Picking the right month for Antelope Canyon matters more than people realise. The famous light beams in Upper only appear March–October, peaking April–May. June–August is the high-risk monsoon window when flash floods can close the canyon mid-tour. November–February is quiet and cold, with reduced operator hours. This guide maps every month against the three main questions: beams, crowds, and weather.
Beam season
Late Mar – Oct
Peak beams
Apr – May
Monsoon risk
Jul – Sep
Closed days
Thanksgiving + Christmas
Coolest to visit
Oct – Nov
Fewest crowds
Jan – Feb
What the full guide will cover
- Month-by-month schedule: beams, crowds, weather, price
- The monsoon flash-flood risk explained (and the 1997 tragedy)
- How to book for the 11 am – 1 pm beam window
- Reduced winter hours — what’s actually open
- The shoulder-season sweet spot most guides miss
In the meantime
Here's what's already published and ready to use: