Antelope Canyon. Upper or Lower?

Antelope Canyon. Upper or Lower?
From Lower Antelope Canyon

 

If you can only do one of these, I would do Lower Antelope Canyon.  Why?

Antelope Canyon is an amazing slot canyon near Page Arizona on Navajo Tribal Land. During the off season, the people at Lower Antelope Canyon will let me go on my own for 2 hours. It’s called the photographers permit. It’s about $35.  The Lower is about a mile long and you can walk to the entrance in a minute. At the Upper, you have to be driven out to the trailhead and be guided through the canyon which is only a 1/2 mile at most.

These images and more can be purchased as prints or downloadable files at dawn2dawn photography

Antelope Canyon
You are guided through Upper Antelope Canyon

 

Upper Antelope Canyon
The Upper has its beauty

 

The other thing I don’t like about The Upper is that you have to return the same way you came in. That means bumping into all the people going in to the canyon. That can be a problem when you have that perfect shot lined up and people get in the way. And then you’re probably in some else’s way. In the Lower Canyon, you enter in one spot and exit at the other end. Usually everyone is moving in the same direction.

If you’re claustrophobic,  then maybe the Lower isn’t for you. You have some tight spots to squeeze through and ladders to negotiate.

Arizona Landscape
The classic shot of the Corkscrew in Lower Antelope Canyon

If you are going to seriously photograph Antelope Canyon, don’t go during the busy season from Mid-March through October because you won’t have fun as the guides will rush you through. Although this is the season you are more likely to see the beams of sunlight at midday.  And remember to shoot with a tripod and bracket all of your shots. You don’t want to ruin this opportunity.

Antelope Canyon
Lower

 

Antelope Canyon
This image in the Lower Antelope Canyon can look differently at times.

 

24 responses to “Antelope Canyon. Upper or Lower?”

  1. absengeralois Avatar

    fantastic! Gruß Alois

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thank you Alois!

  2. darwinontherocks Avatar

    We did the upper canyon, but I kind of regret not having done the lower. Is it true you have to you ladder to get in the lower ?

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Yes, the lower canyon has metal ladders embedded into the sandstone. Very safe.

  3. lensandpensbysally Avatar

    Nature’s awe-inspiring beauty…

  4. lauramacky Avatar

    I love how you’ve processed this, not to mention composed it. 🙂

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
      1. lauramacky Avatar

        You’re welcome 🙂

  5. Smiling in Sonoma Avatar

    Beautiful shots!!! Mother nature amazes me and I love seeing photographers capture it! Nicely done!!!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thank you Smiling in Sonoma!

  6. Steve Boer Avatar

    Man, I want to go to there…

  7. sac529 Avatar

    Ah very nice! Just did upper and lower over Valentine’s weekend. Was totally crowded though because it was also President’s Day wknd. Will be posting a blog soon. 🙂

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Looking forward to your post!

  8. montucky Avatar

    Magnificent hoots!

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      Thanks Montucky

  9. paws2smile Avatar

    Wow! Brilliant shots! 🙂

  10. […] Take a look of his amazing photos. The Antelope Canyon is just one of many Michael’s great posts. Dawn2dawn …. […]

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar
  11. DG MARYOGA Avatar

    Mesmerised by your effectual work my friend!I’m here thanks to my beloved friend Amy and I never regreted it !
    Bravo 🙂

    1. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

      I appreciate your nice comments DG!

  12. Michael Andrew Just Avatar

    Reblogged this on dawn2dawn photography and commented:

    Antelope Canyon. Upper or Lower?

  13. Sandra@Just Regular Folks Wandering Avatar

    Love that place! We did the upper a few years back ~ so beautiful!

  14. katelon Avatar

    So beautiful. I’d love to go there.

  15. Eliza Waters Avatar

    Achingly beautiful, Mike!

Leave a Reply

Blog at WordPress.com.

Discover more from Dawn2Dawn Photography

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading