Travel-Curious

Travel Curious

For independent travelers who want to dig deeper

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is an easy walk to a panoramic overlook of a spectacular bend in the Colorado River 1000 feet below the canyon rim

Horseshoe Bend Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is a superb example of an entrenched meander or loop in the Colorado River with easy access from Highway 89, four miles south of the town of Page Arizona. 
 
There is a large parking lot and a paved path takes you to a viewing platform 1000 feet above the Colorado River. You are also free to walk along the canyon’s edge.
 

The bend is located about 9 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River cut out this spectacular bend in the Navajo Sandstone canyon more the 6 million years ago.

Eventually, the river will undercut off the neck of the bend, forming a natural bridge and creating a new river bed, short-cutting the meander and leaving it a dry canyon.

 

Hours

Sunrise to Sunset

 

Cost 

  • $10 to park, staffed from sunrise to sunset 
  • This is part of the National Park system but no annual park passes can be applied to the parking fee

 

Parking ( 36.876246,-111.502788 )

Large paved lot adjacent to the highway

 

Notes

 

Photo Notes

  • Better views are from areas besides the platform
  • Better in early to mid-morning light when the canyon is lit from behind you, sunrise the canyon will be in shadow
  • You can no longer do night photography because parking closes at night and there is no parking along the highway
  • Wide-angle lenses are the norm here, 12-20mm
  • No drones are allowed
 
 

Distance

1.5 miles total out and back, just a little elevation change (Uphill a little on the way back)
 

Route

From the parking area just follow the path heading west with the canyon in the near distance until you reach the overlook. There are two shade structures with benches along the way if you need a break.
Walking out to Horseshoe Bend near PageThe path out to the overlook at Horseshoe Bend ArizonaTaking pictures at the overlook at Horseshoe Bend Arizona
 
Horseshoe Bend Arizona dog looking over the edge

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Horseshoe Bend Arizona

Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is an easy walk to a panoramic overlook of a spectacular bend in the Colorado River 1000 feet below the canyon rim

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