Spectacular ANTELOPE CANYON

A few miles east of Page, AZ on the Navajo Reservation is the most photographed slot canyon in northern Arizona. Over thousands of years, wind and water scoured a narrow crevice in the mesa to form a slot canyon. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon formed by water rushing through rock. A slot canyon is significantly deeper that it is wide. Most slot canyons are formed in sandstone or limestone rock. Upper Antelope Canyon measures a quarter mile long and 130 feet deep. When the flash floods occur in early spring, the canyon is completely filled with water. Once at the entrance, it’s an easy hike through the canyon which is fairly level.

The Navajo name for Upper Antelope Canyon is Tse' Bighanilini, which means "the place where water runs through rocks.” It has also been called “Corkscrew Canyon” and is one of the very few slot canyons in the area. To older Navajos, entering a place like Antelope Canyon was like entering a cathedral. They would probably pause before going in, to be in the right frame of mind and prepare for protection and respect. This would also allow them to leave with an uplifted feeling of what Mother Nature has to offer, and to be in harmony with something greater than themselves. It was, and is, a spiritual experience. Only a Navajo guide can take you to the canyon.

We have put together a very beautiful YouTube movie presentation of our trek through the canyon. It was a very spiritual and emotional experience to share this very special place with our Navajo guide. There is a sound track with the movie so turn up your speakers and click the full-screen icon in the lower right hand corner of the movie frame. CLICK HERE to watch the movie presentation.