Where to fit in Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyon?

Question

I am flying into Phoenix on Sunday, 6/8 arriving around 11:30 am. From there, we'll be driving to GCNP for 2 nights (staying within the park) then driving to Sedona on 6/10 and staying there until 6/13, flying back home around 3 pm on 6/13.

I would like to visit Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon at some point and was thinking that we'd do that on 6/10 - leave from GCNP, drive to Antelope/Horseshoe, then return to Sedona later that evening.

Our only must do's in GCNP are the South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge, I'd like to fit in the Bright Angel Trail to the 1.5 mile rest house if time allows (we're pretty quick hikers), and see a couple of viewpoints (Mather, Hopi). So, I don't think we need too much time there.

So, my question is - do you think the current plan is fine/allows enough time in GCNP to leave from there and visit Horseshoe and Antelope on 6/10, or should we do that from one of our days based in Sedona?

Also, regardless of which day we visit, the only option to visit Lower Antelope would be a 3:15 pm tour. For this time of year, is that still a decent time to visit the canyon? And, with driving there from GCNP, what time would you recommend we plan to arrive at/visit Horseshoe Bend since our Antelope Canyon tour would not start until 3:15 pm or what would there be to do in the area in the meantime?

Answer

Given your itinerary, here’s a detailed assessment of fitting Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon into your trip while balancing your Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) priorities.

Driving from GCNP (South Rim) to Page, AZ, where Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon are located, is roughly a 2.5–3 hour drive without stops. After visiting both, the drive to Sedona is about 3.5–4 hours. Attempting all of this in a single day can make for a very long and tiring day, especially if you want to enjoy the sights rather than just check them off.

Considering your GCNP plan:

South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge (must-do) — approximately 2–3 hours including ascent/descent.
Bright Angel Trail to 1.5 mile resthouse (optional) — add roughly 2–3 hours.
Viewpoints (Mather, Hopi) — 1–2 hours total depending on stops and photos.

If you try to do Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon the same day as leaving GCNP, you will likely leave the park mid-morning, arriving at Horseshoe Bend around noon to 12:30 pm if you include a short stop for lunch. Antelope Canyon’s 3:15 pm tour works, but you will have 2–3 hours to fill in the area:

Horseshoe Bend — plan to spend 30–60 minutes walking and taking photos.
Local sightseeing — consider Lake Powell overlook or the town of Page for a short coffee/snack stop.
Arrive at Antelope Canyon by 3 pm to prepare for the tour.

After the tour, heading to Sedona will put you on the road around 4:30–5:00 pm, meaning you may arrive in Sedona close to 8–8:30 pm. This is doable but very long (approx. 8–9 hours of driving plus sightseeing), and may be tiring after two hiking days in GCNP.

Alternative plan for a more relaxed approach:

Spend both nights in GCNP as planned, fully enjoy the South Rim trails and viewpoints.
On June 10, drive directly to Page in the morning, perhaps departing early from GCNP. Spend the afternoon at Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon (3:15 pm tour), then stay overnight in Page. This avoids a late-night drive to Sedona.
Drive from Page to Sedona on June 11, which is a manageable 3.5–4 hour drive.

Regarding Lower Antelope Canyon’s 3:15 pm tour in early June, this is a fine time of year. While the iconic midday “light beams” are missed, the lighting inside is still excellent for photographs, and the canyon is less crowded than morning tours. Horseshoe Bend looks great any time of day, but early afternoon provides decent lighting and fewer crowds than the morning.

In summary:

Doing Horseshoe Bend and Lower Antelope Canyon after leaving GCNP the same day you continue to Sedona is possible but very long and tiring.
A more comfortable plan is to overnight in Page after visiting Antelope Canyon, then continue to Sedona the next day.
Arrive at Horseshoe Bend around 12–12:30 pm, then proceed to Antelope Canyon for the 3:15 pm tour. Fill the interim with lunch and a short stop at Lake Powell or Page viewpoints.

This approach balances sightseeing, minimizes excessive driving in a single day, and allows for a more enjoyable pace for your family.