Horseshoe Bend Guide: Parking Fee, Walk, Sunrise vs Sunset
What the overlook costs, how long the walk takes, which time of day works best and how to fit it around Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell.
Horseshoe Bend, just south of Page, Arizona, is a 1.5-mile round-trip walk on a hardened path to an overlook about 1,000 feet above a loop of the Colorado River. Parking costs $10 per car or RV and $5 per motorcycle, paid to the City of Page, as of November 2026; national park passes are not accepted for parking. Plan 1–1.5 hours, and go early in the day in summer.
The overlook lies inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, while the parking lot sits on city land. That split explains why there is a parking fee but no national park entrance fee here.
How much does it cost to park at Horseshoe Bend?
The City of Page charges a parking fee per vehicle, and the lot is open from sunrise to sunset. Fees as of November 2026:
| Vehicle | Parking fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | $5 |
| Car, truck or RV | $10 |
| Van or bus up to 14 people | $35 |
| Van or bus, 15–35 people | $70 |
| Bus over 35 people | $140 |
- Payment: cash and credit or debit cards; in rare cases, such as card machine problems on busy days, the lot may take cash only.
- Passes: America the Beautiful and other park passes are not valid for the city parking fee.
- Refunds: the city does not offer discounts or refunds.
How long is the walk to Horseshoe Bend?
The walk is 0.75 mile each way, 1.5 miles round trip, on a hardened, accessible path. It climbs gently from the parking lot over a small rise and then descends to the rim, so the return walk has a mild uphill.
- Shade: there are two shade structures on the path and no shade at the overlook.
- Railings: a section of the overlook has a railing; most of the rim does not.
- Water and toilets: none on the trail; use the restrooms at the parking lot and carry your own water.
- Pets: allowed on a leash.
- Time: 15–20 minutes each way at an easy pace, plus time at the overlook.
Is sunrise or sunset better at Horseshoe Bend?
Sunrise is better for most visitors: it is cooler, quieter and the canyon glows as light reaches the far walls. Sunset is the most popular time but also the most crowded, and the bend itself falls into deep shadow while the sun sits low in your view.
| Time | Light on the river | Crowds | Heat in summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise to mid-morning | Warm light on the rim; river partly in shadow early | Lowest | Coolest |
| Late morning to early afternoon | The river and bend are fully lit, with the fewest shadows | Moderate to high | Hottest |
| Sunset | Bend in shadow, bright sky behind it | Highest | Hot until the sun drops |
For photos of the whole bend, a wide-angle lens or the panorama mode on a phone helps, because the loop is wider than most standard lenses capture from the rim.
How do you stay safe at Horseshoe Bend?
Stay back from the unfenced rim, because the edge is sandstone that can crumble and the drop to the river is about 1,000 feet; falls here have been fatal. Do not sit on the edge or climb onto ledges for photos.
- Drink before you are thirsty. The National Park Service advises bringing plenty of water, since none is available on the trail.
- Avoid the hottest hours in summer; afternoons in Page are often in the 90s°F, and ground temperatures run higher than the air.
- Wear sun protection and closed shoes for the sandy, rocky rim area.
- Never leave pets or people in a parked car.
- Do not fly drones. Launching drones is prohibited in national park areas, including the overlook.
The National Park Service Horseshoe Bend page has current heat and accessibility details.
How do you combine Horseshoe Bend with Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell?
All three fit in one full day from Page, because Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell are each within about 15 minutes of town. Book your Antelope Canyon tour first, then fit the overlook around it.
| Plan | Morning | Midday | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer day | Horseshoe Bend at sunrise | Upper Antelope Canyon tour for light beams | Swim or boat on Lake Powell; Glen Canyon Dam overlook |
| Spring or fall day | Lower Antelope Canyon tour | Lunch in Page | Horseshoe Bend in late afternoon, Lake Powell sunset |
| Half day passing through | Horseshoe Bend (1–1.5 hours) | Antelope Canyon tour (1–2 hours) | Continue to Grand Canyon, Zion or Monument Valley |
Antelope Canyon requires a guided tour with a Navajo-authorized operator; see our Antelope Canyon tours guide. You can also see Horseshoe Bend from below on smooth-water float trips that launch near Glen Canyon Dam.
When is the best time of year to visit Horseshoe Bend?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the best seasons, with comfortable walking temperatures. Summer is busy and hot, while winter is quiet with cold mornings and occasional wind.
- Spring: mild days, spring break crowds, gusty winds at times.
- Summer: walk at sunrise; afternoon monsoon storms can bring lightning from about July into September, so leave the exposed rim if storms approach.
- Fall: warm days and good light; still busy in September and October.
- Winter: fewest people; dress in layers for cold starts.
Page uses Arizona time, which does not change for daylight saving, so check sunrise and sunset times in local Arizona time.
Where is Horseshoe Bend, and how do you get there?
The parking lot is on US-89 a few minutes south of central Page, Arizona. Page sits about 2.5 hours from Grand Canyon’s South Rim, about 2 hours from Zion’s east side and about 4.5 hours from Las Vegas.
There is no public transportation to the overlook, so most visitors drive or join a tour from Page. Horseshoe Bend is an easy stop on a Las Vegas loop; our 7-day Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce itinerary includes it, and if you are deciding between the two Grand Canyon rims on the same trip, see South Rim vs North Rim.
Bottom line
Horseshoe Bend is a short, accessible walk with a big view: pay the $10 city parking fee, walk 1.5 miles round trip, and go at sunrise or mid-morning to avoid heat and crowds. Bring water, stay back from the edge, and pair it with an Antelope Canyon tour and an afternoon at Lake Powell.
FAQ
Do you need a ticket or reservation for Horseshoe Bend?
No reservation is needed. You only pay the City of Page parking fee at the lot, which is open from sunrise to sunset.
Is the Horseshoe Bend trail hard?
No. It is a 1.5-mile round trip on a hardened path with a gentle grade, accessible to most visitors, but summer heat can make it tiring.
Does the national park pass cover Horseshoe Bend?
No. The overlook is in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, but the parking lot belongs to the City of Page, which does not accept federal passes.
Can you visit Horseshoe Bend at night?
The parking area is open from sunrise to sunset, so plan your visit in daylight hours.
