Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is the famous loop of the Colorado River just outside Page, Arizona, where the river wraps almost all the way around a sandstone tower about 1,000 feet below the rim. It is one of the most visited stops near Lake Powell, it takes less than two hours, and it pairs perfectly with a morning on the water.

Where Horseshoe Bend Is

Horseshoe Bend sits in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the Colorado River a few miles below Glen Canyon Dam. The trailhead and parking lot are right off U.S. Highway 89 on the south edge of Page, about a five-minute drive from town and roughly 15 minutes from Wahweap and Antelope Point.

The parking lot is run by the City of Page and charges a per-vehicle parking fee. Because it is a city fee, national park passes such as the America the Beautiful pass do not cover it. The lot is for day use only, so there is no overnight parking or camping.

The Walk to the Overlook

• Distance: about three-quarters of a mile each way, or roughly 1.5 miles round trip.
• Trail: wide and well marked. The first part is paved and accessible, then it turns to packed sand. It is mostly downhill on the way out, so save some energy for the climb back.
• Shade: there are shade shelters along the trail, but the rim itself is open desert. Bring water, especially from May to September.
• The edge: a railed viewing platform gives the classic view. Most of the rim has no railing and the drop is sheer, so stay well back from the edge and keep kids close.

Best Time for Photos

Early morning is the quietest time and the light is soft. Late morning through midday puts sun straight down onto the green river, which is when the color pops. At sunset the sun drops behind the far rim, so the bend falls into shade while the sky glows, and it is the busiest time of day. A wide-angle lens or your phone’s 0.5x setting helps fit the whole loop in one frame.

Can You Ride a Jet Ski to Horseshoe Bend?

No. Horseshoe Bend is on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam, so you cannot ride there from Lake Powell. The river below the dam is a separate stretch of water that runs about 15 miles down to Lees Ferry. If you want to see the bend from river level, guided float trips run that stretch, and you can also kayak up from Lees Ferry.

Lake Powell itself starts just above the dam, so you can easily do both in one day: the overlook on land and the canyons on the lake.

Make It a Full Lake Powell Day

• Morning: ride a jet ski into the wakeless walls of Antelope Canyon by water or the coves of Navajo Canyon while the lake is calm.
• Midday: lunch in Page, or a guided tour of Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon.
• Late afternoon: walk out to Horseshoe Bend, then catch the view of Glen Canyon Dam on the way back.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring at least a liter of water per person and wear real shoes; the sand gets hot in summer.
• Strong gusts are common on the rim. Hold on to hats and phones near the edge.
• Restrooms are at the parking area, not at the overlook.
• Visit on a weekday morning to beat the tour buses.

More Near Page and Lake Powell

• Things to Do in Page, Arizona
• Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
• Lees Ferry and Navajo Bridge
• Glen Canyon Dam
• Day Trips from Lake Powell