LAST UPDATED – 4/25/26 – Waterhole Canyon Guide

When people see my photographs of the incredible Antelope Canyon on Instagram, I am often asked for recommendations on when and how to book a tour. My advice is always to book early and be prepared to deal with crowds. You see, the two times I visited the canyon were well over a decade ago, and there was far less demand for tours, and the crowds were much smaller.

I still think Antelope Canyon is an incredible sight that you should try to see at least once in your life. However, if you are either trying to book a tour at the last minute or would like a beautiful canyon experience without the massive crowds, I suggest you keep reading my Waterhole Canyon guide. Believe me, this breathtaking canyon won’t be a secret for long either, so this is your chance to tour it before the crowds get much larger!

In this Waterhole Canyon guide, I am going to give you all of the information you need to plan a successful trip to see the beautiful Waterhole Canyon in Arizona. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize your sightseeing time on your trip. In addition, I outline some of the other top things to see and do in the Page, Arizona area and the best places to stay during your trip. With this information in hand, you can be confident that your trip to see the Waterhole Canyon will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.

Waterhole Canyon Guide Navigation Menu

How to Get to Waterhole Canyon

Waterhole Canyon is located on the Navajo Reservation, just South of the city of Page, Arizona. If you are planning on visiting the Page area from outside the United States, your best bet is to either fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona, or the McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The city of Page is a very reasonable distance from both of these cities, and there are plenty of scenic destinations that you can stop and see along the way.

For travelers who are planning on visiting other areas in the Southwestern United States and would like to include a stop at Waterhole Canyon on their itinerary, I have included a table in my Waterhole Canyon guide below that outlines the driving distance and time to Waterhole Canyon from other large cities in this region of the United States.

Driving Distance and Time to Waterhole Canyon

City\Park	Distance	Drive Time	Notes
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area	5 miles	0hrs 05min	Encompasses Lake Powell; boating, hiking, and slot canyons.
Horseshoe Bend	6 miles	0hrs 10min	Iconic Colorado River overlook; short hike from parking area.
Page, AZ	7 miles	0hrs 10min	Closest airport; small regional hub serving Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon area.
Antelope Canyon	8 miles	0hrs 10min	Famous slot canyon with light beams and Navajo-guided tours.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument	45 miles	1hr	Home to The Wave and colorful sandstone formations.
Zion National Park	110 miles	2hrs	Towering sandstone cliffs and slot canyons; world-class hiking.
Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim)	120 miles	2hrs 30min	Less crowded rim with alpine forests and dramatic views.
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park	120 miles	2hrs 15min	Iconic buttes and mesas; Navajo cultural tours.
Flagstaff, AZ	130 miles	2hrs 15min	Regional airport with connections to Phoenix and Dallas; gateway to northern Arizona.
Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)	130 miles	2hrs 30min	One of the world’s most famous natural wonders.
Bryce Canyon National Park	150 miles	3hrs	Distinctive hoodoos and amphitheaters of red rock.
Natural Bridges National Monument	150 miles	3hrs	Three massive natural stone bridges; quiet and remote.
Capitol Reef National Park	220 miles	4hrs	Waterpocket Fold geology and scenic drives.
Phoenix, AZ	280 miles	4hrs 30min	Large hub with extensive domestic and international flights.
Las Vegas, NV	284 miles	4hrs 30min	Major international airport; scenic drive via Zion and Kanab.

While road-tripping is a hallmark of American travel, especially when visiting the country’s many beautiful landscapes, such as Waterhole Canyon, I know that long drives are not for everyone. If you would prefer to fly out to the Southwestern United States to begin your adventure, several other large cities have large airports.

Suppose you are planning a trip to see the Waterhole Canyon and Page, Arizona’s other many attractions, and would like to review some airport options. In that case, I have included a map for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

Waterhole Canyon Area Airports Map

When it comes time for your tour, you will want to make your way to the Waterhole Canyon Experience pullout off of Highway 89. The pullout is roughly 5.7 miles south of the city of Page, Arizona. If you are using the map feature on your phone to map directions to Waterhole Canyon, you will want to map to THIS location. Otherwise, I have also included directions for you to follow from Page, Arizona, and Phoenix, Arizona in my Waterhole Canyon Guide below.

Directions to Waterhole Canyon From Page, Arizona

• Take Highway 89 South for roughly 5.7 miles.
• Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the left-hand side of the road.

Directions to Waterhole Canyon From Phoenix, Arizona

• Take I-17 North out of Phoenix for roughly 140 miles.
• In Flagstaff, take I-40 East towards Albuquerque for roughly 6 miles.
• Turn right on US-89 North and stay on US-89 North for roughly 122 miles.
• Look for the Tour sign pictured above on the right-hand side of the road.

Waterhole Canyon Location Map

How to Tour the Waterhole Slot Canyon

Like nearby Antelope Canyon, the Waterhole slot canyon is located on Navajo tribal land, so you are not allowed to hike to the canyon and visit on your own. If you have thoughts of doing this, please be aware that there is video surveillance setup along the canyon and you will likely get caught and be subject to a rather hefty fine. If you want to see the Waterhole Canyon, you will need to book a tour through the Waterhole Canyon Experience.

There are three different tour options that you can choose from when booking a tour of Waterhole Canyon, which I have outlined for you in my Waterhole Canyon guide below. For more information on tours, please visit the Waterhole Canyon Experience Tours page.

Waterhole Canyon Tour Options

Hiking Tour	Photography Tour	Short Tour	Specialty Tour
$88/person	$164\person	$75/person	$183\person ($550 base cost)
Minimum Age of 8 years old.	Minimum Age of 13 years old (children are not permitted).	Minimum Age of 8 years old.	Minimum Age of 13 years old (children are not permitted).
Everyone must be reserved.	At least one person in the group must have a camera and tripod. No gear allowed for tag-alongs. Everyone must be reserved.	Everyone must be reserved.	Everyone must be reserved.
1.5 hours long.	3 hours long.	1 hour long.	Contact Waterhole Canyon Experience for details on duration.
Book a Tour	Book a Tour	Book a Tour	Email for Details

If you would like to get a better sense of what you will see on a tour before booking, I have included a map in my Waterhole Canyon guide below that details the route you will take through the canyon and shows you where I took some of my pictures from my recent tour. If you would like to see more pictures that I took of the canyon, I have also included a photo gallery at the end of this guide.

View Larger Map

Antelope Canyon or Waterhole Canyon?

Most of you have probably seen the stunning photos of Antelope Canyon on Instagram. A decade ago, it was a little‑known gem of the Southwest; today, it draws millions of visitors each year. If you’ve tried booking a tour recently, you know how busy it’s become. Tours must be reserved well in advance—especially in summer—and the canyon can feel crowded as groups move through it.

For anyone planning a trip to Page, Arizona, and deciding between Antelope Canyon and another option, I’ve included a side‑by‑side comparison of Upper Antelope Canyon and Waterhole Canyon in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

If you want my take: choose Waterhole Canyon if you’re visiting in peak season (June–August). Antelope Canyon’s crowds make it hard to fully appreciate its beauty. If you want to experience Antelope Canyon’s famous light and colors, plan your trip for the shoulder months—April, May, September, or October.

Waterhole Canyon vs Antelope Canyon Comparison

Comparison	Waterhole Canyon	Upper Antelope Canyon
Beauty	Waterhole Canyon is very beautiful, but it doesn't get the same cool lighting that Upper Antelope Canyon is famous for.	Upper Antelope Canyon is world famous for a reason. Not only is it beautiful, but the incredible rays of light that shine into the canyon at certain times of day are magical.
Length	Roughly 1.2 miles of hiking thru three sections of slot canyon.	Roughly 0.3 miles of hiking thru one section of slot canyon.
Tour Required	Yes	Yes
Crowds	Tours for Waterhole Canyon have only been available since 2018, so the canyon is far less well-known and far less crowded.	Upper Antelope Canyon has gotten quite a bit of social media exposure over the past decade, so it can get quite busy during peak season.
Availability	Reservations for tours of Waterhole Canyon are far easier to get than those for Upper Antelope Canyon.	Reservations for touring Upper Antelope Canyon need to be booked well in advance, especially during peak season.
Price	The cost is $88\person for a hiking tour and $164\person for a photography tour.	The cost is $115\person for an adult, $105\person for children up to 6-years old, and $95\person for veterans. There are no dedicated photography tour options.

When to Visit Waterhole Canyon

Because it is located in the desert of the American Southwest, many people mistakenly assume that Page, Arizona, is hot year-round. What many people don’t realize is that Page sits at over 4,000 feet of elevation, which has a big impact on its climate. While the summer months can be blistering hot, you will see cold spells during the autumn and spring months, and even snow on occasion during the winter.

Before you visit Page to tour the Waterhole Slot Canyon, you must understand what type of weather to expect throughout the year so that you are prepared. To assist you in your planning, I have included some helpful climate stats for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

Average Temperature (°F)

Summer in Page, Arizona (June–August) can be dangerously hot, making long or strenuous hikes risky. If you plan to do a lot of hiking, it’s much better to visit in spring or autumn when temperatures are far more comfortable. Winters aren’t as cold as Southern Utah, but Page can still get quite chilly—and it occasionally sees early‑season snow. If you dislike cold days and freezing nights, you’ll want to avoid December through February.

You can find a full temperature chart in my Waterhole Canyon guide below. In my opinion, late April and early October offer the best balance: cool nights, comfortable daytime hiking weather, and far fewer crowds than the peak summer season.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Although Page, Arizona is in the desert, it gets rain year‑round—and storms can affect slot canyons even if it’s dry in town. Water flows from distant mesas into narrow canyons like Waterhole Canyon, which means a storm more than 30 miles away can trigger a flash flood.

Because slot canyons have steep walls and no escape routes, flash flooding is the biggest safety risk. If there’s standing water or any flood danger, tours will be canceled. For that reason, it’s best to visit during the driest months. I’ve included a precipitation chart in my Waterhole Canyon guide below to help you plan.

Other Things to See in the Page, Arizona Area

Few areas in North America are as beautiful as the canyon-filled deserts of the American Southwest. Not only is there a seemingly endless supply of incredible landscapes to marvel at, but there is no shortage of amazing activities in the area to keep you busy as well.

If you are planning an extended trip to Page, Arizona, and are looking for some additional stops to add to your itinerary after you have visited the Waterhole Canyon, I have included links to some guides that you might find interesting in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

Where to Stay in Page, Arizona

Campgrounds

When visiting the national parks, monuments, and other areas of interest in the United States, it is a really neat experience to camp out during your visit.  Some of the best campgrounds in America can be found inside the country’s national parks, monuments, recreation areas, and the surrounding areas. 

This is especially true of the area surrounding Page, Arizona. The extra dark skies in the surrounding area make it a great place to stargaze. If you are interested in camping out during your visit, I have included a map and list of some recommended campgrounds for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

Hotels

If camping is not your speed, you need not worry, as there are a variety of good hotels for you to choose from in the area as well.  In fact, the city of Page, Arizona, has a wealth of reasonably priced hotel options for you to choose from.

If you are in the process of planning your trip to Page to see the Waterhole Canyon, then you are in luck. I have included a map and list of recommended hotels at different price points for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

View Larger Map

Tours in the Page, Arizona Area

There are a lot of beautiful and amazing things to see in the Page, Arizona area. One of the best ways to see the area’s incredible sights is on a tour. If you are starting to plan your trip and are looking for some good tour options, I have you covered. I have included links to some of the area’s best tours that I recommend in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

Waterhole Canyon Photo Gallery

The Waterhole Canyon is a very beautiful and picturesque place. If you are interested in seeing more of this beautiful slot canyon, I have included some of my favorite photographs that I took during my visit to a gallery for you to review below.

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