01.10. Antelope Canyon and Arrival at Zion Glamping

Today we continue our journey to the next national park. We are very curious about what Zion National Park has in store for us. The car was quickly loaded, and off we went.
To make sure we wouldn’t get too bored during the drive, we made a little stop along the way. We headed to Antelope Canyon. The canyon splits into two main sections: the Upper Antelope Canyon and the Lower Antelope Canyon. The Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular and well-known part, famous for its spectacular light beams that fall through the narrow openings of the canyon.
We definitely didn’t want to miss this spectacle; therefore, we snagged tickets for a fixed time slot for a whopping 90 dollars per person the night before. We were filled with anticipation and good mood as we sat in the car, gearing up for the upcoming adventure.

But then the inevitable happened. Suddenly, in the middle of nowhere on the highway, one of us glanced at the clock and exclaimed in horror, “Oh no! One hour late?!” The brutal truth hit us: we had completely ignored the time change! Our 360 dollars seemed to be slipping through our fingers like sand. With frantic tapping on our phones, we dove into Google search, desperately hoping this was just a small mistake.

After ten minutes of chaotic Googling, during which we were already mentally driving towards Zion National Park, we suddenly had a ray of hope! The time zone didn’t extend along the entire route. Page, the town where Antelope Canyon is located, was right on the time boundary! As soon as we arrived, the clock rolled back, and we made it – just in time for the bus! We breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged triumphant looks. A stroke of luck in misfortune! The tour could begin, and the 360 dollars were saved. 😄

We rode the bus deep into the desert, and the road was so bumpy that we were jostled around like in a roller coaster. Our small group had the most fun – our laughter echoed through the bus, while the other passengers looked at us with curious glances. Apparently, they didn’t find the wild ride quite as amusing. After an exciting twenty-minute journey, we finally reached Antelope Canyon. Unfortunately, it was already filled with other tourists, but we were lucky to arrive as the last group. This allowed us to hold back a little and quietly enjoy the view.
The canyon was truly breathtaking! The light fell through the narrow openings, casting fascinating color plays on the walls, perfect for amazing photos.

After this impressive visit, we continued towards Zion National Park. Hunger began to set in, and we opted for a classic dinner at McDonald's. In hindsight, however, we questioned why we had done that – the brief stomachaches didn’t take long to kick in, and the ice cream machine was broken anyway. We were all the more excited for our tent at glamping now.

When we arrived at the site, we were immediately enchanted. The tents shone beautifully on the hills, creating a magical atmosphere. We were warmly welcomed with a sign and a walkie-talkie to check in. 

Through the walkie-talkie, we called a ranger who kindly guided us through the camp. He showed us the communal kitchen and the sanitary facilities while we soaked in the idyllic surroundings. Our tent was surprisingly spacious and cozy, and outside, we found a small grill and a fire pit. As soon as we settled in, we unpacked the supplies and set about lighting a campfire to roast delicious marshmallows.

As twilight fell and the temperatures dropped, we slowly prepared for bed. Tired, we snuggled into our beds while Julia and Nico quietly prayed they wouldn’t have to go to the bathroom at night. With smiles on our faces, we finally fell into a well-deserved sleep.