Antelope Canyon

Located on the Navajo Nation just east of Page, Arizona is the spectacular slot canyon of Antelope Canyon. There are actually six separate, scenic slot canyon sections with Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons being the most visited. Since the canyons lie on Navajo land, visitors have to go through a Navajo owned tour company and there are many choices. I elected to take a guided tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon which in Navajo is called Tsé bighánílíní, which means “the place where water runs through the rocks”.

Antelope Canyon was formed by the erosion of the 200-million-year-old Navajo sandstone by the forces of flash flooding. Rainwater, especially during the desert’s monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections where it picks up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways erode away, deepening the corridors and smoothing hard edges to form the characteristic flowing shapes we see today.

The Upper Antelope Canyon is a large crack or slot in the sandstone that runs for approximately a quarter-mile. The slot canyon is not straight, but rather zig-zags through the rock with a sandy floor that is constantly changing in depth due to flash flooding. The canyon is A-framed in shape meaning that the ceiling is a narrow slot and opens up to a wider corridor at the floor. At its tallest point, the Upper Antelope Canyon is about 85 feet high and during the monsoon season it is not uncommon for the entire canyon to fill with flood waters! In fact, as you walk through the canyon you often see logs and debris overhead that got lodged there during one of the flash floods. The best viewing of Upper Antelope Canyon occurs at midday during the summer when light beams cascade down into the canyon to reveal the brilliant colors of the rocks.

The forces which have created Antelope Canyon can also prove to be deadly. In August 1997, eleven tourists were killed in Lower Antelope Canyon when a sudden flash flood swept down the canyon. The only survivor of that tragedy was their guide who had previously received swift-water training. Today, there are more safety features in place like early warning alarms but you still need to be respectful and vigilant about flash flooding. There are other dangers while visiting Antelope Canyon such as the baby rattlesnake my tour encountered at the entrance to the canyon.

Antelope Canyon is a sacred place to the Navajo people and it was a real treat to visit this beautiful, spiritual site.