Antelope Canyon in February: Weather Info & Travel Tips for 2024

disclaimer

ARE YOU LOOKING TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON IN FEBRUARY? 


We’ve got all the info you need! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and have toured Antelope Canyon many different times. We have visited both Canyon X and Lower Antelope Canyon. It is one of the most unique places we have been and one of our favorite places to visit in Northern Arizona.

It is a beautiful slot canyon carved out by millions of years of water erosion. Although it is a very popular destination year-round, it is well worth visiting Antelope Canyon in February.

The highlight of Antelope Canyon is the sandstone that is full of beautiful lines and colors. Combine that with towering walls and light beams coming in from above. It is a magical place and one of the most amazing natural wonders.

Antelope Canyon is on private Navajo land, and there are no self-guided tours and you can’t go to Antelope Canyon without a tour. You must book a tour with a licensed tour guide to go through the canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon in February

Is Antelope Canyon open in February?

Antelope Canyon is open in February. The canyon tours operate year-round, 7-days a week.

The canyon may close due to heavy rain or snow, which is uncommon in February. Monsoon season is from June to September, which is when it is most likely that the slot canyon would close due to flash floods.

Is it good to visit Antelope Canyon in February?

Anytime you can go to Antelope Canyon is well worth it. February is a great time to visit, though.

However, if you are really wanting to see the light beams in the canyon, February isn’t the best time to visit. The best time of year to see the light beams is from March through October. However, don’t let this keep you from visiting. It is still amazing to see without the light beams. 

If you want fewer crowds, February is one of the best months to go. The holiday rush is over, and the busy season doesn’t start until March. This is a great off-season month to visit.

Lower Antelope Canyon

Tours for Antelope Canyon in November through February don’t sell out quite as quickly, with exception of the weeks around Thanksgiving as well as the weeks around Christmas and New Year. The tours during these weeks sell out months in advance.

BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
BOOK Canyon X Tour

Weather in Lower Antelope Canyon in February

During the month of February, the temperatures in Page start to warm up from December, which is the coldest month. Most days are pleasant and sunny during the day. Winter conditions can cause closures to the canyon, but it is extremely unlikely.

During the month of February, temperatures can be cold, so make sure you bring a warm jacket with you. In the winter, Antelope Canyon can get below-freezing temperatures. However, February is starting to warm up, so the later in the month you go, the warmer it will be.

It does snow in Page; however, most of the snowfall is in December and January in Antelope Canyon. If there is a heavy snowstorm, your tour may get canceled. Keep an eye on the Antelope Canyon weather, and make sure to call your tour company if there is a large snowstorm.

Average Temperatures in Antelope Canyon in February

Weather chart for visiting Antelope Canyon in February
Photo: Weather Atlas

During the month of February, you can expect average daily temperatures of 47°F to 53°F.

Overnight, the temperatures in Page drop to around 30°F to 34°F. In February, there is a possibility of freezing temperatures overnight.

  • Average high temperature in Page in February: 50°F
  • Average low temperature in Page in February: 33°F
  • What are the hottest months in Page? JulyAugust, with an average high of about 90°F
  • What are the coldest months in Page? December-January

Sunshine in Antelope Canyon in February

Weather chart for visiting Antelope Canyon in February
Photo: Weather Atlas

February is a great month to visit Antelope Canyon if you are looking for sunny weather. It has about 22 days of sunshine per month.

Best Tours of Antelope Canyon in February

There are three different parts of the canyon you can tour: Upper, Lower, and Canyon X. Your tour will only cover one area of the canyon, so if you’d like to see different parts of the canyon, you will need to book multiple tours.

Girls walking through the slot canyon near Page, AZ

Upper Antelope Canyon

Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular and most expensive part of the canyon to visit. The canyon is at ground level with less than a 2% incline.

If you are a photographer, this is the most picturesque part of the canyon and where you will see the most light beams, although they are not visible in the canyon in February. The light beams start to be visible in March and throughout the summer months.

If you have mobility issues, this will also be the best part of the canyon for you to tour. Upper Canyon is the easiest section to get into and walk through.

BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon is a really fun canyon to tour but there are lots of really steep staircases in the canyon. You will have to go up and down multiple flights of stairs. My twins first went through the lower canyon when they were three and navigated them fine with a little assistance.

We found the staircases to be a lot of fun and added some adventure to our tour.

Lower Antelope Slot Canyon tours are less expensive than the Upper Antelope Canyon tours as well. I wouldn’t say that going through the lower part of the canyon makes it cheap, but you can save some money going through this part.

For more information about Lower Antelope Canyon, check out our guide: The Best Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Tips for Visiting.

BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour

Canyon X

Sandstone wall

Canyon X is the least busy section of Antelope Canyon but still has the beautifully shaped sandstone formations you will find in the other two sections. The best part of Canyon X is that it isn’t nearly as busy, and you don’t have to make your reservations as early.

If you are making last-minute reservations and have found the upper and lower sections are sold out, book a tour for Canyon X. You will have way fewer people on your tour, which makes for a very nice experience going through the slot canyon.

BOOK Canyon X Tour

Are Antelope Canyon tours busy in February?

It seems like tours are busy year-round; however, they tend to be a little less busy in February. The hours in the middle of the day when the lighting is best will book out before tours towards the beginning and end of the day.

Touring a famous slot canyon

Even if you don’t go on a tour during the peak lighting hours, you can still get great pictures and have a beautiful tour.

Although tours are “less busy” in February, you will still want to get your tickets as early as possible. This is especially true if you want to visit Upper Antelope Canyon during the peak lighting hours.

What is the best time of day to photograph Antelope Canyon in February?

The best time of day to photograph Antelope Canyon is in the middle of the day. This is when the sun is overhead and more light will enter the canyon.

Family in Antelope Canyon in February

Can you see light beams in Antelope Canyon in February?

While you have the possibility of seeing a light beam in February, it is not very likely. The light beams usually end around mid-October and start back up again in Mid-March.

You are also more likely to see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon compared to Lower Antelope Canyon.

The best time of day to see the light beams is from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. The best tour times to see the light beams are 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM.

If it is a cloudy day, there will be no light beams in the canyon.

Sandstone walls in Antelope Canyon

Is Antelope Canyon worth it in the winter?

Visiting Antelope Canyon in the winter months is well worth it. The crowds are usually much smaller in the winter which makes it very nice to go through the canyon.

You will also find it is much easier to get pictures of the canyon without lots of people in the way. You can also get pictures without lots of people in them if you are the last one in your tour group and take pictures behind you.

Tickets for Antelope Canyon may also be a little less expensive in the winter.

Light beams are not common in Antelope Canyon in February

What should I wear to Antelope Canyon in February?

The biggest thing to make sure you have is good, quality shoes. You do not need hiking boots, but you should bring something like tennis shoes that have some grip on them. If you are going into Lower Antelope Canyon, consider wearing closed-toed shoes because of the ladders.

In February, you will want to bring a jacket. While December and January are the coldest months of the year, February can still be chilly. It is a good idea to be prepared with appropriate clothing.

If it is windy on your tour, you may want to bring a scarf to help protect yourself from the sand blowing in the canyon. A scarf can also help keep you warm on a cooler day.

Tips for Visiting

✔ You cannot bring any sort of backpack or fanny pack into the canyon. You can only take a small, clear bag into Lower Antelope Canyon in February. 

SHOP Clear Bags

✔ We were able to bring a soft baby carrier for our infant. The carrier must be a front carrier.

✔ Food and drinks are not allowed in. You can bring a small water bottle. If you are touring the lower part of the canyon, you will want to bring a clear bag to store your water in when you go up and down the ladders.

✔ You cannot bring a tripod, monopod, or selfie sticks into Antelope Canyon unless you are on a photography tour. You are also not allowed to bring large cameras or take videos.

✔ The tours operate on Arizona Standard Time. If you come from southern Utah or Las Vegas, keep the time change in mind. The tours use the same time as Page, Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, and Las Vegas.

BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
BOOK Canyon X Tour

How to Get to The Slot Canyon

Antelope Canyon sits just outside Page, a small town on the Utah-Arizona border in Navajo Nation. Visiting Antelope Canyon is a great addition to any road trip through the American southwest, or you can take a day trip from many of the larger cities in the area, like Las Vegas, Sedona, Phoenix, Zion National Park, or the Grand Canyon.

Touring Antelope Canyon in February is a lot of fun

If you do not have your own vehicle in the nearby cities but still want to visit, you can either rent a car or join a guided tour to go on an Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day trip.

Tours with transportation include admission to Antelope Canyon. If you are driving yourself, you will still need to book a guided tour starting at the entrance to the canyon.

BOOK Rental Cars

Guided tours are really nice, especially if you come from the Flagstaff area, where you may encounter snow on the roads. The tour companies take care of the transportation and logistics of organizing the visit.

There are many cities offering guided trips to Antelope Canyon in February.

Getting to Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas

Touring Antelope Canyon and nearby Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas makes for a great day trip. It will be a long day, however, as the drive, one way is 4.5 hours.

If you are concerned about driving that far, consider going on a guided tour where the company takes care of your transportation.

Walls in Antelope Canyon

If you are going to take a day trip from Las Vegas, be sure to check out our guide: 6 Best Ways to Tour Antelope Canyon from Las Vegas.

BOOK Antelope Canyon Tour from Las Vegas

Getting to Antelope Canyon from the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is such a beautiful place and a must-see during your visit to the American Southwest. There are so many fun things to do at the Grand Canyon, and it is close enough to Antelope Canyon you can visit it as part of a day trip.

The drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about 2.5 hours. There are no guided tours leaving from the South Rim, so you will need to organize your own transportation, whether you have your own vehicle or get a rental car.

There are so many great places to stay near the Grand Canyon that you can just easily make a day trip over to Antelope Canyon.

Getting to Antelope Canyon from Sedona/Flagstaff

Fitting a day trip to Antelope Canyon into your Sedona and Flagstaff itinerary is perfect because there is so much natural beauty in this area, and you can keep that going in Antelope Canyon. The drive from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is about two hours. It is north of Flagstaff along the 89 North.

There is a possibility of snow on the road in February so keep that in mind when driving up through this part of Northern Arizona.

BOOK Antelope Canyon Tour from Flagstaff or Sedona 

Getting to Antelope Canyon from Phoenix

The drive from Phoenix to Antelope Canyon is about getting to the length where you would want to consider staying overnight in Page however, a day trip is still possible. It takes about 4.5 hours one way. This puts your day at around 12 hours which may be too long for some people.

There are lots of fun things to do in Page if you stay overnight, or you can go on tour with tour operators who take care of the driving so you can sleep or relax.

BOOK Antelope Canyon Tour from Phoenix

Nearby Hotels in Page

The closest place to stay to Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona. Page is a small town but has some great options for where to stay.

If you’re looking for more ideas for places to stay in the area, check out our guide: 15 Best Choices for Where to Stay in Page.

Under Canvas Page – Grand Staircase

One of the most unique places to stay in Page, AZ is Under Canvas. Under Canvas has a property filled with private canvas tents overlooking the beautiful Utah desert. These luxury tents are a great place to go glamping and is still within driving distance of the fun things to do in Page.

They have many different tents to choose from, including stargazer tents, suites with kids tents, and deluxe tents. All of the tents come with a private bathroom, very comfortable beds, fireplaces, and fans. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery from your furnished balcony.

Under Canvas is about 25 minutes north of Page across the Utah-Arizona border.

 Check Rates & Book: Under Canvas

Under Canvas
Under Canvas tent

⭐️ UNDER CANVAS REVIEWS (4.7/5 STARS)

Fantastic stay. Staff was courteous and friendly. Tents were clean and comfortable. Views are spectacular!!! – James (Booking Review)

Amazing and helpful staff, great customer service mindset, and awesome atmosphere overall. Highly recommended for a unique weekend getaway. Great hiking within a short drive! – Scott (Booking Review)

 Check Rates & Book: Under Canvas

HOW TO GET TO UNDER CANVAS

📍 Country Inn & Suites Address: 555 S Jacobs Tanks Rd, Big Water, UT 84741 | Google Maps | Book Under Canvas Now

Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell

Hyatt Place is a great Antelope Canyon hotel

The Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell is a great place to stay if you’re planning a trip to Antelope Canyon in February. Page Hyatt Place Lake Powell is regarded as one of the most luxurious and modern hotels near Antelope Canyon.

Staying at this hotel is the most convenient option for tourists visiting Lower Antelope Canyon since it is only 6 miles away and located near both Lake Powell, only 7 miles away, and the Lake Powell campsite, about 1.5 miles away.

It has a fitness center, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and spacious rooms. It also provides free breakfast, which our kids love. Also, some hotel rooms have window views of the stunning rock formations in Arizona.

Hyatt Place currently offers several king, deluxe, and standard rooms for your stay. It’s best to book early since it is usually completely booked throughout peak seasons.

▶ Check Rates & Book: Hyatt Place Here

Hyatt Place Hotel
Hyatt Place swimming pool in Page, Arizona

⭐️ HYATT PLACE REVIEWS (4.5/5 STARS)

This hotel was perfect for our needs! We are a family of 4, and loved the cleanliness, the pool to cool off in, and appreciated the delicious breakfasts! We highly recommend it. Excellent and kind staff too. – Emily (Booking Review)

Great hotel and convenient to Page area activities. Great breakfast and bar/restaurant very nice and convenient. I appreciate the staff, very friendly and polite, they seem to do a very good job. – Julie (Booking Review)

▶ Check Rates & Book: Hyatt Place

HOW TO GET TO HYATT PLACE

📍 Hyatt Place Address: 1126 N Navajo Dr, Page, AZ 86040 | Google Maps | Book Hyatt Place Now

Comfort Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell

Comfort Inn & Suites

This hotel next to the Colorado River is a great place to take a break from your hectic schedule and relax. It is close to various recreational activities, including water skiing, biking, hiking, and river rafting.

The Comfort Inn & Suites is a cheaper and more basic option than the previous hotels. It is a great option if you are looking for budget hotels near Horseshoe Bend. Its rooms are elegantly designed, and prices can vary based on the kind of accommodation chosen and the time of year you are booking.

During your stay, you’ll have access to a hot tub and an indoor pool, so you can relax after a day of hiking or sightseeing in Arizona. Aside from that, all guests get access to high-speed internet, a gym, and outstanding room service.

Comfort Inn & Suites is one of the most popular places to stay in Page for solo travelers and travel enthusiasts. Families also enjoy their stay here because of its attractive cost and swimming pool. Our kids think staying in a hotel with a pool and free breakfast is the best part of the trip.

▶ Check Rates & Book: Comfort Inn & Suites

⭐️COMFORT INN & SUITES REVIEWS (4.3/5 STARS)

Really great place for the price. We had a clean room with everything working in it. Stay included breakfast, and we could even park our full size semi outside, so it is trucker friendly. Recommend! – Yelena (Booking Review)

We enjoyed our stay. The rooms are clean and quiet. My kids enjoyed the pool, and the breakfast was great! – April (Booking Review)

▶ Check Rates & Book: Comfort Inn & Suites

HOW TO GET TO COMFORT INN & SUITES

📍 Comfort Inn & Suites Address: 890 Haul Rd, Page, AZ 86040 | Google Maps | Book Comfort Inn & Suites Now

Conclusion: Antelope Canyon in February

Family enjoying a tour of Antelope Canyon in February

We hope this guide has given you an idea of what to expect at Antelope Canyon in February. It is such an amazing and photogenic place to visit and well worth taking the time to see. We always have such a great time when we go through the canyon.

February is a great time to visit because you miss out on the summer crowds and the rush around the holidays. This means you can take a more leisurely adventure through the slot canyon. The canyon can be cold during this time, so be prepared with some warm clothes.

If you’re looking for other fun things to do in the Southwest during the winter, check out our guide: 28 Best Things to Do in Las Vegas in the Winter.

Leave a Reply