waterholes canyon without tour

Waterholes Canyon | Why it’s Better Than Antelope Canyon

Secret slot canyon, waterholes canyon.

Would you believe me if I told you there’s a slot canyon that looks just like the famous Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons that you can hike all on your own?

It’s called Waterholes Canyon!

Hiking Antelope Canyon without a guide or tour was something I definitely looked into but realized was not possible.

We took the Lower Antelope Canyon Photography Tour and saw first hand how tour guides herded tourists through like cattle.

Though on the photography tour you have a bit more time, it’s still timed and you are not free to roam on your own.  Waterholes Canyon was definitely a hidden gem on our Arizona road trip .

As more and more tourists visit Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, they’ve gotten rid of the photography tours.  If you want a tour of Antelope Canyon with more time for photography take a look at these tours:

• Secret Antelope Canyon – Check Availability 
• Antelope Canyon X – Check Availability

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What to wear and bring for your slot canyon hike.

Bring plenty of water, there’s no shade along this trail except inside the slot canyon.

We went to Water Holes in November and it was unseasonably warm, a perfect 70s, and we were definitely glad we brought water. If you are doing this during the summer, I’d double the amount of water you think you will need.

There’s no special gear you need for hiking this slot canyon unless you plan on hiking the super narrow part beyond the ladder.

You can do this hike in just a good pair of sneakers because it is flat but be prepared to get tons of sand in your shoes.

Additionally, I would bring a hat and sunglasses as the sun is very strong.  A light long sleeved shirt would also provide good sun protection, and don’t forget your sunscreen.

I love UV Cut by Uniqlo for sun protective clothing because it is UDF 50 but very breathable and looks like normal clothes and not hiking clothes – Check Prices Here .

The cuts are modern and even the white shirts protect you from the sun.  Anytime I venture out where I know I will be in the sun all day I always wear one of these UV Cut shirts.

If you want to keep your water cool for the hike, these jugs – Check Prices Here – are great for keeping it cold.

It’s supposed to keep water cold for up to 24 hours and it works!  We left this water jug out in the sun all day and it was still cold the next day.

How Difficult is Hiking Waterholes Canyon

Hiking this slot canyon was generally pretty easy as the trail is mostly flat.

We hiked aka walked all through the canyon and eventually came to a ladder.

Once we climbed up the ladder the canyon opens up then narrows even more so that you have to climb up several ladders and do some bouldering to get out.

Though is looked pretty exciting it also looked a bit narrow for us so we simply walked back the way we came and exited through another set of cairns that marked the way out.

We did the hike in converse and me in a green gown.  You will get an obscene amount of sand in your shoes though!

Taking Pictures at Waterholes Slot Canyon

The best part about Waterhole Canyon?

It’s all the pictures you can take!

Since going to Antelope Canyon requires a tour, you really can’t spend that much time taking pictures.

The whole experience at Antelope was rushed and there is no option to go to Antelope Canyon without a guided tour.

But since we could go to Water Holes Canyon and explore on our own we went all sorts of photo crazy!  The canyon was just as stunning as Antelope

Because Waterhole Canyon is not quite as tall as Antelope taking pictures here was easier since there was more available daylight in the canyon.

Some spots we still needed a tripod for a longer exposure but generally, we just handheld our DSLR for photos.  Not to worry if you don’t have a DSLR or a tripod, our iPhone 6+s captured stunning photos here too!

In addition to Waterhole Canyon, Arizona has a ton of bucket list destinations that you need to see.  The Wave in Arizona and Monument Valley are both amazing places to add to your southwest itinerary.

Here’s two pictures side by side one is Antelope Canyon and the other Waterholes Canyon, leave me a comment and tell me which you think is Antelope Canyon.

This is so gorgeous here!! I really want to go!!

Jennifer Effortlessly Sophisticated

The American southwest is such a cool place!! It feels like a whole other planet!

wow! amazing pictures…Definitely on my bucket list 😉

Awww thank you!! It was amazing definitely go to this slot canyon if you are in the area for Antelope Canyon!

First of all, let me say that your pictures are absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed this article because I love finding cool hidden sites that aren’t as crowded and popular as the famous ones (Water Holes Canyon vs Antelope Canyon)! I will be looking forward to some future posts! Thank you for sharing

Oh my days! This canyon looks absolutely amazing!Thanks for sharing the way to get to this secret gem! Will definitely bookmark this!

I actually wanted to go here when I was in Paige! But I couldn’t find it. Now I am so sad I missed it! I will have to drive back up there again soon.

Beautiful!!! Gorgeous pics and we’ll def remember the recommendations next time we’re in the area 😉

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Avoid the Crowds: A Comprehensive Waterhole Canyon Guide

LAST UPDATED – 3/25/24- 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 and see at least once in your life. However, if you are either trying to book a tour last minute or would like a beautiful canyon experience without the massive crowds, then I would suggest that 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 the 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

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.

View Larger 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.

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

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.

Antelope Canyon or Waterhole Canyon?

By now, I am sure that most of you have seen pictures of the jaw-droppingly beautiful Antelope Canyon on Instagram or other social media platforms. A decade ago it was a little-known gem of the American Southwest. Today, the canyon attracts millions of visitors per year.

If you have tried to book a tour of Antelope Canyon in recent years, I am sure you know very well how busy it is. Not only do you have to book your tour well in advance of your visit (especially in the peak summer months), but you also have to contend with crowds of people navigating the canyon during your tour.

For those of you who are planning a trip to Page, Arizona, and are trying to decide whether to book a tour of Antelope Canyon or look for another destination to visit, I have included a side-by-side comparison of Upper Antelope Canyon and Waterhole Canyon in my Waterhole Canyon guide below for you to review.

If you want my personal opinion, I would suggest choosing Waterhole Canyon over Antelope Canyon if you are visiting during the peak summer months of June through August. The crowds at Antelope Canyon are just too large to fully enjoy the beauty of the canyon. If you want to see Antelope Canyon and its beautifully lit canyon walls, I would suggest booking your trip during the shoulder months of April, May, September, or October.

Waterhole Canyon vs Antelope Canyon Comparison

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 all 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)

During the summer months of June through August, the temperatures in Page, Arizona can be blistering hot. In fact, it can get so hot that it can actually be dangerous to do strenuous activities outdoors for prolonged periods. If you plan on doing a lot of hiking while in the Page area, I would definitely recommend planning your trip for the spring or autumn months when temperatures aren’t nearly as hot.

While the temperatures in winter aren’t as cold as you will find further North in Southern Utah, it can get quite chilly during the winter in Page. In fact, I have been in Page in early autumn where the city has gotten snow. If you aren’t fond of chilly days and cold nighttime temperatures, then you are definitely going to avoid visiting during the winter months of December through February.

For more information on the average temperatures in Page, Arizona throughout the year, I have included a chart for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below. In my opinion, the best temperatures can be found in Page during late April and early October. The nights will be chilly, but the daytime temperatures will be very comfortable and perfectly suited for hiking and other outdoor activities. Plus, you will have to contend with far smaller crowds during those times of year than you would have to during the peak summer months.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Even though Page, Arizona is situated in a desert, it does get rain throughout the year. One thing that is important to keep in mind when visiting Canyon Country is that rain can affect your visit even if it doesn’t rain where you are. Slot canyons like Waterhole Canyon are created when rain flows down from the top of the high mesas in the surrounding area, carving the canyons out of the soft sandstone.

This means that a storm that might be further than 30 miles away can create a flash flood within the slot canyons closer to town. The number one danger when hiking within any slot canyon is the risk of flash floods. With steep walls on both sides, there is nowhere for you to go to escape. If there is a lot of standing water in Waterhole Canyon or any risk of flash flooding, tours of the canyon will be canceled.

For that reason, you will want to target the months of the year when it rains the least. For more information on how much precipitation the Page, Arizona area gets throughout the year, I have included a chart for you to review in my Waterhole Canyon guide below.

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 star gaze. 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.

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.

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.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram . Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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6 comments ›.

You are providing a good material for your readers. Thanks a lot for sharing this valuable post with us!

Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment! 😀

• A Comprehensive Antelope Canyon Guide for Travelers Visiting Page, Arizona - Wanderlust Travel & Photos October 29, 2021 • 11:08 am
• The Ultimate Horseshoe Bend Guide for Visitors to Page, Arizona October 29, 2021 • 12:51 pm

from Flag where I live…..is the Waterhole canyon open or closed? June 29th? Would like to visit late next week.

Thanks for reaching out! They should be open tomorrow AM. Here is the contact info. Have fun!

https://waterholecanyonexperience.com

Wonderful & very informative article. I think these tips and advice are much helpful. Great Sharing, Thank you for such…

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Waterhole Canyon: The Best Page, AZ Slot Canyon To Avoid Crowds

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After being pretty impressed with Antelope Canyon X and not wanting to do tons of driving from Page, my dad and I decided we would do a Waterhole Canyon tour, too.

We started this tour around 11:30 as well and on this one there was only one other person! With us (2), the other guy, the guide, and three guides-in-training, there were a total of seven of us but the guides-in-training stayed towards the back.

Travel Services I Recommend: AllTrails – This is my favorite hike tracking app. America the Beautiful – The national park pass is essential. Booking.com – This is great for finding and booking hotels. Get Your Guide – I recommend Get Your Guide for booking tours. National Park Obsessed – This is the best national park planner. Skyscanner – Skyscanner is great for finding and booking flights. Enterprise – This is my rental car recommendation. See all my resources here.

It would have been hard to get a better group than that aside from no one else being on it. We took a short van ride (no following it this time) to the canyon and headed in.

This involves a little more hiking than most of the slot canyon tours, coming in at two miles. It says the hiking tour was 1.5 hours and I think that’s about right but I also think we got that whole time in the canyon, not including the driving time.

We saw no one else here and there was not even a hint of a rush to get us through, it was fantastic. The canyon isn’t quite as narrow or tall as the others in the area but it’s still amazing and the lack of people really made it so much better.

Like, no one else in the canyon at all so you don’t even hear other groups talking that you can’t see (like Upper Antelope. ) I was, and still am, very impressed with it.

The Waterhole Canyon tour includes three slot canyon sections and a few ladders and squeezy parts (squeezy according to my dad).

If you’re used to desert squeezes, it’s not bad. I don’t know which section of the canyon I liked most, maybe the middle part? It’s all really cool but I think the last one is the most open.

In the last part we actually learned the ground is now like, eight feet higher than a few years ago! This is because during flash floods sand and debris is carried through the canyon and it just sort of filled in there. It’s wild!

We took our sweet time walking through the canyon with plenty of time to take pictures. It was pretty much the best weather possible, too.

I would recommend booking ahead if you really know you want to do this and I would check at least a week in advance, maybe more in the summer.

After the final slot section, there are some stairs and a hill to climb to get back up to the road and van that will take you back to your car. It’s not a hard climb out but the stairs really got me. I think they got all of us haha.

Overall, if you want to do a slot canyon tour, have a slightly bigger budget, but not huge, aren’t picky about which you see, and want to avoid crowds, Waterhole Canyon might be the one for you.

I have a whole post comparing all of the Page slot canyons coming shortly that will help you decide between all of them if you’re still not sure.

While it’s different than the much more popular Antelope Canyons , it’s still beautiful and feels much less frantic than the others I’ve done.

Waterhole Canyon tours

Waterhole Canyon Experience is the only company that offers tours in Waterhole Canyon and there are two tour options: a hiking tour and a photography tour. The average person will be fine with the hiking tour which is 1.5 hours long. No tripods are allowed on this one.

The photography tour allows tripods and a tag-along guest (i’m not sure exactly what that means) and is three hours long but more expensive. I wouldn’t do this one unless you’re a super professional photographer.

We weren’t rushed whatsoever on this tour and had plenty of time and pretty good light for photography. The average photographer, I think, is definitely fine on the hiking tour.

You can book either in advance online and you can just show up but the tours do fill up, especially in the summer and over holidays.

How much is a Waterhole Canyon tour?

The regular hiking tour is $81 per adult (I think ours was $78 per person) and the photography tour is $157 per adult. You can book in advance or show up, but it may be booked up so if you know you want to do it, book ahead.

You cannot visit Waterhole Canyon without a tour. You used to be able to just get a Waterholes Canyon permit but those days are no longer.

Best time to visit Waterhole Canyon

I don’t think Waterhole Canyon gets the light beams that Antelope does so time of year doesn’t matter too much (winter will be less busy) but I would do this as close to noon as possible, starting between 11-1.

Early and late in the day may not be as dark in Waterhole Canyon as Upper Antelope and other more closed in slot canyons but I would still aim for mid-day.

Where is Waterhole Canyon?

Waterhole Canyon Experience is just an eleven minute drive from Page down Highway 89, like you were going to Horseshoe Bend . It’s just past that parking area on the left (from Page).

What to bring to Waterhole Canyon

Like Antelope X and the other slot canyons here, you can’t bring much, just water, cell phone, and camera (no tripod). No bags of any kind are allowed.

Is Waterhole Canyon worth it?

Yes! It’s a totally different color, more gold than orange, than Upper, Lower, and X and wayyyyy less busy.

Like, so much less busy since only one company does tours here. It’s pretty averagely priced for the slot canyon tours but it’s worth the higher price for fewer people.

I will admit, it’s very hard to pay so much for a hiking tour (it’s even worse for Upper Antelope), but this one is worth it.

If I was visiting Page with someone that wanted to do a slot canyon tour, I would be willing to pay for this one and Antelope X again.

Waterhole Canyon photo gallery

Have you been to Waterhole Canyon in Page? What did you think of it?

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Slot Canyon without the tour! - Water Holes Canyon

• United States    
• Arizona (AZ)    
• Page    
• Page - Things to Do    
• Water Holes Canyon

After taking an Antelope Canyon X tour, we took this tour. While Canyon X is good, Water Holes was... read more

Loved our experience at Waterhole Canyon. It was beautiful and exciting to hike through. My husband... read more

Slot Canyon without the tour!

Beautiful Slot Canyon but not without its difficulties. Not the easiest to get in and out of and also a few spots in the canyon, but we are in our 60's and did it, so it can be done. Bring extra water. The hike back on the top it hotter than the canyon. It was worth it, we would do it again. Permit fee is $12.-/person, still a lot cheaper than Antelope Canyon and no crowds. Didn't see anyone else the entire hike. Canyon points SE and had good light conditions for photos the entire morning hike.

This hike in a slot canyon was very pretty. If you want to grt away from crowds and tour groups, this is the one (you will need a permit before entering the canyon, $12pp which you get fron the Le-chee Navajo office. We never saw any other hikers, except a few cars in the parking area. It is a bit of a hike down over rocks, but once your are in the narrows of the canyon, it is an awestruck experience. It's a photographer 's dream. My husband took plenty of pics. Lighting in the midmorning was fine. We started at 9am and back to our car around Noon. The hike back was challenging walking along the sand path towards the parking area. I took one hiking stick to keep my balance and gloves. Wear long pants as you will be climbing or sliding over boulders. We took a 12 ft rope and tied knots a foot apart. Glad we did bcuz there were a few 5ft boulders to climb over. There are 2 ladders, but the trail map does not allow you to hike further past the 2nd ladder. Bring lots of water, hat, sunscreen, and snacks.

This is a fantastic hike through a beautiful slot canyon with lots of features and opportunities for pictures. We hiked a couple of days after a rain and the canyon earned its name. After passing Horseshoe Bend, drive a couple more miles out of Page and park to the left of the road just before the bridge. Enter the hikers gate and follow the path down to the edge of the canyon. After some scrambling down some rocks, you'll be on the canyon floor. Head left and it is a great hike, with the narrow section coming after about 20 minutes. The couple of ladders come in very handy if you want to hike to the end and expect to use your hands on some areas to get over some obstacles. If you hike out the upper canyon end, turn left and head back along the top of the canyon. After ten minutes or so, you can find some spots to drop back into the canyon after the ladder obstacles and hike back to the bridge. Take lots of water and enjoy this great hike. We spent a bit more than two hours here and didn't see anyone else, while there were hundreds of tourists lined up at the Antelope Canyon parking area. Very tough to get a permit, as the office was difficult to find, no one answered the phone, and the website was down.

Worth checking out...and lots of fun. However it is $12 per person for the permit...and first time finding the tribal office is not very easy.

This slot canyon is not quite as dramatic as Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon but does offer interesting hiking,photography and wildlife viewing and... you can have it to yourself. We paid the mandatory fee to enter this Navajo property and enjoyed a several hour hike seeing just one other couple. Lots of rabbits, wildflowers, and colorful rock formations. Caution: leave plenty of daylight for the return hike to your car otherwise you'll literally be in the dark through wild desert. We took the canyon in and walked along the top on our way out. As always take plenty of fluids and emergency supplies. Mostly easy walking with just a couple short steps up.

This is the only hike one is permitted to do without a guide but you must get a permit to enter. Finding the right way to start the hike is a bit tricky but after that the trail is self evident. Not as deep as Antelope Canyon nor as colorful but it's a very nice hike.

• United States

Hike through Upper Waterholes Canyon

Page, Arizona

Elevation Gain

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Josiah Roe

Stunning beams of light, corkscrews, multi-colored sandstone and stunning rock formations all without the crowds of the more well-known and popular Antelope Canyons.

Waterholes Canyon is a gorgeous slot canyon located just south of Page, Arizona that empties into Glen Canyon. The Upper Part of the Canyon is an easy, largely non-technical section that is easily accessed from Highway 89 and a clear parking turnoff on the left side of the road if you're heading South, just past Horseshoe Bend and just before the bridge over the canyon.

The Upper Canyon is on Navajo Land, while the middle and lower sections, which are technical in nature, are part of the Glenn Canyon Recreation Area. Be sure to pick up a permit to access the Upper Canyon from any of the numerous tour companies in Page for a low fee.

From the parking area, head east along the side of the canyon, following the cairns and make your way down into the canyon. From here you can follow the canyon as it winds its way east, eventually going underneath a set of powerlines and passing into the "Secret Canyon" where a ladder is bolted into the path allowing access out into the wash and out of the canyon.

On your way out instead of heading back out the exact what you came, about a quarter mile back at coordinates 36.833163, -111.501756 head right up the wall (there will be cairns) and check out "The Great Wall", a gorgeous series of ross-bedded sandstone outcrops above the canyon that almost look like The Wave .

Like any slot canyon, be careful to check the weather to avoid flash floods, which can occur even if the rain is many miles away and upstream. 

Depending on time of day the colors of the rocks can vary greatly, and even in the afternoon the steep canyon walls can require a tripod for longer exposures to get the light you want. 

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Hike through Upper Waterholes Canyon Reviews

Crystal Sibson

Beautiful Slot Canyon

Waterholes canyon is a slot canyon outside of Page, AZ. This canyon is gaining in popularity and now requires a guided. I had the luxury of exploring this canyon on my own with just a permit before guides were required. It was a beautiful and fun canyon to explore.

Katherine Haveman

Would Love To See It

Just an update that you can no longer (as of 5/6/18) hike this canyon on your own with a permit. The Navajo who own the land have decided to turn this canyon into a guided tour like many of the other canyons in the area, and tours will be starting soon for $35 per person.

Tyler McKay

Best way to avoid the crowds!

Really enjoyed this hike! It was super close to Horseshoe Bend. The trail was fairly well marked, but most importantly we only saw a handful of people when we were there. We took our time and plenty of pictures, but still took only about 3 hours. It was much cheaper and much less crowded than trying to explore Antelope Canyon.

Scott Sichler

Slots o fun

I enjoyed exploring these with my wife. We obtained our $12 permits from Tribal Parks Office next to the Leche-e Chapter House (open on weekdays). We saw some trash and graffiti in the slots. Please respect these places and leave no trace.

James Sawatzky

Water Holes FTW

Water Holes Canyon was epic. It was a little tricky finding the permit to hike, but after finally figuring out that I needed to purchase the 12 dollar permit at horseshoe bend slot canyon tours I was on my way. The best time for me was right around noon for great light beams. I went on a Monday morning and didn't see one single person during the 3 hours I spent there. Needless to say if you don't wanna wait around for a tour guide and then walk through slot canyons shoulder to shoulder with other people....go to Water Holes. You won't be disappointed.

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This Undiscovered Arizona Canyon Is A Serene Alternative To Antelope Canyon, Ideal For Family Explorations

Ever fancied a serene, intimate, and less crowded alternative to Antelope Canyon?

Well, brace yourself because we’ve got you covered.

Just off U.S. 89, near the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, awaits a wonder that rivals some of Arizona’s most celebrated natural attractions.

Waterholes Canyon is a secret gem nestled in Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park.

Here, under the azure sky, lies a Navajo-run park, a glorious home to the stunning Waterholes Canyon.

Picture yourself strolling through a slot canyon, marveling at the dramatic red sandstone walls that echo the allure of Antelope Canyon.

Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?

Get this, folks: you don’t need to be a seasoned hiker or a strapping mountain climber to explore this hidden gem.

You can leave your mountain gear at home.

The walkthrough Waterholes Canyon is a gentle one, easy on the knees and the spirit.

Perfect for a family outing, right?

The kids will love the narrow passages, and you’ll be the hero parent who brought them on an Indiana Jones-style adventure.

And the photographs?

Just remember, sunblock is your friend.

No one wants to match the red of the sandstone walls.

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper.

The mouth of Waterholes Canyon, much like its famed counterpart, is wider than its interior.

But hold on!

It saves its true charm for those who dare to venture further.

It’s like a beautifully wrapped gift that reveals its real magic only when you take the time to unwrap it.

As you get further in, you’ll find that Waterholes Canyon is like your grandmother’s lasagna – layers upon layers of surprises!

The walls close in, creating a dramatic, winding path, where the sunlight paints a symphony of colors on the rocks.

It’s a natural marvel that welcomes everyone – young, old, and those in-between!

At first glance, Waterholes Canyon might just seem like a doppelganger of Antelope Canyon.

However, that’s where the similarities end.

While Antelope Canyon has a reputation for being crowded, Waterholes Canyon is a serene oasis unknown to many.

You know, it’s like being in the world’s largest sand castle, except no one’s arguing over the bucket and spade.

We’re talking towering sandstone walls, surreal light beams, and extraordinary rock formations that are as artistically inspiring as a Picasso but without the hefty price tag.

And the best part?

You don’t have to bump elbows with a herd of tourists!

Unlike Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon is adorned with an enchanting sandstone arch.

This unique formation adds an extra touch of allure to your adventure.

Related:   Places to Visit in Arizona

Related:   Family Activities in Page, AZ

Related:   Hike to Fossil Creek in Arizona to Discover the Most Crystal Blue Creek

And that arch – it’s like Mother Nature decided, “You know what this place needs? A grand entrance!”

It’s like a welcoming hug from the planet itself. 

Just remember to tie your shoelaces tight; you wouldn’t want a tumble to be part of your adventure story, would you?

Expect to spend about an hour exploring this natural wonder.

The trail running through the canyon is just under three miles long and relatively easy, with an elevation gain of around 300 feet.

It’s an ideal adventure for families, just enough to get the heart pumping but not too strenuous.

Perfect, isn’t it?

And let’s not forget, it’s an absolute bonanza for photography enthusiasts!

This canyon is a red-rock beauty that’ll have your camera working overtime.

It’s like a supermodel of the natural world, always ready for its close-up.

And the light?

Oh, it’s a photographer’s dream!

It’s like Mother Nature herself is your personal lighting director.

Just remember to keep them away from the edge!

No need for mountain goat antics.

Bear in mind that there is a fee to enter Waterholes Canyon.

Also, all visitors must be accompanied by a Navajo tour guide.

Now, don’t let that put a damper on your spirits.

This reservation system not only enhances the canyon’s exclusivity but also aids in preserving the land for future generations.

So, it’s a win-win, really!

Think of the Navajo tour guide as your personal storyteller, regaling you with tales of this majestic canyon.

The entry fee?

Well, consider it a backstage pass to Mother Nature’s best-kept secret.

 Remember, it’s not just a canyon; it’s an adventure filled with awe-inspiring sights and sounds!

All things considered, if you’re in for an unforgettable adventure, Waterholes Canyon is your go-to place.

It’s serene, beautiful, and family-friendly.

For further information about touring the canyon, do visit the Navajo Nation Parks website or the official Navajo Parks & Recreation Facebook page .

And if you’re wondering where to find this stunning canyon, we’ve got a map right here for you.

Where : Waterhole Canyon, Page, AZ 86040

Pack your hiking boots, bring your adventurous spirit, and embark on an exploration of this Arizona gem!

So, my fellow adventurers, are you ready to explore this lesser-known marvel and create some unforgettable memories?

Home > Road Trip Itineraries > West Coast > Arizona Road Trip Itineraries > Waterholes Canyon: How to Visit This Unknown Slot Canyon in Arizona

Waterholes Canyon: How to Visit This Unknown Slot Canyon in Arizona

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Like the much better known and photographed Antelope Canyon, Waterholes Canyon is a slot canyon , which is a canyon that has been formed over the centuries through water erosion. Therefore, deeper than it is wide and this, combined with its shape, helps to create beautiful plays of light especially when the sun is perpendicular to the canyon. Until recently, unlike the aforementioned Antelope Canyon, people could explore Water Holes Canyon on their own without a guide. Now things have changed. Let’s take an in-depth look at how to include this excursion in your Arizona travel .

Where it is located?

How to plan your visit, lower water holes canyon (west), upper water holes canyon (east), secret canyon, water holes canyon guided tour, where to stay near the canyon.

Water Holes Canyon is located just south of Page and the entrance is along US-89 about 2.8 miles from Horseshoe Bend . If you are coming from the Grand Canyon (therefore, you are coming from the south), you will have to cross a bridge and then, on your right, you will find a small clearing where you can park your car . If you are coming from the north, which means you will be passing through Page, the clearing will be on your left before you reach the bridge.

To visit Water Holes Canyon you will first need to have a permit that can be purchased at the Tribal Parks Office which is located near the LeChee Chapter House, located in a small cluster of houses just outside Page. We have sent two emails to the Navajo Parks & Recreation, the local authority that manages the area, asking for official information about both the price and opening hours of the office to purchase the permit but they have not yet replied. As for the timetables on Google Maps there is a recent photo of the office and, pending confirmation, you can rely on it. As far as the price of the permit is concerned, it should be around 12-15 dollars. Once you have purchased the permit, you must leave it well exposed inside the car that you will park in the space we have described above.

Sections of Water Holes Canyon

For your convenience, we will use the aforementioned US-89 as a reference point in order to divide the canyon in two parts, the east side and the west side.

As you head westward , the canyon flows into the Colorado River , and it is in this part you will also find Waterholes Bend , which we also talked about in the article about Horseshoe Bend . Exploring this canyon requires considerable hiking expertise  and also suitable gear , because the route descends very steeply into the valley in some places. In addition, this part of the canyon is often closed , so ask the tour operator whether or not it is open.

In the eastern part, the trail is more likely to be accessible. However, the Upper Slot is not one single section. In fact,as you go further east,  you will see that it branches out into three parts:

• Middle Fork containing the Secret Canyon

In each of these sections, there are several slot canyons that can be visited on guided tours. One that is particularly recommended, if you have the chance, is Secret Canyon (also known as Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon ), whose beauty is considered by many to be comparable to that of Antelope Canyon. Secret Canyon is located in the Middle Fork, as you can see in this topographic map .

Currently, there’s only one tour operator that provides tours from Page to the Secret Canyon (or Horseshoe Bend Slot Canyon!) and most people won’t like the price tag of this tour. The name of the tour operator is Horseshoe Bend Tours . You can then contact them directly for information about this tour.

Here is some advice that may be useful in case you decide to visit the canyon. The tour operators will probably say a lot of the same things, but you might as well know what you’re getting into:

• Don’t expect any kind of facilities along the way, such as restrooms or anything else.
• It is very important that you wear suitable clothing according to the time of year in which you go, as well as a pair of hiking shoes that will help you to easily overcome the more challenging sections without possibly slipping.
• It is good to keep in mind that dangerous animals inhabit this area, such as coyotes. Because of the particular shape of slot canyons, you must watch out especially for snakes that may be found on the sides of the cliffs.

To recapitulate, you can go east on your own and you can walk along the upper slot to the point that we have indicated on the map to follow.

Once you leave your car you can drive through the gate and head towards the canyon following the path that is bounded by piles of stones (in some places they are a bit sparse and you will need to sharpen your eyesight a bit). Once you get to the edge of the canyon, keep walking until you find a more inclined wall than the others that will allow you to descend. Continue eastwards enjoying the landscape until you reach a staircase leaning against the wall. Here you will be faced with two hypotheses: continue, taking great care to stay balanced, or go back, as the part you can walk freely would still end a few hundred meters later. Still on the subject of the ladder, you may not find it intact because wear and tear can sometimes play tricks on you and replacement is not always immediate.

Water Holes Canyon is just one of the many natural wonders near Page , which is the best solution for an overnight stay if you are visiting Water Holes Canyon . To find out about recommended hotels and other accommodations in the city, read our in-depth guide.

Accommodations in Page

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

Filippo Nardelli

I have a degree in History of North America and have always been fascinated by the United States.

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1 thought on “waterholes canyon: how to visit this unknown slot canyon in arizona”.

Good morning! We are in these days in the United States for our honeymoon and we can update you on the possibility of visiting this place. The ticket can no longer be purchased at the Tribal Parks Office, but directly on site and includes a real guided tour at a cost of $ 56 per person! So if you plan to visit it, put the expense into account! Pierluigi and Gianna

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Waterholes Canyon

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There's A Canyon In Arizona That Looks Just Like Antelope Canyon, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

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Many of the most beautiful natural wonders in Arizona , such as Antelope Canyon, are also some of the most popular destinations in the state – and deservedly so! If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, however, check out Waterholes Canyon near Page. Located in Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, this red sandstone slot canyon looks strikingly similar to nearby Antelope Canyon – but far fewer people know about it.

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Check out this amazing 4K video to see what you can expect from this incredible Arizona wonder:

Please visit the Navajo Nation Parks website or the official Navajo Parks & Recreation Facebook page for more information about touring Waterholes Canyon. Not sure what to bring along for the hike of a lifetime? Check out our handy hiking trip packing list for things you can’t go without. Have you ever explored this unique canyon? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for a nearby eco-retreat in AZ that puts a whole new spin on glamping.

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Natural wonders in arizona.

Where is the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area?  

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is an absolutely jaw-dropping park filled with natural wonders galore. It can be found around Lake Powell and lower Cataract Canyon in Utah and Arizona, and it’s filled to the brim with amazing wonders you’ll never find anywhere else in the world. Some of these include:  

• Lake Powell – This gorgeous, sparkling lake is a favorite for those who enjoy watersports and the outdoors. It’s incredibly beautiful.  
• Glen Canyon – We can’t discuss the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area without mentioning Glen Canyon itself! This gorgeous canyon isn’t deep like the Grand Canyon is, but goodness, it’s beautiful.  

Learn more about the awesomeness that is Reflection Canyon, an incredible wonder within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area .  

What are some amazing natural wonders in Arizona?  

Arizona is an absolutely amazing state with so much going for it that it’s hard to decide which ones are the most amazing! They’re all amazing, including wonders like:  

• The Grand Canyon – This one’s kind of a “duh”, but come on! The Grand Canyon is one of the seven wonders of the WORLD, and we’re lucky enough to have it right here in our backyard.  
• Horseshoe Bend – This particular geological feature is every photographer’s dream.  
• Saguaro National Park – Arizona is one of the only places in the WORLD where these incredible desert giants grow and thrive.  
• Lake Powell – One of Arizona’s best lakes and a favorite among tourists and residents alike.  

Learn more about the incredibly photogenic landscapes in Arizona . 

Where is Lake Powell, and how large is it?  

Lake Powell is a reservoir located on the Colorado River right between Arizona and Utah. It’s popular with tourists and locals, and there’s always something going on. It’s 254 square miles in size and has an average depth of about 132 feet, though there are deeper points and shallower ones as well. It’s got 2,000 incredible miles of beautiful shoreline, and it’s always a welcoming sight. Learn more about Lake Powell , one of the coolest natural wonders in Arizona AND Utah.    

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Water Holes Canyon

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Water Holes Canyon - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

RamblingWest

Antelope canyon and waterholes canyon: amazing southwest slots.

Close quarters in Waterholes Canyon…

On an Antelope Canyon photography tour you are guided around in a tight pack, told exactly where to stand (or where to crouch, as is often the case), and told exactly what to photograph before moving onto the next composition. All of this occurs while crowds of non-photo tourists are held out of frame for the time it takes to release the shutter before they are released to continue pulsing through the narrow canyon. It is a strictly managed, totally “on rails” ride-experience swarming with people. And it is totally worth it…

The absolutely breathtaking Antelope Canyon…

Sculpted walls of Waterholes Canyon…

So, on one of my travels through Page in March of 2015, I stopped in at the Powell Museum and booked an antelope canyon photo tour for early June when the light beams would be at their peak. The museum has a partnership with some of the more reputable tour groups in Page and is a good place to book. It was just my luck that I happened to nab one of the last available tour dates as June tours usually fill up 6 months in advance.

Typical vista in Antelope Canyon…

Months went by and on the morning of my scheduled tour I was running late from Zion due to the fact that I had misplaced my camera coming out of the Narrows. This setback took a few harried hours to clear up and by the time I reached Page I had missed my tour. The outfitter I had booked through the Powell Museum, Ekis’ Antelope Canyon Adventures , told me there were no photo-tour spots available for the rest of the summer. Out of luck. I still wanted to see Antelope Canyon so I drove up the road to try a last-minute booking at another outfitter.

I ended up taking a chance on the roadside Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours stop just east of the power plant along the 98. As it happened they had a prime photo-tour spot available the next day and could fit me in. I happily paid up and spent the rest of the afternoon driving out to Alstrom Point to watch the sun set. That evening I made sure all my photo-gear was good to go for the next day…

I arrived at Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours the following morning around 11:15 and ended up in an SUV along with two middle-aged men from the midwest and a French couple. Our Navajo guide gave us a rundown of what to expect and we piled into the truck and headed down Antelope Wash. On the approach our driver alternated between driving normally and suddenly jamming down on the accelerator to slalom back and forth in the sand for fun. It was an odd ride. All around us were other SUVs and jeeps from other outfitters, everyone kicking up sand and racing through the desert to the same location like a scene out of Mad Max.

Look Up: One of the pre-designated compositions in Antelope…

Arriving at the entrance to the canyon there were about 50 other parked vehicles and throngs of people at the entrance to the canyon – a narrow crack in the wall that headed off the wash. Our guide gave a small informational speech that he had clearly given a thousand times before – indicating that we should keep our tripod footprints as small as possible and do more or less exactly what he says. He was adamant that he would fight for us to get the best pictures possible and it was clear he took pride in that fact. With that we headed into the canyon. Once inside, the guide went into action amidst the hundreds of people and other guided groups.

The tour went like this: At a quick pace, we were guided around in a huddled group and led to pre-determined compositions. The guide told us exactly where to plant our tripods depending on lens and sensor type, even going so far as to dictate horizontal or vertical framing (which is the only real aspect of creative control you have).

Every turn in Antelope provides stunning natural light…

Antelope Grooves…

As we crouched shoulder to shoulder with our lenses nearly touching, our guide, sometimes coordinating with other guides, held back crowds and tossed dust into the air to bring out the light-beams. As noted elsewhere online, the precisely guided nature of these photo tours explains why most of the photos from Antelope Canyon look the same .

Nature providing a cinematic look…

Guide-flung dust disappears in the light…

The Dragons Lair: incredible light in Antelope Canyon…

Other tour operators constantly accused our guide of taking too much time in one place or monopolizing various other areas. He was extremely aggressive in eking out space for our group and bore the brunt of their criticism, calmly shaking off their complaints. He really did fight for us to get as much precious time and space in that canyon as possible. In fact, he often muscled out the very tour operation I had booked with through the Powell Museum months before.

Within 45 minutes our tour ended and we headed back towards the head of the canyon. I was left wondering what more there was to see, as it was evident from the echoes of the crowd that there was more going on further down. It is up to the discretion of the guide just where you go and what you see so in that respect multiple visits can be different.

A hike in Waterholes Canyon…

The next day, having finally visited Antelope, I decided to check out what is essentially its foil: Waterholes Canyon. The accessible section of Waterholes is a short – and at the moment quiet – slot canyon that can can be hiked in solitude with a $12 backcountry permit. It features sculpted and fluted sandstone canyon vistas reminiscent of Antelope – but without huge crowds. With your permit you may spend hours inside, but are required to stay within a designated zone – deeper exploration of the area is off limits unless guided.

The permitted area of Waterholes is certainly not as deep, narrow or picturesque as Antelope, but being able to walk around freely as the light changes is worth the trip and will yield images with much the same feel. It also suggests the extent to which the surrounding area is punctuated by these beautiful narrow slots.

End of the Waterholes east narrows. Up the ladder to continue to the powerlines…

The “trailhead” to Waterholes is right off the 89 on the east side of the road, south of Horseshoe Bend. After a short and steep descent you arrive in the bottom of the wash. To your west the canyon heads downstream under the 89 overpass to meet the Colorado River in Glen Canyon. If you head down under the bridge you can find the remains of a car that is now crushed into the bottom of the canyon. Apparently this whole western section of Waterholes was once accessible to technical canyoneers but I am not sure of its status now – I would love to canyoneer it to the Colorado and then packraft down to Lees Ferry…I may have to look into that.

Sandstone Texture…

Anyways, the section of Waterholes to the east of the overpass is currently permitted, with instructions to go no further than the power lines that cross the wash a mile or so down. It is in this section that you will find pretty sections of short narrows. The narrows abruptly end at a ladder and if you continue up the ladder the canyon opens up again until the power lines. Here you can turn around and head back to your car.

Chutes and Ladders…

Waterholes gets narrow…

Twists and turns on a waterholes hike…

[iframe src=”http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?q=http://www.johnniehuss.com/misc/kml/antelopeWaterholes_rw_map.kml&t=t1&z=12&” width=”100%” height=”400″] ::: Download Trip KML :::

Rating: ★★★★★ Distance: ~2.5 miles for Waterholes, under 1 mile for Antelope… Time Needed: 45 minutes to 4 hours for Waterholes depending on how long you want to enjoy it. An Antelope Tour from start to finish is under 3 hours… Difficulty: Easy

Special Considerations: Lower Antelope Canyon: Book your trip far out in advance (6 months). Both outfitters mentioned in this writeup are great choices – but I might try to go through the Powell Museum first. If you are interested in getting the best pictures possible you will want to book your trip for Lower Antelope Canyon for early to mid June when the light beams are best and aim to get on a tour that enters the canyon at around 11:30 or 11:45. This way you will take best advantage of the light. I have not been in Upper Antelope Canyon but the gist is that it is slightly less photographic but still worth the trip. I intend to visit in the future. Waterholes: I have been to waterholes twice, both at around noon and also later in the day. In my experience, Waterholes is most photographic around 3pm or 4pm in early June – when the light hits at an angle and bounces around in the narrow channels. A fantastic day of slot photography could be had by booking an Antelope Photo tour for around 11:30 and then heading down the road a few hours later to Waterholes to round out the afternoon.

Photo Tips: Dust abounds in Antelope. Tourists kick it up, guides literally throw it into the air. If the possibilty of dust on or in your camera concerns you then you might want to bring a plastic bag to cover the camera body in. Also useful is a blower of some sort to clean the lens off in between exposures…as fine dust will settle on it. I did not bring a cover for my camera and it was fine – but I am not one to baby my gear so your mileage may vary. A cable or remote release as well as a tripod are essential. For Waterholes canyon you can ignore the dust warning…the experience is much more within your control. I do not recall using a polarizer for the above images.

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antelope canyon

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I’ve been to Upper Antelope twice and Lower Antelope 5 times. I have to disagree with your assessment of them both. Upper Antelope is the more popular/famous of the two and is extremely photogenic. However a tripod is necessary to adequately capture its beauty because the canyon walls are higher and the canyon much darker than lower Antelope. In both canyons, you have to pay extra to carry a tripod. The famous light beams are only seen in Upper Antelope. You certainly get incredible light bouncing off the canyon walls in Lower Antelope but not light beams. Your advice for time of year and time of day is accurate for Upper Antelope. Personally, I prefer Lower Antelope because it’s not as dark and you can get great photos without a tripod. In fact, I believe you’re able to get more interesting angles going strictly hand held. I also suggest timing a visit in Dec/Jan/Feb. Chances are you can walk up without a reservation and begin your (guided) tour almost immediately. Again, if you’re visiting Lower Antelope, since it gets NO light beams it doesn’t matter the time of year. I’ve put Waterholes Canyon on my list though. Haven’t seen it yet. I recently took the multi-canyon tour offered by Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours that includes Owl,Mountain Sheep, and Rattlesnake canyons. Very cool. Especially Rattlesnake Canyon which is much like Lower Antelope Canyon. And it was just me, my hiking buddy, and our guide the entire tour. Our guide didn’t move until we were ready to move. Doesn’t get much better.

Hi Gary! You are correct in that I mistakenly swapped names – I visited UPPER Antelope Canyon, the more popular one. Not lower. Lower has the staircases and does not experience the light beams as you noted. I have never been to lower. I’ll need to correct my write-up – which, again, should be referring to Upper. Otherwise, my assessment stands on the experience – in June it’s crowded but worth it. I’ve been in slot canyons all over the West, both technical and not, and Antelope is not to be missed. I’ll have to try the multi-canyon tour offered by Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours the next time I’m through Page. As I mentioned I used their guide service on a whim but I really thought they did a good job. Happy trails!

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Waterholes Canyon

Top ways to experience Waterholes Canyon and nearby attractions

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WATERHOLES CANYON: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Waterholes Canyon is an amazing technical slot canyon located just south of Page, Arizona. The upper part of Waterholes Canyon lays on the Navajo Reservation above the rim of Glen Canyon. The lower sections empties out into the canyon to the Colorado River, which is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area . In 4 miles, this canyon drops 1500 feet through the Page Sandstone (a lateral variation of the Navajo Sandstone )in Glen Canyon. Waterholes is an amazing canyon for numerous reasons. One is that it looks almost like Antelope Canyon , which is only 8 miles away, but the lack of crowds make Waterholes alot nicer. It is also a very technical canyon. While you don't have to build your own anchors, there are 15+ rappels (depending upon how you count them). Lots of stemming is required with some impossibly narrow sections. Swimming is required in a few sections as well. Then the coolest thing, the crux- a 300 ft rappel over featureless sandstone. If you do this rappel, then you are committed and have to float the Colorado River to Lees Ferry for 4 miles or catch a ride on a boat somehow. If you are an avid canyoneer, just getting started, or looking for photo opportunities minus the crowds, there are options for you. Waterholes Canyon is divided into three sections: Upper, Middle and Lower. Upper Waterholes is very photogenic and offers easy hiking with a little bit of climbing. Middle Waterholes offers around 5 rappels and is often the location of many canyoneering classes. Lower Waterholes has the "Big Drop", the 300ft rappel it also has swimming sections along with the narrowest section of the canyon. What to Bring: No technical gear is needed for Upper Waterholes. A small rope might be useful for one section (see route beta). For Middle Waterholes, bring a 60m rope, rappelling gear, helmets, and extra webbing. For Lower Waterholes, bring two 60m ropes, helmet, lots of webbing, dry bags, wetsuits (would be helpful earlier in the year), headlamps (there are some dark sections, but you can get by without), ascending gear, personal anchors and lots of food and water. We brought inflatable kayaks and paddles into the canyon- I really don't recommend a repeat of that. Be sure to bring a knife too. In many parts, especially on the big rappel, there is lots of old webbing and rope. If you bring a knife you can cut away these "rats nests".

• Upper Waterholes- 2A II

Upper Waterholes is the least technical section of this canyon. Upper Waterholes is considered anything above Waterholes Bridge. Although these are the least technical sections of the canyons, there are some of the most photogenic. To get into the canyon, you have to walk about about a quarter mile along the rim. Cairns dot the trail here and there. Once in the canyon, you can either hike upwards or go downwards towards Middle and Lower Waterholes. If you're just here to hike Upper Waterholes, then I would recommend checking out something called the "Great Wall". The Great Wall has some amazing cross-bedded sandstone outcrops above the canyon that almost look like the Wave . These are located about .50 miles from the Waterholes Parking area. If you are looking to do Lower and Middle Waterholes, just head down canyon. However, if you are here for the upper section, there are some things you need to know.

From top to bottom- A large wash sits above the slot canyon part of Upper Waterholes and it gets narrow pretty fast. These are some tall, photogenic slots in here. There is some downclimbing/climbing to be done here. There are a few tight sections that have slopping dry falls. One of them is fairly hard, but with another person there to assist you, it can be climbed or downclimbed fairly easy. This section then ends and opens up into a wider part. Then, the canyon becomes quite narrow- the narrowest parts of Upper Waterholes. The winding slot continues for sometime and then you reach a 15ft slopping dry fall. One could just slide down, but its a little high to do that. We used a meat anchor (just wrapped the rope around someone and put them around the corner of the canyon). Once we were down, the other person slide down while we spotted. The canyon from here on is still pretty tight for a few and then opens up again to the part where you would enter if you were doing Lower/Middle Waterholes. Parts of this section could have water, but if there is, its only enough to get your feet wet.

• Middle Waterholes- 3A II-     Updated 11/14/13 to reflect current conditions!

Middle Waterholes, as said before, begins after the Waterholes Bridge. The first difficulty is just after the bridge and its downclimbing from the wedged car under the bridge-its just awkward. The going is a little easier after that as you walk the narrow slots that open and close repeatedly. Rappel 1 is around 20 feet. It is kind of awkward because two sets of bolts have been cut. Now, there is a single bolt standing up directly over the rappel and you just have to rap the bolt with your rope. As you go down, make sure tension stays on the rope otherwise it will come off. The two times that I have been, there was a dinky yellow rope in place. After this rappel, the slot opens and closes up again. The going is still pretty easy

Rappel 2 is the biggest rappel in Middle Waterholes. Its a good idea to bring a personal anchor for this because the bolts (on your left) are perched right on a sloping ledge over the drop off. This rappel is around 60ft (18m) and is overhung. Water could be at the base of this rappel because its a small keeper pot hole. The first two times I did Middle Waterholes there was moisture/mud, but no water. The third time (November 2011) it was filled to the brim and was a swimmer. If this is the case, you can avoid it if you want!!! Instead of doing the 60ft rappel in the canyon proper, you can hike out to the right to an alternate set of anchors. There is one set higher up that if you use them, you have to veer to the canyoneers right to another set of anchors on a nice platform (30ft). From here, its around 85 feet to the bottom. Once again, I would only use this rappel if you are trying to avoid the keeper pot hole when its full of water. Update : The keeper pot hole at the bottom is now about 13ft deep! (2.5 m)! It is very hard to escape! A pack toss or pot shot is needed to get a rope up there. There is lots of mud in the bottom too making the task of getting out even harder. I would almost just plan on doing the alternate rappel on canyoneers right to avoid this (no update on the anchors for that rappel).

Rappel 3 is a short rappel soon after rappel 2. The anchors are higher up on the wall on the right. An personal anchor might be good here. This rappel is only 25ft.

Rappel 4 is a fun rappel and the last rappel in Middle Waterholes. The canyon opens up dramatically at this rappel. You walk out on to a small ledge hugging the canyon wall. Large bolts and hangers are on the wall on the right. This rappel is around 25ft on a sloping wall- you can go really fast here. The rappel used to be around 40ft, but floods in the summer of 2103 made this drop shorter.

Update: There are three more rappels after rappel 4 as of 11/14/13. The first one is above where the "cruxy" down-climb used to be. It is a massive chokestone with webbing around the pinch point between the boulder and the wall. This one is around 20 ft (6 m) high. The next is a two stage, 25 ft (7.5 m) drop that is fairly difficult to rappel. Webbing is found on a small choke-stone (unnerving) on the left. Something needs to be down to improve this anchor (deadman?). After this, the canyon takes a 90 degree turn to the left and a 10 ft (3 m) climb is required to get to the top of the next drop. This drop is about the same height, 10 ft (3m) and can either be down-climbed or rappel (using bolts on canyon left). The canyon opens dramatically right after this and takes a sharp right.  Shortly after this is the escape route out on the right. You can't miss the route-its the only way to get out of this lower part and its pretty obvious. Cairns mark the route up. If you reach another set of narrows and potholes you have gone to far, stop! (unless you are doing Lower Waterholes). Some parts are pretty loose so be careful of rock fall. The crux of the climb out comes towards the top. There is a decent amount of exposure and there is a piece of webbing to aid your climb in this spot. The climbing doesn't exceed low 4th class. After this, you pop out on the top of the canyon. Just follow the canyon rim east and you will eventually reach Waterholes Bridge.

• Lower Waterholes- 4B IV (if doing Middle Waterholes)

This is now the point of no return. Committing to this section is an arduous undergoing. From here, you have hard down climbing, a 300ft multi-pitch rappel (or single rappel if you have a 300ft rope), and you have to float the Colorado River for 4 miles to get to Lees Ferry. You can leave your ropes and jumar up on the return. Make sure you are properly equipped to do this section!! From the escape route out, head up on to the cliff bands above the slot. You could follow the slot in this place, but its a little faster to bypass this section due to a keeper pot hole and some awkward climbing. Cairns indicate when you enter into the canyon again. This section requires lots of stemming. There are bolts in one spot to prevent one from failing in a huge keeper pot hole that is some 20 or so feet deep. Shortly after this, the canyon gets very very tight and drops around 25feet. This is the narrowest canyon I have ever been in. There is hardly enough room to squeeze through. This part looks daunting at first, especially with the drop, however, stemming here is pretty easy. There is no way you can keep your pack on and there is hardly room to even pull it through.

Rappel 5 is an easy rappel of about 15 feet. Bolts are found just above the rappel on the right (?). Some people downclimb it, but I think it iis better to rappel it. It was really dirty when we were there with mud from floods, which would make downclimbng somewhat hazardous. Shortly after this, there is a small, natural arch with a slopping downclimb into it.

This is the part of the canyon where you get to get wet! The canyon stays narrow after this and one has to deal with a waist deep pool. We had one friend that was able to stem over it, but most of us just gave up and went through it. Another water section ensues. On this one, everyone might get wet. This was about chest deep and pretty cold. Once again, one of friends was able to get through without getting wet, but it was a work of art to say the least. Another water section comes right after this one. On this one, at least one person has to get wet. There are bolts on either side of this deep pool (you have to swim if you go in the water and it is cold!). We rigged up a little zip line to cross, which worked out wonderfully. After this one, the canyon begins to open up.

Rappel 6 comes right after this last pool. The bolts are up on the right side of the wall close to the ledge. In order to get there, you can either hug the little ledge with your toes or slide into a little curved dryfall. At least one person needs to go on the ledge to get to the anchors. Once the anchors are set up, that person can then lower themselves down with a little handline and start the rappel. This rappel slopes along a dry (sometimes moist) 50ft wall.

Rappel 7 comes right after Rappel 5. This is the top part of the big rappel. If you plan on ascending your ropes back to the escape route, don't do this rappel!!! The bolts for this rappel can be found on a block on the right overlooking a narrow slot. This rappel is tricky because it is in a whirling, tight slot. This rappel is around 60 feet. Important: stay on rappel at the end of rappel 7. The bottom of rappel 7 is very, very tight and there is hardly any room to move. The big rappel starts here!! In this very tight section, there is an array of bolts, pitons and other anchor gear. Don't even use them!! Stay on rappel and go over the ledge to a set two bolts with alot of webbing. If you do this, rope maintenance will be alot easier and you will be able to re-direct your ropes to avoid the rope eating crack! The only downside is that these hangers are just over the lip of the big rappel so you have 300ft of exposure below as you hang.

Rappel 8 (first rappel of the multi-pitch) is a difficult rappel because one has to contend with the rope eating crack. Your probably thinking "oh I can avoid it"...good luck. While hanging on the previously mention anchors, make sure your ropes are in order (this is where you need to tie the two 60m ropes together!). We had poor rope maintenance and almost lost our ropes. What works better is to have the first person go down and feed the ropes out (you can do this by coiling the rope on a webbing, in a rope bag or in your pack). If you drop the ropes from the top, they will end up in the rope eating crack one way or another and then you are screwed. This rappel is 150ft. There is a little bulge maybe 130ft down and if you look right (canyoneers right), you will see some plants growing in the middle of the wall and a bunch of bolts and anchors. You now need to do a pendulum over to those anchors-its easy. Or you could just veer right as soon as the rope eating crack ends. This is another hanging belay. "Hang out here" until you partners join you. Be very careful pulling your ropes!

Rappel 9 (second rappel of the multi-pitch) obviously comes directly after rappel 8. Once again, using good rope maintenance, redirect your ropes and set up this rappel. This rappel is around 180ft and is fairly easy. The bottom is a little overhung and you just have to lower yourself.

A few pointers about the big rappel... Leave yourself a big chunk of time to do this rappel, it takes awhile. A good idea is to hang your packs with webbing off of your harness. If you don't, then you will be exhausted by the end of this rappel because it takes alot of effort to support your weight and your packs weight while hanging or rappeling on a big wall. Have no more then 4 people for this part! Having more then 4 people on these anchors is a big hassle and makes life alot harder. Everyone in the group needs to have third hands . Some people have done the big rappel with one rope (see the link for "Latest Rave Canyoneering"). Also, there is said to be another route to the climbers left of the big rappel that enables one to only use one 60m rope. You can see some of these anchors up on the wall still, but I don't have good beta for that.

Rappel 10 is about 100 yards past the big rappel. There is webbing around a boulder on the left above the canyon. It is possibly to downclimb this one via a little hand line at a dryfall. This rappel is around 25ft

Rappel 11 another small rappel with a fixed line comes after this one next to a seep. The bolts are on the left. The rope was in good condition when we were there-just a little hard to get through our belay devices.

Rappel 12 is the last rappel! Two pitons (yikes!!) are located on the right of a huge sandstone ledge. The pitons are solid and were the only anchors when we were there. This rappel is almost around 80ft and slopes unevenly down to the canyon floor. From here, just follow the canyon until you reach the Colorado River. Its about a mile and a half to the river from here.

To hike/canyoneer Waterholes Canyon, a permit is required due to the fact that the upper portion is on Navajo Land. The permit is $5 per person and can be obtained at tribal offices either in Page or Cameron. Click HERE for more information about that. Some people decided not to use permits, which is a possibility due to the fact that permits are not frequently checked. Obtaining a permit before is recommended though.

Also, if doing the whole canyon, you will need to find a way to reach Lees Ferry along the Colorado River from the base of Waterholes Canyon. You could hike along the side, but it is rugged and cliffs out in spots. If you get to the river early enough, you could flag down a boat and ask for a ride. Do NOT try and float the river without a raft of some sort due to the fact that the water is frigid year round due to the fact it comes out from the bottom of Lake Powell. Many people bring rafts or arrange for someone to pick them up at the river. Rafts are the most popular. As far as driving, you could have someone drop you off at the top and then leave a car at Lees Ferry. What we did is we drove two cars up from Flagstaff, parked one at Lees Ferry, drove the other to the top of the canyon. It was alot of driving, but thats one of the easiest ways to do it.

Camping can be done anywhere in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Lee's Ferry is one of the closest camping areas. Established campgrounds can be found around Lake Powell as well. Also, primitive camping around the lake is possible as well. For information about camping in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, click HERE . Camping can also be done on Navajo Land with a small fee. Click HERE for more information about that. The Grand Staircase of the Escalante National Monument isn't too far away either, click HERE for more information about that.

• Getting There

To Waterholes Bridge: - From Page : Take Hwy 89 South for just over 6 miles. Park on the left side just before the bride. From Flagstaf : Head north on 89 for around 128 miles. Don't take turn on 89A, which crosses Marble Canyon. Go through the gap. If you get to the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead you have gone to far. The canyon is easy to miss from this direction. Just look for a bridge crossing a slot canyon and then park just after the bridge. To Lees Ferry: You will need to know how to get here if your going all the way with this canyon. From Page- Head south on 89 and just before Bitter Springs you will reach the junction with 89A. Take a right and follow 89A across Marble Canyon (Navajo Bridge) and follow sings to Lees Ferry (Glen Canyon NRA). Follow this till you reach the marina. From Flagstaff- Take 89 north, turn left on to 89A just after Bitter Springs. Follow the same as above

• External Links

Current Weather Conditions The current weather for Waterholes Canyon as provided by NOAA. DO NOT attempt this canyon with chance of rain due to the fact that the flash flood potential is so high, as with any slot canyon. Latest Rave Canyoneering One of the best resources for Waterholes Canyon on the internet Grand Canyoneering Todd Martian's comprehensive guide to canyoneering in the Grand Canyon region. This is the best information available for Waterholes Canyon in a guidebook. America Southwest Good information on Waterholes, but it lacks most of the technical beta needed. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Lots of information about the area. Navajo Parks and Recreation Information about permits and other canyons on the Navajo Reservation. Technical Slot Canyon Guide to the Colorado Plateau Michael Kelsey's Canyoneering book. His book is amazing for most slot canyons, but not for waterholes. He hasn't done the big rappel yet so any information after that isn't entirely accurate. Even with him not doing the whole canyon, its the best information about Lower Waterholes available in stores. Canyoneering Arizona Tyler Williams guide to many of Arizona's Canyon. He have good information about Upper and Middle Waterholes, but his information about Lower Waterholes is very vague.

• Misc and Disclaimer

If you have any more additional information or photos, please contact me or add them to this page. This canyon is a very arduous undertaking. While I can provide lots of information about the canyon, flash floods always rearrange slot canyons and I cannot guarantee the information will be up to date. Always check for current conditions and go prepared for the worst. New beta will be posted as necessary. Thank you!

View Waterholes Canyon Image Gallery - 84 Images

• Canyons in Arizona

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

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Waterhole Canyon Experience

Navajo family owned and operated, offering guided tours through the slot canyon known as Waterhole Canyon. Located on Navajo Nation is a beautiful slot canyon waiting to be discovered, without the large crowds. Choose from a hiking, photography, or specialty tour. Reservations are recommended.

• (928) 660-2031

• State Route 89, Milepost 541.5
• Page, AZ  86040