Where did you take these pictures?
Antelope Canyon is east of Page, AZ on highway 98. See this
map.
It's just a few miles outside of civilization on the Indian Reservation. You can't see the canyon from the road, all
you can see is a homemade sign on a gate that tells you to call a phone number if the gate is locked. When we went it
was $20/person which included a 4x4 ride through 4 miles of sand to get to the canyon mouth. In Page you can find tour
operators who will take you there for more money, but I'd recommend just showing up at the gate. By the way, they
dump you off at the mouth and tell you they'll come back for you in an hour or so. It's not crowded, but there are
usually enough people coming and going so that you don't have to wait long for your "shuttle."
What time is best to go?
Antelope Canyon is best in full sunlight at lunchtime. Seasons don't matter. Never go if there's a threat of rain
because of flash flood danger. 11 people were killed one year. Even if you do check the weather, it can turn on a
dime, so be mindful of the conditions at all times. It doesn't have to be raining there, just somewhere upstream.
Anyway, you want noon because that's when the sun can shine into the bottom of the very skinny canyon and cause so
many of the yellows, oranges, and reds that make pictures from here famous. If the sun isn't shining - say it's cloudy
or you're there in the late afternoon - your pictures are gonna turn out gray and dark.
What is the canyon really like?
The canyon is really a slot in a sandstone cliff that goes all the way from the ground to the top. So you're really
walking through a crack in a gigantic rock. The crack is alternately wide and narrow, at times allowing only one
person to pass. It meanders through the rock with all sorts of turns. The total length of the canyon can't be more than
100 yards, and its height can't be more than 40 ft. So it's fairly small, but you'll never see anything like it anywhere.
What equipment should I bring?
The canyon is sandstone and when there's any wind at all it rains sand. Sand gets into everything, so wear clothes on
anything you don't want to get all sandy. Bring a sealed bag for your camera. No matter what you do, you're probably
gonna need to have it cleaned after this trip, but do what you can. Zoom lenses can get sand in their extensions causing
a new gritty, limited motion, so protect them as much as possible. I bring large ziplock bags for my equipment and
even when I am taking a picture the camera is mostly in the bag. Always replace your lenscap after every shot. Tripods are
required because it can be pretty dark inside. You won't need a telephoto; distances are quite short between the winding
sand walls.
