Know the facts about Antelope Canyon in Arizona before you plan

The most beautiful canyons are considered the pride of Americans. In the western United States, there are a lot of extremely picturesque canyons. Let’s talk about the small Antelope Canyon – one of the most interesting places to visit in the United States. Here are the most important facts about Antelope Canyon in Arizona, an amazing natural phenomenon!

All facts we should know about Antelope Canyon
( Location, Canyon Types, Best Time to Visit, Other Specialities ) –

Antelope Canyon is considered one of the main attractions of Arizona and is located at an altitude of 1,129 meters above sea level.
This is an unusual geological formation that is located near the city of Page (Arizona). In the Navajo language, the name translates as “water flowing down a rocky gorge”.
Antelope Canyon is the most picturesque place in the state, where tourists love to take unique photos. In addition, it is of interest to connoisseurs of geological formations of natural origin.
Antelope Canyon is divided into two parts, which are geographically located at a small distance from each other: the Upper Canyon and the Lower Canyon.

Upper Antelope Canyon :

The Upper Antelope Canyon, called by the Navajo tribe “The place where the water runs through the rocks”, is most often visited by tourists due to the fact that the entrance and the entire length of this part of the canyon are at ground level and do not require climbing, and also because it is much easier to see the rays falling from the holes at the top of the canyon than in the Lower one.
The rays are more often observed in the summer, as this requires that the sun is as high in the sky as possible. The Upper Antelope Canyon is very beautiful. In winter, the colors are a little more muted.

Lower Antelope Canyon :

The Lower Antelope Canyon, called “Spiral Arches of Rock” by the Navajo tribe, is located several kilometers further than the Upper Antelope Canyon. Prior to the installation of metal ladders, when visiting the canyon, it was necessary to climb up and down ropes and very dangerous rope ladders in certain areas.
Even after the stairs were installed, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour remained significantly more difficult than the Upper Antelope Canyon tour – the route is longer, in some places narrower, and in some places, you can’t even stand on your feet.

Best Time to Visit Antelope Canyon:

The best time to visit this attraction is in summer, especially the canyon is magnificent in the morning (from 10 to 12) when the sun rays touch the walls of the canyon, which have a velvety red color. The dream of every tourist, being in the canyon, is to see a ray of sun and take a photo of it.
From July to mid-October, there is a high probability of bad weather, the canyon may be closed without warning, so check the information on the website the day before the visit.

Interior Walls of Antelope Canyon :

The interior walls of this small canyon are formed of Navajo sandstone, which has a pink hue and resembles the skins of young antelopes. It looks great underground, in the semi-darkness when it is a sunny day on the surface.

Keep an eye on snakes :

When descending, you should be extremely careful and carefully look at your feet. Here you can find snakes that take shelter from the hot sun.

The perfect place for Photographers:

Antelope Canyon attracts photographers from all over the world because it has an interesting property – in photos, it looks much more colorful and mysterious than it can be seen in reality, some colors and tones appear only in the pictures. The best time to take photos is in the middle of the day when the sun is at its zenith.

how was the antelope canyon formed?

There is no exact information about the formation of this object of nature. According to many, the canyon owes its birth to the underground river, which eventually dried up and this explains the fact that for a long time part of the canyon was hidden underground.
Due to the seismic activity, over time, a crevice formed and the canyon became accessible to the winds, which for many centuries perfectly polished its walls
A major role in the creation of the object of nature was played by the rains, under the influence of which erosion appeared on the walls of the canyon. As a result, tourists can see the Antelope Canyon in all its glory, with unique camps and unusual internal views.
The formation of a natural object is not suspended even today. There is an assumption that by the end of the process, the walls of the canyon may finally crumble and fill it up. However, there is another opinion that over time this unusual cleft is transformed into a huge canyon.

The Grand Canyon vs Antelope Canyon:

The Grand Canyon is so long when compared with Antelope Canyon, The Grand Canyon formed over billions of years and formed with cliffs and walls. Whereas Antelope Canyon is small and is sculpted by wind and sand and water, it is wide enough to walk comfortably.

Note the Climate before you plan :

During the rain, the visit to the canyon should be postponed, because it may be partially filled with water. It is important to have a headdress and glasses. These items will protect your hair and eyes from sand.

Antelope Canyon entrance — Antelope Canyon Entrance (Pic Credits: Wikimedia)

Unknown Fun facts about Antelope Canyon

The mesmerizing beauty of Antelope Canyon can be treacherous. In 1998, a terrible event occurred in this place: a group of tourists was caught in a storm that occurred completely suddenly and 11 travelers (out of 12) were killed.
This unusual place has left its mark on American art. Antelope Canyon is often used during filming, in addition, a video of the popular American singer Britney Spears was shot here.
It lies on the lands of the Navajo tribe and belongs to the Indians of this tribe. To get there, you need to pay a toll for passing through the Indian territory and hire a guide.
The entrance to the canyon is located in the state of Arizona, which is known for desert areas, where sandstorms often occur. Due to drifts, tourists can not always find the entrance to this unusual natural object.

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