Horseshoe Bend at a glance
Horseshoe Bend is a horseshoe-shaped loop of the Colorado River a few miles downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. From the overlook on the rim, you look roughly 1,000 feet (305 m) straight down to the green water as it curves around a sandstone island in a 270-degree bend.
The overlook lies within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, not in Grand Canyon National Park, and it is only about ten minutes by car from Page and from Antelope Canyon. There is no entrance fee. You pay only for parking, and the walk from the lot is short and easy, which is why Horseshoe Bend gets very busy.
Parking and fees at Horseshoe Bend
The parking lot at the trailhead off US-89, just south of Page, is run by the City of Page. Parking costs $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle. America the Beautiful and other national park passes do not cover it, and there is no separate Glen Canyon entrance fee for the overlook.
In high season the lot is often full between roughly 9 am and 2 pm. On holidays and busy weekends the city may switch to a shuttle once the lot is full. Come early or late, or join a tour from Page that handles the parking for you. Toilets are in the parking lot. There are none on the trail.
If you are heading on to the Grand Canyon afterwards, remember that the national park charges $35 per vehicle and, since 2026, an extra $100 per person for non-US residents aged 16 and over. Our Grand Canyon tours guide explains the options.
Getting there is simple: from Page, drive south on US-89. The signed parking lot is on the west side of the highway, between mile markers 544 and 545. The lot sits on City of Page land, the bend and the river belong to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and the land south of the trail is part of the Navajo Nation.
The walk to the overlook
Easy, but exposed. Plan 45 minutes to an hour including time at the rim.
The trail
A wide, hardened path of about 0.75 miles each way, with a gentle climb over a sandy rise. It is built to accessibility standards and leashed dogs are allowed.
Shade and water
Two shade structures stand along the trail, but there is no shade at the overlook and no water anywhere. Bring a full bottle, especially in summer.
The overlook
A viewing platform with a railing. Beyond it, much of the rim is open and unfenced, with a sheer drop of about 1,000 feet.
Drones
Flying drones is prohibited without written permission from the park superintendent.
Best time to visit Horseshoe Bend
The overlook faces west across the bend, which shapes the light through the day:
- Sunrise: the quietest time and the coolest in summer. The canyon below is still partly in shadow, but the sky glows behind you.
- Midday: the sun reaches the river and the whole bend is lit, which is good for photos. It is also the hottest and most crowded time.
- Sunset: the most popular slot. You look toward the setting sun, so the scene is backlit and dramatic, and the rim gets crowded.
A wide-angle lens or the panorama mode on your phone helps, because the bend is too wide for a normal frame. For a seasonal overview see our best time to visit Arizona guide.
Our picks: Horseshoe Bend tours
See the bend from the river, from a private Navajo viewpoint or at sunset after a UTV ride.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sunset UTV tour and Horseshoe Bend
You drive your own UTV through the desert with views of Glen Canyon, then walk to the overlook. Horseshoe Bend admission is included.
Check availability →
Half-day float trip through Horseshoe Bend
A calm-water raft trip on the Colorado River through the bend, seen from below. No whitewater, with a bus transfer via Lees Ferry.
Check availability →Secret Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
A Navajo guide takes you through a quieter slot canyon and to a private viewpoint of Horseshoe Bend, away from the main overlook.
Check availability →Horseshoe Bend tours
Combos with Antelope Canyon, day trips from Las Vegas and scenic flights over the bend, with live prices and availability.
Other ways to see Horseshoe Bend
The rim is not the only viewpoint.
Combo with Antelope Canyon
The most common Horseshoe Bend tour pairs it with an Antelope Canyon tour in one morning, with transport from Page.
Antelope Canyon tours →From the river
Smooth-water rafting trips on the Colorado below Glen Canyon Dam float right through the bend. No rapids, so they suit families.
From the air
Scenic flights from Page often include Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell and the surrounding canyons.
From Las Vegas
Long day tours combine Horseshoe Bend with Antelope Canyon. Expect well over four hours on the road each way.
Tours from Las Vegas →Safety at the rim
Horseshoe Bend looks harmless because the walk is so easy, but much of the rim is exposed to a 1,000-foot drop. Stay behind the railing or well back from the edge, keep a firm grip on children and pets and never step backwards while taking photos.
The desert heat is the other risk. In summer, avoid the hottest hours, drink before you feel thirsty and protect dogs from the hot ground. Never leave pets in the car. For the rest of your stay, see our guides to things to do in Page and Lake Powell.
Horseshoe Bend: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Horseshoe Bend?
There is no entrance fee. Parking at the City of Page lot costs $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle. National park passes are not valid for parking.
How long is the hike to Horseshoe Bend?
About 1.5 miles (2.4 km) round trip on a hardened, accessible path. Most people need 20 to 30 minutes for the walk itself.
Is Horseshoe Bend part of the Grand Canyon?
No. It lies in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page. Grand Canyon National Park begins about nine miles further downstream.
What are the opening hours?
The overlook and parking lot are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Can I fly a drone at Horseshoe Bend?
No, not without written permission from the park superintendent.