Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon: A Long Weekend Road Trip

Some of the most spectacular and iconic scenery the US has to offer lies in northern Arizona. Travelers from around the world come to see this region, but many aren’t prepared for the logistics. Vast distances separate most destinations.

Here is an exception to that rule. Two of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world lie in less than a three-hour drive from each other. That means that a long weekend will easily cover a road trip from the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon.

A note on getting to the Grand Canyon: The nearest airport is in Flagstaff, 90 minutes away from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. (The South Rim is the most accessible side for visitors, and has almost all of the amenities.) However, the flight schedule is scanty and flights are expensive. Most visitors fly into Phoenix or even Las Vegas, and drive from there.

The night before: Start your stay at the right location

If you can afford a splurge on lodging, especially with the tight itinerary, stay at a hotel in the National Park itself. Most of these are located near each other, in an area called Grand Canyon Village. El Tovar is a historic lodge that sits right on the South Rim. It has been in operation since 1905. It also has the best food to be found in Grand Canyon Village. El Tovar has historic beauty and character. Every guest room in the hotel is different.

Travel tip: Don’t expect a modern standard of high-end amenities.

Although the hotels here are pricy, this is a wilderness area. If you expect the type of luxury that normally goes with high room rates, you’ll be disappointed. The hotels are nice, but run by Parks concessions businesses, not by concierge hospitality companies. You’re paying for the location. Make reservations early.

Day 1: The Grand Canyon

Early morning

Take your complimentary coffee and head outside to watch the grandeur of the Canyon before it gets crowded. Watch sunrise from the patio, or a spot on the Rim Trail near the hotel. Take time to watch the light change along the canyon walls. You know that feeling when you’re in the right place at the right time, and you’re seeing unmatched landscapes before the crowds arrive? This is one of those times. Savor it.

Eat breakfast in the El Tovar dining room. Recommended: the blue corn pancakes.

Between breakfast and lunch

Hike the Rim Trail from the Village to the Visitor’s Center. This is not only the easiest trail, but will give you the payoff of continual views from the canyon top. An extra bonus in warm weather is that there is shade on this trail.

The main Visitor Center is about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the Village. Here you can get educational information, recommendations from the rangers, watch a film, look at the exhibits, and buy gifts.

This is a museum and orientation center, and a place where you can buy water and snacks if you’re not already stocked up. Don’t neglect this, because even if you stay close to civilization, the high altitude environment is harsh. Getting dehydrated will very quickly lead you to trouble.

Travel tip: The canyon rim lies at a higher altitude that you might think.

Flagstaff is toward the southern end of the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon runs right through this area. You’re at about 7,000 ft (2134 m) in elevation.

You can opt to continue on the Rim Trail if you feel inclined and energetic. The trail is 13 miles (21 km) long. You have the option of going as far as you want, and then hopping on a shuttle to go back.

If you instead choose to follow our itinerary, after the Visitor’s Center, walk or take the shuttle back to the Village for a casual lunch at Bright Angel Lodge. In contrast to the formal El Tovar dining room, Bright Angel is a good place to grab a simple sandwich and take a midday break.

Afternoon: Ooh Aah Point

The South Kaibab Trail is steep, but it will allow you to hike into the canyon. While it’s too long and rugged to try to get to the bottom in one day, there’s a good compromise option. About 1.8 miles (2.9 km) down is Ooh Aah Point. One guess as to how it got its name! Soak in the view before heading back up.

Travel tip: Depending on the season, you might want to switch the options above.

If you’re visiting in hot weather, you can do the Kaibab Trail in the morning, and the easier Rim Trail/Visitor’s Center in the heat of the afternoon.

Late afternoon: Explore The Village

The Village is its own historic district, as you’ll have noticed by now if you’re lodging and dining here. Downshift from hiking and take some time to wander around. It’s impossible not to think about the people who arrived here over 100 years ago and had the ambition to build here with the very limited resources at that time. Do not miss the historic photo exhibits in the Kolb Studio, which will help you visualize that period.

Dinner time and sunset

Try the Arizona Room at Bright Angel Lodge for dinner. The menu, appropriately, has southwestern food.

Take the South Rim Shuttle toward Hermits Rest Road to watch the sunset at Hopi Point. The views from this spot are popular for a reason, so enjoy to your heart’s content. That said, during the busiest time of the year, you might reasonably feel like you’d rather get a cavity filled than force yourself onto a crowded shuttle bus. In that case, take advantage of the fact that you’ve booked a room right here in the Village and just enjoy the view. Walk the Rim Trail from the Village east just a short way and you’ll notice that you have your choice of excellent vantage points. Just stop when the mood strikes.

Head back to the El Tovar patio for stargazing.

Day 2

Morning

Drive to Antelope Canyon. The main route (the one you’ll find by searching on your GPS app) will take you from the Grand Canyon to Page, Arizona, in just under 2 ½ hours. Antelope Canyon lies just outside of Page. This is accessible to visitors, and yet one of the most spectacular of the United of the US Southwest slot canyons.

Late morning: Lunch

Antelope Canyon is where photographers gather to take, prize-winning photos of the narrow slot as the light bounces around and reflects in wild colors from pink to purple. You’ll probably recognize one of the most iconic natural monuments to the wild beauty of the American West.

This is an incredible sight to see, but it has grown increasingly crowded and is not accessible to the public unless you sign up for a tour.

So while the pictures alone should inspire you to go, let me give you the travel tips. These tips are critical for your Antelope Canyon visit. The only way to go is to understand the rules and schedules to prevent difficulties getting in.

1. Book your tour in advance The Antelope Canyon tours are run by licensed operators of the Navajo Nation.

Slots fill up fast and there are safety concerns as well, so don’t try to skirt these rules. It simply won’t work.

2. Note whether you book a photo tour or a regular tour. If you are a hobby photographer and you want to bring along your tripod and have time to take photos, be mindful of the fact all tours support this slower pace or allow the use of tripods.

3. Be aware that there are safety issues at play. Keep an eye on the weather forecast. If you hear warnings from your tour guides, do not consider ignoring them or not taking them seriously. (Let’s just say that flash flooding is deadly in a slot canyon.)

If you properly plan for and prepare this trip, Antelope Canyon will be one of the most unforgettable destinations you’ve ever seen. It is worth the advance planning.

Late afternoon

After the morning road trip and tour, you’re likely ravenous. Head straight to El Tapatilo for lunch. This is Arizona, so you can’t leave without at least one Mexican meal! This restaurant is a local favorite with their delicious food and drinks. They have some of the best carne asada around. If you’re not driving, the margaritas are also well worth a taste.

Lake Powell comes next in the must-dos near Page. Rent a boat or kayak at Antelope Point Marina, and paddle into Navajo Canyon. You’ll be in a broad channel between cliffs that tower hundreds of feet above your head. At one point, the canyon turns, forming large room-like area with a tall, pointed rock island in the middle. It felt to me like being in one of the world’s most awe-inspiring cathedrals, but of course the walls are completely formed by nature.

Dinner and Sunset

Go to the Bird House for dinner. This is another local favorite. Their specialty is fried chicken. It’s fast casual, but the food is elevated well above anything you’d normally call fast food. Recommended: the Mike’s Special—a combination of butter and spicy flavorings.

At sunset, take the short drive to Horseshoe Bend. This area is a sharp curve in the Colorado River canyon, just below Glen Canyon Dam. From the parking lot, there’s a short quarter-mile (0.4 km) flat hike to the viewpoint. You’ll have to lean over the edge to get the full view of the river. I recommend that you sit or lie down to do this, because there is a sheer drop of hundreds of feet. The view is so heady, you’ll have all you can do trying to take it all in and get some pictures. You won’t have the bandwidth to spare to fight the vertigo effect of the drop under you!

Stay the night at the Country Inn and Suites. Page is a no-frills kind of town, and this is a no-frills kind of place. Your options range from chain hotels to, well, older and probably a little too “quirky”. Country Inn is very clean, has balconies (views in Page are wonderful), and has very decent coffee and breakfast.

There really is no other comparable trip that I can think of to get a true taste of the western U.S. in such a short time. In no other trip can you combine two such amazing sights as the iconic Grand Canyon with the lesser-known but spiritual and beautiful Antelope Canyon.

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