Welcome to the Horseshoe Bend Tour
Why do 2.2 million people visit a Riverbend each year? Find out with this self-guided tour of the unforgettable Horseshoe Bend! This jaw-dropping canyon, cut through by the stunning Colorado River, is famous for a reason. See it up close and learn how this one-of-a-kind feature formed! And since you are already planning a visit to Horseshoe Bend, we also suggest dropping by the town of Page, once a rugged work camp and now home to incredible sights and hikes.
About the Horseshoe Bend Arizona Tour
Once you’ve downloaded your tour, you’ll begin your journey in the parking area for Horseshoe Bend. From there, all you need to do is follow the ¾-mile path toward the canyon itself.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the early days of the mighty Colorado River, when it was little more than a meandering river on a floodplain. As you walk, you’ll find out how that floodplain transformed into the soaring plateau we know today and how that violent geologic event created Horseshoe Bend.
You’ll also get details about the area’s human history, like how it passed from the Navajo to the hands of the US Government.
Finally, you’ll arrive at Horseshoe Bend itself, where multiple viewing platforms offer jaw-dropping views of this unique landmark. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures for your Instagram account! Your tour of Horseshoe Bend concludes here.
Bonus Tour of Page, Arizona
Also included with your tour is a driving tour of Page, the town where Horseshoe Bend is located. This tour begins at the Glen Canyon Dam Overlook, where you can get phenomenal views of the dam, which was the whole reason for the town’s existence.
From there, you’ll head north to a collection of breathtaking trails full of grand desert vistas. Then it’s on to the dam itself, where you’ll have the opportunity to get out of your car and actually walk over the immense structure!
Then, you’ll head to Wahweap Overlook, offering a stunning look across Lake Powell. Your tour concludes here.
Starting Point: Horseshoe Bend Parking Lot
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What You'll See
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Welcome
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Taming the Mighty Colorado
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Horseshoe Bend Is Born
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A Meandering What Now?
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Navajo Land
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The Most Famous Horseshoe in the World
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Why So Green?
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Horseshoe Bend & the Grand Canyon
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Conclusion
Preview the Tour
Taming the Mighty Colorado Audio Story
Navajo Land Audio Story
Rim View Trail Audio Story
Why so Green Audio Story
Tour FAQs
Horseshoe Bend is an iconic U-turn bend in the Colorado River, not far from the Grand Canyon. It has become Instagram famous in recent years thanks to its natural beauty and its accessibility.
While you can visit Horseshoe Bend during any month, the cooler months are generally recommended. Spring and fall are far less crowded than the summer months and you won’t have to cope with the 90+ degree heat of the peak season.
Anyone can visit Horseshoe Bend incredibly easily! All you need to do is pay a $10 parking fee, then walk about a quarter mile on an accessible path to the canyon.
Featuring a dramatic, 270-degree curve flanked by sheer canyon walls, Horseshoe Bend is popular thanks to its unique natural splendor. There really isn’t anywhere else like it!
Antelope Canyon is less than 10 miles away from Horseshoe Bend. Combining the two into a single trip is highly recommended, as you’ll get the best bang for your buck this way.
You can absolutely see both Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in a single day. More than that, you’re encouraged to! Just remember that Antelope Canyon requires a scheduled tour, so you’ll want to plan around that.
The path to Horseshoe Bend is almost entirely flat except for a very gradual decline, so you won’t need any special hiking shoes to make the journey. Any pair of comfortable shoes will do the trick!
Contrary to what you might think, the temperature is usually higher at the base of Horseshoe Bend than on the rim, as heat can get trapped between the canyon walls. The temperature at the bottom is usually around 5 degrees hotter than the temperature on the rim.
Horseshoe Bend formed over millions and millions of years. After shifts in the tectonic plates caused the Colorado River to abruptly change direction, the water kept eroding more and more of the land beneath, until it carved the deep canyon we see today.
There is a $10 fee to park an ordinary passenger vehicle at Horseshoe Bend. Light commercial vehicles must pay a $35 fee. The parking fee is not associated with the National Park Service, so you’ll have to pay it even if you have an American the Beautiful pass.
Horseshoe Bend is about 1,000 feet deep from the rim to the base of the canyon. That puts it roughly 3,200 feet above sea level.
The drive from Phoenix, Arizona to Horseshoe Bend takes about 4.5 hours. Once you get north of Flagstaff (roughly halfway), you won’t have to worry about much traffic.
Horseshoe Bend is accessible to people with disabilities. The quarter-mile trail leading to the overlook is very flat and wide, meaning anyone can make their way down to the Bend and enjoy its beauty.
You do not need a reservation to visit Horseshoe Bend. However, if you are visiting at peak times during the summer, you might have to wait for a spot to open up in the parking lot. Try to get to the lot earlier in the day to avoid this.
Additional Information
Lifetime Validity
​Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.Â
Works Offline
The tour works offline, so you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we suggest you download the tour on WiFi at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc., before heading out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket to any of the attractions along the way.
Carry a Portable Phone Charger
We Recommend carrying a portable power bank to avoid running out of charge during your tour.
How many tours should I buy?
Since this is a walking tour, we suggest you buy one tour per person for the best experience.
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!Â
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