A Visit to Antelope Canyon in Winter
This stunning slot canyon gets its name from Navajo stories, about the antelope that used to graze above what is now Antelope Canyon in the winter months.
Today, the different sections of Antelope Canyon are open year-round, and there are definite pros and cons to a winter visit.
Winter weather might be a factor, but each season brings different weather-related risks which might impact your visit to Antelope Canyon.
Key Info About Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter:
- You can’t go on your own to any part of Antelope Canyon.
- You’ll need to go on a tour with one of the official operators.
- Choose between Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope, and Antelope Canyon X.
- Cardiac Canyon offers a unique opportunity for a max of 6 people per day (photo below).
- Expect shorter days and cooler temperatures during the winter in Page, AZ.
- Benefits of a winter visit include: the smallest crowds of the year at Antelope Canyon.
Antelope Canyon Tours in Winter
You can’t visit Antelope Canyon on your own. You’ll have to take a tour with one of the licensed operators.
Tours of the different sections of Antelope Canyon are open through the winter months.
➡️ Click to Book: Upper Antelope Canyon
➡️ Click to Book: Lower Antelope Canyon
➡️ Click to Book: Antelope Canyon X
I have a separate blog about the differences between Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, to help you decide which section to visit.
Personally, I’d recommend touring more than one section if you have the time, though if you’re with a large group the price can escalate quickly!
Reasons to Visit Antelope Canyon in Winter
If you’re on the fence about visiting Antelope Canyon in winter, here are three great reasons to book:
1. You’ll Find the Smallest Crowds of the Year
The guides consider the winter months to be the “off-season.” Anecdotally, they say crowd sizes are the smallest in December and January.
There are daily limits on visitors all year, so it’s never overly-crowded … but winter will be a “quieter” experience.
2. More Tour Availability
Since the tours are capped each day, a spring or summer visit to Antelope Canyon might require booking farther in advance. You might also run into challenges securing your preferred timeslot.
In the winter, you’re more likely to have a wider range of dates and times available.
3. Hotel Discounts
Hotel prices in Page, AZ tend to drop during the slower winter months. Nightly rates for a visit in January are usually about $100 less than they are later in the spring.
Warnings About Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter
The weather is always a factor at Antelope Canyon. In general, the weather is usually fine for a tour, but each season brings a different kind of weather event that could impact operations.
In the spring, the risk of snowmelt creating a flooding hazard could impact Antelope Canyon. In the summer, there’s always a risk of a monsoon storm creating the same problem. In the winter, the issue is possible snowfall.
Possible Winter Storms
It snows a few times each winter in Page, Arizona. The accumulation is usually only a couple of inches, and it melts fairly quickly.
Still, winter storms pose a safety risk in the canyons, creating slippery walkways and ladders, especially in Lower Antelope Canyon. Tours are canceled once in a while due to snow in the winter.
The bigger problem is the heavier snowfall on the highways in the broader region. The accumulation is much deeper, and highway driving in Northern Arizona becomes treacherous. There’s a chance it could impact your arrival in Page.
Again, the potential for a winter storm disruption is there, but it’s really not a reason not to go.
Antelope Canyon Closures
As I mentioned, the Antelope Canyon tour companies might close the canyon during bad weather. Years ago, before organized tours became the only way to visit, a group of tourists was swept away and killed in a flash flood.
These days, the tour operators take safety very seriously.
In the winter, parts of Antelope Canyon will close for snowfall. The tour guides say the snow creates safety hazards, like slippery stairs, mud, and puddles in the canyon.
Closures tend to happen more at Lower Antelope Canyon.
Limited Daylight
Winter months are darker in general, with the sun setting in this area in the 5 o’clock hour. You won’t get the bright overhead sunshine that creates beams of light inside Antelope Canyon during the winter months, but there’s plenty of light to illuminate the beautiful wavy walls.
Cold Kayak Tours
The kayak tours to Lower Antelope Canyon are, of course, very cold in the winter months! Some of the tour operators don’t run kayak tours in December, January, and February. You can still rent kayaks and go on your own, if you dress in layers.
Antelope Canyon in November
November is a great month to visit Antelope Canyon!
The summer heat is long gone, so it’s much more comfortable to explore the slot canyons and other sites in the area.
The light beams that shine through the narrow openings in the canyon won’t be as visible, but there’s still plenty of light to illuminate the sandstone for beautiful photos.
November is considered the start of the off-peak season, so you’ll encounter fewer people on your tour. However, you should still book in advance.
Antelope Canyon in December
Temperatures drop at Antelope Canyon in December, but it’s still a good time to visit. Daily highs in Page are usually in the 40s, though they can drop into the 30s. Snow is also possible.
Lighting is limited in December, which is the month with the least amount of daylight. Still, there’s plenty of sunlight to illuminate the canyon.
Guides at Antelope Canyon say December is the slowest month of the year. Tours operate through the holidays, but may not be available on Christmas Day.
The photo below is after a December snowfall at the entrance of Cardiac Canyon.
Antelope Canyon in January
Antelope Canyon will be quieter in January, as the slow season continues. It’s a main perk of a winter visit!
The weather becomes more of an issue in January in Page. It tends to snow a few times each winter, and while the accumulation doesn’t stick around for long, it may become too slippery for the tours to operate in Antelope Canyon.
Temperatures also drop, with highs often only in the upper 30s and lows plunging into the 20s at night!
Again, you won’t see the beams of light in January, since the sun doesn’t get high enough in the sky to create them.
Antelope Canyon in February
February tends to be the last “slower” month at Antelope Canyon, before the spring break crowds arrive in March.
It’ll still be cold, but the risk of a snowstorm is slightly lower and temperatures will likely be in the mid-40s during the day. February is more mild than December and January in Page.
Tour availability should be ample, though booking in advance is always recommended.
Things to do in Page, AZ, in Winter
I’ve been to Page several times in the winter, and there’s always something to do. Here are a few options:
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is just a few minutes south of Page. There are no permits or reservations needed. You’ll pay a parking fee, and then be able to walk the mostly-flat path down to the famous bend in the Colorado River.
The Wave
The Wave is a famous hiking destination between Page and Kanab, Utah. The Bureau of Land Management only grants a few permits each day to the site. It’s a complex reservation/lottery system, and many locals have never even been able to land a permit! Still, if you’re here, you might as well give it a shot!
White Pocket
White Pocket is one of my favorite sites in Arizona. I’ve been there in the winter, and the weather was all over the place! First, we were sweating under the sun, then the wind whipped up a dust storm. And on our way out, it started to snow heavily!
You’ll need a 4×4 to drive to White Pocket any time of year, or you can hire a guide and have someone else do the driving!
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is an iconic site in Eastern Arizona, which served as the backdrop for many Western TV shows and movies over the years. One of the roads through it is named after John Wayne.
It’s a few hours east of Page, AZ, so check the forecast before you start driving. It’ll snow a few times each winter in Monument Valley. It’s beautiful to see, but the roads can get treacherous. The nearest town is Kayenta, AZ.
Where to Stay in Page, AZ
There are several hotels, and many rental opportunities to choose from in Page. It’s a small city, but you can stay right in town for the night. Plug your dates into the interactive map below to search for prices and availability:
What to Pack and Wear for Antelope Canyon in Winter
The key to a winter visit to Antelope Canyon is: layers! When I go exploring the sites of Page, AZ, in the winter months, I pack:
- Gloves
- Winter socks
- Winter hat
- Hand warmers
- Long underwear
- Layers of sweaters and sweatshirts
- Wind-breaker shell
FAQs About Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter
Let’s go over a few frequently-asked-questions. Most of these are answered above, but since people search specifically for them, I’ll do my best to make sure they’re answered:
Is Antelope Canyon open in the winter?
Yes, Antelope Canyon tours run all winter and year-round. You’ll have to choose which part of the canyon you’d like to explore: Upper Antelope Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, or Antelope Canyon X. The staff might close parts of the canyon periodically for cleaning or holidays, but the schedules are planned far in advance.
Can you see the light beams in Antelope Canyon in winter?
The light beams appear in the late spring and summer months, as the sun shines down from above, illuminating Antelope Canyon with the famous light beams.
In the winter, there’s still plenty of light to create beautiful photos of the orangey Navajo sandstone walls.
If you’re going specifically for the beams, book a tour of Upper Antelope Canyon from April through the summer months.
Does it snow at Antelope Canyon in the winter?
It does snow a few times each year in Page, AZ. Sometimes, the tour operators will choose to cancel their tours if they think the snow and ice have made the canyon’s steps too slippery for visitors.
Is Antelope Canyon good for children?
The different sections of Antelope Canyon are great for children, as long as they’re okay with the physical activity.
Keep in mind: Lower Antelope Canyon will require a climb down a relatively steep ladder (or set of steps). Upper Antelope will require a ride in an open-air jeep out to the canyon’s entrance.
What happens if a tour is canceled?
Lower Antelope Canyon tours cancel from time to time not just in the winter, but through the year due to bad weather.
You can cancel your tour and get a full refund, or reschedule your tour for another date and time.
Wrap: Is it Worth Visiting Antelope Canyon in Winter?
I’ve been to Page, Arizona, several times in the winter months. Despite the risk of a winter storm bringing snow to the area, it’s still worth visiting Antelope Canyon this time of year.
Your daylight will be limited, so make sure to keep that in mind when you’re booking. Midday tours will give you the best light for photos in the winter.
Just dress for the cold temperatures, and enjoy the smaller crowds that tend to show up at Antelope Canyon during the winter months!
