Horseshoe Bend, just 9 miles upstream from the Grand Canyon, has become one of the most iconic spots in the American Southwest. It's a short hike but worth every second. And recent improvements have made Horseshoe Bend accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The biggest challenge about the Horseshoe Bend hike is getting there. It's roughly 4.5 miles from Phoenix and Las Vegas and 2.5 hours from the Grand Canyon South Rim.
There's a $10 entry fee charged by the city of Page. No federal passes are accepted.The parking lot is massive but does get full on weekends and in the summer. The parking lot has toilets but no other facilitates.
Horseshoe Bend is open from sunrise to sunset, with the busiest times being 9:00am to 11:00am and 4:30pm to 6:30pm. I recommend going early in the morning or at noon when the sun is overhead, making it easy to see into the canyon.
Gear Recommendations
This is a short hike and you can really do this in casual street clothes. The summer can get hot and I recommend bringing at least a small water bottle and sun protection.
Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.
The hike starts in the far end of the parking lot, close to the auto entrance.The trail is easy to spot. It's important that you stay on the trail and take all your trash out with you.The trail winds around from the start.And then opens to an expansive view. It's a gradual downhill that you'll have to climb on the way back out.
Along this stretch you'll leave the City of Page and enter Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. And to the south of the trail is Navajo Nation.
There are two shelters where you can take in the views and get a break from the sun.At the bottom of the hill, look for the metal fence. This is the viewpoint.This is the view from the fence. 1000 feet below is the Colorado River.
Just nine miles downstream from here is the boundary of Grand Canyon National Park.
Most of the area around the fence is wide open. PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN AND DIED HERE. Think about whether your life is worth a picture next to the edge.You can explore the rock formations around the viewpoint. Take care, it's easy to get close to an edge without knowing it.