I Visited the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend in a Day, this is what happened.

So, you want to visit the Grand Canyon.

While you are on your Las Vegas trip, you want to take a break and visit one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Of course, the Grand Canyon is a common destination on people’s bucket lists, including mine. However, there are two more spots that are worth viewing too, on the way to the Grand Canyon:

Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend is a canyon that is carved out to resemble a horseshoe.

Antelope Canyon is a beautiful part of the canyon that travelers seek out due to its gorgeous appearance.

Before we booked this trip, I had seen photos of this location, but I never knew where they were. Both places are located in Page, Arizona, and they will make your Grand Canyon trip more enjoyable. And yes, you can visit all three locations in one day from Las Vegas!

Things to Know

• This is perfect for solo travelers, especially those who are introverted.
• Bring a hat! Even if it is not hot, the sun is still powerful.
• Wear Comfortable Tennis Shoes (some locations are sandy)

Here’s how:

We booked our trip on Viator and after doing some research, this was the best experience we can choose. The trip lasted from 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM, making it an all-day trip. Be sure to bring a large book bag with you so you can carry all your snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. You will be making plenty of stops along this trip, so you can start with an empty bag if you want.

You won’t be able to bring the book bag with you into the sites, but you really won’t need it. Your phone and camera will suffice. Let’s get into what the day looks like

Before the First Stop

Depending on the location you choose, you will be at your pickup spot at 4:30 AM. We chose the Bellagio, and you can see all the very energized (not really) riders showing up. The tour guide will provide a summary of the day’s itinerary and offer educational insights at each stop. It will be a while before you arrive at your first stop, so you can take a quick nap.

The tour guide will make a bathroom stop at one of the gas stations, allowing you to pick up snacks, food, and drinks. There will be a bathroom stop at least every 2 hours, so I will take advantage of the bathrooms, even if you feel like you don’t have to go. We did not arrive at our first destination until a little after 9 AM.

Horseshoe Bend

When we arrived at Horsehoe Bend, we were told that we had to walk 1/2 mile to the spot. The trail is easy to follow, so it is almost impossible to get lost. Do not be surprised by the large number of gnats in the area. The pathway was sandy, so you’ll have some sand in your shoes. There are a few spots to sit down if you need to take a quick break.

Once you reach Horseshoe Bend, you will be taken aback. It is very beautiful and the perfect spot to take tons of pictures. Please be cautious when approaching the edge of the canyon, as it is also sandy up there. At 9 AM, there was a good number of people present, but not so many that you couldn’t get a photo with Horsehoe Bend. The tour guide will take pictures of you at Horseshoe Bend, so you don’t have to ask the others to do it unless you want to.

Antelope Canyon

After leaving Horseshoe Bend, you will make it over to Antelope Canyon. It is about 15-30 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend. Once you arrive at the spot, you will leave your tour guide and follow a Navajo Tour Guide. They are the only authorized guides allowed to give tours in Antelope Canyon. You are not allowed to video record anything in the Canyon unless you have obtained permission, but you may take as many photos as you want.

There are a few precautions I need to inform you about before you consider going down there.

• You have to watch your step constantly, because some of the steps have sharp edges. Our tour guide said they might not have the right supplies if you cut yourself too deeply.
• As you are going down the stairs, hang on to the side rails and focus on each step.
• Some of the spaces you will go through in the Canyon are super tight, so that you will be doing some climbing and squatting.
• Did I mention to wear some comfortable shoes?
• Our tour guide warned us about snakes and spiders in the Canyon, but we didn’t see anything.
• Be sure to have some cash for tips for the Navajo Tour Guide.

Since we got that out of the way, once you make it to the bottom of the Antelope Canyon, you will be greeted by gorgeous grooves on the wall. Some of the grooves look like animals, such as a bear or a dragon. The tour guide will take as many photos as you would like during your time in the Canyon. There will be plenty of spots for the perfect Instagram photo. You will go through the Canyon for at least 45 minutes. As you travel through the Canyon, the Navajo tour guide will educate you on the history of the canyon and explain why it holds such significance for them.

After you get out of the canyon, you will get the chance to see a Navajo dance routine and buy some souvenirs from the gift shop. Additionally, they offer snacks and water for purchase, in case you need to refuel.

Before the Grand Canyon

Once you leave Antelope Canyon, your tour guide will provide you with lunch to eat during the bus ride. I would say that if you’re a slow eater, you might need to dispose of your trash at the next gas station. You may start to feel the need for a nap, which you will have time to take.

On the way to the Grand Canyon, you will stop at a large gift shop filled with handcrafted items. Before entering, your tour guide will provide you with some coupons to use in the store. You will be there for 20 minutes, so be sure to stock up on gifts! Once you’re on the bus, you can take another nice nap before arriving at the Grand Canyon.

The Grand Canyon

You have finally made it to the Grand Canyon! It’s very windy, so be sure to have everything secure.

I remember walking up to get a better look at the Grand Canyon so I could get loads of photos. I immediately stopped taking pictures, so I could grasp what I was seeing. Words can’t adequately explain the beauty of the Grand Canyon. It was so breathtaking that you had no choice but to look in silence.

Of course, your tour guide will break that silence to take pictures of you at the Canyon. After being there for 20 minutes, you will walk to the Grand Canyon Center, where you can learn more about the Grand Canyon and its history. They also have bathrooms there just in case you need them. You will spend a good bit of time at the Grand Canyon, so you will have plenty of chances to take all the photos you want.

Did I mention the wind? The wind makes the Grand Canyon colder than the other spots that you visit. Once you leave the Grand Canyon, you will see a lot of deer waiting to tell you bye, haha.

U.S. Route 66

Here’s another nap time! It was a two-hour drive to reach Route 66. You will stop in a small town where there are numerous vintage and eccentric displays outside the stores. You will spend approximately 10 minutes here before returning home. We weren’t able to buy anything once we arrived, but one of the gas stations had Route 66 Merchandise for you to purchase.

Heading Back

If you haven’t taken a nap yet on this entire trip, that’s pretty impressive. This would be the perfect time to do so. It’s a pleasant 3-hour drive that allows you to relax and unwind after a long day. On the way back, you will have the opportunity to drive by the Hoover Dam, enabling you to see it at night. That is if you are awake, of course. You will return to the destination where you were picked up, and you can offer your tips to the tour guide and the driver.

Of course, after all the naps I took, I did not go straight to sleep. I went straight to In-N-Out, as it was conveniently located near my resort.

Hopefully, if you take this excursion, you will enjoy it to the fullest and fall in love with Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.