Antelope Canyon Vs Horseshoe Bend: The Great Page Debate

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Trying to decide between Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon?

When visiting Page, people are usually there to see two things: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. And today we’re going to be comparing them!

Horseshoe Bend (or as I like to call it, Horse Bend) and Antelope Canyon are quite different but both are iconic American landmarks.

If you have the time, I would absolutely go to both but if you can only pick one, hopefully this post helps.

Antelope Canyon has a few different sections you can tour but most people go to Upper and Lower. That’s generally what I’ll be referring to unless otherwise specified.

And if you want to visit a slot canyon, but you’re not sure which one, my ultimate Page slot canyon guide will help with that.

To get the most out of this comparison, it’s best to look at the questions that specifically pertain to your trip season and what is most important to you.

While I have an overall winner at the end, that doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. Both are beautiful and worth visiting but sometimes you just have to pick one.

on my first trip out in 2015 we only went to Horseshoe Bend and then we went to Lower Antelope Canyon in 2016.

I visited Upper Antelope, Owl, and Rattlesnake Canyons, Antelope Canyon X, and Waterhole Canyon in 2021/2022 while we lived in Page.

If you plan to do any tours I mention while in Page, I would highly recommend booking well in advance as they’re all very likely to sell out, especially at prime time.

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Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend better in summer?

Summer is the busiest and most popular time to visit both attractions, but one is definitely better.

Antelope Canyon wins this round for two reasons. You may get slightly cooler temperatures in the shade of the canyon.

But more importantly, if you want to see the famous light beams you have to go between May and September, between 11-1.

And to see that you’ll probably need to book your tour in advance as that is the prime time to see the slot canyons in Page in general, but Upper and Lower are both extremely popular and tours fill up.

Book an Upper Antelope Canyon tour here!
Book a Lower Antelope Canyon tour here!
Book an Antelope Canyon X tour here!

Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend better in fall?

I try to avoid ties in these showdowns but sometimes they just can’t be helped, and this round is a tie.

Fall is, I think, the best time to visit the southwest and while you won’t catch the light beams then, I still think it’s the best time to see both Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.

It’s not as busy as summer and the weather is much more pleasant overall. Not too hot, not too cold.

Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend better in winter?

While for the most part, like fall, both are going to be great, I’m picking this winner based simply on which I would prefer to see with snow.

And for that reason, Antelope Canyon wins this round. Would Horseshoe Bend be absolutely beautiful with a dusting of snow?

Yes. But I think other snowy grand desert views would be just as good. Seeing snow in a slot canyon though, that’s pretty cool, especially with the colors of Antelope Canyon.

Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend better in spring?

I think both are going to be just fine in the spring but I’m making myself pick one.

Spring in the area can be extremely windy at times and I don’t think either would be fun with high wind, but assuming it’s not windy, Horseshoe Bend wins this one.

Spring weather is still generally pretty pleasant (wind aside) so making the trek from the parking area down to the Horseshoe Bend overlook area would be much better than in the summer.

That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Antelope Canyon in the spring either.

Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend better for hiking?

I don’t really consider Antelope Canyon hiking even though it technically probably is.

I only say that because you can’t really move at your own pace, and you’re going pretty slow for two reasons: it’s extremely busy and there is nowhere to go, and you’re enjoying the canyon. But mostly the first one.

Yes, you need to be able to walk in sand and in some canyons climb ladders, but this is more of a casual stroll.

Horseshoe Bend wins this round as it’s a 1.5 mile hike to the overlook and back (1.5 miles round-trip).

If you want a challenging hike, look elsewhere but if you want an activity between these two that is more hike-y, Horseshoe Bend.

Is Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon busier?

Horseshoe Bend sees roughly 2 million visitors per year, which is wild, and Antelope Canyon gets over a million.

Exact numbers are hard to find and I don’t know if this is all of Antelope Canyon or just one part of it but Antelope Canyon wins this round.

Even though it wins it may feel busier than Horseshoe Bend because there are so many people in a fairly small space (not tiny, but not out in the open).

Is Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon easier to get away from crowds?

While I’m sure there are places along the rim of Horseshoe Bend that aren’t as busy, I think I’m giving this round to Antelope Canyon.

There are a couple of caveats to this win. 1. You have to go outside of the prime time, first thing in the morning and later afternoon will be best to avoid crowds but lighting can be pretty bad.

2. You go to Antelope Canyon X or one of the other slot canyons in Page, like Watherhole Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, Mystical Canyon, or Secret Canyon.

3. You go in the off season (winter), at pretty much any time of day. Prime time can still be busy but it won’t be like summer.

Book a Mystical Canyon tour here!
Book a Secret Canyon tour here!

Is Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend more expensive?

This is an easy one. Horseshoe Bend wins this round with a $10 parking fee from the City of Page. Annoying? A little, but not awful.

Antelope Canyon, on the other hand, will run you anywhere from $40 (Canyon X) to $250 (Upper).

Antelope Canyon and the other slot canyons in Page are not cheap to visit. I believe Canyon X is the most affordable.

Visiting the slot canyons as more than one person is going to be expensive, there’s no way around that, unfortunately.

Is Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon better for nonhikers?

I know I said Horseshoe Bend is better for hikers so this is kind of a weird one but I have my reasons.

Horseshoe Bend wins this round, too, because even though it does have a 1.5 mile round-trip hike, it’s fairly easy.

Most of the slot canyons either have steps or a ladder to get into them or a very steep hill to get to them.

So while I don’t usually consider the slot canyons as hikes in Page, I wouldn’t say they’re great for nonhikers either.

However, if steps/ladders/hills don’t bother you, then the slot canyons would be better choices since the walk through them is usually pretty short.

Does Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon have a more unique landscape?

I know there are slot canyons all over but I’m giving this round to Antelope Canyon.

Horseshoe Bend is great and all, but it’s a desert overlook and there are a lot more impressive views that are just as easy to get to compared to slot canyons.

Even between all the sections of Antelope Canyon you’re going to get entirely different experiences.

Is Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon better with just one day?

This one is going to be a tie because you can easily see both in one day, even half a day if you time it right!

An Antelope Canyon tour will be 2-4 hours depending on which tour you choose (most are on the shorter side but Upper, Rattlesnake, and Owl together will be longer).

A visit to Horseshoe Bend would probably take an hour, two if you’re really being generous.

So, which is better: Horseshoe Bend or Antelope Canyon?

Ooo this was a close one! Horseshoe Bend came in with six wins while Antelope Canyon had one more with seven.

So, Antelope Canyon wins! This doesn’t mean I think you shouldn’t visit Horseshoe Bend but if you really have to pick one, and have the budget for it, Antelope Canyon is it.

Hopefully this helped you make a decision on which to visit while you’re in Page. If I missed anything you’re curious about, leave a comment and I’ll answer there!

Book an Upper Antelope Canyon tour here!
Book a Lower Antelope Canyon tour here!
Book an Antelope Canyon X tour here!