If you’re in the vicinity of Page, Arizona chances are Horseshoe Bend is on your travel itinerary. I’ve visited the Grand Canyon’s North, East and South Rims and I can say that Horseshoe Bend gives the Grand Canyon a run for its money! Horseshoe Bend is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the Southwest and is highly worthy of a visit. Read on for the mini-guide to Horseshoe Bend.
Mini-Guide to Horseshoe Bend
Getting There
Horseshoe Bend is a short 10-minute drive southwest of Page along Hwy 89 S. The turn into the parking lot is easy to miss since there are no prominent signs. There is plenty of free parking and since Horseshoe Bend is located outside the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, there is no admission fee.
Periodically, you will see rafts cruising on the meandering Colorado River below. Raft tours take off from the base of Glen Canyon Dam and offer a different perspective from below.
The Walk
From the parking lot, it’s a bit of a steep climb uphill in sand. Although it’s more of a walk than a hike, don’t underestimate the walk. This is followed by a short downhill trek to the edge of the steep cliff 300 meters above the Colorado River. The round trip from the parking lot to the Bend is about 30 minutes.
Since it’s an easy walk, Horseshoe Bend attracts many visitors with the summer months being the busiest. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, and wear sun block since it’s easier to get sunburnt in the higher elevation.
Photo Tips
Different times of the day will yield drastically different lighting effects. Since we stayed nearby in Page, we scheduled two visits to Horseshoe Bend – at sunrise and again at sunset.
The lighting at sunrise creates saturated tones. By late morning and mid-day, deep shadows are cast from the canyon walls upon the Colorado River. I like the lighting the best at late afternoon, when the sun lights up the entire canyon. The sun sets over the bend creating cool tones at sunset and early evening.
Although no photo does justice to its natural beauty, you can get some amazing shots with a wide-angle lens or your phone’s panoramic feature. There were a lot of people staked out at the prime unobstructed picture spots; I learned to stand near anyone who looked like a professional photographer with their tripods for the best shot. A self-timer and a tripod came in handy for us for group pics.
Safety First
There are no physical barriers between you and death 300 meters below. Is it really worth plunging down the canyon for that yoga pose shot?! If you have two left feet, stay well back. I would also recommend wearing shoes with sturdy treads rather than flip-flops if you plan on going anywhere near the edge.
Safe Travels!
xx Deb
Csilla says
I am so glad I found your blog! I am planning to do a US road-trip with my boyfriend, and you have some nice posts about places we would want to go to. 🙂
Thanks for all the info and tips! 🙂
Deb Che says
Yay, I’m glad you stumbled upon Adventure Affinity 🙂 The Arizona, Nevada, & Utah route was really fun and there’s so much to see. Have fun planning your US road trip. Thanks for reading!
Bonnie says
One of your best posts!
Deb Che says
Thank you! 🙂