How to Visit Secret Antelope Canyon — A Navajo Family’s Guide

Written by Deer Spring Canyon Tours — A Navajo Family-Owned Experience

Secret Antelope Canyon is one of Page, Arizona’s most breathtaking sandstone slot canyons, and unlike the busy tourist routes, this canyon offers a quiet, sacred, and small-group experience. Visiting Secret Antelope Canyon is easy when you know the right steps, and because our family has lived on this land for generations, we want you to feel prepared, welcomed, and informed before you join us.

Below is the definitive, local Navajo guide on how to visit Secret Antelope Canyon, what to expect, and how to make the most of your trip.

What Is Secret Antelope Canyon?

Secret Antelope Canyon is a stunning sandstone slot canyon located just outside Page, Arizona. Unlike the more heavily crowded Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours, Secret Antelope offers:

• Fewer crowds

• Small groups (max 12 guests per vehicle)

• Quieter experience

• Naturally lit chambers perfect for photography

• A more personal connection with Navajo guides

Our family has guided travelers through this canyon for generations, and we consider it one of the most peaceful and visually impressive slot canyons in the region.

How Do You Get to Secret Antelope Canyon?

Secret Antelope Canyon is on Navajoland and can only be accessed with a guided tour.

You cannot drive yourself.

Because the canyon sits on protected private Navajo land, all visitors must enter using an authorized tour vehicle driven by an authorized guide.

Your tour begins in Page, Arizona.

All guests check in at our Deer Spring Canyon Tours office, where you’ll meet your guide and board our custom-built Ford F-350 canyon trucks.

We transport you directly to the canyon.

The journey is part of the adventure, our road travels across Navajo Nation land, with scenic mesas, open desert, and cultural stories along the way.

Best Time of Day to Visit Secret Antelope Canyon

Secret Antelope Canyon photographs beautifully all day long, but lighting changes the mood:

Morning Tours

Soft, warm colors, gentle light, great for families and first-time visitors.

Midday / Early Afternoon Tours

Brightest light with bold orange and red canyon walls, great for photography.

Late Afternoon Tours

Deep shadows and rich texture; amazing for dramatic photos.

No matter your tour time, our guides help you capture the best angles.

Can You Take Photos in Secret Antelope Canyon?

Absolutely and this canyon is photographer-friendly.

Unlike crowded Antelope Canyon tours where guests move quickly through narrow paths, Secret Antelope Canyon offers:

• Time to take photos

• Space to set up shots

• Fewer people in the background

• Guidance from local Navajo photographers

If you’re hoping for the perfect sandstone curves, light reflections, and glowing canyon walls, this is the place.

Do You Need a Permit?

A permit is included in your tour price.

Every visitor to Navajo land must pay an $8 Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation fee, which is automatically added to your booking. Deer Spring Canyon Tours handles the entire process for you.

How to Book a Tour of Secret Antelope Canyon

Booking is simple and takes under a minute.

Visit: https://DeerSpringTours.com

Choose the tour option:

Secret Antelope Canyon + Private Horseshoe Bend Overlook
This is our most popular experience — and the best way to see BOTH the canyon and our family’s private overlook with no crowds.

What to Wear and Bring

Comfortable walking shoes

The canyon floor is flat and sandy.

Weather-appropriate clothing

• Warm layers in winter

• Light clothing in summer

• Hat and sunscreen recommended

• Water bottle

We do not provide water, please bring your own is fine.

Camera or smartphone

You’ll want it.

Why Visit With Deer Spring Canyon Tours?

Our family has lived in the Horseshoe Bend and Secret Canyon region for generations. Touring with us means:

• Navajo-owned and operated

• Authentic cultural stories

• Respectful, small-group experiences

• Modern canyon-modified vehicles

• Access to our family’s private Horseshoe Bend overlook

• Four generations working together

When you book with us, you’re supporting a local Navajo community, not an outside corporation, and helping us continue protecting these lands for the next generation.

Final Tips for Your Visit

• Arrive 20 minutes early

• Check weather before traveling

• Bring extra time for photos, you’ll want it

• If you’re visiting during peak season (March–August), book several days in advance

Book Your Secret Antelope Canyon Tour

Ready to explore the canyon?

Visit: https://DeerSpringTours.com
Call/Text: 928-542-5736
Email: info@deerspringtours.com

We can’t wait to welcome you to our homeland and guide you through one of the most beautiful slot canyons on the Navajo Nation.