Ultimate Day Trip From Sedona to Antelope Canyon Itinerary

Did you know you can take a day trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon? Sedona to Antelope Canyon is less than a 3-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 Sedona.

On this day trip from Sedona to Antelope Canyon itinerary, I’ll share 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 Sedona to Antelope Canyon

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Driving From Sedona to Antelope Canyon

The drive time from Sedona to Antelope Canyon is roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes.

The first 45 minutes of the drive are incredibly scenic. You will take 89A north through Oak Creek Canyon, a winding gorge carved into the Colorado Plateau. There are lots of amazing swimming holes and hikes along this route.

Once you cross through Flagstaff (45 minutes past Sedona), you’ll drive on desolate tribal land for the remainder of the road trip.

Make sure to fill up your fuel tank in Sedona or Flagstaff because there are very few gas stations between Flagstaff and Page.

If you’d prefer not to drive, there are tours available (like this one!) that will take you from Sedona to Antelope Canyon!

What to Bring on Your Day Trip From Sedona 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

Since Page is such a small town with limited accommodations, it makes sense that you want to make Sedona your home base and just spend one day at Antelope Canyon.

I’m going to help make that possible for you by sharing my ultimate one-day Sedona to Antelope Canyon itinerary!

Kayaking to Antelope Canyon

First up, I’d recommend kayaking to Antelope Canyon! You might have to leave Sedona 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 and “kill some time.”

You have a couple of options when 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! You can either bring your own kayak or rent one 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 get to the mouth of Antelope Canyon and an additional 2 miles to get 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

The best time of day to view 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 types of schedules.

If you’re planning on kayaking into Antelope Canyon and exploring it on foot for a while, I’d suggest booking a later afternoon tour. If you don’t plan on kayaking all the way into the water canyon, you can get away with scheduling an earlier tour during those golden “prime time” hours.

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.

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! This is the most famous slot with all of the iconic light beams and blowing sand.

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.

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 staple! Sunset is an excellent 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 Sedona.

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:

• There is a $10 per vehicle entrance fee.
• The trail to the overlook is 1.5 miles roundtrip.
• There are exposed cliffs.
• Sun protection is crucial 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.

Where to Eat in Page

If you aren’t taking a full day tour from Sedona to Antelope Canyon, you’ll need to go somewhere for lunch! You might even want dinner before heading back to Sedona.

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

Where to Stay in Sedona

From campgrounds and hotels to glamping and unique stays, here are some of my recommendations for where to stay in Sedona.

• Manzanita Campground – peaceful creekside campsites right off Highway 89A
• Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock – an all-inclusive luxury hotel whose suites have private balconies/patios, fireplaces, and unbeatable views
• A Sunset Chateau – a posh boutique hotel with red rock views, spacious suites, and an array of amenities
• Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek – charming creekside hideaway cabins

Sedona to Antelope Canyon FAQs

How Far is Antelope Canyon From Sedona?

Sedona to Antelope Canyon is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

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

Absolutely! At just under 6 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 Sedona 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.

Is There a Tour I Can Take From Sedona to Antelope Canyon?

Yes! This full-day tour will take you from Sedona to Antelope Canyon. You won’t have to worry about driving or dealing with logistics!

In this tour, your guide will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, transport you in a tour van to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and will even provide lunch and water. How convenient is that?!

Discover Your Next Adventure

Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!

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

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