only to Upper Antelope Canyon. Visit our Lower Antelope Canyon [Best Time] guide for information about the other, less hectic part of this canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon should be your first choice when you want to see the most beautiful lights and colors Antelope has to offer, regardless of the time of day. However, to experience its real magic, here are our top tips on when and where you can see different views there:

Early Morning

Antelope Canyons’ unique rock formations and geography are still gorgeous in the morning. However, you won’t see the famous light beams at that time of day.

One advantage is that, however, you can usually experience fewer crowds. If seeing nearby sights such as Lake Powell or Monument Valley is part of your itinerary in this part of Arizona, an early morning visit to Antelope can allow you to experience all attractions in one day.

Around Noon

If you want to experience the spectacular light beams, book a tour between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm during the spring or summer on a bright day without much cloud cover. The more sunlight, the better. However, this is also the busiest time for a tour. If you prefer a quiet experience, consider visiting in the early morning or afternoon.

Mid-Afternoon

Mid-afternoon is the latest time of day that most visitors want to go during peak season, as the threat of storms and flash foods increases after that. You’ll unlikely see any sunbeams, but fewer crowds will be present, and the Canyon will still look amazing.

The Best Season | Best Months

Antelope Canyon has hot, dry summers and cool winters. The best times to visit in terms of pleasant weather are spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when temperatures are mild. Summer can exceed 100°F (38°C), while in the winter, it can drop below freezing at night.

Avoiding Busy Times and Tourist Crowds 

While Upper Antelope Canyon is still one of the most fascinating sights, it also became a mass tourism spot, especially during the high season. Even Lower Antelope has gotten busier in recent years.

High Season – Shoulder Season | Spring – Summer – Fall

Expect fully booked midday tours from April until September. It’s worse during peak months (June, July, and August) when the light is just perfect. Midday tours are often sold out early throughout the season.

You have to choose between a busy place with the magical beams during the season (end of March – early October) or fewer tourists without the beams in the off-season (mid-October – mid-March). You may also book a less busy tour in the early morning without the beams in ‘light beams season’.

💡 You can still take great photos regardless of the time of day.

Alternative: Lower Antelope Canyon has a larger area, ladder climbing, fewer beams but also fewer crowds. However, Lower Canyon became much busier than it used to be. Book mid-week and try to go in the shoulder months (April/September), when there are already/still light beams but without the massive summer tourist crowds/bookings. Check out our Lower Antelope Canyon – Best Times Guide

Low Season | Winter Visit

In the winter months, you benefit from cooler weather, fewer crowds, and a sight that visitors in the summer months do not get to experience: The changing colors on the canyon walls.

In the off-season (mid-October – mid-March), there are no light beams, but the canyon is still magical. While Upper Antelope Canyon is slightly less busy from November to February, there is no more real off-season these days. The lowest visitation occurs in the first half of December and in January. However, even in winter, avoid weekends if you visit Upper Antelope Canyon. It’s less busy mid-week.

Antelope Canyon Weather

Temperature-wise, you can visit any time of the year. In the winter it’s much quieter but also cold sometimes. Snow is very rare.  Canyon closures due to winter conditions did happen in the past but they are very unlikely.

In the warm summer months, thunderstorms can occur during ‘Arizona’s Monsoon Season’: From roughly mid-June until mid-September. Thunderstorms are usually afternoon thundershowers and more wind and lightning than rain. But still, dangerous flash floods are possible.