Water Slot Canyon

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Few, if any, slot canyons in the world can come close to rivaling the awe-inspiring curves and undulations of the sandstone slot canyons near Page, Arizona.

The Page, Arizona slot canyons offer a one-of-a-kind experience for all visitors. Though popular amongst hiking enthusiasts and professional photographers, the canyons are beautiful enough (and accessible enough) to appeal to just about any crowd. I mean, you’ve seen the pictures, right? Who wouldn’t want to see this for themselves?! Please note that all four of the canyons below require a Navajo guide to accompany you...don't go adventuring off on your own!

1. Upper Antelope Canyon

Zion Narrows – Zion Slot Canyons in Zion National Park. Located within Zion National Park the Zion. Water Holes is a branched drainage that forms several beautiful slot canyons, cutting through the red Navajo sandstone rocks around Lake Powell. Water Canyon is more popular because the hike to the high country is shorter, and encounters the best scenery; the ravine contains a permanent stream, flowing through an succession of beautiful cascades, pools and slot-like passageways.

Typically visited by day, as pictured above, this slot canyon can also be visited at night through a tour with Lionel Bigthumb; your adventure may yield some photos similar to the below image. Upper Antelope Canyon, also known as Tsé bighánílíní — “the place where water runs through rocks”, is typically the most crowded of the slot canyons near Page, Arizona for a number of reasons. For one, this canyon has the largest caverns, meaning that it can accommodate even the largest of tour groups. Additionally, the entire canyon is at ground level, so no climbing is involved to get to or through the canyon. This makes it accessible to just about everyone. You won’t have any trouble finding a great tour that visits this canyon, but know that you won’t be alone. If you’re impatient with crowds, this might not be the best destination for you. If you are hoping to catch a photo of the canyon without people in it, you DEFINITELY have to sign up for a photography tour. Check out Mark Handy's post for more details.

2. Lower Antelope Canyon

If you only have time to visit one of Page’s famous slot canyons, Lower Antelope Canyon has my vote. Known as “Hazdistazí” (meaning “spiral rock arches”) to some, Lower Antelope Canyon brings the most bang for your buck if you have limited time. Even though it is only a quarter-mile long, its landscape is dense in amazing features, including some of the most iconic undulating formations in the rock walls, along with amazing lighting and coloring. Even amateur photographers can take incredible photographs in this canyon! Check out Mark Handy's post for more details.

3. Rattlesnake Canyon

A tributary to the larger Antelope Wash, Rattlesnake Canyon is not as tall or as long as either Upper Antelope Canyon or Lower Antelope Canyon. It also doesn’t have the famous “light beam” phenomenon that those canyons are known for. However, the color quality of the rocks, the superb lighting, the unique formations, and the winding passageways of this canyon give it a feel and appearance that is spectacular in its own right. Factoring in a number of elements, I have to admit this canyon is my favorite! Check out Eric Harris's post for more details.

4. Mountain Sheep Canyon

As its name suggests, Mountain Sheep Canyon offers a rugged feel and more strenuous hike than the other slot canyons. The trek is longer than it is for the other canyons (about three-quarters of a mile), and there is quite a bit of scaling ladders along the way. The ladders are all secured to the rock, but a few of the climbs might be enough to make you a bit nervous…especially with younger children. Also, beware that this canyon is not immediately adjacent to the Antelope Wash, where the others are located; you will have a bit more adventurous (read: bumpy) ride to get to Mountain Sheep Canyon. Check out my post for more details.

For more details, history, and photography tips on the Page Slot Canyons, check out this post.

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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×Water Holes is a branched drainage that forms several beautiful slot canyons, cutting through the red Navajo sandstone rocks around

Water Hole Slot Canyon

Lake Powell. It is only a few miles from Page and flows into the short section of Glen Canyon that remains intact; as with nearby Antelope Canyon, the watercourse extends either side of a main road (US 89) and becomes much deeper downstream, with a number of sheer drops.
Various narrow passageways both west and especially east of the road have exceptionally pretty rock formations with the curved, delicately colored sandstone characteristic of this region, here nicely illuminated as the canyon although often very narrow is in general not too deep for sunlight to be excluded. Also like Antelope, Water Holes becomes a wide sandy wash above the lower narrows but then splits into a number of upper tributaries, some of which also have slot sections, mostly quite short but still narrow, pretty, and varied in character. Major sections are west of US 89, east of US 89, upper west fork and upper middle fork.

Map

Topographic map of Water Holes Canyon.

Location

Despite being close to Page and the main highway, Water Holes is not too well known and is visited much less often than Antelope Canyon. The drainage runs east-west about 7 miles south of Page, meeting the Colorado River a short distance above Lees Ferry, passing under US 89 at milepost 542 and extending about 5 miles southeast, where it branches into three main forks, then a dozen or so smaller ones.

Access Restrictions

All of Water Holes Canyon lies on Navajo land and for many years the only requirement for entry was to purchase a hiking permit ($5), from the Tribal Parks Office next to the Leche-e Chapter House, 3 miles south of Page along the Copper Mine Road - either at the office on the day of the visit, or in advance by postal applications (see navajonationparks.org/permits). Initially all parts of the canyon were open, but from 2010 only the closest narrows on the east side of US 89 could be visited; all the upper tributaries were henceforth restricted to guests of a local tour company, which currently charges over $100 for escorted tours using 4WD vehicles, in particular to one slot in the middle fork of the upper wash known as Secret Canyon, or

Starting Water Wash Slot Canyon

Horseshoe Bend Canyon. Then in May 2018 the general closure was extended to the whole canyon, so now even the slot section beside the highway can only be seen via a tour, cost around $70 per person. A notice beside the traditional parking area at the US 89 bridge advises that visiting this area unaccompanied is a violation of federal and tribal law.

Photographs

West and East of US 89
Middle Fork of the Upper Canyon
West Fork of the Upper Canyon

Route Description

Water Holes Canyon has several distinct sections of narrows:

• West of US 89: Between the highway and the junction with Glen Canyon are various vertical drops of up to 50 feet, so following all the way downstream requires use of several ropes, although by a combination of rim walking and use of different entry/exit points to hike along specific sections, a reasonable amount may be seen without rappelling.
  
• East of US 89: The canyon immediately east of US 89 is less deep, but has nicer narrows and is quite easy to follow. From May 2018 this section, like all other parts of the drainage, may only be seen by joining a guided tour.
  
• West Fork of the Upper Canyon: The west, or main fork of Water Holes Canyon itself splits into three branches, all of which have good, short, colorful narrows.
  
• Middle Fork of the Upper Canyon: One branch of the upper drainage, three miles from US 89, has a short, deep slot (previously informally known as 'Secret Canyon', now 'Horseshoe Bend Canyon') that rivals Antelope Canyon for nicely lit, swirling formations, while a little way further upstream is the darkest, narrowest slot of the whole system, though rather more effort is necessary to reach it - or at least this used to be the case, but now the only approach is via a guided tour.

Water Hole Slot Canyon

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