By: Alex
The Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department has announced that photography tours in Upper Antelope Canyon will be discontinued starting in 2020. Located in Arizona, USA, Antelope Canyon is one of the world’s most famous slot canyons. It rose to fame rapidly through social media and was later crowned as the filming location of “the most expensive photo in history” (sold for around HK$58.9 million). In recent years, the dramatic increase in visitor numbers has repeatedly sparked controversy.
▲ Antelope Canyon has gained rapid popularity in recent years, largely driven by social media influencers. (Photo by Dan Zafra)
As Antelope Canyon is located within the Navajo Nation tribal park, according to local laws, visitors can only access the canyon through officially designated tour operators. Currently, there are two types of tours available: general sightseeing tours for regular tourists, and specialized photography tours for photography enthusiasts.
▲ The flowing sand may actually be manipulated by photography tour guides. (Photo by Dan Zafra)
Sightseeing tours usually have larger groups, tighter schedules, and prohibit the use of tripods or monopods, making it nearly impossible to take high-quality photos. In contrast, photography tours have fewer participants, allow more time for individual shooting, and permit the use of tripods. Additionally, guides manage the crowd to prevent bystanders from entering the frame during photoshoots. Past reports have also indicated that guides sometimes kick up dust to artificially enhance the quality of light beams entering the canyon (related reports).
▲ Many visitors have complained about the overcrowding in the canyon, which significantly impacts the overall experience. (Photo by Dan Zafra)
However, as visitor numbers continued to rise, complaints grew not only about overcrowding but also about the rising cost of photography tours, which now range from US$140 to US$190 per person (approximately HK$1,098 to HK$1,490, depending on the time slot), drawing widespread criticism. In response, the Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Department decided to discontinue photography tours starting in 2020, thereby freeing up space in the canyon to provide a better experience for other visitors. It is reported that the last day of operation for photography tours was December 20, 2019.
Source: DIY Photography, Dan Zafra