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Guide to Kayaking Antelope Canyon
We had to kayak into Antelope Canyon because of COVID protocols but now that I’ve done it I have to tell you it’s definitely the way to go! The Antelope Canyon hiking tours are very crowded and they’re your typical “tourist trap”. You can kayak Antelope Canyon at your own pace, potentially have the place all to yourself, and see some amazing views along Lake Powell. I can’t imagine doing one of the paid walking tours now that we’ve kayaked it on our own.
Table of Contents
When to Visit
Kayak Outfitters in Page
Bringing Your Own Kayak
Kayaking Route
Hiking Antelope Canyon
How Long Does it Take to Kayak into Antelope Canyon?
What to Pack for Your Kayaking Trip
Other Tips for Kayaking into Antelope Canyon
Other Attractions in the Area
When to Visit
I would recommend kayaking Antelope Canyon in September-October or April-May. The weather should be just right for kayaking Lake Powell and then hiking through Antelope Canyon. You don’t want it too hot to hike or too cold to kayak, you want that perfect middle range.
If you decide to do this adventure in the summer (June through August) just make sure you pack plenty of water and sunscreen. I don’t enjoy hiking in the intense summer months but I’ll admit it probably feels refreshing to swim in Lake Powell after hiking Antelope Canyon.
The kayak outfitters are typically closed during the winter months but if you have your own kayak it might be worth checking out. There are almost no crowds during the winter months but the views are the exact same (there aren’t any trees losing their leaves or changing colors–it’s the exact same scenery). I’d just make sure to pack some waterproof layers to stay warm and dry while kayaking.
Kayak Outfitters in Page
I recommend reserving your kayaks in advance. The first time I went to Page, I was told I wouldn’t need reservations and then every outfitter in town was booked. Make your reservations early! We booked our kayaks through Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks. They were super helpful in answering all of my questions and they were very well organized. Defintely recommend giving them a call or booking on their website.
Bringing Your Own Kayak
You can definitely bring your own kayak and just put in at the Antelope Point Launch Ramp (same ramp the outfitters use). I saw a lot of people using their own inflatable kayaks, which we’ve used a few times in the past. The only downside to our inflatable kayak is that it’s a little slower paced, it doesn’t go as fast as a “regular” kayak.
If you decide to bring your own kayak, then you’re going to be putting in your kayak at the Antelope Point Launch Ramp. The Antelope Point Launch Ramp can be found at the Antelope Point Marina, which is just a 15 minute drive from Page Arizona (see map below).
Kayaking Route
You’re going to kayak the 2.5 mile route marked in red in the map below (5 miles round trip). You’ll put in your kayak at the Antelope Point Launch Ramp at the Antelope Point Marina (small entrance fee required or bring your National Park Pass). Once you put your kayak in the water, you’re going to head West. If you’re not good at directions (like me) that means you’ll go down the boat ramp and turn left once you enter the water. Try to kayak along the cliffs on the south side (similar to red route below) to leave room for the boats passing by.
After about a mile you’re going to see a large opening on the left and a buoy with a sign indicating “Antelope Canyon”. The buoy indicates the route into Antelope Canyon, turn left at the sign. You’ll continue to kayak for another 1.5 miles, which is my favorite part of the entire trip. It’s the most scenic kayaking I’ve ever done. Eventually you’ll go around a turn and bam, the water just stops and it’s time to pull out your kayak. Everyone just piles the kayaks along the shore, please be respectful of other people’s belongings.
Hiking Antelope Canyon
Once you park your kayak, you get to enjoy the beauty of hiking Antelope Canyon. I recommend just going with the flow and hiking until your heart is content. It’s beautiful and it’s unique but after a few hours it starts all looking the same. If you hike in for about 30-40 minutes you’ll come to a small junction. The majority of people will go to the left where the slot canyon becomes even narrower. You can continue on this route for about an hour (2 hours round trip just for this section of the trail). Again, just go until your heart is content.
How Long Does it Take to Kayak into Antelope Canyon?
The main thing that is going to effect your kayaking time is your own kayaking ability. I’m not in “amazing shape”, I don’t kayak on a regular basis, and I’d say it was a pretty easy kayaking trip. The hardest part was the first mile, where you’re just kayaking along the cliffs of Lake Powell.
The other thing that’s going to effect your kayaking time is whether or not you rent a tandem or single kayak. My sister and I rented a tandem kayak and we were whooping my dad (who kayaks on a regular basis). If you have enough people in your group, then I definitely recommend renting the tandem kayaks to help split the workload.
It took us a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes to get from the boat launch to Antelope Canyon (just one way, so about 2.5 hours total). We were going at a leisurely pace, stopping to take photos, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of Lake Powell. It’s so pretty that you don’t really think about how far you’ve kayaked, you’re just enjoying the amazing views.
After you’ve kayaked, then you’re going to hike for 1-3 hours (depending on how much of the canyon you want to see). I would definitely plan to spend at least half a day kayaking and hiking into Antelope Canyon. Don’t rush it, this is one of those sites that you should just enjoy.
What to Pack for Your Kayaking Trip:
Waterproof Cell Phone Case: I’ll never understand how people do things in the water without a waterproof cell phone case. They’re cheap and I never stress about ruining my phone.
Tripod: A tripod will help you take group photos but it can also help the quality of your photos. I take this small tripod with me on every trip, I love filling our house with photos of our adventures.
Snacks & Water: Make sure you pack plenty of snacks and water. We packed uncrustables, jerky sticks, trail mix, and gummies. Those are my go to hiking snacks because they don’t melt when it gets hot outside.
Layers of Clothing: It was surprisingly cold in Antelope Canyon and I kept a majority of my layers on the entire day. Keep an eye on the weather and just keep in mind the time of day you’re hiking, it’ll be cooler in the morning.
Dry Bag: We packed all of our gear in a dry bag, which is always super helpful. If you don’t have a drybag, then I recommend investing in one (it’ll come in handy on some of your other adventures).
Water Shoes: You’re going to want shoes that are good for kayaking AND hiking. My sister wore her Chacos and I wore these cute little water shoes I bought a few years ago. I love my little water shoes, they’re actually super comfy and perfect for all of my water adventures.
Sunscreen: I’ve got super fair skin so I’m always protecting my skin! Lather up before you begin and bring some extra to reapply after a few hours.
National Park Pass: If you don’t already have a National Park Pass, then you’ll need to pay for a day pass to enter the Antelope Point Marina.
Other Tips for Kayaking into Antelope Canyon:
The first tip I have for kayaking into Antelope Canyon is to get an early start to your day! You’ll have the entire canyon to yourself and it’ll make the experience ten times better! We were the first people on the water and it was incredibly peaceful! We didn’t feel rushed, it was quiet, and we got some great photos.
The second tip I have is to make sure you use the restroom before you take off on your journey. There aren’t any places to “hide” and pop a squat in Antelope Canyon. It’s a slot canyon so there really isn’t a tree or a little pathway for you to go off on your own. There is a small restroom at the top of the boat ramp that you can use before you start your adventure.
Other Attractions in the Area
While you’re in Page be sure to check out my 1 Day Page Itinerary. Also you’re right along the Utah and Arizona border so you might want to consider doing a little Utah roadtrip while you’re in the area.
