Sedona to Antelope Canyon: The Complete Guide
If you’re planning a trip to Arizona and the Sonoran Desert, I always suggest making the trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ.
These two sites are even more stunning in person, and truly unique to Arizona!
Here are a few key things to know about a trip from Sedona to Page, AZ:
- The drive is under 3 hours.
- You can take a detour to the Grand Canyon along the way.
- Day trip tours are available from Sedona to Antelope Canyon.
- Temperatures hit triple digits in the summer in Page.
- It can snow in the winter in both Sedona and Page.
- You’ll need reservations in advance for Antelope Canyon.
Tours from Sedona to Antelope Canyon
For visitors who’d rather not deal with the logistics and navigation involved in driving from the red rocks in Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Page (or would rather nap and let someone else do the driving) there are several great tours to choose from!
These have excellent reviews:
➡️ Book: Sedona to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend: Private Tour
➡️ Book: Sedona to Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend: Small Group
Sedona to Horseshoe Bend
While you have to book a tour and reservation for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend is open to the public without the need for a permit or reservation.
It’s just south of Page, and easy to get to with a huge parking lot.
The hike from the parking lot to the famous bend in the Colorado River is mostly flat, and about one mile long.
PRO TIP: Don’t just stand with the crowd on the main viewing platform. Walking down the rocky ledge will offer the same amazing views, along with some peace and quiet.
Drive from Sedona to Page, AZ
The drive from Sedona to Page is pretty painless. Under normal conditions, you should expect it to be:
- 160 miles
- 3 hours
There are no toll roads, and you won’t hit any traffic.
The directions from Sedona to Page are simple:
- Highway 89A North from Sedona to Flagstaff.
- I-40 East in Flagstaff to Highway 89 North.
- North of Cameron and Willow Springs, Google Maps might tell you to veer off onto Coppermine Road.
- Ignore that suggestion, and continue on 89 all the way to Page.
Add a Detour to the Grand Canyon
If you’re driving yourself, adding a detour on a trip from Sedona to Page, AZ, will add just two hours to your road trip.
For first-time visitors to Arizona, it’s worth the extra drive!
On your drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon and other sites in Page, here are directions for the detour to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon:
- Sedona to Cameron, AZ: 80 miles / 90 minutes
- Cameron to Grand Canyon Village: 60 miles / 70 minutes
- Enjoy the views!
- Grand Canyon Village to Cameron: 60 miles / 70 minutes
- Cameron to Page, AZ: 80 miles / 80 minutes
- Use Highway 89 to Page
Even if you don’t want to hike one of the Grand Canyon’s trails, if you’re in the Southwest, you might as well check out the views at one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”
Where to Stay in Sedona & Page
You’ll have many more options for hotels and rentals in Sedona, compared to Page. You can use this interactive map to plug in your dates and see what’s available.
In Page, I usually stay at the Hyatt Place Page-Lake Powell. The staff is always very friendly, the rooms are large, and the restaurant is open very early and quite late at night!
➡️ BOOK A HOTEL: Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell
Favorite Hikes & Tours in Sedona
Sedona is known for Jeep tours, which will take you on adventures along the red rocks. These have excellent reviews:
➡️ Book a Jeep Tour: Sedona Outback
➡️ Book a Jeep Tour: Private Red Rocks
Devil’s Bridge Hike
Devil’s Bridge is arguably the most famous hike in Sedona. There are so many to choose from, but Devil’s Bridge is one of the best!
A moderate hike will take you to a large sandstone arch, which spans the red rocks and Coconino National Forest below.
➡️ Click here for my full post on Devil’s Bridge, including:
- Trailhead options
- Taking the Sedona Shuttle
- Photos and a complete description of the trail
- What you’ll find at Devil’s Bridge
Sedona Hiking Trails
There are too many trails to list, but in Sedona I always recommend:
- Soldier’s Pass
- Airport Mesa
- Marg’s Draw
- Broken Arrow
- Edge of the World (below)
Things to do in Page, AZ
The natural wonders around Page, aside from Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, are vastly underrated!
I have a whole separate blog, listing 30 things to do in Page, but here are some of the top sites to see:
The Wave
Page is a home base to “The Wave” rock formation, but to hike there you need a permit that for me (and many others) has been impossible to get over the years.
➡️ Jared’s Detours Blog: How to Get a Permit for “The Wave”
I’ll keep trying myself for a permit, but so far my only glimpse of The Wave has been from the sky, on a flight over the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell.
White Pocket
If you’re up for an even better adventure, I’d suggest going to White Pocket.
It’s not as well known, but the geography and views at White Pocket are stunning. It might be my favorite spot in Arizona!
Just beware: you’ll need to rent a 4×4 or take a tour to get there.
Glen Canyon Dam
The Glen Canyon Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Colorado River, right in the City of Page. It was constructed in the 1960s to provide hydroelectric power, water storage, and flood control.
The visitor center provides tours, plus exhibits on the history and mechanics of this man-made wonder!
The dam creates Lake Powell, the second-largest man-made reservoir in the United States.
Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch
You can hike this popular trail, which is more of a drive outside the City of Page, to another slot canyon. You don’t need a permit or reservation, but you will have to pay a parking fee.
Make sure to head to the Wire Pass parking lot, rather than the Buckskin Gulch lot.
Horseshoe Bend
I’ll mention Horseshoe Bend again in this section, since it’s free (aside from the parking fee) and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
It’s conveniently located just outside the city of Page, so I’d consider it a “must-see” when you visit!
Antelope Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon
These are two more sections of Antelope Canyon, which offer unique experiences.
In addition to standard tours, Antelope X offers a special photography tour.
Cardiac Canyon tours cap at a maximum of 6 people per day, and run 6 full hours.
The Best Time to Visit Sedona and Antelope Canyon
As for the best time to visit Sedona, Antelope Canyon, and the other amazing sites in Arizona, it depends on several factors:
- How well you handle crowds
- How well you handle the heat
- How well you handle the snow
Both Sedona and Antelope Canyon have seen explosive growth in tourism over the last decade, and you’ll notice: it’s not just Americans. Antelope Canyon especially has become world famous. You’ll have people from Asia and Europe on your tour with you!
With that said, the crowds are smallest in the winter months, from December through January, and into February.
Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Winter
Sedona experiences relatively mild winters compared to many other parts of the country. Winter temperatures in Sedona typically range from around 40°F (4°C) to 60°F (15°C) during the day, though it can drop below freezing at night.
The city of Sedona, and the surrounding red rocks, are usually blanketed with a light layer of snow a few times each winter. It can accumulate at times, and close the highway you’d take north to Flagstaff (89A).
In Page, temperatures in winter usually range from around 30°F (-1°C) to 50°F (10°C) during the day, dropping below freezing at night.
Snowfall in Page is not uncommon, particularly in January and February. However, snow accumulation tends to be relatively light, and it might not stick around for long in the city.
Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Spring
In Sedona, the spring months (March, April, and May) bring beautiful weather and big crowds beginning with spring breakers in March.
Daytime temperatures generally range from around 60°F (15°C) to 80°F (27°C), while nights can still be cool, ranging from around 40°F (4°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Dressing in layers is key!
Rainfall in Sedona during the spring is moderate, with March and April seeing a bit more precipitation compared to May.
In Page, temperatures rise through the spring, generally ranging from around 60°F (15°C) to 80°F (27°C). Nights can still be cool, ranging from around 40°F (4°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Rainfall in Page during the spring can vary but tends to be relatively low. March and April are usually drier, while May might see a slight increase in precipitation.
Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Summer
In the summer months, the heat sets in, though Sedona doesn’t get as hot as Phoenix. Daytime highs average between 90°F (32°C) and 100°F (38°C) in June, July, and August. Nighttime temperatures offer some relief but can still range from 60°F (15°C) to 70°F (21°C).
Rainfall in Sedona during the summer months is generally minimal.
During the summer months in Page, daytime temperatures can surpass 100°F, so prepare for the heat! It’s still a good time to visit Antelope Canyon, since the canyon itself stays a bit cooler.
The monsoon is the big game-changer for summertime visits to Antelope Canyon. The storms can whip up quickly, and dump rainfall on the area. The operators of the Antelope Canyon tours will close if there’s even a possibility that rain in the distance could cause a flash flood in the canyon.
Canceled tours will be rescheduled for the following day.
Sedona to Antelope Canyon in the Fall
During fall in Sedona, daytime temperatures typically range from around 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C) in September and can drop to between 50°F (10°C) and 60°F (15°C) by November. Nighttime temperatures become cooler as well, ranging from around 40°F (4°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Rainfall in Sedona during the fall months is relatively low, though slightly higher in September.
Similarly, in Page, daytime temperatures generally range from around 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C) in September and gradually drop to around 50°F (10°C) to 60°F (15°C) by November. Nighttime temperatures also drop to between 40°F (4°C) and 50°F (10°C).
Rainfall in Page during the fall is relatively low, though the risk of monsoon storms sticks around through September.
Fly from Page, AZ to Phoenix
If you’ve driven from Sedona to Antelope Canyon and other sites in Page, AZ, you can opt to make the drive to several cities to fly home from:
- Page to Phoenix, AZ: 4.5 hours / 275 miles
- Page to St. George, UT: 2.5 hours / 150 miles
- Page to Las Vegas, NV: 4.5 hours / 275 miles
Or, you can take a Contour Airlines flight right from the small airport in Page to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).
It’s a quick, 45-minute flight on a small plane.
The caveat to this option is: it’ll likely be expensive to drop your rental car (if you have one) off in Page. As I write this, only Avis serves the Page area.
If you’ve hired a driver to shuttle you from Sedona to Page, taking the Contour flight to Phoenix is ideal.
FAQs About Trips From Sedona to Antelope Canyon
Let’s tackle a few frequently-asked-questions about trips from Sedona to Antelope Canyon. Most of these have been answered above.
Can you go to Antelope Canyon on your own?
No, access to all parts of Antelope Canyon is strictly controlled. You’ll need a guided tour from one of the official operators in Page.
Can you do Sedona to Antelope Canyon as a day trip?
Yes! It’s a full day, especially if you include a stop at Horseshoe Bend (which I recommend) but you can certainly make a day trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon in Page.
Which is better: Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon?
I have a lengthy blog describing the differences between these two parts of Antelope Canyon.
➡️ Jared’s Detours Blog: Upper Vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Generally, Upper Antelope is a bit darker inside. The canyon is A-shaped, so less light comes in. It’s also easier for seniors, since it doesn’t require climbing up or down any ladders.
Lower Antelope has the brighter orange sandstone walls, since it’s more V-shaped (allowing more light in). It requires a bit more physical effort, beginning with a climb down a ladder into the canyon to begin your trek.
Your photos from both will be stunning!
You can also take a kayak + hiking tour of Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell.
How far is Sedona from Phoenix?
Sedona is a quick (and usually easy) 2-hour drive north of Phoenix.
Which is closer to Page, AZ: Phoenix or Las Vegas.
Page is in the middle of Phoenix and Vegas! It’s about 4.5 hours to drive from either Phoenix or Vegas to Page.
Wrap: Is it Worth Going from Sedona to Antelope Canyon
Arizona is known as “The Grand Canyon State,” and is proudly home to one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.” I love going to the Grand Canyon.
With that said … nothing wows visitors more than Sedona or Antelope Canyon! Whether it’s friends or relatives or strangers I help through my travel segment on TV or this website, Sedona and Antelope are always the most awe-inspiring parts of their trips to Arizona!
