Antelope Ridge Adventure Park: A Unique Way to Visit Antelope Canyon
Antelope Ridge is the newest, and perhaps most unique, way to visit Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ.
The slot canyon, carved over time by wind and water through Navajo Sandstone, is world-famous for its wavy, bright orange walls.
Sections of Antelope Canyon are open to visitors, but only those who book tours with guides.
Basics on Antelope Ridge
- Tours combine climbing, rappelling, and canyon hiking.
- It’s home to the world’s first via ferrata experience inside a slot canyon.
- No experience necessary to rappel.
- They’ll provide all the gear (and safety equipment) needed.
Booking Antelope Ridge Adventure Park
Book in advance, because tour groups are limited to 8 people.
➡️ Click to Book: Antelope Ridge
Getting to Antelope Ridge Adventure Park
The entrance to Antelope Ridge is in the small Navajo community of Lechee, which is a few miles south of Page, AZ.
There’s a parking lot, and a few basic structures for checking in and gear fitting.
Gear and Guides at Antelope Ridge
The tours are guided by experienced staff, who I found remarkably patient. I’m not sure if I’d have the patience to constantly teach people how to rappel (based on what it took for me to both figure it out and fight my fear of heights).
They have all the necessary safety gear on side: the harness, ropes, helmet, etc.
You’ll go over a full briefing and tutorial before walking out to the platform for your first drop!
They limit the tours to 8 people total, so you’ll get plenty of personalized guidance.
There’s an age requirement of 9 and older, and a minimum height of 52 inches. It’s mostly because your legs have to be long enough to span the rungs on the via ferrata section of the experience.
Rappelling Down into Antelope Canyon
The tour includes three rappels into different parts of the canyon.
I do have to say: for my very first time even considering rappelling, they made it very easy. With an extra safety device added to the typical rappelling harness and ropes, I felt secure leaning back and starting my descent.
The third rappel is the steepest, around 70-feet. By that point, even beginners will be used to the drill (and growing used to the height).
The Via Ferrata (Rungs in the Rocks)
A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is a climbing route that uses fixed metal rungs, ladders, and cables drilled into the rock to help people climb safely.
At Antelope Adventure Park, you’ll scale a series of rebar rungs secured in the walls at different parts of the tour.
Your rappelling harness includes metal safety clips, which you’ll slide along steel cables as you climb. You’ll never be climbing freely without a safety net.
The rungs will carry you horizontally across the walls, through narrow slots, about 30-40 feet above the canyon floor.
Other times, you’ll be climbing the rungs vertically. For me, this was the most challenging “mind of manner” part of the experience at Antelope Ridge!
Throughout the tour, you’ll stop in different chambers in the canyon to admire the naturally-carved walls, shadows, and shapes in the ceilings above.
The whole thing is about a mile long, including the hike back to the trailhead.
The Zipline over Antelope Canyon
Pictures to come! A zipline is in development at Antelope Ridge, set to open in 2026.
Photographers Welcome
There are restrictions at Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon when it comes to photography.
Video is strictly prohibited at Lower Antelope.
Still photography is rushed at both locations. Upper Antelope’s tours have been reduced from 50 minutes down to 30 (in order to accommodate more groups).
At Antelope Ridge, it can be challenging to carry photography gear (because you’ll be rappelling and scaling the walls through tight parts of the slot canyon). Still, the guides are more patient, and you’ll have far more time to get the perfect shot!
What to Bring
Parts of the Via Ferrata course are very narrow! Your body will barely have enough space to fit through, making it tough to carry extra bags.
Cellphones should be secured on a lanyard, since there are a few places that I think they’d be irretrievable if dropped.
I’d also suggest bringing water in the summer (also secured somehow).
A Few Words of Warning
After experiencing the tour, I can agree that it’s fine for beginners and first-timers. Plus, while I don’t love heights, it was manageable.
For people with a fear of heights, the rappelling might be too much. Plus, some of the vertical climbing might cause you to freeze.
People prone to claustrophobia aren’t candidates for a visit either.
Also, be aware that some of the passages are only about a foot wide. So heavier-set people might struggle to squeeze through.
Antelope Ridge Adventure Park is more of a physical challenge. If you’re looking for a slower experience, there are plenty of other options in other parts of Antelope Canyon.
The Backstory Behind Antelope Ridge
Theo and Nicole Martin, natives of the Page area, came up with the idea for Antelope Ridge years ago. It took about five years to go through the permitting process and construction to open in the summer of 2024.
“It’s more heart-pumping with more adrenaline involved. We wanted to create more of a unique, exciting, and adventurous experience for people,” Theo said.
Theo grew up in the neighborhood across the street from the park, so the canyon was his backyard playground. His Navajo ancestors have lived on the land for centuries.
“If you can climb a ladder, you can do this experience,” he said, adding, “If you’re afraid of heights, it’s a good place to conquer the fears thanks to the safety system we use.”
“You’ll see the same rock formations as other parts of Antelope Canyon, but you’ll also get that adrenaline boost traversing the walls and climbing some pretty intense cliffs to get out of the canyon,” he said.
One of the goals is to provide a more intimate experience. The groups cap at 8 people, and run every couple of hours. They don’t rush their visitors, and encourage people to take their time in the canyon.
Photos of Antelope Ridge Adventure Park
Here are a few more photos from Antelope Ridge
More to do in Page, Arizona
I love visiting Page, AZ, and finding new things to do and see. When I have first-time visitors come to Arizona, I always recommend Sedona and Antelope Canyon.
In terms of logistics, Antelope Canyon is too far from Phoenix for a day trip, even if you fly into the airport in Page (which has limited commercial flights). The city relies on tourists, so you’ll find plenty of hotels and restaurants in Page.
Aside from the most famous sections of Antelope Canyon, all of which you need a guide to visit, consider Antelope Canyon X, which has smaller group sizes.
Cardiac Canyon provides a non-rushed, full-day experience in the canyon.
You can also choose to kayak through Lake Powell into part of Antelope Canyon.
For hikers, the Page area has a variety of options.
My favorite (and I think the most unique) spot to explore is White Pocket. A warning: it’s beautiful, but remote! There are no fees or reservations needed … at least for now.
The famous “Wave” rock formation is worth trying to visit, though the lottery system is notoriously difficult.
In terms of weather, Page gets hot in the summer (though not as hot as Phoenix). Page is cool in the winter, and it actually snows in this part of Arizona.
