Antelope Canyon is the most-photographed slot canyon in the American southwest. It is also one of the most famous slot canyons in the world. Why is it special? There are many good reasons for its fame. Read on to learn about a few of them and see for yourself why Antelope Canyon is so deserving of respect.
Natural Desert Beauty
Antelope Canyon is made up of two unique slot canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon, and is located within the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation near Page, Arizona. Both slot canyons were naturally formed by water erosion over many years, with walls made of beautiful, smooth sandstone in unique shapes. The walls continue to change shape over time.
Upper Antelope’s summer light beams that shine through its walls are one of the reasons that Antelope Canyon is so popular. It also displays beautiful changing lights during other times of the year that make for some captivating Antelope Canyon photography. Upper Antelope, also known as “the Crack,” is 660 feet long with walls that rise 120 feet above the Canyon’s streambed, making for even more interesting natural magnificence. Antelope Canyon was even added to Mysterious World’s Top Unbelievable Places List.
Lower Antelope Canyon, or “the Corkscrew,” also has unique charms that appeal to many. It is around 1,335 feet long with the same walls rising 120 feet about the streambed. It is considered a more treacherous canyon to explore than Upper Antelope and is not as popular with photographers. Antelope Canyon is at around 4,000 feet elevation.
Rich Navajo History
Antelope Canyon has a unique history steeped in Navajo culture. Here are some of the most interesting facts about the slot canyon to help you gain a greater appreciation for it:
- It got its name from antelopes that were believed to graze along the Canyon many years ago during the winter.
- It is a sacred site of the Navajo Nation, which named it a protected Navajo Tribal Park in 1997. Learn more about what the Antelope Canyon means to the Navajo people.
- Entering the Canyon is a spiritual act for the Navajo people, who pause before walking inside to achieve the proper, respectful state of mind that is needed to go in.
- The Canyon is blessed every four years to give thanks to the natural elements that formed it over time and continue to do so.
These unique historical facts and more are intriguing to many history buffs and nature lovers, making the Canyon a famous spot for people from all countries, cultures, and walks of life. It also helps people to gain a better understanding of and appreciation for the Navajo people.
How to Learn More
Once you realize how unique and history-rich Antelope Canyon is, it is easy to see why it is so popular and well-known. If you want to learn even more about one of the most beautiful Arizona slot canyons in existence, visit our website. You can view pictures of Antelope Canyon, and read further information on its history and more.