Horseshoe Bend is one of the most spectacular views in Arizona and is a common stop for travelers visiting the Grand Canyon. The bend is located in Page, Arizona which is a 2-hour drive away from both the South and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
We drove to Horseshoe Bend from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and we were really impressed by the view, however, after 10-20 minutes of gazing at the scenery, we were eager to see something else and make the most out of our time in Page, Arizona.
That’s why, in this Horseshoe Bend travel guide, we’ll share with you what to expect from the bend and 4 additional options to extend your trip and really get the most out of your time in this beautiful region of Arizona.
Visit Horseshoe Bend
The first thing you have to do in Page, Arizona is to visit the Horseshoe Bend! You’re going to love this view! The good thing is that there is plenty of space to spread out so you can get unobstructed pictures like the one above.
The trail to Horseshoe Bend is an easy 1.5-mile (2.4 km) roundtrip walk, taking about 20 minutes to get to the viewpoint and 20 minutes to get back into the parking lot. The walk there is very easy. However, because of the slight incline coming back and the harshness of the desert sun, the journey back to the parking lot can be a little tiring. Luckily, they do have two shaded shelters which we took full advantage of to take a break from the heat on the way back. Nonetheless, I still believe that this trail is easy for most fitness types.
What to Bring With You to Horseshoe Bend
Because you will be getting lots of direct sun for a full hour, I recommend bringing water with you and plenty of sun protection including hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. That desert sun can be brutal and just because the walk is short does not mean that it can’t dehydrate you. Bringing enough water is definitely key! Naturally, make sure not to forget your camera as well!
For updated prices and hours of operation at Horseshoe Bend, check out their website here!
You can also watch our full video Horseshoe Bend travel guide below to see for yourself just how beautiful this attraction is!
Horseshoe Bend is just one short stop though. After about 10-20 minutes of photos, you will be eager to explore something else. Why not explore some of the attractions listed below!
Take a Tour of Antelope Canyon
Just 10 minutes away from Horseshoe Bend is Antelope Canyon. This beautiful canyon is on Navajo land and can only be seen with a tour guide. Your tour guide will explain the geology of this unique area as well as how to get the best pictures of the canyon. It can be a little dark in this narrow canyon so getting the perfect photo can be a challenge if you don’t know the correct camera settings.
For updated hours and prices of these Antelope Canyon Tours, check out their website here!
Kayak Horseshoe Bend
You can also experience Horseshoe Bend from the water by kayaking the Colorado River. Forty-five minutes away is a kayak launch site for Horseshoe Bend. It is about 15 miles downstream from the bend, but don’t worry, they offer a speedboat service that can haul you and your kayak closer to the bend so you can kayak a distance that is comfortable to you. They will also pick you up when you are done and take you back to the launch site.
If you are interested in kayaking the Horseshoe Bend then check out their latest hours and prices here!
Glen Canyon Dam
The Glen Canyon Dam is worth a quick stop when you are in Page, Arizona. It’s just 12 minutes away from the Horseshoe Bend, and this dam creates the massive reservoir that has become Lake Powell. You can stop by to see the outside of the dam anytime, but you can go inside the visitor’s center to schedule a tour of the inside.
Lake Powell
Lake Powell is an artificial reservoir made by the Glen Canyon Dam, and is a popular tourist attraction visited by over 2 million people every year. You can take a boat tour from Lake Powell Resort and Marina or take one of the many hiking trails to get an up-close and personal look at the beautiful lake views.
Water levels have been low lately, but if you are lucky you might be able to catch a boat and hiking tour combination to the Rainbow Bridge National Monument. This natural stone bridge is the largest in the world and quite inspiring to see. For more info about the Rainbow Bridge Tour, check out all the latest details here!
Staying in Page, Arizona
As you can see, Page, Arizona really does have a lot to offer the traveler. If you are thinking of making Page your home base for a few days, it has a lot of affordable accommodations options and is a great place to stay if you want to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as well.
Use the map below to shop for your Horseshoe Bend accommodations
Final Thoughts on Page, Arizona
We were drawn to Page, Arizona just by one attraction and were blown away by how many great options this city had in store. I hope this Horseshoe Bend travel guide give you some great ideas for planning your Arizona road trip. No matter which attractions you choose, it will be a trip you won’t soon forget!
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