Sacred sandstone

One of the most popular tourist attractions in the roughly 17.5-million-acre Navajo Nation, Antelope Canyon is both a natural wonder and a cornerstone of local culture. Over millions of years, rose-red sandstone walls have been eroded into flowing, ethereal shapes. The site is traditionally sacred to the Navajo, and access is limited to excursions led by tribal guides—partly to ensure respect for the canyon as a cultural site, and partly to protect guests from flash floods, which can arise quickly in this arid area prone to monsoon rains.