The Four Corners Area - American Southwest - page 122

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because the lake's water level is so low from years of drought, the boat must stop a mile
from Rainbow Bridge, so if you aren't able to walk this distance, you won't even be able
to see the sandstone arch. During the summer, there are also half-day trips ($104 for
adults and $64 for children).
Rainbow Bridge National Monument ( & 928/608-6200; www.nps.gov/rabr) is
administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. For information on hiking to
Rainbow Bridge, contact the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, P.O. Box
2520, Window Rock, AZ 86515 ( & 928/871-6647; www.navajonationparks.org). The
hike to Rainbow Bridge is about 25 miles round-trip and should be done as an overnight
backpacking trip. It requires a Navajo Nation permit, which is available through the
Navajo Parks and Recreation Department, at the Cameron Visitor Center ( & 928/679-
2303 ), in the community of Cameron near the turnoff for the Grand Canyon, and at
the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park Office ( & 928/698-2808 ), 3 miles south of Page
on Navajo Rte. 20 (beside the LeChee Chapter House).

ANTELOPE CANYON
If you've spent any time in Arizona, chances are you've noticed photos of a narrow sand-
stone canyon only a few feet wide. The walls of the canyon seem to glow with an inner
light, and beams of sunlight slice the darkness of the deep slot canyon. Sound familiar?
If you've seen such a photo, you were probably looking at Antelope Canyon (sometimes
called Corkscrew Canyon). Located 2 1 / 2 miles southeast of Page off Ariz. 98 (at milepost
299), this photogenic canyon comprises the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park

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( & 928/698-2808; www.navajonationparks.org/htm/antelopecanyon.htm), which is on
the Navajo Reservation and is divided into upper and lower canyons. The entry fee is $6,
and children 7 and under enter free. March through October, Antelope Canyon is open
daily from 8am to 5pm; November through February, hours vary and closures are com-
mon.
There are currently two options for visiting Antelope Canyon. The most convenient
and reliable way is to take a 1 1 / 2 -hour tour with Antelope Canyon Tours ( & 866/645-
9102 or 928/645-9102; www.antelopecanyon.com), which charges $32 per adult for a
basic tour. Photographic tours cost $50. If you don't want to deal with crowds of tourists
ogling the rocks and snapping pictures with their point-and-shoots, we recommend
heading out with Overland Canyon Tours, 48 S. Lake Powell Blvd. ( & 928/608-4072;
www.overlandcanyontours.com), to nearby Canyon X, which is much less visited than
Antelope Canyon and is a good choice for serious photographers who want to avoid the
crowds. One other option for avoiding the crowds is to book a tour with Slot Canyon
Hummer Adventures, 12 N. Lake Powell Blvd. ( & 928/645-2266; www.lakepowell
hummertours.com), which leads tours to several other little-visited area slot canyons. A
3-hour tour is $79 and a 5-hour tour is $149.
Alternatively, at both the upper and lower canyons, you'll find Navajo guides collect-
ing park entry fees and fees for guide services. At Lower Antelope Canyon, these guides
charge $20 ($12 for children ages 6-12). At Upper Antelope Canyon, guides charge $25
($10 for children ages 6-12). Upper Antelope Canyon is a short drive up a sandy stream-
bed from the highway, while Lower Antelope Canyon is a short walk from the parking
area just off the highway. You'll get more out of your experience if you go on one of the
guided tours mentioned above, but you'll save a little money by visiting the canyon on
your own. For more information, contact Antelope Canyon Navajo Tours ( & 928/698-
3384; www.navajotours.com).