VISITING HORSESHOE BEND IN ARIZONA

Located near the town of Page in northern Arizona, is a horseshoe-shaped meander of the Colorado River, which is just downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. The viewpoint to Horseshoe Bend in Arizona overlooks a 1,000-foot deep canyon, with the river flowing 1,000 feet below. The stunning view of the emerald-green river snaking through the red sandstone cliffs attracts thousands of visitors each year. Join us as we give you all the info you could possibly need to plan a visit to this magical place!

ABOUT HORSESHOE BEND IN ARIZONA

Horseshoe Bend has a rich geological history dating back millions of years. The meander of the Colorado River that created the horseshoe shape was formed through the process of erosion over a period of millions of years. The site has been inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years, and evidence of their presence can be found in the form of petroglyphs and artifacts. In the 1800s, the area was explored by John Wesley Powell during his expeditions of the Colorado River. The town of Page was established in the 1950s to house workers building the nearby Glen Canyon Dam. Horseshoe Bend remained relatively unknown until recent years when it gained popularity as a tourist attraction. Today, it is managed by the National Park Service and is protected as part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

WHERE IS HORSESHOE BEND LOCATED?

Horseshoe Bend is located in northern Arizona, near the town of Page. It is situated about 5 miles downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, and is easily accessible from Highway 89. The nearest major city is Flagstaff, which is about 140 miles to the south. Other nearby attractions include Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon, both of which are within driving distance from Horseshoe Bend.

DRIVE TIME FROM:

Phoenix- 4 hours
Las Vegas – 5 hours
Salt Lake City – 6 hours
Albuquerque – 6 hours
Denver – 10 hours
Los Angeles – 8.5 hours

MAP OF THE HORSESHOE BEND IN ARIZONA

ENTRY TO HORSESHOE BEND

Horseshoe Bend in Arizona is managed by the National Park Service, and is inside of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The park does not require any fees to visit, however the parking lot to visit Horseshoe Bend, and owned by the city of Page, and requires a $10 single-day parking fee. This fee is only good while in the park. Once you leave, the fee is no longer valid, and you would need to pay another $10 to re-enter. So if you plan or hope to visit this beautiful site more than once, we’d recommend staying on-site for the day.

Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot - Arizona — Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot – Arizona

The parking lot is large, but fills up quickly. There is a designated area for RVs and campers, which can fit between 15-20. There are also a number of bathrooms on-site as well.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset, so make sure to check the times for your visit, as they change throughout the year. We opted to arrive at sunrise, and stay until sunset so as to see Horseshoe Bend at all times of day. We’ll get in to our recommendations of the best time to visit below.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR HORSESHOE BEND?

There are several accommodation options available for visitors to Horseshoe Bend. The town of Page, which is located just a few miles away, has a range of hotels, motels, and vacation rentals to choose from. Many of these properties offer views of the nearby Lake Powell and are conveniently located near restaurants and shops. For those looking for a more rugged experience, there are also several campgrounds and RV parks in the area, including the Lone Rock Beach Campground and the Wahweap RV & Campground. Additionally, visitors can choose to stay at the nearby Amangiri resort, which is a luxurious retreat nestled in the desert landscape and offers stunning views of the surrounding canyons.

For those who are vanlifers, or have RVs or campers, many of the businesses in Page like Walmart, and McDonalds, allow overnight parking (as of April 2023). We stayed in the parking lot at Walmart for a few nights, along with probably 20-30 other camper vehicles. That being said, city and business ordinances can change at any time, so we highly recommend and encourage checking with the city and/or the individual establishments before attempted to overnight park. And please be respectful of their property. It is becoming increasingly more and more difficult to find places that allow free overnight parking.

THINGS TO DO AT HORSESHOE BEND IN ARIZONA

Hike to Horseshoe Bend - Arizona — Hike to Horseshoe Bend – Arizona

Horseshoe Bend offers visitors a range of activities to enjoy in its stunning natural setting. The most popular activity is to hike to the overlook and take in the breathtaking views of the Colorado River as it snakes through the red sandstone cliffs. The hike to the overlook is relatively short and easy, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. The ultimate soft-adventure!

Visitors can also take a guided tour of the surrounding area, including nearby Antelope Canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam. Other activities in the area include kayaking or rafting on the Colorado River, fishing in Lake Powell, or hiking in the nearby Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. Horseshoe Bend is also a popular spot for stargazing due to its remote location and lack of light pollution, making it an ideal destination for astronomy enthusiasts.

DIFFICULTY – Easy (soft-adventure)
LENGTH – 1.5mi / 2.4km out and back
PET FRIENDLY – Yes! On leash.

BEST TIME TO VISIT HORSESHOE BEND

The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona depends on a variety of factors, including weather, crowds, and personal preferences. Typically the best times to visit Horseshoe Bend are during the spring and fall seasons, when the weather is mild and comfortable for outdoor activities. The months of April, May, September, and October are particularly popular due to the pleasant temperatures and lower crowds.

Crowd of people at sunrise - Horseshoe Bend, Arizona — Crowd of people at sunrise – Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

During the summer months, temperatures can reach over 100°F, making outdoor activities uncomfortable for some visitors. However, for those willing to brave the heat, summer can still be a great time to visit, especially for stargazing and evening photography. Winter can also be a good time to visit for those seeking a more peaceful experience, as crowds are lower and the weather is cooler. However, winter temperatures can dip below freezing at night, so visitors should be prepared with warm clothing and appropriate gear. Overall, the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend will depend on personal preferences and planned activities.

You can keep up with park updates HERE.

SEASONS

SPRING

Avg Low temps: 36ºF / 2ºC
Avg High temps: 63ºF / 17ºC

SUMMER

Avg Low temps: 62ºF / 17ºC
Avg High temps: 96ºF / 36ºC

FALL

Avg Low temps: 54ºF / 12ºC
Avg High temps: 84ºF / 29ºC

WINTER

Avg Low temps: 30ºF / -1ºC
Avg High temps: 50ºF / 10ºC

As for the best time of day to visit, this is also ultimately up to personal preference on crowds and the location of the sun. We found that the crowds were at their smallest at sunrise, as most people prefer not to wake up super early.

Crowd of people at mid-day - Horseshoe Bend, Arizona — Crowd of people at mid-day – Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

The crowds were at their largest at mid-day, as this is the most convenient time to visit for most people. As for sunset, the crowds were much smaller than mid-day, but not as small as sunrise. And as for the best views? Our favorite lighting and viewing was at sunset, but again, this is personal preference. Below you’ll find a photo of Horseshoe Bend at each time of day, and you can decide which appeals to you most!

SUNRISE

MID-DAY

SUNSET

HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED AT HORSESHOE BEND?

The amount of time needed at Horseshoe Bend depends on the individual visitor and their planned activities. For those who simply want to hike to the overlook and take in the view, 30 minutes to an hour may be sufficient. However, visitors who plan to take guided tours of the surrounding area, go kayaking or rafting on the Colorado River, or engage in other activities may want to plan for a half-day or full-day excursion. Photography enthusiasts may also want to spend extra time at the site to capture the perfect shot during different lighting conditions. Additionally, visitors who plan to visit during peak season should factor in extra time for parking and crowds. Ultimately, the amount of time needed at Horseshoe Bend will depend on the individual’s interests and itinerary.

Katy wearing here Kammok Mountain Blanket - Horseshoe Bend, Arizona — Katy wearing here Kammok Mountain Blanket – Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

We opted to spend one full day at Horseshoe Bend and experience the views at different times of day to determine which was our favorite.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

CELL PHONE SERVICE

Cell phone service inside the park and parking lot is relatively decent, subject to your carrier. We found that between Verizon and T-Mobile, we had relatively strong service.

Junior at Horseshoe Bend - Arizona — Junior at Horseshoe Bend – Arizona

PET FRIENDLY?

Horseshoe Bend is pet friendly! The park says pets are welcome as long as they are leashed, and picked up after.

You can find more info on the NPS website HERE.

LEAVE NO TRACE & 10 HIKING ESSENTIALS

This park is full of unique landscapes and fragile environments, both for plant life, and animals alike. So it is incredibly important to practice the 7 PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO TRACE, and follow the posted signage and guidelines of the park. If you aren’t familiar with Leave No Trace, here’s a breakdown:

Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impact
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of others

There are additional and more in-depth details of what each of these means on the LNT website, so make sure to take a look at that!

Similarly, because of how harsh the weather conditions can be, and because there is virtually no cell-phone service anywhere, it is important to hike with the 10 Essentials of Hiking. If you aren’t familiar, here’s a breakdown:

NAVIGATION – maps, guides, compass, GPS locator
HEADLAMP – flashlight and extra batteries or charger
SUN PROTECTION – body sunscreen, lip sunscreen, and clothing protection
FIRST AID – including animal and bug repellents
KNIFE – as well as knife repair kit
FIRE – matches, lighter, tinder and striker
SHELTER – tent, cover, or anything to protect and cover you
FOOD – snacks and extra meal
WATER – more than the minimum recommended amount
CLOTHES – enough to handle night-time elements

Interested in knowing what gear we use for all our adventures? Check out our Rock Porch lockers which list all of the gear we use, and where to shop it!

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