Ultimate Day Trip From Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon Itinerary

Did you know you can take a day trip from Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon? Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about a 2.5-hour drive, so even though it’ll be a full day of driving and exploring, you can visit this iconic slot canyon on a day trip from Grand Canyon National Park.

On this ultimate day trip from Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon itinerary, I’ll discuss what to expect along the drive, what to pack, how to spend one day in Antelope Canyon, tour options, and more!

Ultimate Day Trip From Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon Itinerary

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Driving From Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon

The drive time from the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Specifically, here are some drive times from different points of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon:

• Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center to Antelope Canyon – 2.5 hours
• Grand Canyon North Rim Visitor Center to Antelope Canyon – 2.5 hours
• Grand Canyon Desert View Campground to Antelope Canyon – 2 hours

So no matter which rim of Grand Canyon National Park you’ll be on, you can expect about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive to Antelope Canyon.

The drive from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is very remote. I’d recommend filling up your fuel tank at the Chevron on Desert View Drive (about 35 minutes from the South Rim Visitor Center) before continuing to Page.

First, you’ll drive east on Desert View Drive. This road is incredibly scenic and has many pull-offs. From there, you’ll turn left on Highway 89 and pass through Cameron and Willow Springs until you reach Page – this part is mostly remote, seemingly endless desert.

The drive from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is also very remote. Turn right off the Grand Canyon Highway onto Highway 89 (near Jacob Lake Campground).

As you head east on Highway 89, you’ll pass points of interest like House Rock Valley Overlook, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, and Marble Canyon before arriving in Page.

What to Bring on Your Day Trip From Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon

For Kayaking

• Sturdy water sandals. A pair of sturdy water sandals has two uses: paddle sandals and hiking sandals. You’ll need both to kayak to Antelope Canyon and explore it on foot, so why not just have one pair that does it all?
• Quick-drying clothes. I’d recommend wearing a bathing suit and/or quick-drying workout/hiking clothes. Layer up if the weather is chilly in the morning or if you go in the colder months.
• Sun protection. Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. That hot desert sun is brutal!
• Dry bag. A quality dry bag like this one ensures that all of your belongings don’t get wet. Better yet, get a dry bag that turns into a backpack so it’s easy to hike through Antelope Canyon with it!
• Waterproof camera or phone case. Protect your phone with a waterproof phone case attached to a lanyard OR skip the hassle and just bring a waterproof camera like a GoPro or Insta360.
• Water. It’s super important to stay hydrated! You will exert lots of energy between paddling and hiking.
• Snacks. You need to fuel your body for all of the paddling and hiking you’re about to do! Take lots of breaks for snacks during your adventure.
• America the Beautiful Pass. Show your National Parks pass to get into Glen Canyon National Recreation Area for free!

For Walking Tours & Hiking

• Day pack. I’d recommend bringing this small 13-liter pack. Check your walking tour’s bag restrictions before bringing this.
• Sturdy shoes. I just wear hiking boots, but regular shoes will work as long as they’re sturdy and supportive.
• Water. It’s super important to stay hydrated! You will exert lots of energy from hiking through the sun and walking through the canyons.
• Snacks. You need to fuel your body for all of the walking you’re about to do!
• Sun protection. Wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. That hot desert sun is brutal!

Antelope Canyon One Day Itinerary

Whether you want to take a day trip to Antelope Canyon and return to the Grand Canyon on the same day, or spend the night in Page before returning to the Grand Canyon, here’s my ultimate one-day Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon itinerary!

Kayaking to Antelope Canyon

First, I’d recommend kayaking to Antelope Canyon! You might have to leave the Grand Canyon pretty early in the morning to accomplish this, but it’s worth it.

Kayaking to Antelope Canyon is an ideal morning adventure because it won’t be too hot and the crowds won’t have arrived yet. Plus, the slot canyon walking tours are best in the afternoon, so paddling is the perfect way to spend the morning in Page.

You have a couple of options when it comes to kayaking to Antelope Canyon.

One, you can take a guided tour. This is the simplest option; you won’t have to worry about logistics. You simply meet your tour guide at the docks and start paddling!

Two, you can kayak to Antelope Canyon without a tour guide! Rent a kayak from the Antelope Point Marina or a nearby outfitter in Page.

Depending on whether you start at the launch or marina, you’ll be paddling 1-2 miles to the mouth of Antelope Canyon and an additional 2 miles to the walking portion.

Once you’ve paddled as far into the canyon as possible, you can either turn around, or beach your kayak and walk into the canyon. No Navajo tour guide needed!

Note that you don’t need to paddle to the end of the water canyon – only go as far as your schedule allows.

READ NEXT: Kayaking to Antelope Canyon: Complete Guide

Antelope Canyon Walking Tours

After your kayaking adventure, I’d recommend taking at least one walking tour of Antelope Canyon! For these tours, you will need a Navajo guide.

The best time of day to walk through the wavy slots of Antelope Canyon is mid-day (10:30 AM – 2 PM), but there are earlier and later tours, as well, to accommodate all schedules.

If you’re kayaking into Antelope Canyon and exploring it by foot for a while, I’d suggest booking a later afternoon tour. If you’re not kayaking to the end of the water canyon, or you’re not kayaking at all, you can schedule an earlier tour during those golden “prime time” hours.

Here are your choices when it comes to Antelope Canyon walking tours:

• Upper Antelope Canyon – photogenic and less claustrophobic
• Lower Antelope Canyon – adventurous route with stairs and ladders
• Canyon X – quieter and lesser-known
• Cardiac Canyon – secluded with more difficult terrain

If you only have time for one tour, I’d suggest touring Upper Antelope Canyon! With the iconic beams and blowing sand, this is definitely the most famous slot.

If you’ve got time for two tours, consider exploring both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. They’re so unique from one another!

The other two slots – Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon – are great if you want to get away from the crowds. I still need to explore these!

If you need more help deciding which specific Antelope Canyon tour to book, click the link below to read my full guide!

READ NEXT: Best Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tours

Sunset at Horseshoe Bend

Even though Horseshoe Bend isn’t part of Antelope Canyon, stopping by this picturesque destination is a must! Sunset is a great time to visit because the temperatures are more tolerable, and the colors and lighting are unbeatable.

Horseshoe Bend is just a few minutes from Antelope Canyon, so this is an easy add-on before you head back to the Grand Canyon.

You can read my Horseshoe Bend guide for everything you need to know and exactly what you can expect on the hike, but I’ll list a few of them below for good measure:

• It costs $10/vehicle to park at the trailhead.
• The trail to the overlook is 1.5 miles roundtrip.
• There are exposed cliffs.
• Sun protection is paramount since there is little to no shade cover on the trail.
• You can’t enter the Horseshoe Bend parking area past sunset, so make sure to arrive before sunset.

Where to Eat in Page

If you aren’t packing your own meals, you’ll need to go somewhere for lunch! You might even want dinner before heading back to the Grand Canyon.

Here are some recommendations for places to eat in Page:

• El Tapatio – casual Mexican cuisine
• Antelope Point Marina Restaurant – the world’s largest floating restaurant
• Rimview – Native American cuisine and fine dining

Only have time for ONE of these incredible southwest destinations?! Find out which one you should visit in my GRAND CANYON VS SEDONA blog post!

Where to Stay

When it comes to where to stay, you have a couple of options for this itinerary:

• Stay overnight in Page and head back to the Grand Canyon the next day OR
• Head back to the Grand Canyon on the same day and stay there

No matter what you decide, here are my accommodation recommendations for each location:

• Page: Lake Powell Resort OR Page Lake Powell Campground
• Grand Canyon: Mather Campground or Bright Angel Lodge

Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon FAQs

How Far is Antelope Canyon From Grand Canyon?

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The Desert View Campground in the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon is about 2 hours.

Is It Realistic to See Antelope Canyon In One Day From Grand Canyon?

Absolutely! At just 4-5 hours of driving roundtrip, you could spend anywhere from a few hours touring the slots to a full day kayaking, taking walking tours, and hiking Horseshoe Bend.

Tailor the itinerary to fit your schedule! You can leave the Grand Canyon earlier or later, you can paddle only part of Antelope Canyon or not do it at all, you can take more walking tours, you can bring your own meals to maximize time, etc.

Discover Your Next Adventure

Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!

• Saguaro National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Zion National Park
• Death Valley National Park

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