Horseshoe Bend in Arizona: Why You Need to Visit
If you’re reading this post, I’m assuming you’ve already seen photos of Horseshoe Bend and are interested in visiting. LET ME TELL YOU, it is 10 times more beautiful in person. Horseshoe Bend is one of the most beautiful natural features in the southwest, or really the whole country. No wonder you see it on computer backgrounds! Let’s go over everything you need to know before you visit.
Disclaimer: This post does include affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
WHERE IS HORSESHOE BEND?
Horseshoe Bend is located near the small town of Page, Arizona close to the Utah border. It is about 8 minutes or 5 miles south of Page. You really don’t even need an address, if you type Horseshoe Bend into your map it will pop up!
From Phoenix, Arizona: 4 hr 20 min
From Salt Lake City, Utah: 6 hr 10 min
From St. George, Utah: 2 hr 41 min
From Las Vegas, Nevada: 4 hr 24 min
From Albuquerque, New Mexico: 6hr 13 min
WHAT TIME OF YEAR SHOULD I VISIT HORSESHOE BEND?
Horseshoe Bend is a year-round destination, so you really can go anytime. I have been in March, May, and September. Page varies a lot in temperature, from 100s in July to the 20s in December.
Although it is the most popular time to visit, I recommend avoiding June-August due to high heat. If you’re going to go in Summer, make sure to have sun protection and lots of water even though the hike is short.
In my opinion, the best time to visit for mild temperatures are March-Early May or September-October.
WHAT TIME OF THE DAY SHOULD I VISIT HORSESHOE BEND?
I don’t say this often, but the best time of day to visit Horseshoe Bend is actually NOT sunrise or sunset. This canyon is deep and causes a lot of shadowing at these times of the day. The canyon is still beautiful, but it will affect your photos. I suggest visiting towards the middle of the day (10 am-4 pm) for the best lighting on the bend. Here’s an example from my visits!
Horseshoe Bend around 12:00pm
Horseshoe Bend around 6:00pm
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It costs $10 per vehicle, $5 per motorcycle, and 35$+ for large buses/vehicles. This is new my first strip to Horseshoe Bend didn’t cost anything. I think the fees are good for upkeep and because it’s so popular now. The trail is better maintained and more accessible than it was before. Fees are set by the city, so your America The Beautiful Pass WILL NOT WORK for this.
WHAT IS THE TRAIL LIKE?
The Horseshoe Bend Trail is 1.5 miles round trip and rated easy. It takes about 15 minutes to get down. The trail is packed and is perfect for people of all types and ages. It is wheelchair & stroller accessible. It is also dog-friendly. In summary, it is perfect for the whole family! With pictures, expect it to take around an hour.
If you’re hiking in the summer, make sure you bring shade protection and water.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO HORSESHOE BEND?
What you bring to Horseshoe Bend depends on what season you go in. If you are hiking in summer, bring lots of shade and water. For small hikes like these, I choose to bring fanny packs to carry all of my stuff. If you’re spending time in and around Page, Arizona, I highly suggest grabbing the Wondery Saguaro Overshirt– it is ADORABLE and looks amazing against the red rocks (above!). Check out my RockPorch locker for all of my gear recommendations.
WHAT ELSE IS IN THE AREA?
Antelope canyon
Antelope Canyon is one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the country, located just a few minutes from Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. There are both Upper and Lower Canyons. It’s amazing how small the canyon looks from the surface, and how it opens up underground. You do need to book a tour to see this feature- click here to learn more.
LAKE POWELL
Also situated in Page on the Arizona-Utah Border is Lake Powell, a beautiful desert lake surrounded by tall cliffs. Here you can hike, kayak, boat, or camp. You could spend weeks here trying to see everything!
ZION NATIONAL PARK
We stopped by Horseshoe Bend on our way from Phoenix, AZ to Zion National Park, Utah. Zion is about 2 hours north of Page, Arizona. It’s perfect in all seasons and the canyon is absolutely stunning.
HORSESHOE BEND SUMMARY
Cost: $10
Location: 5 mi south of Page, AZ
Distance: 1.5 mi round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 140ft
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Accessible: Wheelchair & Stroller Friendly
Services: Bathrooms, Shade Structures
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
As I share directions on how to get to some of the most beautiful places in Arizona, I do expect my readers to follow LEAVE NO TRACE principles. This means picking up your trash, caring for the land, and leaving it better than you found it. If you do this, you will in no doubt have a great time.
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