Why is Horseshoe Bend so famous? How to enjoy the breathtaking view
Horseshoe Bend: Watch the video of Arizona’s most spectacular viewpoint
Millions of people hike the easy trail to Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona each year. The tips in this video will help you make the visit safe and enjoyable.
It’s Arizona’s ultimate jackpot. No permits are required. No need to enter a lottery and hope for the best. You don’t even need to work out to get in shape. Just show up between sunrise and sunset with $10. Take a short walk, stop abruptly, look down and boom!
You will be rewarded with the optical flash known as Horseshoe Bend.
Since gaining social media fame, Horseshoe Bend has become one of Arizona’s most iconic sights. From a high cliff 1,000 feet above the water, the Colorado River wraps a rugged sandstone formation in a sweeping embrace. For a moment, the emerald-green river seems to hold its breath.
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Before Horseshoe Bend became famous on Instagram
Like many old hands, I visited Horseshoe Bend when it was still relatively unknown. The stop was just an unmarked exit along US 89 south of Page, Arizona. Sometimes there would be a few Native American vendors with booths selling handicrafts. You had to hike through deep, foot-sucking sand, often in brutal heat, to reach the totally exposed cliff. The scenery was breathtaking.
Of course, I’m also old enough to remember playing lawn darts as a kid. We’d throw these metal-tipped weapons – spears that were almost invisible in the dim light of a summer evening – at friends and family, all for the fun of it.
Times are changing.
How has Horseshoe Bend changed over time?
Horseshoe Bend needed to evolve. I understand that perfectly. When Horseshoe Bend became a social media darling, change was inevitable. Visitor numbers increased dramatically. More than 2 million people visit Horseshoe Bend each year. To handle the staggering numbers, improvements were needed.
In 2018 a fence was put up along part of the cliff edge, but for those of us who can tolerate such things, there are still plenty of exposed, steep slopes.
The trail has been significantly improved, restrooms have been added, and the parking lot expansion was completed in 2019. There is now an RV park and parking for disabled visitors. All positive additions. The scenery still touches one’s heart.
Where is Horseshoe Bend?
Although Horseshoe Bend is often referred to as part of the Grand Canyon, it is actually located east of the national park in Page. This section of the Colorado River lies within the boundaries of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. At the top of the rim is the overlook with its hiking trail and parking lot, which is maintained by Page.
The Horseshoe Bend Overlook is located off US 89, near mile marker 544, about 4.4 miles south of Page. Look for the signed parking area on the west side of the highway.
How much does it cost to get to Horseshoe Bend?
The parking fee for Horseshoe Bend is $10 per car or RV, $5 per motorcycle, cash or credit card. Bring cash just in case. Credit card machines have been known to break down. Also, only cash is accepted on holiday weekends. National Park passes are not accepted.
Parking on the side of US 89 is prohibited. The same applies to loading and unloading vehicles at the entrance or along the highway.
Toilets are available in the car park.
How long does the walk to Horseshoe Bend take?
It’s a 1.5 mile loop to the spectacular overlook above Horseshoe Bend. The trail is much better now, a wide paved path that is ADA and stroller friendly. It’s mostly level, although the return hike is slightly uphill. The trail is also completely exposed to the sun. There are two shade spots along the way, but none at the overlook. Wear sunscreen.
As with any desert hike, bring plenty of water. Bring light snacks if needed. Wear sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and closed-toe shoes. Sandals and flip-flops can be extremely unsafe on the overlook’s rocky ledges.
Use extreme caution when approaching the edge. Sandstone can be slippery and unstable. Keep children and pets under control at all times. Take all trash with you, including animal droppings.
When is the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend?
Horseshoe Bend is open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round. The busiest times are between 9am and 11am and between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. This way you can avoid the crowds, escape the midday heat, and get better photos at sunrise and sunset.
The low sun shining over the red rock plateau enriches the colors of the cliffs and river at dawn and dusk. A camera with a wide angle lens would be helpful, but most cell phones have a panorama mode or similar setting to capture the expansive tableau spread out at your feet. Drones are not allowed.
What Horseshoe Bend is like now
In May I visited my old friend Horseshoe Bend. I had kayaked through the big bend in recent years, but this was the first time I had returned to this vantage point since the infrastructure improvements. I didn’t know what to expect.
It turned out to be wonderful, as always. It was certainly busier, as there was a steady stream of visitors. But the fenced-off area proved to be a much-needed addition. Especially because Horseshoe Bend might be the most selfie-intensive place in Arizona. Selfies require standing with your back to the precipice and focusing on a tiny screen, making a potentially dangerous situation even more dangerous. The fence provides a layer of protection. It also draws the most people. People are drawn there, leaving more room at the edge for former lawn darling fans like me.
I like being close to the edge, but still staying at a safe distance. I know too much about the nature of sandstone and the ruthlessness of gravity to do anything stupid.
The scene is still calm and soothing. Despite the crowds of tourists, I managed to find a quiet slab of rock to sit on and watch the Colorado River flow by. Just like in the old days. It winds around a high sandstone ledge in a 270-degree curve, a big, exaggerated bend. Funny, but it almost seems as if… No… that can’t be. Or can it?
For a moment it felt like the river was grinning at me. Just in case, I grinned back.
Stargazing at Horseshoe Bend
Page offers a handful of free stargazing events at Horseshoe Bend, with the last one in 2024 being Monday, August 5, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
It takes place in the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, not at the overlook. If you think the steep cliff is dangerous in bright sunshine, just imagine it on a dark, starry night.
Please leave pets at home as many expensive telescopes will be set up.
Details: 928-645-8861, cityofpage.org.
You can find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.comOr follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
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