Horseshoe Bend is a secret spot in a little town called Page in Arizona. The Colorado River, which is most prominently featured in the Grand Canyon, has another, spectacular appearance with quite different looks. An abyss or canyon has derived in the shape of a horseshoe. Gigantic rocks surround the colorful river that almost flows in a circle.
Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona
You can reach the Horseshoe Bend from Page in Arizona. Page is a place to stop on the way to Lake Powell (right next to it), to Monument Valley (about 2 hours) or can be combined with the Grand Canyon or Zion Nationalpark.
Horseshoe Bend is only a few kilometers southwest of Page. Parking is available right in front of it. Anyways, you cannot drive directly to the river and the rocks. It’s a 3/4-mile-walk (1.5 km) from the parking spot to the viewpoint. That’s not far but you walk on uneven ground down a hill. That means comfortable shoes are necessary.
You can stand on several huge rocks at the viewpoint and see how the river turns. That is where the name horseshoe comes from. The viewpoint is about 300 meters above the river. All the different colors are absolutely stunning: the river shines in various blues shades whereas the rocks red color strongly contrasts these blues.
The viewpoint is not a single spot but several 100 meters long (several hundred yards). Nobody dared to stand close to the abyss. You look down, a long way down, and then see the Colorado River.
Due to its sheer size, it’s a bit challenging to take one picture of the entire horseshoe.
Visiting horseshoe bend is a nice, short trip that can best be done in the morning or evening. You should definitely come here when you are around.
Horseshoe Bend can be reached from Page in Highway 89 (south), signs lead to the parking area.
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