Ken's Tours Lower Antelope Canyon — Attraction in Four Corners States

We were really looking forward to visiting this canyon but it ended up being a terrible experience due to the staff and management. After going through other reviews, this is a common issue with this company.

Justin - terrible guide. He yelled at us for simply forgetting a rule not to take pictures on the stairs. We apologized, immediately put our phones away, and asked what was the reason for the rule. This somehow triggered him and he became aggressive. He blocked the trail, told us we were being disrespectful. We apologized again and asked if we could continue but he wouldn't listen. He called us names, accused us of being drunk (we don't drink) threw out several threats and at one point puffed out his chest and pushed himself against another member of our group. His behavior significantly escalated the situation. Even with both sides getting heated, we never once called names, used threats, or got physical. His reaction and behavior was absolutely uncalled for and it seemed like he wanted to single us out and make an example of us. He refused to let us continue and told us we would have to get a different guide.

I eventually was able to talk to the manager, Mariah, who at the time seemed genuine in listening to me and trying to find a solution to get us on another tour. Tony, another guide, offered to take us. Tony was great. He told us about the history of the canyon, answered all of our questions and even took pictures for us and other people on the tour and showed us the best angles. There are other, shorter stairs throughout the canyon and several times Tony gave gentle reminders to those who took pictures while on the stairs. Which was all Justin needed to do.

Once we finished the tour, we wanted to let the manager know how great Tony was and how Justin’s behavior was inappropriate. This is where things got weird. As soon Mariah saw me, she appeared upset and when I told her why we were there, she told us that Justin was right to do what he did and that she shouldn’t have let us continue the tour. I was taken aback. Her demeanor was completely different and she refused to listen to us stating “I believe my guide and I don’t want to hear what you have to say.” We were shocked to say the least. We told her we just wanted to tell our side of the story and that it’s unacceptable of your staff to treat people like that. She could not have cared less as she continued to interrupt us, blatantly saying over and over “I don’t care.” As a manager, you absolutely should care. Whatever Justin told her was probably not true and most likely not the whole story, but that didn’t matter to her. Other staff members were there and they began to chime in, belittling us and telling us that everything was our fault, implying that we were stupid to have forgotten the rules and that they did nothing wrong. We felt like we were being ganged up on and bullied. I mentioned how other people were taking pictures and even videos and nobody cared to talk to them and it was only us that he had singled out. They assured us that they talked to every single one of them (I assure you, they did not). It even got more bizarre when one girl referenced my boyfriend’s shirt which said “freedom” saying “well it figures”. What is that supposed to mean? She then goes on saying that the Navajo people have been mistreated for years. What does that have to do with how your guide treated us? During all of this, we did not make personal attacks but that was their go-to. I cannot believe how this company thinks that this is the correct way to handle conflict. Both sides aren’t always going to get what they want or even agree, but the situation should be diffused and hopefully some sort of mutual understanding is reached. It was like they knew that it was handled poorly but did not want to take any responsibility. We pointed out that this was a terrible way to run a business to which they actually agreed but then told us that we just needed to leave....

I had a mixed experience with Ken's Tours at Antelope Canyon. While the canyon itself is stunning and our guide was excellent, I have serious concerns about safety disclosure that potential visitors should know about.

The Good: Our guide Shelby deserves 5 stars. She was patient, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the tour. As the slowest person in our group, I never felt rushed or uncomfortable. She helped another distressed visitor in our group without any harsh words. She knew all the best photo angles and took better pictures with our cameras than we could ourselves. She also shared interesting information about the canyon's formation millions of years ago. I could hear another guide in front of us who was also friendly and explaining Navajo culture and some Navajo words. The tour length (about an hour) was good. AIso, I’ve read comments about discrimination. I am African-American visitor, I experienced no discrimination from staff. There were Asian visitors in our group and they were all treated well too.

The Concerning: The tour company fails to adequately disclose the physical demands and safety risks. The website mentions it is “physically demanding” and do not do it if you have any major health issues. However, it doesn't explain that some sections are as steep as ladders. The descent begins with a challenging walk down a sandy hill where you sink with each step, followed by stairs into the canyon of varying steepness, some nearly vertical. Many sections lack railings, requiring you to steady yourself against the rock walls. Many steps had sand on them which makes them slippery. This tour is not suitable for those with a fear of heights, mobility issues or knee problems, balance problems, larger body sizes (some passages are very narrow). The safety risks are real even if you are fit because if someone above you slips on those ladder steep sections, they could take down everyone below. Before you go, you are required to sign a liability waiver, and since this is on Navajo Nation land, legal recourse would be limited to impossible, if something goes wrong, even if it is the tour company’s fault. I only learned about the 1997 flash flood that killed 11 tourists once I was already in the canyon.

Bottom Line: The canyon is beautiful, though honestly, it photographs better than it looks in person. It also seems as if which guide you get, makes a huge difference in how your experience is, and your guide is really just the luck of the draw. If you're physically fit, comfortable with heights, and understand the risks, you might enjoy this. But the tour company needs to be more transparent about the physical requirements and safety concerns on their website. At this price point, plus tip, visitors deserve full disclosure to make an...

Absolutely breathtaking experience at Lower Antelope Canyon – and a huge thank you to our amazing guide, Jacey S.!

Words truly fall short when trying to describe the magic of Lower Antelope Canyon. This was more than just a tour — it felt like stepping into the very soul of the Earth. The colors, the curves, the textures, the shifting light… it was like walking through a living, breathing natural masterpiece.

What made this experience even more unforgettable was our guide, Jacey S. She wasn’t just knowledgeable — she was passionate, engaging, and clearly deeply connected to the canyon. She shared so many fascinating facts about how the canyon was formed over millions of years through the powerful forces of water, wind, and time. Her storytelling brought the rocks to life, turning every twist and turn into a moment of awe and wonder.

About halfway through the tour, my daughter started to feel unwell due to the heat, and I have to say — Jacey reacted immediately and professionally. She quickly made an ice pack, gave her a special electrolyte drink, and checked on her constantly to make sure she was okay. Thanks to her calm, caring, and competent response, we were able to continue the tour and fully enjoy the rest of the experience. I’m beyond grateful for her support — she turned what could have been a stressful moment into a reminder of how much compassion and professionalism matter.

Before entering the canyon, we had to walk a short distance and go down a few sets of stairs. While I had heard that the descent can be tricky, honestly — it was very manageable. The ladders are stable and well-designed, and the whole process felt safe and even a bit adventurous! Don’t let that part discourage you — it’s a small effort compared to the absolutely jaw-dropping beauty waiting inside. Trust me, once you’re down in the canyon, you’ll be completely mesmerized and won’t even think about the steps it took to get there.

Jacey also pointed out incredible natural shapes and silhouettes hidden in the canyon walls — from eagles to hearts to waves — and helped us capture the perfect photos. She knew exactly where the light would hit to create those iconic shots, and thanks to her, our pictures are absolutely stunning (but still don’t do justice to what it felt like to be there!).

I can’t recommend this tour enough — and if you can, request Jacey S. as your guide. Her energy, insight, warmth, and readiness to help in any situation made this one of the absolute highlights of our entire trip.

Lower Antelope Canyon is a place everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. It’s truly a wonder of the natural world — and we’ll...