Horseshoe Bend Hike: Trail Conditions and Parking
What the path to the overlook is like, from surface and shade to railings and the parking lot
The Horseshoe Bend hike follows a hardened path of 1.5 miles round trip to an overlook above a deep curve of the Colorado River. Very little shade lines the trail, no water is available along it, and parking at the trailhead is paid.
- 1.5 miles (2.4 km)Round-trip distance
- 2Shade structures along the trail
- 1000 feetDrop along much of the rim
Trail distance and surface
Walking from the parking area to the overlook and back adds up to 1.5 miles (2.4 km). The route follows a hardened path, and the trail is accessible under the regulations of the Architectural Barriers Act. Pets on a leash are permitted on the trail. The land south of the parking area, along with the trail and the overlook, is on the Navajo Nation.
Shade, water and toilets
Shade is scarce on the Horseshoe Bend Trail. Two shade structures stand along the path, and there are none at the overlook itself.
No water is available along the trail, so visitors must bring their own. Toilets are found in the parking lot, and there are none along the trail itself. Guidance for the hike is to avoid the hottest part of the day.
The rim and the overlook edge
Railings protect the edge of the overlook's viewing platform, but no railings run along the trail. Much of the rim is exposed to a 1000-foot drop, so guidance is to watch footing and keep track of children and pets.
At this spot the Colorado River created a horseshoe-shaped curve in the canyon, roughly 1,000 ft (305 m) deep and spanning 270 degrees.
Parking at the trailhead and who manages the land
Visitors pay the City of Page to park at the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. America the Beautiful and National Park Service passes do not apply to that lot. The parking lot is on City of Page land, although Horseshoe Bend itself is in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
On holidays and busy weekends, once the parking lot is full, the City of Page may require all visitors to use a shuttle.
Trail facts in a table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Round-trip distance | 1.5 miles (2.4 km) |
| Surface | Hardened path |
| Accessibility | Accessible under the Architectural Barriers Act |
| Shade | Two shade structures along the trail, none at the overlook |
| Water | None along the trail |
| Toilets | In the parking lot only, none along the trail |
| Railings | On the overlook platform, none along the trail |
| Pets | Permitted on a leash |
Horseshoe Bend hike questions
How far is the Horseshoe Bend hike?
The round trip to the overlook is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) over a hardened path.
Is the trail accessible?
Yes. The trail to the overlook is accessible under the regulations of the Architectural Barriers Act.
Is there shade on the trail?
Very little. Two shade structures stand along the trail, and none are at the overlook.
Are there toilets or water on the trail?
Neither. Toilets are in the parking lot, and no water is available along the trail, so visitors must bring their own.
Do National Park passes cover parking?
No. The City of Page requires payment for parking, and America the Beautiful and National Park Service passes do not apply to the lot.
Can dogs walk the trail?
Pets on a leash are permitted on the trail.
Are there railings at the overlook?
Railings protect the edge of the viewing platform, but there are none along the trail, and much of the rim is exposed to a 1000-foot drop.