Antelope Canyon Weather
Antelope Canyon weather can vary throughout the year; thick snows conceal the winter ground and scorching desert heat saddles the summer air.
While Antelope Canyon is beautiful year-round, there are some things to consider about its weather before you plan your trip.
What is the best month to visit Antelope Canyon?
People always ask us: When is the best time to visit Antelope Canyon?
We like to answer: The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is April, May, October, and the beginning of November.
November can get cold later in the month, but the first half is lovely.
The most important thing to remember, though, is that Antelope Canyon is a wonderful place to visit year-round.
The views are out of this world, and the most important thing is that you get to see them with your own eyes.
Rain at Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon is located just outside the city of Page, Arizona.
Page is in the middle of the desert and therefore does not get much rain.
This is splendid news for travelers to Antelope Canyon, as rain can wreck a planned tour of the canyon.
Antelope Canyon closes for heavy rain or snow. In our experience, this is rare—Antelope Canyon usually closes for only 10-15 days per year.
On average, there are only 44 days of precipitation in Page, but it can rain over all twelve months.
Arizona’s monsoon season runs from the end of June through September.
It is not uncommon to have afternoon thunderstorms that will drop buckets of water in a short time.
These monsoon rains can sometimes last all day.
During this season, the best bet is to book an Antelope Canyon tour in the morning; the later in the day you book, the higher the chance that your tour will be canceled because of rain.
Related Reading: Lower vs. Upper Antelope Canyon (2021 Update)
How Cold is Antelope Canyon in Winter?
Antelope Canyon can get below freezing in the winter. Snowstorms happen every winter, and biting winds can make it feel much colder than the forecasted low.
Snow in Antelope Canyon can be a blessing and a curse. A heavy snowstorm will close the canyon, but a light dusting can add a layer of color that makes for brilliant photos.
Antelope Canyon only averages two inches of snow per year, most of which fall in December and January.
Monitor the weather reports leading up to your Antelope Canyon trip. If there is a heavy snowstorm in the region, they advise not to not travel by car and there is a good chance Antelope Canyon will close.
Wind at Antelope Canyon
The wind can kick up at Antelope Canyon, and with wind comes flying sand, dust, and hats.
Spring is the windiest time of the year; fall is the calmest. That said, you can find howling winds throughout the year.
The best way to protect against the wind and flying sand is with face masks and sunglasses.
Heat
After booking a tour with Lower Antelope Canyon, there is a notice on the confirmation page: “… if temperatures reach 105°F (40°C), the canyon may be closed to protect your safety.” Antelope Canyon has seen many boiling days in the past two summers, but we have yet to see the canyon closed due to heat.
This doesn’t mean the heat isn’t a problem, though. Blazing temperatures in the summer months can make for an unpleasant visit to Antelope Canyon. Here are some tips to deal with the summer heat:
- Book a tour in the morning. Morning tours are obviously the coolest time to visit Antelope Canyon. As a bonus, if you are visiting Lower Antelope Canyon, these morning slots offer the best chances for photos.
- Bring a hat. Even though the tour is mostly underground, you might get stuck in the sun if there is a wait to get in to Lower Antelope Canyon (which there often is in the summer). At Upper Antelope Canyon, there also isn’t much time spent in the sun, but for the few minutes you will be in it, a hat is crucial.
- Don’t forget a bottle of water. There is some walking and you will be happy to have brought it.
Related Reading: How Long is the Hike To Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon Weather in January
January at Antelope Canyon falls between the cold season and the low season.
Outside of major holiday weekends, tickets are relatively easy to find. The temperatures are cold, and it isn’t uncommon to see snow coating the outside and inside of Antelope Canyon.
Bring your warm clothes and watch out for ice and snow on the roads.
Average High: 43°F (6°C)
Average Low: 28°F (-2°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 10%
Antelope Canyon Weather in February
February continues the cold streak at Antelope Canyon, but the weather will break near the end of the month as spring emerges.
Expect cold weather and the chance for snow throughout February.
Pack warm clothes, including hats, gloves, and jackets.
Average High: 49°F (10°C)
Average Low: 32°F (0°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 10%
Antelope Canyon Weather in March
March is when the weather turns at Antelope Canyon. The cold of winter transforms into the warmth of spring.
With the thaw comes a bit of rain. March is the wettest month of the first half of the year, but “wet” in the desert would still be considered dry by others’ standards. Antelope Canyon averages .07 inches of rain in March.
Average High: 60°F (15°C)
Average Low: 40°F (6°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 9%
Antelope Canyon Weather in April
April is one of the nicest times of year to visit Antelope Canyon.
The temperature is very comfortable, averaging a high of 68 F and a low of 43 F.
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Antelope Canyon, but beware crowds can surge during spring break.
Average High: 67°F (19°C)
Average Low:46°F (7°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 7%
Related Reading: The 5 Best Restaurants in Page, AZ
Antelope Canyon Weather in May
May is the start of Antelope Canyon’s high season.
The weather is warm, and this is the start of the light beam season.
For the best chances of seeing a light beam, visit between May and September.
May is the second driest month at Antelope Canyon, with only .4 inches of rain a year.
It is for these reasons that many veterans of Antelope Canyon travel consider May to be the best month to visit.
Average High: 76°F (24°C)
Average Low: 54°F (12°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 5%
Antelope Canyon Weather in June
By June, the weather really warms up at Antelope Canyon.
If you are worried about tour cancellations, June is the time to visit.
June is the driest month of the year, averaging zero days of rain and a mere .01 inches of rain for the month.
Regarding rain alone, June is the best month to visit Antelope Canyon.
Average High: 89°F (32°C)
Average Low: 65°F (18°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 3%
Related Reading: What's the Cheapest Way To Visit Antelope Canyon?
Antelope Canyon Weather in July
Antelope Canyon weather in July is hot, hot, hot!
July is the hottest month of the year, but the onslaught of the monsoon can quickly bring temperatures down.
Even with the monsoon, Antelope Canyon gets only .07 inches of rain on average in July.
Average High: 93°F (34°C)
Average Low: 73°F (23°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 10%
Antelope Canyon Weather in August
August brings heat and rain. The Arizona summer heat and Arizona monsoon are both in full swing in August.
The average daytime high is 92 F and, on average, there are five days of rain—more than any other month.
Taken together with crushing summer crowds, August is one of our least favorite months at Antelope Canyon.
Average High: 90°F (32°C)
Average Low: 71°F (22°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 16%
Antelope Canyon Weather in September
In September, the heat finally breaks.
While it can still be blazing hot at the beginning of September, the end of the month brings beautiful fall weather.
While there are not any fall colors at Antelope Canyon itself, the routes through Arizona and Utah leading to Antelope Canyon are often gorgeous in September.
The receding heat is a welcome sight in this part of the country.
Average High: 83°F (28°C)
Average Low: 63°F (17°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 13%
Antelope Canyon Weather in October
The October temperatures are pleasant, but the rain is not.
October is statistically the wettest month of the year at Antelope Canyon, but only averages at 1 inch of rain.
Crowds thin during the week in October, but the light beams disappear as well.
Some of the best weather of the year occurs in October; an October day with pleasant temperatures and a light wind is gorgeous.
Average High: 68°F (20°C)
Average Low: 49°F (10°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 9%
Antelope Canyon Weather in November
The weather at Antelope Canyon in November can be beautiful at the beginning of the month and cold by the end.
Early November is one of the best times to visit Antelope Canyon: the weather is fairly warm, the trees showcase their foliage, and the crowds thin.
November sees an average of .07 inches of rain.
Average High: 56°F (13°C)
Average Low: 37°F (3°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 8%
Antelope Canyon Weather in December
If it’s December, winter has definitely arrived. And while it is still warmer here than during a frigid Grand Canyon Tour, you need to be prepared to deal with subfreezing weather.
Expect cold weather and snow on the ground at some points.
pack warm clothes, and if you’re traveling over Christmas, book your tickets early, as they will sell out quickly.
Average High: 44°F (6°C)
Average Low: 29°F (-2°C)
Daily Chance of Precipitation: 9%
