Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Grand Canyon

Page AZ to Kaibab National Forest: Ten X Campground AZ

I woke with a start and sat up, searching for my phone, sure we had over slept and were in danger of missing our canyon tour. I was surprised when I saw the time: 4:55 am. The alarm wasn’t set to go off until 6:15. The amazing thing was how bright it was outside the tent. I think it has something to do with not being on daylight savings. I laid back down for awhile but didn’t really get to sleep. We are currently three hours different than home (Florida) time.

We had the campsite packed up in less than thirty minutes so we had plenty of time to get to our scheduled tour of Antelope Canyon. The canyon is on Navajo land and the Dixie Ellis tour company is also owned and operated by Navajos.

Our tour guide was named Buddy, and he has worked in the canyon for eight years.

the stairway into the canyon was steep. It took us close to one hundred feet down.

Inside was a wonderland of water-carved rock.

Antelope canyon was an incredible experience, well worth the cost. Our guide told us that up until last year you waited in a line outside waiting to get into the canyon which meant you could be waiting in hundred plus degree temperatures. Now they charge a bit more but you have a specific time to show up and a guide takes you right in.

We went to the store after our tour, then we made our way to another beautiful spot, the Horseshoe bend of the Colorado river. To get to the cliffs above the river you have to climb and descend a steep trail. From the parking lot it looks like the top of the hill is the destination but it is really less than half way. We overheard one out of shape person say “I made it to the top of the hill okay but then I looked down and good lord!!!” The view was worth the hike. To get good pictures requires getting uncomfortably close the cliff edge. There is no fence and a stiff breeze was blowing, make the cliff edge a bit scary.

I was reluctant to leave the bewitching view but the Grand Canyon awaited. We entered the park via the canyon view road. Our first (and only for today) stop was at the Dessert View Watchtower.

We climbed the four floors of the watchtower, enjoying the beautiful views and the historically and ethnically decorated interior of the watchtower.

Our final stop for the night was Ten X Campground just outside Grand Canyon National Park.

Elk roamed the campsites. One with a huge rack of antlers munched on tree leaves 30-40 feet from our tent. The campground is peaceful and beautiful. Unfortunately it is also primitive camping with no water or electric at campsites and no running water in the restrooms. Aside from that it is a great campground and I think we will enjoy staying here.