We generally recommend sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and LOTS of water for those joining us on our tours! As a guide myself, I will often pack spare water bottles for each guest just in case. There are three shade structures with benches throughout the ¾-mile path, but there is NO water. On the hottest days of the year it can reach 105℉. Hiking Horseshoe Bend is not considered difficult, but the desert sun has been known to prevent hikers from reaching their destination. At just about 1.5 leisurely miles round trip, this is a must-do activity when in Northern Arizona. There is only one path, so it’s perfect for those who are directionally challenged. This is an easy ¾ mile walk along a grated dirt path. Once you have paid your fees and parked your vehicle, it is now time to walk through the desert landscape along the Horseshoe Bend Trail.

Flagstaff is where we leave for our tour of Antelope Canyon to Horseshoe Bend, though we can also meet you in Page if you plan on staying there! It is about two hours north of Flagstaff, Arizona (the closest city to the viewpoint), which is a good central location for those looking to make the most of their time in Northern Arizona. It has a large parking lot where you pay entry fees, and it is marked fairly well. It is just outside the town of Page off of Highway 89. Horseshoe Bend isn’t hard to find but is located pretty far from any major airport or city. The gist of it is that water takes the path of least resistance, and the sandstone that once stood in the way of the river was easier to erode than the sandstone that is still present today. The unique horseshoe shape of the canyon can be attributed to water erosion. This is when the Colorado River started to carve out this long, winding canyon.

The sheer sandstone walls are the main attraction at Horseshoe Bend! This sandstone canyon that characterizes the geology of Horseshoe Bend can be dated back to about six million years. After a brief 100+ million years or so, the dunes solidified into the magnificent sandstone we see today. You would find yourself in a monstrous sea of sand spanning all the way to Wyoming. To find the origin of Horseshoe Bend, you’re going to need to travel back about 200 million years. Whether you are planning to stop on your own or take a Horseshoe Bend tour with us, here’s everything you need to know to avoid the crowds, the heat, and ensure you have a good time when visiting Horseshoe Bend. Its notoriety has made Page, Arizona a popular stop for tens of thousands of people every year. Horseshoe Bend is arguably one of the most photogenic places you can visit! This viewpoint puts you on top of a 1,000-foot cliff overlooking the mighty Colorado River.

Horseshoe bend hike vs tour