Horseshoe Bend, just south of Page, Arizona, is one of the most photographed scenic spots in the American Southwest. Here the Colorado River makes a sweeping 270-degree turn around a sandstone formation, carving a horseshoe-shaped meander about 1,000 feet below the canyon rim.
The overlook sits within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, roughly nine miles upstream of Grand Canyon National Park. From the trailhead off U.S. Highway 89, an easy 1.5-mile round-trip path leads to the rim. Most visitors reach the viewpoint in about 20 to 25 minutes, and a hardened, wheelchair-accessible route takes you to a fenced viewing platform installed in 2018.
The site is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and no reservation or permit is needed. The parking lot is run by the City of Page, and a parking fee applies (about $10 for a standard car); National Park Service passes do not cover it. Restrooms are at the parking area only, and there is little shade on the trail, so bring water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. Much of the rim beyond the platform is unfenced, so watch your footing and keep children close. Drones are not allowed.
Sunrise and late afternoon are favorite times for photographers, when the light warms the red rock and the green river below. Horseshoe Bend pairs well with nearby Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Antelope Canyon for a full day of sightseeing. Find directions and more details about this iconic Arizona viewpoint right here on P6D.net.
📍 Address: Horseshoe Bend Trailhead, US-89 (between mile markers 544 and 545), Page, AZ 86040 — Get directions on Google Maps
Photo: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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