HorseshoeBend
Horseshoe Bend is an overlook on the Colorado River about five miles southeast of Page, Arizona, just off U.S. Highway 89. From the rim, the river makes a 270-degree meander a thousand feet below, carving a shape that resembles a horseshoe — hence the name. It is a self-guided attraction. You pay the parking fee, walk the trail, and spend as much or as little time at the rim as you want. No reservation, guide, or permit is required.
The overlook is managed by the City of Page, which owns the parking lot and the trail. The surrounding land is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but the federal America the Beautiful pass does not cover the parking fee because the lot itself is on city land. The trail is open every day from sunrise to sunset, including holidays.
Getting There and Parking
From downtown Page, drive southeast on Highway 89 for roughly five miles. The entrance to the parking lot is on the east side of the highway, well marked with signs. The lot is paved and has separate sections for standard vehicles, oversized vehicles and RVs, and commercial buses.
| Vehicle type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard car, truck, SUV | $10 |
| Motorcycle | $5 |
| RV, campervan, or vehicle over 22 ft | $35 |
| Mid-size tour bus (15–35 passengers) | $70 |
| Full-size bus (35+ passengers) | $140 |
The fee is per vehicle, not per person. Cash and credit cards are accepted on normal days. During major holidays — Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas — the booth may switch to cash only, so bring $10 just in case.
No reservations are needed. Parking is first-come, first-served. The lot is typically fullest between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May through September. If the lot reaches capacity, attendants will hold arriving vehicles in a short queue at the entrance until a space opens. There is no overflow lot and no roadside parking: Highway 89 is a 65-mph road, and vehicles parked on the shoulder are ticketed and towed.
Do not park on Highway 89. The City of Page has an emergency ordinance prohibiting drop-offs and pick-ups along the highway corridor. Everyone must use the lot.
The Hike
The trail from the parking lot to the overlook is roughly 1.5 miles round-trip. The surface is a hardened, packed-dirt path at least six feet wide. The only significant slope is a short, gentle climb right at the start; after that, the trail is mostly flat until it descends slightly toward the rim. Most visitors reach the overlook in 20 to 25 minutes at a relaxed pace. The return trip is faster because the gentle hill works in your favor.
There are two shade structures with benches along the trail, but none at the overlook itself. The entire walk is fully exposed to the sun. Restrooms are located near the parking lot only; there are none on the trail or at the rim.
Bring at least one liter of water per person. In summer, when temperatures in Page regularly exceed 100°F, bring more. Wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. The trail surface is stable, but the desert heat is the real challenge, not the terrain.
The Overlook
The trail ends at a fenced viewing platform that was installed in 2018. This platform is the safest place to view the bend and the only spot with a guardrail. However, most visitors walk past the platform and spread out along the unfenced rim on either side. The sandstone cliff edge extends for roughly half a mile in both directions, offering multiple angles of the river bend.
The drop to the Colorado River is approximately 1,000 feet. The rim is not fenced beyond the platform. The rock near the edge can be unstable, and there have been falls. Stay back from the edge, watch your footing, and supervise children closely. Do not step backward for photos without checking what is behind you.
For photography, the view from the platform is partially obstructed by the fence. Most photographers move to the right or left of the platform for an unobstructed shot. The sun sets behind the canyon walls to the west, so late afternoon light illuminates the east-facing cliffs. Sunrise casts long shadows and can be hazy. Midday light is harsh but brings out the red-orange color of the sandstone.
Accessibility
Horseshoe Bend is partially accessible. The parking lot has roughly 12 ADA-marked spaces adjacent to the trailhead. From there, the left branch of the trail — added in 2020 — is a wider, packed-surface path with a gentler gradient that ends at the fenced viewing platform. This is the only guardrailed spot on the rim and the only sanctioned wheelchair access.
Standard wheelchairs can manage the left branch with one assistant pushing, particularly on the return leg where the slight slope becomes a gentle uphill. Power chairs handle it without assistance. Strollers roll smoothly along the left branch but should not be taken on the right branch, which has loose sand in places.
The unfenced main overlook — the spot most people photograph — is not accessible by wheelchair. It is reachable only on foot via the original right branch of the trail, which has sandy sections and no guardrail at the end. If you are traveling with someone who uses a mobility device, the fenced platform on the left branch is the safe and intended viewing area.
Best Time to Visit
The quietest time is right at sunrise, when the gate opens. Temperatures are cooler, the light is soft, and the crowd is thin. By 9 a.m., the lot begins to fill. Between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., especially from May through September, the trail and overlook are at their most crowded. Late afternoon — roughly two hours before sunset — offers a second window of thinner crowds and warmer light, though you will be sharing the rim with sunset photographers.
June through August is peak season: 100°F-plus temperatures, full parking lot by mid-morning, and a busy trail. November through February is the opposite: cold mornings, possible snow, but plenty of parking and space at the rim. March through April and September through October offer the best balance of comfortable weather and manageable crowds.
There is no bad season for the view itself. The bend looks essentially the same year-round. The difference is in the temperature, the number of people around you, and the quality of light for photography.
Rules and Restrictions
- Pets: Allowed on a leash on the trail. Not recommended at the unfenced rim.
- Drones: Prohibited. The overlook sits within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area airspace and near Navajo Nation land.
- Bikes, skateboards, motorized vehicles: Not permitted on the trail.
- Overnight: No camping, sleeping in vehicles, or overnight parking. The lot is day-use only.
- Commercial photography: No special permit required for personal photos. Professional film or photo shoots may need a permit from the City of Page.
- Swimming: There is no access to the river from the overlook. The cliff is vertical.
How to Combine with Nearby Attractions
Horseshoe Bend pairs naturally with Antelope Canyon, which is roughly ten minutes east on Highway 98. Many visitors do Antelope Canyon in the morning (when the light is best inside the slot) and Horseshoe Bend in the late afternoon or evening. The two attractions are close enough that you can easily visit both in a single day without feeling rushed.
Glen Canyon Dam is about five minutes north of Horseshoe Bend on Highway 89. The dam visitor center and bridge walkway are a logical stop before or after the overlook. Lake Powell marinas at Wahweap and Antelope Point are roughly 10–15 minutes from the Horseshoe Bend parking lot, making it easy to add a boat rental or shoreline walk to the same day.
If you are visiting around a meal time, Page restaurants are five minutes north. There is no food at the Horseshoe Bend parking lot or trailhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Horseshoe Bend from Page, Arizona?
Drive southeast on U.S. Highway 89 for about five miles. The parking lot entrance is on the east side of the highway, clearly signed. There is no public bus or shuttle to the trailhead; you need your own vehicle or a tour operator.
How much does it cost to visit Horseshoe Bend?
$10 per standard vehicle. Motorcycles are $5. RVs and vehicles over 22 feet are $35. Tour buses range from $70 to $140 depending on size. The America the Beautiful National Parks pass is not accepted.
How long is the hike to Horseshoe Bend?
About 1.5 miles round-trip. The trail is a wide, hardened dirt path. Most visitors reach the overlook in 20 to 25 minutes one way.
Is Horseshoe Bend dangerous?
The overlook is approximately 1,000 feet above the Colorado River. A fenced viewing platform was added in 2018, but most of the rim remains unfenced. The rock near the edge can be unstable. Stay back from the cliff, watch your footing, and supervise children closely.
What is the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend?
Sunrise and late afternoon are best for smaller crowds and comfortable temperatures. Midday is busiest and hottest, especially May through September. The overlook is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
Can you see Horseshoe Bend without hiking?
Partially. The trail is the only access to the rim. However, the hike is short and relatively flat, and the left branch of the trail is wheelchair-accessible to a fenced viewing platform. There is no drive-up viewpoint.
How far is Horseshoe Bend from Antelope Canyon?
About a ten-minute drive. Antelope Canyon is east of Page on Highway 98; Horseshoe Bend is southeast on Highway 89. The two are close enough to visit in the same day.
Do you need a reservation for Horseshoe Bend?
No. Horseshoe Bend operates on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservation, guide, or permit is required.
Is Horseshoe Bend worth it?
Yes, if you are already in the Page area. The hike is short, the parking fee is modest, and the view is distinctive. It is not a full-day activity — most visitors stay 60 to 90 minutes total — but it works well as a bookend to a day that includes Antelope Canyon or Lake Powell.
Can you fly a drone at Horseshoe Bend?
No. Drones are prohibited at the overlook due to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area regulations and proximity to Navajo Nation land.
For guided tours that include transport to Horseshoe Bend, see our Horseshoe Bend tours page. For lodging nearby, see Horseshoe Bend hotels. For a different perspective of the bend from the river, see our Horseshoe Bend float trip page. To plan the rest of your trip, visit our things to do in Page guide.
Lake Powell Sunrise Villa by Antelope Canyon
Firepits | Optimal Stargazing | Family-Friendly
Roam America Horseshoe Bend
Pet-Friendly | Laundry | Firepits | Pool | Access to Trails | UTV Friendly | RV Campground | RV Sites | Cabins Rentals | On-Site Dining | General Store
Holiday Inn Express Hotels Page, an IHG Hotel
Featuring an outdoor pool, this hotel is in Page. Each room has free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen cable TV. Wahweap Marina is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. A free breakfast is served daily.
A sitting area with a work desk, a small refrigerator and coffee-making facilities are avai … More
Featuring an outdoor pool, this hotel is in Page. Each room has free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen cable TV. Wahweap Marina is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. A free breakfast is served daily.
A sitting area with a work desk, a small refrigerator and coffee-making facilities are available in all guest rooms at Holiday Inn Express Hotels Page. A private bathroom with a hairdryer is also included.
Guests can take advantage of a fitness center and a business center at Page Holiday Inn Express Hotels. Laundry facilities are also available. The property provides free parking.
Lake Powell is a 5-minute drive from the hotel. Wahweap Airport is 9 miles from Holiday Inn Express Hotels Page.Family-Friendly Suites | Free Breakfast | Fitness Room
Rodeway Inn
Pet-Friendly | Family-Friendly Suites | Free Breakfast | Pool | Walking Distance to Restaurants
Hyatt Place
Pool | Hot Tub | Pet-Friendly | Free Breakfast | Great Location | Hotel Bar
La Quinta Inn & Suites
Pool | Hot Tub | Free Breakfast | Pet-Friendly | Family-Friendly Suites
Courtyard Marriott
Pet-Friendly | Hot Tub | Pool | Great Location | Restaurant on Site
Country Inn & Suites
Family-Friendly Suites | Free Breakfast | Hotel Bar | Great Location | Hot Tub | Pool
Days Inn & Suites
Pet-Friendly | Free Breakfast | Family-Friendly Suites | Great Location | Pool | Hot Tub | Walking Distance to Restaurants
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