There are plenty of slot canyons scattered across the Southwest but Antelope Canyon is arguably one of the most popular to visit. Its’ tall walls, narrow passages, and vibrant colors make it one of the most sought after for photographers and travelers from all around the world.
If you’re looking to miss the crowds and experience the canyon a different way then kayak Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell! This half day adventure allows you to kayak through part of the canyon, dock your kayak where the water ends, and hike into it on foot.
This guide covers how to get to Antelope Canyon from Lake Powell, safety considerations, and extra things to consider so you have a safe and enjoyable adventure.
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About Antelope Canyon
First, let’s get aquatinted with the rich history of the canyon itself.
- Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona and is categorized as two parts- an Upper Canyon and Lower Canyon.
- It sits on land that belongs to the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
- The tribe made Antelope Canyon a Tribal Park in 1977 and have been giving tours since.
- Antelope Canyon is known as “the place where water runs through rocks” by the Navajo Nation because that is essentially how it was formed.
- Water ran through the sandstone for thousands of years carving its way to form the shapes we see today. The walls of the slot canyon rise up to 120 feet high in some parts!
If you enter the slot canyon from Lake Powell it isn’t likely that you’ll get far enough to see views much like you would from the famous Antelope Canyon tours. The extremely unique part of the canyon is reserved for the Navajo tours since that portion lies on their land.
The portion that you’re able to hike without a tour is the small part that lies on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and is where we’ll be accessing by via the water!
Please Leave No Trace!
Please continue to be very considerate and practice the leave no trace principles. This especially means no carving into rock and packing out what you pack in.
Adventure Logistics + Safety
To safely reach Antelope Canyon via kayak a level of preparation needs to be taken. Kayaking to Antelope Canyon is not a last minute adventure. It can be difficult to secure kayak rentals during the busy season, you need to be mindful of any chances of rain, and the wake created by boats and jet skis can be very rough.
I’ve listed all of the details below that I feel are important to consider before starting your adventure!
Best Time To Kayak Antelope Canyon
I think we can agree that kayaking is most enjoyable during great weather. Mid-late Summer and early fall are the busiest, yet best times to be out on the water at Lake Powell.
Why? Because the outside temperatures are warm and the water has had time to warm up over time. During winter and spring the water is extremely cold which means the risk of getting hypothermia is high.
If you don’t care about the temperature and aren’t going to swim during your adventure I’ve heard that winter is a great time to kayak Antelope Canyon. There are less people and boats which means no crowds or wake.
The time of year you go just depends on your personal preferences. Keep in mind that if you don’t have your own kayaks you may have difficulty securing a rental during offseason. The group who told me they went in January said they were able to find ONE rental who was willing to operate still!
Safety Considerations
- Have a life jacket – #1 most important thing is to have a life jacket with you. It does not matter how good of a swimmer you are- accidents happen. The wake from Antelope Marina to Antelope Canyon can be very rough if it is windy or other boats and jet skis are on the lake.
- Check the weather – this is essential to do day of! If any rain is in the forecast do not kayak to Antelope Canyon. You never want to be in a slot canyon with it raining up to a mile away, and yes, they do get flash floods here.
- Tell someone your plans – tell someone where you plan on going and arriving back to shore.
Tips For Kayaking Antelope Canyon
- Start early in the day such as 8 a.m. to try to make it back before the late afternoon wind and weather changes roll in (during fall and summer).
- You can paddle board to Antelope Canyon but I’d think twice if it is going to be windy out or a busy day on the lake. The wake can get so big I cannot imagine being on a board during that. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you kayakers were getting pushed up against and stuck on the rock walls.
- I don’t see this adventure as a beginner one. It is too far and can get too strenuous for someone who hasn’t kayaked before. When in doubt, use a tandem kayak to share strength!
- Kids should be able to kayak here just fine if they are experienced and/or sharing a kayak with an adult.
- Bring a snack or pack a lunch!
CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to be inside a slot canyon during a rainstorm. No matter if you are hiking or on the water, you’ll want to check the weather in and around Page, AZ for it can rain elsewhere and still flood down to Antelope Canyon.
Getting Kayak Rentals
If you have your own kayaks to bring, great! But if you need rentals you’re in luck because there are several places in the area you can rent from. I do suggest booking as far ahead in advance as possible because they get completely booked during peak seasons.
I’ve had a great experience renting from WazSUP Kayaks! Bill, the owner, was extremely accommodating to our last minute rentals and for an extra fee he even dropped off our kayaks and picked them up for us at the marina.
Bill gave us directions to Antelope Canyon, some tips, and provided us with life jackets and paddles also. I’ve kayaked with him twice now and only have good things to say- highly recommend!
What To Pack For Kayaking Antelope Canyon
Below are some things I found helpful to pack during my adventure. I chose to take my hiking pack with me and store everything inside.
- Life Jacket (also provided by WazSUP Kayaks)
- Hat, sunglasses, and/or sunscreen
- Waterproof phone pouch
- 2L of water
- Lunch & snacks
- Towel
- Layers over swimsuit
- Waterproof shoes
How To Kayak Antelope Canyon From Lake Powell
FINALLY what you’ve been waiting for- the low down on the kayaking adventure. Below are maps giving you an overview of where you’ll be going. The first map shows you where you’ll be embarking on your adventure in comparison to Page, Arizona.
Where you’ll begin your adventure: Antelope Point Launch Ramp.
- Kayaking Distance | Roughly 6 miles RT
- Hiking Distance | Roughly 3 miles RT
- Time | Typically 4-6 hours
- Entry Fees | $30 per car for the day unless you have the America The Beautiful pass!
- Parking | Free and available up the hill from the ramp.
The second map shows you the route from the Antelope Point Launch Ramp to Antelope Canyon. It is roughly 1 mile from the ramp to the entrance of the canyon.
The entrance will be the first on your left and marked so it is easy to see. Once you start kayaking down the canyon you’ll just go as far as the water takes you, dock your kayak on the sand bar, and begin hiking!
Reaching The Entrance To Antelope Canyon
My first kayak trip with WazSUP Kayaks was during the fall and I had gotten a late start. A storm was rolling in so I was really pressed for time. I didn’t get to hike that far back into Antelope Canyon, and the waters on the way back to the launch ramp were extremely choppy.
Thankfully my second trip with WazSUP Kayaks (summer of July 2024) was a much better experience! This time I was on the water by 8:30am and had the canyon entirely to myself while kayaking through.
Another major perk- the water was so still inside the canyon it was almost eerie.
It is about 1 mile in distance from the launch ramp to the entrance of Antelope Canyon. It is very easy to spot since Antelope Canyon is the first canyon on the left! There also will be a 5 MPH sign floating in the entrance.
Boats and jet skis can travel through the canyon but are supposed to go 5 miles per hour for safety reasons. Everyone we encountered during our adventure obeyed, so hopefully they do for you too!
At first Antelope Canyon is wide and the rock walls are tall, but not towering over you. As you continue to kayak deeper into the canyon the walls gradually grow taller and narrower, enclosing in on you. If you’re lucky enough to have it to yourself it will be a serene experience.
As you continue to paddle through the canyon the views get better and better after each turn.
The water quality and level vary each year. This is dependent on the amount of rainfall we receive and if a flash flood has recently passed through.
Along the way there may be spots to dock your kayak on exposed rocks and swim. We noticed some spots on our way through the canyon and made note to stop on our way back for some cliff jumping!
Eventually the canyon walls will become even more narrow and the water more shallow. You’ll know it is time to get out and dock your kayak when that happens or when you see what little beach area is available for docking.
Once we reached the beach we left our kayak, took our packs full of supplies, and began the hike into Antelope Canyon!
How far in distance you hike depends on the water level also. The higher the water level the deeper you kayak and less you hike. The lower the water level and the less you kayak and the more you’ll hike.
To start, I highly suggest having a downloaded map with you of the area! Once you reach the tribal land you’re technically trespassing and shouldn’t continue further.
There is no sign for this, but there is a T in the canyon that indicates a good break and turn-around point.
You really don’t need to go further for the slot canyon is very impressive in the first mile and half! The walls grow so tall and there are a few fun obstacles to traverse.
Once you are done with your hike just return to your kayak and hop back on the water!
On the way back from kayaking Antelope Canyon my friend and I found some rocks to dock the kayak and do some cliff jumping. It was the absolute best end to our trip and I’m dying to return to do it again!
Just please remember if you do choose to cliff jump be extremely cautious. Check the rocks below and make sure there is enough depth for jumping.
Things To Do Near Antelope Canyon
The Chains
If you’re looking for somewhere in Page to swim without having to kayak or go to a marina, check out The Chains!
This day use swimming area is located right near Page and is extremely easy to access. Read the post below for more information!
Horseshoe Bend
Since you’ll be in the area, a stop by Horseshoe Bend is a must! Its just a short 1.5 mile round trip walk from the parking lot to the peer down at the Colorado River where it carved out a horseshoe shape in the canyon.
Recently they’ve revamped the area and are now charging an entry fee of $10. There is more organization to the parking lot with the addition of vault toilets and a path to the viewing point over Horseshoe Bend.
Watching the sunset here is bucket-list worthy!
Lone Rock Beach Campground
Whether you want to camp on the beach or post up for a day and play in the water, Lone Rock Beach is a fun place to be during the hot months. Camping is permitted just about anywhere in the park, even right at the waters edge! It is recommended to have a 4×4 vehicle if you want to drive down to the water, but if you don’t have one you can park up by the restrooms and walk down.
Lake Powell Dispersed Camping
If you’re looking to camp in the area you can also try dispersed camping anywhere in the Glen Canyon Recreational Area. One of the most beautiful points is Alstrom Point. You’ll need a high clearance 4X4 vehicle to access this remote location and know how to drive on some rough back roads. But the sunrise here is worth every bump!
To learn more about camping in the area click here.
Final Thoughts On Kayaking Antelope Canyon
I’ve visited Antelope Canyon four times- twice to take the walking tours, and twice to kayak the canyon. To me, kayaking Antelope Canyon was the most thrilling way to experience it! The ability to be out on the water and hike a portion of the slot canyon seemed like the best of both worlds.
Even though the wake was rough and somewhat frightening on the way back the first time, it was an absolute blast! I’m so happy to have returned to kayak Antelope Canyon again and gain new memories.
As always, please be considerate of the environment so we can keep enjoying it and remember to leave no trace.
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Hi Kara! Great article. I am going to the Grand Canyon at the end of May. I am torn between kayaking and doing the Upper Antelope Guided tour. You said that you have been here 3 times. Which would you suggest? Or would you do both? Kayak and do the guided tour? Thanks!
Hi Susie! I’ll always suggest both! I think it is great to get two different experiences. However if you’re tight on time or funds and had to choose 1, I’d choose kayaking. Just make sure you hike far enough to get those slot canyon views (about 3 miles). In May the water will be very cold so that is always a risk too. We’re having a late winter this year so temps may not be warmed up by then either. Just something to consider if you prefer warmer weather 🙂
Would this be an ok adventure for first time kayakers?
Hi Chrissy, thanks for reading! If the first time kayakers are adults I think it would be okay for reaching the entrance of the Antelope Canyon and paddling in a little but not too far. To go all the way where the water ends and back to the marina is far for first time kayakers. Your arms will be tired from paddling! If you’re renting you could also think about a tandem kayak if you have a teenager with you or just want to split the load with another adult 🙂 Hope this helps. Regardless- Lake Powell is worth getting out on!
What do you think about doing this with kids? Ages 11 to 18.
Hi Paula! I don’t have much experience traveling with kids, so I don’t have the best judgement on the matter. I will say though, that if they aren’t experienced kayakers I’d be very weary of the adventure when there is a big wake. Rough waters combined with the distance makes for a tough adventure. The water level is extremely low right now, however, so the kayaking portion of the adventure may be even shorter right now. When I made my adventure every kayaker on the water was an adult, I did not see any kids that far back in the slots.
Wow, it looks so adventurous and just so far from civilization and noise! Just nature to enjoy. It seems like you had a great time:)
Those photos are amazing! I have never been there, but I love kayaking. I can’t wait to visit.
I have never done Kayaking. this is amazing! Thank you for sharing
Great post! I’ve always wanted to visit Arizona, and you’ve added on another idea for when I can travel again after Covid. Lake Powell sounds beautiful and a kayak trip would be amazing!
So glad I could help, Tanya! Hope you get to visit sooner than later 🙂
This area looks really lovely. Great article and thanks for the reminder of waterproof shoes. I always forget mine then end up wrecking my good walking shoes or going barefoot.
Thanks for reading, Nicole 🙂 Haha I use to have the same problem. And just got tired of having to take socks and shoes off…ew. So I wore my Chacos which are perfect for water adventures and to hike in.
Oh we love lake Powell! This is such a fun thing to do there! Great information for someone who has never been before!
Thank you Melanie! Lake Powell is pretty big and there are so many fun things to do around it 🙂 Glad to hear you’ve been there before!
This is awesome! I’m certainly going to put it on my list of to dos. I love to kayak and this scenery looks so peaceful!
Hi Stephanie, thanks for reading! If you love to kayak then you’ll love kayaking out on Lake Powell. Great views and major Southwest vibes!