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, with a bumpy 4WD ride and a short walk standing between you and some of northern Arizona’s finest scenery. The canyon is less famous than Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, which usually means a calmer visit, though you still follow a set route and cannot linger wherever you please.

I like the two-canyon format, especially the change from the first slot to the second, and I like the way Navajo guides such as Van, Orvid, Mike, and Ethel add stories, geology, and practical photo help. The main drawback is time: 90 minutes passes quickly, and the staircase out can be a real workout.

For photographers, the upgrade is the smarter choice. You get about 2.5 hours in the canyon, time to set up a tripod, and more help finding good light. For everyone else, the standard tour is a compact and fairly easy way to see Canyon X without giving up most of your day.

Key points to know before you go

• Two slot canyons in one outing: You walk through a first canyon, then continue about 200 meters to a second section with its own shapes and light.
• A Navajo-guided visit: Guides may explain canyon formation, local plants and animals, family heritage, and the meaning of the X-shaped rock formations.
• A 4WD ride is part of the experience: The vehicle carries you about 3 miles from the meeting point to the canyon entrance.
• The photography upgrade changes the pace: Plan on about 2.5 hours in the canyon, with time for tripods and careful compositions.
• The walk is manageable, but the exit is not flat: Expect a roughly 200-foot staircase, described by some as about 100 steps, on the way out.
• Preparation matters: Arrive 45 minutes early, check the time zone on your voucher, wear closed-toe shoes, and use the restroom before leaving.

Why Canyon X is worth considering near Page

Antelope Canyon X is carved into Navajo Sandstone by water and wind over millions of years. Its name comes from the X-shaped cuts formed in the rock, and the canyon’s narrow walls create the familiar curves, stripes, shadows, and occasional shafts of light that make slot canyons so photogenic.

The big appeal is that Canyon X feels like a slightly less pressured alternative to the better-known Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours. It is not empty, and the route is still managed closely, but the site is generally less crowded by comparison. That can make it easier to look up, notice the changing textures, and take a breath between photographs.

I also like the fact that the outing shows you two different sections. The first slot begins after a 100-meter walk into the canyon. Once that section is complete, you walk roughly 200 meters to the second canyon. The two sections are close together, but the change gives the visit a sense of progression instead of one short corridor and a quick return.

The standard price is $89 per person. That includes the Canyon X admission fee, the $8 Navajo permit fee, bottled water, the guide, and the 4WD transfer. For a major Page-area attraction, that is a reasonable price if you value the guide and the access, though the short duration makes the cost feel less attractive to anyone focused only on minutes spent inside the canyon.

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 transport to the departure point.

Arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. This is not a suggestion to treat casually. The area uses Arizona and Navajo Nation time information that can confuse visitors, and your voucher contains the important time-zone details. Check it carefully before setting out, especially if you are driving in from another part of the region.

After check-in, you ride a 4WD transport vehicle roughly 3 miles across the desert to the canyon. The ride is short, but it is useful context: Canyon X is not a roadside attraction where you step from a parking lot straight into the slot. The vehicle gets you to the trailhead, then the walking portion begins.

Bottled water is provided. Food and snacks are not, so eat beforehand if you need more than a drink. There are portable restrooms at the check-in area, but no restrooms in the canyon. Use them before boarding the vehicle.

Walking through the first slot canyon

The first walk into Canyon X is about 100 meters. The terrain inside the canyon is generally easy, with no ladders, and much of the route is level once you are below the entrance. You need closed-toe shoes, but hiking boots are not required. A solid pair of sneakers or trail-running shoes is a practical choice.

The canyon walls are the main event. Look for smooth bends, layered bands in the sandstone, and narrow openings where daylight reaches the floor. Depending on conditions and the time of day, you might see light beams, but they are not guaranteed. The canyon is worth seeing even without a dramatic shaft of sun.

Your guide leads the group and helps everyone move through the confined space. Guides may also point out how water shaped the rock and demonstrate the process. Mike has been praised for showing how the formations developed, while Orvid added facts about local fauna and the canyon’s past.

This is also where the tour’s limits become clear. Canyon X is narrow, and groups cannot stop for long in every spot. If the group behind you is close, you may feel hurried while trying to frame a photograph. That is part of the site’s safety and traffic system, but it can frustrate anyone hoping to wander at a slow, independent pace.

The short walk to the second canyon

After the first slot, you walk approximately 200 meters to the second section. This connecting walk is not a long desert trek, but it does break up the visit and gives you a moment to reset your eyes after the darker canyon.

The two sections are often described as having different shapes, including an A-shaped canyon and a V-shaped canyon. That difference makes the second section more than a repeat performance. You get another set of curves, openings, shadows, and rock patterns, and the light can feel quite different.

Guides are often willing to take photographs with your phone. Several guides, including Josh, Nick, Tyler, Thomas, and Kayla, have been singled out for helping with group pictures or taking time to position people. Do not assume you will receive a formal photo service, but it is reasonable to ask your guide when the group has room to stop.

The best guides balance information with quiet time. Brandon, for example, was praised for answering questions without talking constantly and allowing visitors a few quiet moments to take in the canyon. That balance matters here. You want enough explanation to understand what you are seeing, but not so much that every pause becomes a lecture.

What the photography upgrade really changes

The standard visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The photography option gives you about 2.5 hours in the canyon, and the tour information also refers to it as a longer three-hour option. In practical terms, the upgrade is for people who want a slower, more deliberate visit rather than a quick sightseeing walk.

The extra time lets you set up a tripod, wait for a better angle, and work through several compositions. It also reduces the pressure of trying to take every photograph in the few seconds available at a busy stopping point.

Guides on the photo version can help with camera settings and point out places where the rock curves, side light, or narrow openings create stronger images. If you are using a phone, you can still benefit from the extra time, but the upgrade makes the most sense for someone carrying a camera and tripod.

I would choose the photography option if you have made a special trip to Page for slot-canyon images, if you enjoy working slowly, or if you want more than a handful of snapshots. The longer visit has also created quieter periods between regular groups, at times giving photographers more solitude inside the canyon.

I would stay with the standard tour if you are fitting Canyon X between Horseshoe Bend, a second hike, or a long drive. The shorter outing leaves time for another activity and still provides access to both canyon sections.

The staircase and the real level of effort

The walking inside the canyon is fairly light, but do not confuse that with a completely effortless outing. You descend and later climb a staircase that rises roughly 200 feet. One description puts the exit at about 100 steps, and that uphill return is the hardest part for many people.

You should be physically able to manage stairs and uneven outdoor conditions. The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant. Strollers and wheelchairs cannot be accommodated, and backpacks are not permitted in the canyon.

Infants need a car seat for the 4WD ride and must be carried through the canyon. A stroller cannot be used, and a chest or backpack-style child carrier is the practical alternative, though the canyon’s rules still apply to what you bring inside.

Wear comfortable seasonal clothing and closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and heels are not allowed for safety reasons. The canyon can feel cool at times, so a light layer may be useful even when Page is warm.

The guides make the difference

The setting does most of the visual work, but the guide shapes the quality of the visit. A good guide keeps the group moving, explains the rock without burying you in facts, answers questions, and helps people get photographs without turning every stop into a traffic jam.

The strongest guiding examples include Van, who shared stories about slot canyons and his Navajo heritage, and Orvid, who covered history, local wildlife, and canyon formation. Ethel was praised for her calm manner, practical photo help, and explanations. Guides such as Josh and Nick also took time to help with personal photographs.

The experience can vary by guide. One otherwise positive assessment found the guide friendly but wished for more information about the land and its past. If cultural and geological explanation matters greatly to you, ask questions rather than waiting for a long talk. The guides have different styles, and a direct question can lead to a more personal conversation.

Keep in mind that the tour is not only a nature walk. It takes place on Navajo land and includes a Navajo permit fee. Listening to the guide’s family stories and explanations gives the visit more meaning than treating the canyon as a simple photo backdrop.

Group size, pace, and comfort

The stated maximum is 10 people, which is small enough for a more personal guide-to-group relationship. One account described a group of four on the photography tour, an ideal size for setting up equipment and asking questions.

Group size can matter more than you might expect in a narrow canyon. A larger or tightly packed group makes it harder to stop, frame a photograph, or enjoy a quiet moment. The stated limit should be confirmed at booking, and if the group appears larger than expected, raise the issue with the operator.

The 4WD vehicle is part of the practical tradeoff. One account raised concerns about seatbelts in the transport vehicle, so check your belt before the drive and speak up if something does not work. Safety should not be treated as a minor detail simply because the transfer is short.

Is $89 good value for Canyon X?

At $89, the tour includes more than entrance access. You are paying for the Navajo permit, guided entry to two slot sections, 4WD transport, bottled water, and a structured visit that would not be possible as an independent walk.

The value is strongest if you want a guide to explain the geology, help with photos, and handle the route. It is also good if you prefer a less famous canyon and want to keep the rest of your day open.

The value is weaker if you measure the ticket by time alone. The standard outing is only about 90 minutes, and the canyon’s traffic rules mean you may not be able to stop wherever you want. The optional photo version costs more, although the extra time can justify it for serious photographers.

There is no refund for cancellation or amendment. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. Otherwise, plan carefully and do not arrive late. A missed departure is not refunded.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend Canyon X to photographers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a manageable slot-canyon walk near Page. It is especially useful when your schedule includes other sights, since the standard version takes about an hour and a half and ends back at the meeting point.

It is a good match for you if you appreciate guided access, want help taking photographs, and do not mind following a set pace. The tour also suits people who prefer two shorter canyon sections rather than one longer route.

I would think twice if you need a fully independent experience, dislike stairs, cannot tolerate a confined route, or expect unlimited time for photographs. The canyon is narrow, the groups must keep moving, and the final staircase requires real effort.

Should you book Antelope Canyon X?

Book it if you want the classic curves and colors of an Antelope slot canyon with fewer visitors by comparison, a Navajo guide, and two sections in one outing. At $89, the standard tour is a sensible choice for a first visit and leaves time for another Page-area stop.

Choose the photography upgrade if images are the main reason you are going. The extra canyon time, tripod access, and guide assistance can turn a rushed snapshot session into a proper photography outing.

Before paying, confirm your departure time, read the time-zone instructions, plan to arrive 45 minutes early, and use the restroom at check-in. Do that, wear good shoes, and allow enough energy for the stairs. Canyon X is not a private wilderness walk, but it is a striking, well-organized way to see two sculpted slot canyons without surrendering your whole day.

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 long does the standard tour last?

The standard hiking tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the photography tour?

The photography option provides about 2.5 hours in the canyon. It is also described as a longer three-hour option, so check the exact duration shown for your selected departure.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Check the voucher carefully for the correct time zone and confirmed departure time.

Is transportation to the canyon included?

Yes. After check-in, a 4WD vehicle transports you about 3 miles to the mouth of Antelope Canyon X.

Is the hike difficult?

The canyon route is generally easy and has no ladders, but you must manage a staircase of roughly 200 feet, described as about 100 steps, on the way out. The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the season and closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and heels are not permitted.

Are restrooms and food available?

There are no restrooms inside the canyon, so use the portable facilities at check-in. Food and snacks are not included, but bottled water is provided.