It wasn’t long after I moved to the Southwest that I became enthralled with images of beautiful desert scenery, the glow of red rocks, and a landscape that seemed so foreign to my Midwestern roots.  And as I explored and researched my new home, one image kept popping up and that was of the light beams in a slot canyon.  At the time I only knew it as Corkscrew Canyon, but soon learned its official name as Antelope Canyon found in the northern boundary of Arizona.  It took me almost 10 years to finally make the trip to see these canyons in person, and wow, were they a treat to behold. Found in the surrounding landscape of Page, Arizona, these slot canyons are like nothing you’ve ever seen.  Carved from hundreds of years of wind, flash floods, and mother nature’s delicate touch, they are a visual cornucopia.  I have made the trip to Page to visit the slot canyons twice now, and would go back again in a heartbeat.  The quaint town of Page, the friendly people, the out-of-the-world scenery, and unlimited photographic opportunities make this a must-see for any and all. Antelope Canyon The most popular and widely known slot canyon in Page, is Antelope Canyon.  It is split into 2 different locations, Upper Antelope and Lower Antelope.  They lie just east of the town of Page, a mere 10 minutes from the city proper, and entrances are on opposite sides of the highway from each other.  All slot canyons require a guide for access as they are on Native American property,  and one can join in on any tour offered by a variety of local tour companies.  If you opt for taking a photographic tour, you will be required to show prior to entrance your professional-level gear, DSLR or mirrorless camera, including a tripod.  There are benefits to the photographic tours as they take smaller groups, allow for extra time in the canyons, as well as offer crowd control to remove other patrons from view so that you can capture clear and unobstructed images.  If you don’t have professional gear, any of the other tours will suffice and you will see all the same as the photographic tours as well. Twice now I’ve explored Upper Antelope Canyon with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Photo Tours.  We opted for a 3 canyon tour starting in Owl Canyon, then Rattlesnake Canyon, ending with Upper Antelope.  It’s important to note, the light beams are most readily visible at midday where the sun is the highest in the sky and where the light beam will travel all the way down to the canyon floor.  Therefore, this particular 3 canyon tour started in the morning, and ended with Upper Antelope at midday for best viewing and photographic opportunities of the light beams.  After meeting at a designated location for check in, we were transported in an enclosed vehicle to each of the canyons for a guided tour, and plenty of photographic opportunities.  The guides are friendly, knowledgable, and will often point out interesting features in the rocks or unique photographic compositions. Lower Antelope Canyon does not have light beams like Upper does, however its colors and unique formations make it a must-see.  There are 2 tour companies located at the entrance to Lower Antelope, and I suggest making a reservation ahead of time to ensure timely entrance to the canyon.  Photographic tours are also available to guide you through Lower Antelope.  This is the canyon where you will see the widest range in colors: oranges melting into pinks, and the pinks into purples, truly a display of nature in full chromatic splendor. Secret Canyon One new canyon I visited on my most recent visit to Page, was Secret Canyon.  Only accessible through Hummer Adventure Tours, its unique monochromatic colors make this location a walking meditation of solitude.  Each tour is limited to a maximum of 6 guests, and includes an adventurous off-road cruise in a Hummer H2.  A short nature hike then leads you into Secret Canyon, and with a big sigh, you enter and realize you have this whole canyon to yourself.  This makes for a nice respite from the crowds of Upper and Lower Antelope, being able to enjoy more deeply the quiet undulations of the canyon walls. Canyon X If there is a hidden gem in Page, it is Canyon X.  Boasting both light beams from early Spring, and the majestic colors of the Navajo landscape, you won’t believe your eyes as the colors in the canyon explode and change within minutes giving you a whole new visual experience every 10 minutes.  Canyon X is one of the least known, but I consider, photographically stunning canyons.  Closed for a couple years before being reopened just last year, it too is only accessible on a tour with Hummer Adventure Tours due to their exclusive permission from the private landowner.  Getting into the canyon requires a steep decline down a newly installed staircase, (previously it was only accessible by hiking down into the canyon), and once in the canyon, there are 2 distinct locations to photograph and see, all within a short walking distance of each other.  Again being on a tour limited to 6 people, you will be thanking your lucky stars to have this beautiful location to yourself. Other Points of Interest in Page Horseshoe Bend – best for sunrise or sunset photos.  Be very mindful of the sharp cliff and how close other visitors get to edge. Lake Powell – take a boat cruise, go standup paddling or even kayaking. Tips: Upper and Lower Antelope get quite busy in the summer months.  Tensions can rise in the narrow canyon, so keeping a calm demeanor in the canyon can make for a more pleasant experience when amongst the crowds. Light beams are only visible in the summer months although the canyons are open year round. Ask your tour company if they offer enclosed vehicles for transportation. Upper and Lower Antelope can be visited on the same day.