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

Antelope Canyon X gives you two narrow sandstone canyons for the price of one, reached by a short 4WD ride across the desert from Page. The canyon walls twist into the shapes that give Canyon X its name, with occasional shafts of light slipping down from above. It is a quieter alternative to the better-known Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours.

I like the two-canyon route, which gives the 90-minute visit a satisfying sense of variety. I also like the guides’ practical help with cameras and phone photos. Guides such as Van, Nick, Ethel, and Orvid have been praised for their patience, stories, and willingness to take photos for visitors.

The main consideration is time. Ninety minutes passes quickly, and the standard tour can feel hurried when several groups are moving through the narrow passages. You’ll also need to manage a long staircase, including roughly 100 steps or a 200-foot descent and climb, depending on how the route is described.

Key points to know before booking

• Two slot canyons in one visit: You walk through a first canyon, then continue about 200 meters to a second section with a different shape and feel.
• A short 4WD approach: The open-air or enclosed transport vehicle covers about 3 miles from the meeting point to the canyon entrance.
• A Navajo-guided experience: Guides may explain canyon formation, local wildlife, family heritage, and the meaning behind the Canyon X name.
• Easy walking, but real stairs: The canyon floor is mostly manageable, with no ladders, but the entrance and exit involve a long staircase.
• Photo help is part of the appeal: Guides often suggest camera settings, point out photo positions, and take pictures with your phone.
• The upgrade buys time: The photography option gives about 2.5 hours in the canyon and allows more room for tripods and careful compositions.

Why Canyon X feels different from the famous Antelope Canyon tours

Antelope Canyon X is the lesser-known cousin of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. That does not make it less striking. The attraction is the same basic force of nature: rainwater and wind slowly shaping Navajo Sandstone into smooth, flowing corridors.

The name comes from the X-shaped cuts formed in the sandstone over millions of years. Inside, you’ll see rounded walls, narrow openings, rippled textures, and changing bands of color. Light can be especially dramatic when it reaches the canyon floor, though the exact effect depends on the season, time of day, and weather.

I like Canyon X because the route includes two sections rather than one short passage. The first canyon is reached after a 100-meter walk from the drop-off point. Once you finish it, the guide leads you roughly 200 meters to the second canyon. That short walk between sections helps break up the experience and gives you a chance to reset your camera or simply look around.

The quieter setting is another reason to consider it. Canyon X is not guaranteed to feel empty, but it generally has fewer visitors than the more famous Upper and Lower routes. That can make a difference when you want to look up at the walls instead of spending the whole time trying to keep pace with a crowd.

From Milepost 308 to the canyon entrance

You meet at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours, at Milepost 308 on Highway 98, outside Page, Arizona. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need your own transportation to the meeting point.

Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. That buffer matters because the area uses a specific local time schedule, and the time zone information on your voucher should be checked carefully. Page and nearby parts of the Navajo Nation can create confusion for people driving in from another part of Arizona or Utah. Arriving late can mean losing the tour and the money paid for it.

After parking and completing check-in, you board a 4WD vehicle for the roughly 3-mile ride to the canyon. The vehicle transfer is not just a shuttle detail. It gets you away from the highway and into the desert setting that surrounds the canyon, while saving you a longer walk to the entrance.

Use the restroom before leaving the check-in area. Portable toilets are available there, but there are no restrooms inside the canyon. Bring water, although a bottle of water is provided.

The first 100 meters and the long staircase

The hiking portion begins near the mouth of Canyon X. You walk about 100 meters to reach the first slot canyon, then descend a substantial staircase. The exact descriptions vary, but you should plan for roughly 100 steps or a 200-foot staircase into the canyon.

The walking inside the canyon is mostly flat and relatively easy. You do not face ladders, technical scrambling, or a strenuous trail on the canyon floor. Still, the stairs make this more than a completely effortless outing, especially in heat or when climbing back to the vehicle.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a good sole. Hiking boots are not essential, and one visitor found trail-running shoes ideal, but flip-flops, open-toe shoes, and heels are not suitable. Comfortable seasonal clothing is best. The canyon can feel cool at times, even when the desert above is warm.

Strollers and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Infants need a car seat for the vehicle ride and must be carried through the canyon. Backpacks and strollers are not permitted inside, and a chest-style or backpack-style child carrier is the practical option for a small child.

Inside the first slot canyon

Once you enter the first section, your Navajo guide leads the group through the narrow sandstone passage. The walls are the main event, but the guide adds useful context by explaining how water and wind shaped the rock.

The best guides keep the information connected to what you are seeing. Orvid, for example, has been praised for discussing history and local wildlife, while Mike demonstrated how the canyons formed. Van shared stories about slot canyons and his Navajo heritage, giving the tour a more personal connection to the place.

The quality of commentary may depend on your individual guide. One visitor enjoyed a friendly guide named Kaya but wished for more facts about the canyon and the land. That is a fair point to keep in mind. This is a guided walk, but the amount of historical and cultural detail may vary.

Photography is woven into the route. Guides may show you where to stand, suggest phone angles, or create simple special effects with the canyon’s shapes. Josh and Ethel were praised for taking pictures, while Tyler was noted for clear explanations and patience. You should still expect to manage your own camera, especially on the standard tour, where the group must keep moving.

The second canyon and the value of seeing both

After the first slot canyon, you walk about 200 meters to the second section. This is a modest distance, but it gives the experience a useful change of pace. You are not simply walking in and out of one corridor. You get two related but distinct sections of sculpted sandstone.

The canyons are sometimes described as having A-shaped and V-shaped forms. That difference is not a technical geology lesson, but it helps explain why the two sections can feel different as you move through them. Look for the way the upper walls narrow, how the light reaches the floor, and how the sandstone bands bend around you.

The standard tour lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish. That includes the vehicle transfer, walking, guiding, and time in both canyon sections. The actual time spent looking at the most dramatic formations is limited, so take your photos efficiently and listen while you walk.

Some guides take their time when the route allows. Nick was praised for answering questions, offering to take group photos, and not rushing people. Brandon was appreciated for sharing information without overloading the group and allowing a few quiet moments. Those small pauses can make the visit feel less like a conveyor belt.

Still, Canyon X is a working tour route with other groups nearby. A narrow passage cannot hold everyone in place for long, and the group behind may press forward. If you need long periods to compose each image, the standard outing may leave you frustrated.

Choosing the photography upgrade

The photography option is the clearest upgrade for people who care about images more than a quick look. It gives you about 2.5 hours in the canyon, compared with about 1.5 hours for the standard tour. Some descriptions refer to it as a three-hour photography tour, so check the exact duration attached to your selected departure.

The extra time matters because slot canyon photography is not a point-and-shoot exercise. You need time to set up a tripod, wait for a useful shaft of light, adjust exposure, and let other people pass. The longer visit can also make room for repeated compositions instead of one hurried frame at each formation.

The photography tour is suited to hobbyists and people who want to use a tripod. A guide can point out strong angles and help with settings, but you should bring the camera equipment you actually know how to use. Tripods are useful on this upgrade, while they may be awkward on a fast-moving standard group.

One couple described having the canyon largely to themselves between regular tours, which is the kind of quiet that can make the upgrade worthwhile. It is not a promise that you will have complete solitude, but the added time gives the schedule more breathing room.

At $89 per person for the standard tour, the price is reasonable for a permit-based Navajo guided experience, a 4WD transfer, entry fees, and bottled water. The value is less convincing if you only want a quick look and are comparing the cost with the short duration. If photography is your priority, the upgrade may offer better value because time, not admission alone, is what you are buying.

Navajo guide tips are not included. The suggested amount is $2 to $5 per person. Food is not provided, so eat beforehand and carry only what is allowed.

Group size, pace, and vehicle details

The advertised maximum is 10 people, which should create a more personal experience than a large coach tour. A small group also gives you a better chance of getting help with photos and asking questions without holding up dozens of people.

Group size can affect the tour more than the scenery. Ten people taking turns for pictures can already make a narrow canyon feel busy. If the group behind is close, you may have little time to linger. The photography option is the better fit if you want a slower pace.

The 4WD ride takes about 15 minutes according to one detailed account. Check the vehicle when you board and use the available seat belt. A safety concern was raised about belts that did not work properly, so this is one area where you should pay attention and speak up if your seat is not secure.

The tour returns to the original meeting point. Plan extra time around the booking, since road delays, time zone mistakes, and late arrival are your responsibility. The ticket is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. If poor weather cancels the experience, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy Canyon X most

I would choose this tour if you want the visual drama of Antelope Canyon without committing to a much longer day. The total visit is compact enough to fit alongside another Page activity, and one group completed it with enough time for a second local hike.

It suits couples, families with older children, and casual photographers. The canyon walk itself is not highly strenuous, and most of the route is easy underfoot. The stairs are the deciding factor. The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant.

For families, the short duration can be useful, but small children need extra planning. Infants must be carried, and no stroller can enter. Older children who can manage the stairs and follow a guide’s instructions should find the route more practical than a long backcountry hike.

I would be cautious about booking it for a person who dislikes stairs, tight passages, fixed group pacing, or limited restroom access. I would also avoid assuming that every guide will deliver a long cultural talk. You may get excellent stories and geology, but the guiding style can vary.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear sneakers or trail shoes with closed toes. Bring a phone or camera, but keep your equipment manageable for stairs and narrow passages. A tripod makes the most sense with the photography upgrade.

Use the restroom before departure, bring the provided water with you, and eat before arriving. Dress in layers because the canyon may feel cool inside, even if the desert is hot at the meeting point.

Read the operator’s directions carefully, especially the meeting time, time zone, route to Milepost 308, and canyon rules. The company requires arrival at least 45 minutes before departure, and a late arrival may not be refunded.

Should you book Antelope Canyon X?

Book it if you want two striking slot canyons, a Navajo guide, a manageable walk, and a shorter alternative to a full-day sightseeing plan. The guides can add real value, especially when they explain rock formation, share family or cultural stories, and help you take better photos.

Choose the photography upgrade if you use a tripod, care about composition, or dislike being hurried. Stick with the standard tour if you mainly want to see the canyon, take a few memorable pictures, and continue to another Page attraction.

I would not book this expecting solitude, a completely relaxed pace, or guaranteed in-depth cultural commentary. But if you prepare for the stairs, arrive early, wear sensible shoes, and accept the fixed group movement, Canyon X offers an impressive slice of Navajo sandstone country at a reasonable price.

FAQ

Where does the Antelope Canyon X tour begin?

The tour begins at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours at 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 the scheduled departure. Check the time zone information on your voucher and allow extra time for driving or time zone changes.

How long does the standard tour last?

The standard hiking tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including the guided canyon visit and transportation to the canyon entrance.

How long is the photography tour?

The photography option provides about 2.5 hours in the canyon. It is intended for photography hobbyists and people who want to use a tripod. Check the exact duration when booking.

Is the hike difficult?

The canyon walking is relatively easy and has no ladders, but you must manage a staircase of roughly 100 steps or 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. There are no restrooms at the canyon, so use the portable facilities at the check-in area before departure.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you should be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot normally be changed.