Hiking to Horseshoe Bend in Arizona

Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has been on my bucket list for years. Horseshoe Bend is a few miles outside of Page, Arizona.

I was finally able to visit it in June of 2020. It was an incredible sight, and definitely something I’m glad I experienced.

Due to the incredible views you can see from Horseshoe Bend Overlook, and social media blowing it up, this spot has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

According to ABC News, tourism in this country has been spiking a tremendous amount, mostly due to social media. The more these hidden gems get tagged on social medias, the more people want to go visit them.

According to ABC, from a news article they wrote in 2019, visitors to Horseshoe Bend alone has risen from about 4,000 visitors a year to 2.2 million — that's over 4,000 in a single day.

What does this mean for people that want to continue traveling? Should we avoid these beautiful places, in fear that they will be crowded? Should we take things off of our bucket list because we don't want to deal with people?

NO! The reason these places get crowded is because they are beautiful. They are wonderful places to experience, and everyone deserves the chance to see them.

But we have to make sure we are taking care of these places. We have to be leaving them better than we find them. We need to treat people we encounter and the environment itself, with nothing but respect.

I encourage everyone to read the 7 LNT Principles (Leave No Trace), before travelling anywhere. These are basic guidelines and principles you can use to help keep our environment safe when traveling.

What actually is Horseshoe Bend?

There are no words to describe how breathtaking It was to get to the overlook and see what lied ahead.

Horseshoe Bend was sculpted by the Colorado River, forming it into one of the most mind blowing geologic masterpieces you’ll ever see.

Approximately 5 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau abruptly uplifted. The rivers that flowed through this area were now trapped in their beds.

The Colorado River began to seek a new natural level. It began cutting through rock layers, with the help of gravity.

As the strong and mighty Colorado River was cutting through rocks, it met its match.

A sandstone escarpment, which was a gigantic rock formation, wasn’t going to move.

So what did the Colorado River do?

She went around. The Colorado River going around this rock formation, caused the beautiful 270 degree bend that attracts visitors from all over.

There are different ways you can enjoy visiting Horseshoe Bend. Hiking, rafting, and flying are all popular attractions. I started with hiking to the overlook, so I’ll share my experience with that way!

HIKING

You do have to pay an entrance fee to get into the parking lot. Motorcycles are $5, cars and RVs are $10, and commercial vans or buses are $35.

The hike itself is paved. It is wide, and completely wheelchair and stroller friendly.

It is a 1.5 mile round trip hike, on flat terrain.

There are two shade stations along the way.

Things to know for hiking to the overlook:

•Bring lots of water! Even though the hike isn’t very long, it will most likely be hot. (And dry!)

•Pets are allowed. You can have your pet with you, as long as they are on a leash 6’ or shorter. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS IN THE CAR. And please remember to clean up after your pets!

•Bring sunscreen. Even though there are two shade stations, the rest of the walk isn’t shaded at all. If the sun is out, I would recommend wearing sunscreen.

•Be careful near the edge. Although this sounds silly, you’ll be surprised with how much of the rim is exposed with no railings. Please watch your footing around the edge, and keep an extra sharp eye on kids and pets!

I hope you feel inspired to visit Horseshoe Bend, and this was helpful for your journey! What experience do YOU have at Horseshoe Bend? What other places have you gone that amaze you?!