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 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

Dogs okay on leash
Toilets in the parking lot
It can be windy
https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/horseshoe-bend.htm

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.

The path out to the overlook at Horseshoe Bend Arizona

Taking pictures at the overlook at Horseshoe Bend Arizona

Horseshoe Bend Arizona dog looking over the edge

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A beautiful getaway to a lush forested trail in the Coconino National Forest that crosses Oak Creek numerous times as you make your way up the high-walled picturesque canyon.