Horseshoe Bend Ultimate Guide

Horseshoe Bend got Instagram famous a few years ago, and since then this natural beauty has BLOWN UP. Keep reading my ultimate Horseshoe Bend guide for all you need to know to visit this natural beauty.

What’s the deal with Horseshoe Bend?

This geological masterpiece we call Horseshoe bend was formed approximately 200 million years ago when a gigantic mass of sand dunes covered the landscape ranging from Arizona to Wyoming. These areas are referred to as “ergs” by geologists, and over time the dunes became petrified and turned to stone. Pretty cool, huh?

I’m not normally one to go into scientifics and fancy explanations, but once you set your eyes on this beauty, all you’re going to be asking is HOW?! But rather than attempt to explain things further, I’m just going to leave you with this link to a page explaining all about the erosion of different layers of sediment and sandstone that gave us what we see today sitting near a small town in Arizona. So if you’re interested in how Horseshoe Bend came to be, check this out.

How to get to Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend is located southwest of Page, Arizona which is just off Highway 89.

The easiest way to get to Page is to fly into either Phoenix or Las Vegas. It’s about a 4-5 hour drive from there. If you’re visiting from Utah, take U.S. route 89 south and turn left (east) onto route 98/89T. Parking will be on your lefthand side in a half mile.

If you’re starting from the town of Page, drive south on Highway 89. Look for the exit lane on the west side of the road between mileposts 544 and 545. Once you exit, you’ll see signs directing you to the parking lot.

Best Time to Visit

There’s not really a best time to visit Horseshoe Bend unless you prefer the cooler air, then autumn and spring are ideal. Summertime is obviously a better choice for sun bums, but remember that this is peak tourist season.

If you’re planning to do some winter skiing in the area, you can still visit Horseshoe Bend. Just keep in mind that snowy conditions can happen at any time, and you might end up getting stuck or unable to access the overlook.

Best Time to Shoot Photos

I would avoid Horseshoe Bend in the middle of the day if you can. The sun will be at its peak, so it might be super hot, and your photos could look super washed out. It would be SUCH a shame if you couldn’t capture all the brilliant colors because of that pesky sun. On the other hand, all of Horseshoe Bend will be illuminated midday, as opposed to covered in shadows. The brightness just might be too much for your camera or phone if you don’t know how to properly adjust the settings.

You’ll be able to get the best photos at sunrise and sunset – no surprise there! I recommend coming at sunrise. I had better luck with the lighting, and I was there completely by myself for about 20 minutes. Even for the next hour, there was a fraction of the people compared to sunset. It will also be a million times easier getting a parking spot if you come early because the lot can get pretty packed.

Bring a wide angle lens or use your phone camera for the best pictures. Horseshoe Bend is HUGE, so it’s actually pretty tough to capture you and all its glory.

Horseshoe Bend Guide: Know Before You Go

Horseshoe Bend is located southwest of Page, Arizona which is just off Highway 89. Lots of people stop at this famous overlook on their way to Grand Canyon’s South Rim. It’s even nicknamed the “east rim of the Grand Canyon,” so you’ve got to make a pitstop here even if it’s a quick one!

Horseshoe Bend is not a national park, so that handy dandy park pass won’t help you here. Currently, the cost is $5 for motorcycles and $10 for cars. Every time you enter the parking lot, you will have to pay – the pass isn’t good for multiple trips. You can also come with a tour company, but that’ll be pricier.

It’s about a 20 minute walk to the lookout from the parking lot – so keep that in mind if you’re planning to wear your cutest heels (aka bring a backup!)

Last but certainly not least, please PLEASE be careful! I’ve always been a bit of a daredevil, but hanging out on those cliffs is not for the faint of heart (and definitely not for anyone afraid of heights).

Other Things to do Near Horseshoe Bend

Antelope Canyon is just a few miles from Horseshoe Bend. Antelope Canyon is one of, if not the most famous slot canyon. With incredible colors, swirling landscapes, and sunshine illuminated the rock it’s easy to see why. You can visit both the upper and lower Antelope Canyon via guided tours and boat tours and get some once-in-a-lifetime photos.

Glen Canyon Dam is located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This concrete arch-gravity dam on the Colorado River is definitely a sight to see.

Lake Powell is the perfect place to enjoy a day of boating, fishing, or just relaxing by the shore.

John Wesley Powell Memorial Museum is the perfect place to spend a rainy day and learn about the history of the area.

Grand Canyon National Park is, well, I don’t think this one needs any explanation!

Where to Stay Near Horseshoe Bend

There are plenty of places to stay within Page as well as near Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon. Choosing where to stay really depends on your budget, itinerary, and preferences.

You can find everything from family-friendly hotels to luxury resorts just minutes from Horseshoe Bend.

If you want to have a luxurious stay in Page and rest up the night before, check out the Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell hotel. This modern luxury hotel is only seven miles from Lake Powell and offers a lot of high-end amenities and gorgeous views from the balcony suites.

For the more outdoorsy-type, there is also camping. Campgrounds are available from $20-45 per night.