Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour (with Option Upgrade to Photo Tour)

Canyon X rewards curious eyes. This 90-minute outing near Page takes you by 4WD across the Navajo Nation to two narrow sandstone canyons, where wind, rain, and light have shaped walls into flowing curves. I like the smaller group size, listed at no more than 10 people, and I like that Navajo guides help with both the geology and the photographs.

The main drawback is time. The regular tour moves along a fixed route, and 90 minutes can feel short once you account for the vehicle ride, stairs, and two canyon sections. The photography upgrade costs more, but it gives you up to 2.5 hours inside the canyon and time to work with a tripod.

Key points before you book

• Two canyon sections: You walk through one slot canyon, then continue about 200 meters to a second section with a different shape and feel.
• 4WD access: A vehicle carries you about 3 miles from the meeting point to the canyon entrance, saving a long desert walk.
• Navajo-guided experience: Guides explain canyon formation, local wildlife, and cultural connections, with the quality of commentary varying by guide.
• Moderate walking, but stairs matter: The canyon floor is generally easy, but reaching it involves a long staircase, described as about 200 feet or roughly 100 steps.
• Strong photo support: Guides often suggest camera settings, point out good angles, and take pictures for you with your phone.
• Photo tour for patience: The longer option is the better pick if you want tripod time, quieter stretches, and more control over your pictures.

Why Canyon X is worth considering

Antelope Canyon X is the lesser-known cousin of Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. That does not mean it is plain or second-rate. It means the tour can feel less crowded by comparison, though the canyon is still managed carefully and you will not wander at your own pace.

The name comes from the X-shaped cuts formed in Navajo Sandstone. Over very long periods, rainwater and wind carved narrow channels through the rock. Inside, the walls twist and fold like fabric, with occasional shafts of light reaching down from above.

I especially like the fact that this tour includes two canyon sections. The first has its own bends and openings, then the route continues to a second canyon with a different A-shaped or V-shaped profile. You get more variety than you would from a single short passage.

The setting also gives you a closer look at the work of water. A guide may show how the rock formed or explain why the walls have their smooth, rippled surfaces. Some guides add facts about local plants, animals, and Navajo heritage. Others keep their explanations brief, so the educational side depends partly on who leads your group.

Getting from Highway 98 to the canyon

You meet at Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours, at Milepost 308 on Highway 98 outside Page. Hotel pickup is not provided, so you need your own vehicle and enough time to find the correct meeting point.

Arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. This is not a suggestion to ignore. The area uses specific departure times, and the canyon operates on Navajo Nation time, which can differ from nearby locations. Check the time printed on your voucher and allow extra time for road delays, fuel, and getting oriented.

After check-in, a 4WD vehicle carries you roughly 3 miles across the desert. The ride takes about 15 minutes according to one detailed account, though the exact time can vary. This transfer is part of the experience, not just a shuttle. You see the dry country around Page before reaching the narrow slot.

The vehicles are practical rather than luxurious. One account raised concerns about seatbelts, so it is sensible to check your seatbelt before the vehicle leaves and speak up if something does not work. Safety equipment should be taken seriously on any paid excursion.

The first 100 meters into Canyon X

At the canyon entrance, you walk about 100 meters into the first slot canyon. The route is narrow, but the canyon floor is generally manageable, with no ladders inside the slot sections.

The most demanding part is the access stairway. The operator describes a staircase of about 200 feet into Canyon X, while one detailed account estimates around 100 steps on the way out. That climb is not technical, but it can be tiring, especially in heat or after a full day of sightseeing.

Once you reach the bottom, the walking becomes easier. You move through curving sandstone corridors where the light changes quickly as you turn a corner. The walls are the main event, so take a moment to look up as well as forward. The opening above may be only a slim strip of sky, but it can brighten the orange and red stone.

Guides commonly help with pictures here. They may point out a useful angle, suggest a camera setting, or take a portrait using your phone. That service is a real advantage for couples and families who want a picture of everyone together.

The second canyon and the value of two sections

After completing the first slot canyon, you walk approximately 200 meters to the second. This connecting walk is not a long hike, but you are moving between two separate canyon passages rather than spending the entire tour in one continuous corridor.

The second section helps explain why Canyon X is more than a quick photo stop. Its shape can feel different from the first, with changing curves and openings. You may see stronger contrast between shadow and sun, depending on the time of day and season.

The regular tour lasts about 1.5 hours, including the canyon experience and transfers around the site. That sounds reasonable on paper, but the canyon time goes quickly. You may need to keep moving when another group is behind you, and narrow passageways leave little room for everyone to stop at once.

This is the chief weakness of the standard outing. If you want to study each wall, wait for a shaft of light, or photograph several compositions, you may feel hurried. The operation has to keep groups moving for safety and capacity reasons, but that system can limit the quiet time many people hope for.

The photography upgrade: who should pay more?

The photography option gives you up to 2.5 hours in the canyon instead of the regular 1.5 hours. It is designed for photography hobbyists and allows time to set up a tripod.

I see this as more than a minor add-on. The canyon walls are full of small changes in color, shape, and shadow, and extra time gives you room to work rather than grab a quick image and move on. Guides can help identify good spots and assist with settings, but you still need to bring your own camera equipment.

The longer tour may also offer quieter periods between regular groups. One account described having the canyon nearly to the group alone at times, which made the experience feel far more peaceful. That is not a guarantee, but it shows the benefit of scheduling more time.

Choose the upgrade if:

• You own a camera and tripod.
• You care more about photographs than a fast overview.
• You prefer a slower pace.
• You want time to compose pictures without immediately moving on.
• The canyon is a main reason for your Page visit.

Stick with the regular tour if you mainly want to see Canyon X, take phone pictures, and leave time for another Page-area stop. The shorter format was enough for some people to fit in a second local hike afterward.

Guides make a bigger difference than the itinerary

The rock is the star, but the guide shapes the visit. Several guides have earned especially warm praise for their patience, humor, picture taking, and clear explanations.

Van was appreciated for sharing stories about slot canyons and his Navajo heritage. Nick was praised for his humor, willingness to take phone pictures, and relaxed pace. Ethel was noted for her calm manner, photo help, and explanations. Mike demonstrated how the rocks formed, while Orvid added information about history and local fauna.

Thomas, Josh, Tyler, Brandon, Kayla, and others were also singled out for helping with pictures and keeping the experience friendly. These details matter because you are not simply entering a public trail. You are moving through a protected site with a guide who controls the pace and helps you understand what you are seeing.

The quality of interpretation is not perfectly consistent. One person found a guide very sweet but wished for more facts about the canyons and the land. If you want a lecture on geology and Navajo culture, ask questions early and directly. A good guide can make the visit feel personal, while a quieter guide may leave you with more scenery and less context.

Photography tips, clothing, and the small practical matters

Wear closed-toe shoes with a solid sole. Hiking boots are not required, but sneakers or trail-running shoes are a good choice. Flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and heels are not suitable.

The canyon can feel cool at times, even in a warm desert region. Dress for the season, but bring a light layer if you tend to chill in shade. You will also be walking and climbing stairs, so comfort matters more than style.

Use the restroom before departure. Facilities are available at the check-in area, but there are no restrooms inside the slot canyon.

Bottled water is included, while food and snacks are not. Bring any food you need before or after the tour, but do not expect a meal during the outing.

For children, note the restrictions. Infants need a car seat for the vehicle ride and must be carried through the canyon. Strollers and wheelchairs cannot be used in the canyon, and backpacks are not permitted. A chest-style or backpack-style child carrier may be used for a small child, according to the operator information.

The tour is not recommended for people with physical limitations or those who are pregnant. The canyon walk is fairly easy once inside, but the stairs and uneven route still require a reasonable level of mobility.

Is $89 a fair price?

The listed price is $89 per person. It includes admission to Canyon X, the Navajo permit fee of $8 per person, the guided visit, 4WD transport to the canyon, and bottled water.

That is not a cheap walk, especially for a 90-minute outing. You are paying for access to a controlled Navajo Nation site, the required transport, a guide, and a natural setting that you cannot visit independently. Still, the price may feel high if you mainly want a quick look and a few phone pictures.

The value improves when your guide is active with photography and interpretation. A guide who takes family pictures, explains the rock, answers questions, and keeps the group comfortable adds a lot to the basic entry fee. The value also improves if you appreciate smaller groups and a less familiar alternative to Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.

The photography upgrade needs a separate value judgment. It costs more, but the extra canyon time is useful rather than decorative. If you bring a tripod and care about making deliberate images, the longer format is likely the better buy. If you do not own camera equipment, the standard tour should be enough.

One important booking detail is the cancellation policy. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. Because late arrivals receive no refund, check the time zone and arrive early.

Who should book Canyon X?

I would choose this tour if you want striking slot canyon scenery without committing to a full-day outing. It fits well into a Page itinerary that also includes Horseshoe Bend or another local hike.

It is a good match for couples, families with mobile older children, and anyone who wants help taking pictures. It also suits photographers who are willing to pay for the longer option and bring a tripod.

I would think twice if you dislike stairs, fixed group pacing, or guided sightseeing. The canyon is not a place for wandering off alone or stopping wherever you like. You may also find the regular tour too brief if photography is your main goal.

Should you book the Antelope Canyon X Hiking Tour?

Book it if you want two beautiful slot canyon sections, Navajo guidance, and a shorter outing near Page. The scenery is powerful, the walking inside the canyon is generally light, and the guides often make a real effort with pictures and explanations.

Choose the photography option if you want time to set up a tripod and wait for better angles. Otherwise, the standard tour offers a sensible introduction, provided you arrive early, understand the staircase, and accept that the group must keep moving.

For me, Canyon X makes the most sense as a focused half-day piece of a Page visit. It offers memorable sandstone forms and strong photo chances, but the experience is best when you know its limits before paying: fixed timing, no restroom in the canyon, a serious stair climb, and no refund for a late arrival.

FAQ

Where does the Antelope Canyon X tour meet?

The meeting point is Antelope Canyon X by Taadidiin Tours at Milepost 308 on Highway 98, Page, Arizona.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. Check the voucher for the confirmed departure time and time zone information.

How long is the regular tour?

The regular hiking tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How long is the photography tour?

The photography option provides up to 2.5 hours in the canyon.

What does the 4WD vehicle do?

The 4WD vehicle carries you about 3 miles from the meeting point to the mouth of Antelope Canyon X.

How difficult is the walking?

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

Are restrooms available inside the canyon?

No. Use the restrooms at the check-in area before departure.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable seasonal clothing and closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and heeled shoes are not allowed for safety reasons.

Is water included?

Yes. Bottled water is provided, but food and snacks are not included.