Antelope Canyon X: Best Tips and Tours for Visiting in 2024
PLANNING A VISIT TO ANTELOPE CANYON X?
We’ve got all the info you need! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and we toured Canyon X during our last visit to Page. It was a great experience.
Antelope Canyon X is a third part of Antelope Canyon that isn’t as well known but is still a beautiful part of the canyon.
Antelope Canyon X tours are the only way to experience Antelope Canyon. It is important to remember that these tours are on Navajo land, and you must purchase a tour to visit any of the Antelope Canyon areas.
A Navajo guide will guide you through the canyons. These guided tours can fill up very quickly, especially if you are visiting during holiday weekends or busy times of the year. These slot canyon tours are beautiful and a great experience.
Even though Canyon X is not as busy as the Lower Canyon, it is still a good idea to purchase your Canyon X tickets in advance to ensure you can get an Antelope Canyon X admission ticket.
Is Antelope Canyon X Worth Seeing?
Antelope Canyon X is definitely worth seeing. Out of the three Antelope Canyons, Canyon X is the most economical to visit, and it is the least crowded.
Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon will typically be more crowded because they are more well-known portions of the same canyon.
Can You Go Into Antelope Canyon X Without a Tour?
You cannot get into Antelope Canyon without a tour. Visitors have to have a tour guide to go through the canyon. You can purchase a ticket for the Antelope Canyon X tour here.
Best Antelope Canyon X Tour
For those looking for the best Antelope Canyon X Tour, you can find it here. The reviews are great, and we also loved taking the guided tour with our family. The Antelope Canyon X is in the same system of canyons as the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons.
Canyon X is the start of the slot canyons in the area.
Hypothetically if you were to walk through the entirety of the canyon, you would start at Canyon X and would eventually walk through Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. This is not something that is allowed just a visual that Canyon X is just above Upper Antelope Canyon in the same canyon system.
What to Expect on Your Tour
When driving to Antelope Canyon X, you will pass the Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons. The Canyon X parking area will be on your right. There is parking for large RVs and buses, so you should not have a problem parking no matter what you are driving.
After you park, you will want to get checked in at the front office, and they will inform you of any additional information you may need. The canyon is a short drive from the office. Canyon X will shuttle those who are going on the tour down to the canyon. You can follow the shuttle in your own car to the canyon as there is another parking area, but you cannot get there without following the shuttle.
If you drive yourself and are following the transport vehicle, you will have a short walk from the second parking area to the canyon. It is about a 100-yard walk. If you ride in the shuttle, you will be dropped off at the mouth of Antelope Canyon X.
The entrance of the canyon has a relatively steep hill that you will walk down until you enter the canyon. The descent is about 30 or 40 yards long, but there are benches along the way, so you can go at a slow pace and take a break if you need to, either on your way up or your way down.
On the descent, you can opt for going down the railroad tie stairs, or you can walk on the dirt to the side of the stairs. The dirt section has some metal traction boards to help prevent falling as you walk down the hill.
Once you get to the bottom of the hill, you will come to a T section, and you will wait for your tour guide at that point. Once your tour group is together, you will go to the left to see the very beginning of the Antelope Canyon slot canyon. This section is relatively short but is fun to see where a lot of water pours into the canyon.
Once you have explored the first section, you will go back to the T and go right. This will take you to the second slot canyon. As you go right, you will walk a short distance, about a 200-meter walk, in a river wash bottom to Canyon X.
At the entrance of Canyon X, you will be able to look up and see how Canyon X gets its name. Canyon X gets its name from the X formation that can be seen when you look up after you have entered the slot canyon.
You will then spend the rest of your time exploring the Canyon X slot canyon.
Benefits of Antelope Canyon X
The most significant benefit of going to Canyon X is that it is the cheapest canyon to visit. It will cost you 50 to 60 percent less to visit Canyon X compared to Upper Antelope Canyon. If you have a large family and want to save some money, you should visit Canyon X.
Another benefit of going to Canyon X is that it is your best chance to visit Antelope Canyon last minute. Canyon X is a lot less crowded because it is not as well known yet. This means you can possibly buy tickets on the same day as your tour, but this is not recommended because they can still sell out.
Canyon X does not have steep stairs like Lower Antelope Canyon. To enter the Lower Antelope Canyon, you have to descend multiple metal ladders that are relatively steep. This can be complicated if you have children that are small.
The Canyon X tour is very laid-back and chill. Because you have fewer crowds visiting, you will not feel rushed. When we went through Lower Antelope Canyon, you are being rushed along because there can be so many people trying to get through.
You can also get really fun pictures in Canyon X, just like Lower Antelope Canyon and Upper Antelope Canyon.
Drawbacks of Antelope Canyon X
There are a few drawbacks to Canyon X, but Canyon X is still the best value when it comes to price. The canyon is deeper than the other canyons. This means that the lighting is different in Canyon X than in the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. The lighting is not as good. Canyon X is a little bit darker than the other canyons.
You won’t see the light beams like the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. Because the canyon is deeper, the light beams do not come through in this canyon.
Some of the canyon walls in Canyon X are not as smooth but still really sweet.
One aspect that we liked much better about Lower Antelope Canyon and considered to be a drawback of Canyon X was our journey through the canyon. In Lower Antelope Canyon, you drop down into the canyon and have a beautiful walk through the canyon before coming out in a different location.
In Canyon X, there is no continuous walk through the slot canyon. You go out and back in the first section. Then you have to walk through an open river wash. Then you walk to the second part of the canyon, which is an in-and-out section as well. To finish up the tour, you walk back through the river wash.
Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon X
The best time of the day to visit Canyon X is mid-day when the sun is directly overhead. This is more important in Canyon X than in the other canyons because the larger canyon walls can restrict the amount of sun that enters the canyon.
Outside of visiting the canyon when the sun is directly overhead, the time of year is not as important. In the winter, it will be colder to visit, and in the summer, it will be much hotter. No matter what time of year you visit, make sure to be prepared for the elements.
Canyon X vs Upper Antelope Canyon
There are a few main differences between Canyon X and Upper Antelope Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is only about 50 feet deep, while Canyon X can be more than 125 feet deep in some sections. This allows for more light to enter into the upper slot canyon.
Canyon X is a lot cheaper to visit in comparison to Upper Antelope Canyon.
In Upper Antelope Canyon, you will see light beams, but in Canyon X, you will not see the light beams. The light beams are usually only present in Upper Antelope Canyon from mid-March through early October.
The walls of the Upper Antelope Canyon are consistently more smooth than the Canyon X walls.
▶ BOOK Antelope Canyon X Tour
▶ BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Canyon X vs Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon has the same differences with Canyon X as Canyon X has with Upper Antelope Canyon. However, the differences are less prominent. Lower Antelope Canyon can have light beams, but they are less common. Canyon X does not have light beams.
Lower Antelope Canyon is not as deep as Canyon X. Lower Antelope Canyon is around 75 feet deep, while Canyon X can be 125 feet deep in some locations.
Canyon X is cheaper to visit than it costs to visit Lower Antelope Canyon. The Lower Antelope Canyon can be very busy, and you can feel rushed as they try to get everyone through quickly. You will not feel this as much in Canyon X.
Canyon X is less well know and is, therefore, less busy.
Lower Antelope Canyon also has lots of ladders to go up and down throughout the tour. There is a steep hill with stairs in the Antelope Canyon X tour that you have to go down and up, but there are no ladders. There are lots of ladders on the Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
You can read more about Lower Antelope Canyon in our guide: The Best Lower Antelope Canyon Tours and Tips for Visiting.
▶ BOOK Antelope Canyon X Tour
▶ BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Tips for Visiting Antelope Canyon X
1. Be Aware of The Time Zones
It is important to pay attention to the time zones. You are near the Arizona border, and Arizona does not follow daylight savings time. When you purchase a tour ticket, you will be sent a confirmation text that will give you some help on making sure you have your time zones are in order.
Your phone can get a little confused because it is on the Utah/Arizona border.
2. Book Ahead If You Can
It is important to book ahead as much as possible. This will ensure you have a spot. We would even recommend booking ahead when visiting Canyon X.
It can be extremely frustrating when you go to book your tickets a couple of weeks in advance, and you find out that all the tours are full, and you struggle to find a time to go. Book your tickets in advance here.
3. Restrooms
There are no restrooms while on the tour. Make sure everyone goes to the bathroom before you go. We make our kids go to the bathroom before we go every time.
4. Bring Water
The canyon can get hot. It is important to bring water, especially if it is hot. Even if it is not hot, the dry climate can make you dehydrated quickly, even if the weather is cooler.
We are from a dry climate in Idaho, and when we visit Southern Utah and Arizona, we drink a lot more water, and our lips can dry out quickly because our bodies take time to acclimate to different environments. Keep water with you, and your family will be much happier.
5. Bring Sturdy Shoes
You will be walking in the dirt and sand. The ground can get hot when it is hot outside, and there can be small rocks. Bring good shoes.
We would recommend bringing hiking shoes or good tennis shoes, but everyone can be slightly different one the definition of sturdy shoes. Don’t wear sandals.
6. Navajo Permit Fee
No matter which canyon you explore, if you take a regular hiking tour, you will have to pay additional fees of 8 dollars per person. It is called a Navajo Permit Fee and should be paid in cash to the tour operator when you arrive. It is per person so it is a good idea to be prepared for this.
Other Fun Things to Do In Page, Arizona
Page, Arizona, has some really unique and fun things you can explore while you are there. Even if you are only there for a day or two, you can stay busy. If you can visit a couple of locations in Antelope Canyon, like Canyon X and the Lower Antelope Canyon, while you are there, it is fun to see the differences back to back.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is a really nice hike, and the view at the overlook is so pretty.
Page is also home to Lake Powell. Lake Powell is an enormous lake where you can rent a houseboat or participate in other water activities. If you have the time, spend some time on the Lake. People spend weeks at a time staying on a houseboat exploring the fun canyons Lake Powell has to offer.
If you are staying in Antelope Canyon, you can also take some great day trips to areas that are not too far from the area. These can include the Grand Canyon, the Vermillion Cliffs, and Sedona, Arizona.
A very famous hike called The Wave is in the Vermillion Cliffs. A permit is required to hike the Wave, and you have to be in a certain geographical area when you put in to get a permit. Page, Arizona is in the boundaries and is therefore, a good location to try and visit a highly sought-after hike in The Wave.
The Coral Pink Sand Dunes is another fun place to visit if you are looking for another great location to explore that is close to Canyon X.
Where to Stay Near Antelope Canyon
There are multiple different hotels options near Page, Arizona. The La Quinta Inn is a great option. The Inn offers an indoor pool, free breakfast, and close proximity to the Canyons.
If you are looking for all the best places to stay near Antelope Canyon, check out our article on the 11 Best Hotels Near Antelope Canyon.
How to Get to Antelope Canyon X
Canyon X is located just 12 miles outside of Page, Arizona, and takes approximately 14 min to drive there from Page. If you are coming from Las Vegas, Canyon X is 284 miles from Las Vegas with a drive time of about 4 hours.
You can read more about visiting Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Las Vegas.
If you are coming from Sedona, Arizona your drive is less than 3 hours long and is approximately 167 miles long. If you are coming from the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon it will take you 2 and a half hours with a distance of 141 miles.
FAQ: Antelope Canyon X
Which is better – Canyon X or Lower Antelope Canyon?
Lower Antelope Canyon is a little better but not significantly. There are also some advantages that could make Canyon X a better option. If you have little kids or lots of kids we would recommend visiting Canyon X. This is because Canyon X is cheaper, and you do not have to climb down steep ladders as you do for the Lower Antelope Canyon tour.
Canyon X is a nice slot canyon. It is just less well-known.
How difficult is Antelope Canyon X?
Antelope Canyon X is not overly difficult. The hardest part is at the beginning. At the beginning of Canyon X, there is a hill that descends into the canyon. The hill is steep, but they do have railroad tie stairs and benches along the trail so you can take breaks.
Can I bring a bag to Antelope Canyon X?
In general, you are not allowed to take a bag into the slot canyon. We asked our guide about this, and he acted like if we needed, they would potentially allow us to bring a bag. If you have a clear bag, you will have a much better chance of being able to bring a bag with you.
This is a nice aspect of this part of the canyon. They are smaller and more flexible than the more crowded Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons.
How much do Antelope Canyon X tours cost?
A guided tour through Canyon X will cost you about 65 dollars. This is considerably less than the other Antelope Canyon tours.
What is the best Antelope Canyon X tour?
The best Canyon X tour is the Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours. You can purchase your ticket here.
▶ BOOK Antelope Canyon X Tour
▶ BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
▶ BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Conclusion
The Navajo Nation Reservation does a great job with its Antelope Canyon Tours. They are great for a small group or a large group. The canyons provide a great time for everyone who goes through the tour. It is really fun to learn about how the canyons were created from years of rainfall and how the canyons can easily flash flood.
Whether you’re staying in Page and exploring the area or stopping in Page for an Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day trip, you will love your time in this beautiful part of Northern Arizona.
If you’re going to be spending more time in the beautiful American Southwest, be sure to check out our additional resources below!
More Southwest Adventures
A Complete Guide to the Valley of Fire Hikes in Las Vegas
27 Best Things to Do with Kids in Las Vegas
18 Unbelieveable Trails for Hiking in Sedona
Things to Do Near the Grand Canyon South Rim
24 Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
