Antelope Canyon in January: Weather Info & Travel Tips for 2025
ARE YOU LOOKING TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON IN JANUARY?
You’ve landed on the right article. We have visited Antelope Canyon many times throughout the years and toured both Canyon X and Lower Antelope Canyon. It is one of the most unique places we have been and one of our favorite places to visit in northern Arizona.
Antelope Canyon is one of the most beautiful slot canyons we have ever been to and we have been to a lot. It is not a surprise as to why it is a very popular spot year-round. Even though it can get busy it is worth it to take the time to visit. You will love visiting Antelope Canyon in January.
The most important thing to remember when visiting the canyon is to plan your outfit according to the weather and book a tour in advance, especially if you are set on visiting a certain part of the canyon.
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Weather in Lower Antelope Canyon in January
January and December are the coldest months to visit Antelope Canyon. There is a good chance you will experience freezing temperatures and your highs will be somewhere in the 40 degree range. This should not deter you from going.
January can be a cold month but it is also a sunny month. Cold and sunny are way better than cold and cloudy. All you will need to do is dress warmly and you will have a good experience.
Snow is possible in Page since it averages about 2 inches a year and all of that comes in December and January. A significant snow storm could affect your tour but there are not typically big snow storm. If you are concerned reach out to your tour.
Average Temperatures in Antelope Canyon in January
During the month of January, you can expect average daily temperatures of 42°F to 46°F.
Overnight, the temperatures in Page drop to around 27°F to 31°F. In January, you can expect freezing temperatures overnight.
- Average high temperature in Page in January: 44°F
- Average low temperature in Page in January: 29°F
- What are the hottest months in Page? July-August, with an average high of about 90°F
- What are the coldest months in Page? December-January
Sunshine in Antelope Canyon in January
January is a great month to visit Antelope Canyon if you are looking for sunny weather. Page has about 25 days of sunshine in January.
Best Tours of Antelope Canyon in January
There are three different parts of the canyon you can tour: Upper, Lower, and Canyon X. Your tour will only cover one area of the canyon, so if you’d like to see different parts of the canyon, you will need to book multiple tours.
We have toured both Lower Antelope Canyon and Canyon X. We preferred visiting the lower canyon but enjoyed the smaller crowds and more laid-back tours in Canyon X. Canyon X is also less expensive to tour.
Antelope Canyon is part of the Navajo Nation and is on protected land. You cannot go into the canyon without authorized tour guides. There are no self-guided tours so you have to book a tour in order to tour Antelope Canyon.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon ranks as the most visited and priciest section of the canyon. It is easily accessible, situated at ground level, featuring a gentle incline of less than 2%.
For photography enthusiasts, this segment of the canyon is particularly scenic, offering the best opportunities to capture stunning light beams. However, it’s worth noting that these light beams are not present in January, beginning to appear in March and continuing through the summer months.
Additionally, if mobility is a concern, Upper Canyon presents the most accessible option. It’s the simplest portion of the canyon to enter and navigate.
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Lower Antelope Canyon
Exploring Lower Antelope Canyon offers an exciting adventure characterized by its numerous steep staircases. Visitors should be prepared to ascend and descend several flights of stairs throughout the tour.
We toured Lower Antelope Canyon with our twins, who were three at the time. They had no problem walking through the canyon, but we did help them on the staircases. The staircases are pretty steep, and you will need to hold onto the handrails.
Tours through Lower Antelope Slot Canyon tend to be more affordable compared to those for Upper Antelope Canyon. Opting for the lower section doesn’t mean compromising on quality; rather, it offers a chance to save some money while still enjoying Antelope Canyon.
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Canyon X
Canyon X stands out as the most tranquil section of Antelope Canyon, yet it boasts the same stunning sandstone formations seen in the other parts. One notable difference is Canyon X has two out-and-back sections rather than one continuous walk through the canyon like Lower Antelope Canyon has.
A significant advantage of Canyon X is reservations don’t need to be made as far in advance. For those organizing their visits at the last minute and discovering that the upper and lower sections are fully booked, Canyon X presents an excellent alternative.
With fewer tourists on each tour, visitors can enjoy a more serene experience as they navigate through the slot canyon. During our Canyon X tour, we had much more time to take pictures and enjoy the canyon compared to our Lower Antelope Canyon.
Tips and Important Information
✔ You cannot bring any sort of backpack or fanny pack into the canyon. You can only take a small, clear bag into Lower Antelope Canyon in January.
✔ We were able to bring a soft baby carrier for our infant. The carrier must be a front carrier.
✔ Food and drinks are not allowed in. You can bring a small water bottle. If you are touring the lower part of the canyon, you may want to bring a clear bag to store your water in when you go up and down the ladders.
✔ You cannot bring a tripod or monopod into Antelope Canyon unless you are on a photography tour. You are also not allowed to bring large cameras or take videos. You can still take beautiful Antelope Canyon winter pictures on your phone.
✔ The tours operate on Arizona Standard Time. If you come from southern Utah or Las Vegas, keep the time change in mind. The tours use the same time as Page, Phoenix, Grand Canyon National Park, and Las Vegas.
🚗 How to Get to Antelope Canyon in January
Antelope Canyon is a popular place to visit during a road trip through the Southwest. Because the tour through the canyon only takes one to two hours, it is not uncommon to stop at Antelope Canyon on your way to the Grand Canyon or to take a day trip to visit the area.
Here are some of the expected driving times and mileage (one-way) from popular destinations in the area:
- South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon: 2.3 hours/132 miles
- St. George to Antelope Canyon: 2.8 hours/161 miles
- Sedona/Flagstaff to Antelope Canyon: 2.8 hours/160 miles
- Phoenix to Antelope Canyon: 4.25 hours/275 miles
- Las Vegas to Antelope Canyon: 4.5 hours/280 miles
Where to Stay Near Antelope Canyon
The closest place to stay to Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona. Page is a small town but has some great options for where to stay.
Under Canvas Page – Grand Staircase
⭐ Rating 9/10 | 📍 Location: 555 S Jacobs Tanks Rd, Big Water, UT | 🏩 View on Expedia.com
One of the most unique places to stay in Page, AZ is Under Canvas. Under Canvas has a property filled with private canvas tents overlooking the beautiful Utah desert. These luxury tents are a great place to go glamping and is still within driving distance of the fun things to do in Page.
Amazing and helpful staff, great customer service mindset, and awesome atmosphere overall. Highly recommended for a unique weekend getaway. Great hiking within a short drive!
– Scott (Read More Reviews)
They have many different tents to choose from, including stargazer tents, suites with kids tents, and deluxe tents. All of the tents come with a private bathroom, very comfortable beds, fireplaces, and fans. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery from your furnished balcony.
Under Canvas is about 25 minutes north of Page across the Utah-Arizona border.
➡ Check Rates & Book: Under Canvas
Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell
⭐ Rating 9.2/10 | 📍 Location: 1126 North Navajo Drive, Page, AZ | 🏩 View on Expedia.com
The Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell is a great place to stay if you’re planning a trip to Antelope Canyon in January. Page Hyatt Place Lake Powell is regarded as one of the most luxurious and modern hotels near Antelope Canyon.
Staying at this hotel is the most convenient option for tourists visiting Lower Antelope Canyon since it is only 6 miles away and located near both Lake Powell, only 7 miles away, and the Lake Powell campsite, about 1.5 miles away.
This hotel was perfect for our needs! We are a family of 4, and loved the cleanliness, the pool to cool off in, and appreciated the delicious breakfasts! We highly recommend it. Excellent and kind staff too
– Emily (Read more Reviews)
It has a fitness center, a swimming pool, a restaurant, and spacious rooms. It also provides free breakfast, which our kids love. Also, some hotel rooms have window views of the stunning rock formations in Arizona.
Hyatt Place currently offers several king, deluxe, and standard rooms for your stay. It’s best to book early since it is usually completely booked throughout peak seasons.
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Comfort Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell
⭐ Rating 8.8/10 | 📍 890 Haul Rd, Page, AZ | 🏩 View on Expedia.com
Situated beside the Colorado River, this hotel offers a perfect escape from the bustle of daily life, providing easy access to a variety of outdoor activities such as water skiing, biking, hiking, and river rafting.
The Comfort Inn & Suites serves as an affordable, no-frills alternative compared to other hotels in the area. It stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking budget-friendly accommodations near Horseshoe Bend, featuring tastefully decorated rooms with pricing that adjusts according to the selected room type and booking season.
Really great place for the price. We had a clean room with everything working in it. Stay included breakfast, and we could even park our full size semi outside, so it is trucker friendly. Recommend!
– Yelena (Read more Reviews)
Guests can enjoy facilities like a hot tub and an indoor pool, ideal for unwinding after a day filled with hiking or exploring Arizona. Additionally, the hotel offers high-speed internet, a fitness center, and superior room service to all its guests.
For solo adventurers and families, Comfort Inn & Suites is a favored lodging option in Page, known for its cost-effectiveness and amenities. The availability of a swimming pool and complimentary breakfast significantly enhances the stay, making it a highlight of the trip for many, especially children.
➡ Check Rates & Book: Comfort Inn & Suites
FAQ: Antelope Canyon in January
Tours appear to be consistently popular throughout the year, yet there’s a slight dip in business during January. The tours scheduled for midday, when the lighting is most favorable, tend to fill up faster than those at the start or end of the day.
Although tours are “less busy” in January, you will still want to get your tickets as early as possible. This is especially true if you are visiting towards the beginning of January.
Lots of people are vacationing around the holidays, so tours are booked up really early.
The week before Christmas through a couple of days after New Year’s is extremely busy.
The optimal time for photographing Antelope Canyon is during midday when the sun is directly overhead, allowing for more light to illuminate the canyon.
While there’s a chance to witness a light beam in January, the likelihood is slim. Light beams typically disappear by mid-October and don’t reappear until mid-March. Also, light beams are more commonly observed in Upper Antelope Canyon than in Lower Antelope Canyon.
The prime time to see these light beams is between 11 AM and 1:30 PM, with the ideal tour times being 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM, and 12:00 PM. However, if the day is overcast, the light beams will not be visible in the canyon.
Visiting Antelope Canyon in the winter months is well worth it. The crowds are usually much smaller in the canyon in the winter and Antelope Canyon tickets can be less expensive. You will also find it is much easier to get pictures of the canyon without lots of people in the way.
The most important item to ensure you have is a pair of high-quality shoes. While hiking boots aren’t necessary, opting for tennis shoes with good traction is advisable. For visits to Lower Antelope Canyon, it’s wise to wear closed-toe shoes because of the ladders.
In January, carrying a jacket is essential, as December and January are the chilliest months. To stay comfortably warm, dressing in suitable attire is crucial. Additionally, if you encounter windy conditions during your tour, consider bringing a scarf to shield against the sand that may swirl within the canyon.
Antelope Canyon is open year-round. Tours are typically offered 365 days per year. Closures to the canyon are very rare and usually occur during monsoon season.
Yes, Antelope Canyon is open in the winter. There are very few closures throughout the year for tours. Extreme weather is usually the only reason for closures. Antelope Canyon is open in December, January, and February.
Conclusion: Antelope Canyon in January
We hope that this guide has provided you with a clear picture of what Antelope Canyon is like in January. This incredible and picturesque location is definitely worth the visit, and we have loved every time we have gotten to tour the canyon.
Visiting in January has some great benefits because it allows you to avoid the summer crowds and the intense summer heat. However, it’s important to note that it can be quite chilly during this period, so dressing in warm clothes is a good idea.
