Located near Lake Powell, this "slot" canyon is considered sacred by the Navajo.
Antelope Canyon is a small but exquisitely beautiful geological formation in northern Arizona. It is not a national or state park and is often overlooked by many tourists visiting the area. It takes only an hour or two to see it all, but it is worth the time. Its unsurpassed beauty is breathtaking. It is a photographer's dream.
Antelope Canyon is located a few miles of east of Page, Arizona. Actually there are two antelope Canyon's located on either side of route 98. Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon are both owned by the Navajo Nation. Unfortunately, they charge separate entry fees of about $18 per person for each part of this attraction. Since the upper and lower canyons are very similar, you need visit only one.
Page Arizona is located on the Utah border of North Central Arizona. This small desert community is primarily known as the location of the Glen Canyon Dam and the gateway to theLake Powell recreational area. It is about two hours from Monument Valley, two hours from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, three hours from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, two hours from Zion National Park and four hours fromLas Vegas.
The entrances to upper and lower Antelope Canyon are easy to miss. Only small signs along route 98 mark these attractions. They are located about five miles east of Page just before the great Navajo power generating plant. A small admissions booth and a parking lot are the only noticeable features in the desert landscape.
© Mike Leco / USATourist.comThe sandstone bedrock has been intricately carved by the infrequent but often violent flow of water.
As you approach the Canyon on foot, it is almost unnoticeable from even a few meters distance. You see only a small crack in the rock at the bottom of a dry streambed. Closer inspection reveals a small metal ladder descending into the crack. It is barely wide enough for a person to squeeze through. A series of ladders and stairs takes you down into an unbelievably narrow canyon.
The sandstone bedrock has been intricately carved by the infrequent but often violent flow of water. It is sculpted into beautiful undulating curves and hollows that vary from one to three meters wide by up to 50 meters deep. The sunlight filtering down from above produces a myriad of soft colors and shadows. The effect is exquisitely beautiful. This is a photographer's wonderland.
You can follow the single passageway in this canyon for about a half a mile. Take your camera and plenty of film!
Written by: Pushpak Bora
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