Visiting Antelope Canyon in September: Weather Info & Travel Tips for 2025
ARE YOU LOOKING TO VISIT ANTELOPE CANYON IN SEPTEMBER?
We’ve got all the info you need! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and have toured Antelope Canyon many different times. We have visited 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.
It is a beautiful slot canyon carved out by millions of years of water erosion. Although it is a very popular destination year-round, it is well worth visiting Antelope Canyon in September.
The highlight of Antelope Canyon is the sandstone which is full of beautiful lines and colors. Combine that with towering walls and light beams coming in from above. It is a magical place and one of the most amazing natural wonders.
The canyon is on private Navajo land, and there are no self-guided tours and you can’t go to Antelope Canyon without a tour. You must book a tour with a licensed tour guide to go through the canyon.
Weather in Antelope Canyon in September
In September, temperatures in Page begin to cool from the summer heat, but most days remain sunny and comfortable. The weather is ideal this month, as you won’t need to worry about winter closures.
Daytime temperatures are warm enough that a T-shirt is usually sufficient, with no need for a jacket. Since the afternoon sun can still get quite warm, it’s a good idea to bring water along for your tour.
Average Temperatures in Antelope Canyon in September
During the month of September, you can expect average daily temperatures of 80°F to 86°F. September is a great time to visit in terms of weather because it is still nice out but not as hot as during the summer.
Overnight, the temperatures in Page drop to around 60°F to 66°F. The weather in Antelope Canyon in September will not have freezing temperatures overnight.
- Average high temperature in Page in September: 83°F
- Average low temperature in Page in September: 63°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 September
September will see more sunny days compared to July and August, but it is still a relatively cloudy month compared to the rest of the year. There are about 21 days of sunshine in the month. Keep this in mind because you won’t be able to see the light beams in the canyon on a cloudy day.
Best Tours of Antelope Canyon in September
The canyon has three distinct sections you can tour: Upper, Lower, and Canyon X. Each tour covers only one area, so if you’d like to explore multiple sections, you’ll need to book a Antelope Canyon tour for different sections.
Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular and most expensive part of the canyon to visit. The canyon is at ground level with less than a 2% incline.
If you are a photographer, this is the most picturesque part of the canyon and where you will see the most light beams. The light beams start to be visible in March and throughout the summer months.
If you have mobility issues, this will also be the best part of the canyon for you to tour. Upper Canyon is the easiest section to get into and walk through.
➡ BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon is a really fun canyon to tour, but there are lots of really steep staircases in the canyon. You will have to go up and down multiple flights of stairs. My twins first went through the lower canyon when they were three and navigated them fine with a little assistance.
We found the staircases to be a lot of fun and added some adventure to our tour.
Tours of Lower Antelope Slot Canyon are also more affordable than those for Upper Antelope Canyon. While touring the lower section isn’t exactly cheap, it does offer a more budget-friendly option.
➡ BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
Canyon X
Canyon X is the least busy section of Antelope Canyon but still has the beautifully shaped sandstone formations you will find in the other two sections. The best part of Canyon X is that it isn’t nearly as busy, and you don’t have to make your reservations as early.
We went through Canyon X on our last trip to Antelope Canyon and had a great visit. It is still a really pretty part of the canyon.
If you are making last-minute reservations and have found the upper and lower sections are sold out, book a tour for Canyon X. You will have way fewer people on your tour, which makes for a very nice experience going through the slot canyon.
Tips for Visiting
✔ 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 September.
✔ 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 will want to bring a clear bag to store your water in when you go up and down the ladders.
✔ You cannot bring a tripod, monopod, or selfie sticks into Antelope Canyon unless you are on a photography tour. You are also not allowed to bring large cameras or take videos.
✔ 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.
➡ BOOK Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
➡ BOOK Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
➡ BOOK Canyon X Tour
How to Get to The Slot Canyon
Antelope Canyon sits just outside Page, a small town on the Utah-Arizona border in Navajo Nation. Visiting Antelope Canyon is a great addition to any American Southwest itinerary, or you can take a day trip from many of the larger cities in the area, like Las Vegas, Sedona, Phoenix, Zion National Park, or the Grand Canyon.
Below, you’ll find the anticipated driving durations and distances (one-way) from other well-known sites in the vicinity which would be great additions to your Antelope Canyon itinerary:
- 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
If you do not have your own vehicle in the nearby cities but still want to visit, you can either rent a car or join a guided tour to go on an Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend day trip.
Tours with transportation include admission to Antelope Canyon. If you are driving yourself, you will still need to book a guided tour starting at the entrance to the canyon.
Nearby Hotels in Page
The closest place to stay to Antelope Canyon is in Page, Arizona. Page is a small town but has some great options for hotels near Antelope Canyon.
Under Canvas Page – Grand Staircase
⭐ Rating 9/10 | 📍 Location: 555 S Jacobs Tanks Rd, Big Water, UT | 🏩 View on Expedia.com
Under Canvas stands out as one of the most distinctive accommodations in Page, AZ. This property features a selection of private canvas tents, each offering breathtaking views of the majestic Utah desert.
These upscale tents create a perfect glamping experience, with the added convenience of being just a short drive from Page’s many attractions.
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
If you’re organizing a visit to Antelope Canyon, the Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell offers an excellent accommodation choice. Renowned for its luxury and modern design, this hotel is one of the highest-rated accommodations near Antelope Canyon.
Choosing this hotel offers unmatched convenience for those visiting Lower Antelope Canyon, as it’s only 6 miles away. Its close proximity to Lake Powell, just 7 miles, and the Lake Powell campsite, about 1.5 miles, makes it an excellent base for adventurers exploring Northern Arizona.
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.
➡ Check Rates & Book: Hyatt Place
FAQ: Antelope Canyon in September
Antelope Canyon remains open in September, with tours running year-round, seven days a week.
However, the canyon may close temporarily in the event of heavy rain, which can occur in September. Monsoon season, spanning from June to September, is when flash floods are most likely, potentially causing brief closures.
During our last visit, we inquired about the frequency of monsoons and flash floods. Our guide shared that over the past seven years, the canyon has closed only three times due to flooding, so the likelihood of your tour being canceled is very low.
September is one of the best months to visit. It can be hot during the day. However, there is lots of shade in the canyon. Make sure you bring some water on your tour.
If you really want to see the light beams in the canyon, September is a great time to visit. The best time of year to see the light beams is from April through October.
It seems like tours are busy year-round; however, they tend to be a little busier in September because of the presence of the light beams in the canyon and the cooler temperatures.
The hours in the middle of the day when the lighting is best will book out before tours towards the beginning and end of the day. This is especially true for Upper Antelope Canyon. Even if you don’t go on a tour during the peak lighting hours, you can still get great pictures and have a beautiful tour.
If you want to tour Antelope Canyon in September, you will want to get your tickets as early as possible. This is especially true if you want to visit the upper canyon during the peak lighting hours.
The best time of day to photograph Antelope Canyon is in the middle of the day. This is when the sun is overhead and more light will enter the canyon.
Yes you can see the light beams in Antelope Canyon in September. The light beams start in Mid-March and continue through mid-October.
You are also more likely to see the light beams in Upper Antelope Canyon compared to Lower Antelope Canyon or Canyon X. We saw a small light beam in Lower Antelope Canyon on our tour. Canyon X is very deep and narrow, so you will not see light beams in that part of the canyon.
The biggest thing to make sure you have is good, quality shoes. You do not need hiking boots, but you should bring something like tennis shoes that have some grip on them. If you are going into Lower Antelope Canyon, consider wearing closed-toed shoes because of the ladders.
You should not need any sort of jacket during your tour because it is quite warm during the day. However, it is good to check the weather forecast ahead of time just to be sure.
Conclusion: Antelope Canyon in September
We hope this guide has provided helpful insights into what to expect on an Antelope Canyon tour through this stunning slot canyon. It’s an incredibly scenic and photogenic place, well worth the visit, and we always enjoy our time exploring its unique beauty.
September is an excellent month to visit if you want to catch the light beams in the canyon and enjoy warm weather for the various water activities nearby. We hope you have a fantastic experience exploring this breathtaking part of the American Southwest.
