Antelope Canyon, Arizona Photography Location

Visit this prime spot for photography near Lake Powell,  in Page, Arizona. 

ANTELOPE CANYON – TOP PHOTOGRAPHY SPOT

Editorial Update: January 2026
Photography Location Guides & Essential

Are you looking for a place near you to do photography in  Arizona?  Pamela Goodyer, an internationally acclaimed and renowned photographer, has curated the best photography locations in Arizona and brings you all of the first-hand details.

We delve into outdoor photography here in Antelope Canyon, exploring this exceptional location to create dynamic pictures. This isn’t just about landscape photography; it’s a journey to travel to the best places.

Pamela Goodyer has been guiding photographers to the best photography spots in the world for over fifteen years.

Article is not AI generated. We traveled here showing Pamela Goodyer and her camera.
Antelope Canyon Arizona Photography Hot Spot Locations
replace antelope canyon, page arizona colorful rocks with sun

ANTELOPE CANYON

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Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon on Navajo land east of Page, Arizona, consists of two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon.  Upper Antelope Canyon, located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, has walls 120 feet high. Lower Antelope Canyon is more challenging, with narrow paths and uneven footing, and it ends with a climb up several flights of stairs.

BEST TIME TO GO

We definitely like the winter months when there are no crowds, but the light is better in the summer, but all the humans are there. During the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) are good times. During these months, the weather is pleasant, with warm days and cooler nights.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH

The tour that allows tripods is a three-hour tour (longer than most other non-photographer tours). The others are 1-2 hours.

HOW TO GET THERE

TADIDIIN TOURS – MAP OF THE AREA

OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY NEARBY

Tons of photography near here! Horse Shoe Bend, Lake Powell, Lee’s Ferry and more. See our Arizona Hot Spot Page.

HOW BUSY DOES IT GET?

When going on the tour with this company, they limit the number of people on the tour, but there will be other tours going through, so again, we like the off-season months for this. Seasonally, it may get very busy.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

On the TAADIDIIN Photography Tour only:

  • Children are not recommended on this tour.
  • All customers must be able to walk unassisted on uneven surfaces and elevation changes with their camera bag.
  • Landscape Photography Workshops are accepted. Please apply for a permit no less than four weeks before the tour date. If you have any questions, you can reach out to our Reservation Coordinator at antelopecanyonx@gmail.com OR call the Lake Powell Tribal Park and Recreation office number below.
  • The Special Use permit issued by the Lake Powell Tribal Park and Recreation office can be obtained by calling (928) 645-0268.
  • Pets are not allowed.

RESTAURANTS, CAMPING & WEATHER  – SEE BELOW

From the Staff (Pam thinks we won’t tell her):
Why did Pam choose Antelope Canyon for her next photo shoot? Because where else can you find such a rock-solid backdrop?

Antelope Canyon Photography Information

NOTICE: Tripods are prohibited on tours, except for this specific company – TAADIDIIN TOURS LLC

$133.00 – Antelope Canyon Photography Experience – 3-Hour Tour. This is the premier tour for photography enthusiasts.

Many bloggers tell everyone that tripods are not allowed. They are not investigators like we are. We found the only company that will allow them. This company welcomes camera equipment and is uniquely tailored for photographers. We are highlighting this option for you.

NON-PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS: If you’re using our publication merely as a travel guide, you’ll find other companies listed below, but they do not permit tripod use.

CONTACT TAADIDIIN TOURS:

Reservations – +1 928-660-8890 – Milepost 308 Highway AZ-98 – Page, AZ 86040 US

Photographers come from around the world to experience Antelope Canyon and take long-exposure photographs inside the slot canyon. It is dark inside, so you cannot do a proper long-exposure image without a tripod. Handholding a camera in these dark areas just does not cut it.

You can get some amazing abstract shots inside the canyon. We went in December, so very few people were in our way. Without a tripod, you will have to increase your ISO quite a bit and shoot wide open (F/2.8 or as low as your lens will allow). You can use Topaz Noise Reduction or other software to reduce the noise of the image later.

SHOOTING ON A TRIPOD – MANUAL MODE:

  1. Put your camera on the tripod and set your camera to manual mode.
  2. Set the lowest ISO possible on your camera, 50 or 100 or low mode, depending on the camera. This avoids grain in the pictures.
  3. Set your aperture to somewhere around F/8 to get the depth of field of the rocks.
  4. Scroll your shutter speed until the camera meter is at 0.
  5. This should give you the proper exposure, but you can adjust your shutter speed from here.

We liked it in December when we had two people on our tour. We went back in March; again, very few people were around.

Your tour guide will point out all of the good spots for photography. Please don’t listen to a word they say. What does a tour guide know about creating dynamic images? You might find one who is a good photographer, but they all tell you to shoot the same spots.

Secondly, when the tour guide tells all photographers to go to the right to take a shot, don’t listen, to be creative, go to the left. You have to work harder to get that here since it is one of the most photographed spots in Arizona.

The Best Time is between March and October (11 am—1 pm), so the photography guides told me. We went in December, when we had two people on our tour. We went back in March; again, very few people were around.

SIDE NOTE: Many bloggers know nothing about photography and let AI write articles for them. Be very careful who you listen to and pick your sources on how to do photography wisely.

Wide-Angle Lens—You will want to use a wide-angle lens here. People go by, and dirt gets in the air, so don’t plan on changing your lens.

Tripod – HERE ARE OUR FAVORITES

Flashlight—Bring a flashlight to focus on a spot, then set your lens to focus manually for this image while on a tripod. It’s dark here, and your camera will not focus on all the shots. Maybe no one will notice that you turned on your flashlight—well, almost no one. It’s probably a more acceptable practice in photography than the regular tour, but check with the tour before you go.

Coast – XP11R Rechargeable Dual Power LED Flashlight, 3000 Lumens

Our Favorite Coast Flashlight for light painting photography – Coast HP7R 300 Lumen Rechargeable LED Flashlight with Slide Focus, Black

UPPER AND LOWER CANYONS LIGHTING AND DETAILS

Upper Antelope Canyon:

– Ideal for photographing light beams, particularly from 11 AM to 1 PM during summer.

– Offers a flat terrain for a more leisurely hike.

– Tends to be more crowded.

– Offers fewer tour choices because of stricter regulations on photography tours.

Lower Antelope Canyon:

– Features a narrower and more varied landscape, perfect for imaginative shot composition.

– Less frequented than Upper Antelope, although still a major attraction.

– Requires climbing stairs or ladders and navigating confined spaces.

LIGHTING AND TIME OF YEAR

Spring & Summer (March – September): The brightest rays are most prevalent during this period, usually appearing from late morning to early afternoon. 

Fall & Winter (October – February): Although light rays are seldom seen, the canyon becomes less busy. 

The beams of light occur between the months of April and September. They are a bit smaller at the beginning of April and the end of October and don’t last as long. They appear around noon.

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SEDONA ARIZONA

CANADIAN ROCKIES

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK 

GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST & MORE

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CARDIAC CANYON PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Six-Hour Tour! Now we’re really excited!

The same company mentioned above, TAADIDIIN TOURS LLC, also does this lesser-known tour, which is also geared towards photographers. Our staff is so excited that we are considering jumping on the next plane. This will have fewer people, less interference, and fewer people walking directly in front of your tripod while you are shooting.  For $324.00, it is well worth the investment to get incredible photos and a spiritual experience.

Park and Area Information:

Here is all you need to know before you go. We have been here several times. The canyon is about 10 degrees cooler, so dress accordingly.

Tours of Antelope Canyon 2026:

AGAIN… See above for the Photographer Tour – there is only one.

Adventurous Antelope Canyon 
www.navajoantelopecanyon.com

928-380-1874

Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours
www.navajotours.com
(928) 698-3384

Grand Circle Adventures
www.antelopeslotcanyon.com
(928) 645-5594
Overland Canyon Tours (Canyon X)
www.overlandcanyon.com
(928) 608-4072
Tse Bighanilini Tours

1.5 hour tour – $92 – @112.00

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 2026

Entrance Fee: Weekly Passes, Annual Permits and Boating fees.

1-7 Day Vehicle Pass – $30

Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers.

1-7 Day Individual Permit – $15 per person

Admits one individual when entering on foot or by bicycle. Not to exceed a $15 vehicle fee. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free.

Glen Canyon NRA Annual Pass – $55

Allows unlimited entry to Glen Canyon for 12 months from the date of purchase.

FEE AND PURCHASE PASS PAGE

Hotel Information 2026:

LAKE POWELL RESORT
100 Lakeshore Drive, Page, AZ, 86040  Starting from 80 – $120 per night to suites at $271
  • Two outdoor pools, one with a bar

  • Restaurants include Latitude 37, a floating restaurant on the lake

  • Boat tours and rentals are available.

  • Fitness center with machines and sauna

  • Large gift shop

Best Western Plus at Lake Powell – $250.00/Night – 208 N Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ 86040 – Phone: 928/645-5988

The Best Western Plus at Lake Powell is within walking distance of many local restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. The hotel is also a short distance from Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam and Horseshoe Bend. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon State at this Page, AZ hotel, which not only offers scenic landscapes but also offers easy access to many of the area’s photography locations.

 Restaurants:

Rivers End Café – 130 6th Ave – Page, AZ 86040 – Phone (928) 645-9175
At Rivers End, you can eat healthy and vegan. We suggest you try their Veggi Hummus Sandwich, Veggi Wrap, or select healthy salads.

Blue Buddha Sushi Lounge – 644 N Navajo Dr – Page, AZ 86040 – Phone (928) 645-0007
The Blue Buddha Lounge is home to a delicious way of eating: a variety of mouth-watering raw fish, select vegetables, rice and mystical seaweed. The Blue Buddha offers oriental cuisine that will not soon be forgotten.

 Area Weather:

Find the local weather here.

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