Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour (with Option Upgrade to Photo Tour)

Antelope Canyon X gives you the famous swirls and narrow sandstone walls of the Page area, but with fewer people than the better-known Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours. You ride about three miles across the desert, walk into two canyon sections, and watch sunlight shift across rock shaped by rain and wind.

I like the small-group format, capped at 10 people, and the way guides help with phone pictures as well as camera settings. I also like that the route visits two different sections, including one A-shaped canyon and one V-shaped canyon. The main catch is time: the standard tour moves along, and some visitors may find 90 minutes too short for relaxed photography.

Key points to know before you go

• Two canyon sections: You walk through separate A-shaped and V-shaped passages, not just one short slot.
• A Navajo-guided experience: Guides may explain canyon formation, local plants, history, and family connections to the area.
• A 4WD approach: The ride from Highway 98 covers roughly three miles before the walk begins.
• A real stair climb: Expect a staircase of about 200 feet into the canyon, with an uphill walk back to the vehicle.
• A useful photo upgrade: The longer option lasts about 2.5 hours and allows more time for tripods and careful compositions.
• Strict timing matters: Arrive at least 45 minutes early and check the time zone printed on your voucher.

Why Canyon X is worth your Page stop

Antelope Canyon X is named for the X-shaped cuts formed in Navajo Sandstone by water and wind over millions of years. You see the familiar slot canyon pattern here: smooth, folded walls, narrow passages, and occasional shafts of light that turn the stone orange, pink, and gold.

The setting feels less crowded than the main Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon routes, though you should not expect solitude on the standard tour. This is still a scheduled attraction with groups moving through the canyon. The difference is that Canyon X offers a quieter feel and two distinct canyon sections within one short outing.

I especially like the balance between scenery and effort. You do not need climbing skills or hiking boots, and there are no ladders inside the canyon. At the same time, this is not a flat walk from the parking lot. The staircase and the uphill return mean you should be comfortable with a moderate burst of steps.

From Highway 98 to the canyon mouth

The meeting point is at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours, near Milepost 308 on Highway 98 outside Page. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need your own transport to the departure point.

Arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. This is not a suggestion to treat casually. The Page area can involve time zone confusion, and the tour information specifically warns you to check the time zone on your voucher. Arriving late can mean missing the departure with no refund.

After check-in, you board a 4WD transport vehicle for the roughly three-mile ride to the canyon entrance. The ride is part of the setting, carrying you across open desert before the narrow sandstone walls close around you. Depending on the vehicle, the ride may feel basic rather than luxurious, so keep your expectations practical.

Bring water, though bottled water is provided. Use the restroom before leaving the check-in area. There are no restrooms inside the canyon, and the facilities at the starting point are your last easy chance.

Walking into the first slot canyon

The first walk into Canyon X is about 100 meters. Once inside, your Navajo guide leads you through the first slot section and helps you read the shapes in the stone.

The canyon walls are the star, but the guide can make the visit much more rewarding. Guides such as Van, Orvid, Mike, Ethel, Brandon, Tyler, and Nick have been praised for explaining rock formation, answering questions, sharing local knowledge, and helping with photographs. Your guide will vary, but the best guiding here combines facts with a calm pace and a clear sense of place.

You may see occasional light beams, though the exact effect depends on the sun, season, weather, and time of day. A November departure at 11:30, for example, can still offer good light, but conditions change from one hour to the next. Do not book this expecting one guaranteed dramatic sunbeam.

The walking surface is relatively easy once you are in the canyon. Closed-toe shoes are required, and sturdy sneakers or trail-running shoes should be enough for most people. Flip-flops, open-toe shoes, and heels are not suitable.

The walk between the two canyon sections

After the first slot canyon, you walk about 200 meters to the second section. This makes the tour feel more varied than a quick in-and-out passage.

The two sections differ in shape. One has been described as A-shaped and the other as V-shaped, giving you a chance to see how the same sandstone can form different curves, openings, and patterns. Guides may demonstrate how rainfall carved the canyon over time, sometimes using the rock itself to show the process.

This middle walk also gives you a little breathing room. You are not inside a dark, narrow passage for the entire outing. Still, the standard tour is scheduled, and the group must keep moving to make room for other groups. If you want to stop for several minutes at each angle, set up a tripod, or wait patiently for an empty frame, the longer photo option is the better choice.

How the photo tour changes the experience

The standard tour lasts about 1.5 hours from departure and return to the meeting area. That is enough time to see both canyon sections, take plenty of casual pictures, and enjoy the scenery. It can feel short if you are serious about photography.

The photography upgrade allows about 2.5 hours in the canyon. That extra time matters because slot canyon photography is not simply a matter of pointing your phone at the wall. You may want to adjust exposure, wait for a patch of light, arrange people in the frame, or set up a tripod without blocking the group.

The photo option is aimed at hobby photographers and anyone who prefers a slower visit. Guides can point out strong compositions, help with camera settings, and allow time for tripod setup. Even if you are using a phone, the longer format may help you avoid the rushed feeling that can come with a standard group walk.

There is a tradeoff. The longer option costs more, and the standard tour may be the better value if you mainly want to see the canyon and take a few family pictures. For serious camera users, though, the added time is easier to justify than buying a short tour and wishing you had stayed longer.

Photography help for phones and cameras

You do not need professional equipment to get good pictures here. Guides often help with phone positioning, portrait shots, and the best places to frame the walls. Josh, Nick, Ethel, and other guides have been singled out for taking pictures of groups, offering photo advice, and adding creative touches.

That service is useful because the canyon walls can fool automatic camera settings. Bright sky, dark shadows, and orange sandstone all appear in a tight frame. A guide who knows the route can also suggest where to stand without slowing the group too much.

The standard tour still has limits. Since Canyon X is narrow and groups follow one another, you may need to take a picture quickly and move on. One poor experience involved a group being pushed along by the people behind them, making careful photography difficult. That is a real possibility on a busy departure.

If photographs are the main reason you are going, choose the photo tour and bring a tripod if you have one. If the canyon itself is the priority, keep your equipment light and enjoy the walk rather than trying to capture every curve.

What the guides add

The strongest part of this experience is often the human side. A good guide does more than point toward the sandstone. You may hear about how the canyon formed, local plants and animals, Navajo heritage, and the meaning of the surrounding land.

Van, for example, has shared stories about slot canyons and his Navajo family background. Orvid has explained geology, local fauna, and history. Mike has demonstrated how the rock formed. Brandon has been praised for giving useful information without talking constantly, then allowing quiet time in the canyon.

That last point matters. You want enough explanation to understand what you are seeing, but you also want a few quiet moments to look up and take it in. The guiding style can vary by person. One experience was described as friendly but lighter on historical and cultural detail, so visitors seeking a lecture-length cultural program should keep expectations in check.

You can help shape the tour by asking questions. Ask how water formed a particular curve, why the canyon has two shapes, or what plants survive in the desert around the entrance. Guides tend to respond well when you show interest.

Physical demands, children, and practical comfort

The walk inside the canyon is generally light, but the staircase changes the rating. Information for the tour describes a 200-foot staircase into Canyon X, while some descriptions compare the return to roughly 100 steps uphill. Either way, you should be ready for a stair climb after the canyon walk.

The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant. Most people can participate, but the route is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Infants need a car seat for the vehicle ride and must be carried through the canyon. Backpacks and strollers are not permitted inside.

Wear comfortable clothing suited to the season. The canyon can feel cool at times, even when Page is hot, so a light layer may help. Closed-toe shoes are required. Bring a camera or phone, but keep your hands free enough to manage the steps and narrow passage.

There is no food service, though bottled water is supplied. Guide tips are not included, and $2 to $5 per person is suggested.

Is $89 a fair price?

The listed price is $89 per person, including the Canyon X admission fee and the $8 Navajo permit fee. It also includes the 4WD ride, bottled water, and the guided walk through both canyon sections.

That is not a bargain in the usual sense, especially for a 90-minute experience. You are paying for access to a protected Navajo Nation site, transport into the canyon area, a guide, and a tightly managed route. If you only count minutes, the price may feel high.

I find the value stronger if you want a guided slot canyon visit without the heavier crowds associated with the most famous routes. The two sections, the 4WD approach, and the chance to get personal photo help add substance. The photo upgrade is easier to defend for camera users, while casual sightseers may prefer the standard price.

One note: the listed group limit is 10 people, though a larger group was reported on one departure. If that limit matters to you, confirm it at booking and speak up if the group appears larger than promised.

Timing and cancellation rules

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Because the tour can be booked around three weeks ahead on average, reserve early if your Page schedule is tight. Then read every instruction carefully, especially the meeting time, time zone, directions, and arrival requirement. A missed departure is not treated like a flexible sightseeing ticket.

Who should book Canyon X

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A shorter slot canyon visit that fits beside Horseshoe Bend or another Page activity
• A Navajo-guided experience with possible geology and cultural explanation
• Two canyon sections instead of one brief passage
• Help taking pictures with a phone or camera
• A route that is manageable for most people who can handle stairs

I would choose the photo upgrade if photography is central to your trip, you want to use a tripod, or you dislike being hurried. I would skip the upgrade if you mainly want a scenic introduction and need to keep the cost down.

Families can make it work if children can manage the transport, carrying rules, narrow canyon, and staircase. Very young children require extra planning. Anyone with mobility concerns should consider a different Page activity.

Should you book the Antelope Canyon X tour?

Yes, if you want the look of a famous Page slot canyon with two sections, a Navajo guide, and generally lighter crowds than the headline routes. The scenery is excellent, the walk inside is manageable, and the guides can turn a pretty passage into a more meaningful visit.

Book with care. Arrive early, confirm the time zone, use the restroom first, wear closed-toe shoes, and do not expect unlimited time for pictures on the standard tour. For serious photographers, pay for the longer option. For everyone else, the 90-minute tour offers a compact and memorable look at one of northern Arizona’s most unusual natural formations.

FAQ

Where does the Antelope Canyon X tour begin?

The tour begins at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours near Milepost 308 on Highway 98, Page, Arizona. Hotel pickup is not included.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Check the time zone shown on your voucher, since time changes around Page can cause confusion.

How long does the standard tour last?

The standard experience lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, including the transport and guided visit.

How long is the photography option?

The photography option allows about 2.5 hours in the canyon. It is intended for people who want more time for photography and tripod use.

How strenuous is the walk?

The canyon route uses relatively easy terrain and has no ladders, but you must manage a staircase of about 200 feet. The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant.

Are restrooms available inside the canyon?

No. Use the facilities at the check-in point before departure.

What is included in the price?

The price includes admission to Antelope Canyon X, the $8-per-person Navajo permit fee, the 4WD transport, the guided tour, and bottled water. Guide tips are not included.