Inside Antelope Canyon, a wind-carved "slot canyon" and Navajo Tribal Park located near Page, AZ Photo: TheWordWire

I'd seen lots of postcard-perfect pictures of Antelope Canyon before we ever visited there, because the place is a photographer's dream. But none of the professional shots or snapshots of ours capture the awe of seeing it in person.

Antelope Canyon is a wind-carved slot canyon locted near Lake Powell outside of beautiful Page, Arizona. It's a Navajo Tribal Park, and can only be accessed with a guide. Tickets can be purchased in Page, and visitors are shuttled into the wilderness in open air four-wheel drive vehicles.

The short ride to the canyon is an adventure in and of itself. The road leading to the canyon entrance is unpaved, and sandy as a beach. Once you reach the canyon, your small tour walks a quarter mile to the end, and back out.

The narrow wind-swept passageway winds and twists, with the sun casting beautiful light and shadows from the top. Red, orange and purple hues color the natural passageway as the sun moves overhead.

For photography buffs, the best time for lighting is early afternoon. Though we love our photos as a reminder of an incredible day, a professional's work gives a better sense of the experience. Feast your eyes on the pictures Steve Gould Photography displays, for example. If you're visiting the American Southwest, Antelope Canyon is well-worth a stop to see for yourself.