Hiking to Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend, located south of Page, Arizona, is a horseshoe-shaped entrenched river. Part of the Grand Circle ^[1], it is a marvel of nature within the same class as the Grand Canyon that lies to the south.

Featuring steep cliffs alongside the Colorado River that formed it, Horseshoe Bend is a wonderfully picturesque and unique landscape rarely seen in other parts of the world.

This will be a short guide to help you maximize your time here.

[1]: The Grand Circle is a beautiful and vast region located in southwestern United States. Encompassing portions of five states—Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada—the Grand Circle contains America’s largest concentration of national parks and monuments (Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend, among others).

Horseshoe Bend: Important Information
Difficulty	Easy
Time	30 – 40 minutes minutes round trip
Distance	1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) round trip
Elevation Change	Negligible
Peak Season	Summer (June to August) is the peak season.
Ideal Arrival Time	Early morning (sunrise to 10 am)
Parking Location	Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot (Cost: $10 per vehicle, $5 per motorcycle)
Gear Recommendation: Good hiking shoes are recommended for better balance and traction, especially toward the cliff edge. The trail is mostly flat and sandy.

Getting There / Logistics

To the east of Horseshoe Bend lies highway 89. The parking lot is along that highway. Google Maps will lead you directly to it. From the parking lot, the trail to Horseshoe Bend—no more than about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) round trip—is mostly sandy and flat, with minor slopes here and there.

Horseshoe Bend is immediately recognized for its thousand-foot sheer cliffs and sharp-turning river that resembles a horseshoe.

The area itself is spacious, and most of that space will be empty if you arrive earlier in the day (around 8 to 10 am). Later in the day, and especially towards sunset, crowds will photobomb virtually every picture you take.

Although I recommend not obsessing about the perfect time to see Horseshoe Bend, going early in the morning would be a wise decision.

More importantly, if you are reserving tours for nearby Antelope Canyon, then going to Horseshoe Bend in the morning is perfect. The best lighting for Antelope Canyon occurs around 11 – 2, so you can easily plan that tour after visiting Horseshoe Bend.

Safety and Photography Tips

Guard rails only cover a very small portion of Horseshoe Bend’s edge, so be very careful. I saw someone almost fall off the cliff while positioning for a photo.

I never thought I would ever save someone’s life by saying “Bro! What the fuck?! Look where you’re going!”

Most importantly, check the weather. Cloudy or rainy days will certainly ruin your best viewing opportunity.

I also frequently get asked about the spot where I am sitting (in the photo at the top of the page). It’s a lowered ledge.

However, I would strongly advise against walking to the ledge. As you probably already know, I am rather experienced when it comes to performing dangerous activities (I am a tower climber after all). I can maintain composure and keep myself safe. Unless you can absolutely guarantee an ability to maintain composure and balance, then that photo on the ledge might just be your last.

Pro Tip: To properly handle the crowds, locate the nearest ledge and send someone flying. You do not need to do this more than once, because the crowd will thin out very quickly when everyone runs away in panic. Easy.

P.S. I’m joking, obviously. Do not kill anyone. You’ll ruin the view. No one wants to see a lifeless body in their photos.

Although a relatively short stop, Horseshoe Bend should be a priority if you are in this area of the United States. The Colorado River running through Horseshoe Bend also formed the Grand Canyon.