Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon Basics
Before getting into the itinerary, let’s first quickly hit some high points and know before you go information on Antelope Canyon. Antelope Canyon is a stunning slot canyon located just about 2 hours and 20 minutes east of Zion National Park. Home to fascinating rock formations, vibrant colors and various plays of light, Antelope Canyon is a dream destination for photographers and lovers of nature alike.
Antelope Canyon is broken down into two parts: upper and lower. Upper Antelope Canyon is the more popular and visited of the two. It is known for wider passageways, larger chambers, easier accessibility, and allegedly better lighting for seeing the “light beams” the canyon is so well known for. Lower Antelope Canyon is slightly less crowded, often cheaper, and has more narrow passageways. Navigating Lower Antelope Canyon also requires visitors to navigate some stairs and ladders which is not recommended for those with mobility issues.
Regardless of which you choose, both upper and lower require guided tours. For information on guided tours of Antelope Canyon click HERE! A word for the wise, you will want to book your tour well in advance. In the age of Instagram, beauties like Antelope Canyon are becoming even more popular and tours fill up fast!
We would also recommend you consider the weather and time of day for your trip. The best time of day for light beams in the canyon is typically around noon and tours during this time are more expensive (but in our opinion worth it). Unbearable temperatures in the canyon during the summer as well as flash floods especially during the monsoon season are reasons for tour cancellations to bear in mind. You should also carefully review your tickets upon purchase. The tours are strict about what is able to be brought into the canyon. CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TIME of your tour as well. Antelope Canyon is within and operated by the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation recognizes daylight savings time, as does Utah. Arizona, however does not follow daylight savings time. This is confusing so plan ahead and get to your tour on time. Now to the itinerary!
Start your day with a good breakfast and leave Springdale with enough time for some spontaneous roadside stops in Zion on your way to Antelope Canyon. Zion Canyon is stunning and changes with the light throughout the day. For those on a tight schedule, this may be your only time driving through the park in the early morning and you want to ensure you have enough time to stop and enjoy some sights on the way. There is often a little traffic as you enter the park and the Zion Mount-Carmel Tunnel that you should account for as well.
Other than an occasional photoop, we wouldn’t recommend planning anything too ambitious the morning before your tour. Plan ahead and get some prime lighting with a midday tour of the canyon. For our most recent trip, we started our tour of Lower Antelope Canyon just before noon and found the lighting perfect and the experience magical. For early risers, consider stopping at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center on your way to your canyon tour. We had a little bit of a late start and had a bit of a tighter schedule fitting the Visitor Center into the afternoon. More on the Visitor Center later, but if you want to sleep in a little bit like us, your first main stop of the day will likely be for your tour of Antelope Canyon!
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 1: Antelope Canyon
After comparing pricing and availability of times, we decided on touring Lower Antelope Canyon instead of upper. Visitors can tour Lower Antelope Canyon by booking through either Ken’s Tours or Dixie’s Tours. We booked through Ken’s Tours on Viator and were very pleased with our experience. Ample parking was available in a large lot and the check in process was quick and easy. Our knowledgable tour guide was a local resident who grew up playing in the slot canyons of the area since she was a little girl. She and many of the guides do a great job of keeping everyone moving through the canyon at a good pace while also ensuring you can enjoy your time and ask questions as well. They also will help with photos of your group and show you the best settings for optimum picture quality (they recommend vivid warm). General tours last about an hour and we found this a good amount of time to be in the canyon and still have a full day for other activities!
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 2: Lunch at Lake Powell Espresso
After leaving Antelope Canyon, head over to Lake Powell Espresso for some lunch and a quick caffeinated pick me up. This cozy establishment serves a variety of baked goods, paninis, wraps, and other tasty breakfast and lunch offerings. The wide variety of coffee and tea drinks make for a perfect afternoon refresher as well. Grab a spot inside the open rustic interior or enjoy some sun in the back garden before continuing on with your day.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 3: Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
Refueled and recharged, drive 5 minutes over to the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook. There is a small and free parking lot leading to a short walking path to the lookout. This is a quick 15-30 minute stop that overlooks the Colorado River and the impressive Glen Canyon Dam beyond. The Glen Canyon Dam is a massive architectural wonder which not only is responsible for the creation of Lake Powell but also provides power for millions of people in the Southwestern US.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 4: Horseshoe Bend
The next stop of the day is a big one, the famous Horseshoe Bend. Just 10 minutes south from our previous overlook, Horseshoe Bend is an iconic spot where the Colorado River wraps around a large rock formation in the shape of a horseshoe. The lookout provides panoramic views of the Colorado River and steep rock faces below. Note that although this itinerary calls for a midday visit, it is said that the best time for viewing is either sunrise or sunset.
Like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend has seen a recent surge in popularity. There is a paid parking lot which we read can fill up fast during peak summer months. An approximately 1.5 mile roundtrip trail leads from the parking lot down to various viewpoints overlooking the canyon. Bring water and a shade umbrella if needed. Other than two covered benches along the trail there is no shade to be found and the Arizona sun can be brutal.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 5: Carl Hayden Visitor Center
After spending some time out in the sun, consider recharging your battery, filling your waterbottles and enjoying some AC at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. This Visitor Center was awesome and worth a stop for all exploring the area. Various interactive displays provide a fascinating account of the dams construction, hydroelectric power generation, and environmental impact on the region. There are video presentations as well. Beyond the museum itself, visitors are treated to sweeping views of Lake Powell and the canyon below. In hindsight, if you are able to wake up a little earlier and add this stop into your morning before Antelope Canyon, the Visitor Center would make for a great introduction to the Glen Canyon region and provide fascinating insights into many of the questions you may have. We found it particularly interesting how different states vie for water rights from the Colorado River and electricity rights from the dams.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 6: Sand Caves
Now starts the drive back to Springdale, of course with some choice stops along the way. The first of these stops is the Sand Caves (Google maps location HERE). Located adjacent to the better known Moqui Cave, the Sand Caves are a free attraction conveniently located just off your route home. From the parking lot, there are several unmarked trails that wind between the road and the adjacent cliff face. There really isn’t any way to get super lost in this narrow corridor and the walk is a flat 0.5-1.0 mile roundtrip depending on the route you take.
As the caves come into view, visitors must walk/crawl up a relatively steep path to the caves mouth above. Inside, you can explore the small but fascinating cave at your leisure. Soft yellow sandstone has been eroded by wind and water to make this visually striking cave. We found the waning afternoon light perfect for photography and as a lesser known attraction, we had the caves basically to ourselves.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 7: Belly of the Dragon
After leaving the Sand Caves, your last stop of the day is at the Belly of the Dragon Trailhead. Formed by water eroding through soft sandstone, the Belly of the Dragon is a fun natural wonder conveniently located just off your route. The tunnel is approximately 100 feet long and resembles the belly of a dragon (or so they say lol). The tunnel is fortunately located at the very start of the trail (like 100 yards in) making it a great quick stop to end your day. The rest of the trail is nothing spectacular, so we recommend enjoying some time in the tunnel (bring a flashlight if you can) and then heading back to the car to finish your drive home.
Day Trip From Zion to Antelope Canyon
Stop 8: Dinner at Wild Thyme Cafe at Trees Ranch
Upon arriving back in Springdale, consider treating yourself to some fine food and drinks at Wild Thyme Cafe at Trees Ranch. With a focus on fresh locally sourced ingredients, Wild Thyme Cafe at Trees Ranch features a seasonally changing menu with robust and filling breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The warm and inviting interior is often adorned with local art and the surrounding ranch offers picturesque views, perfect to end a great day of exploring and adventuring with friends!
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