Horseshoe Bend
A short exposed walk reaches a sweeping Colorado River meander where geology, heat, crowd flow, and cliff safety matter as much as the famous view.
Artwork inspired by Ed Mell
Horseshoe Bend is an entrenched meander cut into Navajo Sandstone downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. The overlook reveals river process and vertical scale, but wide-angle photographs often flatten the distance and hide the exposed rim.
Use the City of Page parking lot, pay the separate fee, and carry water for the shade-free walk. Only part of the rim has railing; stay back from crumbly edges and keep children close. Sunset concentrates both heat-retaining rock and crowds.
- River
- Colorado
- Walk
- About 1.5 miles round trip
- Edge
- Mostly unguarded
Quick guide
- First question
- Entrenched meander
- Set beside it
- Navajo Sandstone rim ↔ Colorado River
A focused visit to Horseshoe Bend
- Pay at lot
- Federal passes do not cover city parking.
- Carry water
- The approach is short but fully exposed.
- Use railing
- Choose the protected overlook for stable footing.
- Leave margin
- Avoid backing toward an edge for photographs.
Good to know
The parking fee is not an NPS entrance charge and passes are not accepted. Heat illness occurs on the short approach, while wind and crowding increase cliff risk.
Notice these
- Entrenched meander
- Navajo Sandstone rim
- Colorado River