Nestled along the north central border of Arizona, is Page, Arizona… home to many beautiful landscapes. During our epic roadtrip around the southwestern United States, we visited Page and stopped at Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and the iconic Horseshoe Bend!
Getting To Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but the parking lot for the area is on land owned by the city of Page. When we visited, it was $10 for a car to park in the lot.
The hike from the parking lot to the overlook of Horseshoe Bend is .7 miles, so 1.5 miles round trip. The hike is downhill from the parking lot and uphill on the way back. The trail is well maintained, but be aware it does have an incline as it winds its way down to the overlook area.
There are a couple of benches with shade to stop and rest if you need to. The only restrooms are in the parking lot area at the top of the trail.
An Amazing View of the Colorado River’s Artwork
Horseshoe Bend was formed as the Colorado River (the same Colorado River we saw in Moab and that we will see in the Grand Canyon!) wound its way through the Glen Canyon’s layers of sandstone. The view you see today drops about 1,000 feet down from the top of Glen Canyon to the Colorado River below.
At the base of the trail, you’ll come to the edge of the canyon… there is a small area with a railing where you can look over to see the bend. There is nothing to keep you from exploring a little further from the railings, and you can walk along the edge of the canyon. The crowd is much busier at the railings, so you can get a view more to yourself if you explore a little off to the sides. Be careful though, as there is literally nothing to keep you from falling over the thousand foot drop!
We arrived just before sunset. From the overlook, you’ll be facing west as you look over Horseshoe Bend as the sun sets above it. This was a view we had seen in countless photos before arriving, and it was even better in person! The feeling you get as you overlook such a vast natural wonder is almost overwhelming. The size is hard to imagine without actually being immersed in the space. Having the sunset over the canyon was absolutely stunning.
To give you a sense of the size, check out the video, and look closely at the base of the escarpment. You’ll see a group of kayaks pulled up to the shore, and a campfire at the shore of the water. We didn’t do any kayaking while we were there, but it looks like it would be absolutely amazing! Can you imagine paddling through the water with thousand foot canyon walls rising up all around you?
Tips for a trip to Horseshoe Bend
A few tips for a trip to Horseshoe Bend:
- Bring water! It is the desert and there are no services along the trail. There is no water and very little shade.
- Wear sunscreen. Same reason as above! It’s the hot desert and there is very little shade.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The path is well maintained, but you’ll be walking on a gravel type path, and will likely be climbing on some rocks at the overlook. With a 1,000’ drop, you’ll want to be steady on your feet!
- Keep a close eye on your children! It is a very steep drop with a railing on only one part of the overlook.
- Plan around peak traffic. If there isn’t a parking spot available, you’ll have to wait until one is open.
Thank you for checking out our blog about our trip to Horseshoe Bend! I’d like to invite you to subscribe to see our next posts. Leave a comment if you have a question or comment about Horseshoe Bend, or tell us if you’ve visited before! It’s an amazing place to visit and a must-see if you’re in the Page, Arizona area!
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