Horseshoe Bend, Coconino County Travel Guide

4.8 (20111)

Witness the stunning beauty of the Colorado River as it carves a dramatic horseshoe bend through the Arizona desert landscape.

Horseshoe Bend is a famous overlook in northern Arizona, just outside Page, where the Colorado River makes a dramatic 270-degree turn within a deep canyon. Millions of visitors come each year to witness this breathtaking view.

A brief summary to Horseshoe Bend

US-89, Page, Arizona, 86040, US
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Monday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Tuesday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Wednesday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Thursday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Friday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Saturday 5:30 am-7:30 pm
Sunday 5:30 am-7:30 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Horseshoe Bend.

Bring plenty of water, especially during the summer months, as there is little shade on the trail.
Wear sturdy shoes for the sandy and uneven trail.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and capture the best light for photos.
Be cautious near the edge of the overlook, as the sandstone can be slippery.
Combine your visit with a trip to nearby attractions like Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, or the Glen Canyon Dam.

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1 Hour Horseshoe Bend Trail Ride

$155.00

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Getting There

Driving

From Page, Arizona, drive southeast on Highway 89 for approximately 5 miles. Look for the well-marked turnoff for Horseshoe Bend Overlook. Turn into the parking lot. Parking costs $10 for passenger vehicles. Cash is accepted on busy weekends and holidays. From the parking lot, it's a 0.75-mile hike to the overlook.
Walking

From Page, walking to Horseshoe Bend is not recommended due to the distance and lack of pedestrian access along Highway 89. Consider driving or taking a taxi/rideshare.

Discover more about Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend, located a few miles south of Page, Arizona, is one of the most iconic and photographed spots in the American Southwest. Here, the Colorado River has carved a dramatic, horseshoe-shaped bend into the surrounding sandstone, creating a stunning vista that drops 1,000 feet to the river below.Formed over millions of years through erosion by the Colorado River, Horseshoe Bend showcases the power of nature's artistry. The river cut through the soft rock layers of the Colorado Plateau, leaving behind the harder Navajo Sandstone that forms the towering cliffs we see today. These cliffs expose layers of sandstone dating back to the Jurassic period, over 190 million years ago.For centuries, the area around Horseshoe Bend has been inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Navajo and Ancestral Puebloans, who developed a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the land. There are ancient routes into the horseshoe and petroglyphs left behind by numerous tribes who called the region home.Today, Horseshoe Bend is easily accessible via a short, relatively flat 1.5-mile round trip hike from a nearby parking lot. The trail is Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) compliant, making it accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. The viewpoint offers panoramic views of the river and canyon, with safety railings in some areas.