Antelope canyon vs buckskin gulch via wire pass

Question

We have a question regarding the option of hiking Buckskin Gulch via wire pass (we have 4 wheel drive) or anetelope canyon - either the mystic antelope canyon or antelope canyon repel tour. We do not believe we have time to do Buckskin and one of the tour options above. We have seen the drive to Wire Pass is an hour from Page and then the hike (of course weather permitting) we would need about 3-4 hours to get a ways into the Gulch.

With that said does the buckskin gulch offer similar canyon experience? Meaning is the Gulch and the antelope canyon similar in colors and dimensions. We have hiked spooky and peek a boo slot which was fantastic but they do not seem to have the depth of color the antelope has based on photos I have seen (I understand sunlight and time of day can affect this)

Any advice is appreciated!

Answer

Buckskin Gulch and Antelope Canyon offer very different experiences, even though both are slot canyons in the Page area. If you are trying to decide between the two for a limited timeframe, here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose.

Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is world-famous for its narrow, twisting passageways, smooth sandstone walls, and dramatic light beams, especially at certain times of day. The Mystic Canyon and Antelope Canyon Rappel tours offer slightly different experiences:

Mystic Antelope Canyon: Easier walk, guided, with famous light and photographic opportunities. Less physically demanding.
Antelope Canyon Rappel Tour: Includes descending into sections with ropes; more adventurous and physically engaging, but also guided.

The key attraction is the rich, warm colors of the sandstone walls and the way sunlight filters into the canyon, creating incredible photo opportunities. Antelope Canyon’s walls are relatively high, narrow, and smooth, giving it a very iconic “classic slot canyon” feel.

Buckskin Gulch via Wire Pass

Buckskin Gulch is much longer and more remote. It’s considered one of the longest slot canyons in the world and offers a more rugged, natural, and less touristy experience. Highlights include:

Deep, narrow passageways, often with twists and turns.
More varied terrain: sandy washes, occasional rocks to scramble over.
Less pronounced color variation; the walls tend to be more muted in reds and tans compared to Antelope Canyon.
Requires more navigation and attention to conditions; hiking into Buckskin can take 3-4 hours just to reach a reasonable turnaround point.

Comparison Points

Visual Impact: Antelope Canyon generally has more vivid colors and the iconic light beams; Buckskin is more subtle and natural.
Accessibility: Antelope Canyon is guided, easier, and quicker; Buckskin requires more effort, navigation, and time.
Experience: Antelope Canyon is more “touristy” but visually stunning; Buckskin offers solitude, adventure, and a sense of exploration.

Recommendation

Since you have already hiked Spooky and Peek-a-Boo slots, which are similar in scale and adventure to Buckskin, and you are limited on time, doing one of the Antelope Canyon tours will give you the most dramatic visual experience and photographs. Buckskin is fantastic for those seeking a longer, less crowded, and more adventurous hike, but it won’t give the same deep, glowing colors that Antelope is famous for.

Overall, for a short trip and wanting a visually spectacular experience, prioritize Antelope Canyon. If your goal is solitude and hiking adventure over colors, Buckskin is a great choice, but it requires more time and effort.