Slot Canyon Near San Diego

Day 1 - San Diego to Oceanside, 55 miles: Although most of the coast around San Diego is privately owned, there are two scenic preserves near the city; one is Cabrillo National Monument, a rocky peninsula with cliffs, tidepools and a historic lighthouse. This Torrey Pines hike takes you to the best of the park – you experience get great ocean views, hike through unique geological formations, get a glimpse of the world-famous golf course, hike on an antique version of the Pacific Coast Highway, and of course, get see the Torrey Pine.

Before our trip, I knew nothing about Antelope Canyon, slot canyons or Page, Arizona. Antelope Canyon caught my interest and I knew I had to see it, especially since it is only one state away. I started researching tour companies, reaching out to other bloggers and turning my day dreams of Antelope Canyon into an actual trip (check out our itinerary here!). I quickly learned that while Antelope Canyon is praised for it’s beauty, it is also notable for being crowded. Really, really crowded. Luckily I discovered Page has quite a few slot canyons, and so we decided to visit more than one. Here is my round up of the best slot canyons in Page.

Antelope Canyon.

To start off, Antelope Canyon is long, it actually goes on for miles. The famous pictures come from two sections, Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. Both of these sections are on Navajo lands and require tours with a Navajo guide. You can also access part of antelope canyon from Lake Powell, which we did on a kayak tour. This part isn’t as beautiful, but kayaking is fun so I would still recommend it.

Kayaking and then hiking into another area of Antelope Canyon.

You can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon on a “sightseer” tour or a “photography” tour. Both have their pros and cons. Photo tours require that you have an interchangeable lens camera and tripod, and provide you with some crowd control. There will be two guides who take you to different spots along the canyon and the hold the crowds for 2 minutes while you shoot. Photo tours are more expensive and move at a slower pace, so take a little bit more time. Sightseer tours are a larger group and can have any kind of camera/phone and prohibit tripods/monopods/selfie sticks. They move much more quickly and do not provide the same level of crowd control, but are significantly less expensive.

Falling sand in Upper Antelope Canyon with a sun beam shining in behind it.

Upper Antelope Canyon.

We visited Upper Antelope Canyon as part of a photo tour with Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours. If you are going to do a photo tour, I would recommend doing it for Upper Antelope Canyon. This is the canyon famous for sun beams and sand running down the canyon. To get these shots you really do want to use a decent camera, tripod, and shutter release, but most importantly you need crowd control! Upper Antelope Canyon is more easily accessible than lower, with no stairs/ladders and is wider than lower so it is more popular and gets very crowded. It is gorgeous and I definitely think worth seeing, but my advice is to go early to avoid the crowds or do a photo tour, especially if you want shots of the famous sun beams. While on the subject of sun beams, if that is your primary goal, avoid visiting the canyons during the winter months and book your tour around noon.

Lower Antelope Canyon.

Lower Antelope Canyon is equally beautiful as upper and requires a bit more physical exertion. It has various stair cases that you climb up and down as you navigate through narrow passages. The stairs are pretty steep at some parts (almost like a ladder) and the canyon gets significantly more narrow than upper requiring single file passage at times. For me, this added to the fun and made it a bit more adventurous. However, it does mean that if one person stops to take a picture or enjoy the view for too long, it stops everyone else from moving. For this reason, the tour guides move you through relatively quickly. Don’t get me wrong, they definitely give you time to take pictures, but this isn’t a take your time and self explore experience. However, because of how narrow it was, I actually thought it was easier to get people free pictures than it was in Upper Antelope. I also thought Lower Antelope had more purple coloring than Upper, but this might have been just the time of day I was there. We used Dixie Ellis’ tour company and booked a sightseer tour for about $25/person. Looking back I’m glad we spent the extra money on the photography tour on Upper and DIDN’T spend it on lower. We still got great pictures in lower and carrying a tripod up and down the stairs would have been a pain. Again, I read about 2 hour long waits to get into the canyon, so I recommend booking your tour earlier in the day.

A narrow passageway in Lower Antelope Canyon.

Owl Canyon.

As part of our Upper Antelope Canyon photo tour, we also visited two other slot canyons, Owl and Rattlesnake. We were literally the ONLY people at Owl Canyon and had complete freedom to explore at our own pace. Upper Antelope is very structured (they literally draw a line in the sand on where you set up for pictures), so the freedom of being to move about Owl Canyon at our own pace was great. Owl Canyon gets its name from the owls that live there. We were lucky enough to get to see three of them! Since Owl canyon is wider and doesn’t have any stairs, it is a great option for all ages and fitness levels. I actually think it would be the most fun out of all the canyons for kids, as they could easily explore and might even get to see the owls.

Baby Owl in Owl Canyon 🙂

Rattlesnake Canyon.

Rattlesnake Canyon was our absolute favorite. It had the narrowness of Lower Antelope with the exclusiveness of Owl. We shared it with about seven other people during our visit and so felt like we had it to ourselves. If I could pick only two canyons to visit they would be Upper Antelope and Rattlesnake. Upper Antelope to see the sunbeams and Rattlesnake to get to enjoy the experience without all the people. Unlike Owl Canyon, Rattlesnake doesn’t get it’s name for being home to a family of rattlesnakes. If you look at it from above it winds around like a snake, hence the name Rattlesnake Canyon. Rattlesnake does require climbing a ladder and gets fairly narrow at parts. It is not the best option for those who use wheelchairs, strollers, or who have with difficulty walking/going up stairs.

Other Canyons.

We had a few other canyons that we considered visiting on our second to last day in Page. However, mother nature had other plans and we got rain and wind instead. Slot canyons are prone to flash floods and are very dangerous during rain. Tours are usually cancelled for safety reasons (people have died!). Monsoons usually occur in the afternoon from roughly end of June through August, so please plan your visit accordingly. The other canyons we were interested in were Canyon X, Cardiac Canyon, and Secret Canyon. Canyon X and Cardiac Canyon require tours, but the Secret Canyon does not (to my knowledge). If you are able to visit one of these, I’d love to here about it!

Antelope Canyon is 100% a must see, but you may find you love the other slot canyons even more. Do you have any other canyons to add to my list?

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Page Arizona is home to the famous Antelope Canyon, but also other impressive slot canyons as well.

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Park Information

ALERT: Camping is Prohibited in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for a minimum of three weeks, beginning Monday, December 7, 2020, to help limit the surge of COVID-19.

Park Watch: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has a “Park Watch” program to help reduce theft, burglary, resource damage, and other crimes in the park. You are invited to participate and help in the safety and protection of Anza-Borrego DSP, your campsite, as well as other campsites, other areas & park visitors around you. If you see any of crimes or other crimes, please call the Anza-Borrego Desert Visitor Center at: 760-767-4205

To reduce theft and other crimes, State Park Peace Officers ask you to take the following steps:

-Secure valuables in your vehicle trunk when leaving your campsite.

-Introduce yourself to those camped around you and agree to help in watching each other’s campsite and personal belongings.

-Mark your belongings for easy identification.

-Report any suspicious Activities immediately.

By following these few, simple tips, you may be assuring yourself and your neighbors of a safe, fun, and relaxing stay at your California State Park.

General Park Regulations:

This list of regulations is intended to make your camping stay at Anza-Borrego DSP a more enjoyable experience. Anytime during your stay, if you need assistance, please contact park staff and they will help you out.

Check in Time is at 2:00 PM each day. (Sorry, No Exceptions)

-Camping fees include entry for 1 vehicle and 1 legally towed vehicle or trailer. Additional vehicles must register and pay additional fees (Currently $10.00 each vehicle.)

-Campers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent / legal guardian, or provide, upon arrival, a letter from a parent / legal guardian granting permission to camp. All juveniles must be in their own campsite at 10:00 PM.

-Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Visitors not staying overnight must be out by 10:00 PM.

-Generators may be operated in the park between the hours of 10:00 Am and 8:00 PM.

-Campsites are limited to 8 people maximum and is designed for individual family use. Large groups may require a Special Event Permit.

-Campsites are limited to 2 vehicles. There is no parking for more vehicles. A trailer is counted as a vehicle.

-Animals must be on a leash less than 6 feet in length at all times, and may not be left unattended or outside at night.

-Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited beyond your campsite.

-All park plants and animals are protected. Do not cut, attach items, or harass any plants or animals.

-Along all park designated dirt roads, vehicles must be parked no more than one (1) car length off a given road where it will not disturb any natural features.

-Bicycles, mountain bikes, and skateboards must remain on all paved roads. All riders under the age of 18 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet.

-Illegal ground fires are prohibited. Campfires must be kept inside a camp stove or in a metal container provided the camper with a bottom and sides.

-All natural & cultural features are protected. Nothing may be removed or disturbed.

-The entire backcountry area of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is defined as a camping facility. Occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of any camping facility within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is limited to a total of thirty (30) days in any calendar year.

-No person shall launch, land, or operate a powered unmanned aircraft or Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

-All roadways in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park-dirt, sandy wash, or paved are considered a road. The California Vehicle Code applies to all roadways in the park and all vehicles must be highway legal and must remain on all designated roadways. All Off-Road Vehicles are prohibited in the park.

-Firearms and fireworks are prohibited anywhere in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Superintendent's Closure Orders click here

ATTENTION: ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPING is PROHIBITED in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park effective Monday, December 7, 2020.

A DAY USE FEE of $10 per car is now being collected at The Slot (Buttes Pass area) and at Hellhole Canyon.

For current fire restrictions please call 760-767-4037

The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail will be open for DAY USE ONLY - Sunrise to Sunset

Your cooperation will help the Palm Grove recover and keep the trail open. See map of closed area.

Anza-Borrego Desert SP and the Anza-Borrego Foundation are excited to announce a new partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for the upcoming 2020/2021 desert season. This new partnership and the Leave No Trace Initiative will encourage and educate new and returning visitors to Anza-Borrego to care for the local desert and public lands through the “Seven Principles of Leave No Trace”, available in English and Spanish. The initiative also reminds the public on their role to slow the spread of COVID-19. With many activities limited during the pandemic, outdoor public spaces have been essential to many Californians. As a result, California State Parks and partners are expecting high visitation and increased use with the beginning of the desert season this month through March/April of next year.

Below are links to the Leave No Trace principles and recommendations for getting outside during COVID-19. You can also find more information on the partnership and the Leave No Trace initiative here.

• The Leave No Trace Seven Principles (English Spanish)
• The Leave No Trace Recommendations for Getting Outside During Covid-19 (English Spanish)

Tips to Safely Enjoy Anza-Borrego Desert State Park During the Winter Season

It is important for visitors to plan their outdoor adventure at Anza-Borrego Desert SP or any desert properly. Simple actions such as taking plenty of water (1 gallon/per person/day) and food, and knowing that cell coverage is extremely limited or non-existent can help you be better prepared to safely enjoy the desert.

During the winter season, temperatures can range from mid 80s to high 90s degrees during the day to nearly freezing temperatures during the night. It is important to plan properly for your California desert adventure.

Below you will find just a few tips to safely enjoy the desert:

Vehicles

• Have a proper vehicle for your outdoor desert activities to be able to navigate through rough roads.
• Check ROAD CONDITIONS before heading out on dirt roads.
• We encourage you to travel with a second vehicle when on dirt roads.

Cell Phone Use

• Cell phone coverage is spotty or nonexistent. Have a way to communicate if there is an emergency.

First Aid Kit

• Bring a first aid kit and become familiar with it.

Outdoor Plan

• Leave an itinerary of your trip with a family member or friend with information such as name and age of hikers/campers, trailhead or campsite name and location, and expected return date.

Hiking/Camping NOTICE: ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPING is PROHIBITED in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park effective Monday, December 7, 2020.

• Make sure to have plenty of water and food for duration of your trip to avoid dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Check Weather. Weather can change instantly.
• Dress appropriately with layers of clothing and appropriate shoes such as hiking boots and close-toed shoes.
• Mark tents and ropes so they are visible at night.
• Keep it clean: pack it in & pack it out.

For more tips for visiting the desert, check out our news release for additional details.

PLEASE NOTE: Many interpretive activities have been cancelled due to the governor's call for 'social distancing.' Please call the Visitor Center (760-767-4205) for information about specific programs.

Our Behind-the-Scenes Tours have ended for the 2019 - 2020 season. We hope to see you in the 2020 - 2021 season.

Tell us how you liked the interpretive programs you attended. Fill out the Visitor RAPPORT Survey.

Self-Guided Activities

You can print out a Black-and-White cover to color! Spanish cover.

NOTICE: ALL OVERNIGHT CAMPING is PROHIBITED in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park effective Monday, December 7, 2020.

When using map apps., it is best to use Anza Borrego Desert State Park^® Visitor Center for directions to the Visitor Center. Using only Anza-Borrego Desert State Park^® in some map apps. may result in directions leading to a dirt, 4 wheel drive road.

Borrego Springs, Calif. — California State Parks collects day use fees of $10 per vehicle per day at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center, at developed campgrounds, and at The Slot, Hellhole Canyon, Mountain Palm Springs, Bow Willow, and Horse Camp . The day use fee ticket is valid at any State Park in the Colorado Desert District for the date of purchase.

Reservations for Borrego Palm Canyon Campground are made through Reserve California (www.reservecalifornia.com or 1-800-444-7275). Primitive campgrounds are first-come, first-serve. Calendar-year limit of 30 days applies.

Roads and Trails: Most dirt roads remain open for street-legal vehicles. Hiking trails are open for Day Use only.

See ROAD CONDITIONS as of 11/28/20.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California Desert. The park is named for Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word borrego, or bighorn sheep. The park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. Visitors may also have the chance to see roadrunners, golden eagles, kit foxes, mule deer and bighorn sheep as well as iguanas, chuckwallas and the red diamond rattlesnake. Listening devices for the hearing impaired are available in the visitor center.
The Park is located on the eastern side of San Diego County, with portions extending east into Imperial County and north into Riverside County. It is about a two-hour drive from San Diego, Riverside, and Palm Springs.

Many visitors approach from the east or west via Highways S22 and 78. From the coast, these highways descend from the heights of the Peninsular range of mountains with spectacular views of the great bowl of the Colorado Desert. Highway S2 enters the park from the south off of Interstate 8.

Once in Borrego Springs, the easiest way to find the Visitor Center is to drive to the far west end of Palm Canyon Drive. From the parking lot ($10 fee per car per day), follow the sidewalk down about 200 yards past the flagpole to the front doors of the building, which is hidden, mostly underground!

The 3-mile (roundtrip) Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is accessed from the trailhead at the end of the main campground road ($10 Day-use parking fee).

Most visitors approach from the east via Highways S22, S2, or 78. Visitors from San Diego via Highways 79 and 78 have the added pleasure of driving through the mountainous Cuyamaca Rancho State Park--quite a different experience from Anza-Borrego. The highways from the east climb to 2,400 feet or so and then descend about 2,000 feet to the valley. Where the highway breaks out of the high-country vegetation, it reveals the great bowl of the Anza-Borrego desert. The valley spreads below, and there are mountains all around. The highest are to the north--the Santa Rosa Mountains. The mountains are a wilderness, with no paved roads in or out or through. They have the only all-year-flowing watercourse in the park. They are the home of the peninsular bighorn sheep, often called desert bighorn. Few park visitors ever see them; the sheep are justly wary. A patient few observers each year see and count them, to learn how this endangered species is coping with human encroachment.

Slot Canyon Near San Diego Location

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park^®has been named an International Dark Sky Park and the town of Borrego Springs a Dark Sky Community!

This recognition for our efforts in protecting and interpreting the dark skies over the park comes from the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), and will help ensure that dark skies over Anza-Borrego remain an unspoiled resource. Read the Press Release.

The online video journal of the Colorado Desert District covering Anza-Borrego Desert State Park^®, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Palomar Mountain State Park.

Additional Visitor Services

• California Overland (Vehicle tours and interpretive programs)
• Bike Borrego (Interpretive Bike Tours)
• County of San Diego (Agua Caliente Hot Springs)

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza- Borrego Desert State Park’s rugged landscape formed largely by the forces of erosion attacking the uplifted mountains. The higher the mountains rise, the more vigorously they are attacked by rain, snow, ice, and wind, as they yield to the constant pull of gravity.

^{(Photograph by Mike Fuller)}

The full Geo Gems report Geological Gems of State Parks

Slot Canyon Near San Diego Beach

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Slot Canyon Near San Diego Ca

When using map apps., it is best to use Anza Borrego Desert State Park® Visitor Center for directions to the Visitor Center. Using only Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® in some map apps. may result in directions leading to a dirt, 4 wheel drive road. more information under 'About Us - Location - Directions'.