Is the Antelope Canyon & Horseshoe Bend Private Day Trip from Las Vegas Worth It? My Real Experience
INTRO
We booked a private van. Just two girls and one driver.
No group. No schedule stress. Just us.
The plan was simple: leave Las Vegas at 7 AM, drive four hours, explore Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and be back before night.
That was the plan.
What actually happened turned into one of the most unforgettable travel days of my life.
WHY WE CHOSE A PRIVATE VAN
We had initially considered flying.
But the idea of seeing the desert, stopping when we wanted, and not being stuck in a large tour group felt more aligned with how we travel.
The private van included:
• Hotel pickup
• Hotel drop-off
• Canyon entrance tickets
• Licensed Navajo guide
• Full flexibility
It was just the two of us and our driver — and honestly, that changed everything.
THE DRIVE FROM LAS VEGAS
We left at 7 AM.
Four hours through the desert sounds long, but it didn’t feel that way. The landscapes kept changing. Open highways, red rock formations, endless skies.
If we had flown, we would have missed all of that.
Sometimes the journey is part of the experience and this was one of those times.
FIRST STOP: ANTELOPE CANYON
When we arrived, we chose the difficulty level.
There are three options:
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Our entrance ticket and guided tour were included in the price.
From the drop-off point, we walked about 10 minutes through the sand to reach the entrance. Our Navajo guide asked us to stay close, there can be snakes in the area.
That alone makes you feel like you’re stepping into something real.
Then we went down.
Deep.
You descend through narrow stairways until suddenly the world changes.
The canyon walls twist above you in shades of red, orange and gold. The air is warm. The light moves differently down there.
The tour lasted about an hour.
At the end, the guide showed us, using sand and water, how these formations were created over centuries. Watching that simple demonstration made everything we had just seen feel even more powerful.
Important things to know:
You are not allowed to bring anything inside.
No bags. No water. Nothing.
The canyon is extremely delicate.
Drink a lot of water before entering. It’s hot, sandy, and you walk quite a bit.
It’s not just a “photo stop”. It’s physically immersive.
Vegas glows at night, but the desert writes the stories
HORSESHOE BEND
Right after, we headed to Horseshoe Bend.
No matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the scale of it.
You walk toward the edge and suddenly the Colorado River curves perfectly below you.
It’s dramatic. Quiet. Massive.
One of the most magical landscapes I’ve ever seen.
THE PRIVATE DRIVER ADVANTAGE
Now this is where things changed.
We were supposed to head back to Las Vegas.
But this is the beauty of having a private driver instead of a group tour.
We asked him:
“What about that lake in Utah?”
He smiled. Said yes immediately.
Goodbye Nevada.
Hello Utah.
And that’s when the story took a turn.
“Antelope Canyon”
“Horseshoe Bend”
LAKE POWELL & THE STORM
After Horseshoe Bend, we were supposed to head back to Las Vegas.
But that’s the beauty of having a private driver. We asked if we could stop at Lake Powell in Utah, and he said yes without hesitation.
Driving down the sandy path to reach the lake felt adventurous already. We stayed for about an hour, took photos, swam, and soaked in the surreal desert scenery.
On the way back, though, things got interesting.
The van got stuck in deep sand — and at the same time, a massive storm was rolling in. For a moment, we were in the middle of nowhere with no signal and no clear plan.
Thankfully, a powerful truck created fresh tracks in the sand, and we managed to follow them out.
It wasn’t part of the itinerary.
But it became the moment we’ll never forget.
(You can read the full story here →)
THE 5-HOUR DRIVE BACK
Then came the long drive back to Las Vegas.
Five more hours.
Exhausted. Slightly in shock. Still laughing.
It wasn’t the “perfect curated Instagram day.”
It was chaotic. Real. Unpredictable.
And unforgettable
IS THE PRIVATE ANTELOPE CANYON DAY TRIP WORTH IT?
YES.
But not just for the canyon.
It’s worth it for:
• The flexibility
• The privacy
• The desert drive
• The freedom to change plans
• The unexpected moments
If we had been on a large group tour, that Utah detour would never have happened.
Would I do it again?
ABSOLUTELY!
WHO THIS IS PERFECT FOR:
• Couples
• Close friends
• Travelers who want flexibility
• People who prefer privacy over big tour buses
• Anyone who wants Vegas to be more than casinos
THIS IS NOT IDEAL IF:
• You don’t like long drives
• You prefer short city activities
• You want everything rigidly scheduled
FINAL THOUGHT
Las Vegas shines at night.
But the desert writes the real stories.
If you’re going to leave the Strip for one full-day experience, make it this one.
→ Book the Private Antelope Canyon Day Trip here
If you’re interested in booking this experience with the same private driver we used, feel free to reach out to me directly. I’m happy to connect you.
