A timeline of Antelope Canyon’s history

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The sandstone | 190 million years ago

The sandstone forming the Antelope Canyon walls is prehistoric, dating back to the Jurassic period, making it around 190 million years old.

Canyon formation | 5 to 6 million years ago

The canyon formation started 5 to 6 million years ago when flash floods eroded the sandstone, creating and deepening its crevices to form slot canyons.

Navajo settlement | Over 8 centuries ago

Antelope Canyon is situated on Navajo land belonging to the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation. They settled in the land* *centuries before Christopher Columbus even reached the continent.

Discovery | 40 years ago

After Antelope Canyon became open for public viewing with guided tours towards the end of the 20th century, it became an extremely popular tourist site.

From sand dunes to sandstone: The birth of Antelope Canyon

The entire region spanning Arizona and Colorado used to be a vast desert with sand dunes during the Jurassic period. Over time, the sand dunes began to form layers consisting of sand, silt, and gravel and harden. These deposits eventually became the Navajo sandstone, which is a sedimentary rock, that forms the walls of the canyons we see today. The rich coloring and different hues of red and orange that one sees on the walls are caused by the oxidization of iron in the rocks with time. The next stage of the Antelope Canyon formation began with the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, leading to flash floods, erosion, and ultimately the formation of the slot canyon.

Geology and formation

The biggest contributor to Antelope Canyon’s formation is water. Flash floods are what created the slot canyons and gave them their deep, tall, narrow structure. They started around 5 to 6 million years ago, which was around the same time the final stage of uplifting of the Colorado plateau began to occur. The uplift increased the gradient or slope of the streams and rivers surrounding the region, thereby accelerating the erosion process. The area experienced heavy rainfall, which caused a series of flash floods that cut through the soft, sedimentary Navajo sandstone and created the passageways of the canyons. Other weather conditions such as sandstorms further eroded the area and smoothened out the cracks in the walls, creating the intricate textures and wave-like patterns we see on the walls today.

Antelope Canyon is still a work in progress. With each heavy rainfall, sandstorm, or flash flood that it experiences, it continues to erode and change. Every time you visit, it’s going to be a little different than it was before, no matter how minute the change may be.

Even though the canyons were all formed the same way, they have distinct features, and visiting each of them offers a unique experience.

Upper Antelope Canyon

The Upper Canyon is the most visited and popular of the canyons. It’s located on a higher level and it’s more accessible for people. It’s more “U” shaped as compared to the other canyons, which means the terrain is relatively flat and easy to navigate. Around midday, the sunlight passes through the Upper Canyon’s narrow top onto the flatter bottom and through its curved walls and creates a stunning light beam effect that draws photographers, nature enthusiasts, and tourists from around the world.

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Lower Antelope Canyon

You reach the Lower Antelope Canyon after taking a short walk from the Upper Canyon and a steep climb down the stairs. You enter a “V” shaped section, which is a lot narrower and more difficult to navigate. It involves a lot more climbing than the Upper Canyon, so it’s less accessible. The walls and passageways of the Lower Canyon are more twisted and complex and end up enhancing the colors in a more picturesque way.

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Antelope Canyon X

Antelope Canyon X is a short drive away from both Upper and Lower Canyons and is lesser known when compared to the other two. It’s called Canyon X because of the “X” shaped rocks that surround its entrance. It also requires a descent to enter, but it isn’t as steep as the Lower Canyon. There is uneven terrain in the canyon but the passageways aren’t narrow so it is still relatively accessible to visitors. The canyon is deeper than Lower Canyon and has a variety of alcoves that observe different lighting conditions throughout the day. Although the colors on the walls may not be as vivid and prominent as those on Lower Canyon, the textures and curvatures of the canyon are still a sight to behold.

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Navajo settlement & cultural significance

The Navajo people have been living in the region for centuries now and they hold deep cultural and spiritual significance and meaning to Antelope Canyon. The Upper Canyon, known to them as “Tse’bighanilini”, translates to “the place where water runs through rocks” in English, which is how the canyons were formed, and also signifies the power of Mother Nature and the passage of time. It serves as a reminder that there are things in the universe that are much bigger than they are and that these canyons are pathways where the physical and spiritual realms meet.
Their philosophy and beliefs are focused on the interconnectedness of life and spirituality and the Navajo folklore and legends around the canyons revolve around these themes. The Navajo guides take a moment to pay their respect before entering the canyons each time, and every four years, the Navajo people bless the canyon and give thanks to the natural elements that made it what it is today.

To maintain its cultural, spiritual, and physical sanctity, Antelope Canyon can only be toured with a Navajo guide present so that all visitors can extend the same level of respect to the site as they do. They made Antelope Canyon a Navajo Tribal Park in 1997 and it is now a sacred site, under the Navajo Nation.

The rise of tourism | Antelope Canyon today

1980s: Emerging interest among enthusiasts

Up until the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was very little known about Antelope Canyon. Photographers, geologists, and local nature enthusiasts were the only ones keen on exploring the landmark. Scientists examined its formation, understanding it as a slot canyon created over millions of years by water erosion. The unique swirling shapes became a case study in understanding the power of natural forces.

1983: Public tours by the Pearl Begay family

The Pearl Begay family, members of the Navajo Nation, opened Antelope Canyon to public tours. Recognizing the canyon’s growing allure, they took the first steps toward making it accessible to visitors while maintaining its sanctity. The tours were small, informal, and primarily focused on sharing the beauty and history of the canyon with respect to Navajo traditions. These family-led tours marked the beginning of Antelope Canyon’s journey toward becoming a global attraction.

1997: Designation of Antelope Canyon as a Navajo Tribal Park

The Navajo Tribe formally designated Antelope Canyon as a Navajo Tribal Park, implementing a framework to preserve its walls and structure and cultural significance. Especially since the Antelope Canyon is a lot more than a natural wonder to the Navajo people, it holds spiritual value to them. By making it a sacred site, they would ensure all visitors would be accompanied by Navajo guides, who would not only lead the way but also educate visitors on the canyon's geology, history, and spiritual meaning.

The 2000s: Spotlight and feature in major publications

The early 2000s marked a turning point as Antelope Canyon began appearing in major media outlets like National Geographic, Time, and The New York Times. Many articles and features highlighted its surreal beauty, bringing global attention to the canyon. Documentaries and travel shows showcased its narrow corridors, intricate rock formations, and dramatic light beams. These include many National Geographic Specials, Discovery Channel's Southwest Secrets, *BBC’s *Natural World, *Travel Channel’s *America’s Hidden Treasures, The Spirit of the Southwest by PBS, and more.

2014: "Phantom" by Peter Lik

Photographer Peter Lik captured Phantom, a black-and-white photograph taken in Upper Antelope Canyon. The image reportedly sold for $6.5 million, setting a world record for the most expensive photograph ever sold in 2014, and if the alleged sale is legitimate, it is still the third most expensive photograph to have ever been sold to date. The photograph, sale, and controversy around it pushed Antelope Canyon into the spotlight once again, reinforcing its status as the place for professional and amateur photographers alike.

2010s: The role of social media

The 2010s saw an explosion of videos and photos of Antelope Canyon on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. The canyon’s unique formations and light beams became iconic backdrops for travel influencers and adventurers. As more travelers sought to capture their own perfect shots, tours kept on selling out, with visitors planning trips months in advance. Social media hashtags like #AntelopeCanyon brought global attention, making the canyon one of the most Instagrammed natural landmarks.

2019: Over 1 million annual visitors

Antelope Canyon reached a significant milestone in 2019, with over 1 million visitors recorded in a single year. The influx of tourists bolstered the economy of Page, Arizona, and provided substantial revenue for the Navajo Nation. With increasing foot traffic, stricter regulations were implemented to prevent environmental degradation, including limits on visitor numbers and mandatory guided tours.

2020s: COVID-19 and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on tourism worldwide, and Antelope Canyon was no exception. However, post-pandemic the canyons have seen a resurgence in their popularity.

Antelope Canyon was closed to visitors in early 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Navajo Nation to protect its community. The canyon reopened in mid-2021 with strict safety protocols, including smaller group sizes, mask mandates, and enhanced sanitation measures to ensure the safety of both visitors and guides. Post-COVID policies have placed even greater emphasis on sustainable practices to preserve the canyon’s delicate ecosystem.

Modern-Day Antelope Canyon

Today, Antelope Canyon is a famous destination that is visited by people from all over the world. It continues to be of cultural and spiritual importance to the Navajo people, who remain deeply invested in its management and preservation. Environmental concerns are a priority, and there are continued efforts focused on balancing tourism with sustainability to ensure its beauty can be enjoyed by future generations.

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The history of Antelope Canyon: A tale older than time

A timeline of Antelope Canyon’s history

The sandstone | 190 million years ago

Canyon formation | 5 to 6 million years ago

Navajo settlement | Over 8 centuries ago

Discovery | 40 years ago

From sand dunes to sandstone: The birth of Antelope Canyon

Geology and formation

Upper Antelope Canyon

Lower Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon X

Navajo settlement & cultural significance

The rise of tourism | Antelope Canyon today

1980s: Emerging interest among enthusiasts

1983: Public tours by the Pearl Begay family

1997: Designation of Antelope Canyon as a Navajo Tribal Park

The 2000s: Spotlight and feature in major publications

2014: "Phantom" by Peter Lik

2010s: The role of social media

2019: Over 1 million annual visitors

2020s: COVID-19 and beyond

Modern-Day Antelope Canyon

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Frequently asked questions about the history of Antelope Canyon

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