Horseshoe Bend

Been seeing this place over and over again on my Instagram and I knew I had to make my own visit here. The drive was around 2 hours and a bit from Grand Canyon and the drive there was pretty boring, just plains and mountains as expected in Arizona. We actually went to the lower antelopes first before heading here which was only like 10 minutes or so from the antelopes. There was a medium sized parking lot located in the middle of no where upon arrival. There was a small hill where I saw people travel up and eventually a small lookout tent that leads down to another small hill to the breathtaking scenery.
We actually saw the ambulance mobile there helping someone out probably from the dehydration as it was extremely hot and sunny that day. Be prepared to wear sunblock and bring water despite the small travel to the scenery.
The scenery itself is one of a kind. There are no rails shielding people from falling off the cliff so do view at own risk. There are multiple spots you can actually capture a stunning picture of the whole thing despite all the people swarming around. If only I had a drone with a gopro attached to it to record some footage around the horseshoe bend… that would be awesome.
Bottomline: A scenic spot that is suitable for almost everyone. It doesn’t require much of a hike at all so if you were planning to get some exercise in, this is not the place. Free of charge of parking, Free of charge of Entry.
⁵⁄₅ Scenery.

Easy to find just outside of Page. Just be ready to hike to the cliff. It was a bit crowded just before sundown but we got great pictures anyway. People were fairly courteous about taking turns getting a good spot for pictures.

Horseshoe Bend is an amazing sightseeing location. It is a short 5 – 10 minute drive from Antelope Canyon with a Walmart and fast food nearby. You turn into a parking lot and then go a short hike to reach Horseshoe Bend. During the summer in 100 degree heat the hike is still tough but still manageable.
When you arrive at Horseshoe Bend you will notice a swarm of DSLR cameras, tripods, and tour groups. Even with all the people, you can still get amazing photos and everyone is very polite. Horseshoe Bend will always have a special place in my heart because I proposed to my fiancée here. I definitely recommend it, espeically if you go to Anatelope Canyon.

Obviously the view is amazing. It’s a simple hike. Up a hill and down a hill until you get to the edge. There are no bad spots. Even if the parking lot seems full, you won’t be fighting for a spectacular view.
This can be done by people of all skill levels. Off road stroller needed as the sand is kinda beachy. Bring your cameras and your awe inspired faces. Would love to look up kayak tours and boat rides through the canyon. Looks amazing.

Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe shaped meander of the Colorado River located near Page, Arizona.
It’s a bit of a hike to get to the destination from the parking lot. There’s sand everywhere. And we’re not talking beach sand, it’s the red-​orange sand. It’s a bit steep on the way down and the way back up. You’ll know you’re almost there when you see tons of people at the edges.
Horseshoe Bend looks amazing. It’s as if the river doesn’t really move, like it’s at a complete standstill. The colors of the water are beautiful. The view is just gorgeous.
I don’t know what it is but when you have cliffs, it lures people from the entire world wanting to take pictures in that spot. When there are railings, there are always room to take pictures. But when there are cliffs, people lounge around to take fifty pictures in every kind of angle possible. Any kind of empty spot near the cliff, people shoved through. I don’t mind if people want to be Simba on Pride Rock but they really need to be considerate of others. There were just so many people on the cliffs.
Proceed with caution with these cliffs. These cliffs were not flat so it was much easier to sit than to stand. If you fall off the cliff, you die. There is no miracle to be found there. To give an idea of the elevation, the edge of the cliff down to the river is 1000 feet. It’s hard to see the whole horseshoe shape of the river unless you’re sitting at the edge of the cliff.
There were lots of Asian tourists mostly in groups (they arrived in those large tour buses). Some Europeans. Some couples but not much. There were also a few loud college kids, one wedding photoshoot, and a group of girls braiding each other’s hair with their feet dangling on the cliffs.
Horseshoe Bend is definitely beautiful and unique. However, it’s a bit overcrowded. I still recommend to go visit. Just be careful not to fall down the cliff.

One of the most breathtaking views, and one of the most high-​yield sights for the amount of walking/​hiking you need to do to reach it! Horseshoe Bend is located only 10 min away by car from Antelope Canyon, so I would recommend checking it out after a tour of Antelope in the morning.
There is a parking lot where you can park your car, and then it is an easy 10 minute walk up and down some sand dunes in order to reach the sightseeing point. Keep in mind that the trail is very sandy, so I would not recommend flip flops or high heels. Once you reach the sight seeing point, the ground drops away and you can see the entirety of the Colorado River making a large bend around the land, thousands of feet below you. The sight is breathtaking. The water is an especially beautiful color, with streaks of green interspersed among the natural blue color of the water.
You can stand quite close to the edge but be careful not to go too far! There are no handrails or fences around the edge.

This is one of the most breathtaking views I’ve ever seen, and I had just came from Antelope Canyons and Zion right before this! I’ve also been to various national parks in the West Coast so I kind of know what’s out there! What’s even better (especially for older people) is that there is no hike. While I do like to hike, I mostly do it for the views ;). This brief 10-​minute walk will take you to another world that even many 10-​hour hikes don’t.
I was truly in awe. I went right after Antelope Canyon and it was only a 15-​minute drive (about 2.5 from Zion if you don’t speed). Make sure you look for Horse Shoe Bend in Page, AZ, as there are cities called Horse Shoe Bend (in Idaho and Arkansas).
Once you arrive, there’s a huge unpaved lot; the walk up to the cliff was quite dusty. I went at around 4:30pm and it was perfect! The sun wasn’t harsh and there wasn’t any shadows in my photos. I kind of regret not watching sunset there though!
DON’T BE RECKLESS, and if you have kids, hold on to them although I don’t really recommend this if you have young children. There are truly no barricades (which really helps maintain the magnificence). So please take caution and not ruin it for the future generations! For those afraid of heights, stand back, although I am quite a daredevil so I got on all fours (to be balanced!) and climbed (really crawled) to the very edge of a rock that was dead center. I sat there for about 10 minutes just trying to absorb the views. I saw a lot of people who went and climbed on top of a huge rock that was on the right side, but I didn’t go so I don’t know how it compares (2^nd regret).
I left around 5:30pm and it was quite windy and the sand blew everywhere so do becareful!
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Favourites: SO MUCH AWE
Meh: Don’t come during noon, the sun is harsh and you will get shadows on half of the bend
Tip: I came at 4:30pm and it was perfect lighting (early morning is good too). The walk can be a little chilly/​dusty. You do need a wide angle/​gopro. I used a 24 mm focal length and it still cropped some it. About 2.5 hour drive from Zion, Grand Canyon and Bryce. 15 minutes from Antelope Canyon. If you’re at any of those places, just do it. It’s worth the 2.5 hour drive! (along with Antelope Canyon)
Last Words: The best things in life are free!

Highly recommend horseshoe bend to be one of your stops whenever sight seeing in Arizona! It’s about a two hour drive north from flagstaff, but it’s very much worth it. The view from the bend is breathtaking. Nature at its finest! It’s about a 10 minute walk from the parking lot to the bend, not bad at all.
There are no barriers on the cliff edge, it’ll probably be about a 10 second drop to the Colorado river, so be careful. Bring fish-​eye lens to capture the whole bend! If you go during sunrise, there’ll be a shadow seen on the bend. If you go during sunset, your photos might go against the sun.

Beautiful!!! Coming from someone who’s always on the go, hiking, being outdoorsy, & actively climbing mountains, this actually scared me with heights! Looked down & my feet were feeling numb. If you’re a daredevil, I’ve seen some people actually climb down to some parts of the edge of this bend. There are no railings so it’s a «live on the edge» type of scenery. Miss a step & you can trip. Okay, maybe I’m overexaggerating, but I didn’t think I’d come here trippin out on how high we actually were.
Parking: Google — «Horseshoe bend parking lot.» You can’t miss it because you’re basically in the middle of no where & when there’s several cars parked in certain areas, you’ll know it’s a touristy spot.
Hiking terrain: Easy! Less than a mile walk up the red sandy rocks. They have a gazebo midway where people sit & wait for others.
Charge: Free-​ninety-​nine! If you’re here just for the pictures, this should take an hour or less of your itinerary. But if you’re a perfectionist for that «angle» the left side is where I captured the edgy view. Act like you’re not scared & snap! I crawled my way out of the edge. You either pay your life insurance or capture the fun out of the view for free.
Weather: Came here at noon time in the Spring. Sun & clouds were out, but pretty hot! Don’t forget your hydration/​water. It can get dry a bit.
Lights, Camera, Action: Highly recommend a GoPro, fisheye, wide lens! The view captures the entire bend. Photos do not do justice on actually taking a breath out of the view. Editing photos is pretty impossible how breathtaking it already is.
Other touristy areas: Antelope Canyon it’s a couple miles from here, you might as well do the tour there too!

Horseshoe bend is a must see! Horseshoe bend is accessible by foot only. The walk to Horseshoe Bend is up hill and down hill for less than one mile… easy walk. The views are spectacular and offer so many picture opportunities. If you can, visit in the morning & afternoon because of different lighting and such. Bring water, a camera, and wear comfortable walking shoes. And… this is absolutely FREE!!!

Horseshoe Bend is when the Colorado River makes a very sharp bend in the shape of a horseshoe. Unlike a lot of the rest of the Colorado River, the water is clear blue due to filtered-​out sediment. I came during sunset which I thought was a great time to visit Horseshoe Bend. From the parking lot, it’s about a ¾ mile walk up a sandy path to Horseshoe Bend. Then, you are right at the overhang — no bars, fences, anything! Beware of some overenthusiastic tourists who can sometimes be a little pushy when trying to get the perfect photo. Otherwise, Horseshoe Bend looks great from all perspectives. Just beware of pelting sand that sometimes comes from strong winds. :)

If you are within spitting distance of this place by all means visit. Great views but a little bit of a hike from the parking lot.
I arrived at sunset so the rims of the canyon were lit. Maybe more interesting to take photos in the morning when the sun is behind you and shining down into the cayon.

Horseshoe bend is definitely a MUST VISIT if you’re in Arizona! Not hard to find… it is 10 minutes away from city of Page and just off Route 89 (you will see a random parking lot full of cars in middle of no where lol). The viewpoint is absolutely breathtaking (photos CANNOT do justice!) with the nature carved ancient sandstone and that emerald green river… incredible! And it is open to the public!
Daring tourists enjoy sitting calmly near the edge to admire its natural beauty… no sound, no movement, just peace and quiet :) I was actually too afraid, so I lied on my stomach and just peer over the edge to get the entire view ^^ It is so peaceful and therapeutic! There are no guardrails or warning lines to alert you, so pay close attention to where you are, make sure your pet is on a leash and your child is under supervision.
The hike from the parking lot to the site is about 10 – 15 minutes… it is a bit of a workout going uphill and downhill, and it gets quite slippery with the rocks and sands… be sure to watch where you are going and be in comfortable shoes with a nice grip!
P.S I heard it is even more mesmerizing during sunset… but we had to catch our flight back home that evening.
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Travel notes: My crew actually drove from Scottsdale, stayed over in Flagstaff and drove to Page the next morning. I suggest you to stay in Sedona instead of Flagstaff. Sedona is well known for resort and spa heaven, plus Bell Rock is worth a visit!
Our perfect plan was to head to Lower Antelope Canyon in the morning to catch the sunlight, have lunch in Page, make our way to Horseshoe Bend, take a quick turn into Sedona to see Bell Rock, and jet to the airport to catch our flight :) It was an adventurous day lol.

I can see why horseshoe bend is one of the most photographed places on the Colorado River… it’s majestic and downright gorgeous if you’re brave enough to near the edge of the steep cliff that sits 1000 feet above.
It is accessible via hiking a 1.5-mile (round trip) hike off U.S. Route 89. It’s dusty and a bit of an incline, but doable.
Be sure to bring water, a hat and sunscreen… it gets hot out there.

Saturday March 26, 2016
After touring the Antelope Canyon, this was our next stop. We came during sunset and TRULY AMAZING.
For those of you with a fear of heights, nows the time to get over it. Because you’ll miss the chances you take. Especially coming here. It’s a bit of a trek (damn these steep hills) but WELL WORTH IT. I mean after all, if you’ve been hiking in the Grand Canyon, I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to stop here and continue your hike.
Honestly, words can’t even begin to describe one of the most incredible views that this earth has given us. Seriously.
Obviously there’s no rails, so walk on the edge at your own risk. If you fall, then you’re …dead.

Horseshoe Bend is absolutely gorgeous! My spring break road trip’s single purpose was to come here and it for sure didn’t disappoint. It’s located about 10 – 15 minutes away from Page, Arizona and parking is plentiful in the sand lot and also neighboring highway. The hike to the outlook is sandy, and a bit steep, but doesn’t take more than 20 – 25 minutes. Bring a wide angle lens, GoPro, or Olloclip for some amazing shots.
Be careful though, as there is no railing and you could easily slip and plummet a thousand feet to your death. As someone who is scared of heights, it was a little nerve-​wracking to see so many people near the edge.

Horseshoe Bend is a place you barely have to describe because it’s magnificent, elegant and stunning. Words alone cannot express how beautiful this place really is, as you can see from the many pictures posted on here and on Google.
But getting there is a different story and let my experience help you with your road trip.
I recommend stopping by Las Vegas because it’s a 4.5 hour drive from there. The drive is straight forward and you’ll be just passing by bare desert land with countless amount of brushes for most of the time. But during the halfway point, you’ll go through a grand mountainous range that’s worth the experience. And before coming here, I strongly recommend booking a tour to Antelope Canyon (lower or upper). It’s another amazing place you have to experience and its only a 5 minute drive to Horseshoe Bend. But with Antelope Canyon, you have to book a tour.
Experiencing and witnessing Horseshoe Bend is completely free, that includes parking and admission. Look for a parking lot with cars on Highway 89. Park in the lot and embark on the ¾ mile hiking trail. As countless Unilocalers have mentioned the their reviews, the hike is easy and straightforward.
When to go:
I went on a Wednesday afternoon, in the beginning of March, and the weather was incredible. The day was very mild with no strong winds. It wasn’t too hot or too cold. If you go during the weekend or in the summer, expect more people.
What to expect:
Since it’s a tourist landmark that’s currently well known, expect diversity. There will be foreign tourists and many come in groups. The middle part of the overlook is the popular spot and will be crowded with people taking pictures. Be courteous and wait your turn. Some even may intrude and take your spot, but in the end, be the bigger person and be courteous so we all may enjoy the incredible view.
What to bring:
1. Camera
2. Sunglasses
3. Comfortable, non slippery shoes
4. Sunblock/​sunscreen already applied
5. Water — Preferably in a Hyrdoflask so it stays cold or hot depending on what season you go
6. Good company
7. An open mind to embrace the sheer beauty of Horseshoe Bend.
How to take awesome pictures:
Ask someone who knows how to take pictures to take your picture for you!
Get a high angle shot because if you don’t, your camera won’t be able to capture the whole bend. Even if you stay close to the very edge, it won’t capture the bottom river below.
How to do this? Ask someone who is very tall or go to higher ground. There’s a distinguishable cliff on the right side of the trail. You have to do a bit of climbing, but you’ll have the best high angle there. Take at least one panorama shot and most importantly, be careful.
The anticipation builds up as you get closer and as soon you see the sight of the incredible and enchanting bend, the most common one word sentence that you’ll be saying out loud is, «Wow.»

… einfach nur genießen
Was für eine wunderbare Aussicht
Einfach zu Fuß von Parkplatz zu erreichen

Yay!
My fear of heights held me back here, but it was still a beautiful experience. The short hike from the parking lot to the bend is pretty easy, but it’s sandy so wear good shoes.
It was somewhat crowded when we went, but I still managed to take plenty of photos of the bend with ease because there are plenty of jutting rocks from which to view infamous crook in the Colorado River.

This gem will blow your mind and nothing will prepare you for how stunning and spectacular this site has to offer. It’s free and you can roam anywhere you like. If you’re brave enough to stand at the edge to look down, good luck! It’s quite scary because there’s no ledge or support system to help you so just be extra careful.
There’s a small parking lot and you’ll have to walk 25 – 30 minutes to get to the bend walking on sandy terrain. Fortunately, the terrain is clean and won’t get your shoes dirty. Remember to wear closed-​toe shoes!

Beautiful beyond words. Nothing I say will bring justice to this place; you have to see it for yourself.
Saw a pic of this place while browsing thru IG, looking for beautiful places in the US of A. I knew it’s worth a visit the moment I saw the pic.
This is off Hwy 89, about 10 minutes from the center of Page, Az. No entrance fees, lots of people, and an easy 10 — 15 minute hike from the parking lot. Its a downhill hike to the bend so no sweat there but the hike back? I suggest you go with your fit friends so they can just drag your fat butt up the hill when you get too winded. No judgment here; its what I did. [~.~]
Late afternoon or nearing sunset is the perfect time to go. There is enough light to get those beautiful pictures of the whole bend and of course, selfies. The use of a selfie stick is highly recommend.
Keep a safe distance from the edge and don’t throw anything in. There are people at the bottom enjoying the place and even a little pebble could kill if dropped from the top.
This is one road trip you won’t regret.

En voilà un beau méandre ! Ce méandre du Colorado attire un nombre de touristes colossal qui vient juste pour admirer sa forme atypique: une forme de fer a cheval.
J’ai pu voir le horseshoe bend par deux fois, et a chaque fois c’était canon.
La première fois j’y suis allée en faisant la belle petite marche du parking au fer a cheval, c’est sympa, les spots photos sont merveilleux. En plus j’y suis allée a un moment ou luminosité était superbe, toujours avec ces couleurs rose orangé magnifiques.
La deuxième fois j’ai pu l’admirer dans toute sa splendeur lors du survol du Lake Powell, j’ai pu le paparazziter comme je voulais de haut et le voir en entier.
Splendide, et bien évidemment fait partie des incontournables de la côté ouest US.

Pour ceux qui passé dans le coin, c’est un arrêt obligatoire pour une des plus belles vues possibles de la région. Un peu de marche mais ça vaut la peine pour ce paysage magnifique