No Dogs Allowed at Antelope Canyon: Try These Pet-Friendly Alternatives!
A lot of us love road-tripping with our four-legged co-pilots, so it’s not a surprise to hear that a lot of people wonder if Antelope Canyon is dog-friendly.
For a variety of reasons, no section of Antelope Canyon allows dogs.
Key Info on Pets at Antelope Canyon
- No pets of any kind are allowed.
- This goes for Upper Antelope, Lower Antelope, Antelope X, and Cardiac Canyon.
- Service dogs and therapy dogs are also not permitted.
- You need a guided tour to visit any portion of the canyon.
➡️ Book Upper Antelope Canyon Tour
Why Dogs Are Not Allowed at Antelope Canyon
First, for basic hygiene and environmental reasons, dogs are not allowed to walk through the slot canyons.
Plus, the canyon operators point out: not everyone is comfortable with dogs. Others have severe allergies, and you’ll be in pretty tight quarters at some spots without a lot of airflow.
In addition, Upper Antelope Canyon requires an open-air jeep or truck ride from the city of Page out to the entrance of the canyon. Adding dogs to the jeep presents safety and liability issues.
At Lower Antelope Canyon, it would be physically nearly impossible to take a dog on the tour. It begins with a climb down a fairly steep set of steps, and there are some ladders you’ll scale inside. They’re manageable for most people, but it would take a special K9 to perform those maneuvers!
Take Your Dog to Horseshoe Bend
Dogs are allowed at Horseshoe Bend, where you’ll find one of the most iconic viewpoints in the southwest.
- Leash Requirement: All dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, both for their safety (due to steep cliffs) and the safety of other visitors. The cliffside is lengthy, with a lot of jagged rocks, and the cliff is a direct plunge into the Colorado River canyon below.
- Clean Up After Your Dog: Owners are responsible for cleaning up their pet’s waste. You’ll usually find poop bags in a dispenser along the trail, but it’s always best to bring your own.
- Heat Caution: The trail to Horseshoe Bend can get extremely hot, especially during summer months. Bring plenty of water for your dog, and avoid hiking during the heat of the day. Be mindful of the hot sand and rock, which can burn your dog’s paws.
- No Water Sources: I’m adding this for emphasis. There are no water sources along the trail, so it’s important to bring enough for both you and your dog.
- Watch for Storms: During the summer monsoon season, storms can roll in quickly. A couple people got hit by lightning in 2024 out near the viewpoint.
Visit Another Pet-Friendly Canyon: Wire Pass
While dogs aren’t allowed at Antelope Canyon, you can bring them to another slot canyon outside the city of Page, AZ. The Wire Pass Trailhead is on BLM land an hour west of Page.
The road (House Rock Valley Road) conditions vary over the course of the year. You might find it smooth and easy to navigate, or you might find it with big rocky ruts.
The trailhead leads to a towering slot canyon, which you don’t need a guide or reservation for, which is both family and dog-friendly. The one caveat to that is: there’s a ladder at one point you’ll have to climb down. It’s short, and depending on the most recent flood to come through, it might be easy enough for your dog to just hop down on its own.
You will need a day pass, and the cost is $6 per person, and per dog.
- Leash Requirement: Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Permits: Just like human visitors, dogs need to be accounted for in your day-use permit or backcountry permit.
- Heat Considerations: This region can get extremely hot, especially in the summer. Make sure to bring plenty of water for your dog and be aware of the temperature of the ground, which can burn their paws.
- Waste Disposal: Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs and packing out any waste.
- Safety: Be cautious with flash flooding risks in the slot canyons, which can be dangerous for both you and your pet. Too often, tourists get caught by floodwaters in the slot canyons in northern Arizona and southern Utah.
The Most Adventurous Alternative: White Pocket
White Pocket is an incredible, off-the-beaten-path destination for adventurous dogs and their owners, but preparation is key due to the harsh and isolated conditions!
First, you’ll definitely need a 4×4 to get to White Pocket any time of year. There are sand ruts when it’s dry and mud ruts when it’s wet.
It’s worth the extra hassle to visit, since the scenery is truly unique.
- Leash Requirement: Dogs are supposed to remain leashed at White Pocket.
- Permits: No permits are currently required for day visits to White Pocket, but that’s likely to be changing.
- Water and Heat: White Pocket is extremely remote, and temperatures can soar in the summer. Bring plenty of water for both you and your dog, as there are no water sources available.
- Waste: As a Leave No Trace area, all dog waste must be packed out. There are minimal trash facilities at White Pocket, so plan to carry everything with you.
- Safety: The roads to White Pocket are very rugged and often require a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle. Make sure your dog is comfortable with bumpy rides and the remoteness of the area, as you’ll be far from any services.
Dog Road Trip to Alstrom Point
Alstrom Point offers spectacular views of Lake Powell and is a great spot for adventurous dogs, but make sure to prepare for the remote and rugged conditions!
- Leash Requirement: Alstrom Point has steep cliffs, so leashing your dog is a good idea.
- No Permits Required: There are no permits needed to visit Alstrom Point, so you don’t need to worry about additional paperwork for bringing your dog along.
- Water and Heat: The area around Alstrom Point is very exposed, with little to no shade and no water sources. Bring plenty of water for your dog, and be mindful of the high temperatures, especially in summer.
- Waste: Pack out all dog waste. There are no facilities at Alstrom Point.
- Rough Roads: The road to Alstrom Point is rough, requiring a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Pet-Friendly Spots in Page
If you’re in Page, and don’t want to drive far, there are a few more dog-friendly options nearby.
Glen Canyon Dam Overlook
The Glen Canyon Dam Overlook is right in Page. You’ll find great views of the Colorado River and the massive Glen Canyon Dam.
Definitely keep your dog on a leash here, since there’s a steep ledge/cliff (just like Horseshoe Bend).
It’s a small hike/walk from the parking lot down to the overlook.
Skylight Arch
Skylight Arch is outside of Page, which includes a dog-friendly hike out to a natural rock arch formation and panoramic view of Lake Powell.
The arch has a “skylight” opening in its structure, making it a beautiful spot for photography, especially at sunset.
The drive and hike to Skylight Arch is slightly off the beaten path, and requires minimal off-road driving.
Stud Horse Point
You’ll find Stud Horse Point on the way to Skylight Arch, outside Page. It’s rocky and steep, so I’m not sure if your dog will enjoy it, but the views are cool!
It’s a great spot to find towering hoodoos and panoramic views of the desert landscape without a crowd.
