Antelope Canyon by Paddleboard: A VR Guide to a Lake Powell Adventure
This VR Adventure has it all… amazing scenery, gorgeous reflections, adventurous hiking, a stunning slot canyon, and beautiful glassy water. Paddling from Lake Powell into the water-filled portion of Antelope Canyon is, without a doubt, one of the most epic adventures you can have. I couldn’t possibly have asked for a more beautiful visit here. So grab that VR Headset and join me on this fantastic Immersive VR 360 adventure you are sure to love!
The Golden Nugget 🌟
Don't Miss This: The reflections! If you can get into the canyon early in the morning before the tour boats arrive, the water becomes a perfect, glassy mirror. Paddling through the narrow canyon with the towering red walls reflected all around you is a truly magical and unforgettable experience.
TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO ANTELOPE CANYON
Join me on the water for this incredible journey, from the choppy main channel to the serene, glassy narrows and the adventurous hike beyond. This is one you have to see in 360°!
Adventure at a Glance
| 🏞️ Area: | Glen Canyon National Recreation Area |
| 📍 Location: | Lake Powell, Page, Arizona |
| 🛶 Activity: | Paddleboarding or Kayaking to a Slot Canyon Hike |
| 📏 Distance: | ~5-6 miles paddling + 2-4 miles hiking (round trip) |
| strenuous | |
| ⭐ Shauna's Rating: | 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds) |
| ☀️ Best For: | Slot Canyons, Paddling, Unique Scenery, Adventure Hiking |
| ⏳ Recommended Time: | Half to a full day |
My Antelope Canyon Story
This adventure is a tale of two parts. The first mile, starting from the Antelope Point boat ramp, is the hardest. You have to conquer the big waves from houseboats bouncing off the cliff walls on both sides. But if you push through, you're rewarded with the incredible beauty of the narrow, wakeless zone of Antelope Canyon. I started at sunrise and had it all to myself—no boat noise, no crowds, just quiet, gorgeous reflections. After about three miles of paddling, you park your board and start hiking into the dry part of Lower Antelope Canyon. It's a fantastic nature obstacle course, with lots of fun bouldering challenges that aren't too difficult. My silly ending to the story? On the way back, I wasn't thrilled about paddling through the busy main channel again. So, I cheated! I flagged down a friendly boater and paid them $20 to tow me back to the dock. It was a hilarious end to a perfect day!
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| Paddle board Antelope Canyon Lake Powell |
The Story Behind the Scenery
Antelope Canyon is a world-famous slot canyon carved into vibrant, red-orange Navajo Sandstone. This rock was formed from ancient sand dunes during the Jurassic period, 190 million years ago. The canyon itself was sculpted over millions of years by the incredible power of flash floods. Rushing water, thick with sand and debris, blasted through narrow cracks in the sandstone, carving and smoothing the walls into the flowing, wave-like shapes we see today. The canyon is a living work of art, constantly being reshaped by the very forces that created it.
Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints
- ♦️ Go Early!: To avoid boat traffic, choppy water, and to see the best reflections, launch from the Antelope Point Marina public boat ramp as close to sunrise as possible.
- ♦️ DIY vs. Tour: You can rent kayaks or paddleboards from several companies in Page. This gives you the freedom to go at your own pace. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour, but they often leave later in the day when the water is rougher and more crowded.
- ♦️ The Main Channel: Be prepared for a challenging first and last mile. The boat wakes reflect off the canyon walls, creating choppy water from multiple directions. Stay close to the canyon wall and be confident in your paddling skills.
- ♦️ The Hike: The dry canyon hike is a fun scramble. Wear sturdy shoes you can get wet and be prepared for some minor bouldering and navigating obstacles.
- ♦️ Flash Flood Safety: This is the most important rule. Check the weather forecast carefully. If there is any chance of rain in the region, do not enter the canyon.
Another Great Paddle: Lees Ferry
If you love paddleboarding and are in the Lake Powell area, you absolutely must try the trip from Glen Canyon Dam down to Lees Ferry. Companies like Kayak Horseshoe Bend will take you and a kayak or paddleboard 15.5 miles upriver on a motorboat and drop you off. You then get to float and paddle all the way back down to Lees Ferry, which is officially Mile 0 of the Grand Canyon! Along the way, you can stop to see petroglyphs, hike into Waterhole Canyon, and eat lunch at the base of the iconic Horseshoe Bend. It's an unforgettable, full-day adventure.
Paddling into Antelope Canyon is a bucket-list adventure that combines a physical challenge with a massive scenic payoff. It’s a journey that makes you feel small in the best way possible, surrounded by the immense beauty of water and stone. What's the most rewarding adventure you've ever had to work a little extra hard for? Share your story in the comments below!
Information about this area.
- You can head here and book an excursion with a company (Ken's Tours is an option), but the disadvantages are that they will often take large groups a little later in the morning. They also won't go too far into the slot canyon. Also because it is later in the day, you will deal with much bigger waves in the main Lake Powell channel. This means that many of the people end up with tipped kayaks and have to figure out how to get back in. It also means that you will miss the beautiful reflections in the water in this area.
- I started at sunrise and used my own paddleboard. I think I was in the parking lot of Antelope Boat Ramp at around 5. After I got sunscreen on, everything in my backpack waterproofed, and my backpack securely attached to my paddleboard, I was off. At the ramp, you are heading to the left. I only dealt with one boat in the main channel that early, but is was a HUGE house boat, towing another big boat, so the waves were big and they bounce off the cliff walls. That makes it so you have waves coming at both directions. I was super glad that I went early and didn't have to deal with too many of those big boats. This section is about 1 mile.
- It didn't take that long after I was in the wakeless zone in Antelope Canyon to start enjoying those gorgeous reflections you see in the video. This is a 2 mile section of paddling and so very lovely. I was there so early that I got it all to my lovely self, no boat noise, no laughing kids, just quiet and gorgeous reflections.
- After paddling those 3 miles you park your kayak or paddleboard and start hiking. I think I made it 2 miles up Antelope Canyon before hitting a dead end. I was looking for the famous picture, and I am not sure if it is in the Upper section of Antelope, or if it is a deceiving picture. I heard someone say that their guy took them in a spot and said shoot right here. I think it is between a fallen rock and the slot wall, and not really a representation of what the slot looks like. I did enjoy the adventure nature of the hike. Lots of fun bouldering that was not that hard if you looked around for the easiest routes like I did.
- My silly ending on this, is that on my way back, I was not thrilled about paddling through the main channel, for I was hearing about all the people that got flipped that were coming in. SOOOO, I cheated. I found a boat heading down, and kindly asked if I could pay them $20 to take me back to the dock. They gladly agreed. I was quite proud of myself until I realized they were going to just drop me off at a tire dock. Honestly, I think it was harder relaunching from the boat on my paddleboard to finish that last section, then it would have been to deal with the waves, but I was curious if I could do it, and I did.
Paddling into Antelope Canyon is a bucket-list adventure that combines a physical challenge with a massive scenic payoff. It’s a journey that makes you feel small in the best way possible, surrounded by the immense beauty of water and stone. What's the most rewarding adventure you've ever had to work a little extra hard for? Share your story in the comments below!
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