Is Horseshoe Bend Worth Visiting?

Since this famous landmark won’t take long to visit, I understand asking the question, “is Horseshoe Bend worth visiting?” I’ve been and I think it’s definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area!

What makes this natural wonder easy to add to your road trip itinerary, is it’s proximity to so many other great stops! Whether you’re visiting Antelope Canyon nearby or the Grand Canyon less than two hours away, Horseshoe Bend is an easy and beautiful add-on!

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Overview of Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the American Southwest, located just outside of Page, Arizona. This part of the Colorado River forms a perfect horseshoe shape, surrounded by towering red sandstone cliffs, approximately 1,000 feet deep. Located inside Glen Canyon National Recreation, this has become quite a famous site!

• Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Parking Lot: Page, Arizona
• Hike to Location: 1.5 miles round trip, mostly flat

Proximity to Other Attractions

A visit to Horseshoe Bend will not take long, but it’s close to other attractions making it easy to add to your Western USA road trip! If landmarks nearby are also worth adding to your trip, it can definitely help you answer the question, “is Horseshoe Bend worth visiting?”

Glen Canyon and Lake Powell

Horseshoe Bend is inside Glen Canyon, which offers more to explore. Lake Powell is another site many will visit or explore while in the area. About 12 minutes by car, you can visit the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell! However, Lake Powell stretches on for 200 miles into Utah, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to explore all of it!

Antelope Canyon

Only 11 minutes by car from Horseshoe Bend is Antelope Canyon! You cannot visit Antelope Canyon on your own and will need to book a tour. However, it looks beautiful and is a very popular stop.

I wasn’t able to visit as they were closed during my road trip, though friends who have visited loved it, so it’s worth checking out if you can. Below are some tours to consider if you have time for this beautiful canyon!

Upper Antelope Canyon Tour

Lower Antelope Canyon Hiking Tour

Grand Canyon National Park

Arguably the most famous US National Park is the Grand Canyon and the most visited rim is the South rim of the Grand Canyon. From Horseshoe Bend to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in the South rim is only about 2 hours and 20 minutes to drive!

The Desert View Watchtower offers the closest great viewpoint of the Grand Canyon and takes less than two hours by car from Horseshoe Bend.

Zion National Park

In Utah is the beautiful Zion National Park, which is under 2 hours drive from Horsehoe Bend! Similar to the Grand Canyon, you can spend days at Zion exploring!

While my cousin and I couldn’t fit it into our road trip, this park looks absolutely breathtaking and I’ve only heard great things!

Monument Valley

While Zion sits West from Horseshoe Bend, if you were to head East, you’d hit Monument Valley! It’s also less than two hours by car!

Monument Valley was made famous in Forest Gump and it’s an easy addition to your road trip if you’re heading this direction. If you had to choose between this or Zion, then I’d say Zion has way more to offer.

However, this drive was beautiful and it’s worth a slight detour if you’re heading this direction!

Is Horseshoe Bend Worth Visiting? Yes, If…

The answer is yes, if you’re in the area! Would I suggest coming here ONLY for Horseshoe Bend? No, because it’s a very short stop in and of itself. However, if you’re visiting Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon or you’re driving through here, it’s absolutely worth a stop!

In less than a mile from the parking lot, you’ll be taking in this beautiful view! The blue toned Colorado River set deep within the red rock is a beautiful natural wonder! Couple that with wide open skies, and it’s not a surprise it has become social media famous.

I visited in early October after leaving the Grand Canyon and the parking lot was over half full. However, it didn’t feel overly crowded and my cousin and I were still able to get photos easily.

Even if you’re just driving through the area like we were, it’s worth it to stretch your legs, get in some steps and be rewarded with a beautiful sight!

From the parking lot to the site was an easy, relatively short walk. There was minimal climbing and it’s mainly at the site. The path to walk is clearly marked, though having plenty of people around helped. Overall, it took less than 20 minutes one way.

The parking lot also had bathrooms, which was nice! You do have to pay for parking even if you have a National Parks Pass because the parking lot is in Page, Arizona.

Overall, the ease of seeing this beautiful wonder makes it well worth the stop. Parking is $10 and the time commitment is one to two hours, depending how long you take to walk and admire. Even if you’re just driving through the area like we were, it’s worth it to stretch your legs, get in some steps and be rewarded with a beautiful sight!

When is the Best Time to Visit Horseshoe Bend?

The best time to visit Horseshoe Bend depends on your preferred weather and how many people you’re willing to share the views with. I prefer to be by the beach in the summer and definitely want less crowds, so my recommendations are going to be spring and fall (though try to avoid Spring Break).

During spring and fall, the temperatures are mild, usually ranging from the low 60s to mid-80s°F (15-30°C), making the short hike to the viewpoint comfortable at any time of day. These seasons also offer beautiful skies and crisp air, providing excellent conditions for photography.

Additionally, since summer is the peak tourist season, visiting in spring or fall allows you to enjoy a more peaceful experience without the overwhelming crowds, especially early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

I pulled up a photo and the date and timestamp are October 2 at 11:11AM. While I was wearing shorts, hat and a sleeveless tee, the air temperature was pleasant! There were plenty of people around, but it was easy to get photos with no one in it and we never had to wait for prime photo spots.

If you do find yourself there in the summer, consider early morning or late evening when the sun isn’t super harsh. There is minimal to no shade and temperatures can soar above 100°F (38°C)! If you go in the summer, you’ll want to take water with you as well!

My cousin and I had spent that morning watching the sunrise at the Grand Canyon and we were making our way to Arches National Park in Utah, which meant the sunset was also not an option. However, if you’re able to time it, this spot would be beautiful with the rising or setting sun! According to their site, most people come mid morning or for sunset, so if you’re an early bird, the sunrise would be great!

Winter sees the fewest crowds, but does have the coldest temperatures. However, depending on where you are from will influence how cold you feel.

Tips for Visiting Horseshoe Bend

The Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot is easy to find just off the main road! If you’re coming from the Grand Canyon, you’ll be traveling on Highway 89 for quite some time and the parking lot will be on your left. If coming from Page, the drive is a mere 12 minutes and you’ll turn right into the parking lot off of Highway 89.

Parking

Once you turn in, you’ll be directed to drive through the booths to pay for parking. Personal vehicles will be charged $10 to park, though check their official site for the latest pricing. Additionally, it’s worth noting their site says they will only accept cash on busy holidays and weekends, so come prepared.

Your National Parks pass will not work as the parking lot is in Page, Arizona. It’s also not part of the Navajo Nation so you can do this on your own, without a tour.

What to Bring

The walk was paved in part, but once you’re there, you will want to walk around to get various viewpoints and it is dusty! So don’t wear your brand new, white shoes. A hat and sunscreen is recommended regardless when you go as there is only one or two areas you can stop that is shaded.

We didn’t take water because it wasn’t that hot for us and we knew it was a short stop. However, if the temperatures are hot for you or if you’re there in the summer, definitely take some water! It’s the desert, so I promise it will feel VERY hot in the summer.

The walk isn’t strenuous, but if you’re experiencing it in the heat, it will feel difficult!

Viewpoints

Once you arrive at the sight, you can walk around to take it in from various vantage points. My cousin and I walked up some big rocks to get the higher view. You can also walk further down the trail.

If you have small kids, it’s worth noting there are no guardrails. Keep that in mind when you are deciding where to take photos.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Horseshoe Bend

For those who love bullet points and are wondering, “is Horseshoe Bend worth visiting,” the below is for you!

• Pros:
  • Stunning natural beauty and photographic opportunities.
  • Short and accessible hike for most visitors.
  • Close proximity to other attractions like Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell.
• Cons:
  • Overcrowding during peak season.
  • Not much to do beyond the viewpoint itself.
  • The area around the viewpoint can get very hot in summer, making it less enjoyable at midday.

Is Horseshoe Bend Worth Visiting?

Horse Shoe Bend has become a bit of a bucket list stop for it’s social media worthy views! While it’s not on the same level of some of it’s surrounding landmarks, it’s definitely worth a stop!

The views are beautiful! The walk isn’t difficult, but a nice break from driving if you’re passing through. Just time your visit, so you’re not there with hoards of people.

I hope this travel guide was helpful overall! Enjoy your time in Arizona and anywhere else you are heading in the Western USA!