You’re trading the usual crowds for something quieter. This tour takes you into the Secret Antelope part of the Antelope Canyon system with small groups and a long, camera-friendly slot canyon walk on the Navajo Nation. I like the small-group feel because the experience stays calm, and I like the off-road drive because you get there by sandy washes instead of a straight shot. One heads-up: the ride is bumpy and some days the driving can feel fast, so it may not feel comfortable if you’re sensitive to jolts.

The big idea here is value-through-time. You get a short drive, a focused walk, and enough time to actually enjoy the canyon walls instead of rushing past them. You’ll also see why this area is still less crowded than Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, especially when your group is limited and your stop is more secluded.

Just know the tour name can be a little confusing at first. You’re not visiting Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon specifically; you’re going to Secret Antelope Canyon, which looks and behaves like a classic Antelope-style slot, but it’s a different location.

Key things to know before you go

• Very small groups (often far under the larger Antelope Canyon crowd)
• Off-road, enclosed vehicle ride with a sandy wash adventure part of the fun
• Up to an hour in the canyon for wandering and photos, not a quick peek
• A longer slot canyon experience on the Navajo Nation with a 300-meter nature walk in
• Guides who support photography (some are known for helping with camera settings)
• Weather and comfort matter since the off-road portion is genuinely bumpy

Secret Antelope Canyon Tour: what you’re really signing up for

Secret Antelope Canyon is part of the wider Antelope Canyon system around Page, Arizona, and it’s approached from a south-of-Lake-Powell route on the Navajo Nation. The tour sets the expectation that this is still working like a lesser-known option, with group sizes kept to a smaller fraction of what you’ll see at Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.

What makes that difference matter in real life is how you experience the canyon itself. A slot canyon is narrow and bright at the same time, which means crowd flow changes the feel fast. When you’re packed in, you spend mental energy waiting and squeezing. When you’re with a small group, you can pause, adjust your stance, wait for light, and actually look up at the sandstone curves the way you came for.

You’ll also get a very different travel rhythm compared with tours that mainly rely on paved access. This one begins with a check-in and safety briefing, then switches into a comfort-focused ride (climate-controlled transportation) followed by a bumpy off-road adventure through sandy washes and rolling hills.

The drive from check-in to the slot: comfort first, then the fun bumps

Your tour starts at Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours in Page, Arizona. The tour asks you to check in at least 30 minutes early, and there’s a safety briefing that takes about 30 minutes. I’m glad they do it up front, because slot canyon conditions demand attention: where you step, how you position yourself for photos, and how you move as a group.

Next comes the vehicle time. You’ll load into a van for a short ride (about 15 minutes). Then the real journey begins: you head off the highway and into a six-mile off-road adventure through sandy washes and rolling hills. The idea is that you’re not just traveling to a canyon, you’re getting the change of scenery in the process.

A nice detail here is the vehicle comfort. The tour uses a comfortable, enclosed vehicle so you’re not stuck in open air the whole way. That matters in Page because conditions can shift quickly.

One caution from a real review: one rider felt the guide drove quickly on the tracks, and they spent more time gripping than photographing. If you’re someone who gets motion-sick or you have back/neck issues, that’s your warning label. The tour also explicitly notes that the off-road travel isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with recent/chronic back or neck issues.

Entering Secret Antelope: the 300-meter walk that sets the mood

After the off-road part, you arrive at the canyon area south of Lake Powell and within the Antelope Canyon system on the Navajo Nation. Then you do a 300-meter nature walk to the entrance.

This walk is short enough that it doesn’t stall your day, but long enough that it changes your headspace. You’re not dropping straight into the canyon like a drop-in show. You get a transition moment where you can notice the air temperature, the light angle, and the way the canyon walls start to frame the sky.

At the entrance, your group will be positioned for the guided part of the tour. You’ll have a guided tour and sightseeing, plus hiking time that leads into the main slot canyon exploration.

A practical note on your footing

You should plan on closed-toe shoes. The tour is outdoors, and you’ll be walking on natural ground that can shift underfoot. If you want photos and comfort, wear shoes you trust for uneven surfaces, not just pretty sandals.

Inside the canyon: up to an hour of wandering and photography

Once you enter, you’ll spend up to an hour in the Secret Antelope Canyon space for photos and sightseeing. This is the heart of the tour, because Secret Antelope Canyon is described as one of the longest tour-able sandstone slot canyons available on the Navajo Nation, with a peaceful and secluded feel.

What I like about this structure is that it gives you a realistic chance to enjoy the canyon in multiple ways:

• you can follow the guide for the best viewing flow
• you can wander at your own pace within the group boundaries
• you can take photos without feeling like someone is yanking you along every 30 seconds

This time budget also helps with the one thing slot canyons constantly challenge: light. Narrow corridors mean light moves fast as people reposition and clouds drift. With a full hour, you can wait for a better moment instead of shooting whatever was available when you arrived.

A couple of reviews underline how much time the small-group setup gives you. One rider said the group had the canyon space for over an hour and that they had plenty of time to walk around and take pictures. Another praised the extra time and flexibility to explore this remarkable canyon.

What guides do that makes a difference for photos

The tour includes an expert local guide, and the guide role is more than just talking facts. It’s also about helping you photograph correctly in a place where angles and distance matter.

Two guide-related details popped up in reviews:

• One rider specifically credited Gail not only for knowledge, but also for being an awesome photographer and for helping with photo results.
• Another rider mentioned Bob, saying he helped them with photography settings so they got incredible pictures.

Even if your guide isn’t named Gail or Bob, the pattern is clear: the guide approach is photo-aware. That means you’re more likely to end up with images that show the canyon’s shape well, rather than shots that only capture bright patches.

Bring the right mindset

You might not get your best photo instantly. Slot canyon photography is about small adjustments: stepping into the brightest corridor, finding stable footing, and letting the canyon lines lead your eye. Having a guide who helps you with settings is a real advantage, because you’re saving trial-and-error time.

Price and value: why $149 can make sense in Page

The price is $149 per person for a tour duration of about two hours, and that includes your guide, climate-controlled transport, and the guided slot canyon experience with photographic opportunities at iconic viewpoints.

Here’s how I think about the value:

• You’re paying for access and flow control. Small groups and a secluded location aren’t just marketing; they affect your ability to enjoy the canyon without constant crowd interruption.
• You’re paying for logistics built for the terrain. That off-road drive isn’t something most people can replicate comfortably or safely on their own.
• You’re paying for time inside the canyon. An hour in a slot canyon is meaningful. Many short tours don’t give that much room to wander and shoot.

There is one cost caveat: a Navajo Permit is not included. The tour listing doesn’t provide the permit amount here, so treat your final budget as potentially a little higher than the headline price. Still, since permit requirements are part of the broader area rules, it’s not a surprise. Just don’t assume $149 is the all-in total.

Scheduling it into your Page day

The itinerary is simple enough to plan around. You start at Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours, check in early, do a safety briefing, then ride to the canyon area. After off-road travel and the walk in, you spend about an hour in the slot and then head back.

Because the whole experience lands around two hours, you can pair it with other Page highlights without turning your day into a logistics nightmare. It’s a good option if you want canyon time but you don’t want to spend the entire day in a van.

Also, you’ll notice you’re returning to the same check-in area, which helps if you’re juggling dinner plans, sunrise/sunset slots, or another tour later.

What to bring (and what to leave behind)

For this tour, pack light and practical.

What to bring:

• Comfortable clothes
• Closed-toe shoes

Not allowed:

• Drones
• Pets
• Weapons or sharp objects
• Luggage or large bags
• Alcohol and drugs
• Glass objects

No physical documents are needed. You just check in under the name used for booking.

Accessibility and who should skip this tour

This isn’t a good fit for everyone. The tour is not suitable for:

• children under 6
• pregnant women
• wheelchair users

And even for people who aren’t in those categories, the tour warns that the bumpy off-road travel isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with recent/chronic back or neck issues.

If you’re unsure, think honestly about what bumpy road travel feels like for you. If the answer is not great, choose a different Page canyon option that uses smoother access.

Quick heads-up on the tour title and expectations

One useful review point: the tour title can sound like you’re visiting Antelope Canyon in the generic sense. In reality, the experience is focused on Secret Antelope Canyon with Antelope Canyon-like sandstone slot features.

So if your goal is specifically Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon, adjust your mental target now. If your goal is to see a long slot canyon in the same region with fewer crowds and more time to photograph, then Secret Antelope is a direct match.

Before you book: should you choose Secret Antelope?

I’d book this tour if you want:

• a small-group slot canyon experience in Page
• an off-road adventure ride in a comfortable enclosed vehicle
• enough time for photos (up to an hour inside)
• the chance to explore a lesser-known part of the Antelope Canyon system

I’d think twice or skip it if:

• bumpy rides trigger pain or motion issues for you
• you need wheelchair-friendly access
• you’re traveling with kids under 6
• you’re expecting exactly Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon rather than Secret Antelope Canyon

If your priorities are calm canyon time plus a bit of adventure getting there, this is one of the more practical ways to do slot-canyon photography without getting swallowed by crowds.

FAQ

How long is the Secret Antelope Canyon Tour?

The tour duration is listed as 2 hours.

Where do I check in for the tour?

You check in at Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon Tours in Page, Arizona. The tour also notes a move starting in 2026 to 821 US-89 # B, Page, AZ 86040.

Is the Navajo Permit included in the price?

No. The Navajo Permit is not included.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You should also avoid bringing large bags and anything not allowed.

Are drones allowed?

No, drones are not allowed.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users or young children?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users and children under 6 years old.

What are the main things not allowed on the tour?

Pets, weapons or sharp objects, luggage or large bags, drones, alcohol and drugs, and glass objects are not allowed.