Explore Antelope Canyon with Your Dog
Did you know there is a portion of Antelope Canyon that is pet-friendly?
We’re here to give you the inside scoop!
Here’s a preview of our day in Antelope Canyon.
This region of the United States is stunning and a must-see destination for your bucket list.
The most common way to explore the Antelope Canyon is through guided tours on Navajo land, but this option does not allow dogs.
After countless hours of research, we found a route in Glen Canyon Recreation Area that is unique, adventurous, and best of all pet-friendly. 🐾
This blog will cover trip planning, our packing list, and an overview of each leg of the experience. Plus there are some of Ellie’s pro-tips at the end!
Part 1: Plan
📞 We called a few weeks before our trip to rent a double kayak from Antelope Point Marina for $55 a day.
Our sea kayak was "sit on top" style, which gave Ellie plenty of room to lie down in the middle of the kayak comfortably, although she mostly wanted to sit up and be on the“lookout.”
Note: Antelope Point Marina also has half-day rentals and single kayaks. We went in April, and rates may vary by season, so please visit their website for up-to-date information on rentals.
Kayaking with your dog
You may want to try out a short kayak trip before signing up for this adventure.
The kayak can be unsteady, so be sure your dog is comfortable in the kayak.
Consider a life jacket for your dog.
Part 2: Arrive at Antelope Point Marina
We stayed in Page, Arizona, about a 15-minute drive to the marina, and arrived at 8:00 am to get an early start.
This helped us avoid motorized boat traffic and paddle in calmer waters on the way to the canyon.
The parking lot and entrance to the marina are part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so we brought our National Park Pass to enter. If you do not have a pass, there is a parking fee.
After parking, we waited for the golf cart shuttles to bring us down to the water. We checked in, filled out paperwork (bring your ID), and picked out a life jacket.
Part 4: Kayak Lake Powell
The real adventure began by paddling ~2.5 miles through Lake Powell until we saw the entrance to the canyon on the left. It seemed to help to stay closer to the canyon wall on the left as we paddled down Lake Powell.
When we entered the canyon, we continued to paddle ~1 mile through beautiful, clear waters with the high canyon walls alongside us. Eventually, we reached dry land where we could dock our kayak.
Note: Your docking point may vary based on the water levels.
Part 5: Explore Antelope Canyon with Ellie
Since we were not the first ones there, we saw a few other kayaks "parked" on the side of the canyon while the owners were out exploring. We took our belongings with us in one backpack and left the kayak behind.
Are dogs allowed in Antelope Canyon?
This journey takes you through Lake Powell and enters the canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (highlighted in green below), which allows dogs. It is also okay to be on this part of the canyon without a guide.
Friendly reminder: Help keep our National Parks beautiful and leave no trace. Pack out all trash and animal waste.
We took our time exploring the canyon with Ellie, walking about 1.5 miles into the canyon. We saw a few other dogs on our journey but otherwise felt we had the canyon to ourselves.
We spent a lot of time admiring the beautiful pink shades of the smooth sandstone and experimenting with photography.
There was a lot of sun exposure throughout the day, so we made sure to take frequent breaks to offer Ellie water.
After a quick swim to cool off, we were ready to head back.
Part 6: Paddle back to the marina
Our way back had us fighting headwinds and more waves from boat traffic, so we were glad we allocated plenty of time for the return trip.
Katie and I feel fairly in shape, and we still found it to be a challenging paddle back. We would love to teach Ellie to paddle so she could help carry her own weight next time.
Nevertheless, enjoy your paddle! Always leave nature slower than when you entered. You may never be back on this trip so take in the beautiful sights around you.
We stopped to check in with the office, they refunded our deposit and directed us to the shuttles to take back the upper parking lot.
Antelope Canyon Packing List
✅ Drybag (also available for rental at the marina, put in backpack)
✅ Backpack (to easily take your belongings when hike in the canyon)
✅ Life vest for your dog
✅ Phone or camera for epic photos!
✅ Water bottle for you
✅ Sunscreen
✅ Sunglasses
✅ Snacks
✅ Footwear for hiking in the canyon (sandals on the kayak)
✅ License/ID for check-in
Ellie's Pro Tips
1️⃣ Plan a minimum of 6 hours for this trip.
2️⃣ Go early to avoid the heat of the day and crowds.
3️⃣ Hydrate early and often.
4️⃣ Check weather
Winds to know if there will be a headwind
Rain to determine the risk of flash flooding
Temperature as there is minimal shade
5️⃣ Your feet and seat will get wet! Dress appropriately.
Staying in Page, AZ?
We stopped for dinner at Grand Canyon Brewing and Distillery, the only brewery in Page, AZ! This Veteran-owned business opened in March 2022. It is located in the town's old firehouse building with three large doors that open to make a fluid indoor-outdoor space. You can grab a beer and play shuffleboard or foosball or check the score of your favorite sport on the many TVs. Relax on the couches by the indoor fireplace after a long day of kayaking and hiking. Then, sit outside under the hanging lights on the dog-friendly patio and share one of their delicious pizzas!
You could also head a few miles down the road to Horseshoe Bend, an iconic, dog-friendly spot to watch the sunset.
Check out our favorite travel items…
Interested in more training tips for your puppy?
We created an app for you! Join us today for free! 🙂
