Are you dreaming of western scenery? If so, you’ll love Horseshoe Bend, one of the United States’ many natural attractions!
This time, we’re taking you to the arid state of Arizona in the USA, where the scenery is reminiscent of a good old Western. This desert meander lies just a few miles from the town of Page, downstream from Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell.
This « secret » destination is a bit special, as it was little-known for years before becoming one of the most popular tourist sites in the American West. As is so often the case, nature has a way of working things out, offering us a breathtaking spectacle!
So what is Horseshoe Bend? How do you get there, when and at what price? Where to sleep and eat when you get there? We answer all your questions in this article dedicated to this Arizona icon!
Following in the footsteps of Horseshoe Bend in the United States
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Checubus
The ancient eroded plateau of Horseshoe Bend owes its name, as you may have guessed, to its peculiar shape sculpted by the Colorado River. For here, the emerald river that winds its way through the dizzying canyon walls takes a 180° turn, like a loop. Impressive, isn’t it?
But let’s start with a brief history of the region. The first sedentary peoples to settle on this territory were the Fremont and Anasazi Amerindians (until around the 14th century), followed by the Paiutes, then the Navajos and Hopis (around 1850).
From the 16th century onwards, Spanish settlers and then the government led expeditions to the region, before the arrival of pioneers during the gold rush. From the early 20th century onwards, the region began to develop and was increasingly visited by tourists.
But Horseshoe Bend’s exceptional landscape not only attracts tourists, but also film-makers! Its setting can be seen in Franklin James Schaffner’s film Planet of the Apes (1968).
What’s behind Horseshoe Bend in the USA?
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / UntamedExposures
A spectacular view of the canyon’s majestic rock giants, high above the Colorado River, is what awaits you if you stop off at Horseshoe Bend! We go there to contemplate its high orange cliffs, whose color varies according to the intensity and inclination of the sun, and the Colorado River, which flows 340 meters below and changes from emerald green to deep blue. It’s hard not to feel small in the face of this vast expanse.
Since 2010, Horseshoe Bend has been attracting more and more visitors, prompting the authorities to refurbish the site to welcome them in the best possible conditions (sun shelters, additional parking spaces, security barriers…). Horseshoe Bend’s appearance isn’t quite as raw as it used to be, but the good news is that the site is now accessible to people with reduced mobility.
After a short 1.2-kilometre « hike » (2.4-kilometre round trip), you can access the coveted meander panorama from a specially-designed platform. How about a different viewpoint? To see Horseshoe Bend from below, you can take a rafting trip down the Colorado River from the base of Glen Canyon Dam.
How to get there
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Singsingq
How?
If you’re visiting the American West, chances are you’ve opted for a road trip, and therefore a motorcycle, a car, a van, a camper or even a bus.
From Page, all you have to do is head south onUS 89, turn right about 2.5 kilometers after the junction ofUS 89 andAZ 98, and follow the signs to Horseshoe Bend. Easy, isn’t it?
When?
The hottest months of the year are June to September, with an average temperature of 26° – the temperature regularly rises above 32° in the middle of the day – while from December to February, the average temperature doesn’t exceed 5°.
In the middle of the day, you can enjoy the maximum amount of light in the canyon floor – ideal for photographers – while at sunrise or sunset the canyon panorama is mesmerizing.
On site, allow an hour for the hike and to soak up the atmosphere. Please note, however, that the parking lot opens at 5 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. in the evening.
Finally, avoid peak periods as much as possible, because once the parking lot is full, you won’t be able to park, and therefore access Horseshoe Bend. But don’t panic, the parking lot has recently been enlarged!
At what price?
Since April 2019, access to Horseshoe Bend has been subject to a fee. To access the parking lot and then the site, count :
- 10 per car/camping car/van
- 5 per motorcycle
- Between $35 and $140 for larger vehicles
Please note: As parking is outside the national park, it is not included in the America Pass.
For sleeping
On site
The town of Page is only about five miles from Horseshoe Bend, and offers a wide range of accommodation. The price of a night in a hotel in Page ranges from $30 to $250, or $110 on average.
It is therefore advisable to book in advance, especially in high season, and to use a hotel comparator to find the best value for money. Some accommodations are also available on Airbnb for an average price of $175 per night.
Alternatively, south of the town of Page and less than a 15-minute drive from Horseshoe Bend, you’ll find the Page Lake Powell Campground, at around $30 a night, by reservation.
For the record, the town of Page is rather recent, having been created in 1957 to house the workers and their families who were working on the Glen Canyon dam on the Colorado River.
Nearby addresses
The Lone Rock Beach Campground($10 per night) and Wahweap Campground (more equipped, from $30 per night and by reservation) in Glen Canyon NRA are only a 25-minute drive from Horseshoe Bend and offer a very good alternative.
To eat in
Photo credit: Shutterstock / blazg
On site
Although Horseshoe Bend is not particularly well equipped for picnicking (little shade, no picnic tables to date…), you can always bring your own food. If you do, please make sure you leave no garbage behind to preserve this exceptional site.
Nearby addresses
You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Page! Meat lovers will love Big John’s Texas BBQ, with its 100% American atmosphere, including background music.
Those wishing to sample Mexican cuisine will undoubtedly prefer Fiesta Mexicana or El Tapatio. Finally, for more familiar flavors, head to Bonkers Restaurant (Italian-American cuisine).
To take in my backpack
The heat can be overwhelming at certain times of the day, so make sure you have these essentials with you:
- Sufficient water
- Something to cover your head
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- A camera (with a wide-angle lens for those wishing to capture the entire site in a single image)
- Camping gear if you plan to sleep outdoors
What I can discover in the region
While in the Page area, visit Lake Powell (approx. 10 km away) and Antelope Canyon (approx. 18 km away), then continue on to Lee’s Ferry (approx. 65 km away).
Nearby, you can also discover the natural treasures of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (approx. 50 km away) and the famous Cottonwood Canyon road that runs through it, or the western town of Kanab (approx. 125 km away). Enjoy your adventure!
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Matt415
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Susan Warren Photography