Mar – May
Spring
63–82° highs · lows 41–56°
- Light beams
- Start late March common by May
- Crowds
- Busy from spring break
- Best part
- Mild, dry days with some beams
- Watch out
- Windy, sandy days; midday slots fill
Home › Visitor Guides › Best Time to Visit
Visitor guide · Page, Arizona
Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon
Weather, seasons, months & photography tips
Light beams, comfortable weather or fewer crowds: you can rarely have all three. Here is when to go for each, in one quick read.
Quick answer
For light beams
May – September
Upper Antelope Canyon, 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Best June–August.
For mild weather
April – May, Sep – Oct
Highs around 72–87°F with cool mornings.
For fewer crowds
November – February
Lower Antelope Canyon or Canyon X. No beams, softer light.
Every visit, in every season, requires a guided tour with an authorized Navajo operator.
At a glance
Key facts.
- Light-beam season
- Late March – early OctoberStrongest June–August
- Light-beam hours
- About 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Clear days, mainly Upper Canyon
- Hottest month
- JulyAverage high 98°F
- Coldest month
- DecemberAverage low 30°F
- Monsoon season
- June 15 – September 30Storms can close tours
- Closed
- Thanksgiving + day afterChristmas Day, New Year's Day
- Tour length
- About 1 – 1.5 hoursPlus 30–60 min check-in
- Time zone
- Use the time on your ticketArizona skips daylight saving
Best time by what you want
| Your priority | When | Time of day | Canyon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light beams | June – August | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Upper |
| Mild weather | Apr – May, late Sep – Oct | Any | Any |
| Fewer crowds | Nov – Feb (not holiday weeks) | Early or late | Lower or Canyon X |
| Photography | Year-round (beams: summer) | Late morning – early afternoon | Upper or Lower |
| Families | Apr – May, Sep – Oct | Morning | Upper (flat walk) |
| First visit | Apr – Sep | Midday for Upper | Upper |
| Lowest storm risk | Apr – June | Any | Any |
Most popular canyon tours
See all tours →
Upper CanyonPage: Upper Antelope Canyon Prime Time Entry With Navajo Guide
- Choose regular or prime-time entry option
- Upper Antelope Canyon entry included
- Parking included
- Camera angle tips from your guide
Departs from: AZ-98 Milepost 299 B, Page, AZ
From$149.95 /person
Buy tickets
Top ratedLower CanyonPage: Lower Antelope Canyon Tour With Local Navajo Guide
- Lower Antelope Canyon entry ticket included
- 1-hour guided walk
- Local Navajo guide
- Navajo permit fee included
Departs from: Indian Rte 222, Page, AZ
From$99.95 /person
Buy tickets
BestsellerLower CanyonLower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour With Navajo Guide
- 1.1-mile loop on foot
- Navajo guide included
- Lower Antelope Canyon admission ticket included
- Small groups, max 8 guests
Departs from: Indian Route 222, Page, AZ
From$99.95 /person
Buy ticketsBy season
Antelope Canyon by season.
Spring and fall balance weather and light. Summer is for beams. Winter is for quiet.
Jun – Aug
Summer
94–98° highs · lows 66–73°
- Light beams
- Strongest most reliable
- Crowds
- Peak
- Best part
- Best beams, long days
- Watch out
- Heat while waiting; monsoon cancellations
Sep – Nov
Fall
57–87° highs · lows 38–62°
- Light beams
- Fade by early October
- Crowds
- Busy Sept easing by Nov
- Best part
- Pleasant temps, rich color
- Watch out
- October is the wettest month on average
Dec – Feb
Winter
45–53° highs · lows 30–34°
- Light beams
- None
- Crowds
- Lowest
- Best part
- Calm tours, easy booking
- Watch out
- Cold mornings; holiday closures
Averages are 1991–2020 normals for Page, Arizona (Arizona State Climate Office), not forecasts.
Tip
In winter there are no beams, but reflected light still makes the walls glow orange and violet. It is the easiest season to book Lower Antelope Canyon or Canyon X on short notice.
By month
Antelope Canyon weather by month.
Find your travel month and read across: light beams, crowds and storm risk at a glance.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Light beams
NoneNoneRareSomeBestBestBestBestSomeRareNoneNone
Crowds
LowLowHighHighHighPeakPeakPeakHighModLowLow
Storm risk
LowLowLowLowLowLowHighHighSomeSomeLowLow
Blue: light beams in Upper Canyon (darker is better)
Red: crowds and storm risk (darker is worse)
| Month | High / Low °F | Rain (in) | Days 90°F+ | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46 / 30 | 0.57 | 0 | Coldest mornings; closed Jan 1 |
| February | 53 / 34 | 0.56 | 0 | Quiet; easy booking |
| March | 63 / 41 | 0.48 | 0 | Spring break; first beams late month |
| April | 72 / 47 | 0.36 | 0 | Mild and dry; book early |
| May | 82 / 56 | 0.41 | 5 | Best all-round month |
| June | 94 / 66 | 0.12 | 23 | Driest; strong beams; hot |
| July | 98 / 73 | 0.55 | 29 | Hottest; afternoon storms |
| August | 95 / 70 | 0.75 | 26 | Peak flash-flood risk |
| September | 87 / 62 | 0.67 | 12 | Beams early in the month; crowds ease |
| October | 72 / 49 | 0.82 | 1 | Wettest; beams end early October |
| November | 57 / 38 | 0.41 | 0 | Closed Thanksgiving + day after |
| December | 45 / 30 | 0.43 | 0 | Holiday weeks busier; closed Dec 25 |
1991–2020 normals for Page, Arizona, from the Arizona State Climate Office (NOAA data). Averages, not forecasts. Temperature bars run from 25°F to 100°F.
Best months
Best months for you.
Best overall: May and early September. A real chance of light beams, with highs in the 80s instead of the upper 90s.
First-timersApril – September
Best chance of the classic Antelope Canyon experience.
Light-beam chasersJune – August
Highest sun, most reliable beams.
Mild-weather fansApril, October
Highs around 72°F, cool mornings.
Families with kidsApr – May, late Sep – Oct
Less heat while waiting outside.
Crowd avoidersNovember – February
Lowest demand, easiest booking.
Storm avoidersApril – June
June is the driest month (0.12 in).
Time of day
Best time of day to visit.
For light beams, book a tour that puts you inside Upper Antelope Canyon between about 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. In Lower Canyon and Canyon X, the hour matters much less.
First tours – 9:30 a.m.Early
Dim, cool tones. Lighter crowds. Good for summer heat, Lower and Canyon X.
9:30 – 11 a.m.Late morning
Warm, brightening glow without the midday premium.
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Midday
Brightest light. Beams in Upper in season. Busiest, sells out first.
1:30 p.m. – last tourAfternoon
Softer, warm light. Pairs well with a Horseshoe Bend sunset.
How light beams (sunbeams) form
- High sun: roughly late March to early October.
- Near solar noon: about 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Clear sky: no beams on cloudy days.
- The right shape: Upper Canyon is wider at the bottom, so light reaches the floor. Guides often toss sand to show the beam.
Good to know
Midday "prime time" tours cost more and sell out first from spring to early fall. Book them as early as you can.
Compare
Upper, Lower or Canyon X: which suits your dates?
| Upper Antelope | Lower Antelope | Canyon X | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The walk | Flat and wide ("A"-shaped) | Narrow ("V"-shaped), steep metal stairs | Two slot canyons, sandy uphill return |
| Light beams | Yes late Mar – early Oct, midday | Rare | Not its main draw |
| Best season | May – Sep for beams; any for color | Year-round; great Nov – Mar | Year-round |
| Best time of day | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Late morning – early afternoon | Midday for brightness |
| Crowds | Highest | High | Lower |
| Pick it if… | Beams are the goal | You want an active, glowing walk | You want a quieter tour |
Canyon shapes: Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation, which also sets a two-hour limit inside Upper Canyon.
Quieter ways to see the canyons
See all tours →
Canyon XPage: Antelope Canyon X Admission Ticket With Navajo Guide
- The quieter side of Antelope Canyon
- Walk through 2 slot canyons
- Navajo Nation Park Permit fee included
- Great for photos
Departs from: MP 308, AZ-98, Page, AZ
From$95.00 /person
Buy tickets
Secret CanyonPage: Secret Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Overlook Guided Tour
- Van transfers included
- Private Horseshoe Bend view
- 270° river curve view
- Max 10 guests
Departs from: 821 US-89, Page, AZ
From$169.95 /person
Buy ticketsLake Powell
Lake Powell Guided Kayaking & Water Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour
- Kayak plus canyon hike
- Guide certified in CPR, First Aid and WFA
- Beginners and families welcome (ages 5+)
- Kayak, life jacket and paddles included
Departs from: Unnamed Road, Page, AZ
From$149.95 /person
Buy ticketsWeather & safety
Weather, flash floods and closures.
Page gets only about 6 inches of rain a year, but a slot canyon drains storms from miles away. Weather can close tours even under a clear sky.
| Monsoon season | June 15 – September 30 (National Weather Service). Storms usually build in July and August, mostly in the afternoon. |
| Wettest months | October (0.82 in) and August (0.75 in) on average. |
| Why it matters | A 1997 flash flood from a storm upstream killed 11 hikers in Lower Antelope Canyon. Operators now pause or cancel tours whenever flood risk rises. |
| Cloudy day? | No beams, even in July. The color is still worth it. |
| Winter | Early tours can start near freezing; snow is rare. |
If your tour is canceled
Check your confirmation for refund or rebooking terms, or contact our support team. Check the National Weather Service forecast for Page the day before.
Don't miss your tour: the time-zone trap
Arizona does not use daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation, which surrounds Page, does. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, the two are an hour apart.
- Tours near Page generally run on Arizona time, but your phone may switch zones as you drive.
- Go by the time printed on your ticket.
- Set your phone to Arizona ("Phoenix") time while you are in the area.
- Arrive 30–60 minutes early for check-in.
Photography
Antelope Canyon photography tips.
Best for beams: June–August, midday, Upper Canyon. Best for even, rich color: late morning to early afternoon in any season.
Usually allowed
- Phones
- Handheld cameras
Usually not allowed
- Tripods, monopods
- Selfie sticks
- GoPros, drones
Varies by operator
- Bags of any kind
- Video recording
- Water bottles
Dedicated photo tours with tripods no longer run in Upper Canyon. Navajo Parks issues no photo or filming permits for Upper or Lower, so photos are for personal use (Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation).
Phone tips
- Flash off.
- Tap the brightest wall, then lower exposure slightly to keep the color.
- Use HDR or night mode in dim spots; brace the phone against your body.
- Ultra-wide looking up; 2x–3x for abstract curves.
Camera tips
- Wide lens (about 14–24mm).
- No lens changes inside: sand gets everywhere.
- Shoot RAW and expose for the highlights.
- ISO 1,600–3,200 is fine.
Tip
Tours keep moving, and you may get only seconds at popular spots. Set up your phone or camera before you enter.
Planning
Plan your visit with confidence.
When it's busy
Busiest
- Spring break (Mar – Apr)
- Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Midday slots, Apr – Sep
Moderate
- October
- Early November
Quietest
- Mid-November to February
- Except Thanksgiving and Christmas–New Year weeks
- Weekdays in shoulder seasons
How far ahead to book
| Tour | Book |
|---|---|
| Upper, midday, Apr – Sep | As early as possible: often weeks to months ahead |
| Upper, other times | A few weeks ahead in peak season |
| Lower or Canyon X | Usually easier: days to weeks |
| Any canyon, Nov – Feb | Often the same week |
There is no walk-in access without a guided tour.
One-day plan
- MorningLower Antelope or Canyon X
Cooler and calmer.
- MiddayUpper Antelope Canyon
Time it for the light beams.
- Late afternoonHorseshoe Bend or Lake Powell
Finish with the overlook.
Leave at least an hour between tours. Each runs about 1–1.5 hours plus 30–60 minutes of check-in.
What to wear and bring
| Season | Wear | Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Spring / fall | Layers, closed-toe shoes | Sunglasses, scarf or buff for sand |
| Summer | Light clothes, sun hat | Water, sunscreen (apply before) |
| Winter | Warm jacket, hat, gloves | Hand warmers for the truck ride |
| Always | Pockets (bags are often banned) | Photo ID, booking confirmation |
Bag and bottle rules vary by operator; follow your confirmation.
Avoid these mistakes
- Expecting beams in winter (none mid-October to mid-March)
- Going by your phone's time instead of your ticket
- Arriving at tour time instead of 30–60 minutes early
- Bringing a backpack or tripod
- Assuming a National Park pass works (it's Navajo Nation land)
- Booking Lower with limited mobility (steep stairs)
- Planning a holiday visit (closed Thanksgiving, the day after, Christmas, New Year's)
FAQ
Before you visit.
What is the best month to visit Antelope Canyon?
May or early September for beams without peak heat. June–August for the strongest beams. April or October for mild weather.
What time of day are the light beams?
About 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Arizona time, on clear days, late March to early October, mainly in Upper Antelope Canyon.
Can you see light beams in winter?
No. From mid-October to mid-March the sun is too low. Winter still brings glowing walls and far fewer people.
Is Antelope Canyon worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you prefer quiet over beams. Choose Lower Canyon or Canyon X and dress for lows near 30°F.
When is the best time to visit Lower Antelope Canyon?
Any time of year. Late morning to early afternoon gives the brightest glow, and it's a strong pick from November to March.
Does Antelope Canyon close for rain?
Yes. Tours stop whenever there is flash-flood risk, even if it isn't raining at the canyon. Risk peaks June 15–September 30.
What time zone is Antelope Canyon in?
Tours near Page generally run on Arizona time (no daylight saving). The surrounding Navajo Nation does use daylight saving, so always follow your ticket.
How far ahead should I book?
Midday Upper tours from April to September: as early as possible. Lower, Canyon X and winter tours: usually days to weeks.
Make a day of it
More ways to see Page.
Come straight from Las Vegas, or see Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell from the air.
From Las VegasAntelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Guided Day Tour From Las Vegas
- Navajo Nation permit fee included
- Pick Upper, Lower or Canyon X option
- Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend admission included
- Round-trip transport from Las Vegas
Departs from: Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S
From$219.00 /person
Buy ticketsHelicopter
Horseshoe Bend & Tower Butte Landing Helicopter Tour From Page
- Fly over Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell
- Live pilot commentary by headset
- 360-degree views
- Small flights, max 6 guests
Departs from: 238 10th Ave, Page, AZ
From$335.00 /person
Buy ticketsReady to visit Antelope Canyon?
- Want beams?Midday Upper Antelope Canyon, May–September. Book early.
- Want comfort?April or October.
- Want quiet?November–February in Lower Canyon or Canyon X.
Antelope Canyon Tours is an independent ticket reseller, not affiliated with the Navajo Nation or tour operators. Times, rules and policies are set by operators and Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation and can change; follow your booking confirmation. Prices may exceed face value and include service fees.