This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
If you’ve seen pictures advertising Arizona, or read travel books, then I’m almost certain you have a good idea of what the famous Horseshoe Bend looks like.
If not, here it is…
This iconic scene is one of the most well-known views of the Colorado River – and that’s saying something, because the river is 2,334 km long!
Drawing more than 2 million visitors a year, this once beloved hidden gem has become one of the most popular viewpoints in the state.
So, if you’re planning visiting Horseshoe Bend in Northern Arizona and want to make a stop past this scenic area, this guide is for you.
We’re here to help you plan a trip to witness this incredible view of the Colorado River snaking through this spectacular Southwest USA desert scenery, because avoiding 2 million people isn’t an easy task!
What is Horseshoe Bend in Arizona?
Horseshoe Bend is where the Colorado River makes a giant sweeping horseshoe-shaped bend in the canyon.
It’s a picturesque area on the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and offers a wide panoramic view of the Grand Canyon as the river meanders around a bend in (hence the name).
I especially loved the emerald green water of the Colorado River below, which is not a color you typically see on the Colorado River.
It was only a couple of weeks after visiting Horseshoe Bend that we realized it’s actually considered part of the Grand Canyon East Rim area.
Not many people know that Horseshoe Bend is also part of the Grand Canyon National Park, but isn’t the main viewpoint (more on that later).
The Grand Canyon East Rim area is not like the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, North Rim, and West Rim, whereby you can stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and look into it.
The east side of the Grand Canyon is where the Glen Canyon area merges into it, so the region around here is considered part of the Grand Canyon East.
Horseshoe Bend is a unique and different perspective of the Grand Canyon!
It’s the only place along the Grand Canyon where you can get an up close selfie of the Colorado River as it makes its carving move downstream.
The Grand Canyon East is also said to incorporate Antelope Canyon, the Glen Canyon Recreation Area and Lake Powell.
How do I get to Horseshoe Bend, Arizona?
Horseshoe Bend is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is about 10 minutes away from the town of Page in northeast Arizona, close to the Utah border.
The parking lot is near the Horseshoe bend trailhead, which is located off US Highway 89, approximately 5 miles (8 km) south of the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.
There are plenty of handicap/assessable parking spaces located near the trailhead.
Note, the hike to Horseshoe Bend Overlook from the parking lot is a 1.5 mile round trip, and is on a well maintained path the whole way.
Horseshoe Bend has become so busy, and we had to park some ways down the road and pay a $5 per person shuttle fee to get to the viewpoint and back.
Hot tip: If the parking area is full, have the driver of your car drop everyone off at Horseshoe Bend overlook area before parking your car and catching the shuttle. For a family of four, that saved us $15.
Drive Times
If you’re coming from Page, the drive time is about 10 minutes to Horseshoe Bend.
From Las Vegas (273 miles) or Phoenix, Horseshoe Bend is about 4 hours 30 minutes away, and from Flagstaff, it can take 2 hours 10 minutes to get to the bend and from Sedona (157 miles), it’s about 2 hours and 50 minutes .
Horseshoe Bend is a 2 hour 20-minute drive from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim (114 miles).
When is the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona?
If I was to visit the Lake Powell and the Page Arizona region again, I would visit Horseshoe Bend at sunrise or sunset.
Sunrise is one of the best times of day for photography and would be a great time to capture the bend, as the sun will slowly begin illuminating the canyon walls.
Are you prepared to wake up early for it? In my experience, it’s always worth it!
At other times of the day, the bend and river are in shadow. Early afternoon is a popular time to visit Horseshoe Bend, which means snapping photos with hundreds of other people.
The good news is visiting Horseshoe Bend can be quick and easy, and takes little more than 30 minutes to hike to the overlook, snap some photos, and walk back.
It is slightly less busy in the off-season – running from October through February. Spring or Autumn will have the best weather being neither too hot nor cold.
It’s the desert so during summer there will be high heat and little shade.
June until September are considered the monsoon season, so you might even expect rainy (and even stormy) weather during this time of year.
FAQs about visiting Horseshoe Bend
How much time do you need at Horseshoe Bend?
It takes 30 minutes to walk to the overlook and back to the parking lot at Horseshoe Bend, but you will want to factor in time to admire the view and snap some pictures – so allow 1 hour to visit Horseshoe Bend in total.
Can you go to the Horseshoe Bend on your own?
You can go to Horseshoe Bend on your own without a guided tour. Many tours pass here, but you can park up and hike on your own with ease.
Is it worth seeing the Horseshoe Bend?
In our opinion, it’s definitely worth it to see Horseshoe Bend as it’s the only viewpoint where the Colorado River is so clear and close to you. If you time your visit for the morning when the canyon is cast in sunshine, it looks even more spectacular.
Can I do Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day?
You can definitely combine a trip to Antelope Canyon with a trip to Horseshoe Bend. You do need to book a tour for Antelope Canyon, so it would make more sense to see that first, but since it only takes an hour to visit Horseshoe Bend and they are only a 12 minute drive from each other, it’s definitely doable to see both in one day. More on how to do this below.
What is the length of the trail at Horseshoe Bend?
From the parking lot, there is an easy 0.6-mile one-way trail to the scenic overlook. The trail is gravel but flat and well maintained, and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
Is there shade at Horseshoe Bend?
There are two shade structures on the trail to the overlook, but not at the actual viewpoint.
Is it safe to visit Horseshoe Bend?
You can walk to certain viewpoints along the rim when hiking to Horseshoe Bend from the parking lot, but there is only a small section that is actually fenced off with a barrier.
I would consider it safe to hike under normal circumstances, you do need to be vigilant and keep an eye on your kids.
The trail is close to the edge of the cliff, which is made of sandstone, meaning it can be brittle and slick, leading to a 1,000 feet drop over the edge.
Standing on the edge of the high cliffs was quite scary. I was amazed at how many people would risk toppling off the edge just to take that coveted Instagram worthy photo.
No thanks!
This is mostly a natural landmark, so caution is paramount – we stayed well back and only took photos up close where there was a fence in front of us at Horseshoe bend overlook.
At one stage, I stepped in to pull a young boy away from the rim. His intrepid curiosity taking him closer and closer to the edge. My stomach felt sick watching and I couldn’t but entice him back.
While we were in the Grand Canyon region, two people actually died from falling off the rim trying to take photos. It’s not worth it. You can get plenty of spectacular photos from the realm of safety.
There are many boats cruising down the Colorado River below and we could spy campground toilets on the banks across the river.
I was inspired to get down into the canyon either on land or by boat to explore the perspective from down there.
Horseshoe Bend Entrance Fee and Hours
Fortunately, Horseshoe Bend is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. There are no fees to enter the park, but you do need to pay parking fees for your vehicle.
- Motorcycle – $5
- Car, Motorhome or RV – $10
- Buses up to 14 people – $35
- Buses up to 35 – $70
- Coaches of 35+ – $140
It’s important to note that you cannot park on Highway 89 and you will be ticketed and towed! It may seem obvious not to park on the side of a highway, but people do it, so we have to mention it.
The most popular hours in the day are 9:00am – 11:00am and 4:30pm – 6:30pm. No overnight parking or camping is allowed, sorry!
What should I bring with me to Horseshoe Bend?
There isn’t much to do at Horseshoe Canyon itself, except gaze in wonder, although it depends on how many photos you want to take from multiple different angles.
So you don’t really need to bring anything with you besides your camera – you can leave everything else in the car. Drones are not allowed, and I highly recommend a wide angle lens if you have a DSLR as this will allow you to capture the entire bend.
You should wear sturdy footwear, and I recommend closed shoes and not sandals. Since shade is minimal, bring a sunhat and sunglasses, and wear sun protection.
Tips for visiting Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Before you visit Horseshoe Bend, I have a few words of advice before you go.
- Arizona is hot. Like, insanely hot. So be prepared and drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and if possible, stay out of the midday heat.
- Pack a camera with a wide-angle lens. If you’re a photographer, you’re going to want your widest lens to be able to capture the entire landscape.
- Avoid visiting in the summer months. This is not only the hottest time of the year, but the rainy season. July and August are monsoon seasons, and it can often go into September. Plan your trip for the winter like January, when the weather is more tolerable.
- Take snacks. The hike is only 1.5-miles round trip but the terrain is deep sand and a little rocky in areas. It takes a while to cover the distance because of this.
- This brings me to my next tip – wear sturdy shoes. The sand can be slippery so make sure your shoes have plenty of grip. Sandals and flip-flops are stylish but not a good idea.
- Check for park closures before visiting. You can find this information here.
Things to do near Horseshoe Bend Arizona
You’re in luck. Horseshoe Bend Arizona is surrounded by many cool attractions in the Page and Lake Powell region.
You can easily combine them into a full-day experience. I actually wouldn’t make the trip to Horseshoe Bend unless you were going to do other things in the Lake Powell/ Page region.
Lake Powell
With its sculptured white and red sandstone and blue waters, Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a sublime place to visit.
It’s an oasis in the desert surrounded by a magnificent canyon – underneath and above the water.
Lake Powell is an immense man made lake with loads of recreational activities on offer. We didn’t do much other than enjoy our camping spot right on the beach at Lone Rock Beach.
I loved this area. It’s beautiful and offers a relaxing getaway.
Most of Glen Canyon sleeps under the surface of Lake Power.
The upper sandstone walls however beckon you to come play. Whereas with the Grand Canyon you can mostly just stare with wonder and incomprehension, here at Glen Canyon you can boat, ski, fish, kayak, paddle board or swim among the towering domes and cliff walls.
Camping at Lake Powell, Lone Rock Beach Campground
We kayaked, paddle boarded and swam in the lake at Lone Rock Beach. Well, only a quick 2-minute dip as it was early April and still very cold.
Other places of interest to visit in this area include:
- Rainbow Bridge National Monument – the world’s largest natural bridge, only accessible by boat and tours. And includes a strenuous hike from Navajo mountain. This is a sacred site to neighboring tribes, so be respectful and do not climb the bridge.
- Rent a houseboat and explore further afield.
- Hike into Glen Canyon’s back-country.
Watch us play at Lake Powell
Watch us play and explore at Lake Powell here:
Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon Tour
You might recognize it from the old Microsoft screen saver. The most expensive photograph sold of Antelope Canyon went for $6.5 million. That’s how impressive those polished crevices in the slot canyon are.
How far is Antelope Canyon from Horseshoe Bend?
Antelope Canyon is only about 10 minutes from Horseshoe Bend!! It makes it so easy for you to visit these two top Arizona destinations in one day!
Glen Canyon Dam
If you want to marvel at great engineering feats than stop in at the Glen Canyon Dam visitor center.
In 1963, Glen Canyon dam began backing up the waters of the Colorado River that now have created 1,9000 miles of shoreline at Lake Powell. There are cool free exhibits explaining how it was built and why. You get beautiful views from here of the Colorado River and the dam.
Top tip: You can pay to do a guided tour of the Glen Canyon Dam and Powerplant. Learn more here.
Page, Arizona
Page was founded as the company town for the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam. It’s now a tourist and recreational center for visitors to the area.
It’s quite a golfer’s mecca and is a great base for exploring the nearby attractions.
Car & RV Rental
If you don’t have your own car, check below for rental car options from Las Vegas and from Sedona, or Phoenix. Or Check out RV share if you wish to rent your own RV, campervan or motorhome.
Tours to Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Check out the below Horseshoe Bend tours from Las Vegas, Sedona, and Flagstaff:
Where to stay near Horseshoe Bend: Page, Arizona
Boondocking at Lone Rock Beach Campground
As mentioned, we camped for $12 a night at the Lone Rock Beach Campground on Lake Powell, which is about 30 minutes from Page.
Other options include:
More American Southwest Travel Tips
While you’re planning your trip to Horseshoe Bend, why not check out these other guides for places nearby to add to your road trip:
Pin to save on Pinterest
Now it’s your turn! Are you planning on visiting Horseshoe Bend? Are you excited? Let us know in the comments.