Not far from Horseshoe Bend is a famous tourist attraction on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Northern Arizona. Its name is Antelope Canyon. A series of slot canyons that are unlike anything you have ever seen. The Colorado River carved narrow passageways through the warmly colored Arizona rock hundreds of years ago to form beautifully sculpted 20-200+ ft walls. The colors, texture and designs on these walls make Antelope Canyon one of the most photographed spots in the mid-west. Photographers travel from all over the world to capture shots in hopes of making over a million dollars per shot as many photographers have before.
The only way to see these natural phenomenas are to take a guided tour from a Navajo Indian tour group. Each canyon, the upper and lower, have 2-3 tour companies authorized to take outsiders in. The Lower canyon is less populated because it is a little more of a hike, or should I say, a wait, undera shaded area in the desert, until you enter the canyon. Lower canyon tours cost around $30; whereas the Upper tours cost around $50. For $50 you are driven directly to the canyon’s entrance and experience no wait time; however, be prepared for a much more crowded tour and little opportunity for the tourist-free photos you’ll get in the lower. The Upper Canyon is also said to offer a better chance of catching the famous light rays that filter through the canyon’s slots. Both tour guides will inform you of the Canyon’s history and meaning within their tribe. The canyon received its name, Antelope, because Indians used the canyon to scare antelope over it, while other hunters waited within the slots, shooting up through the gap as the antelopes jumped over. Whether you do the Lower, Upper, or both, the canyon is a must-see.
In my next blog I’ll let you guys know about a secret spot you can go to if the crowds and hands-OFF tour isn’t exactly your cup of tea.
Check out the video I made of our visit at https://vimeo.com/224276220
The Mermaid Digest 